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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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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    PERCEPTION OF FARMERS ON HIGH YIELDING VARIETIES OF RICE RELEASED BY ASSAM AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY- A STUDY IN GOLAGHAT DISTRICT OF ASSAM
    (2021) MURALI, VARNA; Barman, Sundar
    The present study was conducted in Golaghat district of Assam with the objectives to determine the perception of farmers towards AAU released high yielding varieties of rice and its correlation between the selected profile characteristic of the respondents and the problems faced by the farmers in cultivating HYVs of rice along with their suggestive measures. A multistage purposive cum random sampling design was followed for selecting 120 respondents for the study. Appropriate statistical tools viz. frequency, percentage, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, ranking, Pearson’s correlation, and chi-square were used to analyze and interpret the data according to the objectives. The analysis of the profile characteristics of the farmers revealed that the majority (70.83 %) of the respondents belonged to the age group of 30 to 50 years and most of them (94.17%) were male, had high school education i.e., 9 to 10 years of formal educational experience, belonged to OBC category (50.83 %), with a medium-sized family of 5 to 6 members (55.83 %), Agriculture was primary source of income for the majority (83.33%) with average annual income of ₹ 110437.50. Marginal landholders (less than 1 ha) were the majority (60.00%) in the study area with 80 to 100 per cent of the total operational landholding under rice cultivation with least scatteredness of land holdings. The average farming experience of the respondents was 26.57 years with an average cropping intensity of 147.32 per cent. A major proportion of the respondents (58.33%) had a medium level of innovativeness, degree of commercialization (81.67%), economic motivation (63.33%), extension contact (70.00%), and mass media exposure (70.83%) with the highest extension contact with farmers’ organizations and television was the highest utilized mass media. Irrigation facility was not available for the majority (79.17%) of the respondents. Most of them were having a medium degree of farm mechanization, a medium level of labour availability (6-12 number of labour), and a medium level of infrastructural facilities. Around 83.33 per cent of the total rice acreage (90.00 ha) in Sali season was occupied by HYVs of rice released by AAU. The dominating varieties in the study area were Ranjit, Ranjit Sub-1, Mahsuri and Bahadur Sub-1 in terms of percentage share of area and percentage adopters. The majority of the farmers had a moderate level of perception on quality of high yielding varieties of rice released by AAU. Greater productivity, climatic adaptability and good cooking quality and taste were the quality traits highly perceived by the farmers. Bina Dhan-11, Keteki Joha, and Ranjit Sub-1were the varieties perceived as high by the farmers in terms of quality dimensions. Annual income, caste, occupation, degree of land scatteredness, innovativeness, commercialization, economic motivation, extension contact, mass media exposure, the status of infrastructural facilities and family labour were found to have a significant association on perception level of farmers towards HYVs of rice. Fluctuating market price, uncertainty in rainfall, high cost of inputs, lack of irrigation, etc. were some of the severe problems faced by the farmers of the study area in the cultivation of HYVs of rice. It is discovered from the study that the majority of people have a moderate perception on quality dimension of HYVs of rice released by AAU. To popularize the highly perceived high yielding varieties, the extension system should put sincere efforts for promotions through large-scale demonstrations, training, awareness programmes, etc. The varieties having a low level of perception need to be refined and recast quality.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECTIVENESS OF ONLINE TEACHING-LEARNING AMONG AGRICULTURAL STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A STUDY ON STUDENTS AT ASSAM AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, JORHAT
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2021) Deka, Chaya Snigdha; Barman, Utpal
    Online teaching and learning have played a significant role, thus helping in the emergence of virtual class learning (Dey and Ghosh, 2020). The study entitled “Effectiveness of Online Teaching-Learning among Agricultural Students’ during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study on students’ at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat” was a descriptive study done by conducting an online survey amongst the undergraduate students at the College of Agriculture, Jorhat. The survey was conducted in a questionnaire in Google Form and distributed among the students via emails. A total sample size of 250 students were taken through stratified random sampling out of which 91 students responded to the questionnaire. The study was conducted to know students' perception of the technology used by AAU in conducting online classes during the pandemic and experience on onlinelearning along with problems related to financial, mental, emotional and others. The study touched on the points related to students' perspectives on the issues related to online learning. The study found that most students use smartphones to take online classes (43.50 %). Most students used Google Classroom (97.80 %). In contrast, most students think Google Meet is a useful online teaching tool (92.3 %). Teachers most used Google Meet and Google Classroom together (50.54 %). Students have a moderate level of perception of the technology used by AAU for online classes. The most severe issue students faced during online classes was poor internet connectivity (52.75 %). According to the research findings, online teachinglearning platforms can be used as an alternative teaching and learning method for the agricultural discipline, as the current situation has compelled the educational system to shift to this new way of learning.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Adoption of Maize Based Cropping System in Flood Affected Areas as Coping Mechanism -A Study in Morigaon District, Assam
