Loading...
Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
Browse
41 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON THE MARKET POTENTIAL OF HYBRID SUMMER VEGETABLE SEEDS OF VNR SEEDS PVT. LTD. IN RANCHI DISTRICT(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Sneha Dodray; Dr. Md. Naiyar AliSeed is the most fundamental and important component for agriculture. Quality seed functions as a catalyst for all other inputs, such as fertilizers, irrigation, and pesticides, to reach their full potential. To a considerable part, the response of all inputs is determined by the quality of seeds. The present study “A study on the market potential of hybrid summer vegetable seeds of VNR seeds Pvt. Ltd. in Ranchi district” was carried out in the Kanke, Nagri, Burmu, Itki, Bero Block of Ranchi district to see the awareness and use of hybrid seeds in the selected area. With the different objectives, to study the preferences of hybrid vegetable seeds among the farmers, to assess the market share of the hybrid summer vegetable seeds in the district, the marketing strategy used by the seed companies with reference to VNR seeds Pvt. Ltd. for selling hybrid vegetable seeds in the district. Lastly to identify the problem and prospects of marketing by retailers and adoption by the farmers of hybrid vegetable seeds in the district. Farmers were randomly selected for the study forming a sample size of 50. Most of the farmers use hybrid vegetable seeds in their fields. Retailers were the major source of the purchase of hybrid vegetable seeds. Farmers are happy with the outcome of using hybrid seeds. Few of the farmers are still unaware about the benefits of using hybrid seeds which should be looked upon by both government, seed companies and other organizations in the field.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Socio-economic Aspects vis-àvis Agroforestry Practices in Ormanjhi Block of Ranchi District(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Shalini Kumari; A.K. ChakrabortyThe present study entitled “Studies on Socio-economic Aspects vis-à-vis Agroforestry Practices in Ormanjhi block of Ranchi District” was carried out during the year 2021-2022 for viewing the significance of agroforestry for socio-economic upliftment of rural household through agroforestry interventions. Through multi-stage randomized selections, 80 households of Ormanjhi block were surveyed on the basis of agroforestry practices and socio-economic aspects. The data were collected by personal interviews of the respondents through a structured interview schedule. Data on existing agroforestry practices were collected through field visit. Demographic details of the villages comprising details of the household’s family structure, age profile, land holding size, occupational profile, cropping pattern, monthly income from vegetables, and total annual income of respondents and willingness of farmers to grow trees on their farm in future were obtained and analyzed. Majority of respondents in the study area were of female population (51.18%) more than male population (48.82%). Maximum age class 30-40yrs (41.25%) followed by age class 40-50yrs (28.75%). Maximum 60% of respondent’s belong to small size family followed by 28% in medium size family. Most of them belong to Schedule tribe (65%) followed by 32.5% in backward caste. 50% respondents were observed as kuttcha house and 26.25% were mixed house type. Descending literacy status was found in order as primary to graduation, Matric (25%)>Intermediate (23.75)> Elementary (18.75)> Illiterate (17.5%)> Graduation (15%). Almost 56.25% households in the study area were engaged in farming which was the main source of livelihood. Further, 32.50% households were engaged in labor work. Maximum 71.25% of households having below 1 hectare land holding status in Ormanjhi block followed by 15% households having 1-2 hectare land. Agriculture (50%), Agroforestry (20%) and Agriculture with Horticulture having (18.75%) are the main land uses practices. Monthly income observed from vegetables Rs.2000-5000 (31.25%) of households followed by Rs.10000-20000(28.75%). Existing agroforestry practices by the respondents were trees on homesteads which is practiced by the maximum household, trees on fields bunds, silvipasture, silvihorticulture and trees scattered in agricultural fields (in between crops). Teak, Karanj, Sisso, Gamhar were the forest tree species observed on farmers lands. The finding of the present study suggests to carefully consider Socio-Economic factors while designing agroforestry models for the study area. Further, the farmers should practice fruit treebased agroforestry system such as, agri-horti-silviculture system, mixed farming (production of food, fodder, fuel on a small piece of land). The existing agroforestry practices also need improvement by incorporating fruit, fodder and timber trees as per farmer choice.