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Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, was established on 1st December, 1985 with the objective to promote education, research and extension education in the fields of Horticulture, Forestry and allied disciplines. Late Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister and the architect of Himachal Pradesh perceived the importance of Horticulture and Forestry to develop and improve the State economy which led to the establishment of this University. Its history lies in erstwhile Himachal Agricultural College, Solan, established in 1962 and affiliated to the Panjab University. It became one of the campuses of Agriculture Complex of Himachal Pradesh University on its formation in 1970. Consequent upon the establishment of Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in 1978, this campus became its Horticulture Complex and finally in 1985, assumed the status of a State University, being the only University in the country engaged exclusively in teaching, research and extension in Horticulture and Forestry.
The University is located at Nauni in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, 13 km from Solan on Solan-Rajgarh Road, at an elevation of 1300 metres above mean sea level. Solan town is situated on national highway (NH-22) and is well connected by train and bus services.
The University has four constituent colleges, out of which, two are located at the main campus Nauni, one for horticulture and the other for forestry, having 9 and 7 departments, respectively. The third College i.e., College of Horticulture & Forestry is located at Neri in Hamirpur District on Nadaun-Hamirpur state highway, about 6 Km from Hamirpur town and is well connected with bus service. The college offers three Undergraduate Degree Programmes i.e. BSc (Hons.) Horticulture, BSc (Hons.) Forestry and B. Tech. Biotechnology and MSc degree programme in a few subjects. The fourth college i.e. College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag (Mandi) is located at Thunag District Mandi. This college offer BSc (Hons.) Horticulture and BSc (Hons.) Forestry degree programme. In addition, there are five Regional Research Stations, 12 Satellite Stations and five Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) situated in different zones of the State.
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ThesisItem Open Access LIVELIHOOD PATTERN, CHANGING STATUS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN RURAL SETTINGS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2022-09) PANTA, RAZAL; RAINA, KRISKAN KUMARABSTRACT The present study on livelihood aimed at the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities and development of business plans for the rural youth in farm and non-farm sectors of the state of Himachal Pradesh. The nature and extent of changes in the livelihood pattern towards cash generating enterprises was also examined. Multi stage sampling was done with a total sample size of 400 households. Data was analysed through a combination of statistical and econometric tools like Five Point Likert Scale, Livelihood Frame Work Analysis, Simpson Livelihood Diversification indices, Linear regression, Principal Component Method and other Statistical tools. The average land holding was 1.2 ha with per cent irrigated land. On overall basis, the total income (both farm and nonfarm) of sampled household was found to be 10.68 lakhs / annum on average basis. Migration of skilled persons is also prevalent. Livelihood options were observed to have changed for the last five years and have improved economic status. The value of Simpson Livelihood Diversification Index for farm income was found to be 0.5110 while it was 0.8061 for nonfarm income showing comparatively higher diversification amongst non-farm income. Two Principal Components were identified. Major drivers of Simpson Livelihood Diversification Index were identified through the use of multiple Regression analysis. It was found that the awareness level about the government welfare scheme was not leading to the benefit availed. Opportunities are emerging in the field of post-harvest management and agro processing with the changes in livelihood patterns. Different Start-ups may be initiated and perspective beneficiaries may be trained through Agri incubators established in different universities/ IIMs/IITs. Keywords: ABSTRACT The present study on livelihood aimed at the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities and development of business plans for the rural youth in farm and non-farm sectors of the state of Himachal Pradesh. The nature and extent of changes in the livelihood pattern towards cash generating enterprises was also examined. Multi stage sampling was done with a total sample size of 400 households. Data was analysed through a combination of statistical and econometric tools like Five Point Likert Scale, Livelihood Frame Work Analysis, Simpson Livelihood Diversification indices, Linear regression, Principal Component Method and other Statistical tools. The average land holding was 1.2 ha with per cent irrigated land. On overall basis, the total income (both farm and nonfarm) of sampled household was found to be 10.68 lakhs / annum on average basis. Migration of skilled persons is also prevalent. Livelihood options were observed to have changed for the last five years and have improved economic status. The value of Simpson Livelihood Diversification Index for farm income was found to be 0.5110 while it was 0.8061 for nonfarm income showing comparatively higher diversification amongst non-farm income. Two Principal Components were identified. Major drivers of Simpson Livelihood Diversification Index were identified through the use of multiple Regression analysis. It was found that the awareness level about the government welfare scheme was not leading to the benefit availed. Opportunities are emerging in the field of post-harvest management and agro processing with the changes in livelihood patterns. Different Start-ups may be initiated and perspective beneficiaries may be trained through Agri incubators established in different universities/ IIMs/IITs. Keywords: Livelihood, Entrepreneurship, Farm and Non-Farm Incomes, Diversification, Simpson Livelihood Diversification Index,ThesisItem Open Access FARMERS’ ATTITUDE AND EFFECT OF TRAINING DESIGN ON TRANSFER OF TRAINING(UHF,NAUNI, 2022-09) MASTA, KIRAN; JANJHUA, YASMINAbstract Farmers