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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 ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH AND FINANCIAL STATUS OF INCUBATES UNDER NEATEHUB, AAU(2023) Yengkokpam, Taniya; Borah, SangitaIndia’s entrepreneurial landscape has witnessed a significant transformation over the years, with the agriculture sector benefitting from the rise of agri-startups. The liberalization policies since 1991 have further facilitated the growth of entrepreneurship, creating a favourable environment for startups to flourish. The North East region, though having a lower number of registered businesses, is experiencing a surge in startups, particularly in agriculture, thanks to institutions like the North East Agriculture Technology Entrepreneurs Hub (NEATEHUB). As an Atal Incubation Centre, the NEATEHUB plays a crucial role in nurturing successful startups in agriculture and allied sectors, contributing to sustainable economic growth and food security in the region. Moreover, startups benefit from technical support, access to the latest technologies, necessary certifications, and pre-incubation training and legal services, ensuring a strong foundation for their businesses. The facilitation of the primary level supply chain of agro-commodities and trade facilitation further adds to NEATEHUB’s significance as a driving force for sustainable development and economic prosperity in the region. The present study entitled “Entrepreneurial Growth and Financial Status of Incubates under NEATEHUB, AAU” highlights the status of the entrepreneur in business development, the financial position & stability of the business and the problems faced by the incubates in the growth and development of the business. The analysis reveals that incubation significantly contributes to the growth and success of startups. Many startups showed increased employment and income generation after incubation, with the “Waste to Wealth” group exhibiting notable progress. For the study of the financial position of the startup, ratio analysis was calculated. The current ratio of all the startups have above 1 showing stronger short-term liquidity and most of the startups maintain a relatively low debt- equity ratio and maintains a decent net profit margin ratio. The ratio analysis of the startups revealed that all the startups are financially healthy and proven to be all feasible and profitable. However, despite these successes, startups still face significant challenges, including lack of equipment and machinery, limited access to marketing information and technology, and difficulties in raising finances and attracting investments. In conclusion, India’s rich entrepreneurial landscape, bolstered by supportive policies and institutions like NEATEHUB, contributes to drive economic prosperity and job creation.ThesisItem Open Access MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY FARM BUSINESS IN JORHAT DISTRICT OF ASSAM(2023) Upadhyay, Sumit Kumar; Gogoi, ManashiThe research project shed light on the status of dairy farming and management practices in Jorhat District. Despite the status needs to be more satisfactory, there is a positive and encouraging trend of gradual improvement within the sector. The selected dairy farms demonstrated commendable efficiency and proficiency in their management practices, with Navneet Dairy leading the way in terms of financial performance. Notably, private farms displayed a distinct advantage over dairy cooperative societies (DCSs) by successfully expanding their product offerings beyond fresh milk. this diversification strategy contributes to higher revenue generation. On the consumer front, Navneet Dairy products garnered significant preference, especially the MD brand, due to high satisfaction levels among consumers. However, it is worth noting that other brands faced challenges in consumer preference, potentially due to packaging issues, particularly those using loose packaging. Enhancing packaging strategies could prove beneficial in attracting more consumers and increasing market competitiveness for these brands. While Navneet Dairy and its MD brand received high satisfaction ratings, there is an opportunity for other brands to improve their product quality, branding, and marketing strategies to meet consumer expectations. By focusing on delivering superior products and ensuring consistent quality, dairy farms can cultivate stronger consumer loyalty and capture a larger market share. Overall, the study underscores the importance of further development and improvements in the dairy farming sector in Jorhat district. By leveraging efficient management practices, diversifying product offerings, and addressing packaging concerns, the sector can strive towards enhanced growth and meet the evolving demands and preferences of consumers.ThesisItem Open Access CONSUMER PREFERENCE AND PERCEPTION TOWARDS VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS OF SOYBEAN IN JORHAT MARKET(2023) Rawat, Shreya; Deka, NiveditaSoybean (Glycine max) has