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON CREDIT REQUIREMENT OF FARMERS IN LALGANJ BLOCK UNDER VAISHALI DISTRICT OF BIHAR(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Ankita Kumari; B.K. JhaAgriculture with its allied sectors is the largest sources of livelihoods in India. Over 50 per cent of its rural livelihoods still depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihoods, with 82 per cent of the farmers being small and marginal. Indian agriculture and allied sector broadly covers four activities, viz. Crop, livestock, forestry, and fisheries. To stimulate the productivity of these activities, the government of India has from time to time given policy thrusts which led to various agricultural revolutions. Collecting ideas and suggestions from the literature and relevant respondents, a study was planned on the topic “Studies on credit requirement of the farmers in Lalganj block under Vaishali district of Bihar with the specific objectives namely; to estimate the production, productivity and income of the respondents and to assess the credit requirement of the respondents. Lalganj block of Vaishali district of was purposively selected where APMAS was undertaking promotional activities. Fifteen farmers each from Madhusudan pakri, Manikpur pakri, Etwarpur sisaula and Laxminarayanpur were selected randomly, thereby, the sample constituted 60 respondents. Variables for the study included age, education, family type, family size, size of holding, occupation, income, credit sources, repayment period, which were measured with tests and indices developed. Production, productivity and income of the respondents were also calculated on the basis of the data provided by them. The findings indicated the dominance of middle aged (67 per cent) small farmers (33 per cent), educated up to high school (35 per cent), respondents with nuclear family (78 per cent), having mobile phones (61 per cent), having pucca houses (46 per cent). and annual income above one lakh (48 per cent). Farmers faced so many constraints in availing credit from institutional as well as non institutional sources because of the complex documentation process, higher interest rates, non availability on time and disbursement of inadequate amount.ThesisItem Open Access LONG TERM EFFECT OF INM ON NUTRIENT UTILIZATION AND SOIL ORGANIC CARBON STORAGE UNDER MAIZE-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Jaya Bharti; R.P. ManjhiMaize (Zea mays L.) - Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the third most important cropping system in India and is practiced on 1.8 million ha. It is also prevalent cropping system adopted in uplands of Jharkhand. Most of the farmers use only urea (N fertilizers) for crop cultivation and this fertilizer use pattern results in multiple nutrient deficiencies as well as promotes soil bankruptcy. Therefore, it is needed to maintain long term soil health and crop productivity in intensive cropping system through integrated use of nutrient sources. The present investigation was carried out during two consecutive years of 2020-21 and 2021-22 under the ongoing permanent manurial trial with the different nutrient management practices (inorganic & integrated nutrient management) under maize-wheat cropping system since 1983-84 at Birsa Agricultural University Farm, Kanke, Ranchi with the major objectives to study the sustainable crop productivity, energetic, economics, nutrient utilization, soil organic carbon storage of the maize-wheat cropping system. Experiment was laid out in RBD with 12 treatments replicated thrice. RDF for both component crop was @ 100:50:25 N: P2O5: K2O kg/ha. Crop varieties of maize (kharif) and wheat (rabi) were Suwan Composite 1 and K9107, respectively. Treatment details in maize-wheat cropping system were T1 : N0P0K0 - N0P0K0; T2 : 50% RDF -50% RDF; T3 : 50 % RDF -100% RDF; T4 : 75% RDF -75% RDF; T5 : 100% RDF -100% RDF; T6 : 50%N through FYM+ 50% RDF -100% RDF; T7 :25%N through FYM+ 75% RDF -75% RDF; T8 : 50%N through cut paddy straw+ 50% RDF -100% RDF; T9 : 25%N through cut paddy straw+ 75% RDF -75% RDF; T10 : 50%N through green Karanj leaves + 50% RDF -100% RDF; T11 : 25%N through green Karanj leaves + 75% RDF -75% RDF and T12 : Farmer’s Practice– urea @ 50kg /ha. Results reflected that INM treatment i.e. 