Thumbnail Image

Theses

Browse

20077
Reset filters
Subject: Agricultural Extension × End date: 2007 × Start date: 2007 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Entrepreurial behaviour of coconut oil-based unit owners
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture,Vellayani, 2007) Gurubalan, M; KAU; Seema, B
    The study entitled “ Entrepreneurial behaviour of coconut oil based units owners” was undertaken with an objective to analyse the entrepreneurial behaviour of coconut oil based units, their profile characteristics and economic dimensions of enterprise. It was also aimed to identify the constraints as perceived by the entrepreneur so as to provide valuable suggestions for the development of the enterprise. The study was conducted in Pallichal, Pulimath, Parasala block Panchayats in Thiruvananthapuram district. A sample of 25 copra units and 10 coconut oil mills from each Panchayat were selected at random thus making a total of 105 respondents. The data collected were statistically analyzed using arithmetic mean, percentage and simple correlation. The study revealed that majority of the respondents from both categories had medium to high level of entrepreneurial behaviour. Relationship of the profile characteristics with entrepreneurial behaviour showed that in the case of copra unit owners, variables namely education, annual income, mass media exposure, attitude towards self employment, economic motivation and knowledge about value added products were positively and significantly correlated. In case of coconut oil mill owners, education, mass media exposure, level of aspiration, attitude towards self employment, economic motivation, self reliance and knowledge about value added products had positively significant correlation with the entrepreneurial behaviour. Economic analysis of enterprises showed that profitability and sound economic position in both the categories of respondents. Shortage of raw materials, instability of prices, high labour charges, and lack of infrastructure facilities were considered to be major hindrances encountered by copra unit owners. Whereas in coconut oil mill owners, shortage of raw materials, instability of prices, competition from low priced oils and lack of organized marketing were perceived as major constraints. Current information on prices coupled with ware housing facilities. Market literacy programme, vertical integration of coconut oil based units and initiation of new processing technologies were the major suggestions for the development of coconut oil based industry.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Organic agricultural practices in coconut based homesteads in Thiruvananthapuram district
    (Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2007) Jayawardana, J K J P; KAU; Sherief, A K
    The study entitled “Organic agricultural practices in coconut based homesteads in Thiruvananthapuram district” was conducted to assess the awareness, knowledge, attitude and adoption of organic farming practices, to find out the relationship between the profile characteristics and awareness, knowledge, attitude and adoption of organic farming practices and to identify the constraints in the adoption of organic farming practices and to suggest solutions to them. The study was conducted in Kalliyoor, Venganoor and Kuzhimilum Panchayats of Nemon, Adiyanoor and Chirayinkeezh blocks respectively of Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala. Multi stage random sampling technique was administered to select 105 coconut based homestead growers from the study area at 35 per block. An explorative methodology was employed to identify the organic farming practices for the study. Twenty organic farming practices based on judges relevancy rating were finally selected. Eleven independent variables were selected based on judges’ relevancy rating which included age, experience in coconut cultivation, education, livestock possession, training attended, risk orientation, self confidence, innovativeness, market perception, environmental orientation and information seeking behaviour. All these variables were quantified with the help of available measurement procedures. The dependent variables selected for the study were awareness, knowledge, attitude and adoption. These variables were also quantified using available measurement devices. The relationship between the dependent variables and independent variables was studied using correlation analysis. Constraints in the adoption of organic farming practices were also recorded as perceived by the coconut based homestead farmers. The data were collected using a pre-tested structured interview schedule prepared for the study and non-participant observation technique by the researcher. The statistical tools like mean, percentage analysis, and correlation analysis were used to analyse the data. The salient findings are presented below. Majority of the coconut based homestead farmers (80%) belonged to old age category. Most of the coconut based homestead farmers had (42%) primary school education. Thirty eight per cent of the respondents were having more than 25 years of experience in coconut cultivation. Nearly three fourth of the respondents had medium level of livestock possession. Ninety two per cent of the respondents had not attended any training programme followed by seven per cent undergone only one training. Majority of the respondents (66%) had medium level