a long history of 5000 years and has been hailed as the “golden miracle bean” of the 21st century. The most important and foremost reason is its nutritional profile, it is rich in protein and high nutritive value. Soybean is one of the most important oilseed crops in India. We are living in a world of a growing population and climate crisis; it becomes extremely difficult to fulfil a nutritional need of a growing population. Soybean stands out as one of the best options due to its nutritional qualities and its versatility. The present study was undertaken to explore consumer preference and perception towards value-added products of soybean in Jorhat district. A total sample size of 80 consumers were taken from the Jorhat market, various soybean value added products were selected for the study such as soy chunks, soy oil, soy sauce, soy snacks, infant food, health drinks, breakfast cereals, tofu, soymilk and soy granules. The findings of the study revealed that consumers perception regarding soy food products were found to be different for all the products. Consumers were found to be purchasing soy food products only once in a month. For majority of products consumers took a planned purchase decision. Consumers preferences were influenced by a wide variety of factors such as sales promotional activities, quality of product, price, product advertisement, type of packaging and design, taste and flavour, and nearness to the source of purchase. various problems related to the consumption of soybean products were identified. Lack of knowledge about the nutritional benefits of soy products, misconceptions regarding soybean intake, reluctance by family members to change food habit and beany flavour of soybean were some of major constraints. Increasing consumer awareness through government-led awareness activities, enforcing regulations and quality standards for soybean products, conducting more research and development for innovative soy products, are some of the recommended steps to address these challenges.ThesisItem Open Access PRODUCTION PATTERN, MARKETING AND BRAND POSITIONING OF DAIRY PRODUCTS A CASE STUDY IN AJMER DAIRY OF RAJASTHAN(2023) Sharma, Saurabh; Borthakur, NilotpalIndia is the highest milk producing countries of the world. India contributed 24 per cent of the milk production to the world. As to sustain the nation the government of India started dairy development in 1965 following Anand pattern in the country. Currently the nation had 228 District Milk Producer Unions in the countries which employed more than 170 million of people. Rajasthan is the leading milk producing state in the country with contribution of 15.05 percent. The state government initiated dairy development in the early seventies. RCDF (Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation) became the nodal agency for implementation of Operation Flood and other dairy development programmes in Rajasthan. The federation had 24 District Milk Unions collecting milk from 18,213 village dairy cooperative societies. The federation had daily milk procurement of about 3148 thousand kilogram and liquid milk marketing of about 2247 thousand litres of milk per day with registered membership of 8,80,793 milk producers. Ajmer Dairy was established in 1972 as a subsidiary unit of Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation (RCDF). Initially the union procured 500 litres of milk per day. Over the years Ajmer dairy had made significant growth in all the fields, i.e., procurement, processing and production of various milk and milk products and marketing thereof under the brand name of “SARAS”. Currently Ajmer dairy ranked third highest in the milk procurement and second highest in liquid milk marketing. The union processes a number of milk and milk products which are very popular at different parts of Rajasthan. Saras milk was the main product of the plant with 857.75 lakh litre of production with a product share of 61 percent. Saras lassi had the lowest share (1 per cent) due to seasonal demand and nature of production. Ghee, paneer, ice-cream, sweets, curd, etc. are the other products manufactured at the plant. The union had a turnover of 727 crore rupees in the year 2022 and made payment of 503.5 crore rupees to the milk producers. The union marketed its milk products through 36 different routes. The union had installed 509 booths, 1915 shops and 79 parlours in Ajmer and its adjoining tehsils. The union marketed its milk and milk products through two channels. The results of the study of marketing channel indicated Producer Union Consumer was the most common channel used by the dairy plant in the study area. For this study, a total of 60 members of consumers were drawn randomly from Ajmer city to assess the brand value of Ajmer dairy in the market.ThesisItem Open Access VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS OF KIWI IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH(2023) Thihing, Priya; Hazarika, ChandanThe kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa Chev.) is a