Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur

The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) was established on 12th June 1964 at Hyderabad. The University was formally inaugurated on 20th March 1965 by Late Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India. Another significant milestone was the inauguration of the building programme of the university by Late Smt. Indira Gandhi,the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India on 23rd June 1966. The University was renamed as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University on 7th November 1996 in honour and memory of an outstanding parliamentarian Acharya Nayukulu Gogineni Ranga, who rendered remarkable selfless service for the cause of farmers and is regarded as an outstanding educationist, kisan leader and freedom fighter. HISTORICAL MILESTONE Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) was established under the name of Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) on the 12th of June 1964 through the APAU Act 1963. Later, it was renamed as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University on the 7th of November, 1996 in honour and memory of the noted Parliamentarian and Kisan Leader, Acharya N. G. Ranga. At the verge of completion of Golden Jubilee Year of the ANGRAU, it has given birth to a new State Agricultural University namely Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University with the bifurcation of the state of Andhra Pradesh as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014. The ANGRAU at LAM, Guntur is serving the students and the farmers of 13 districts of new State of Andhra Pradesh with renewed interest and dedication. Genesis of ANGRAU in service of the farmers 1926: The Royal Commission emphasized the need for a strong research base for agricultural development in the country... 1949: The Radhakrishnan Commission (1949) on University Education led to the establishment of Rural Universities for the overall development of agriculture and rural life in the country... 1955: First Joint Indo-American Team studied the status and future needs of agricultural education in the country... 1960: Second Joint Indo-American Team (1960) headed by Dr. M. S. Randhawa, the then Vice-President of Indian Council of Agricultural Research recommended specifically the establishment of Farm Universities and spelt out the basic objectives of these Universities as Institutional Autonomy, inclusion of Agriculture, Veterinary / Animal Husbandry and Home Science, Integration of Teaching, Research and Extension... 1963: The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) Act enacted... June 12th 1964: Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) was established at Hyderabad with Shri. O. Pulla Reddi, I.C.S. (Retired) was the first founder Vice-Chancellor of the University... June 1964: Re-affilitation of Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Hyderabad (estt. in 1961, affiliated to Osmania University), Agricultural College, Bapatla (estt. in 1945, affiliated to Andhra University), Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, Tirupati and Andhra Veterinary College, Tirupati (estt. in 1961, affiliated to Sri Venkateswara University)... 20th March 1965: Formal inauguration of APAU by Late Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India... 1964-66: The report of the Second National Education Commission headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, Chairman of the University Grants Commission stressed the need for establishing at least one Agricultural University in each Indian State... 23, June 1966: Inauguration of the Administrative building of the university by Late Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India... July, 1966: Transfer of 41 Agricultural Research Stations, functioning under the Department of Agriculture... May, 1967: Transfer of Four Research Stations of the Animal Husbandry Department... 7th November 1996: Renaming of University as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University in honour and memory of an outstanding parliamentarian Acharya Nayukulu Gogineni Ranga... 15th July 2005: Establishment of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) bifurcating ANGRAU by Act 18 of 2005... 26th June 2007: Establishment of Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University (APHU) bifurcating ANGRAU by the Act 30 of 2007... 2nd June 2014 As per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014, ANGRAU is now... serving the students and the farmers of 13 districts of new State of Andhra Pradesh with renewed interest and dedication...

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Open Access
A STUDY ON IMPACT OF WATER USERS ASSOCIATIONS IN KRISHNA DELTA OF ANDHRA PRADESH
(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) MEENA, D; MUKUNDA RAO, B
The shortage of water has raised due to the unbalances between the precipitation distribution and population and improper management practices. This situation has resulted in the need of the collective efforts of the farmers, intellectuals and other stakeholders to ensure store and distribute the water as efficiently as lead to the sustainable development in both agricultural and industrial sectors, these call for participatory approaches. So the government of Andhra Pradesh has introduced the participatory irrigation management as ―The Andhra Pradesh Farmers Management of Irrigation Systems (APFMIS) Act‖ in 1997. The legal framework created out of the APFMIS Act resulted in creation of farmers‘ organizations at different levels of irrigation system like Water User Associations (WUA), Distributory Committee (DC) and Project Committee (PC). The main role of Water Users Associations is to regulate and distribute water within its command area. A study on Impact of Water Users Association in Krishna delta of Andhra Pradesh was carried out during 2016 by selecting 240 respondents from Krishna delta region on proportionate random basis for the study. The dependent variables considered were opinion, direct and indirect changes. The Ex-post facto research design was followed to conduct the study and the data was collected using pre-tested schedule then followed by interview schedule. For the purpose of statistical analysis appropriate statistical tools were used and interpreted the data. The profile of the respondents revealed that majority of the respondents were middle aged, educated up to high school, having 4-10ha of land holding, medium in extension contact, high social participation and trained. Majority of the respondents were medium in perceived workload, information and communication behaviour, depends on WUA members, friends, irrigation officials and mobile phones for getting information regarding WUAs. Coming to psychological characteristics majority of the respondents were under medium level of decision making, innovativeness, risk orientation, achievement motivation, management orientation and high level of economic orientation. xxi The major functions performed by the Project Committee, Distributory Committee and Water Users Associations were maintain an inventory of irrigation system, resolve disputes, organization of meetings, water budgeting, social audit, preparation and implementation of warabandhi schedule, monitoring the flow of irrigation. The opinion scale was constructed with 22 statements by using summated rating scale developed by Likert. Majority of the respondents were having favourable opinion towards WUAs. Majority of the