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Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat
Assam Agricultural University is the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-Eastern Region of India. The main goal of this institution is to produce globally competitive human resources in farm sectorand to carry out research in both conventional and frontier areas for production optimization as well as to disseminate the generated technologies as public good for benefitting the food growers/produces and traders involved in the sector while emphasizing on sustainability, equity and overall food security at household level.
Genesis of AAU -
The embryo of the agricultural research in the state of Assam was formed as early as 1897 with the establishment of the Upper Shillong Experimental Farm (now in Meghalaya) just after about a decade of creation of the agricultural department in 1882. However, the seeds of agricultural research in today’s Assam were sown in the dawn of the twentieth century with the establishment of two Rice Experimental Stations, one at Karimganj in Barak valley in 1913 and the other at Titabor in Brahmaputra valley in 1923. Subsequent to these research stations, a number of research stations were established to conduct research on important crops, more specifically, jute, pulses, oilseeds etc. The Assam Agricultural University was established on April 1, 1969 under The Assam Agricultural University Act, 1968’ with the mandate of imparting farm education, conduct research in agriculture and allied sciences and to effectively disseminate technologies so generated. Before establishment of the University, there were altogether 17 research schemes/projects in the state under the Department of Agriculture. By July 1973, all the research projects and 10 experimental farms were transferred by the Government of Assam to the AAU which already inherited the College of Agriculture and its farm at Barbheta, Jorhat and College of Veterinary Sciences at Khanapara, Guwahati.
Subsequently, College of Community Science at Jorhat (1969), College of Fisheries at Raha (1988), Biswanath College of Agriculture at Biswanath Chariali (1988) and Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science at Joyhing, North Lakhimpur (1988) were established. Presently, the University has three more colleges under its jurisdiction, viz., Sarat Chandra Singha College of Agriculture, Chapar, College of Horticulture, Nalbari & College of Sericulture, Titabar. Similarly, few more regional research stations at Shillongani, Diphu, Gossaigaon, Lakhimpur; and commodity research stations at Kahikuchi, Buralikson, Tinsukia, Kharua, Burnihat and Mandira were added to generate location and crop specific agricultural production packages.
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ThesisItem Open Access EXTENT OF GENDER PARTICIPATION IN PADDY CULTIVATION - A STUDY IN WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Muthabathula, SakkuBala Jasmine; Borua, S.The study entitled “Extent of Gender Participation in Paddy cultivation- A Study in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh” was carried out in two revenue divisions of the district. A total of 120 respondents were selected using purposive and proportionate random sampling technique. The data were collected by means of personal interview schedule. Statistical tools employed to analyze the data included frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Z-test (for selected dependent variables) and Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient (for selected dependent variable). The findings revealed that majority (68.34%) of the men respondents and (60.33%) of the women respondents belonged to middle age groups of 37-53 and 32-48 years and was found that men had high school education (31.67%) and women had primary school education (30.00%). Majority of the farmers have primary and secondary occupation (58.33%) and 100 per cent of the farm women haveagriculture as occupation. The gross annual income of the respondents ranged between Rs. 66,811-Rs. 1,68,389. Majority (76.67%) of the respondents have pucca type of house with nuclear type of family (93.33%) and small size of family of 2-4 (88.33%) with small operational landholding (40.00%). Majority (90.00%) of the respondents both farmers and farm women have high level of farming experience. It is observed that more than half of the respondents (men-58.33%) and all the farm women (100.00%)do not have any exposure to training programme. The results obtained from the study reveals that majority (70.00%) of the farmers and majority (98.33%) of the farm women have medium level of contact with extension personnel. Majority (93.33%) of the farmers do not have any orientation towards social participation and all (100.00%) the farm women have social participation in one organization. It can be seen from the results obtained from the study that majority (61.67%) of the farmers and majority (85.00%) of the farm women have medium level of exposure to mass media/information sources. It was found that majority (78.34%; 76.67%) of the respondents have medium level of extent of involvement in activities. Majority (96.67%; 96.67%) of the respondents have low level of decision making in paddy cultivation activities. It was found out that majority (91.96%, 90.00%) of the men and women get access to credit from bank.The findings revealed that men in an average perform more productive work, community work and unproductive work than women where women perform household work more than men in terms of hours/day. The Government can take certain measures for providing the farmers with better price returns. Proper training can be provided by the Government and extension workers to the women to encourage and improve the women in any of the income generating activities so that they can be involved in those activities apart from farming.ThesisItem Open Access AN EVALUATIVE STUDY OF SELECTED TRAINING PROGRAMMES CONDUCTED BY KVKs OF UPPER BRAHMAPUTRA VALLEY ZONE OF ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Sangma, Niberto; Das, P.The present study was undertaken to evaluate the training programme “production and use of organic inputs” conducted by KVKs of UBVZ of Assam with the following objectives: 1. To measure the effectiveness of the training course on “Production and Use of Organic Inputs”. 2. To study extent of application of learning on the selected training by the trainees in their farm situationand changes taken place. 3. To ascertain relationship, if any, between training effectiveness and socio personal, professional and psychological characteristics of the trainees. 