of risk orientation. Almost three fourth (71%) of the coconut based homestead farmers had medium level of self confidence. More than half of the respondents (69%) had medium innovativeness. Sixty two per cent of the respondents had medium level of market perception. More than three fourth of the respondents (83%) had medium level of environmental orientation. Nearly half of the respondents (51%) had medium level of information seeking behaviour. Majority of the respondents (73%) had medium level of awareness, sixty eight per cent of the respondents had medium level of knowledge, majority of the respondents (70%) had a favourable attitude and most of the respondents (60%) belonged to medium level of adoption followed by low level (26%). Majority of the respondents (65%) applied inorganic fertilizer for coconut and 29 per cent of the respondents applied neither organic nor inorganic. Only six per cent applied organic fertilizer for coconut. Awareness about organic farming practices showed significant and positive relationship with education, innovativeness, risk orientation, market perception, self confidence and information seeking behaviour. Seven variables, namely education, innovativeness, risk orientation, market perception, self confidence, information seeking behaviour and awareness showed a significant and positive relationship with knowledge about organic farming practices. Attitude towards organic farming practices showed significant and positive relationship with education, livestock possession, innovativeness, risk orientation, market perception, self confidence, information seeking behaviour, awareness and knowledge. Adoption of organic farming practices was found to have significant and positive relationship with nine variables, namely, education, innovativeness, risk orientation, market perception, self confidence, information seeking behaviour, awareness, knowledge and attitude of coconut based homestead farmers. The most important constraint perceived by the coconut based homestead farmers was the high cost of inputs. The other important constraints were high labour charge, lack of ready package for homestead coconut farming, non availability of organic inputs, non availability of climbers, lack of subsidies and credit facilities and inadequate information about organic farming practices. Organic agriculture in coconut based homestead is a practicable and viable technique, because coconut palm itself produces huge amount of biomass within the system for recycling. It strengthens the natural resource recycling, enhances soil fertility and sustains biological production. The effort from research, extension and supply of input through government sector especially through Coconut Development Board, finding and development of international market for organic coconut and value added products, tender nut production as natural beverage are needed to facilitate successful adoption of organic farming practices by coconut growers. Hence long term and short term development plans on organic farming in coconut cultivation should be the need of hour to increase the productivity of coconut and save this “Kalpavruksha” for future generation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Empowerment of vegetable farmers through market - led extension
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2007) Shinogi, K C; KAU; Jayashree, Krishnankutty
    The word empowerment can not be contained in its dictionary meaning itself. This word has been ostensibly used without knowing what its weight is. The present study examined the empowerment of vegetable farmers in four dimensions viz., social empowerment, personal empowerment, technological empowerment and economic empowerment through market-led extension activities. Sixty vegetable farmers, participating in self-help groups from two districts and sixty vegetable farmers from the same districts, doing vegetable cultivation with out any self-help group participation took part in the study. The result highlights the fact that the self-help group of respondents had empowerment at the four dimensions and thus ensured the total empowerment. Socio-economic variables viz., educational status of the farmer, family income, land owned, leased land under vegetable cultivation and farmer’s experience in vegetable cultivation also proved their relation to the empowerment level through the study. It was found that personal empowerment had a role in enhancing social participation and social recognition that led to social empowerment and technological empowerment through the increased use of information sources. These changes in people equipped them to add more and more amount to their income and economic empowerment had happened. The empowerment threshold was calculated by correlating two variables such as social participation and personal empowerment. The maximum equal score of personal empowerment that could be attained by the SHG and non-SHG group of respondents who were having the same level of social participation was fixed as the threshold value of empowerment.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Multidimentional analysis of apiculturists in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2007) Rateesh Kumar, T; KAU; Prakash, R
