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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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20211
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Subject: Agricultural Extension and Education × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance analysis of farmer producer organisations of Uttarakhand
    (G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2021-11) Sandeep Kaur; Kameswari, V.L.V.
    Major proportion of India’s farmers are small and marginal farmers. They together, account for a whopping ownership of 85 percent of the total farm holdings in India. About 1.5 to 2.0 million new marginal and small farms are being added every year due to continued land fragmentation. Small and marginal farmers in India are highly vulnerable to risks and face multifold problems. A variety of approaches have emerged in response to the problems faced by them. Collectivization of small and marginal farmers into Producer Organizations (PO) is one of the most effective pathways to address the challenges faced by them as POs improve access to investments, technology and inputs and markets. Various efforts are being made by the government to promote FPOs. Despite these efforts, FPOs in many places are struggling to survive. Further, there is little empirical evidence regarding the income generating effect of Farmer Producer Organizations in India. Hence, a study entitled, “Performance Analysis of Farmers Producer Organizations of Uttarakhand” was carried out to document: (i) The genesis and organizational structure of FPOs, (ii) to study the performance of FPOs, (iii) to assess the socio-economic impact of FPOs on the members and (iv) to find out the constraints faced by FPOs. The study was carried out in Haridwar district of Garhwal region and Pithoragarh district of Kumaun region of Uttarakhand. All the eight FPOs in both the districts were studied. The respondents were selected by random sampling. Five office bearers, ten members and ten non members from each FPO were selected and the total sample size was 200. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study and data was collected by using pre tested interview schedule and past records of FPOs. It was found that four FPOs were in Grade A, which indicates that their performance was very good and they were ready for credit linkages. It was seen that one FPO was in Grade B, two were in Grade C and one was in Grade D. The study showed that majority of members and non members (56.25 %) were in the middle age and majority of the members and non members were men. It was found that majority of members (92.5%) and non members (85%) fall under above poverty line category. The study showed that about half of the members (51.2%) and maximum number of non members (43.75 %) belonged to the General Category and a large majority of members and non members were engaged in cultivation. It was also found that in case of members, maximum number were educated upto high school (42.5%) and in case of non members, maximum (40 %) were educated upto middle school. It was evident from data that 38.75 percent members and 45 percent of non members possessed 1-5 acres of land. It was also found that majority of the members (72.5%) were involved with one organization whereas 85 percent of the non members were not members of any social organization. It was also seen that majority of members and non members lived in pucca house and large majority of the members and non members had 1-2 draught animals. It was found that 53.75 percent members and 48.75 percent non members scored high on material possession and 66.25 percent of members had more than five members in the family, whereas 46.25 percent of the non members belonged to large families. During the study, it was found that 40 percent of members belonged to upper class and 45 percent of non members belonged to middle class. It was also found that there was significant difference in the socio economic status of members of FPO and non members. The results showed that, irrespective of the climatic conditions, crops grown, infrastructural conditions, etc; there was a significant difference in the socio economic status of members of FPOs and non members of hilly as well as plain areas. This showed that the FPOs have a direct and significant impact on the income and living conditions of the farmers. Majority of the members (78.75%) exhibited high level of social empowerment, followed by 21.25 percent with medium social empowerment. In case of non members, it was seen that the maximum of the non members (56.25%) were in the medium category of social empowerment. It was observed that there was significant difference in the social empowerment of members of FPO and non members. The results showed that social empowerment through the FPOs were seen in both the hilly as well as the plain areas. The farmer members were more socially empowered than the non members of the area. They were high on self confidence, more socially aware, had recognition in the area and availed more services and facilities than the non members. It was found that the major constraints faced by the officials were difficulty in getting and renewing the licenses, lack of sufficient number of vehicles for transportation of products to market, lack of price policy by the government, huge equity capital requirement for starting the FPO and lack of adequate working capital. Major constraints faced by members were inadequate transportation facilities, lack of proper infrastructure and processing facilities, low price for produce and distress sale, distant markets, shortage of working capital and lack of team spirit and coordination.