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201712
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Subject: Agricultural Economics × End date: 2017 × Start date: 2017 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDY ON THE PATTERN OF ADOPTION OF FLOOD TOLERANT RICE VARIETIES IN JORHAT DISTRICT OF ASSAM
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2017-07) Anusha, Jammalamadaka; Deka, Nivedita
    Flood is a havoc to farmers especially rice growers of Assam as sali rice is grown in a season threatened by flood. International Rice Research Institute, Philippines and Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Orissa released few Flood Tolerant Rice Varieties for the flood affected rice area of the nation. In Assam, RARS, Titabor has released two varieties Ranjit Sub1 and Bahadur Sub 1 for the submergence areas of Assam. In many farmers field, demonstrations are going on for the performance of these varieties under the supervision of the KVKs. It is reported that these varieties are performing very well in terms of yield performance in farmer’s field (nicra, icar.in). In Jorhat district, some farmers have been growing Ranjit Sub1 and Bahadur Sub1 in their fields. However, all the flood affected rice growers are yet to adopt the flood tolerant varieties in their fields. In this study an attempt was made to examine the status of adoption of flood tolerant rice varieties in the district. The study found that in study area the adoption of flood tolerant rice varieties was 37.85%. The yield advantage of flood tolerant rice varieties was found to be 45.44% over normal flood tolerant rice varieties in the study area which was due to resistance of flood tolerant rice varieties towards the flood water. With more educated farmer and more extension contacts, the adoption of flood tolerant rice varieties was found to be increased. Although the cost of cultivation of flood tolerant rice varieties was comparatively more than normal flood tolerant rice varieties, due to yield advantage the return over cost was more in flood tolerant rice varieties. The gross returns obtained from rice flood tolerant varieties `51278.00 were higher than `35889.00 normal rice varieties. The return over cost ratio for the normal rice varieties was found to be 1.22 and the 1.35 return over cost ratio for the flood tolerant rice varieties. Seed was hampering the adopters to adopt the variety fully. Due to lack of awareness some of the farmers are not adopting flood tolerant rice varieties. Increase fertilizer might increase the yield of flood tolerant rice varieties. As received at the experimental plots. Awareness and training was needed by the farmers for adoption of flood tolerant rice varieties. Timely supply of seeds should be done to the farmers. More extension workers should be appointed for direct contact with the farmers. Proper utilization of strategic inputs, imparting trainings to the farmers about the benefits of flood tolerant rice varieties would certainly enhance the yield of the flood tolerant rice varieties in the study area and in the state and thereby can help to increase the farmers’ income.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    IMPACT OF BACKWARD REGIONS GRANT FUND (BRGF) ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL FARMERS IN MORIGAON DISTRICT OF ASSAM
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2017-07) Sahu, Ankita; Barooah, B.K.
    Concerned by the slow growth in development of the states, the Government of India designed a program to address regional imbalances in development and named it as Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF). The programme was launched by then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in Assam with the initiative on 19th February 2007 in Barpeta district of the state. It was followed by further implementation of the programme in 13 other districts of the state including Bongaigaon, Cachar, Dhemaji, DimaHasao, Goalpara, Hailakandi, Karbi Anglong, Kokrajhar, Morigaon, North Lakhimpur, Baksa and Chirang. The programme of Backward Regions Grant Fund subsumes the Rashtriya Sama Vikas Yojana (RSVY), a scheme earlier being administered by the Planning Commission. The present study was conducted in Morigaon district of Assam to study the impact of BRGF on the socio-economic development of small farmers. The study analyzed the existing inflow of fund and institutional arrangement for providing professional support to the beneficiaries. Performance evaluation of financial resources was carried out in addressing the persistent regional imbalances. The study observed different problems of sample farmers in the implementation of the programme. The study observed that BRG fund had been distributed in the district through different institutions such as Zilla Parishad, Development blocks, Gaon Panchayats etc. However, the present study concentrated on the funds distributed through five development blocks namely Mayong, Kapili, Laharighat, Moirabari, Bhurbandha in Morigaon district of Assam. From the analysis it was observed that Mayong development block received the highest amount of fund being Rs. 202.04 lakhs during the plan period and gaon panchayat received highest allocation (50%) out of the total allocation for the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). In Agricultural sector, the total irrigated area of the sample farmers increased from 17.65ha to 25.19ha after the implementation of the BRGF programme. Certain problems such as delay in release of fund, untimely submission of utilization certificate, lack of training, lack of human resource were identified by development blocks and zilla parishad. Majority of sample farmers (70%) were unaware about the implementation of the programme. Other problems faced by the farmers were lack of knowledge, untimely completion of work, supply of poor quality goods, unsatisfactory work etc.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND VALUE ADDITION OF COCONUT IN NORTH BANK PLAIN ZONE OF ASSAM
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2017-11) Das, Simanta; Talukdar, K. C.
