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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 Ergonomic Evaluation of Task Performed by Workers in Manual Brick Kiln(2023) Baruah, Nikhil; Baruah, MoontyThe present study was conducted in Jorhat district of Assam. The study intended to find out the work-related health problems prevalent among the workers engaged in brick kiln activities. The ergonomic risk factors causing health problems were also examined in the study. The measures to minimize work related health problems among the brick kiln workers were also discussed. Three subdivisions of Jorhat namely Jorhat, Mariani and Titabor were selected performing for the study based upon the brick kiln industry. A total of 306 workers from the selected brick processing industries were selected from the total population of the brick industry on the 95% level of confidence. Findings revealed that among the surveyed workers, 59 per cent were male and 41 per cent were female workers and mostly 81 per cent were married. Most of the workers were under the age group of 41-50 years. Most (53) of the workers in the age group of 51-60 years were involved in the brick industry from 4 to 6 years followed by 46 numbers in the age group of 61-70. Only 11 of the workers were engaged from 7 to 9 years in the age group of 61-70. Loading of bricks to bake was found to be highly involved activity (Rank I). This was followed by arranging brick to dry (Rank II) and stacking brick (Rank III). The workers engaged in brick kiln industry worked for 10 to 12 hours daily. On an average of 2 hours of the break was found to be taken by the respondents for their lunch and rest period in all the brick processing units as surveyed. In the present study of ergonomic risk factors in brick kiln industries was studied in terms of postural analyses, types of muscular efforts, perceived exertion, REBA score etc. Findings of the study revealed that highest RPE score (Rating of Perceived Exertion) i.e., 4.25 was observed while performing molding brick which was followed by loading brick to fire with the mean RPE score of 4.23. While performing these activities the workers sit and stand in a continuous awkward posture. Arranging bricks to dry recorded the lowest RPE score of 2.47. From the data it was observed that during performance of all the activities the workers felt highest discomfort in thighs, lower back in standing type of activity followed by neck, wrist and shoulder in sitting and squatting postures. Majority 97.71% reported knee pain followed by 94.12% suffered low back pain and shoulder pain 93.79%. Around 66 per cent of the workers felt the pain always whereas, 28 percent of the workers had the pain sometimes, followed by 6 per cent of workers who never had pain during activities. It was observed that 38 percent of the workers suffered from less acute incidences of body pains whereas 45 percent of the workers had negligible incidences which was followed by acute incidences i.e., 17 percent. From the analysis of collected data, it was observed that as age, years of involvement increase prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorder among the worker was higher. To improve the musculoskeletal health of kiln workers, workers should be trained in occupational safety and ergonomic principles. They should be encouraged to use personal protection aids like the lumbar belt to reduce lower back issues, the duration of rest should be split into short breaks, workers should be motivated to change their postures periodically with various stretching practices to relieve excessive muscular stress, tasks should be rotated between males and females, among age groups and BMI categories periodically as these factors are associated with musculoskeletal issues. Trolleys should be used not only in brick carrying but also in mould carrying. Moulding box and other hand tools should be redesigned ergonomically, and the use of already redesigned hand tools (i.e., spade, trowel, etc.) must be promoted.ThesisItem Open Access Workspace Environment of the Computer operating Employees in Banking Sector- An Analysis(2021) Gogoi, Animesh; Bhuyan, BijoylaxmiThe banking sector is a part of a nation’s economy as banks play vital role in implementing and planning of the financial policy. All the transaction of money and financial issues come under the banking sector. So it is very important that the employees have very good mental and physical status to deliver their responsibilities to the utmost perfection. A good work space environment can lead to high productivity where as a poor workspace environment can cause problems to the workers and the organization. Comfortable and ergonomic office design motivates the employees and increases their performance substantially (Deshpande, 2013). Furthermore, work stress can affect workers in many ways; from lowering resistance to illnesses and depriving them of sleep, to interfering with their concentration as a result more injuries and accidents occur (Adeyemi 2013). This study was aimed to investigate musculoskeletal disorders and onset of stress and its relationship due to the effect of workstation factors like illumination, temperature, humidity, noise, office furniture and colour of walls on computer operating employees of banking sector of Jorhat town. Data was collected through the use of questionnaire and observation methods from 129 bank employees and was analysed through statistical methods. About 40.3% employees 28.63% Male and 11.62% Female) were found to suffer from different musculoskeletal problems. The study found a significant relation with some workstation environment factors and musculoskeletal disorders. Apart from this, some workstation environment factors were also found to have significant relationship with stress outcome of the employees. The study suggested that people must understand their workspace environment factors and should design it in terms of their body