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi produced maximum grain yield (4692 and 4796 kg/ha of maize and wheat, respectively) which were at par with application @ 25%N through FYM along with 75% RDF in kharif - only 75% RDF in rabi (4504 and 4553 kg/ha of maize and wheat, respectively) and 100% RDF use in each season. Yield attributing characters in maize namely, no. of grains/line (31.47), no. of grains/cob (394) and 1000 grain weight (331.24 g) and in wheat namely, effective tillers /m2 (362), no of grains/ear head (46), and 1000 grain weight (40.99 g) were maximum with the application of 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi. In system, maximum maize equivalent yield (9720 kg/ha), net return (₹. 127726.00) and B:C ratio (1.57) was recorded with the application of 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi which was statistically at par with the application of 25%N through FYM along with 75% RDF in kharif and 75% RDF in rabi (9277 kg/ha, ₹. 121887.00) & B:C ratio (1.55). Nutrient removal by the system was 188, 34 and 137 kg/ha for N, P and K and 6052, 1402 and 451 g/ha for Fe, Mn and Zn respectively with the application of 50% N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi. Translocation efficiency for N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Zn varied between 56-66%, 58-62%, 16- 21%, 12-19%, 37-46%, 40-48% in maize and 43-61%, 49-64%, 20-27%, 9-16%, 25-42%, 30-45% respectively in wheat. Internal utilization efficiency calculated based on grain yield and total nutrient uptake varied between 50 to 63, 257-308, 59-74 for N, P, K and 1.14- 1.63, 5.88-7.27, 19.26-22.42 for Fe, Mn and Zn respectively for maize-wheat cropping system. Application of 1 kg N, P and K will produce 50.88, 276.01 and 69.99 kg grain. Similarly, by application of 1 kg of Fe, Mn and Zn can produce 16q, 70q and 22 q of grain under maize-wheat cropping system. The values of maximum energy output (141331 and 245642 MJ/ha by grain and total biomass), energy-use-efficiency (739 and 1287 by grain and total biomass, respectively) and minimum value of specific energy (201.98 MJ/ton) was recorded with INM use i.e. 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi. Maximum soil organic carbon storage (12.38 Mg/ha) was observed with the application of 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi which was statistically at par with the application of 25%N through FYM along with 75% RDF in kharif - only 75% RDF in rabi (11.69 Mg/ha). Analysis of soil for physical and chemical properties of soil revealed that application of 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi improved soil pH (6.5), organic carbon (6.3 g/kg), available N (276.6 kg/ha), available P (92.8 kg/ha), available K (177.7 kg/ha), DTPA extractable Fe (19.6 ppm), Mn (17.9 ppm) and Zn (3.7 ppm) as compared to initial value of 6.5, 4.1, 255, 32.50, 195, 11.13, 18.65 and 3.85 respectively. Sustainability of maize-wheat cropping system was analyzed after 39th years (1983-2022) in continuous use of inorganic fertilizer and INM practices. INM practice @ 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi produced the highest Sustainable Yield Index (0.50) of the system. Further, data revealed that maximum (maize & wheat) yield was recorded by use of chemical fertilizer @100% RDF (each season) in initial 4 years. Thereafter for 12 years, INM use @ 25%N through FYM+ 75% RDF in kharif and 75% RDF in rabi yielded the maximum. But for the last 23 years (1999-2022), INM use @ 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi continued to produce the maximum (maize & wheat) yield.ThesisItem Open Access TILLAGE AND ORGANIC NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN FINGER MILLET – FRENCH BEAN CROPPING SYSTEM(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Sulochna; P. AlamThe growing population, consumption, and reduction in available land and other productive units are placing unprecedented pressure on the current agriculture and natural resources to meet the increasing food demand. Providing food for human under sustainable systems having a significant challenge in the developing world and is highly critical for alleviating poverty. To circumvent this challenge, farmers tended to overuse certain inputs such as chemical and practicing agricultural operation which in turn have already started deteriorating soil-plant-microbes environmental system. Nowadays, the most important challenge facing humanity is to conserve/sustain natural resources and also protecting the environment. In this regard, agricultural practices like tillage operations for conserving soil as well as using organic sources that improve soil quality and agricultural sustainability have received much attention by researchers and farmers. Moreover, the productivity of finger millet and french bean is very low in Jharkhand in comparison to national average. So, there is a scope to obtain higher yield levels by growing finger millet- french bean cropping system. Keeping these points in mind, an investigation entitled, “Tillage with organic nutrient