Anand Agricultural University, Anand

Anand Agricultural University (AAU) was established in 2004 at Anand with the support of the Government of Gujarat, Act No.(Guj 5 of 2004) dated April 29, 2004. Caved out of the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU), the dream institution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. K. M. Munshi, the AAU was set up to provide support to the farming community in three facets namely education, research and extension activities in Agriculture, Horticulture Engineering, product Processing and Home Science. At present there seven Colleges, seventeen Research Centers and six Extension Education Institute working in nine districts of Gujarat namely Ahmedabad, Anand, Dahod, Kheda, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Mahisagar, Botad and Chhotaudepur AAU's activities have expanded to span newer commodity sectors such as soil health card, bio-diesel, medicinal plants apart from the mandatory ones like rice, maize, tobacco, vegetable crops, fruit crops, forage crops, animal breeding, nutrition and dairy products etc. the core of AAU's operating philosophy however, continues to create the partnership between the rural people and committed academic as the basic for sustainable rural development. In pursuing its various programmes AAU's overall mission is to promote sustainable growth and economic independence in rural society. AAU aims to do this through education, research and extension education. Thus, AAU works towards the empowerment of the farmers.

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Open Access
MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY OF ROSE GROWERS
(AAU, Anand, 2010) PATEL, DHARMENDRAKUMAR D.; Patel, B. B.
The recent advances in rose production technology have demonstrated that scientific management has great potential for increasing the rose production. Therefore, raising management efficiency is of paramount importance for rose producer. This will open up new vistas and make possible for rose growers to achieve substantial gains in income. There are number of factors affecting the rose production. Management is one of the most important factors which help the rose growers to exploit natural resources and accumulate capital. The efficient use of resources depends to a greater extent on how rose growers acquire and adopt innovations in the rose cultivation in effective manner to reach higher levels of economic performance through their management efficiency. The present study on "MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY OF ROSE GROWERS" was undertaken with following specific objectives: 1. To know the profile of rose growers 2. To study the management efficiency of rose growers 3. To ascertain the relationship of personal, social, economical, communicational and psychological characteristics with management efficiency of rose growers 4. To know the extent of contribution of selected independent variables on dependent variable of rose growers 5. To study the direct and indirect effect of the independent variables on the management efficiency of rose growers 6. To analyze the constraints faced by rose growers regarding various aspects of rose production The present study was undertaken in Dholka taluka of Amdavad district of Gujarat state. There are 71 villages of Dholka taluka. Out of these, six villages were selected based on specific criteria. These selected villages were considered as stratum and with the help of proportional allocation method sample size of each stratum was determined. A random sampling procedure was adopted for the selection of respondents from the selected villages. Thus, total 127 rose growers were selected randomly. The Ex-post-facto research design was followed. A scale was developed to measure the management efficiency of rose growers. The dependent and independent variables were measured with appropriate scales and procedures adopted by other research workers. To measure the knowledge level regarding improved rose cultivation practices and attitude towards improved rose cultivation practices, tests were developed by the investigator. An interview schedule was developed in accordance with the objectives of the study and it was pre-tested and translated into Gujarati. The data of this study were collected through personal interview. The statistical measures such as percentage, mean, standard deviation, co-efficient of correlation, stepwise multiple regressions, standard partial regression coefficient and path analyses were used. MAJOR FINDINGS The important findings of the study are as under: 1. PROFILE OF THE RESPONDENTS 1.1 PERSONAL CHARACTERISTIC Majority of the rose growers had middle age (72.44 per cent), at least primary education level (83.50 per cent) and medium level of experience in rose cultivation (63.80 per cent). 1.2 SOCIAL CHARACTERISTIC Nearly three-fifth (57,50 per cent) of the rose growers had large family size. 1.3 ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS More than three-fourth (77.16 per cent) of the respondents possess up to 2.00 hectares of land and a great majority (84.25 per cent) of the rose growers had above 35.00 per cent of their total land under rose cultivation. 1.4 COMMUNICATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS Majority (83.46 per cent) of the rose growers had medium to low level of participation in training programme, more than fourfifth (81,10 per cent) of the rose growers had medium to high level of contacts with extension agencies and more than three-fourth (77.95 per cent) of the rose growers possessed medium to high level of exposure to mass media. 1.5 PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS Majority (74.80 per cent) of the rose growers had medium to high level of economic motivation, three-fourth (75.59 per cent) of them had medium to high degree of risk orientation, four-fifth (81.10 per cent) of them had medium to high level of achievement motivation, a great majority (89.76 per cent) of them had medium to high level of aspiration, majority (77.95 per cent) of them had medium to high level of innovative proneness, a great majority (85.83 per cent) of them had medium to high level of cosmopoliteness, a great majority (85.83 per cent) of them had medium to high level of competition orientation and a great majority (85.04 per cent) of them had medium to high level of self confidence. 2. MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY AND ITS COMPONENTS OF ROSE GROWERS 2.1 MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY OF ROSE GROWERS Slightly more than two-third (68.50 per cent) of the rose growers had medium level of management efficiency, while 16.54 per cent of the rose growers had high level of management efficiency and 14.96 per cent of the rose growers had low level of management efficiency. 2.2 VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY OF ROSE GROWERS Slightly more than four-fifth (81.10 per cent) of the rose growers had medium to high level of knowledge about improved rose cultivation practices, more than four-fifth (85.83 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of attitude towards improved rose cultivation practices, three-fourth (75.59 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of ability in planning in rose cultivation, slightly less than four-fifth (79.53 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level, of ability to make rational decision, majority (83.47 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of timely adoption, majority (85.04 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of ability to mobilize resources, more than four-fifth (85.04 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of ability to co-ordinate activities, slightly less than three-fourth (74.02 per cent) of the respondents had medium level of efficient use of resources, majority (84.25 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of ability in rational marketing and slightly less than three-fourth (73.23 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of competence in evaluation. 3. RELATIONSHIP OF PERSONAL, SOCIAL, ECONOMICAL, COMMUNICATIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS WITH MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY OF THE ROSE GROWERS Out of eighteen independent variables, sixteen viz.; education, experience in rose cultivation, land under rose cultivation, participation in training programme, contact with extension agency, exposure to mass media, economic motivation, risk orientation, achievement motivation, level of aspiration, scientific orientation, innovative proneness, cosmopoliteness, competition orientation and self confidence were positively and significantly related, while age is negatively and significantly related to management efficiency of the rose growers. 4. EXTENT OF CONTRIBUTION OF SELECTED INDEPENDENT VARIABLES ON THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE OF THE ROSE GROWERS Management efficiency was found to be predicted by nine independent variables such as participation in training, scientific orientation, cosmopoliteness, risk orientation, education, land under rose cultivation, level of aspiration, innovative proneness and experience in rose cultivation, which has together contributed 75.80 per cent of the total variation in the management efficiency of the rose growers. 5. DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECT OF THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLES ON MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY OF THE ROSE GROWERS Participation in training programme of the respondents was the key variable in exerting considerably direct and substantial effect on management efficiency. Education and scientific orientation were the major traits in determination of management efficiency through positive indirect effect. Whereas, age of the respondents is only character which negatively and indirectly influenced on management efficiency. 6. CONSTRAINTS FACED BY THE ROSE GROWERS REGARDING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF ROSE PRODUCTION The most important constraints faced by the rose growers regarding various aspects of rose cultivation were: Fluctuation in prices of roses, non-availability of labours for various rose cultivation practices, high cost of inputs, commission rates of agents very high, weed problem, high cost of transportation, lack of technical guidance at proper time, natural calamites/flood and lack of marketing facility near by village.