    The study was conducted in North Bank Plain Zone of Assam during 2016-17. The study area consisted of four districts viz. Sonitpur, Darrang, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji. The main objectives of the study were to examine extent of production of coconut by different size groups of farmers, pattern of marketing of matured and tender nuts in the zone and to study economics of value addition of coconut byproducts in the zone. Both primary and secondary data were collected for the study. Multistage stratified random sampling technique was used to select the villages and the farmers. A total of 160 coconut growers were selected from 16 villages with area under coconut. Farmers were grouped into marginal, small, medium and large based on coconut area. Marketing of coconut was examined after collecting primary data from 40 different types of traders operating in eight different markets from the study area. To examine value addition of coconut “East India Coconut Project” located in the zone was purposively selected. Both tabular and functional analyses were used to obtain the parameters of the study. Investment appraisal was carried out by examining the economic and financial analysis of the processing plant. The growth analysis of area, production and productivity of coconut in the zone showed that area and production of coconut grew at below one per cent rate of growth, while productivity growth was found to decline from 2001-01 to 2015-16. It was also observed that the area, production and productivity of coconut during this period were quite erratic in nature. District analysis showed that area and production declined in Darrang district, while production and productivity of coconut in Dhemaji and Lakhimpur district also declined. Productivity was found to decline in Sonitpur district. The average area of coconut was 0.25 ha with average productivity of 9531 numbers per hectare, which was higher in large farmers. Productivity of coconut was higher in rabi season. Marketed surplus of mature and tender coconut varied from 96 per cent to 99 per cent. The average productivity of coconut in the zone was 9531 number of coconut per hectare which was lower than average productivity of 10614 number of coconut per hectare in the country. Coconut market was imperfect and monopolistic in nature. The prices in the market were determined mostly by the buyers. The price of mature coconut was higher than tender coconuts. The sale of tender and mature nuts in the villages was primarily controlled by the village aggregators, pre-harvest contractors and primary market wholesalers. Involvement of many middlemen increased the length of the channel and affected the marketing efficiency in terms of producers’ share in consumers’ rupee. Although effectiveness was high, farmers and consumers were not protected by the prevailing prices, Price spread was higher in those channels and was found to be exploitative in nature due to high profit margins earned by the middleman. Marketing cost was escalated mainly by the high cost of transportation. Contractual integration in coconut market was common in the study area. Economic and financial analysis in value addition of coconut, in the selected processing unit indicated that capacity utilization increased from 70.63 to 72.81 per cent. It was also found that working ratio of the plant increased from 1.16 to 1.31, while fixed ratio was less than unity. Investment appraisal at 10 per cent discount rate the NPV of the plant was Rs. 29.19 lakhs, IRR was 23.35 per cent, BCR was 1.13 and PBP was 3.04 years. This indicated that investment in coir industry was highly profitable, economically feasible and financially viable. However, the processing industry faced constrains of shortage of raw material, erratic power supply and shortage of labour. It can be concluded that the productivity of coconut needs to be increased through adoption of improved cultivation practices, extending credit facility to the growers and proper training programme to the farmers. The markets of coconut should be organized and more assembling centers be established in the rural areas so that the farmers can carry their produce to assembling center and distant traders can come and buy the produce to encourage higher price to the producers. Price incentive programme may be introduced for the horticultural crops. There should be adequate training and awareness programme on coconut for increasing production, productivity and marketing of the produce as well as on agripreneurship on coconut fibre among the youths.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    RESOURCE USE AND EXTENT OF ADOPTION OF IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY IN CULTIVATION OF MAJOR CROPS IN SONITPUR DISTRICT OF ASSAM
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2017-07) Gogoi, Boishali; Saikia, R.S.