management in finger millet-french bean cropping system” has been planned to carry out at Agronomical Research Farm, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand. A field experiment was conducted in split plot design with 4 main plots treatments, viz. CT-CT, CT-ZT, ZT-CT and ZT-ZT and 4 sub plots treatments, viz. 100% N through FYM, 100% N through VC, 50% N through FYM + 50% N through VC and 75% N through FYM + 25% N through VC. RDN for finger millet and french bean are 40 & 140 kg N/ha respectively. Crop varieties grown for finger millet (kharif) was BBM 10 and for french bean (rabi) was Swarna Priya. Results illustrated that growth parameters, yield attributes, yield and economics of finger millet were significantly influenced by different tillage practices and organic nutrient management. In finger millet, conventional tillage recorded maximum plant population/m2 at 15 DAS (32.18), no of tillers/m2 at harvest (121.15), LAI (2.65) at 90 DAS, dry matter accumulation/m2 (865.61 g/m2) at harvest, CGR (9.47 g/m2/day) at 90 DAS-maturity, yield attributes namely; effective tillers/m2 (112.96), number of fingers per ear (6.66), ear weight (6.59 g), 1000 grain weight (3.19 g), number of grains per ear (1085.26), grain yield (23.90 q/ha) and straw yield (38.85 q/ha), harvest index (37.92%), gross return (71263.26 ₹/ha), net return (33588.56 ₹/ha) production efficiency (19.20 kg/ha/day) and monetary efficiency (269.84 ₹/ha/day). While, B:C ratio (0.92) was maximum with zero tillage operation. Among, organic nutrient management 100% N through vermicompost reported highest plant population/m2 at 15 DAS (32.67), no of tillers/m2 at harvest (121.37), LAI (2.67) at 90 DAS, dry matter accumulation/m2 (873.36 g/m2) at harvest and CGR (9.67 g/m2/day) at 90 DAS-maturity, effective tillers/m2 (113.12), number of fingers/ear (6.76), ear weight (6.61 g), 1000 grain weight (3.24 g), number of grains per ear (1094.19), grain yield (24.25 q/ha), straw yield (38.93 q/ha), harvest index (38.32%), gross return (72270.41 ₹/ha), net return (33636.33 ₹/ha) production efficiency (19.48 kg/ha/day) and monetary efficiency (270.23 ₹/ha/day). But, B:C ratio (0.93) was maximum with 75% N through FYM + 25% N through VC. Likewise in case of french bean pod length (11.60 cm), no of pods/plant (10.34), pod fresh wt. (4.91 g), no of seeds/pod (6.84), 100 seed wt. (40.56 g), green pod yield (82.87 q/ha), haulm yield (102.04 q/ha), harvest index 44.71%), gross return (248602.50 ₹/ha), net return (154337.89 ₹/ha), production efficiency (85.44 kg/ha/day) and monetary efficiency (1591.40 ₹/ha/day) were found maximum with conventional tillage. In case of B:C ratio zero tillage reflected the highest value (1.72). The data in respect of organic nutrient management were found highest with 100% N through VC in pod length (11.62 cm), no of pods/plant (10.62), pod fresh wt. (5.00 g), no of seeds/pod (6.88), 100 seed wt. (40.69 g), green pod yield (88.91 q/ha), haulm yield (104.28 q/ha), harvest index 45.99%), gross return (₹/ha 266717.50), net return (₹/ha 163061.82), production efficiency (91.67 kg/ha/day) and monetary efficiency (1681.43 ₹/ha/day). 75% N through FYM + 25% N through VC resulted in higher B:C ratio (1.69). In system analysis of finger millet-french bean cropping system, conventional tillage – conventional tillage performed best with increased system gross return (319865.76 ₹/ha) and system net return (187926.45 ₹/ha). Whereas, B:C (1.45) ratio was maximum with treatment conventional tillage - zero tillage practice. Among different organic nutrient management, 100% N through VC gave highest system gross return (338987.91 ₹/ha) and system net return (196698.16 ₹/ha). However, B:C ratio was maximum (1.48) in 75% N through FYM + 25% N through VC. System production efficiency (104.65 kg/ha/day), system monetary efficiency (1861.24 ₹/ha/day) and system productivity (109.63 q/ha) were maximum in conventional tillage – conventional tillage. Further, 100% N through VC exhibited more system production efficiency (111.15 kg/ha/day), system monetary efficiency (1951.66 ₹/ha/day) and system productivity (116.22 q/ha). ZT-ZT improved the available N (247.05 kg/ha), available P (18.14 kg/ha), available K (197.86 kg/ha), OC (6.38 g/kg) and microbial population viz. bacteria (14.42 x 106 CFU/f soil), fungi (33.34 x 104 CFU/f soil) and actinomycetes (8.44 x 106 CFU/f soil). While, 100% N through FYM attributed the maximum available N (249.39 kg/ha), available P (18.18 kg/ha), available K (198.92 kg/ha), OC (6.41 g/kg) and microbial population namely; bacteria (14.45 x 106 CFU/f soil), fungi (33.44 x 104 CFU/f soil) and actinomycetes (8.46 x 106 CFU/f soil). Soil pH was maximum in conventional tillage – conventional tillage (5.82) as well as in 100% N