Open Access
IMPACT OF PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT SOCIETY ON TECHNO-ECONOMIC CHANGE OF FARMERS OF ANAND DISTRICT IN GUJARAT STATE
(AAU, Anand, 2002) Dabhi, Ranjitsinh Amarsinh; TRIVEDI, J. C.
Irrigation as the main catalyst of agricultural development in India accounts for the largest share in total investment in the agricultural sector, Gujarat state has a relatively lower share in the overall availability of water in India. In Gujarat, only 23 per cent of the total cultivable land of the state is under irrigation. Even with the fullest exploitation of the Sardar Sarovar Project, about 52 per cent of the state agriculture will be dependent on the mercy of monsoon, particularly erratic, inadequate and uncertain rainfall. Irrigation development in India is mainly from three sources viz., canals, wells and tanks. Area under irrigation by the canal systems was gradually found in reducing direction. The reason for poor performance of the canal projects are due to the fact that the emphasis on irrigation has been and continuous to be the construction of new projects rather than management of the operation and maintenance of the existing systems. On the basis successive, experience of Rotational Water Delivery System, the concept of participatory irrigation management was accepted for the country. Through the Participatory Irrigation Management Society (PIMS) it would be assumed that by adopting water management system of PIMS, there should be some change among members of PIMS regarding their techno-economic change and extent of adoption of recommended water management practices. There is hardly any detailed researches available in this regard for the Gujarat state. Moreover, within short coming future irrigation water through Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. will also be supplied. Delivery and application efficiency for irrigation management is generally absence of water user's participation in water management. Whatever the past studies conducted, were limited up to some extent. With a view to analyse this situation the study on "IMPACT OF PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT SOCIETY ON TECHNO-ECONOMIC CHANGE OF FARMERS OF ANAND DISTRICT IN GUJARAT STATE" was planned and undertaken. The specific objectives of the study were : 1. To study the personal, social, agro-economic, psychological and communication characteristics of members of PIMS and non-members. 2. To measure the knowledge of participatory irrigation management system of members of PIMS and non-members. 3. To measure the knowledge of functions of PIMS as perceived by the members of PIMS and non-members. 4. To ascertain the knowledge of the members of PIMS and nonmembers regarding recommended water management practices followed in major crops viz., paddy, wheat and banana. 5. To construct and standardized the attitude scale and to measure the attitude of members of PIMS and non-members towards PIMS. 6. To measure the techno-economic change of members of PIMS and non-members. 7. To know the extent of adoption of recommended water management practices, followed by members of PIMS and non-members for major crops viz., paddy, wheat and banana. 8. To measure the impact of participatory Irrigation Management Society management on members of PIMS and non-members. 9. To ascertain the relationship, if any between the selected independent variables with techno-economic change and extent of adoption of recommended water management practices of the members of PIMS and non-members. 10. To predict the extent of variation in dependent variables, caused by selected independent variables. 11. To know the direct and indirect effect of the independent variables on dependent variables. 12. To analyse the problems faced by the members of PIMS, in efficient use of canal irrigation water in PIMS and collect the suggestions to overcome their problems. The Anand district of the Gujarat state was purposively selected for this study. Among the eight taluka of the district two taluka namely Anklav and Borsad were selected purposively as two PIMS viz., Sardar Patel Krushi Vikas Ane Piyat Sahkari Mandli SPKVPSM Bhetasi and Aksher Piyat Ane Krushi Vikas Sahakari Mandli (APKVSM), Bochasan were located in the taluka. All the ten villages of both the PIMS were selected purposively. Total 50 members from SPKVPSM and 50 members from APKVSM were selected proportionately and 50 non-members from each village of both the PIMS were also selected for the study. Thus, total 100 members of PIMS and 100 non-members were included for the study. An interview schedule was prepared in vernacular language and data were collected by personal interview method. The dependent variables undertaken in this study were, techno-economic change and extent of adoption of recommended water management practices. The independent variables chosen for the purpose of the study were personal, social, agro-economic, psychological and communication. In order to measure the attitude of the members of PIMS and non-members towards PIMS, the attitude scale was developed and used by the researcher. The collected data through interview schedule were then transferred to master table and analysed in order to make the findings meaningful. The statistical measures such as percentage, mean score, standard deviation, coefficients of correlation, stepwise multiple regression, standard partial regression coefficient and path coefficient analysis were used. The important findings of the study are summarized as under: 1. Nearly half of the members of PIMS and non-members belonged to middle age group and were having primary level of education. 2. Majority of members of PIMS and a great majority of the non-members belonged to backward caste and a great majority of the respondents had joint type of family and having small to medium size of family. 3. Majority of the members of PIMS and nearly half of the nonmembers had membership in more than one organization and a great majority of the respondents of both the groups had medium socio-economic status. 4. Majority of the respondents had farming and animal husbandry occupations as source of income and a large majority of the respondents were found to have medium level of material possession and housing facility and a large majority, were having medium herd size. 5. Majority of the members of PIMS and more than half of the non-members were marginal farmers, possessed below 1.0 ha of land holding and more than half of the respondents had in between 151 to 200 per cent cropping intensity. 6. Slightly more than one-third of the members of PIMS and half of the non-members had an annual income in between Rs.50,000 to 1,00,000/- and majority of the respondents were found to be under the category of medium credit orientation, risk preference and scientific orientation. 7. Majority of the members of PIMS and a vast majority of the non-members were found to have moderately favourable attitude toward PIMS. 8. Nearly a large majority of the members of PIMS and more than half of the non-members had medium level of knowledge regarding recommended water management practices, while a great majority of the members of PIMS and majority of the non-members were found to have medium level of knowledge regarding PIM system and majority of the members of PIMS and non-members were having medium level of knowledge about functions of PIMS. 9. Majority of the respondents had medium contact with extension agencies and utilization of information sources. 10. Almost (94 per cent) all the members of PIMS had medium to high and all the (100 per cent) non-members were found to have low to medium level of techno-economic change as a result of PIMS. 11. A vast majority (90 per cent) of the members of PIMS were found to have medium to high level of extent of adoption of recommended water management practices, whereas a vast majority (94 per cent) of the non-members were found to have low to medium level of extent of adoption of recommended water management practices. 12. Significant impact of PIMS was observed on many characteristics of the members of PIMS and non-members viz., social participation, socio-economic status, annual income, increase in land use, increase in cropping intensity, change in cropping pattern, increase in crop production, change in material possession and housing facility change in savings and investments, change in housing condition, overall techno-economic change, attitude towards PIMS, knowledge of recommended water management practices, knowledge of PIM system, knowledge of functions of PIMS, adoption of recommended water management practices and contact with extension agency. 13. In case of members of PIMS, out of 23 variables, 16 variables namely education, caste, size of family, social participation, socio-economic status, occupation, material possession and housing facility, size of land holding, annual income, economic motivation, attitude towards PIMS, knowledge of recommended water management practices, knowledge of PIM system, knowledge of functions of PIMS, contact with extension agency and utilization of information sources were positively and significantly correlated with techno-economic change whereas in case of non-members, only one variable i.e. knowledge of PIM system was observed positively and significantly correlated while only one variable i.e. social participation was negatively and significantly correlated with techno-economic change. 