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2021) Goswami, Swapnali; Barman, Sundar
    Maize is now being important crop component for cropping system followed in flood affected areas of Assam. Considering the importance of maize crop in flood affected areas, the present study was carried out in Morigaon district of Assam with following objectives - 1. study the extent of adoption of maize based cropping system in flood affected area, 2. assess the income of the farmers after adopting this maize based cropping system, 3. determine perceived effectiveness of maize based cropping system as coping mechanism for flood, 4. study the factors likely to influence in adoption, income and perceived effectiveness of maize based cropping system and 5. identify problems faced by farmers in adoption of maize based cropping system. A purposive and proportionate random sampling method was used for selecting respondents. Appropriate statistical methods were used for analysis and interpretation of data. It was revealed from the study that majority (76%) of the farmers show moderate level adoption of recommended maize cultivation practices. ’Sowing time’, ‘method of sowing’, ‘drainage facility and moisture maintain at critical stage’ were adopted by all respondents as recommended. While in case of varieties, weeding operation, fertilizer application, plant protection measures were adopted with modification from the recommendation. Different maize based cropping systems were identified in the study area, among which ‘Maize-Maize/Mustard- Vegetable’ and ‘Rice/Maize-Maize/Boro paddy-Jute/Vegetable’ cropping systems were mostly followed by the farmers. It was also found from the study that maize varieties such as P3401, DE222, Maharaja 92, Bumper and Sun Vamman were mostly grown in the research area. Maize based cropping system was found more profitable than rice based cropping system. The average income earned by the maize farmers was found as Rs. 3, 35,823 whereas the average income of rice farmers was Rs. 2, 92,649 and difference was found statistical significant. Majority (64%) of farmers following maize based cropping system was found as medium level effectiveness for coping with adverse effect of flood. Well established marketing channel, suitable climate and soil for growing maize and also a good benefit cost ratio of maize based cropping system were the important dimensions for farmers to consider it as effective. The result depicts that the explanatory variables ‘farming experience’ (X4), ‘maize cultivated area’ (X6), ‘cropping intensity’ (X8), ‘resource status’ (X9), ‘economic motivation’ (X15), ‘degree of innovativeness’ (X16), ‘perceived effectiveness’ (X18) and ‘income’ (X19) were found positive and ‘age’ (X1), ‘operational land holding’ (X5), ‘flood proneness’ (X7) were negative and significantly contributing for expressing the variation of extent of adoption. These variables together explained 87% (R2 = .878) variation of extent of adoption of maize based cropping system. The positive and significant contribution for explaining the variation in income of farmers were ‘educational experience’ (X2), ‘family size’ (X3), ‘operational land holding’ (X5), ‘maize cultivated area’ (X6), ‘cropping intensity’ (X8), ‘extent of adoption’ (X18), ‘perceived effectiveness’ (X19) and negative and significant contribution for explaining the variation in income of farmers was ‘market agent visit to a farm’ (X13). These variables together explained 84% (R2 = .848) variation of income of farmers followed maize based cropping system. Likewise positive and significant contribution for explaining the variation in perceived effectiveness of farmers were ‘maize cultivated area’ (X6), ‘resource status’ (X9), ‘farmers visit to the market’ (X12), ‘extent of adoption’ (X18), ‘income’ (X19) and ‘flood proneness’ (X7) was found as negative and significant contribution for explaining the variation in perceived effectiveness. Around 69% variation of perceived effectiveness is explained by these variables in together. But different problems related to finance, market, production etc were also came into focused during the time of personal interview with the respondents. Extension agencies, both private and public extension system need to be strong for understanding the farmers’ level problem and try to solve them. There is also a need of different trainings on maize crop and extension system should put forward its sincere efforts for popularizing the benefits of maize crops among the farmers for its further adoption in future.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    A STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE AND ADOPTION OF ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES OF BLACK RICE (CHAK-HAO) BY THE FARMERS OF MANIPUR
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2021) Devi, Kharibam Kabita; Das, P. K.