through VC (5.84) organic source.ThesisItem Open Access SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES IN EASTERN REGION OF WEST SINGHBHUM DISTRICT, JHARKHAND(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Tanu Shree Lakra; M.S. MalikThe present study entitled “Socio-economic analysis of Agroforestry practices in Eastern region of West Singhbhum District, Jharkhand” was conducted with 320 randomly selected respondents in its four blocks during the year 2018-19. The selected blocks were Jaggnathpur, Khuntpani, Manjhari and Tonto. From each block 4 villages were selected and from each village, 20 respondents were selected by adopting random sampling procedure. Thus, the total sample consisted of 320 respondents for the study. A pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect the data from the respondents by personal interview method. Data were tabulated and analyzed by using statistical techniques like chi-square test, percentage, mean, standard deviation, correlation analysis, wherever suitable. Majority of farmers (60.93%) belonged to middle age group (35 to 50 years), (17.81%) of respondents were illiterates and (37.18%) had matric level education. The male respondents (83.43%) were dominant. Among the caste profile, (85.31%) are Schedule tribe followed by (9.37%) Schedule caste in the study area. Majority of respondents (88. 75%) belonged to nuclear family. The medium sizes of family were 68.43% followed by small family size i.e., 24.68%. 86.25% of the respondents had self-owned farm type. The majority of respondent had small size of land (87.18%). 87.81% had highest material status and 71.56% of farmers had medium farm power status (country plough). The annual income had highest through agriculture production (71.88%), followed by (15.93%) through agroforestry. About 33.75% of farmers had medium scientific orientation. The other motivation of respondents towards other factors were as follows; economic motivation (30.63%), achievement motivation (28.44%), risk orientation (67.81%) and credit orientation (73.75%). Almost 44.38% of farmers had high social participation and 40.31% had low mass media participation. The respondent had highest extension participation (70.63%), 19.38% had medium and 4.06% had low extension participation. About 45.93% of farmers had average perception followed by 17.50% and 5.93% had good and poor perception towards agroforestry. Considerable percentage of farmers (15.63%) had favorable attitude, while 14.37% had more and 8.75% had less favorable attitude towards agroforestry. Minority of farmers had adopted agroforestry, during the year 2018-19 and they are practicing agrisilvihorticultural system in half to one acre of cultivable land with the main purpose of meeting fuel wood demand. Majority were having mixed plantation depending on rainfall. Seedlings in the plantations were survived mainly due to timely planting of healthy seedlings and good maintenance by the farmers. The findings about the constraints faced by the farmers revealed that a large proportion of farmers (92.00%) had expressed no immediate returns from forest trees, lack of irrigation/water facility (88.00%), and lack of knowledge on package of practices (82.00%) as the major constraints. About 36.00% and 34.00% of farmers displeased with marketing facilities and less land holding respectively. Lack of interest in proper maintenance, animal menace and lack of extension services were viewed similarly as the main constraints by 21.00%, 19.00% and 16.00% of farmers respectively. A large majority of farmers suggested for supply of short duration tree species (93.00%) and irrigation facility (82.00%), while (67.00%) and (64.00%) of farmers suggested for adequate technical guidance and marketing facilities, respectively. A small proportion of farmers also suggested timely availability of seedlings (10.00%), provision to have bank loan facilities (14.00%) and compensation for the damage caused by wild animals (7.00%) for effective/full adoption of agroforestry. The study pointed out that there is a further scope for improvement in perception level as well as creating more favorable attitude of farmers towards agroforestry, extension functionaries and concerned organizations, which should intensify their efforts in increasing the perception level of farmers and also to build up the farmer’s attitude, more favorably towards agroforestry. In this regard, variables related to perception level and attitude could be advantageously manipulated in order to increase farmer’s perception as well as to mould their attitude in favorable manner. It was found that there was a big gap in full adoption of all recommended agroforestry practices. In order to bridge this, extension agency should further intensify