14. In case of members of PIMS, 15 variables namely, education, caste, social participation, socio-economic status, occupation, material possession and housing facility, size of land holding, annual income, risk preference, scientific orientation, knowledge of recommended water management practices, knowledge of PIM system, knowledge of functions of PIMS, contact with extension agency and utilization of information sources were observed positively and significantly correlated with extent of adoption of recommended water management practices while only one variable i.e. age was negatively and significantly correlated while, in case of non-members 10 variables namely education, socio-economic status, material possession and housing facility, cropping intensity attitude towards PIMS, knowledge of recommended water management practices, knowledge of PIM system, knowledge of functions of PIMS, contact with extension agency and utilization of information sources were observed positively and significantly correlated with extent of adoption of recommended water management practices, whereas only one variable i.e. type of family was negatively and significantly correlated. 15. Three independent variables viz., knowledge of functions of PIMS, utilization of information sources, socio-economic status, size of land holding, cropping intensity and occupation combinely contributed to 41.14 per cent of the total variance in techno-economic change of members of PIMS, while in case of non-members, three independent variables viz., knowledge of PIM system, scientific orientation and social participation combinely contributed to 19.32 per cent of the total variation in techno-economic change. 16. Only one independent variables i.e. knowledge of recommended water management practices contributed to 64.07 per cent of the total variation in the extent of adoption of recommended water management practices of members of PIMS, while in case of non-members three variables viz. herd size, social participation and knowledge of recommended water management practices combinely contributed to 78.08 per cent of the total variation in the extent of adoption of recommended water management practices. 17. Variables viz., socio-economic status, size of land holding, utilization of information sources, knowledge of recommended water management practices, knowledge of functions of PIMS, caste, contact with extension agency, annual income and size of family exhibited positive direct effect while material possession and housing facility had maximum total indirect effect on techno-economic change of members of PIMS whereas, in case of non-members only one variable i.e. knowledge of PIM system exhibited positive direct effect on techno-economic change. 18. Variables viz., knowledge of recommended water management practices, utilization of information sources, knowledge of PIM system, caste, socio-economic status, annual income, risk-preference, knowledge of functions of PIMS and scientific orientation exhibited positive direct effect, while education had maximum total indirect effect on extent of recommended water management practices whereas, in case of non-members, variables viz., socio-economic status, knowledge of recommended water management practices, knowledge of functions of PIMS, knowledge of PIM system, utilization of information sources, size of land holding and attitude towards PIMS exhibited positive direct effect, while material possession and housing facility had maximum total indirect effect on extent of adoption of recommended water management practices. 19. The most important economic problems faced by the members of PIMS were lack of financial provision at the time of payment of irrigation charge and PIMS does not help for obtaining credit from the any financial organization. 20. The major administrative problems faced by the members of PIMS were at night time trace-passer damage canal / field channel / water course, inadequate canal water supply to the tail-enders, irregular supply of canal water, problem of water course from outlet to field, less coverage of irrigation area compared to irrigation efficiency of PIMS, problem of cleanliness of channel and water course, inability to provide irrigation water by the PIMS at critical stage or dry spell of rain, problem of some dominant farmers in distribution of irrigation water. 21. The important technical problems being faced by the respondents were : deterioration of soil condition due to continuous and over irrigation and high intensity of weed, literature pertaining to modern agricultural technology and water management practices is not provided by PIMS, training programmes pertaining to agricultural technology and water management practices are not arranged by PIMS and educational tour field trips are not arranged by PIMS. 22. The major suggestions given by the members of PIMS were : new field channels water couriers should be constructed, masonry work, maintenance and repairing, cleanliness work etc should be completed in off/slack season, training in new production technology and water management, distribution of relevant literatures, educational tours and field trips should be organized for the PIMS personnel and members, PIMS should help for obtaining credit facility, adequate and regular supply of canal irrigation water should be managed by PIMS, time schedule for irrigation should be prepared and informed timely and should be strictly followed.
Open Access
A STUDY ON MODERNISATION OF AGRICULTURE AMONG THE FARMERS OF KHEDA DISTRICT OF GUJARAT STATE
(AAU, Anand, 1994) Jagadeeshwara, K.; Patel, H. L.
India has been making many sided efforts in the agricultural sector over the last four decades through prudent planning and arduous accomplishment of agricultural development programmes. Indian population has been estimated to be 100 million by 2000 A.D. Among the prevailing plethora of activities to solve this gigantic problem, modernisation of agriculture is the germane and plausible way. Social scientists suggest modernisation is not in the character of society but in the character of individual. Unfortunately, where the individual (farmer) should be the focus of attention has been very little understood. Thus, a more precise knowledge on how an individual is modernised or what personality traits are crucial towards the acquisition of modern style of life in the modernisation process needs to be studied carefully. Kheda district is being considered as one of the progressive districts of Gujarat State.The irrigation facilities has led to intensive cultivation of all the coiunercial and food crops which facilitated more income, high standard of living and hence more agricultural nodernisation among the farmers. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to know how modernisation characteristics influence overall modernisation and extent of adoption of different agricultural practices namely, extent of use of improved varieties, chemical fertilizer,pesticides , fungicides, improved agricultural implements, improved irrigation practices in major commercial and food crops followed by use of improved dairy practices. The research study was planned with the following specific objectives. (1) To study the differences in the modernisation characteristics among different categories of farmers. (2) To study overall modernisation and extent of adoption of selected technologies among different categories of farmers. (3) To find out the relationship between socio-psycho, communication, economic and situational modernisation characteristics of farmers with overall modernisation and extent of adoption among different categories of farmers. (4) To find out the differences in the contribution of selected socio-psycho, communication, economic and situational modernisation characteristics with overall modernisation and extent of adoption among different categories of farmers. (5) To study the direct and indirect effects of selected socio-psycho, conaunication, economic and situational modernisation characteristics with overall modernisation and extent of adoption among different categories of farmers. METHODOLOGY The present study was conducted in Kheda district of Gujarat state. Four talukas namely Anand, Borsad, Nadiad and Petlad were purposively selected. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 216 respondents from four categories of farmers from among twelve villages namely, Gopalapura, Mogar, Vadod, Asodar , Kavitha, Kinkhlod, Kanjari, Narasanda, Vadthal, DevataJ, Morad and Simurda Virol. Design of the study Ex-post-facto research design was adopted for the present study. Two dependent variables namely, overall modernisation and extent of adoption were selected for the purpose of conducting this study. Twenty three modernisation characteristics (independent variables) were selected namely age, educationl caste, family type, social participation, cosmopoliteness, mass media participation, contact with extension agency, achievement motivation, innovativeness, scientific orientation, risk preference, rationality attitude towards modernisation of agriculture, commercialisation, market perception, market orientation, income, farm size, farm power, material possession, livestock possession and level of living. The attitude scale developed by the researcher of this study was utilised for measuring the attitude of the farmers towards the modernisation of agriculture. The other dependent and independent variables were measured by utilising the developed scales of other research workers. The data were collected with the help of structured schedule by personal interview method. The data so collected were coded, classified, tabulated and analysed in order to make the findings meaningful.
Open Access
MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF BANANA GROWERS IN ANAND DISTRICT OF GUJARAT STATE
(AAU, Anand, 2005) PATEL, HARISHKUMAR BECHARBHAI; Patel, K. F.