    The present study entitled “A study on knowledge and adoption of organic farming practices of black rice (Chak-Hao) by the farmers of Manipur” was carried out with the following objectives: 1. Study the personal, socio-economic, psychological and communication characteristics of farmers associated with organic cultivation practices of black rice 2. Assess the farmers’ level of knowledge and extent of adoption of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice by the farmers 3. Find out the factors influencing farmers’ level of knowledge and extent of adoption of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice by the farmers 4. Identify the constraints as perceived by the farmers in production and marketing of organic black rice The study was undertaken in Imphal West and Kakching districts of Manipur which were selected purposively, asthese two districts had the larger area under organic black rice cultivation. The Patsoi sub-division from Imphal West district and the Waikhong sub-division from Kakching district were selected purposively as these two sub-divisions had larger area under organic black rice cultivation. From Patsoi subdivision, three villages namely Kamong, Heigrujam and Ngairangbam were selected purposively on the basis of highest number of black rice cultivating farmers. From Waikhong sub-division, three villages namely Wangoo, Sugnu and Khongyam were selected purposively on the basis of highest number of organic black rice cultivating farmers. For each of the selected villages, a list of organic black rice cultivating farmers was prepared from which 50 per cent of the total farmers was selected to the sample following proportionate allocation method. Thus, from the population of 160 farmers, a sample of 80 farmers were selected for the study. The primary data for the study were collected by the personal interview method with the help of a structured research schedule during the period from April, 2020 to September, 2020. Keeping in view the objectives of the study, 19 independent variables and 2 dependent variables were included in the study. The independent variable included in the study were Age, Education level, Farming experience, Type of family, Family size, ii Size of operational land holding, Area under black rice cultivation, Farm mechanization, Annual farm income, Annual net income from black rice production, Extension contact, Mass media exposure, Exposure to training, Scientific orientation, Decision making ability, Achievement motivation, Economic motivation, Management orientation and Risk bearing ability. The dependent variables included in the study were farmers’ level of knowledge of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice and extent of adoption of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice by the farmers which was measured by using the procedure used by Borah (2017).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 for testing the significance of the coefficients for correlation and regression analysis. Findings revealed that majority of the respondents (56.25%) belonged to middle aged category followed by 37.50 per cent of respondents in old aged category. The rest 6.25 per cent of the respondents belonged to young aged category. Majority of the respondents (31.25%) had middle school level of education and again 31.25% had Graduate/diploma and above level of education followed by 22.50 per cent respondents with high school level of education, 10.00 per cent with higher secondary /PU level of education. 5.00 per cent of the respondents were illiterate but there were no ‘can read only’ and ‘can read and write/primary level’ category respondent in the sample of the study. Great majority of the respondents (81.25%) had medium (5-8 years) experience of organic black rice farming followed by 10.00 per cent respondents with long term experience (9 years and above). Only 8.75 per cent of the respondents had short term experience (Up to 4 years) of organic black rice cultivation. Most of the respondents (61.25%) belonged to the nuclear family type and the rest 38.75 per cent belonged to the joint family type and majority of the respondents (66.25%) had small family size (having up to 5 members) and rest 33.75 per cent had large family size (having up above 5 members). More than half of the respondents (56.25%) belonged to the small category of operational land holding size followed by marginal land owners 35.00 per cent and 7.50 per cent of the respondents with semi-medium land holding while only 1.25 per cent of the respondents belonged to the medium land holding category. No respondents were found in the large land holding category. Great majority of the respondents (85.00%) were having land area from 0.23 to 0.76 ha under organic black rice cultivation followed by 7.50 per cent respondents having land area from 0.76 to 2.0 iii ha under organic black rice cultivation. Again 7.50 per cent of the respondents had land area up to 0.22 ha under organic black rice cultivation. In case of farm mechanization majority (62.50%) of the respondents were having medium level of farm mechanization, followed by 18.75 per cent with high level of farm mechanization and the remaining 18.75 per cent were having low level of farm mechanization. Majority of the respondents (56.25%) had medium annual farm income ranging from Rs 110038 to Rs 520891 followed by 38.75 per cent respondents with low annual farm income ranging from Rs 45300 to Rs 110037 while only 5.00 per cent of them had high annual farm income ranging from Rs 520892 to Rs 747000. Regarding the net farm income from organic black rice production, majority of the respondents (78.75%) had medium net income ranging from Rs 37451 to Rs 83906 followed by 11.25 per cent respondents with low net income ranging from Rs 25500 to Rs 37450 and 10.00 per cent of them had high net income ranging from Rs 83907 to Rs 125000. Majority of the respondents (75.00%) had medium level of extension contact followed by 20.00 per cent with low level of extension contact and only 5.00 per cent of the respondents were found with high level of extension contact. Majority of the respondents (63.75%) had medium mass media exposure, followed by 23.75 per cent with low mass media exposure. Only 12.50 per cent of the respondents had low mass media exposure and majority of the respondents (81.25%) had medium level of exposure to training followed by 23.75 percent respondents with high level of exposure to training and only 7.50 percent respondents with low level