a major element, today is encountered with problems at both macro and micro level. The present study aimed to study farmers attitude towards trainings imparted for capacity building, examined effect of trainee characteristics, trainer characteristics and training design on transfer of training. The extent of transfer of training by the trainees was also studied and the constraints encountered by farmers in transfer of training were investigated. The study was conducted on farmers who had participated in training programmes conducted by Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan. The sample of the study comprised of 333 trainees who were selected using purposive random sampling technique. The results showed that majority trainee farmers had a positive and favourable attitude towards the training programmes being imparted to them. The findings revealed that trainee characteristics i.e. self-efficacy, motivation to learn, motivation to transfer and socio-demographic factors such as age and primary occupation, trainer characteristics and learning from training accounted for variances in transfer of training. The self-efficacy belief, motivation to learn and motivation to transfer were noted to be higher, behavioural change and learning were also reported by trainees. Poor finance, being oblivious of government schemes and support system and lack of inputs were found to be the top ranked constraints. The other constraints reported by farmers were lack of technology, inability to purchase, fear of failure as a result of adoption, credit unavailability, high cost of adoption and so on. The constraints reported by trainees hinder the transfer of training to great extent. Thus due attention to the concerned department’s is required in this direction.ThesisItem Open Access ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2022-09) SAHNI, APOORVA; JANJHUA, YASMINABSTRACT Entrepreneurship helps in combatting unemployment, generates productivity and enhances innovative and competitive dominance. Thepresent research study provides a thorough comprehension of entrepreneurial intention among university students in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Multistage random sampling technique was used in the present study. In the first stage, university wise most populated districts were selected. In the second stage sampling, from the four selected districts i.e. Solan, Kangra, Shimla and Mandi, the universities which were listed under NIRF ranking (National institutional ranking framework), Scimago ranking and Atal ranking of institutions on innovation achievements were selected. The universities that secured a rank under the three rankings were Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan; Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat, Solan; Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan and Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. Hence, these four universities were selected for the final sample. The data was collected from 338 final year undergraduate and postgraduate students of four selected universities. The results of the study revealed that the entrepreneurial intention of the students was moderate. It was found that significant difference exist between the students across three educational degrees i.e. sciences, engineering and commerce/management, with regard to entrepreneurial intention. Students pursuing commerce/management related courses had a higher intention towards venture creation as compared to other educational degrees. However, there was no significant difference between the undergraduate and postgraduate students with regard to entrepreneurial intention. Males had a higher level of entrepreneurial intention as compared to females. Demographic variables age and university were found to have no significant effect on the said intention. Students who had business as family occupational status scored highest on the entrepreneurial intention scale. The results also revealed that attitude and personality traits initiative taking, internal locus of control, need for achievement, creativity, innovativeness, risk-taking propensity, openness to experience, self efficacy, and proactiveness had a statistically significant effect on the entrepreneurial intention of students. Additionally, subjective norms and perceived government support also played a significant role in shaping the entrepreneurial intention of students. This study will serve as base for future studies and and have implications for educators and policy makersThesisItem Open Access FARMERS’ BUYING BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS AGRICULTURAL INPUTS IN HIGH HILL TEMPERATE WET ZONE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2022-09) PATHANIA, ANKIT; CHAUDHARY, RASHMIABSTRACT The present study has been carried out on farmers’ buying behaviour towards agricultural inputs in the high hill temperate wet zone of Himachal Pradesh. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used for the selection of sampled households in the study area. Primary data were collected from a sample of 448 farmers who were the major decision-makers in their household through a well designed pre-tested schedule by survey method. The required secondary data were collected from various publications and government departments. It was observed that the farmers’ buying process was not uniform for all the agricultural inputs under study as it varied from the least expensive to the most expensive agricultural inputs. However, within the same category of the inputs, there were differences in the extent of the buying process and these differences were more prevalent among the frequently purchased agricultural inputs. The findings of the study reported that the effect of farmers’ educational status, farming experience and quality consciousness had significant mean differences in their buying process for both categories of inputs. The study also revealed that individual decision making occurs most often for frequently purchased inputs except for the seed and farmers decided jointly on the purchase of infrequently purchased inputs. Furthermore, it was found that fellow/progressive farmers were the main source on which farmers relied for information related to the seeds and fertilizers in the study area, whereas, for agrochemicals, they highly relied on private input dealers. However, private inputs dealers and state agriculture/horticulture departments were the main source of