the extension activities through use of appropriate extension teaching methods like demonstrations, training, panel discussion, meeting etc., to motivate them and adopt crucial practices such as fertilizer application, bio-fertilizer inoculation, pre-treatment of hard coated seeds, silvicultural management practices and tree harvesting techniques. Such educational approach would enable them to adopt recommended agroforestry practices and also helps to share the experiences and relevant information with fellow tribal farmers by having group discussion with the women in respective villages. The present study revealed that independent variables of the farmers namely education, agroforestry practices, annual income, scientific orientation, achievement motivation, economic motivation, risk orientation, credit orientation, social participation, mass media participation and extension participation had positive and significant association with dependent variables. Hence, the extension agency should give due consideration to these variables for better results of the developmental programmes in general and agroforestry programmes in particular. The study is a pioneering attempt to study the impact of agroforestry on farmers in a comprehensive way. Therefore, it is suggested that further investigation may be taken up in different region of the State with varying social, economic and ecological background. This will help to make valid and generalization regarding the impact of agroforestry, which could be of immense significance in replicating future development programmes. The independent variables included in the study could explain the variation in the level of perception, attitude and adoption, respectively. Hence, there is a need to identify and include more variables of personal, socio-economic, psychological and communication characteristics in the study area which influences the perception, attitude and adoption behavior of farmers.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF TRAINING PROGRAMME ORGANISED FOR AKMs (Aajeevika Krishak Mitras) UNDER JOHAR PROJECT OF JSLPS IN WEST SINGHBHUM DISTRICT OF JHARKHAND(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Saroj Kumar Gouda; Niraj KumarThe knowledge of the members of AKMs belonging to west singhbhum was assessed about the different management practices involved in farming like field preparation, seed rate, disease management, etc. As a result, the following conclusion was made: • The majority of the AKMs were middle aged (36-50 years); 38 percent of the AKMs were studied up to matriculation. So, the sample of AKMs might have better knowledge on crops. • Altogether the educational level of literate farmers was in descending order were primary school 48 percent, matriculation 38 percent, intermediate 12 percent, and graduation above 2 percent. • The majority of the AKMs had good knowledge of land preparation and the number of ploughings in the field before sowing. • This study concluded that AKMs of the Hatgamharia block had more knowledge in crop planning than other AKMs, whereas in the Jhinkpani block, the program was running successfully. • The majority of the AKMs, 96 percent, were unaware of seedlings preparation in polyhouse. • Most of the AKMs were unfamiliar with fertilizer management in plants. • Most of the 37 AKMs acquired their compost from their own land, while 6 AKMs depended on neighbours and 7 AKMs depended on the local market. • The vast majority of 96 percent of AKMs have used flood irrigation and are acquainted with irrigation time intervals in the field. • Most AKMs had less knowledge of disease management and insect pest control, and they did not know the proper treatment for the disease and pests, nor did they use the sticky trap in their field. • 72 percent of AKMs managed their weed manually. • The majority of the AKMs were not practising sorting, grading, and packaging vegetables. • AKMs have relatively less skills in seed treatment.ThesisItem Open Access STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY VNR SEEDS FOR PROMOTION OF HYBRID PADDY IN BALRAMPUR DISTRICT OF CHHATTISGARH(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Ravi Ranjan; Niraj Kumared to farmers. Major findings were that the farmers’ acceptance of hybrid seeds in different regions of Balrampur district of Chhattisgarh shows a positive indication of growth of the seed industry. Therefore, seed companies are looking in the state to open new markets to increase their share in seed sales. With enhanced productivity, hybrid paddy technology will enable farmers to get more yield from less land, it means crop diversification develop the new hybrid seeds and better quality of product in coastal area and shallow low lands. This technology will play a major