The recent advances in banana production technology have demonstrated that scientific management has great potential for increasing the banana production. Therefore, raising management efficiency is of paramount importance for banana producer. This will open up new vistas and make possible for banana growers to achieve substantial gains in income. There are number of factors affecting the banana production. Management is one of the most important factors which help the banana grower to exploit natural resources and accumulate capital. The efficient use of resources depends to a greater extent on how banana growers acquire and adopt new innovations in the banana cultivation in effective manner to reach higher levels of economic performance through their management efficiency. The present study on "MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF BANANA GROWERS IN ANAND DISTRICT OF GUJARAT STATE" was undertaken with following specific objectives: 1. To know the profile of the marginal, small and medium banana growers 2. To study the management efficiency and economic performance of marginal, small and medium banana growers 3. To explore the relationship of personal, situational and communicational characteristics with management efficiency of marginal, small and medium banana growers 4. To explore the relationship of personal, situational and communicational characteristics with economic performance of marginal, small and medium banana growers 5. To determine the relationship between management efficiency and economic performance of marginal, small and medium banana growers 6. To know the extent of contribution of selected independent variables on the dependent variables of banana growers 7. To study the direct and indirect effect of the independent variables on the management efficiency of banana growers 8. To study the direct and indirect effect of the independent variables on the economic performance of banana growers and 9. To identify the constraints faced by the banana growers in adoption of improved banana cultivation technology. The present study was undertaken in five talukas of Anand district of Gujarat state. From each taluka, four villages were selected having highest area under banana crop. From each village twelve banana growers (4- marginal, 4- small and 4- medium banana growers) from 20 selected villages constituted a total sample size of 240 respondents at random. The ex-post-facto research design was followed. A scale was developed to measure the management efficiency of banana growers. The dependent and independent variables were measured with appropriate scales and procedures adopted by other research workers. To measure the knowledge level regarding improved banana cultivation technology and attitude towards improved banana cultivation technology, tests were developed by the investigator. An interview schedule was developed in accordance with the objectives of the study and it was pretested and translated in to Gujarati. The data of this study were collected through personal interview. The statistical measures such as percentage, mean, standard deviation, factorial concept, co-efficient of correlation, stepwise multiple regression, standard partial regression coefficient and path analysis were used. MAJOR FINDINGS The important findings of the study are as under: 1. Nearly three-fifth (58.75, 62.50 and 62.50 per cent) of marginal, small and medium banana growers belonged to middle age group i.e.36 to 55 years and had high school to college level education (57.50, 66.25 and 65.00 per cent) respectively. Majority of marginal, small and medium banana growers had medium to high economic motivation (71.25, 75.00 and 84.00 per cent) and risk orientation (75.00, 71.25 and 80.00 per cent),while medium to low experience in banana cultivation (78.75, 82.50 and 80.00 per cent) and self confidence (91.25, 76.25 and 73.75 per cent), whereas medium achievement motivation (77.55, 55.00 and 73.55 per cent), level of aspiration(67.50, 56.25 and 55.00 per cent), scientific orientation(66.25, 60.00 and 42.50 per cent), innovative proneness(61.25, 52.50 and 63.75 per cent),self reliance (57.50, 57.50 and 53.75 per cent), cosmopoliteness (72.50, 63.75 and 76.25 percent), deferred gratification (62.50, 60.00 and 83.75 per cent), competition orientation (72.50,61.25 and51.25 per cent) respectively. Further, these three categories belonged to shaded category (56.25, 65.00 and 36.25 per cent) respectively. 2. Slightly less than three-fifth (58.75, and 58.75 per cent) of marginal and small banana growers and 76.25 per cent medium banana growers had joint family, while more than half (51.25, 52.50 and 60.00 per cent) possessed big family and medium herd size(58.75,47.50 and 53.75 per cent) respectively. 3. Majority of marginal, small and medium banana growers had low to medium participation in training programme (97.50, 90.00 and 96.25 per cent), while medium personal guidance (67.50, 41.25 and 62.50 per cent), and contact with extension agency (78.25, 40.00 and 72.50 per cent) whereas, medium to high level of exposure to mass media (78.75, 87.50 and 72.50 per cent) respectively. 4. In pooled sample 82.05 per cent of banana growers were in young to middle age group and nearly equal per cent (31.67 per cent 32.50 per cent and 30.42 per cent) possessed education at middle school level, high school level and college level respectively. Majority of the banana growers had medium to high economic motivation (76.67 per cent), risk orientation (76.67 per cent), achievement motivation (85.42 per cent), scientific orientation (83.75 per cent), self reliance (95.83 per cent), competition orientation (93.75 per cent), while majority of the respondents had medium to low experience in banana cultivation (80.42 per cent), innovative proneness (89.59 per cent) and self confidence (80.42 per cent) whereas majority of the respondents had medium level of cosmopoliteness(70.83 per cent),deferred gratification (68.75 per cent) and level of aspiration(59.58 per cent). Also 52.50 per cent of the respondents belonged to shaded category. 5. Majority of pooled sample banana growers had joint family (64.58 per cent), big family (54.58 per cent) and medium to low herd size (92.50 per cent). 6. Majority of the respondents in pooled sample had medium to high personal guidance (80.00 per cent) and exposure to mass media (79.58 per cent) while, medium to low contact with extension agency (84.58 per cent) and participation in training programme (94.58 per cent). 7. More than two-third (72.50 and 70.00 per cent) of marginal and medium banana growers while, slightly more than three-fifth (61.25 per cent) of small banana growers had medium management efficiency. In general, it was found that nearly two-third (67.92 per cent) of the respondents had medium management efficiency. 8. About two-third (68.75, 63.75 and 70.00 per cent) of marginal, small and medium banana growers had medium level of economic performance, respectively. In general, it was about 67.50 per cent of the banana growers had medium level of economic performance. 9. There was significant difference in respect of knowledge of improved banana cultivation technology, attitude toward improved banana cultivation practices, ability in planning, ability to make rational decision, timely adoption, ability to mobilize resources, ability to coordinate activities, ability to make rational marketing and competence in evaluation among different categories of banana growers except efficient use of resources. 10. Education, economic motivation, risk orientation, achievement motivation, level of aspiration, scientific orientation, innovative proneness, cosmopoliteness, differed gratification, competition orientation, participation in training programme, personal guidance, contact with extension agency and exposure to mass media were positively and significantly related with management efficiency and economic performance of marginal, small , medium and pooled sample banana growers while, age is negatively and significantly related to management efficiency and economic performance. Experience in banana cultivation was positively and significantly related with management efficiency and economic performance of marginal and pooled sample banana growers while it was non significant in case of small and medium banana growers. Agricultural belief, self confidence, family type, family size and herd size could not establish any significant relationship with management efficiency and economic performance in respect of marginal, small, medium and pooled sample banana growers. 11. Contact with extension agency was found to be most important variable contributing to the management efficiency of marginal banana growers followed by economic motivation, achievement motivation, cosmopoliteness, scientific orientation and herd size which has together contributed 86.79 per cent of the total variation. 12. Personal guidance was found to be most important variable contributing to the management efficiency of small banana growers followed by self confidence, innovative proneness, self reliance, scientific orientation, level of aspiration and economic motivation which has together contributed 89.35 per cent of the total variation. 13. Differed gratification was found to be most important variable contributing to the management efficiency of medium banana growers followed by cosmopoliteness, competition orientation, age and level of aspiration which has together contributed 91.34 per cent of total variation. 14. Economic motivation was found to be the most important variable contributing to the management efficiency of banana growers (pooled sample) followed by differed gratification cosmopoliteness, contact with extension agency, scientific orientation, innovative proneness, level of aspiration, risk orientation and self reliance which has together contributed 86.42 per cent of total variation. 15. Economic motivation was found to be the most important variable contributing to the economic performance of marginal banana growers followed by contact with extension agency, herd size, participation in training programme and exposure to mass media which has jointly accounted for about 78.02 per cent of total variation. 16. Risk orientation was found to be most important variable contributing to the economic performance of small banana growers followed by economic motivation, level of aspiration, scientific orientation and self confidence which has together contributed 78.95 per cent of the total variation. 17. Differed gratification was found to be the most important variable contributing to the economic performance of medium banana growers followed by cosmopoliteness scientific orientation and education which had together contributed 78.88 per cent of the total variation. Economic motivation was found to be the most important variable contributing to the economic performance of banana growers (pooled sample) followed by scientific orientation contact with extension agency, cosmopoliteness, risk orientation and level of aspiration which had together contributed 74.09 per cent of the total variation. The variable economic motivation had exerted the highest positive direct effect on management efficiency of banana growers (pooled sample), while Achievement motivation exhibited the highest positive total indirect effect on management efficiency. So far as substantial indirect effect is concerned, most of the variables exerted first order positive effect on management efficiency through economic motivation followed by through differed gratification and experience in banana cultivation, whereas in case of second order substantial indirect effect, most of the variables exerted their positive effect through differed gratification followed by cosmopoliteness, scientific orientation and participation in training programme respectively. Thus, the variables economic motivation, differed gratification, cosmopoliteness and scientific orientation, were the key variables for providing a way for all other independent variables in exerting their substantial indirect effect on management efficiency. The variable economic motivation had exerted the highest positive direct effect on economic performance of banana growers (pooled). Differed gratification exhibited the highest positive total indirect effect on economic performance. So far as substantial indirect effect is concerned most of the variables exerted first order positive effect on economic performance through economic motivation followed by through scientific orientation and competition orientation, whereas in case of second order substantial indirect effect, most of the variables exerted their positive effect through scientific orientation followed by risk orientation and cosmopoliteness respectively. Thus, the variables economic motivation, scientific orientation, risk orientation and cosmopoliteness were the key variables for providing a way for all other independent variables in exerting their substantial indirect effect on economic performance of banana growers (pooled sample). 21. The most important constraints faced by banana growers in adoption of improved banana cultivation technology were: irregular supply of electric power, non availability of pesticide at village level, uncertainty of price, lack of own tube well, difficulty in calculation of doses of fertilizer, high cost of tissue culture plant and insufficient training programme.
