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Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar

After independence, development of the rural sector was considered the primary concern of the Government of India. In 1949, with the appointment of the Radhakrishnan University Education Commission, imparting of agricultural education through the setting up of rural universities became the focal point. Later, in 1954 an Indo-American team led by Dr. K.R. Damle, the Vice-President of ICAR, was constituted that arrived at the idea of establishing a Rural University on the land-grant pattern of USA. As a consequence a contract between the Government of India, the Technical Cooperation Mission and some land-grant universities of USA, was signed to promote agricultural education in the country. The US universities included the universities of Tennessee, the Ohio State University, the Kansas State University, The University of Illinois, the Pennsylvania State University and the University of Missouri. The task of assisting Uttar Pradesh in establishing an agricultural university was assigned to the University of Illinois which signed a contract in 1959 to establish an agricultural University in the State. Dean, H.W. Hannah, of the University of Illinois prepared a blueprint for a Rural University to be set up at the Tarai State Farm in the district Nainital, UP. In the initial stage the University of Illinois also offered the services of its scientists and teachers. Thus, in 1960, the first agricultural university of India, UP Agricultural University, came into being by an Act of legislation, UP Act XI-V of 1958. The Act was later amended under UP Universities Re-enactment and Amendment Act 1972 and the University was rechristened as Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology keeping in view the contributions of Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant, the then Chief Minister of UP. The University was dedicated to the Nation by the first Prime Minister of India Pt Jawaharlal Nehru on 17 November 1960. The G.B. Pant University is a symbol of successful partnership between India and the United States. The establishment of this university brought about a revolution in agricultural education, research and extension. It paved the way for setting up of 31 other agricultural universities in the country.

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Subject: Agricultural Economics × End date: 2005 × Start date: 2005 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Crop dynamics and economics of farming systems-a study of Joshimath block of Chamoli district
    (G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2005-01) Singh, Pradeep; Tewari, S.K.
    The study conducted in Joshimath block of Chamoli district in Uttaranchal was based on data collected from 40 farmers for the agricultural year 2003-04. The study aims at examining the income structure, identification of farming systems and enterprise linkages, examining growth trends of area under crops and economics and constraints of farming systems. Income from on-farm activities formed the dominant source of income on each size group of farms accounting for 75 per cent on small farms, 79 per cent on medium farms and 85 per cent on large farms. Income from dairy enterprise formed the major source on small and medium farms but potato cultivation turned out to be largest source of income on large farms. The farming system crop + dairy + orchard are practiced on each of the small, medium and large farms but farming systems crop + dairy are practiced on only 45.83 percent of the small farms. Cereals registered significant negative growth rates of area over the period 1990-91 to 1999-2000. Pulses oilseeds and potato crop witnessed significant positive growth rates in area. The net returns over total cost of the farming systems crop + dairy + orchard was estimated to be Rs. 11830.60 for an average of 0.31 hectare of small farm, Rs. 20662.01 for an average size of 0.61 ha of medium farm and Rs. 23897.42 for an average size of 1.1 ha of large farm. The net return over variable cost from this farming system was Rs. 22431.22 on small farm, Rs. 422243.01 on medium farms, 56937.15 on large farm. The net returns over total cost and variable cost of the farming system crop + dairy were estimated to be Rs. 3868.46 and Rs. 12340.15 on small farms, respectively. Lack of irrigation facilities, poor marketing facilities, input supply, credit, lack of good breed of animals, high cost of inputs and breeding of bovines appeared as the major constraints that affect the profitability of farming system. The results suggest that post harvesting and marketing support can be the most significant strategy to improve the economic well being of farmers as the dairying, orchard (apple) and potato cultivation among crop activities form the most significant component of the farming systems.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Present status, economics and future prospects of organic farming in Dehradun district of Uttaranchal
    (G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2005-06) Chauhan, Parul; Bhogal, T.S.
    Agriculture has to play a strategic role in the process of economic development of a country by meeting the food requirement of growing population not only quantitatively but also qualitatively. Agriculture sector contributes a major portion of gross production in India. In spite of this agriculture today is finding itself in increasing difficulties. The adverse impact on agriculture based on synthetic fertilizers and herbicides is visible in the degradation of soil fertility quality of food etc. Organic farming may prove to be a boon to curb these adverse effects. In spite of declaration of organic state, the present level of adoption of organic farming in the state of Uttaranchal is not encouraging. The present study was conducted in Dehardun district of Uttaranchal with the objectives : i) To study present scenario about the adoption and awareness of organic farming in the study area. Ii) To perform economic analysis of major crops grown under organic farming vis-à-vis non organic. Iii) To study opportunities and challenges in organic farming. Iv) To assess consumers’ awareness and willingness to pay for organic products. Simple statistical tools like means and percentages etc. were used to achieve various objectives of the study wherever needed. The economics of different crops grown organically and non organically was worked out using various cost concept described by Commission of Agricultural Costs and Prices. The results revealed that adoption status was fairly good as 44 per cent of sample farmers were engaged in organic farming in the study area. Sample farmers practicing organic farming were aware of the basic facts related with organic farming as its sustainability, non permissibility of chemical fertilizers and other technological information. While the farmers not practicing organic farming were not fully aware of methodology of organic farming. For organic paddy Cost A1 & C3 were Rs. 18495.00 & Rs. 32421.00 and for non organic paddy Rs. 18800 & Rs. 36892. The yield from organic and non organic paddy were 25 qt/ha and 32 qt/ha respectively. However farmers realized relatively higher prices for organic paddy(Rs.1350 &1150 q\ha for organic non organic paddy respectively). Net returns over Cost A1 & C3 from organic and non organic paddy were Rs. 17130.00 & Rs. 3204.00 and Rs. 20485.00 & Rs. 2393 respectively. For organic wheat and non organic wheat Cost A1 & C3 were Rs. 8264.00 & 18408.00 and Rs. 11956.00 & 23654.00 respectively. The net returns over cost A1 & C3 for organic and non organic wheat were Rs. 10416.00 & Rs. 272.00 and Rs. 12769.00 & Rs. 1071.00. The yield was lower for organic wheat(19 q\ha) than non organic(28 q\ha). The prices difference of organic wheat (Rs. 860\ Q.) and non organic (Rs. 766\ Q) were not much distant. Hence growing organic paddy was more profitable than growing organic wheat. The major challenges listed by sample farmers in the adoption of organic farming were unavailability of local buyers, availability of cheaper alternatives, not a consumers’ priority, non-availability of certified seeds, information and proper irrigation. The consumers were fully aware of merits of organic farming, but were not willing to purchase due to high price and difficulty in ensuring genuineness in the market. They were willing to increase the consumption of organic products at the most if the organic products are available at lower prices then the prevailing one and genuineness is ensured. Strengthening input supply system, development of infrastructural facilities, proper technology dissemination, integrated with proper extension services are the important policy implications emerged from the study for making organic farming a profitable & attractive venture in the state.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    An economic analysis of small millets in Chamba Block of Tehri-Garhwal district (Uttaranchal)
    (G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2005-06) Sharma, Gaurav; Sharma, M.L.