4. To identify difficulties, if any, in application of learning and suggest measures to overcome those for improvement of the training programme. The study was carried out in five district of Assam. Five KVKs of UBVZ of Assam were selected purposively and a total number of 125 respondents were selected using random sampling technique. The data was collected by means of personal interview schedule. Statistical tools employed to analyse the data included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient, weighted Mean Score and Chi-square test for independent and dependent variable. The findings revealed that majority 66.40 per cent of the respondents belonged to (29 to 50) years of age group and 64.00 per cent of the respondents were male and the rest 36.00 per cent were female. A large majority 80.80 per cent of the respondents were married and most of them 67.20 per cent belonged to OBC category. It was found that majority 27.20 per cent of the respondents had passed high school, while 62.40 per cent of the respondents had small size of family and majority 69.60 per cent of the family type was nuclear. Most of the farmers 40.00 per cent had small land holding and 44.80 per cent choose their main occupation as cultivation. The gross annual income ranges between Rs. (63012 to 2,06508) and 56.00 per cent of the respondent’s source of income is farming. Majority 67.20 per cent of the respondents have medium level of extension contact and 69.60 per cent of the respondents had medium level of mass media exposure. In case of social participation it is observed that 38.40 per cent of the respondents have no membership in any organization. The findings also revealed that majority 82.40 per cent of the respondents have medium level of achievement motivation. The present study reveals that 78.40 per cent of the respondents had medium level of economic motivation while majority 79.20 per cent of the respondent had medium level of risk preference as well. The result obtained from the study revealed the effectiveness of training programme, in terms of perceived usefulness, majority 79.20 per cent of the respondents had moderately useful of the training. In terms of knowledge gained, 72.80 per cent of the respondents had moderately gained knowledge and in terms of skill developed, majority 71.20 per cent of the respondents had developed medium level of skill. The study shows that majority 94.40 per cent of the respondents had applied their learning (construction of vermi tank and application of vermicompost) in their actual field condition. While, 92.00 per cent of the respondents had mentioned that they had seen changes in slow perishability of vegetables.90.40 per cent of the respondents had mention that they had seen changes in improvement of soil quality. The study shows that 68.00 per cent of the respondents had their problems in marketing of organic inputs, while 58.00 per cent of the respondents faced problems on lack of awareness in bio pesticides. Majority 64.00 per cent of the respondents had suggested that there should be a regular market for selling their products and 38.40 per cent of the respondents had suggested that Govt. should provide infrastructural support in construction of concrete tanks either in subsidies or fully funded.ThesisItem Open Access LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION OF MUGA AND NON MUGA REARERS – A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN MAJULI DISTRICT OF ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Borah, Manash Jyoti; Barman, U.Muga is famous as golden silk, and it has the potentiality to provide substantial income to farmers. However, it was observed that in the same locality all farmers are not adopting muga as an income-generating portfolio of livelihood and livelihood diversification exist within muga rearers. Research gap exists in the area, and so the study was conducted to find out the livelihood diversification of muga rearers and muga non-rearers in a traditional muga belt of Majuli district of Assam. Total 75 muga rearers and 75 muga non-rearers were selected by proportionate random sampling technique. The data were collected using the personal interview schedule and through personal observation. Statistical tools employed to analyse the data included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square test, ttest, Simpson Index of diversity (SID) and cross-tabulation. The findings revealed that the majority (38.70%) of the respondents belonged to the age group of 36-44 years in case of muga rearers and 38.70 percent muga non-rearers belonged to 46-54 years of age group. Most of the muga rearers (32.00%) were up to middle school passed, and most of the muga non-rearers (30.70%) were higher secondary and above passed. Majority of the muga rearers (54.70%), as well as muga non-rearers (58.70%), belonged to scheduled tribe (ST). Most of the muga rearers (57.30%), as well as muga non-rearers (78.70%), were having the nuclear type of family. Majority of respondents (58.70%) were small farmers in case of muga rearers and marginal farmers in case of muga non-rearers (52.00%). The average monthly income for the highest percentage of respondents (60.00%) incase of muga rearers ranged between Rs. 14000-18375 and for muga non-rearers (46.70%) it was 8750- 150083 Rs. It was found that majority of the respondents had a medium level of economic orientation both in the case of muga rearers (54.70%) and muga non-rearers (40.00%). Social participation was found as high in the case of muga rearers (64.00%) and medium in case of muga non-rearers (53.30%). The study further revealed that the average SID value of muga rearers was 0.67 and in the case of muga non-rearers, it was 0.75, which is on the higher side. Majority of muga rearers (62.70%) and much non-rearers (76.00%) were found to have high livelihood diversification. The study revealed that livelihood diversification was high both in the case of muga rearers and muga non-rearers, but it was more in case of muga non-rearers. It reflected that muga gives a good income to the rearers, but still, it was not a dependable source of income. Less land in the surveyed area for somoni will hinder for extension of the portfolio. So, effort should be given to sustain the existing somoni. Since the surveyed area was a traditionally famous muga belt, it should be protected, and proper marketing with a brand name may be tried for muga. It will also open the scope for entrepreneurship. So, start-up programme in AAU incubation centre may try to see the viability of entrepreneurship development.ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON EFFECTIVENESS OF ADVISORY SERVICES RENDERED BY AGRO-INPUT DEALERS IN JORHAT DISTRICT, ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Borah, Adrija; Barman, SundarThe study entitled “A study on effectiveness of advisory services rendered by Agro-Input Dealers in Jorhat District, Assam” was carried out in Jorhat district. A total of 120 respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique out of which 30 were agro-input dealers and 90 were farmers. The data were collected by means of personal interview schedule. Appropriate statistical tools employed to analyze and interpretation of data. The profile analysis of the farmers indicated that majority of the farmers were middle aged (66.67%) completed high school (40%) with 4 to 6 members family (72.22%) and 1-2 ha of cultivable land (46.67%). Majority of farmers (74.44%) had annual income ranging from Rs. 80158.09-198950.86 with medium farming experience (67.78%) but received less training (11.11%) with medium level of extension contact (90%), participation in extension activities (60%) and mass media participation (71.11%). Medium level of contact with agro input dealers was found for 66.67 per cent. Advisory services provided by agro input dealers to the farmers were found moderately effective (74.44%), followed by highly effective (13.33%) and less effective (12.22%). In case of agro input dealers, majority of the input dealers were middle aged (76.67%), with education higher secondary (46.66%), 4 to 6 family members (60%), with average 11.77 years dealership experience and 10.8 years farming experiences. The average annual income Rs.3,42,100.00 and majority of them (46.67%) deals with fertilizer, pesticides and seeds and invested their owned fund(70%). Training and mass media were the source of information for majority agro input dealers. Majority of them had medium level of extension contact (83.33%) and participation in extension activities (56.67%). Knowledge of the agro input dealers about selected POP of major crops was found medium level (60%), followed by low (23.33%), and high (16.67%). And item wise analysis results revealed that in case of paddy 100 per cent of the respondents had correct knowledge on „variety of crop‟, „water management‟, „weed management‟ and „harvesting‟. In case of okra, cabbage, pea and rapeseed crop 100 per cent of the respondents had correct knowledge on „harvesting‟. In case of brinjal and potato crop 100 per cent of the respondents had correct knowledge on „water management‟, „weed management‟ and „harvesting‟. And dealers had very less knowledge on „fertilizer management‟ in all the crops. „Language problem while talking with dealers‟, „unavailability of inputs at times‟, „Lack of updated information‟, „Slow in solving problem‟, „dealers do not give field visit on request‟ were most prominent problems reported by majority farmers While for input dealers „not able to meet company personnel at urgent times‟, „Lack of time for field visits on farmer request‟, „Insufficient feedback from farmers about performance of agro-advisory services‟ and „Inadequate technical qualification of input dealers in agro-advisory services‟, „communication with farmers‟, „Lack of sufficient field experience‟ were the most prominent problems .ThesisItem Open Access PADDY FARMERS’ PERSPECTIVE TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN AGRICULTURE: A STUDY IN TINSUKIA DISTRICT OF ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) WAKHET, MOUKHAM; Mishra, PrasantaThe study entitled “Paddy Farmers‟ Perspective towards Sustainable Practices in Agriculture: A Study in Tinsukia District of Assam” was carried out with a total of 120 respondents by means of structured interview schedule followed by personal interview. A purposive cum random sampling technique was followed. The present research was conducted in the two sub-divisions of Tinsukia district. For analysing the data, various statistical tools like frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, co-efficient of variation, rank and weighted mean score were used. The findings revealed that98.34 per cent of the respondents were male and 60.84 per cent of the respondents belonged to the age group of 39-59 years. 34.17 per cent of the respondents had education up to middle school level. It was found that nearly three fourth (75.83%) of the respondents had 4-6 family members. 53.33 per cent of the respondents were found to be engaged as family labour comprising 1-3 family members.The farm size was found to be highest in the year 2017-18 with 55.83 per cent of the respondents being small farmers having 1-2 ha of land.Annual income (non-farming + farming) of respondents (74.17%) ranged between Rs.37,947.00 to Rs.79,700.00. It was found that more than half (67.50%) of the respondents had 14-33 years of farming experience. The productivity of rice was highest 34.93-47.44 q/ha in the year 2018-19. Income from rice of respondents (81.66%) was Rs.10639.9 to Rs.41655.7 in the year 2017-18. It was found that all the respondents used traditional harvesting method and their cropping pattern was found to be monocropping. The net sown area was found to be highest in the year 2017-18 with 55.00 per cent being small farmer having 1-2 ha of land. Three-fourth (89.16%) of the respondents was found to grow „ranjit‟rice variety and 92.50 per cent of the respondents had reared cattle. The study further revealed that 79.17 per cent had no irrigation facility and 80.00 per cent of the respondents had no training exposure. More than half (65.00%) of the respondents had medium level of extension contact. 60.83 per cent of the respondents had medium exposure to sources of information. Majority (78.33%) of the respondents had no membership in social organization and 76.67 per cent of the respondents had medium level of self-confidence.65.00 per cent of the respondents had not received any government assistance and 13.34 per cent of the respondents had availed loan from nationalized banks. More than half (63.33%) had used MOP and 26.66 per cent had used insecticides. It was affirmed from the findings that „lack of sufficient irrigation‟ (100.00%), „heavy floods during crop period‟ (98.33%), „scarcity of labour during peak hours‟ (97.50%), „non-availability of quality seed in time‟ (91.66%) etc. were the major constraints faced by the farmers during paddy cultivation. It was found that the paddy farmers followed few number of ITKs in paddy cultivation for control of insect/pests, diseases and storage purpose. Majority (100.00%) of the respondents followed ITKs like „leaf clipping of rice seedling before transplanting‟, „application of bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) perches in rice field‟ (77.50%) and „application of Germany bon (Eupatorium audoratum) in rice field‟ (75.83%) etc. With respect to sustainable paddy cultivation, the farmers followed the practices like „use of animal manure‟ (78.34%), „manual weeding‟ (62.50%), „use of organic fertilizer‟ (50.83%) and „use of minimum tillage‟ (9.16%) more than once in a calendar year. As regards to farmers‟ knowledge towards sustainable agricultural practices, it was found that all the respondents had knowledge on „biological control and weeding of rice farm‟, followed by „animal manure and its application‟ (98.33%) and „green manure and its application‟ (98.33%). Moreover, it was revealed from the findings that more than three-fourth (75.83%) of the respondents had medium level of knowledge towards sustainable agricultural practices. With respect to farmers‟ attitude towards sustainable agricultural practices, it was observed that the attitude „soil and water are the sources of all life and should therefore be strictly conserved‟ with WMS 4.70 ranked first, followed by the negative attitude „sustainable agriculture is not economically profitable‟ with WMS 4.62 ranked second and „application of cow dung and compost increases soil fertility‟ with WMS 4.55 ranked third. Moreover, it was revealed from the findings that majority (74.17%) of the respondents had moderately favourable attitude towards sustainable agricultural practices.ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTABILITY OF FARMERS TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN NORTH BANK PLAINS ZONE OF ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Chetri, Trilochan Karki; Das), P. K.The study entitled as ‘A study on vulnerability and adaptability of farmers to climate change in North Bank Plains Zone of Assam’ was conducted with the following objectives: 1. To assess the vulnerability of farmers to climate change 2. To assess the adaptation pattern regarding agricultural management practices followed by farmers due to climate change 3. To identify the factors influencing farmers’ vulnerability and adaptability to climate change 4. To know the perception of farmers about the effects of climate change on agriculture The study was conducted in North Bank Plains Zone of Assam. The zone consists of 6 districts, out of which 2 districts, namely, Sonitpur and Udalguri were selected randomly for the present study. Random sampling design was followed for selection of districts, sub-divisions, ADO circles, AEA Elekas and villages for the study. A proportionate-cum-random sampling (probability proportionate to size) technique was followed for selection of 120 respondents which constituted the sample for the study. The head of each farm household was the respondent of the study. The primary data for the study were collected by using a pretested structured schedule with the help of personal interview method. The primary data for the study were collected during the period from February to March, 2019.The statistical techniques and tests used in the study for analysis and interpretation of the data were frequency, percentage, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, co-efficient of variation, multiple correlations, multiple regression and t-test. Findings revealed that majority of the respondents (45.00%) were middle aged with single family type (69.17%), big family size (64.17%), small size of land holding (40.00%) and ‘farming alone’ as occupation (75.00%). Majority of them were with medium farming experience (69.17%) and medium gross annual income (69.17). Majority of them (41.67) had no membership with any organization and an equal proportion of them (41.67%) were member of one organization. Majority of them (49.17%) had medium credit seeking behaviour, medium degree of information exposure (65.00%), medium level of farm mechanization (64.17%), medium level of scientific orientation (65.00%), medium level of risk orientation (63.33%), medium ii level of economic motivation (77.50) and low innovativeness (45.00%). Most of them were illiterate (23.33%) followed by 19.17% with middle school level of formal education. Findings revealed that majority of the respondents (69.17%) belonged to medium vulnerability category followed by 16.67 per cent in high vulnerability category and remaining 14.17 per cent in low vulnerability category. Findings revealed that adaptation index was highest in use of organic manure (62.08%) followed by summer deep ploughing (58.33%) and conservation tillage (50.83%). Adaptation Index was 50.00 per cent in use of bunds followed by change in variety (45.42%), diversified farming (45.42%), changing planting dates (40.83%), use of mulching (40.42%) and contingency crop planning (37.50%). Adaptation Index was 36.25 per cent in change in crop followed by water harvesting (34.17%), use of ITK (32.50%), bird perched (23.33%), intercropping (19.17%) and protected cultivation (8.75%). Findings revealed that majority of the respondents (67.67%) belonged to medium adaptability category followed by 19.17 per cent of respondents in low adaptability category and 14.17 per cent respondents in high adaptability category. Findings of correlation analysis indicated that out of the 16 selected independent variables, 11 independent variables were significantly correlated with the vulnerability of farmers to climate change. All the 11 variables, viz., educational level, size of operational land holding, gross annual income, farm mechanization, credit seeking behaviour, degree of information exposure, scientific orientation, risk orientation, economic motivation, innovativeness and adaptability showed significant and negative relationship with the vulnerability of farmers to climate change at 0.01 level of probability. Findings revealed that 11 independent variables were significantly correlated with the adaptability of farmers to climate change. Among the 11 independent variables, 10 variables, viz., family type, family size, size of operational land holding, gross annual income, social participation, farm mechanization, credit seeking behaviour, degree of information exposure, scientific orientation and innovativeness showed significant and positive relationship with the adaptability of farmers to climate change at 0.01 level of probability. Only one variable, farmer’s vulnerability to climate change showed iii significant and negative relationship with the adaptability of farmers to climate change at 0.01 level of probability. The variables which were found to have significant correlation with the vulnerability and adaptability of farmers to climate