    The study entitled “A multidimensional analysis of apiculturists in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts” was undertaken with an objective to promote apiculture by studying the selected profile characteristics of the beekeepers and their entrepreneurial qualities as also the extent of adoption of scientific beekeeping practices. It was also aimed to identify the constraints as perceived by the beekeepers so as to provide valuable suggestions for the development of the enterprise. The study was conducted in Chengal and Karode Panchayats in Thiruvananthapuram district and Ummannoor and Piravanthur Panchayats in Kollam. A sample of 30 respondents from each Panchayat were selected at random thus making a total of 120 respondents. Data were collected through well structured and pre-tested interview schedule. The data collected were statistically analysed using arithmetic mean, percentage analysis and simple correlation. The study revealed that majority of the respondents form both the districts had medium to high level of entrepreneurial behaviour and extent of adoption. Relationship of the profile characteristics with the entrepreneurial behaviour showed that in the case of Thiruvananthapuram district, variables namely economic motivation, extension orientation, mass media exposure, self confidence and knowledge on beekeeping practices were positively and significantly correlated. In the case of Kollam district, economic motivation, extension orientation, market perception, mass media exposure, attitude towards self employment and knowledge had a positively significant correlation with the entrepreneurial behaviour of the beekeepers. Correlation studies between the profile characteristics and the extent of adoption revealed that in Thiruvananthapuram district the variables viz., experience in beekeeping, economic motivation, market perception, mass media exposure and knowledge had a positive and significant relationship. Whereas in Kollam district, mass media exposure and knowledge were the only variables that were found to have a positively significant relationship with extent of adoption. Need for economic security followed by affiliation with fellow beekeepers and innovative urge to test the profitability of the enterprise were perceived by the beekeepers as the most important motives in the adoption of beekeeping. The most common marketing channel of honey that was found to be prevalent in the area was the Producer – Consumer. With regard to the constraints experienced by the beekeepers inadequate financial help from government and funding institutions followed by loss of colonies due to Thai sac brood virus attack, lack of insurance coverage to the bee colonies, high cost of sugar and non-fixation of minimum support price for honey were considered to be some of the major hindrances encountered by the beekeeping entrepreneurs.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Mode of presentation and viewer preference of agricultural programmes through various channels of television
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2007) Mathew, V Oommen; KAU; Seema, B
    This study entitled “Mode of presentation and viewer preference of agricultural programme through various channel of television” was carried out in Attingal, Neyyattinkara, Nedumangadu and Thiruvananthapuram corporation of Thiruvananthapuram district with the following objectives. to compare the mode of presentation, subject matter coverage, time and frequency of farm telecast through different Malayalam channels. to study the viewing behaviour of farmers in relation to farm telecast to study the relationship of selected characteristics of television viewers with their viewing behaviour. to suggest steps to improve the farm telecast programmes. The characteristics of farm programmes telecasted through two Malayalam channels were also analysed. The data were collected using the pretested interview schedule developed for the study. The interview schedule prepared in English was translated into Malayalam before administering to the respondents. The data were collected from 100 respondents and the collected data were analysed using statistical tools such as mean, percentages and correlation analysis. The major findings of the study are as follows. 36% of the programme viewers were occasional viewers, whereas 28% were viewing the programme once a week. 63% of viewers viewed the programmes completely and keenly. Majority of the viewers viewed all agricultural programmes and had the habit of taking down notes. Majority of the viewers discussed and clarified the doubts regularly with other progressive farmers and extension agents. Social participation, mass media exposure and cosmopoliteness were significantly and positively related with viewing behaviour while age, education, occupation, annual income, innovation proneness, scientific orientation and economic motivation had no significant relationship with viewing behaviour. The most preferred mode of presentation was discussion with experts and progressive farmers. The most preferred time for agricultural programme telecast was evening. The most preferred time duration was 15-30 minutes. Suggestions for improvement of the farm programmes are: cover a wide range of programmes on discussion mode, interview and straight talk. More programmes on Agricultural engineering, Forestry, sericulture, cooperative etc. should be included. The programme should preferably be telecast in the evening hours for a duration of 15-30 minutes.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Teamwork in agricultural organisations