fruiting vine, also referred to as "China's miracle fruit" and "Horticulture Wonder of New Zealand". It is believed to be native to china, but New Zealand introduced it to the world market. In India, kiwi fruit was first introduced in 1963 in Shimla and later spread to the mid and low-hills of the country, and has been identified as one of the significant and profitable fruit crops for the future. The present study was on Value Chain Analysis of Kiwi in Arunachal Pradesh, largest producer of kiwi fruit in India. It contributes 44% of the total 16.13 thousand tonnes of kiwi produced in the country. As part of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development Programme for the North East Region (MOVCDP-NER), the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh is the first in the country to receive an organic certification for kiwi. The major objectives of the study includes production and disposal pattern of Kiwi, mapping the value chain and finally to examine the problems throughout the value chain. Primary data were collected from the sample farmers of the Lower Subansiri district using random sampling techniques from 40 farmers and 20 stakeholders. Simple tabular and percentage analysis, compound growth rates, producer’s surplus analysis and garret ranking techniques were used as per the needs of the objectives. The findings of the study revealed that kiwi fruit production and commercialization are emerging farming operations in the study area. Kiwi farming is becoming an appealing agricultural business, as it generates a considerate income for farmers. The CGR was found to be 16.60, 11.51 and -3.96 respectively for area, production and productivity of Kiwi in the study area. The marketable surplus was 1299.50 quintals but the marketed surplus was found to be more than marketable surplus (1314.20qts). it implies distress sale on the part of the sample farmers. Out of the 6 marketing channels identified, channel –VI, viz., producer – cooperatives – distant trader / wholesaler – distant retailer – consumer was found to be the most effective channel, dealing with 36.70% of the total production. It was also found that 78.50 % and 21.50 % of Kiwi reaches the consumer as fresh and processed Kiwi respectively. The major problems encountered during production and marketing were found to be high cost of establishment, lack of grading facilities Providing production subsidy, nurseries for quality planting material, developing knowledge and skills of the grower, and developing post harvest practices may lead to develop the Kiwi sector to a great extent. India imports fresh kiwis to satisfy domestic demand; hence there is enormous potential to boost kiwi production in Arunachal Pradesh. However, the lack of reliable production data, research and extension services, post-harvest infrastructure, and the poor credit support make it difficult to develop an efficient value chain. Marketing is also a major challenge due to a lack of cold storage and processing facilities, as well as other infrastructure for promoting kiwifruit in the region. On the basis of the results, one may suggest that a dedicated research centre, training and extension services, financial support and infrastructure facilities may be provided to increase the productivity and improve the value chain of kiwi in the study area.ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON FISHERIES MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN MANIPUR(2023) Soibam, Premlata; Borah, SangitaManipur, a state in northeastern India offers the perfect climate and soil for agricultural growth. LOKTAK LAKE, the largest freshwater lake in North-East India with a surface size of 24,672 hectares, is the state's most important inland water resource. Fishing and other fisheries activities in and around the lake account for somewhat more than half of the fish produced in the state. Manipur shares a section of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and is abundantly endowed with a range of biological resources. In Manipur, aquaculture is significant not just for nutrition but also for the state's rural economy. This suggests an excellent opportunity to develop fish culture enterprises and boost the rural economy. The present study is an attempt to study the fisheries management systems in Manipur. The study was conducted in the four highest fish-producing districts of Manipur. The data were collected using a special schedule through personal interviews with respondent farmers. The government record showed that the state comprised 56,461.05 ha of diversified water bodies suitable for fish farming with different species of fish being cultured by Manipuri people producing 33,112 tonnes of fish in the year 2021-22. The compound growth rate analysis of table fish and fish seed reflected a positive growth rate during the period of 2012 to 2021. The study revealed that the majority of fish farming in the state was based on polyculture, with a variety of species stocked in the same pond. It had also been observed that the