requirements and adhere to recommended ergonomic specifications in a proper way for better performance and productivity maintaining good health and wellness.ThesisItem Open Access Utilization of institutional microfinance by beneficiaries – A study in Sivasagar district of Assam(2021) Gogoi, Parthapratim; Sharma, BabitaMicrofinance is an approach of economic development that involves providing financial services, through institutions, to low-income people, where the market fails to provide appropriate services. In present scenario this is found to be an effective instrument for lifting the poor above the level of poverty by providing them self- employment opportunities and making them credit worthy. In India Micro finance programme was formally initiated by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in 1992, Like India, in Assam also during past years, (since 2001) the sector has witnessed a sharp growth with the emergence of a number of Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) that are providing financial and non-financial support to the poor in an effort to lift them out of poverty. But many times it has been seen that beneficiaries are not utilizing micro finance loan for income generation, rather they utilize in non productive work. Sometimes beneficiaries do not have control in utilizing loan, in such case whether beneficiaries could managed repayment? Whether beneficiaries are actually benefited? Whether services of MFI's are satisfactory? Considering these points the present research has been conducted with the objectives: 1. To study socio economic profile of beneficiaries. 2. To study quantum of loan availed, their utilization and repayment by the beneficiaries. 3. To access level of satisfaction of beneficiaries towards micro finance services of MFI’s. One hundred and twenty numbers of total beneficiaries have been selected from Sivsagar district of Assam by adopting multi stage samplings techniques. Findings of the data depicts that beneficiaries in the study area came to know about institutional micro finance mostly from MFI representatives working in their area and other sources like advertisement in TV/Radio/Newspapers, Posters, Hoardings etc. Beneficiaries association with multiple MFI's found among highest percentage of beneficiaries in study area. Only 30.0 percent of the beneficiaries utilized the loan amount by themselves. Utilization of micro finance loan by husband and other family member along with beneficiaries found among majority of beneficiaries household. Moreover loan utilization was found mostly in traditional activities like livestock, petty business, agriculture etc. Study also revealed that diversifications of loan amount to unproductive purpose are common in study area. Regarding repayment of loan it was found that 62.6 percent of the beneficiaries were found as defaulter due to various reasons and more prominent reasons are improper use of loan and insufficient income. From KMO and Bartlett's Test, it is found that some factor had positive influenced on repayment of institutional micro finance loan, example: microfinance loan helps in rejuvenate and expansion of old petty business , MFI improved overall socio economic status of a family etc. whereas some factor had negatively influenced on repayment status of institutional micro finance loan like: diversified micro finance loan for unproductive purpose, frequency of loan repayment is not comfortable etc. Beneficiaries perception towards institutional microfinance programme revealed that micro finance program is helping more in personal development than economic and social development. Overall satisfaction level was found medium among beneficiaries in study area. From the study it can be concluded that though emergence of microfinance service is for economic empowerment of women by involving themselves in some income generating activity but in study area most of the loan are utilized by other members of the family. As a result their involvement in economic activity was very poor but burden of repayment lies on them. Default of loan repayment is mainly associated with diversification of loan for unproductive purpose. Moreover, during the study period Covid-19 pandemic has badly affected many beneficiaries income generating activities, as a result many people became defaulter of loan during this period. Lastly, for revival of rural economy and empowerment of the rural poor specially women, recipient also needs to understand purpose of microfinance and utilize loan in a more productive way so that the magnitude of return will be more than existing condition.ThesisItem Open Access PACKAGING AND CONSUMER BUYING BEHAVIOUR(2021) SONOWAL, MRIGANKA; Baruah, MoontyIn today‘s competitive market packaging and its aesthetic elements have occupied an important and unique position in delivering the product to the end users. It has become important tool of differencing the product from the similar kinds of products available in the market. It attracts consumers‘ attention to particular brand, packaging enhances the product image and influences consumers‘ perception about the product or service. The appearance of the package is believed to have a strong impact on influencing consumers‘ purchase decision. Keeping it in mind the present study was taken up on Packaging and consumer buying behaviour with the objectives 1)To find out the different packaging materials used for food items. 2) To find out the impact of packaging on the buying behaviour. 