change were further selected for multiple linear regression analysis with a view to determining the relative influence of those variables in predicting the variation in the vulnerability and adaptability of farmers to climate change. Findings revealed that out of 11 independent variables which were found to have significant correlation with the vulnerability, only 5 variables, viz. education level, degree of information exposure, scientific orientation, economic motivation and innovativeness were found to contribute significantly towards the variation in the vulnerability of farmers to climate change. The value of R2 (0.778) indicated that 11 independent variables fitted in the linear regression analysis could predict 77.80 per cent of the variation in vulnerability of farmers to climate change. Out of 11 independent variables which were found to have significant correlation with adaptability, only 4 variables, viz. farm mechanization, scientific orientation, innovativeness and vulnerability to climate change were found to contribute significantly towards the variation in the adaptability of farmers to climate change. The value of R2 (0.813) indicated that 11 independent variables fitted in the linear regression analysis could predict 81.30 per cent of the variation in adaptability of farmers to climate change. Findings revealed that most of the respondents (95.83%) agreed that due to climate change conditions were getting favourable to flourish different crop diseases followed by 87.50 per cent respondents who agreed that insect infestation in crops had increased in recent years, 87.67 per cent respondent agreed that cropping pattern had changed, 85.00 per cent respondents agreed that investment in agriculture had increased and 80.83 per cent respondents agreed traditional irrigation sources like field ponds had reduced. Findings implied that farmers perceived that climate change had significant effects on various aspects of agriculture.ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON THE EXTENT OF DIVERSIFICATION AND LEVEL OF LIVELIHOOD SECURITY OF FARMERS IN THE NORTH BANK PLAINS ZONE OF ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Bharadwaj, Akhoy Jyoti; Das, P. K.The study entitled ‘A Study On The Extent Of Diversification And Level Of Livelihood Security Of Farmers In The North Bank Plains Zone Of Assam’ was conducted with the following objectives: 1. To find out the extent of diversification across different farm size groups 2. To find out the level of livelihood security of farmers across different farm size groups 3. To identify the factors influencing the extent of diversification and level of livelihood security across different farm size groups 4. To identify the constraints in diversification as perceived by the farmers across different farm size groups. The present study was conducted in The North Bank Plains Zone Of Assam. The North Bank Plains Zone consists of 6 districts. Out of these 2 districts was selected randomly viz., Sonitpur and Lakhimpur. A random sampling was followed foe the selection of sub-divisions, ADO circles, AEA elekas and villages. A sample of 160 farmers was selected from the 8 selected villages following a proportionate random sampling technique. The major tool used for collection of primary data in the study was a pretested schedule by personal interview method. The statistical tools used for analysis and interpretation of data included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, t-test, multiple correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. The two dependent variables included in the study were extent of diversification and level of livelihood security. All together 15 independent variables were included in the study. Findings revealed that 23.12 per cent of the respondents were marginal farmers, 43.13 per cent small and 33.75 per cent medium farmers. Majority of the respondents were middle aged (50.62%) and literate (82.50%) with single type (71.87%) but large (51.25%) large size family and had medium (44.40%) credit seeking behaviour. Majority of the respondents (38.75%) had membership in one organization. Majority of the respondents had medium degree of information exposure (48.12%), medium farm mechanization (70/00%), medium scientific orientation (43.75%), medium risk orientation (54.37), medium economic motivation (56.87%), high innovativeness (37.50%) and medium management efficiency (60.63%). While, 54.05 per cent of the marginal farmers had less favourable attitude towards agricultural diversification, 68.12 per cent of small and 50.00 per cent of the medium farmers had moderately favourable attitude towards agricultural diversification. In this study, the extent of diversification was measured in terms of crop diversification and enterprise diversification across different farm size groups. As regards crop diversification, in case of marginal farmers, majority of the respondents (59.46%) had medium crop diversification followed by 27.03 per cent of them with low and 13.51 per cent of them with high crop diversification. In case of small farmers, majority of the respondents (75.37%) had medium crop diversification followed by 13.04 per cent of them with high and 11.59 per cent of them with low crop diversification. Whereas among the medium farmers, majority of the respondents (53.70%) had medium crop diversification category followed by 33.33 per cent of them with high and 12.97 per cent of them with low crop diversification. In the pooled sample of farmers, majority of the respondents (64.37%) had medium crop diversification followed by 20.00 per cent of them with high and 15.63 per cent with low crop diversification. As regards enterprise diversification, majority of the marginal farmers (64.86%) had medium enterprise diversification followed by 27.03 per cent with low and 8.11 per cent with high enterprise diversification In case of small farmers, majority (66.67%) of the respondents had medium enterprise diversification followed by 17.39 per cent of them with low and 15.94 per cent with high enterprise diversification. Whereas among the medium farmers, majority (51.85%) of the respondents had medium enterprise diversification followed by 29.63 per cent with high and 18.52 per cent with low enterprise diversification. In the pooled sample of farmers, majority (61.25%) of the respondents had medium enterprise diversification followed by 20.00 per cent with low and 18.75 per cent with high enterprise diversification. As regards livelihood security, majority of the marginal farmers (57.76%) had medium level of livelihood security followed by 32.43 per cent with low and 10.81 per cent with