majority of the state's aquaculture practices were traditional, they also followed semi-intensive and intense farming systems. The analysis of the study reflected that the resources use patterns among the different groups of fish farmers seem to be different from one another which also revealed the inefficient use of resources for fish farming in the study area. Manipur has a huge potential to advance its fish farming industry by implementing improved production techniques. The study's demand and supply gap analysis reflected that the demand was more while the supply was less, for that tonnes of fish, had been brought in from other states of India to fulfil the demand. After the analysis, it was clear that for Manipur’s fish industry, effective administration practices and leveraging current technology to tap into untapped and prospective resources will develop growth in the production of fish.ThesisItem Open Access CONSUMERS PERCEPTION TOWARDS ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCTS IN NELLORE DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(2023) RUSHITHA, NALLAKA; Gogoi, ManashiIn the recent times, there has been a growing demand in the consumption of Organic food products due to various nutritional and health benefits. Organic food products add to the benefits of environmental protection in addition to providing safety of humans and animals and these organic food products have been gaining importance among the public especially after covid 19 pandemic. The present study was undertaken mainly to understand the status of organic food products available in Nellore, to understand the consumer awareness, knowledge and perception towards Organic food products. In addition to this, the current study also analyses the major factors that plays a vital role in consumption of Organic food products. The study helps the marketers to create new marketing tactics for manufacturing and distribution of organic food products. The present study was conducted in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh from 60 consumers of organic food products. The findings of the study revealed that major organic food products available in the retail outlets are rice and cereals, millets, pulses, processed food products and dry fruits from the brands of Prakruthivanam, Nischalam, Goshala, Timbaku, Prabhakar brand, AH, Bheeshma, Nature Land and Khadi Organics. The correlation analysis reveals that out of the seven profile variables selected, Age, Education, Monthly income and Monthly expenditure on organic products has shown significant relation with the awareness, knowledge and perception on organic food products. The study also reveals that consumer purchase behavior has significant relation with consumer satisfaction, knowledge and perception. For factor influencing purchase decision, out of 33 variables ten variable have loadings on factor one with 50% of cumulative variance, six variables on factor two with 60% of cumulative variance, seven variables on factor three with 64.5% of cumulative variance, five variables on factor four with 68.6% of cumulative variance and three variables on factor five with 72.2% of cumulative variance. However, there are certain problems in consumption of organic products like high price, Inadequate availability, less access to quality products etc., Moreover consumption of organic food products motivates farmer to go for organic farming practices which is considered safe and healthy as well as eco-friendly.ThesisItem Open Access SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS EXPLORING THE WEAVING INDUSTRY - A CASE STUDY IN BARPETA DISTRICT OF ASSAM(2023) Pathak, Kashmiree; Buragohain, RinumoniThe weaving industry being women intensive in nature provides a suitable setting to examine how the women owned enterprises contribute to the development of regional economy. Also, in a society where there is patriarchal hegemony, they face various gender biasness and stereotypes and despite of these challenges the women entrepreneurs have shown tremendous resilience and determination by breaking the stereotypes and empowering themselves by making independent decision and having financial independence thus challenging the traditional gender dynamics. This research study investigates the socio-economic profile of women entrepreneurs engaged in the weaving industry in Barpeta district of Assam with the objective to examine the profile of women entrepreneurs in weaving industry in Barpeta District, analyse the contributing factors to income generation of women entrepreneurs from weaving industry, and identify the production, marketing and financial constraints faced by women entrepreneurs in weaving idustry. Primary data pertaining to the year 2022-2023 were collected from 50 women entrepreneurs selected from Bhabanipur block and Chakachaka block of Barpeta district of Assam. The women entrepreneurs were further classified into two groups based on their loom size to give them fair representation. The present study thus the reveals several key