3) To see the relationship between packaging elements and consumer buying behaviour. For the present study a purposive cum random sampling method was adopted for selecting the samples in order to fulfil the objectives of the study. A total of 170 women were selected randomly through PPS (Probability Proportionate to sample) technique was followed. To determine the reliability of the instrument and to check simplicity, content and clarity of language of the interview schedule pretesting was done. The instrument was administered with 20 non sampled women. It helped the investigator to finalize the interview schedule. The findings showed that among all the packaging material plastics are used mostly in all the food products. Packaging can be divided into different elements which creates an impact on the minds of the consumer to purchase a product. It is divided into two categories: visual which includes graphics, colour, shape, and size and informational which includes information provided and innovation. In the present study we can say that packaging elements play a vital role in decision making of purchasing a product Among the elements we see that packaging color, packing material, packaging design and innovation have significant relation with the buying behaviour. So, the marketers can emphasize on these elements to compete with its competitors and to boost the sales of product in the market.Future researchers can formulate this study for further examination of every feature and its effect on product packaging, explanation of impact of packaging features in relation with other categories of product or conduction any comparative study to possibly identifying different effects of packaging features on a variety of similar or different products.ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS IN DOMESTIC KITCHEN OF JORHAT SUB-DIVISION(AAU, Jorhat, 2021) Sangma, Kimbai A; Kalita, MiraNowadays, energy consumption, environmental protection and safety are fundamental issues in design process. Environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, light, noise etc have a profound effect on human performance, efficiency and efficacy. The present study entitled “Assessment of Environmental Parameters in Domestic Kitchen in Jorhat Sub Division” was proposed with following objectives: (1) to study the demographic profile of the respondents. (2) To measures the temperature, humidity, iIluminance and noise level in the kitchen during cooking. (3) To study the relationship between dependent and independent variables. A purposive cum random sampling method was adopted. Out of 19 wards in Jorhat Municipality area 3 wards were selected randomly and 5 per cent sample thereby 56 numbers of household were selected randomly. The women who involved in cooking activity will be the sample for the present study. Both interview and observation method was used for collection of data which was done through a questionnaire and observation for measurement of temperature, humidity, and Iluminance and noise level. Instruments used for measurement i.e., thermo-hygrometer, lux-meter and noise level-meter. Further chi square test was done to identify the relationship between variables. The findings showed that the average temperature was found to be 30.55°C which is found more than acceptable limit i.e., 22.2 °C to 26.6 °C, humidity was found to be 75.65 per cent which is higher than the acceptable value (30 % to 60 %), iIluminance level was found to be 140.25 lux which is lower than the acceptable limit of 300 lux and the average noise level was found to be 64.70 dB which is more than the permissible or acceptable level of noise (55 dB). The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between noise with brand name of the kitchen chimney („p‟=0.041*). It was also emphasize that majority of the respondents were not aware of environmental parameters, hence a guidelines was developed for creating awareness and for conducive environment in the kitchen to improve their performance.ThesisItem Open Access Assessment of environmental Parameters in domestic kitchen of Jorhat sub-division(2021) Sangma, Kimbai A.; Kalita, MiraNowadays, energy consumption, environmental protection and safety are fundamental issues in design process. Environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, light, noise etc have a profound effect on human performance, efficiency and efficacy. The present study entitled “Assessment of Environmental Parameters in Domestic Kitchen in Jorhat Sub Division” was proposed with following objectives: (1) to study the demographic profile of the respondents. (2) To measures the temperature, humidity, iIluminance and noise level in the kitchen during cooking. (3) To study the relationship between dependent and independent variables. A purposive cum random sampling method was adopted. Out of 19 wards in Jorhat Municipality area 3 wards were selected randomly and 5 per cent sample thereby 56 numbers of household were selected randomly. The women who involved in cooking activity will be the sample for the present study. Both interview and observation method was used for collection of data which was done through a questionnaire and observation for measurement of temperature, humidity, and Iluminance and noise level. Instruments used for measurement i.e., thermo-hygrometer, lux-meter and noise level-meter. Further chi square test was done to identify the relationship between variables. The findings showed that the average temperature was found to be 30.55°C which is found more than acceptable limit i.e., 22.2 °C to 26.6 °C, humidity was found to be 75.65 per cent which is higher than the acceptable value (30 % to 60 %), iIluminance level was found to be 140.25 lux which is lower than the acceptable limit of 300 lux and the average noise level was found to be 64.70 dB which is more than the permissible or acceptable level of noise (55 dB). The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between noise with brand name of the kitchen chimney („p‟=0.041*). It was also emphasize that majority of the respondents were not aware of environmental parameters, hence a guidelines was developed for creating awareness and for conducive environment in the kitchen to improve their performance.ThesisItem Open Access OCCUPATIONAL FACTORS AND WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG THE COMMERCIAL WEAVERS(AAU, Jorhat, 