of exposure to training. Majority of the respondents (46.25%) had low level of scientific orientation followed by 36.25 per cent respondents with medium level of scientific orientation and 17.50 per cent respondents with high level of scientific orientation. Majority of the respondents (60.00%) had low level of decision making ability followed by 33.75 per cent respondents with medium level of decision making ability and only 6.25 per cent respondents with high level of decision making ability. Most of the respondents (68.75%) had medium level of achievement motivation followed by 25.00 per cent respondents with low level of achievement motivation and only 6.25 per cent of them had high level of achievement motivation. Majority of the respondents (52.50%) had medium level of economic motivation followed by 32.50 per cent respondents with low level of economic motivation and 15.00 percent respondents with high level of economic motivation and majority of the respondents (71.25%) had medium level of management orientation followed by 17.50 per cent respondents with low level of management orientation. Only 11.25 per cent of iv the respondents were found with high level of management orientation. Majority of the respondents (67.50%) had medium level of risk bearing ability followed by 26.25 per cent respondents with low level of risk bearing ability and only 6.25 per cent respondents with high level of risk bearing ability. Findings revealed that majority of the respondents (53.75%) had medium level of knowledge on recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice, followed by 30.00 per cent respondents with low level of knowledge and the remaining 16.25 per cent of them were found with high level of knowledge. The findings revealed that majority of the farmers (71.25%) had medium extent of adoption, followed by 23.75 per cent of the respondents having low extent of adoption of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice. Only 5.00 per cent of them had high extent of adoption of recommended package of practices of organic black rice. Findings of correlation analysis indicated that out of the 19 selected independent variables, 9 independent variables were significantly correlated with farmers’ level of knowledge of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice. Among the 9 independent variables, 8 variables viz., education level (0.841), farming experience as organic black rice cultivator (0.339), extension contact (0.843), mass media exposure (0.477), exposure to training (0.820), scientific orientation (0.328), decision making ability (0.741) and management orientation (0.829) showed significant and positive relationship with the level of knowledge of recommended cultivation practices of organic black rice at 0.01 level of probability and 1 variable viz., farm mechanization (0.272) showed significant and positive relationship with the level of knowledge of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice at 0.05 level of probability. The variables which were found to have significant correlation with level of knowledge of recommended cultivation practices of organic black rice were further selected for multiple linear regression analysis with a view to determining the relative influence of those variables in predicting the variation in level of knowledge. The prediction power of multiple regressions was estimated with the help of coefficient of multiple determinations (R2) and adjusted R2. Out of 9 independent variables, only 5 variables, viz., education level (0.329), extension contact (0.716), exposure to training (0.155), decision making ability (0.544) and management orientation (0.267) were found to contribute significantly towards v variation in the farmers’ level of knowledge of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice. Four variables, viz., extension contact, exposure to training, decision making ability and management orientation showed significant contribution towards level of knowledge at 0.01 level of probability and only one variable viz., education level showed significant contribution towards the level of knowledge of recommended cultivation practices of organic black rice at 0.05 level of probability. The value of R2 (0.902) indicated that 9 independent variables selected for the study were efficient in predicting the level of knowledge of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice. The 9 independent variables fitted in the linear regression analysis could predict 90.20 per cent of the variation in the farmers’ level of knowledge of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice. The value of adjusted R2 (0.890) indicated that 9 independent variables selected for regression analysis could predict 89.00 per cent of the variation in the farmers’ level of knowledge of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice taking only the useful variables into account. Findings of correlation analysis indicated that out of the 20 selected independent variables, 10 independent variables were significantly correlated with extent of adoption of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice by the farmers. Among the 10 independent variables, 9 variables viz, education level (0.793), size of operational land holding (0.736), extension contact (0.857), mass media exposure (0.859), exposure to training (0.831), scientific orientation (0.781), decision making ability (0.449), achievement motivation (0.548) and economic motivation (0.849) showed significant and positive relationship with the extent of adoption of recommended cultivation practices of organic black rice at 0.01 level of probability and 1 variable viz., knowledge (0.261) showed significant and positive relationship with the extent of adoption of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice at 0.05 level of probability. The variables which were found to have significant correlation with extent of knowledge of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice were further selected for multiple linear regression analysis with a view to determining the relative influence of those variables in predicting the variation in extent of adoption. The prediction power of multiple regressions was estimated with the help of coefficient of multiple determinations (R2) and adjusted R2. vi Out of 10 independent variables, only 6 variables, viz., education level (1.075), extension contact (1.978), scientific orientation (0.256), achievement motivation (0.237), economic motivation (0.317) and knowledge (0.107) were found to contribute significantly towards variation in the extent of adoption of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice by the farmers. Three variables, viz., education level, extension contact and scientific orientation showed significant contribution towards extent of adoption at 0.01 level of probability and the remaining three variables viz., achievement motivation, economic motivation and knowledge level showed significant contribution towards the extent of adoption of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice at 0.05 level of probability. The value of R2 (0.908) indicated that 10 independent variables selected for the study were efficient in predicting the extent of adoption of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice. The 10 independent variables fitted in the linear regression analysis could predict 90.80 per cent of the variation in the extent of adoption of recommended organic cultivation practices of black rice by the farmers. All the respondents (100.00%) perceived that ‘high cost of labour during peak time’ was the most important constraint (ranked first) faced by the farmers in production of organic black rice. The other constraints faced by the farmers in order of importance were ‘small and fragmented land holding’ (97.50%), ‘Lack of knowledge of latest technical information’ (75.00%), ‘Inability to attend training programmes on organic black rice production due to distance’ (67.50%), ‘Lack of skill to operate machines/implements’(50.00%), ‘Lack of knowledge about organic certification process’(45.00%), and ‘non-availability of equipments’ (11.25%) which were ranked 2nd, 3rd , 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th respectively. Regarding marketing related problems, majority (77.50%) of the respondents perceived that ‘lack of market related information’ was the most important constraint faced by the farmers which was ranked first. The other constraints faced by the members in marketing of organic black rice were ‘lack of market facility other than MOMA’ (72.50%), ‘low selling price’ (37.50%), and ‘poor storage facility’ (12.50%) which were assigned ranks from 2nd to 4th respectively.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    A MIXED-METHOD ANALYSIS ON EFFECTIVENESS OF INFORMATION FLOW MECHANISM AMONG THE STAKEHOLDERS OF POST T&V SYSTEM AND ATMA MODEL IN ASSAM
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2021) Saikia, Dipanjali; Barman, Utpal
    Access to knowledge and information has become an instrumental component to society’s progress. Information utilization in agriculture has played a key role in boosting agricultural productivity and in overall progress of the farm sector. If properly utilized, information can help in improvement of the farm household economy. The sources of information utilized may however vary. The suitability of these sources utilized also varies according to their needs and the situation they are in. The Indian public agricultural extension system has been a world leader in knowledge and information dissemination. Extension workers and researchers work together to improve farmer productivity and profitability through technology transfer, it is necessary to know the information sources consulted and used by the public extension system and farmers in various situations and times to develop an effective extension system The present study was carried out in the Lakhimpur district of Assam to discover the information flow mechanism among public extension stakeholders (ATMA model and Post T&V phase). Multi-stage sampling design was followed to select farmers and other stakeholders of the ATMA model and Post T&V system; a cent percentage population was taken for the study. A set of structured schedules was used to collect data. For the analysis, the data were grouped into frequency distributions. They paired t-tests using Karl Pearson's coefficient of correlation and Fisher's exact test. The mean age of the agricultural scientists was 40.67 years and they had attained postgraduate degrees in their field. Most agricultural scientists (83.33%) had medium service experience (6-11 years). It was also found that 50.00per cent of the agricultural scientists attended two training sessions last year. The agricultural scientists can use mobile telephony, printing, typing, photocopying, projector, exhibition, computer, internet, periodicals and transportation for updating their knowledge. To transfer agricultural information, 33.33 per cent of agricultural scientists used low, medium, or high communication methods. The mean age of the extension personnel were 42.12 years. While 39.39 per cent of extension personnel had completed high school, 27.27per cent had attained education up to graduation level (agriculture), 25.76 per cent had completed post-graduation (agriculture) and only 7.58 had completed graduation (non-agriculture). It was also found that 78.79 per cent of extension workers were men, and 21.11 per cent women. Majority (81.82%) of extension workers were from rural areas. Majority of (65.15%) of extension personnel had a medium aspirational level and 96.97per cent had a medium service length. The study also revealed that last year, 54.54 per cent of extension personnel received medium training, in comparison, 22.73 per cent received low and 22.73 per cent received high training. 86.36 per cent of extension personnel had medium level facilities to transfer agricultural technologies, while 13.64 per cent had high-level facilities. The study also revealed that of all extension personnel, 72.73 per cent used medium communication methods, 16.67 per cent used low communication methods, and 10.60 per cent used high communication methods to transfer information. The average age of farmers was 43.43 years old, with 49.05 per cent of them having attained secondary education. 87.04 per cent of the farmers were men. Farmers owned an average land holding of 1.137 ha. About 90 per cent of farmers had a medium annual income. It was also found that 77.73 per cent of farmers were members of one-single organisation. The majority of farmers were cosmopolite, and 61.54 per cent can be categorized as innovative. 