Open Access
A STUDY ON ROLE PERCEPTION AND ROLE PERFORMANCE OF WOMEN SARPANCHS OF GRAM PANCHAYATS IN ANAND DISTRICT OF GUJARAT STATE
(AAU, Anand, 2000) Saiyad, Amiruddin S.; Mayani, V. V.
Since, 1995 reservation of 33.33 percent seats for women was introduced in Panchayati Raj Institutions. The women are working as sarpanchs since last 5 years. Many time it hears that the women sarpanchs are dummy leaders, because real roles and decisions are played and taken by other persons respectively. Hence, it is very essential to know the effectiveness of role perception and role performance in village panchayats by women sarpanchs. The present study was conducted as an attempt to understand the role of women sarpanchs of village panchayats in the light of their socio-economic profile and role perception as well as role performance of different leadership roles by women sarpanchs. Women sarpanchs of different villages varied in performing different leadership roles. Role performance of an individual depends upon how they perceive their roles and whether he considers or not his role correctly. Thus, perception of roles has an influence in role performance. Therefore, it is necessary to know the role perception and role performance by the women sarpanchs. The Panchayati Raj System is also existing since 1963 in the district, and last election was held in May 1995 with 33.33 percent reservation seats for women. One term was completed for women sarpanchs at a time of interview so far no systematic efforts have been made in this region to assess the role perception and role performance of women sarpanchs working under Panchayati Raj System in the villages of Anand district. Taking this in view, the present study entitled "A STUDY ON ROLE PERCEPTION AND ROLE PERFORMANCE OF WOMEN SARPANCHS OF GRAM PANCHAYATS IN ANAND DISTRICT OF GUJARAT STATE" was undertaken with the following specific objectives: 1. To study the profile of women sarpanchs 2. To develop a scale to determine role performance and role effectiveness as sarpanchs 3. To determine roles to be performed by women sarpanchs of Gram Panchayat Institutions as perceived by them. 4. To ascertain the various roles performed by the women sarpanchs 5. To find out the relationship between profile of women sarpanchs and perception of their roles 6. To find out the relationship between profile of women sarpanchs and their performance of different leadership roles. 7. To elicit the opinion of other village leaders (women and gent members) regarding the role performance of the women sarpanchs 8. To ascertain the constraints faced by women sarpanchs in performing their roles as a sarpanch
Open Access
A STUDY ON RESEARCH MANAGEMENT ABILITY OF RESEARCH SCIENTISTS WORKING AS HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT/STATION /PROJECT/SCHEME IN GUJARAT AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
(AAU, Anand, 1993) Patel, Arunkumar A.; Patel, H. L.
Management of the organisation has attained paramount importance for the achievement of goals in modern time. We can define research management as 'an effective and efficient utilisation and coordination of resources to achieve the objectives of research,programmes'. The agricultural research management in India is relatively a new area. The head of departments/stations/projects/schemes of the agricultural university have to perform many research management functions. Thus, to make a research organisation more productive, the proper research management practices should be adopted by the research leaders. However, it is observed that the scientists who are working as the head have neither education nor experience in the field of management before they become head, eventhough, they have to carry the responsibilities of management aspects too. Thus, to measure extent and manner of research management ability of scientists who are working as head in Gujarat Agricultural University, the present investigation was undertaken with the following, objectivess 1. To study the selected personal job related, organizational and socio-psychological characteristics of the head of research department/station/project/scheme of Gujarat Agricultural University. 2. To measure the research management ability of the heads of research department/station/project/scheroe of Gujarat Agricultural University. 3. To develop the scales to measure; (a) research management ability of the heads, (b) attitude of research scientists towards research work. 4. To findout the relationship between selected independent variables and research management ability of the research head of the Gujarat Agricultural University. 5. To explore the inter-correlation of selected variables of heads. 6. To predict the extent of variation in research management ability caused by selected variables. 7. To know the direct and indirect effect of the independent variables on the research management ability of heads. 8. To study the constraints faced by research heads in research management. 9. To elicit the suggestions in overcoming the existing constraints for making the effective research management. The study was conducted in Gujarat Agricultural University. All the independently working heads of the agricultural research departments/stations/projects/ schemes of the university were selected. Moreover for measuring research management ability of the selected heads two immediate subordinates of each head were randomly selected from respective department/station/ project/scheme. Thus in all, 69 research heads and 138 their subordinates were selected. The respective questionnaire to the heads and subordinates were separately mailed to each person. Finally 86.95% responses were received. In order to measure research management ability of the head the scale developed for the purpose was used. The attitude scale to measure their attitude towards research work was also developed. Other seven scales developed by different investigators in past were also used to measure different independent variables selected for the study. In all, one dependent variable i.e. research management ability and 27 independent variables were studied.