2021) Bori, Geetashree; Bhattacharyya, NanditaHandloom weaving provide the largest livelihood generation among the women weavers in Northeast India, specifically Assam. Women weavers constitute nearly 91.8% of the total workforce in handloom weaving in Assam. The present study was carried out to find out the occupational risk factors and work related musculoskeletal disorders prevailing among the comme rcial weavers with these objectives 1. To study the prevalent occupational risks in different types of handloom weaving in Assam; 2. To identify various work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and occupational health hazards among the weavers; 3. To understand the scope for effective intervention for occupational wellbeing of handloom weavers. A total of 18 0 women workers were selected for the study by following multistage purposive sampling procedure through a list of registered handloom weaving units of Lakhimpur District under Primary Weavers Cooperative Society ( PWCS) and Self Help Groups (SHGs) The comm ercial weavers face many challenges on the work front regarding health related issues as far as their workplace with three different types of looms are concerned i.e., throw shuttle loom using dobby, frame loom using dobby and frame loom using jacquard. Wh ile performing the weaving activities the workers are found to assume variety of unnatural postures, repetition of task with force exerted for picking, battening and shedding operations, reaching for the dobby/jacquard and yarn breakage due to task demand and workplace arrangements. Various health related risks and hazards that exists in different types of looms/workplaces are identified with the ergonomics tools assessment such as QEC, RULA, ACGIH HAL TLV, SI, grip strength and pinch strength. It was found that as the age of the respondents, years of involvement, perceived joint discomfort and occupational stress increases the WMSDs also increases. Frame loom using jacquard is the mostly used loom with 46.15 percent involvement of weavers and risk factors w ere also found high. To mitigate the risk factors and health issues, the present study proposed a workplace design intervention for an improved loom for better workplace conditions and occupational wellbeing of commercial handloom weaver. Providing an ergo nomically designed workplace is important to the commercial handloom weavers as far as their occupational wellbeing is concerned. This is because motivated, healthy and job content workers at 7 workplace drives the performance, quality and competitiveness of workplace drives the performance, quality and competitiveness of an organization. an organization. Therefore, a predictive equation through regression modelTherefore, a predictive equation through regression model for an improve loom for an improve loom was providedwas provided for a comfortable seat height and holder dimensions. With the help for a comfortable seat height and holder dimensions. With the help of these equation, the seat height and the holder diameter for each weaver can bof these equation, the seat height and the holder diameter for each weaver can be e predicted according to their popliteal height and grip diameter inside thus predicted according to their popliteal height and grip diameter inside thus providing ease and comfort to the weaver with improvement in the health providing ease and comfort to the weaver with improvement in the health condition.condition. Evaluation for effectiveness of the improved loom was done with the Evaluation for effectiveness of the improved loom was done with the help of spinal range of mothelp of spinal range of motion, grip strength, pinch strength, EMG analysis, body ion, grip strength, pinch strength, EMG analysis, body pain and ease of comfort. Significant reduction was observed in these parameters pain and ease of comfort. Significant reduction was observed in these parameters used for the improved loom.used for the improved loom. The improved loom was found to be inThe improved loom was found to be in line to meet line to meet the objectives of the target beneficiariesthe objectives of the target beneficiaries..ThesisItem Open Access AWARENESS OF WOMEN ABOUT CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION(AAU, Jorhat, 2017-07) Sangma, Stephanie K.; Das, LeenaThe present study on “Awareness of women about causes and effects of indoor air pollution” was undertaken with the following objectives: (i) To assess the awareness level of women about causes and health hazards of indoor air pollution. (ii) To study the role played by housewives in minimising indoor air pollution at household level. A survey was carried out in Jorhat town of Assam. A multistage purposive cum random sampling method was adopted for the purpose of the study. Municipality area of Jorhat was divided into five parts and from each part one ward was selected randomly and 3 per cent of the total household from each ward were randomly selected to constitute a total sample size of 120. Personal interview method was used for data collection. The findings of the personal and socio-economic characteristics showed that most of the respondents belonged to the age group of 25-35 years and majority of the respondents belonged to nuclear family with family size less than 5. Majority of the respondents were found to be graduates and were service holders. The monthly family income of majority of the respondents ranged from Rupees 10,000 to Rupees 30,000. The findings of the awareness level of women about causes of indoor air pollution showed that 49 per cent of the respondents had high level of awareness and 38 percent had low level of awareness and 13 per cent had medium level of awareness. Of all the various causes of indoor air pollution viz., the common sources, sources prevalent inside the kitchen, biological pollutants causing IAP, sources of VOCs and sources of POPs; the common sources was ranked first among all the other causes of IAP as per the respondents’ awareness. Biological pollutants ranked second, followed by sources inside the kitchen, sources of VOCs and sources of POPs. Findings of awareness level of women about health hazards of indoor air pollution revealed that 46 per cent of the respondents had high level of awareness, 36 per cent had low level of awareness and 18 per cent had medium level of awareness about health hazards of indoor air pollution. The respondents were mostly aware about lung cancer caused by exposure to cigarette smoke and was ranked first among other health hazards of indoor air pollution. Overall distribution about awareness of IAP consisting of both causes and health hazards revealed that 49 per cent had high level of awareness, 43 per cent had low level of awareness and 8 per cent had medium level of awareness. Another findings showed that the role performance of majority of the respondents in minimizing indoor air pollution were good (48.33%) with cleaning of house regularly being the most performed role; 43.33 per cent of the respondents had poor role performance, and encouraging others to switch on exhaust fans in the bathroom/toilet when being used was the least performed role. It was found that educational qualification of the respondents had some association with their awareness level about IAP but not with their role performance in minimizing IAP. Age, income and occupation were found to have no association with both awareness level and role performance. However, awareness level of the respondents about indoor air pollution was found to have some influence on the role performance of women in minimizing indoor air pollution.ThesisItem Open Access HOUSING CONDITION OF TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL HOUSEHOLDS IN JORHAT DISTRICT- A COMPARATIVE STUDY(AAU, Jorhat, 2017-07) YASMIN, SYEDA SHABANA; Bhuyan, BijoylaxmHousing is the physical structure providing shelter, consuming land and providecertain basic services. It has a specific location and once made it is durable (Gandotra, 2006). Keeping it in view the present study on ‘Housing condition of tribal and non-tribal households in Jorhat district- A comparative study’ was carried out in Jorhat district of Assam with the following objectives- To study the housing environment of tribal and non-tribal households. To study the selected factors affecting tribal and non-tribal housing conditions. To study the awareness level of house wives towards the quality housing conditions. In the present study comparison of housing condition of Tribal and non-Tribal housing conditions was done where the tribal respondents belonged to the Mishing community which is a major Assamese tribe. The study was conducted by purposive and simple random sampling method. Two agricultural development officer (ADO) circles located in two development blocks of Jorhat district namely Titabar development block and Kaliapani block were purposively considered for the study having basically agrarian population of both tribal (Mishing) and non-tribal. One tribal and one non-tribal village from each block were selected purposively so that comparison can be done properly having the villages situated in the same locality (block). Accordingly 20 tribal households and 20 non- tribal households from each village were selected by following simple random sampling method and accordingly a total 80 households were selected as sample. It was revealed that the tribal and non-tribal households of similar family income differ in their housing structure. Tribal households had stilted house with raised platform of 5-7feet above ground level, they had less humidity level in their houses and showed no evidence of dampness. They had no drainage facilities for draining out the waste water. They washed utensils on the raised floor (Chang) and let the water fall underneath. Half of the tribal households use to keep their live stocks under the platform where they lived.They mostly incinerate their household waste. Tribal respondents had low cost sanitary latrine provided by government schemes and by the NGOs as compared to the non-tribal respondents which was 55% and were mostly self-constructed. It was encouraging to note that, none of the non- tribal respondents had dug hole latrines and also they did not defecate in open spaces. Open defecation of 12.5% was found among tribal respondents. The study also revealed that majority of the tribal households had bamboo netting as smoke outlet in their house for removal of smoke from the kitchen. Regarding illumination at day and night inside the house, it was found that recommended intensity of daylight and night light was unavailable in many of the rooms in tribal households and thus rooms were inadequately bright. On the other hand, houses of non-tribal respondents were not raised on stilts but on plinth with a height varying from 2-3 feet from the ground level. Humidity level inside many of the rooms was higher than the recommended level and a sign of dampness was observed. They had improper drainage facilities and mostly they kept their live stocks near the house. Majority of them dump their household waste. Recommended intensity of daylight was unavailable in some rooms but majority of them had adequate lighting in recommended level in almost all the rooms at night. They had proper arrangement, grouping and provision of flexibility in the room as compared to the tribal households. Regarding quality of potable water it was not found to be within the recommended level. Experiments revealed that the average bacterial count in the raw form of tube well water used by the tribal (126 CFU/ml) and non-tribal households (124.33 CFU/ml) was almost similar and was higher than the filtered and boiled forms of water used by both the groups. Overall awareness regarding quality of housing condition meeting the criteria of principles of residential planning was less among tribal respondents (22.5%) as compared to the non-tribal respondents (39.43%).