68.42per cent of farmers preferred medium risk, 62.75 per cent of farmers preferred medium media exposure and 71.66 per cent of farmers preferred medium scientific orientation. The marketing personnel had an average age of 43.36 years and 45.46 per cent had graduated from college, followed by graduate school (36.36%) and high school (18.18%). It was observed that 100per cent of marketing personnel were men from rural backgrounds. They had an average service experience of 10.27 years and majority (54.55%) of them received no training last year. The majority of marketing personnel (55.54 %) belonged to one organization. The linkage effectiveness between research and extension was found to be71.97per cent, and that of between research and farmers was at 51.97 per cent. While the linkage effectiveness between extension and farmers was found to be higher (79.43%), no linkage could be found between extension and market. In the ATMA model the linkage between farmers and market the linkage effectiveness score was 14.53 per cent, in the Post T&V system, linkage between research and extension, the linkage effectiveness score was 53.83 per cent, linkage between research (KVK Scientist) and farmers, the linkage effectiveness score was 51.91 per cent, the linkage between research (KVK Scientist) and market, the linkage effectiveness score was nil (0.00%), the linkage between extension and farmers, the linkage effectiveness score was 64.32 per cent, the linkage between extension and market, the linkage effectiveness score was 8.40 per cent and the linkage between farmers and market, the linkage effectiveness score was 14.53 per cent. The study also found no significant differences in the linkage effectiveness mean score between the two systems. The study found that 63.64 per cent of agricultural scientists used agricultural information sources only moderately. The study also revealed that textbooks and the internet were more commonly used than other information sources. Majority (69.70%) of extension personnel used agricultural information sources moderately. Among the most common personal information sources used by the extension personnel were colleagues, followed by mobile phones, senior extension officers, agricultural scientists, friends, progressive farmers, farmers committee and local leaders. Training was the most frequently used source of agricultural information for extension personnel, followed by group discussion, meeting, and tour. Agricultural literature was the most frequently used source of information by extension personnel. Majority (70.04%) of farmers also were found to be using agricultural information sources moderately. Progressive farmers were the most frequently used informal source of information for them, followed by neighbours, family members, friends/relatives and local leaders. The most useful source of formal agricultural information sources to farmers were ATMA personnel, followed by ADO, AEA, KVK, input dealers and marketing officials. The majority of farmers were found to be using the internet, followed by mobile phones, TV, newspaper, radio, agricultural literature and demonstrations for information. Among all the agricultural information sources available to marketing people, the most commonly used sources were internal, salesman, and internet, followed by colleagues, periodicals, dealers, newspaper, published market surveys, Govt. publications & reports and senior management. Extension personnel's education, training, and facilities correlated positively with agricultural information source usage. Age and total service time had a negative and significant relationship. An age profile variable accounted for 49.2 per cent of the variance in agricultural information source utilisation patterns. The agricultural information source utilisation pattern of farmers positively correlated with their profile variables education, social participation, innovativeness, media exposure, and scientific orientation, and age. This equation explains 53.8 per cent of the variation in farmers' use of agricultural information sources. The study also found a link between marketing personnel’s agricultural information sources and their profile variables - education, training received last year, and social participation. The study also revealed respondents’ views on the effectiveness of the system ATMA model and the Post T&V system. The main findings were that both the public extension system ATMA and the Post T&V system have an information flow gap. The study suggested that it is the right time to amalgamated ATMA with a post-T&V system by incorporating positive aspects of both.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    AN EVALUATIVE STUDY OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES ON PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTE CONDUCTED BY EXTENSION TRAINING CENTRE, JORHAT
    (2018) Mudoi, Mridupaban; Mishra, P.
    India is a vast country with many states that have a population of more than 1.3 billion. Democratically governing a country of this size necessitates several tiers of government. Keeping this in view Panchayati Raj Institutions have been introduced under the 73rd Amendment Act of the Constitution of India. Accordingly in view of the historic Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, the Assam Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 was enacted and came to effect from 5th May, 1994. Preparing the Panchayat members for their new roles as local decision-makers, calls for education and training on a massive scale, for which appropriate tailor made training content, methods and tools are needed. The study was conducted with a view to measure the effectiveness of training programmes conducted by Extension Training Centre, Jorhat and to delineate the factors affecting training transfer by PRI members and the resultant transfer outcome. A purposive cum random sampling technique was followed for selection of total 120 nos. of respondents. Only 2 districts namely Jorhat and Golaghat were selected for the present study. In this study, first a database of the training programmes conducted by ETC, Jorhat for 3 years (2013-14 to 2015-16) was developed. The database of the training programme revealed that maximum numbers of training programmes were conducted during the period 2013-14 (140 nos.), followed by 2015-16 (77 nos.) of which majority (51.77%) of the trainees were female and belonged to OBC category (44.26%). Maximum (72.22%) numbers of training programmes were conducted for the trainees of Jorhat district and also majority (51.04%) of the training programmes were conducted on campus. The findings of this study revealed that majority (72.50%) of PRI members were in between 31 to 50 years and 11.67 per cent of PRI members were graduate followed by 40.83, per cent of PRI members belonged to OBC caste. Majority (56.67%) of the trainees were female with the experience of working in PRI ranging from 4 to 8 years (73.33%). Majority (84.17%) of the trainees were belonged to nuclear family. A healthy percentage (74.17%) of the PRI members possessed moderate level leadership behaviour. The study also showed that majority (78.33%) of the respondents possessed moderate level cosmopoliteness and have moderate level decision making ability. Regarding the effectiveness of training programmes in terms of perceived usefulness, knowledge gained and skill developed as a result of training programme, majority (75.83%) of the trainees opined that the training was moderately useful. On the other hand, 75.00 per cent trainees perceived that there was moderate gain in knowledge as result of the training programme and there were 77.50 per cent of the trainees perceived that the skill was moderately developed. Moreover, in terms of its perceived usefulness, the topic on “Community participation in Swachh Bharat Mission” (WMS= 2.79) was ranked “first”.In terms of perceived knowledge gained, the topic on “Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana” (WMS= 2.71) was ranked “first”. Besides, effectiveness of training programme regarding its perceived skill developed, the topic, “Panchayati raj institution accountant software” (WMS= 2.90) was given “first” rank by the respondents. Moreover, “peer support” (WMS= 4.67) and “Strategic link” (WMS= 4.67), followed by “Supervisor support” (WMS= 4.64) and “General work environment” (WMS= 4.64) were considered to be major factors of training transfer and “Community participation under Swachh Bharat Mission reduces open defecation” (WMS= 4.68) followed by “MIS under MGNREGS improves decision making ability and communication” (WMS=4.68), “RKVY increases total production and reduces yield gap of important crops” (WMS= 4.68), “role played by GP in increasing livestock production and management increases nutritional status of the villagers” (WMS= 4.63), were considered to be the major training outcome of the training programmes. Findings of correlation analysis showed that age (r = 0.15*), work experience (r = 0.21**) and decision making ability (r = 0.19**) had positive and significant relationship with effectiveness of training programmes. However, It can be further seen from the analysis that the relationship between leadership behaviour (r= -0.15*) and effectiveness of the training programme were negatively significant.
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    FARMERS’ UTILISATION PATTERN ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF SOIL HEALTH CARD IN SALI RICE - A STUDY IN DARRANG DISTRICT OF ASSAM
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2018) Rabha, Lohita; Barman, Utpal
    The imbalanced application of chemical fertilizer affects soil fertility, crop productivity and farmers’ net profit. Soil testing helps the farmer for judicious application of fertilizer to crops as it provides reliable information about the actual requirements of fertilizer dose. In India, the International Year of Soil was celebrated with the launch of an ambitious programme, i.e. Soil Health Card (SHCs) Scheme on 17 February 2015. So a research study was carried out during 2017-18 in order to examine the utilisation pattern of Soil Health Card by the beneficiaries on sali rice in Darrang district of Assam. In the first phase, 1000 farmers of 40 villages received the Soil Health Card at free of cost. A total of 10 numbers of villages were randomly selected for selecting the respondents who received the card. Total 150 respondents were selected through proportional allocation to size for the present study. The data were collected by personal interview method during 2017-18. The study investigated with ten profile variables of the respondents and two descriptive variables. Chi-square test was done in case of four profile variables to see the association of use of urea, DAP, SSP, and MOP. For analysing the data relevant descriptive statistical tools like Chi-Square test and paired “t” test was employed to conclude the result empirically. The findings showed that the mean age of the respondents was 44 years (SD=8.64) and majority of the respondents (34.67%) was upto primary school passed as far as their education was concerned. The mean family size of the respondents was 4.55 nos. The mean landholding of the respondents was 0.96 ha (SD=0.54). The mean gross annual income of the respondents was Rs.54,433.00 (SD= 29,495.68). Moreover, the average number of family members involved in sali rice cultivation was 1.31 (SD=0.83). Around 54.00 per cent of the respondents had a medium level of social participation. Most of the respondents had long experience in paddy cultivation (Mean=30.40 years and SD=10.49). In case of awareness about SHC programme before receiving the card, two third of the respondents (74.66%) were not aware of the scheme. Regarding the farmer's utilisation pattern on recommendations of SHC, the findings revealed that majority 74.66 per cent farmers didn’t apply fertilizers and other nutrients as per the SHC recommendation. It has also been observed that none of the farmers used secondary and micronutrients like sulphur, zinc, boron, iron, manganese, copper including biofertilizer and lime/gypsum as suggested by the SHC. For examining average change in terms of fertilizer application pattern, area and productivity of sali rice intended for before and after getting SHCs, no significant changes have been observed using paired t-test. The chi-square test showed that application of urea, SSP, MOP and DAP had higher association with increased age, education, landholding and gross annual income of respondents. In case of problems associated with utilisation of Soil Health Card’s recommendation in sali rice, all the respondents had perceived the problem of occurrence of the regular flood. No technical advice after distribution of SHC was the next pressing problem faced by the respondents which accounted for 96.66 per cent of the respondents. So it can be concluded that SHC scheme couldn’t bring any positive changes on sali rice in the initial year at Darrang district. Thus, the study has suggested initiating the mass awareness campaign using the concept of social marketing for judicious application of fertilizers and nutrient based on SHC report. It is also necessary to give technical backstopping to farmers on SHC recommendation and application to make the agriculture productive, profitable and sustainable.