high level of livelihood security. In case of small farmers, majority (63.77%) of the respondents had medium level of livelihood security followed by 18.84 per cent of them with low and 17.39 per cent with high level of livelihood security. In case of medium farmers, majority (51.85%) of the respondents had medium level of livelihood security followed by 33.33 per cent with high and 14.82 per cent with low level of livelihood security. In the pooled sample of farmers, majority (58.13%) of the respondents had medium level of livelihood security followed by 21.25 per cent with high and 20.62 per cent with low level of livelihood security. Findings of correlation analysis of crop diversification reveal that, in case of marginal farmers, 9 independent variables and in case of both small and medium farmers 7 independent variables were significantly correlated with the extent of crop diversification. In the pooled sample of farmers, 10 independent variables were significantly correlated with the extent of crop diversification. The findings of regression analysis of crop diversification revealed that, in case of marginal farmers out of 9 independent variables, only 3 variables were found to contribute significantly towards the extent of crop diversification. The variables viz. size of operational land holding, scientific orientation and innovativeness had positive and significant contribution towards extent of crop diversification at 0.05 level. The value of R2 (0.674) indicated that 9 independent variables selected for regression could predict 67.40 per cent of the variation in extent of crop diversification. In regards small farmers, out of 7 independent variables, only 4 variables were found to contribute significantly towards the extent of crop diversification. The variables viz, innovativeness and management efficiency were had positive and significant contribution towards extent of crop diversification at 0.01 level, whereas the variable size of operational land holding and risk orientation had positive and significant contribution towards extent of crop diversification at 0.05 level. The value of R2 (0.787) indicated that 7 independent variables selected for regression could predict 78.70 per cent of the variation in extent of crop diversification. In case of medium farmers, out of 7 independent variables, only 4 variables were found to contribute significantly towards the extent of crop diversification. The variables viz. size of operational land holding, scientific orientation and economic motivation had positive and significant contribution towards extent of crop diversification at 0.01 level, whereas the variable farm mechanization was positively and significantly correlated with extent of crop diversification at 0.05 level. The value of R2 (0.787) indicated that that 7 independent variables selected for regression could predict 74.50 per cent of the variation in extent of crop diversification. In the pooled sample of farmers, out of 10 independent variables, 7 variables were found to contribute significantly towards the extent of crop diversification. The variables viz. size of operational land holding, scientific orientation, risk orientation, economic motivation, innovativeness and management efficiency had positive and significant contribution towards extent of crop diversification at 0.01 level, whereas the variable degree of information exposure had positive and significant contribution towards extent of crop diversification at 0.05 level. The value of R2 (0.813) indicated that 10 independent variables selected for regression could predict 81.30 per cent of the variation in extent of crop diversification. Findings of correlation analysis of enterprise diversification reveal that, in case of both marginal and medium farmers, 8 independent variables and in case of small farmers 12 independent variables were significantly correlated with the extent of enterprise diversification. In the pooled sample of farmers, 9 independent variables were significantly correlated with the extent of enterprise diversification. The findings of regression analysis of enterprise diversification revealed that, in case of marginal farmers out of 8 independent variables, only 3 variables were found to contribute significantly towards the extent of enterprise diversification. The variables viz. size of operational land holding, innovativeness and management efficiency had positive and significant contribution towards extent of enterprise diversification at 0.05 level. The value of R2 (0.829) indicated that 8 independent variables selected for regression could predict 82.90 per cent of the variation in extent of enterprise diversification. In respect of small farmers, out of 12 independent variables, only 5 variables were found to contribute significantly towards the extent of enterprise diversification. The variables viz, education level and attitude towards agricultural diversification had positive and significant contribution towards extent of enterprise diversification at 0.01 level, whereas the variables size of operational land holding, social participation and innovativeness had positive and significant contribution towards extent of enterprise diversification at 0.05 level. The value of R2 (0.831) indicated that 12 independent variables selected for regression could predict 83.10 per cent of the variation in extent of enterprise diversification. In case medium farmers, out of 8 independent variables, only 4 variables were found to contribute significantly towards the extent of enterprise diversification. The variables viz. size of operational land holding, degree of information exposure and attitude towards agricultural diversification had positive and significant contribution towards extent of enterprise diversification at 0.01 level whereas the variable economic motivation had positive and significant contribution towards extent of enterprise diversification at 0.05 level. The value of R2 (0.745) indicated that 7 independent variables selected for regression could predict 74.50 per cent of the variation in extent of enterprise diversification. In the pooled sample of farmers, out of 9 independent variables, 6 variables were found to contribute significantly towards the extent of enterprise diversification. The variables viz., age, degree of information exposure, innovativeness, management efficiency and attitude towards agricultural diversification had positive and significant contribution towards extent of enterprise diversification at 0.01 level whereas, the variable operational land had positive and significant contribution towards extent of enterprise diversification at 0.05 