    The present study on the extent of adoption of improved technology in cultivation of major crops and its impact on farm returns was conducted in Sonitpur district of Assam with the objectives – (i) Study the resource endowment and utilization in cultivation practices of major crops, (ii) Examine the extent of adoption of improved technology and its impact on productivity and farm income, and (iii) Identify the problems faced by the farmers in adoption of improved technology and to suggest appropriate policy measures. Altogether, 100 sample farmers were selected randomly and then categorized into 4 different size groups i.e. marginal (0-1 hectare), small (1.01-2.0 hectares), semi-medium (2.01-4.0 hectares) and marginal (above 4.0 hectares) farms. They were selected from 4 villages viz., Panibharal, Garehagi, Monabari and Disri villages from Biswanath Chariali development block and Baghmara development block. The samples were selected using multistage random sampling technique. Mostly primary data relating to the agricultural year 2016-17 were used in fulfilling the various objectives of the study. Data were collected from the sample farmers using interview method with the help of questionnaires. Data on socio-economic variables, resource endowments of the farmers, input-output data on major crops were collected to examine the extent of adoption of improved technology and its impact on productivity and farm income of the farmers. Data on the problems faced by the farmers were also collected to identify various constraints of adoption of improved technology in the study area. Tabular method of analysis with average and percentage were used to study the resource endowment of the farmers, the extent of adoption of improved technology and the severity of various constraints faced by the farmers. Indices of adoption were constructed using 5 different functions. The result of the study revealed that with respect to socio-economic variables and fixed capital assets value, the bigger farm sizes were better endowed with resources (excluding family labour) and economically better off compared to their other counterparts. The extent of adoption of improved agricultural technology was the highest in case of Boro paddy followed by Sali paddy and potato. In case of pulses and oilseeds, the extent of adoption was very low. It was found that technology adoption was directly proportional to farm size. A considerable impact of improved technology on farm income was observed for all size groups of holdings and the impact was the highest in semi-medium farmers, followed by medium, small and marginal farmers. Regarding the productivity of the farms, technological impact had similar kind of effect as for the farm income. Bigger farms were seen to adopt more of the improved technology in their cultivation practices which lead to higher productivity. The various problems faced by the farmers on adopting improved agricultural technology were studied under 3 groups viz., technological constraints, economic constraints and social and other constraints. Of the various problems identified, lack of assured irrigation, lack of capital, unawareness and ignorance of recommended package of practice, high cost of HYV seeds and related inputs and climatic factors were more serious. These all indicated the need to strengthen the mechanism of resource supply and extension services in the study area.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF BLACK SCENTED RICE (CHAK-HAO) IN MANIPUR
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2017-07) Marak, Dulcie Ch; Changmai, H.K.
    Potato is one of the highly important crops in the state of Meghalaya where East Khasi Hills district is the highest Potato growing district in the state .The study on analysis of economics of potato marketing was undertaken for the year 2015-16 in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. Both primary and secondary data were used. In the study area the classified categories of respondent farmers were 61 marginal farmers, 18 small, 13 semi-medium and 8 medium farmers. During the study two markets, i.e., Mawiong regulated market and Iewduh Shillong market was selected and for each marketing channels was identified. In the Mawiong regulated market two channels identified were channel - I: Producer - Wholesaler- Distant wholesaler - consumer, channel-II: Producer - Wholesaler- Retailer- Consumer. Producer’s share in consumer’s rupee was 59.71% in channel - I, and 60.17% in channel-II which was slightly higher. And on the other hand in the Iewduh Shillong market four channels identified are channel - I: Producer - Consumer (90.97%), Channel - II: Producer - Wholesale -Retailer - Consumer (557.78%), Channel - III: Producer-Retailer-Consumer (69.59%), and channel - IV: Producer -Village trader - Wholesaler- Retailer-Consumer (51.45%). Producers share in consumers’ rupee was higher in channel - I as there were no intermediaries involved. During the study problems faced by the farmers were encountered. It was found that potato producers faced marketing problems like no asses to market information, inadequate storage facilities, Poor market infrastructure, unnecessary deduction, distant market etc. As production is adjunct with marketing, constraints for production were also enlisted, the sample farmers faced production constraints like high input cost, high incidence of disease, surfeit rainfall, continuous use of old varieties, lack of storage facilities etc.Therefore it is necessary to remove these bottlenecks for sustainable and efficient potato marketing and production in the study area. And also it is important that the concern authority should look through this issue and take effective steps to promote and strengthen the role of regulated markets in the state and establish more number of regulated markets.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF BLACK SCENTED RICE (CHAK-HAO) IN MANIPUR