findings. Firstly, the study sheds light on the diverse socio-economic backgrounds of these women, with variations in age, education, marital status, source of income, training status, family history in weaving and family size impacting their income as well as. Different types of weaved products were produced by the women entrepreneurs namely Chadar, Mekhela, Set, Bihuwan Gamosa, Uka Gamosa and Anakota Gamosa. The unit prices of the yarns were also different and prices per kg varied based on the types and grades of yarn used. The average total variable cost and total fixed cost incurred by per entrepreneur of the overall sample size in a year was Rs 1,35,717 and Rs. 1,49,624. The average total gross return per entrepreneur was estimated to be Rs. 5,03,108. The benefit cost ratio was found to be 1.80. The marketing profile reveals that three marketing channels were used where 76% of the entrepreneurs used channel III. Among all the channels channel I was found to be the most efficient and channel III being the most effective as volume of transaction was the highest through that channel. The income generation of the women entrepreneurs was found to be contributed by socio-economic characteristics such as education, marital status, age, family size, training, hours of work, number of employees, past history. Age and marital status were found to be negative and significant in contributing to income generation, whereas training and past history were not significant but contributed positively. Education (0.20**), hours of work (0.09***), number. of employees (0.11**) and family size (0.09***) contributed positively and significantly. Various responses of women entrepreneurs were also taken of the factors that motivated them to generate income, it was found that supporting family financially was the most important motivating factor among the respondents Moreover, the research examines the production, marketing and financial constraints faced by women entrepreneurs in the weaving sector, which revealed that shortage of labour, tough competitions from established retailers and regular and frequent need of working capital were some of the major constraints faced by the women entrepreneurs in the study area. The study provides valuable insights into the socio-economic profile of women entrepreneurs and that the women entrepreneurs of the weaving industry in Barpeta district have made significant accomplishments and progress despite the difficulties in the weaving industry. The study thus suggests approaches to improve the production and marketing of their products to increase their returns and for the overall development of the weaving industry.ThesisItem Open Access Agri-business Potential of Indian Jujube (BER) in Darrang District, Assam(2023) Hoque, Jillul; Buragohain, RinumoniIndia ranks second among Jujube-growing countries in the world after China. The annual production of jujube in India is estimated at 10 lakh tonnes. The productivity of jujube in India is 10 metric tonnes/hectare. India with an area of approximately 1 lakh ha, ranks second among jujube-growing countries in the world after China. India has produced 586 thousand metric tonnes of Indian jujube in the 53-thousand-hectare area in 2021-22. The Indian Jujube, also known as Ber or Boroi in Assam, is a fruit-bearing tree that is commonly found in the region. The Indian Jujube belongs to the species Ziziphus mauritiana. It is a small to medium-sized tree. The tree is known for its spiny branches and glossy green leaves. The fruit of the Indian jujube is a drupe. It has a sweet and tangy taste, often described as similar to dates. It is well adapted to a wide range of soil types and climatic conditions, making it suitable for cultivation in Assam. Indian Jujube fruits are rich sources of Vit C and contain significant amounts of other essential nutrients like calcium, iron and phosphorous. It is also known for its high fiber content. In Assam, the Indian Jujube holds cultural significance, and the fruit is often offered during religious ceremonies and festivals. The tree's wood is used in making small tools and handicrafts. The cultivation of Indian Jujube provides a source of income for farmers in Assam, and the fruits are also sold in local markets. Additionally, the tree helps in soil conservation and provides shade for other crops. The present study is on Indian jujube farming over a 13.65-hectare sample area. Three separate ways of distribution for Indian jujube products were found. Channel I was a route that included manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. Channel II took a more direct route, connecting producers to traders directly, resulting in consumer purchases. Channel III represented the most straightforward way, with producers selling directly to customers. The study found a promising return over the cost ratio of 2.50, showing that Indian jujube farming is profitable. This means that farmers who cultivate jujube can earn a good living, proving the financial sustainability of this agricultural endeavour.