    The study conducted in Chamba block of district Tehri-Garhwal in Uttaranchal was based on data collected from 60 farmers for the agriculture year 2004-05. The study aims at examining input used pattern and farm productivity, yield gap and level of technology adoption, cost and returns and constraints of small millets on different altitudes. The study revealed that in general that levels of input use was low and there was a significant difference in level of input use per hectare and output per ha among the farmers of valleys, mid-hills and high-hills in both the millets under study (Barnyard millet and finger millet). Farmers in the area were harvesting average yield for below them potential yield (40 per cent) of millets in the area. Farmers were found to use input like seed in excess than of the recommended quality. The use of fertilizer, plant protection chemical were found to be very low. The total cost incurred by the farmers for barnyard millet was estimated to be Rs. 15,536 for high hills, Rs. 14,171 far valleys and Rs. 13,354 for mid-hills. The per ha cost of cultivation for finger millet was estimated dot be Rs. 18,907 for high hills Rs. 16,335 for valleys and Rs. 14,176 for mid hills. The net returns were found to be positive only on variable cost and on cost B2 (variable cost + rental value of land). This indicates the subsistence nature of there millets. Lack of irrigation facilities, poor marketing facilities, scattered and fragmented land holdings, high cost of inputs, Lack of rain fed technologies appeared the major constraint that affect the profitability of the millets in the study area. Strengthening input supply system, development of marketing infrastructure, proper technology dissemination integrated with proper technology dissemination integrated with proper extension services are the important implications emerged from the study for making cultivation of millets remunerative to the farmers in the study area.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Economics of beekeeping in Nainital district of Uttaranchal
    (G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2005-06) Gangwar, Ruchi Rani; Chaurasia, S.P.R.
    Beekeeping may be one of the important subsidiary enterprises for raising income of small and marginal farmers. Thus, in view of low level of farm income and employment in hill agriculture of Nainital district, beekeeping may serve as an important source of generating additional income and utilize surplus family labour. Therefore, studies were needed to investigate economic aspect of beekeeping. The study was conducted in Haldwani and Bhimtal blocks of Nainital district of Uttaranchal with the following specific objectives: 1. To work out costs and returns of beekeeping 2. To study the marketing pattern and marketing channels for honey followed by beekeepers. 3. To determine the minimum economic size of beekeeping unit. 4. To identify the determinant of honey output. 5. To study the constraints in beekeeping and suggest appropriate policies. The data for fulfilling different objectives were procured from selected beekeepers and various concerned offices (KVIC), Haldwani, Jeolikot Research Station). In total, 50 beekeepers were selected from both the blocks. The study revealed that cost of raising per hive in Bhimtal block (Rs.1510) was relatively higher compared to Haldwani block (Rs.1268). However, the yield of honey per hive was higher in Bhimtal block (20 kg) compared to Haldwani block (18 kg). The average price received per kg of honey by the producers of Haldwani and Bhimtal blocks were Rs.72 and Rs.67 per kg, rescpectively.Net return from honey was higher in Haldwani block (Rs.15) than Bhimtal block (Rs.4). There was monopoly of buyers because of presence of only two marketing channels in the study area. Producers were forced to sell their produce at lower price. As far as sale pattern was concerned, in most of the cases producers tried to dispose off their produce instantaneously in the same month due to lack of storage facilities and weak retention power. 15 and 17 bee hives were found minimum economic size of beekeeping units for Haldwani and Bhimtal blocks, respectively. The number of bee hives was found the most important determinant of increasing honey output. The most important and severe constraints prevailed were marketing of produce and lack of non-availability of suitable market for disposing off the produce, caused the sale of honey at low prices. Major policy implications emerged from the study are: i) There is an urgent need for reorganizing the various agencies involved in promotion and development of beekeeping ii)There should be adequate, well qualified technical staff for providing extension facilities, imparting necessary training and for supplying inputs iii)Pathological studies should be conducted to find out measures for preventing diseases iv) There should be competitive market for marketing of honey output. v)Proper transportation and storage facilities and vi)Suitable arrangement from financing institutions should be made to provide the working expenses to the beekeepers.