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    FARMERS’ ADOPTION BEHAVIOUR AND FACTORS AFFECTING THEIR ‘WILLINGNESS TO PAY’ (WTP) FOR CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE (CSA) IN ASSAM
    (2019-07) Barman, Sundar
    Agriculture has become a high-risk profession towards climate change and weather variability, which have direct impact on farmers’ socio-economic condition, and at the same time has to face challenge to provide food security for ever increasing population. So, there is a need to study the different aspects of climate smart agriculture. Keeping this in view primarily, the present study entitled ‘Farmers’ Adoption Behaviour and factors affecting their ‘Willingness to Pay’ (WTP) for Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) in Assam’ was carried out in four districts of Assam namely Dibrugarh, Sonitpur, Dhubri and Cachar in which NICRA programme has been implemented since 2011. The objectives of the study are as follows: 1. To study the degree of farmers’ knowledge and adoption of CSA practices 2. To assess the farmers’ preferences and their ‘Willingness to Pay (WTP) for CSA practices and factors likely to influence thereon 3. To determine farmers’ attitude towards ‘Fee Based Extension Services’ (FBES) 4. To document farmers coping strategies for mitigating effect of climate change and variability. A purposive and proportionate random sampling method was used for selecting 400 farmers as respondents from four NICRA villages of respective districts. Appropriate statistical methods were used for analysis and interpretation of data. The profile analysis of respondents showed that majority of respondents (60%) belonged to age group of 35-50 years with formal educational experiences 6 to 10 years having family size more than 7 members with agriculture as main occupation. The dependency ratio of family was found 64.90 to 304.18 % with average size of land holding as 3.79 ha out of which more than 66 per cent was lowland with average cropping intensity of 135.20 %. The average annual income was Rs.1, 05,000 of which 54 % income came from farm activities. Major proportion of respondents (68 %) had training exposure of 1-3 days with medium level of farm information source relevancy (60 %), market accessibility (55.50%), degree of commercialization (70 %) and degree of innovative proneness (68.75%) with 12-24 years of farm experiences. The findings reveal that overall knowledge on selected CSA practices was of medium level for majority of respondents (69%).The adopters of overall selected practices were 79.85 per cent. The adoption consistency for overall selected CSA practices was of medium level for majority of respondents (58.25%). STVs, INM and IPM were found to be the most preferred and high degree of WTP while low degree of WTP was found for VC and MT. The LMR model showed that adoption consistency, degree of preference and WTP were expressed variation by selected explanatory variables with 23% (R2=0.23), 51% (R2=0.51) and 74%(R2=0.74) respectively. ‘Age’ (X1), ‘dependency ratio of family’ (X3), ‘proportion of low land’ (X4), ‘market accessibility’ (X7) and ‘cropping intensity’ (X9) were found to have positive and significant influence on adoption consistency while dependency ratio of family (X3)’ ‘proportion of low land’ (X4), institutional contact (X6)’, ‘market accessibility’ (X7) degree of commercialization’ (X10) and ‘adoption consistency’ (X13) recorded to have positive but age (X1)’, annual farm income (X5) and ‘farm experience’ (X8) have negative and significant influence on farmers’ degree of preferences. In case of WTP, educational experience’ (X2), ‘market accessibility’ (X7) ‘cropping intensity’ (X9), ‘adoption consistency’ (X13) and ‘degree of preferences to CSA practices’ (X14) were found to have positive while variable ‘age’ (X1) and ‘institutional contact’ (X6) have negative and significant influence on WTP. Perception of farmers about climate change was found complementary with realities as most of the farmers disagree with change of temperature, rainfall over last 20 years. Majority of respondents (54.75 per cent) had unfavorable attitude towards FBES while middle age group with occupation agriculture, agriculture +service and agriculture + wage earner had favourable attitude but medium and large farmers had unfavourable attitude towards FBES. Farmers with low and high institutional contact had favourable attitude but high income group farmers had unfavourable attitude. Farmers’ copping strategies such as ‘transplanting of Bao paddy during May-June instead of normal practice i.e. direct sowing during March-April’, ‘erecting solar electrical wire with low voltage in the boundary of crop cultivation area’ ‘selling of livestock before onset of summer season’ change of cropping sequence rice - rabi vegetables to rice-maize, staggered sowing of seed with high rate, Community seed bank for paddy crop were followed for mitigating adverse effect of climate change. Extension agencies, both public and private should put forward strategic effort to make farmers aware of climate change and its impact on food production, popularizing these technologies need to be taken care of in other similar areas, systematic assessment of other CSA practices available in the research front, different stakeholders (both public and private) in input and output chains should work in convergence mode as a common entity so that farmers get necessary environment for adoption of technologies.