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2007) Kavya shri, H M; KAU; Khaleel, F M H
    The study on “Team work in Agricultural organizations” was designed to measure the team processes, team development, team role and to study the team effectiveness of the agricultural officers and the assistants. This study was conducted in the Palakkad district of Kerala state, which was purposively selected. Out of thirteen developmental blocks, seven blocks were selected. The sample selected for the study comprised two categories of team members comprising 42 agricultural officers and 105 agricultural assistants. In team processes, the items like; seeking for the required information with other members when they face problems in performing a particular task, discussing with farmers about their field problems and getting help from the other members when they need, emerged as the most important by both the categories of the team members. In case of team development stage that was discussing issues such as what problems they are really to solve. In team role, both categories perceived role like having a clear view of the team objectives and providing required knowledge and having a dedicated and single-minded approach. In team effectiveness stage, achieving the target with a reasonable effort since we work as a team, members feeling free to express their feelings as well as their ideas and making clear assignments of the task to be performed were the items perceived by both the groups The study revealed that majority of agricultural officers and agricultural assistants perceived different items for team processes, team development and team role except for team effectiveness. It was found that there was significant difference between the two categories of team members regarding their perception of team processes, team development, and the team role. Similar work can be done in other blocks or other districts of Kerala so that a comprehensive study on team working can be done and a new technology can be developed for achieving a good teamwork in the organizations.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Information relevance of agricultural articles in malayalam newspapers and farm magazines - a multi-dimensional analysis
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2007) Suresh kumar, S; KAU; Mothilalal Nehru, S
    The study entitled “Information relevance of agricultural articles in newspapers and farm magazines” was undertaken to assess the relevance or pertinence of information passed on to farmers through the farm pages of selected Malayalam newspapers and farm magazines. It was also aimed to delineate the factors that influence the information relevance and to identify which of them were influencing the relevance of information to a greater extent. Information relevance was the main dependent variable wherein the components constituting information relevance were identified as credibility, usefulness, practicability, simplicity, accuracy, reader interest, clarity and timeliness. The personal and socio-economic characteristics were age, sex, religion, education, farm size, cosmopoliteness, information source utilization pattern, scientific orientation and extension contact. The study was conducted in three purposively selected Panchayaths representing the north, south and central regions of Kerala. A sample of 180 respondents was selected based on random sampling. Data were collected through well structured questionnaire. The study revealed that the information relevance of agricultural articles published in Malayalam newspapers and farm magazines was influenced by two factors to the most namely clarity with regard to newspapers and credibility with regard to farm magazines. Hence those who are engaged in the production and preparation of agricultural articles of newspapers and farm magazines should remember these points. For enhancement of the information relevance of agricultural articles such factors should be taken into account in their order of importance. Regarding the reader preference of the different formats of presentation the most preferred formats were interview, agricultural news items and questions and answers in their order of ranking. Analysis regarding the subject matter coverage of farm page among the four newspapers revealed that all of them handled the subject matters on agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, dairy and agricultural engineering more or less in a same manner. The two farm magazines also exhibited similarity in dealing the same. The analysis of subject matter treatment among the four newspapers and two farm magazines revealed that there was a uniform pattern among them in the treatment of subject matter. The profile characteristics of readers like cosmopoliteness, information source utilization pattern and extension contact were found to have positive and significant relationship with information relevance. Even if the newspapers and farm magazines provide with enough information the ultimate users ie., farmers, it alone is not sufficient to increase the agricultural production and productivity so as to overcome the present stagnation. For this, policy intervention is also highly essential. Hence even if it is a fact that there is a flow of farm information taking place in the present scenario, the reasons for non-adoption of such information for the enhancement of agricultural production and productivity has to be studied separately.