Open Access
INDIGENOUS RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BY TRIBAL FARM WOMEN IN VADODARA DISTRICT OF GUJARAT STATE
(AAU, Anand, 1998) Patel, Jayantilal G.; Trivedi, J. C.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The overall objective of this investigation was to study the level of participation of tribal farm women in indigenous resource management in Vadodara district of Gujarat state. The specific objectives of the study were as follows : 1 To study the selected characteristics of tribal farm women. 2 To assess the knowledge level of tribal farm women regarding indigenous resource management in the areas of agriculture, animal husbandry and minor forest products. 3 To ascertain the participation of tribal farm women in indigenous resource management activities. 4 To assess the income contribution of tribal farm women from indigenous resources. 5 To findout the extent of relationship , between selected characteristics of tribal farm women and their level of knowledge. 6 To know the extent of relationship between selected characteristics of tribal farm women and their level of overall participation. 7 To explore the training needs of tribal farm women in indigenous resource management activities. 8 To identify the problems faced by tribal farm women in indigenous resource management. The present study was conducted in tribal area of Vadodara district of Gujarat state. Out of twelve talukas, three talukas namely Chhotaudepur, Pavi-jetpur and Naswadi were purposively selected. These talukas possess more than fifty per cent of the tribal population. From each taluka four tribal dominated villages were selected using random sampling techniques. Thus, 12 villages were selected for study and random selection of tribal farm women from each village was made proportionately on the basis of two major criteria (i) maize as a major crop and (ii) dairy farming as a minor source of income. Thus, sample for this study was 240. The data were collected through structured schedule by personal interview method. The dependent and independent variables were measure«i by utilizing appropriate scales and procedures adopted by other research workers. To measure the knowledge of tribal farm women regarding indigenous resource management (IRM) in the areas of agriculture, animal husbandry and minor forest products, a knowledge test was developed, standardized and used. The statistical tools used to analyse the data were : percentage, mean, standard deviation, coefficient of correlation and path co-efficient. FINDINGS The important findings of the study are summarised as under : 1 Majority of the tribal farm women were illiterate, belonged to low to medium level of socio-economic status and extension contact, middle age group and having no membership in any social organisation. 2 Majority of the tribal farm women belonged to joint family with medium size of family and having one kachha house. 3 Majority of the tribal farm women were exclusively dependent on farming within five acres of land and labour work. 4 A great majority of the tribal farm women possessed one to two bullocks and three to four milch animals. 5 More than three-fourth of the tribal farm women possessed local implements of farming. 6 Slightly less than half of the tribal farm women had total annual income of Rs.5001/- to Rs.10,000/- but debt upto Rs.10,000/-. 7 More than half of the tribal farm women had 6 to 10 years of farming experience. 8 Slightly more than half of tribal farm women had migration with their family in search of agricultural labour work and non-agricultural labour work. 9 More than two third of tribal farm women were having medium to high level of cosmopolite-localiteness, economic motivation, high level of risk-preference; three-fourth had scientific orientation and 67.92 per cent had medium to high level of knowledge regarding IRM in the areas of agriculture, animal husbandry and minor forest products. 10 Present study revealed important aspects about different activities participated by tribal farm women as IRM activities. The important points raised from the investigation are stipulated below in descending order with reference to the number of tribal farm women participated in the activities depending on the income generation (sale), home purpose, selfdoing, supervising and assisting etc., milking (96.25 per cent), separation of grains (91.24 per cent), plucking of 'TIMRU' leaves (80.83 per cent), removing seeds from pods (72.50 per cent), rearing cocks for meat (68.75 per cent), collection of gum (68.75 per cent), fibber extraction (63.34 per cent), making 'TOPALA', 'TOPALI', 'CHABADI', 'KARANDIYA', 'SUPDA', bow and arrows and toys (61.24 per cent), collection of Mahua flowers (57.50 per cent), making dishes CPATARADA') and bowls ('PADAYA') from 'KHAKHAR' leaves (56.25 per cent), drying of leafy vegetables (53.34 per cent), plucking of ripe fruits from 'CHAROLI' tree (52.08 per cent), collection of honey (36.26 per cent) and mat-making from pam ('TAD') leaves (32.50 per cent). 11 Slightly less than two-fifth (38.75 per cent) of the tribal farm women had medium level of overall participation followed by 35.42 and 25.83 per cent with low and high level of overall participation in IRM activities, respectively. 12 Among 19 independent variables i.e. type of family, risk preference, scientific orientation and overall participation were positively and significantly correlated with level of knowledge of tribal farm women regarding IRM. While fifteen variables viz., education, social participation, size of family, type of family, socio-economic status, extension contact, housing pattern, farm power, material possession, indebtedness, cosmopolite localite-ness, economic motivation, risk preference, scientific orientation and knowledge of IRM had positive and significant, correlation whereas only one variable viz., occupation had negative and significant correlation with participation in IRM activities. 13 As regards direct effect, the variables social participation, followed by knowledge of IRM, size of family and education exhibited medium positive direct effects in IRM activities. The direct effect of extension contact and housing pattern were positive and low. The total indirect effects of education, size and type of family, socio-economic status, extension contact, housing pattern, indebted-ness, cosmopolitelocaliteness, economic motivation, risk preference and scientific orientation were comparatively higher than their respective direct effects. 14 Slightly less than half (45.42 per cent) of the tribal farm women had derived 51-7 5 per cent of their total annual income from indigenous resources. 15 Majority of the tribal farm women expressed their training needs in the important areas like plant protection, seed and grain processing, control of stored grain pests, feeding and caring the animals, selection of eggs for hatching, feeding and caring the poultry birds, raising of seedling, pickle making, kitchen gardening, techniques for better quantity and quality of gum, different designs for toys, making dishes ('PATARADA') and bowls ('PADAYA') by machine and marketing strategy for medicinal plants/materials. 16 Major problems faced by the tribal farm women in IRM activities were (i) products do not fetch reasonable price, (ii) burden of work in farm at home (ill) dry, poor soil and small holding and (iv) lack of information of new agricultural technology.
Open Access
A STUDY ON THE ROLE OF FARM SCIENCE CENTRE AS A QUANTUM CATALYST IN THE TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE DANGS DISTRICT OF GUJARAT STATE
(AAU, Anand, 2001) BARIYA, RAMESHBHAI KOYABHAI; WAGHMARE, S. K.
We are all aware that agriculture is the engine of our national growth and for that matter we have to move forward and be competitive. We should not lag behind in the Post-GATT scenario. The backbone of all agricultural extension endeavour is the transfer of agricultural information and technologies to enhance the productive capacity of fanners. India is now known to have sustained and significant rise in agricultural production in which the contribution of KVKs is quite phenomenal and vital. With this conviction, India government made announcement from time to time for the establishment of KVK in every district of the country. This investigation related to the role of Farm Science Centre in the tribal development is an attempt in this direction with the following objectives. 1. To study the socio-economic and psychological characteristics of the farmers of the villages adopted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra. 2. To study the impact of Krishi Vigyan Kendra in the surrounding villages in terms of increase in knowledge and adoption of improved technology. 3. To know the useful teaching methods adopted by trainers of Krishi Vigyan Kendra for rural development. 4. To study the attitude of the respondents towards Krishi Vigyan Kendra. 5. To evaluate the performance of Krishi Vigyan Kendra against targets and achievements. 6. To develop an extension strategy by obtaining the suggestions from farmers and Krishi Vigyan Kendra's staff for strengthening Krishi Vigyan Kendra. 7. To study the linkages and resources developed by KVK in the district. 8. To find out the consfraints of farmers m the adoption of improved farm technology suggested by Krishi Vigyan Kendra. 