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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of calf feed subsidy scheme on farm women
    (Department of Extension, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1999) Reeja George, Pulinilkunnathil; KAU; Subhadra, M R
    The impact of the calf feed subsidy scheme, a continuing dairy development scheme of the Animal Husbandry Department, Kerala, on farm women in terms of behavioural changes in the areas of attitude, knowledge and extent of adoption regarding scientific calf and dairy management practices was assessed. A static group comparison design of research was adopted. The study was carried out in Thrissur district of Kerala state, among 75 each of beneficiary and and non-beneficiary women. The non-beneficiary group served as the control. Comparison was made on 11 variables and since it was required to know differences in the attitude towards scientific calf rearing, knowledge of scientific calf rearing, extent of adoption of calf rearing as well as dairy farming technologies between beneficiary and non-beneficiary groups and since ready to use measuring scales were not available to measure these variables, suitable scales were developed. In general, beneficiary women differed significantly in their attitude, knowledge and extent of adoption of scientific calf rearing and dairy farming technologies indicating the positive impact of the scheme. However certain deficiency areas were identified which need immediate educational intervention. For instance, most beneficiary women did not have correct knowledge regarding early breeding as well as etiology of infertility; two-third' had not adopted these technologies as well. Many of beneficiary women did not have correct knowledge of the schedule of foot and mouth disease vaccination as well as deworming and a majority had either discontinued or not adopted these technologies. Fewer women had correct knowledge of the amounts of green fodder and ration to be fed to heifers, dry animals and those pregnant: adoption of these technologies was substantially low. Knowledge and adoption of the correct procedure of ligation of navel cord was one low. None of the beneficiaries had adopted post milking teat dipping while a few had adopted record keeping. Nearly half of the beneficiaries had not adopted the practice of quick reporting of out breaks and had either not adopted or discontinued technologies pertaining to flooring and drainage in cattle sheds. Two-third had not adopted the practice of culling bull calves at the right time. To make up these deficiencies, intensive extension educational measures are to be organised under the auspices of the scheme. In all such instances, women participatory programs need emphasis. Attitude building exercises, demonstrations etc wherever required should be organised and followed up.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Analysis of the human resource development climate prevailing in Kerala agricultural university
    (Department of Extension, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1999) Senthilkumar, R; KAU; Rajakamal, P J
    The HRD climate prevailing in the Kerala Agricultural University and as perceived by its scientists was studied. In all, 262 scientists from main, regional and remote stations constituted the sample. The HRD climate studied was in terms of 12 major constituent dimensions, viz., management philosophy, training, career planning and development, manpower planning and forecasting, performance appraisal communication, team work, transfer, promotion, rewards and organizational culture. It was seen that organizational culture had been identified as the relatively most dominant dimension of HRD climate followed in that order by teamwork, transfer, management philosophy, communication, career planning and development, placement, rewards, performance appraisal, promotion, training, and manpower planning and forecasting. Manpower planning and forecasting being the weakest dimension need immediate intervention. Besides looking into the strength of various dimensions and components the issue of HRD climate was examined from the angle of the number of scientists perceiving it as favourable, moderately favourable and unfavourable. Considering only the percentage of scientists who perceived the various dimensions to be favourable, the latter were ordered. Accordingly, it was seen that comparatively the highest percentage of scientists perceived the dimension transfer to be favourable followed in that order by teamwork, placement, communication, organizational culture, career planning and development, rewards, manpower planning and forecasting, management philosophy, training, promotion and performance appraisal. Since the percentage of scientists perceiving the HRD dimension, performance appraisal to be favourable was the least, immediate reformative measures are warranted. It was also seen that there was a differential perception of the HRD climate between certain groups. For instance, men and women scientists perceived the HRD climate differently. The scientists of regional and remote stations perceived the HRD climate differently from those of main stations. Similarly, the perception of HRD climate differed between professors and associate professors and between associate professors and assistant professors (S.G). A more comprehensive study on the nature and cause of such perceptual differences is very essential. This shall be an objective of future research.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Study of the Traditional Belief System in Dairy Husbandry among Tribals of Attappady
    (Department of Extension, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1998) Sunil, G; KAU; AdvisorRajkamal, P J
    The imperative of traditional beliefs or indigenous knowledge and its documentation and validation has been a major theme for research quite recently. Tribal societies have nurtured, over centuries, many a beliefs in the field of dairy farming. A study was conducted among the tribal dairy fanners of Attappady block in Palakkad district with the objectives of inventorying the beliefs, determining the strength and rationality of beliefs, knowing the extent of adoption of beliefs etc. Rationality of beliefs was judged by experts identified for the 2ur2ose. A total of seventy three beliefs were studied after categorising them under fourteen domains. Most of the farmers studied were of middle age group, illi terates and by occupation agriculture and other labourers. Majority had a low profile of communication characteristics since mass media exposure, extension agency contact and personal lDcalite exposure were less. There were a little more of weak believers than strong believers of traditional beliefs among them. Further, majority of the respondents had only middle level awareness about trad.it.i.onal beliefs. Among"the highly aware group there were more of strong believers than weak believers. Out of the socio-personal variables studied, age and experience in dairying were positively and significantly correlated with degree of belief and extent of adoption. Out of the psychological variables, man-nature orientation, innovativeness and scientific orientation were negatively and significantly correlated with degree of belief and extent of adoption. Among the communication variables mass media exposure was negatively and highly significantly correlated with degree of belief. All the beliefs studied were found to be strongly held beliefs and one-fourth of all beliefs were irrational. Extent of adoption of all beliefs were measured and it ranged from eighty eight adopters for a belief to twelve for another. The fact that almost one-fourth of all beliefs were irrational is a matter of concern. As practicing of these irrational beliefs could result in non-adoption of modern scientific practices, thereby blocking technology diffusion.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Working environment of lady veterinary surgeons of animal husbandry department of Kerala state
    (Department of Extension, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Manjunatha, L; KAU; Subhadra, M R
    The objectives of the study were to understand the working environment of the lady veterinary surgeons and to study the degree of job satisfaction and job commitment of the lady veterinary surgeons. The data were collected from a sample of 75 lady veterinary surgeons of Animal Husbandry Department of Kerala using a pre-tested questionnaire. Among all the eight selected situational factors only age of the youngest child and possession of a vehicle for personal conveyance showed positive and significant correlation with working environment at 10 per cent level. A little above half of the respondents perceived overall working environment as either unfavourable or extremely unfavourable. Out of the 13 dimensions of working environment, the dimension- interpersonal relations was perceived most favourable and was ranked first. It was followed by motivation, team work, client relations, family adjustment, communication, autonomy, people's participation, guidance and supervision, leadership, decision making, organisational policies and services and supplies. Two-third of the lady veterinary surgeons was either somewhat satisfied or satisfied with the job, while the rest one - third was not satisfied. Four dimensions of working environment, namely, organisational policies, autonomy, communication and people's participation contributed significantly to the variation in job satisfaction of the lady veterinary surgeons. Three-fourth of the lady veterinary surgeons was either somewhat committed or highly committed and the rest one-fourth was less committed to the organisation. Only two dimensions of working environment, namely, organisational policies and motivation contributed significantly to the variation in organisational commitment of the lady veterinary surgeons.