level. The value of R2 (0.813) indicated that 9 independent variables selected for regression could predict 81.30 per cent of the variation in extent of enterprise diversification. Findings of correlation analysis of livelihood security revealed that in case of marginal farmers, 13 independent variables and in case of both small and medium farmers, 7 independent variables were significantly correlated with the level of livelihood security. In respect of pooled sample of farmers, 12 independent variables were significantly correlated with the level of livelihood security. The findings of regression analysis of livelihood security revealed that, in case of marginal farmers out of 13 independent variables, 5 variables were found to contribute significantly towards the level of livelihood security. The variables social participation and innovativeness had positive and significant contribution towards level of livelihood security at 0.01 level whereas, the variables size of operational land holding, risk orientation and management efficiency had positive and significant contribution towards level of livelihood security at 0.05 level. The value of R2 (0.929) indicated that 13 independent variables selected for regression could predict 92.90 per cent of the variation in level of livelihood security. As regards small farmers, the variables size of operational land holding, social participation, economic motivation, innovativeness and management efficiency had positive and significant contribution towards level of livelihood security at 0.01 level. The value of R2 (0.849) indicated that 7 independent variables selected for regression could predict 84.90 per cent of the variation in level of livelihood security. In respect of medium farmers, out of 6 independent variables, 3 variables were found to contribute significantly towards the level of livelihood security. The variables social participation, economic motivation and innovativeness had positive and significant contribution towards level of livelihood security at 0.01 level. The value of R2 (0.776) indicated that 6 independent variables selected for regression could predict 77.60 per cent of the variation in level of livelihood security. In the pooled sample of farmers, out of 12 independent variables, only 5 variables were found to contribute significantly towards the level of livelihood security. The variables social participation, economic motivation, innovativeness and management efficiency had positive and significant contribution towards level of livelihood security at 0.01 level whereas, the variable size of operational land holding had positive and significant contribution towards extent of enterprise diversification at 0.05 level. The value of R2 (0.873) indicated that 12 independent variables selected for regression could predict 81.30 per cent of the variation in level of livelihood security. “Lack of finance to start a new enterprise”, “high cost of labour” and “Lack of information regarding scientific cultivation of crops” were perceived by the marginal farmers as the three most important constraints in diversification. “Lack of finance to start a new enterprise”, “High cost of labour” and “High cost of animal feed” were perceived by both small and medium farmers as the three most important constraints in diversification.ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON EXTENT OF FARM MECHANIZATION IN NORTH BANK PLAINS ZONE OF ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Rajkhowa, Abhishek; Barman, IThe study entitled as ‘A study on extent of farm mechanization in North Bank Plains Zone of Assam’ was conducted with the following objectives: 1. To determine the extent of farm mechanization across different farm size groups 2. To explore the impact of farm mechanization on the farm production across different farm size groups 3. To identify the factors influencing the extent of farm mechanization across different farm size groups 4. Find out the constraints faced by the farmers in mechanization across different farm size groups The present study was conducted in NBPZ of Assam. Sonitpur district and Udalguri district were selected randomly. Random sampling design was followed for selection of sub-divisions, ADO circles, AEA Elekas and villages for the study. A proportionate-cum-random sampling (probability proportionate to size) technique was followed for selection of 160 respondents which constituted the sample for the study. The head of each farm household was the respondent of the study. The major tool used for collection of primary data in the study was a pretested schedule by personal interview method. The study period was from February to April. All together 17 independent variables, viz., Age, Education level, Family type, Family size, Social participation, Occupational status, Degree of information exposure, Size of operational land holding, Working capital availability, Gross annual income, Risk orientation, Scientific orientation, Economic orientation, Innovativeness, Labour availability, Credit seeking behavior and Cropping intensity. Farm mechanization was the dependent variable considered in the study. The statistical tools used for analysis and interpretation of data included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation. Findings revealed that Majority of the respondents (46.25%) belonged to the middle aged category with 21.25 per cent of respondents being illiterate. Majority of the respondents (72.50%) belonged to single family type, had small family size (67.57%), had small category of land holding size (38.75%), had medium social participation (46.25%) and medium gross annual income (71.26%). Likewise, majority of the respondents (45.63%) belonged to the medium credit seeking behavior category, medium degree of information exposure (60%), medium level of working capital availability (66.88%), medium level of risk orientation (51.87%), medium level of scientific orientation (60%), medium level of economic motivation (65.62%), medium level of taking credit (45.63%), low level of innovativeness (41.25%), medium level of cropping intensity (77.50%) and low level of labour availability (74.37%). As regards extent of farm mechanization, findings revealed that majority of marginal (64.86%), small(64.52%), medium(72%) and large(72.73%) farmers had ii medium level of farm mechanization. In Case of pooled sample majority (67.5%) of the respondents had medium level of farm mechanization. As regards impact of farm mechanization on farm production, four crops were selected viz., rice, mustard, cauliflower and watermelon. Findings revealed that across all farm categories the ‘t’ value was found