9. To study the relationship between the socio-economic and psychological characteristics and gain in knowledge and adoption of improved technologies. Research Methodology : The study was specially confined to KVK of Gujarat Agricultural University situated at Waghai as it is functioning in South Gujarat region of Gujarat state. In order to know the development of KVKs in Gujarat state, KVKs at Deesa, Devataj, Devgadh Baria, Waghai, Randheja, Ambheti, Chaswad, Golagamdi, Sadau and Samoda were covered. A sample of 100 trained and 100 untrained farmers of KVK Waghai were drawn randomly from 10 villages, which were also selected on random basis. From each village 10 trained and 10 untrained respondents were selected. Thus, a total of 200 farmers were selected for the study. The data in respect of the objective of evaluating the performance of Krishi Vigyan Kendra was gathered through a questionnaire, while information with respect to the impact of training programme was collected through a structured schedule designed for this purpose. The ex-post facto research design was employed in the study. The collected data were analysed by using statistical tools like frequency, percentages, co-efficient of correlation, multiple regression and path analysis. Major findings: 1. Majority of the trained respondents were middle aged, having primary level of education. They had nuclear family with 5 to 9 members and were participating in one social organisations. They were coming from lower caste possessing 2 to 5 hectares of land and majority had low extension participation. Majority of them were earning less than Rs. 10000 per annum and they had farming plus labour as main occupation. Majority of the respondents had high risk orientation, economic-motivation and scientific orientation. In case of untrained respondents, majority of farmers were also middle aged and they had formal education upto primary level. They were also having nuclear family of 5 to 9 members in the family. They were participating in one social organizations. They belonged to lower caste and were having 2 to 5 hectares of land. Majority of them were also earning less than Rs. 10000 per year. They had farming plus labour as main occupation and majority had low extension participation. Majority of the respondents had medium risk orientation, economic motivation and scientific orientation. 2. Majority of trained respondents had medium level of knowledge in paddy cultivation and high level of knowledge in gram cultivation. In combination of paddy and gram cultivation, majority of them had medium to high level of knowledge In case of untrained respondents, majority of them had low level of knowledge in paddy cultivation and medium level of knowledge in gram cultivation. In combination of paddy and gram cultivation, majority of the respondents had low to medium level of knowledge. It was also found that the extent of knowledge differed significantly with the trained and untrained respondents. 3. Majority of the trained respondents had medium level of adoption in paddy cultivation and gram cultivation. In combination of paddy and gram farming, majority of them were found to have medium level of adoption. In case of untrained respondents, majority of them had low level of adoption in paddy cultivation and gram cultivation. In combination of paddy and gram farming, majority of the untrained respondents showed their level of adoption at the medium level. It was also reported that the extent of adoption significantly differs with the trained and untrained respondents. 4. There are 54 per cent variation with knowledge and 30 per cent with adoption by independent variables. Extension participation, risk orientation and scientific orientation are the most important factors, whereas in case of adoption, family type, family size, extension participation, land holding and risk orientation had important bearing. Scientific orientation had maximum direct positive effect on the knowledge of the respondents followed by occupation, risk orientation and income. It was observed that land holding had highest positive direct effect on the adoption followed by family type and risk orientation. 5. The training aids such as Black Board, Printed/Cyclostyled Literature, Result Demonstration, Meetings and Method Demonstration have been used to the maximum extent by the trainers of KVK. 6. Majority of trained and untrained respondents had a favourable and unfavourable attitude towards Krishi Vigyan Kendra, respectively. The respondents of both the groups differed as regard their attitude towards KVK. 7. The performance of KVK was satisfactory in terms of staff position except KVKs at Devataj, Ambheti and Golagamdi. Subjectwise training courses by all KVKs in Gujarat was also satisfactory. The infrastructural facilities were satisfactory in all KVKs except at Devataj, Waghai, Chaswad and Golagamdi. First Line Demonstration recorded 15 to 52 per cent higher yield over local check. 8. During on campus training lodging and boarding facilities should be arranged. Training on plant protection and fruit crops should be arranged. 9. There was a strong linkage of KVK with government agencies as well as non-government agencies. 10. 'Inadequate availability of FYM', 'Lack of knowledge about plant protection measures', 'Inadequate source of finance', 'Lack of co-ordination among the farmers' and 'Fatalistic attitude towards technology' were important problems experienced by the respondents in farming. 11. Social participation, extension participation and scientific orientation of trained respondents were having positive significant relationship with the knowledge gained by the respondents. While family size had negative highly significant relationship with the knowledge. Education, family type, extension participation, land holding and risk orientation of trained farmers had positively significant relationship with the adoption of improved technology.
Open Access
PEASANTRY MODERNIZATION IN INTEGRATED TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA OF DAHOD DISTRICT OF GUJARAT STATE
(AAU, Anand, 2005) Patel, Bhailal S.; Patel, K. F.
Agriculture is a way of life, a tradition, which for centuries has shaped the thought, the outlook, the culture and economic life of the people of India. The Indian peasants in recent years have shown encouraging sign of changing from traditional to modern one, through the introduction of science and technology into the farming system. Modernization and development are the central tendencies of our times; it is nation-state that provides their driving force. Peasantry modernization is intimately related with the application of science and technology in the farming. Therefore, increase in agricultural production, economic and social benefits are directly dependent on the extent to which farmers use the improve technology. Social scientists opined that modernization of agriculture is not purely technological or economical problem. Its success is frequently dependent on an understanding of the society in which it is to take place, a knowledge of the social and cultural factors that conditioning farmers' responsiveness to technological change and the ability to obtain willing co-operation of the people involved. Social and cultural factors are characteristics of the society to which the peasant belongs and dominate human behaviour. In spite of considerable progress, the progress is not yet to the desired level of satisfaction because it differs from one region to another. There are certain regions where the progress in agriculture is more than the expectations. At the same time, there are other regions showing backwardness in agriculture. Backwardness is particularly observed in tribal areas of the country, which are a heterogeneous lot, expect in regard to their poverty and lack of material resources to work upon. Gujarat is one of the states, where tribal population constitutes 14.92 per cent of the total population in the state. Dahod is one of the tribal districts of Gujarat State, where total tribal population constitutes 70.89 per cent of the tribal population, of which 72.19 per cent tribes are agriculturist. The Integrated Tribal Development Project, Dahod has started it functioning since 1976, with the objectives to narrow the gap between the level of tribal and other areas of the state and to increase the income from agriculture and there by improve the quality of life of the tribal peasants. The peasant and tribal economy is predominantly dependent on agriculture. After independence, central and state Government through various agencies spent huge fund for uplifting their living standard and bringing them into the national main stream. Even after the lapse of nearly 55 years, the progress is not yet up to the level of satisfaction. India's real development lies in the development of peasants. The advantage of democracy must reach all sector of society. A large number of development projects are in operation but peasants of the state could not reach to the expected level of modernization. With a view to analyzing these, present study was undertaken entitled "PEASANTRY MODERNIZATION IN INTEGRATED TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA OF DAHOD DISTRICT OF GUJARAT STATE" with following specific objectives : 1. To study the selected personal, socio-economic, communication and psychological characteristics of the tribal peasants 2. To measure the knowledge and adoption of improved practices of maize cultivation and animal husbandry of the tribal peasants 3. To measure the level of overall modernization and socio-technoeconomic change of the tribal peasants 4. To find out the relationship between the selected independent variables and level of overall modernization, socio-techno-economic change and adoption of the respondents 5. To know the extent of contribution of selected independent variables on the dependent variables of the tribal peasants 6. To study the direct and indirect effect of the independent variables on the level of overall modernization of the tribal peasants 7. To study the constraints faced by the tribal peasants in adoption of improved practices of maize cultivation and animal husbandry 8. To seek suggestions of the tribal peasants about improvement of their overall modernization The present study was undertaken in Integrated Tribal Development Project area of Dahod district of Gujarat State. Out of seven talukas of Dahod district, four talukas were selected randomly. The list of villages having majority of peasants adopted maize as a major crop with animal husbandry in each selected talukas was obtained from the district Gazette. In each selected taluka, five villages were selected randomly and finally a sample of total 20 villages among the 4 randomly selected talukas was selected for the study. A list of peasants, who had adopted maize as a major crop with animal husbandry was obtained from the concerned village level worker of all 20 selected villages. From each village, 10 respondents were selected randomly. Thus, a random sample of total 200 tribal peasants was selected for the present study. In order to measure the level of overall modernization the instrument was developed for the purpose was used. To measure the knowledge level regarding improved practices of maize cultivation, the test was developed by the investigator. The other dependent and independent variables were measured by using suitable scales and procedures adopted by other investigation. An interview schedule was developed in accordance with the objectives of the study and it was pretested and translated into Gujarati language. The data of this study were collected through personal interview. The statistical measures such as percentage, mean, standard deviation, coefficient of correlation, stepwise multiple regression, standard partial regression coefficient and path analysis were used. MAJOR FINDINGS The important findings of the study are as under : 1. Majority (63.50 per cent) of the respondents belonged to middle age group (i.e. 31 to 50 years) and were having primary to secondary level education (50.00 per cent). 