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2017-07) Chanu, Elangbam Yaiphaleima; Barman, R.N
    The present study was carried out in Imphal east and Thoubal district of Manipur to study the present status, marketing channels, marketing costs, marketing margins, problems and prospects of production and marketing of black scented rice in the state. A multistage purposive and random sampling method was used for the study in order to select 100 respondents. Both the primary and secondary data were collected. The primary data were collected from the respondent farmers using pre tested scheduled through personal interview method. From the analysis it was observed that out of total rice area 237150 ha, black scented rice shared 0.06 per cent (150 ha).Total production of rice was observed 508500 MT of which black scented rice shared 0.07 per cent (360 MT). But black scented rice captures higher returns as its priced is three times higher (Rs.120000 – Rs.150000 per MT) over normal rice (Rs.28000-Rs.31000 per MT) in the domestic as well as international markets. Factors influencing the production of black scented rice were estimated using Cobb-Douglass production function. It was analyzed that the regression coefficients for seed (0.305) and hired machinery (0.556) was found to be positively significant. Three different marketing channels were identified in the study area. It showed that producer’s share in consumer’s rupee was highest in channel-III (97.29%) as no intermediaries were involved in this channel followed by channel-II (49.04) and channel-I (48.12). Similarly, for normal rice the producer’s share in consumer’s rupee was highest in channel-III (90.71) followed by channel-II (76.71) and channel-I (73.57). The study revealed that there is scope for increasing producer’s price by reducing the middlemen margin for black scented rice. The study identified a number of important problems influencing production and marketing of black scented rice in Manipur. The major production problems were lack of irrigation, soil testing facilities, inadequate credit facilities, lack of technical information, lack of high yielding varieties of black scented rice etc. Major marketing problems were lack of producers’ organisations, organic certification, lack of storage facilities, dependence on market middlemen, lack of government procurement policy and other related infrastructure for better marketing of the produce as such it is suggested and recommended to formulate a sound agriculture policy which can address to make available production technologies along with quality of seeds, other inputs and also creating sound marketing infrastructure so that the farmers/producers and consumers at the same time will able to reap the fruits of policies undertaken in the region in near future. This type of policy will also encourage taking up more production programme and which will in turn give a boost to the agrarian economy of the state.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    AN ECONOMIC STUDY ON PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF MAJOR RABI VEGETABLES IN THE THOUBAL DISTRICT OF MANIPUR
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2017-07) LAIRENJAM, ZED; DAS, R.
    The present study was conducted in the Thoubal block under the Thoubal district of Manipur during the agricultural year 2015 – 16. It was designed to investigate the cost of production, income and employment generation along with their advantages over growing competing crops and also to identify the major problems confronted by the vegetable growers. Simple random sampling technique was used for the selection of 100 respondent farmers that comprise of 56 small (4 Ha). Both primary and secondary data were collected for the study. The study revealed that the average land holdings of farmer varied from 1.41 hectare in small to 4.28 hectare in large farm. The cost of cultivation per hectare for the selected major Rabi vegetable was observed to be as high as ₹1,64,047.86 in pea to as low as ₹1,06,545.81 in brinjal. Relatively, it was also found that the gross and net return from the cultivation of pea was the highest with corresponding values of ₹ 3,59,328.66 and ₹ 1,95,280.81 respectively. The lowest gross return and net return was worked out in the case of potato with corresponding values of ₹ 1,50,187.43 and ₹ 33,398.05 respectively. The study further reveals that the per hectare utilization of labour and generation of net income from the selected vegetables were much higher than those of competing crops. The utilization of labour was recorded maximum in the case of brinjal (113.56 MD) and minimum in mustard (40.67 MD). Regarding net income, pea still holds the most profitable crop and lowest in the case of mustard with ₹ 27,685.51. Among the production problems encountered by the farmers, high cost of inputs received maximum response from 83.35 per cent of the respondent farmers. And under the marketing front, the major problem encountered was found to be lack of cold storage with maximum response of 90.45 per cent while transportation problem was responded minimum of 45.18 per cent.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    A STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF MICROFINANCE THROUGH SHGs IN THE DISTRICT OF SEPAHIJALA, TRIPURA
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2017-07) Kadir, Abdul; Das, R.