information related to the purchase of power sprayers and power tillers in the study area. It is also found that the majority of farmers in the study area had paid in cash for the purchase of frequently purchased agricultural inputs. Whereas, in case of infrequently purchased inputs, 41.82 per cent and 66.19 per cent of farmers had purchased power sprayers and power tillers on credit/installments basis, respectively. Besides, the results of the principal components analysis revealed that past experiences, price, brand image, preferred package, quality, government schemes and subsidies were the most important factors influencing farmers’ buying behaviour for frequently purchased agricultural inputs. However, in case of infrequently purchased inputs performance, credit facility, price, reputations of dealers/suppliers, operational qualities, brand image and government schemes and subsidies were the important factors influencing farmers buying behaviour. Timely non-availability & limited supply of inputs in government stores, high prices, non-availability of the preferred package of inputs, fear of adulteration, lack of technical knowledge, lack of financial assistance from the government and lack of market information on inputs were the major constraints experienced by the farmers’ in buying agricultural inputs in the study area. Therefore, it is suggested that a timely and adequate supply of agricultural inputs at fair prices and awareness campaigns on improved agricultural input use can positively influence government investment in agricultural research, extension and input delivery systems in the study areaThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN AGRICULTURE AND ITS IMPACT ON FARMERS’ LIVELIHOOD IN HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2022-09) SHARMA, DEEPIKA; CHAUDHARY, RASHMIABSTRACT The present investigation was conducted with the objective to examine the level of women empowerment in agriculture, its dimensions in relation to socio-economic characteristics and impact of women empowerment on farmers’ livelihood in mid-hill sub-humid zone of Himachal Pradesh, covering 32 per cent of the entire geographical area. Multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to determine the sample size of 280 household, comprising of 548 respondents, of which 280 were index women and 268 were index men. Pre-tested structured questionnaire was used for collection of household and individual level data. Abbreviated Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index was modified to collect data for empowerment and livelihood index was constructed on the basis of economic status, resource endowment, social support, political participation and psychological capital. Women empowerment in agriculture index was recorded 84 per cent with 83 per cent of 5DE value and 90 per cent GPI score. Overall, 5DE of the total sample showed that 37.86 per cent of the women were empowered with adequacy in 83 per cent of six sub-indicators and 62.14 per cent of women who were not empowered found adequate in 72.56 per cent of the weighted indicators. Gender parity index reflects that 65.67 per cent of the sampled women respondents enjoy the gender parity, whereas, 34.33 per cent do not have parity with index men in the household. The study has also highlighted that the dimensions that contribute the most to the disempowerment of women was ‘workload’ with 72.45 per cent, followed by ‘access to and decisions on credit’ (24.15%) and ‘group membership’ (3.02%). Notably the ‘ownership of assets’ and ‘control over use of income’ did not contribute towards disempowerment index. The study has also revealed statistically significant correlation between women empowerment and age, literacy, education, primary occupation, female respondents’ input in productive decisions, access to and decision on credit and group membership. In the present study, the overall average farmers’ livelihood index was recorded 0.478, which was more for the empowered women in agriculture (0.537) as compared to disempowered women (0.369). It was concluded that farmers’ livelihood index was positively associated with family size, employment status, occupation, educational attainment, women empowerment in agriculture, women's decision-making power, women's decision toward credit and women's group membership, whereas, age and literacy level were negatively associated with the livelihood index. It is suggested that policy implications should be prioritized for reducing the women’s work burden, access to and control over productive resources, participation in group activities, technical awareness drives through SHG, and livelihood trainings should be organized to increase the opportunities for the womThesisItem Open Access SERVICE QUALITY DIMENSIONS AND GAPS OF SELECTED COMMERCIAL BANKS IN HIMACHAL PR(UHF,NAUNI, 2022-09) KASHYAP, NEHA; MEHTA, PIYUSHABSTRACT The present investigation aimed to study the awareness level of customers towards various services offered by public and private sector banks and to measure customer satisfaction and service quality gaps of the selected banks. The study was conducted on the customers of public and private commercial banks in Solan and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh. The sample of the study comprised of 320 customers who were selected using multistage random sampling. The results showed that majority of the services which were preferred by the customers of both the banks were ATM cum Debit card, SMS alerts and Internet/mobile banking facilities. To measure customer satisfaction SERVQUAL model was applied. The results showed that there were quality gaps in all the five SERVQUAL dimensions (tangibility, responsiveness, reliability, assurance and empathy). The most lacking dimension was empathy. Overall study of satisfaction level of customers showed that the customers of public sector banks were more satisfied as compared to private sector banks. It was suggested to start awareness campaigns about the services provided by banks. The condition of minimum banking balance must be readdressed to provide services to poor people. Keywords: Service Quality Dimensions, Commercial Banks, Customer Satisfaction, Awareness Campaigns, SERVQUAL Model.ThesisItem Open Access AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT MARKETING CHANNELS OF VEGETABLE CROPS FOR IMPROVING FARMERS LIVELIHOOD IN HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2022-07) THAKUR, PANKAJ; MEHTA, PIYUSH