to be significant at 0.01 and 0.05 level. So in case of all farm categories farm mechanization showed significant impact on productivity of rice, mustard, cauliflower and watermelon. In case of cropping intensity also farm mechanization showed significant impact. The result of correlation analysis revealed that out of 17 independent variables, 6, 8 and 8 independent variables significantly correlated with the extent of farm mechanization of marginal, small and medium farmers respectively. In the pooled sample, 11 independent variables had significantly correlated with the extent of farm mechanization. Of these education level(r=0.573), social participation(r=0.442), occupational status(r=0.367), working capital availability(r=-0.194), scientific orientation(r=0.577), economic motivation(r=0.612), innovativeness(r=0.353) and cropping intensity(r=0.635) had moderately strong coorelation with extent of farm mechanization. The result of regression analysis revealed that 3,3 and 4 independent variables had positive significant contribution towards extent of farm mechanization of marginal, small and medium farmers respectively. In case of pooled farmer respondents variables; education level, occupational status, scientific orientation, economic motivation, cropping intensity, social participation, working capital availability and innovativeness had positive significant contribution towards extent of farm mechanization. ‘High initial cost’, ‘lack of finance’ and ‘lack of awareness about implements’ were faced by both marginal and small farmers as three most important constraints in mechanization. ‘High fuel cost’, ‘high maintenance cost’ and ‘high initial cost’ were faced by medium and large farmers as three most important constraints in mechanization.ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BEHAVIOUR OF NURSERY OWNERS IN KAMRUP (METRO) AND KAMRUP DISTRICTS OF ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Bora, Arup; Sharma, J. K.The study entitled “A Study on the Entrepreneurial Behaviour of Nursery Owners in Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup Districts of Assam” was undertaken in Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup Districts in Assam, primarily to assess the entrepreneurial attributes of the nursery owners, measure their entrepreneurial behaviour, study the relationship between the entrepreneurial attributes and the entrepreneurial behaviour and to study the constraints experienced by the nursery owners in managing their nursery enterprises. A descriptive research design, following an ex post facto approach was utilized for the study. A multi-stage, purposive cum convenience sampling design was adopted for the study in order to select 50 (fifty) nurseries. Data has been collected during the month of March and April of 2019 with the help of a pretested, structured research schedule, using the personal interview method. With respect to the entrepreneurial attributes of the nursery owners, the study revealed that majority of the respondents (54.00%) belonged to the middle aged category, with high level of formal education (62.00%) and low level of social participation (54.00%). Majority of the respondents (74.00%) were in the medium category with respect to their cosmopoliteness and belonged to the booming class with experience in nursery business ranging between 2 to 19 years (68.00%). Vast majority of the respondents (88.00%) belonged to the marginal category of land holding size, belonging to the medium income category (72.00%). Majority (60.00%) of the respondents had medium level of achievement motivation and risk orientation (62.00%). The data for entrepreneurial behaviour revealed that majority (48.00%) of the respondents were prospective entrepreneurs, possessing a mix of both external and internal locus of control. While 32.00% of the respondents highlighting more of internal locus of control belonged to the category of entrepreneurial internals, the remainder (20.00%) were entrepreneurial externals, showing more external locus of control. The Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficients between entrepreneurial behaviour and the selected independent variables of the study shows that seven variables, viz, education, social participation, cosmopoliteness, size of land holding, annual income, achievement motivation and risk orientation were positively and significantly correlated with entrepreneurial behaviour. Linear multiple regression analysis highlighted that education, annual income, achievement motivation and risk orientation had a causal relationship with entrepreneurial behaviour as they were positively and significantly related with entrepreneurial behaviour. With regard to personal constraints, majority (46.00%) of the respondents perceived work stress to manageable; absence of required knowledge and skill to be negligible (60.00%) and problem of lack of time to be negligible to manageable (80.00%). In so far as social constraints were concerned, majority (82.00%) of the respondents perceived family problems to be negligible to manageable and absence of social support to be negligible to manageable (84.00%). As far as the financial constraint category was concerned, majority (48.00%) of the respondents perceived that the constraint of paucity of capital was manageable, closely followed by 42.00% of them who perceived it to be a severe constraint. In the marketing constraint category, most of the respondents (82.00%) stated that the constraint of inability to find market was negligible to manageable. Under the human resource constraint category, 84.00% of the respondents perceived that the constraint of insufficient labour was negligible to manageable. Lack of skilled labour was stated to be manageable by 52.000% of the respondents. More than half (54.00%) of the respondents perceived lack of technical support to be a severe problem under the technical constraint category along with absence of required nursery infrastructure & equipment (60.00%) . Facilitating the social participation of the nursery owners; organising stakeholder interfaces and buyer seller meets to promote cosmopoliteness; ensuring higher returns per unit area by adopting scientific nursery management practices; facilitating participation in state, national and international level expositions for strengthening forward linkages; organizing capacity building programmes on risk management, contingency planning, activity planning; facilitating credit linkages; availing advantages of government schemes and programmes and strengthening the internal locus of control of the nursery owners are the general recommendations of the study.