role in significantly enhancing productivity of paddy in the country considering the greater scope of hybrid paddy marketing. Many private companies are looking forward to enter in this market with powerful marketing strategies. The major seed companies working in Chhattisgarh state are VNR SEEDS PVT. LTD., Syngenta, Pan seeds, Advanta, pioneer, Bayer, Dhanya, JK seeds. The study is confined to strategies adopted by VNR seeds for promotion of hybrid paddy in Chhattisgarh with the objectives to study on socio- economics profile of hybrid paddy growing and to evaluate the brand awareness and farmer preference and to study promotional strategies of VNR hybrid paddy seeds. Two blocks of Balrampur district namely Kusmi and Shankargarh were selected purposively as VNR seeds operate in the selected districts of Chhattisgarh and total respondents taken were 200. Altogether ten retailers were selected from farmer portal. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics mainly frequency and percentage and presented as tables, bar chats and pie-chats.ThesisItem Open Access STUDY ON MARKETING OF DRY LEAVES OF STEVIA [Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni] IN BOKARO DISTRICT OF JHARKHAND(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) SHAHNAZ PERWEEN; Pragyan KumariStevia rebaudiana Bertoni has been in use worldwide since ancient times, it is medicinally important plant native to Brazil and Paraguay. In India major Stevia growing states are Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, J & K, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh. A Study on Marketing of Dry Leaves of Stevia in Bokaro district of Jharkhand, during 2022-2023 was done under the Department of Centre for Agribusiness Management in Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand with objectives 1: To study the socio-economic profile of respondents in study area, 2: To identify different cost occurred / involved in purchasing to packaging of dry leaves stevia, 3: To analyze marketing cost, market margin, marketing efficiency, 4: To find out the constraints in marketing & adoption of stevia leaves. Study was conducted through JIVANBODH-AGROTECH in Bokaro, Jharkhand with the vision of enabling and empowering for the poor to access better livelihoods and to improve their standards of living and work towards social and economical empowerment for rural people specially for women’s. It has done agreement of 5 years for doing contract farming in 38.5 acre of lands with Krishna variety in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. The climatic condition and soil pH of Jharkhand is not found suitable for Stevia cultivation. The productivity of Stevia fresh leaves in Dhar district is 6-7 ton from 38.5-acre land per year. Four blocks from Bokaro district were selected and from each block, 3 villages were selected and 10 respondents from each village and 1 dealer were selected. The results obtained through survey and analysis indicated that 54 percent of the total respondents were living in a nuclear family and rest as joint family. Almost 79 percent respondents were literate and 21 percent were illiterate. Marginal farmers 52 percent followed by small famers 32 percent. Annual income comprises of 41 percent respondents with above 3 lakhs followed by 28 percent with 2-3 lakhs, 25 percent with 1-2 lakhs and rest 6 percent below 1 lakh income. Respondents involved in agriculture were 67 percent followed by other sectors 33 percent. Awareness regarding Stevia was 75 percent among respondents and basically source of information was kisan mela 12.5 percent followed by demonstration 10 percent. It had been observed that 42 percent respondents were having average knowledge about dry leaves Stevia and 21 percent with less knowledge. As resulted about 48 percent respondents said Stevia affordable as compare to other sugar free products and 42 percent respondents were satisfied with the demonstration given by the company and shows 34 percent just satisfaction level followed by 33 percent satisfied level, 24 percent highly satisfied with the Stevia leaves. Main reason for not adopting Stevia leaves were 20.83 percent fear of failure because people want quick result after its use. Total income generated from dry leaves Stevia was Rs. 79,200 from 50 Kg, total marketing cost paid was Rs. 51,350 and profit incurred was Rs. 27,850. Sales record by company was high during Covid period i.e., Rs. 19,80,000 in year 2021. Hence, market linkage and promotion of Stevia for specific demand with high efficiency needs to be addressed, companies should try to popularize their products through promotions and advertisement, with suitable modifications and intervention it could be out scaled for larger benefit of the society.