    The present study was carried out in Sepahijala district of Tripura to find out the impact of microfinance through SHG. A Multistage Stratified Random Sampling technique was used to select the ultimate sample size, i.e. selection of SHGs from Nalchar development block of Sonamura sub-division of Sepahijala district. Nalchar development block was selected purposively because highest number of SHGs was present at this block. Total sample SHG was twenty for collection of primary data. Selected SHGs were categorized as small, medium and large according to their membership strength. The study reveals that 60.33 per cent of the SHG members were age of (25-35) range & 52.57 per cent of the SHG members had education of High School Leaving Certificate. It was found that 68.18 per cent member’s family income was (₹5000-10000). Maximum number of SHGs were women SHG(85 per cent). Tripura Grameen Bank had provided highest amount (55 per cent) of loan to the SHGs. The Study reveals that SHGs were mainly involved in crop enterprises, vegetable cultivation, dairy, goatery, piggery, fishery etc. Average amount of loan and subsidy were ₹ 156424.80 & ₹ 82655.20 respectively. Per SHG saving was ₹103360.60. From the total credit amount, 87.35 per cent was used for agriculture & allied activities & the rest (12.65 per cent) was used in other activities. Highest amount (36.78 per cent) of credit was utilized in fishery. Vegetable production has got highest B: C ratio(3.68) followed by fishery(3.23) in the small SHGs. Fishery and vegetable cultivation has more profit than other enterprises. Insufficient amount of loan, complex procedure of loaning, high cost of inputs, delay in disbursement of loan by banks , lack of marketing facilities and lack of proper information about sources of fund were the major problems of microfinance through SHG in the study area. SHGs connected a very large section of poor household with banks, which were out of reach from the conventional banking system. SHG will bring women empowerment if proper guidance, financial assistance, training is given to the rural women.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    MANAGEMENT OF ORNAMENTAL FISH MARKETING IN KAMRUP (METRO) DISTRICT OF ASSAM
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2017-07) KAUSHIK, SUJATA; Hazarika, J. P.
    Ornamental fish keeping and its propagation has been an interesting activity for many, which provide not only aesthetic pleasure but also financial openings. The present study was conducted in Kamrup (Metro) district of Assam to see the present status, management aspect of rearing, production and breeding, and problems associated with marketing of ornamental fish. For the study a sample of 30 ornamental shop owners was selected using simple proportionate random sampling technique. Selected shop owners were further categorized into three groups based on their shop rearing size viz., Group I (500 sq.ft.). Regarding present status of ornamental fish business in Assam, it was found that about 80% of ornamental fishes from India to international market are exported via Kolkata airport, of which the lion’s share (more than 80%) is contributed from North Eastern Region. Out of 250 potential ornamental fish species in North East, Assam recorded the highest number of species (187), followed by Arunachal Pradesh (165), Meghalaya (159), Manipur (139), Tripura (103), Nagaland (71), Mizoram (46), and Sikkim (29). There were only 20 aquarium shops in Guwahati up to 2004 (Bhattacharyya and Choudhury, 2004) which increased to 88 aquarium shops in 2016 (Department of Fisheries, GoA). Presently only 11 persons are associated with breeding of ornamental fishes in Guwahati. With respect to management aspects of rearing and breeding, it was found that most of the recommended equipments and accessories were used by the shop owners except cement tank, quarantine tanks and heating apparatus, which were not used by them due to involvement of higher costs. Similarly, majority of the shop owners used recommended management practices. Marketing costs was found highest for crocodile fish (Rs. 1267.00), followed by parrot fish (Rs. 1175.00). Similarly, marketing margin was highest for discus (Rs. 35,913.00), followed by arawana (Rs. 28,364.00) and parrot fish (Rs. 14,288.00) respectively. Manpower problem was emerged as the most severe problem in breeding of ornamental fishes. Breeding problem, high cost, electricity problem, non availability of good quality brood fish, mortality of new born babies etc. were some other problems identified during the present study. Mortality of reared fishes and higher transportation costs were identified as the major two problems faced by the firms in rearing of ornamental fishes. Fluctuations in demand was the major problem faced in marketing of ornamental fishes. Change of customer choice and manpower problem were the next two important marketing problems faced by the respondent firms. Among the problem related to breeding the most encountered problems were manpower problem followed by complicacy of breeding process and high cost. Similarly mortality, higher transportation cost and financial problems were the major rearing problems. The major marketing problems were high cost of accessories, electricity problem and manpower problem.