2. Most (85.50 per cent) of the respondents were dependent on farming and animal husbandry and more than half (52.00 per cent) of the respondents were possessed small size of land holding ((i.e. 1.0 to 2.0 hectares land). 3. Nearly two third (65.50 per cent) of the respondents had medium farm power with them. 4. About 53.00 per cent migration was observed in sample tribal peasants. The average migrating persons per household was 1.77 and the average period of migration per household was 2.54 months. 5. Majority (63.50 per cent) of the respondents had high level of organizational participation and most of them (89.50 per cent) were interested to go to the city for a job. 6. More than half (53.00 per cent) of the respondents had low level of achievement and nearly two-third (64.00 per cent) of the respondents were having medium level of mass media exposure. 7. Majority (63.50 per cent) of the respondents had low level of change agency contact. 8. Majority (54.00 per cent and 62.50 per cent) of the respondents had low level of aspiration and role taking empathy, respectively and more than half (51.50 per cent) of the respondents were found fatalistic. 9. Majority (66.00, 60.50, 52.50 and 51.00 per cent) of the respondents had medium level of economic motivation, cosmopoliteness, risk orientation and scientific orientation, respectively. 10. Nearly two-third (65.50 per cent) of the respondents had medium level of knowledge regarding improved practices of maize cultivation, whereas nearly three-fifth (58.50 per cent) of the tribal farmers had medium level of knowledge regarding improved animal husbandry practices. 11. More than two-third (67.50 per cent) of the respondents had medium level of overall modernization whereas more than threefifth (61.50 per cent) of the respondents had medium level of sociotechno- economic change. 12. Majority (65.50 per cent and 68.00 per cent) of the respondents had medium level of adoption of improved practices of maize cultivation and animal husbandry, respectively. 13. All the independent variables selected for the study were significantly related with level of overall modernization. Among them education, occupation, size of land holding, farm power, organizational participation, level of achievement, socio-technoeconomic change, mass media exposure, change agency contact level of aspiration, role taking empathy, non-fatalism, economic motivation, cosmopoliteness, risk orientation, scientific orientation, knowledge regarding improved practices of maize cultivation, knowledge regarding improved animal husbandry practices, adoption of improved practices of maize cultivation, adoption of improved animal husbandry practices of the peasants had positive and significant relationship with level of overall modernization. Whereas age, urban pull arid migration habit had negative but significant relationship with it. 14. All the independent variables except level of aspiration w^ere significantly related with the socio-techno-economic change of the peasants. Among them the variables namely education, occupation, size of land holding, farm power, organizational participation, level of achievement, mass media exposure, change agency contact, role taking empathy, non-fatalism, economic motivation, cosmopoliteness, risk orientation, scientific orientation, knowledge regarding improved practices of maize cultivation, knowledge regarding improved animal husbandry practices, adoption of improved practices of maize cultivation, adoption of improved animal husbandry practices and level of overall modernization were found to be positively and significantly related with the socio-techno-economic change of the peasants. Whereas age, urban pull and migration habit were significantly but negatively correlated with it. 15. All the independent variables selected for the study were significantly related with adoption of improved practice of maize cultivation. Among them education, occupation, size of land holding, farm power, organizational participation, level of achievement, socio-techno-economic change, mass media exposure, change agency contact, level of aspiration, role taking empathy, non-fatalism, economic motivation, cosmopoliteness, risk orientation, scientific orientation, knowledge regarding improved practices of maize cultivation and level of overall modernization of the peasants had positive and significant relationship with adoption of improved practices of maize cultivation. Whereas age, urban pull and migration habit had negative but significant relationship with it. 16. Seventeen independent variables namely, education, occupation, size of land holding, organizational participation, level of achievement, socio-techno-economic change, mass media exposure, change agency contact, level of aspiration, role taking empathy, non-fatalism, economic motivation, cosmopoliteness, risk orientation, scientific orientation, knowledge regarding improved animal husbandry practices and level of overall modernization were found significantly and positively related with the adoption of improved animal husbandry practices. Whereas age, urban pull and migration habit were found significantly but negatively correlated with it. While farm power was found non-significant with adoption of improved animal husbandry practices. 17. Level of overall modernization was found to be predicted by eight independent variables namely, adoption of improved practices of maize cultivation, age, education, occupation, farm power, cosmopoliteness, economic motivation and knowledge regarding improved animal husbandry practices having with the combine effect of 77.33 per cent of the total variation. Cosmopoliteness alone contributed significantly to 62.88 per cent of total variation in the level of overall modernization. 18. Socio-techno-economic change was found to be predicted by nine independent variables namely, adoption of improved animal husbandry practices, age, education, occupation, farm power, urban pull, mass media exposure, non-fatalism and knowledge regarding improved practices of maize cultivation had together contributed to 75.20 per cent of total variation. Mass media exposure alone accounted significantly for 59.75 per cent of variation in the socio-techno-economic change. 19. Adoption of improved practices of maize cultivation was found to be predicted by five independent variables namely, migration habit, risk orientation, organizational participation, non-fatalism and knowledge regarding improved practices of maize cultivation together contributed to 80.11 per cent of total variation. Knowledge regarding improved practices of maize cultivation alone contributed significantly to the tune of 73.44 per cent change in dependent variable i.e. extent of adoption of improved practices of maize cultivation. 20. Adoption of improved animal husbandry practices was found to be predicted by nine independent variables namely, socio-technoeconomic change, size of land holding, economic motivation, organizational participation, level of aspiration, mass media exposure, role taking empathy, non-fatalism and knowledge regarding improved animal husbandry practices were accounting influence on the adoption of improved animal husbandry practices together contributed to 71.57 per cent of total variation. Knowledge regarding improved animal husbandry practices alone accounted significantly for 59.60 per cent of variation in extent of adoption of improved animal husbandry practices. 21. The variable urban pull had exerted maximum positive direct effect on level of overall modernization. Whereas cosmopoliteness exhibited the highest positive total indirect effect on level of overall modernization. So far as substantial indirect effect is concerned most of the variables exerted first order positive effect on level of overall modernization through role taking empathy followed by through change agency contact and organizational participation, whereas in case of second order substantial indirect effect, most of the variables exerted their positive effect through change agency contact followed by mass media exposure and organizational participation, respectively. Variable non-fatalism had exerted highest positive first and second order indirect effect on level of overall modernization through role taking empathy and change agency contact, respectively. 22. Some of the important constraints faced by the tribal peasants in relation to agriculture were high cost of farm inputs like seed, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals and implements, lack of irrigation facility, poor soil condition, inadequate credit facility, lack of information about new agricultural technology, lack of technical guidance, low market price of agricultural products, unavailability of inputs like seed, fertilizers and equipments at cheaper rate. Whereas important constraints related to animal husbandry were fodder was not sufficient for the animals, lack of grazing land, lack of veterinary hospital in villages, high cost of feeds and fodder, rate per litre of milk was not remunerative, nonavailability of land for fodder cultivation, lack of credit for purchasing dairy animals, lack of training of dairy management. 23. More subsidy should be given on inputs, provision of lift irrigation and wells on individual and community basis, fodder should be made available timely for livestock at cheaper rate, improvement and development of graze land, veterinary services made available at village level, community television sets, radio sets and newspaper should be made available in villages, adequate teachers should be appointed in school, availability of health centres in villages with medicines and good health services, availability of loan at low rate of interest, adequate electricity in all villages and sincere and devoted extension worker for technical guidance were the major suggestions offered by the peasants for the improvement of their overall modernization.

Anand Agricultural University, Anand

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