respondents had strong favourable opinion towards performance of WUAs in terms of increased crop yield, helps in restoring the confidence of farmers in the irrigation system and there was a need for conducting technical training programmes, particularly on efficient and effective water application practices and their impacts on environment. The study also focused on the impact of water users associations in Krishna delta in terms of direct and indirect changes. Majority of the respondents had medium level of direct changes. Availability of sufficient irrigation, water during crop growth period, creation of employment, implementation of warabandhi system, rehabilitation of water courses, equidistribution of irrigation water among head, middle and tail-end farmers, reduction of conflicts among farmers, maintaining good relations with irrigation and revenue officials, practicing avenue plantation along the bunds of the canals, enhancement of yields of paddy, sugarcane, turmeric, maize and pulses, magnification of average income, introduction of less water use rice production technologies like Direct Sown Rice (DSR) were the major direct changes as perceived by the farmers due to implementation of WUAs. The study revealed a detailed analysis on indirect changes were majority of them had medium level of indirect changes. Mechanization, increased wage rates, enhancement of land values, positive change in attitude, improved land use pattern, increased knowledge on water use efficiency, less water theft, change in knowledge, increased credit needs, increased fish/aquaculture, change in social life, improved communication behaviour and increased personal empowerment, enhancement of availability of water, autonomy in decision making, conjunctive use of canal water, ground water and drain water, change in skill, decrease in migration of farmers and development of self respect. The chi square tests revealed that variables such as social participation, perceived workload, information and communication behaviour, cropping pattern, decision making, achievement motivation and management orientation showed significant association with the opinion of the respondents. In case of direct changes the variables such as source of information, information and communication behaviour, cropping pattern, decision making and innovativeness showed significant association with the direct changes. Regarding indirect changes the variables such as social participation, source of information, information and communication behaviour, cropping pattern, decision making, innovativeness, achievement motivation and management orientation showed significant association with the indirect changes. The major strengths of WUAs as expressed by the respondents were involvement of water users associations; good support from the irrigation department officials; sufficient water is available during crop season; increased crop yields. Regarding weaknesses as perceived by the respondents were expressed were allocation of insufficient funds; inadequate training facilities; inadequate maintenance of drains; xxii poor quality of works. The possible opportunities for the WUAs as perceived by the respondents were empowerment of farmers to manage irrigation system; facilitates the effective implementation of warabandhi schedule; resolution of disputes among farmers. The major challenges faced by WUAs as perceived by the respondents were management of aquatic weeds; equal distribution of water among head middle and tailend areas; improving the drainage networks. The prime strengths of WUAs as perceived by the irrigation officials were involvement of WUAs in water management; good support from irrigation department official; improved the efficiency and performance of irrigation systems; sufficient water is available during crop season; increase in social relations among farmers. The major weaknesses as perceived by the irrigation officials were allocation of insufficient funds; non involvement of members of WUA in management of water users associations; inadequate maintenance of drains. The opportunities as perceived by the irrigation officials were WUAs facilitates the effective implementation of warabandhi schedule; improved decision making based on local knowledge; empowerment of farmers to manage irrigation system. The major challenges faced by WUAs as perceived by the irrigation officials were improving the drainage networks; equal distribution of water among head middle and tail-end areas; weak institutional set up; development of friendly relationship among water users associations; Finally the hypothetical strategies were developed for the sustainability of water users associations based on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges (SWOC) perceptions in which Garrett ranking technique was followed for SWOC and other results obtained from the study. The government should release sufficient funds timely, regular monitoring should be done during construction of works, to motivate all the members by conducting more trainings and meetings, institutional set up for irrigation department, WUAs should get their share of funds from water tax collected by revenue department and irrigation officials should take proper action to enhance the strengths and opportunities and to resolve the weaknesses and challenges of water users associations. The suggestions offered through the study, if followed, there would be possibility of improving the efficiency of water users associations and thereby socioeconomic conditions of farmers of Krishna delta of Andhra Pradesh.
Open Access
AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION OF FARMERS TOWARDS SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME IN RAYALASEEMA REGION OF ANDHRA PRADESH
(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) LOKESH BABU, S; LAKSHMI, T
The present study entitled “Awareness and Perception of farmers towards Soil Health Card scheme in Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh”. The study intended to analyze the awareness and perception towards soil health card scheme with the objectives of analyzing awareness, perception, relationship between profile characteristics and awareness and perception, benefits, constraints and eliciting suggestions to overcome constraints in utilizing soil health cards. Ex-post facto research design was adopted in the present investigation. Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh state was selected purposively for the study. From Rayalaseema region Anantapuramu district was selected purposively based on the the per cent of achievement in distribution of soil health cards. Six mandals from Anantapuramu district were selected randomly by following lottery method of simple random sampling. Six mandals based on highest number of SHC holders viz., Raptadu, Kanekal, Tadipatri, Gudibanda, Dharmavaram, Gorantla were selected randomly by following lottery method of sampling. Two villages were selected from each of the 6 mandals by following simple random sampling thus making a total of 12 villages. From each village, 20 farmers who possessed soil health card were selected by following simple random sampling procedure, making a total of 240 SHC scheme farmers for the study. Data were collected from the selected SHC holders by using interview schedule developed for the study during the months of October 2018 to December 2018 in Anantapuramu district. Interview schedule consisted of three parts. The first part consisted of primary information of the respondent i.e., respondent number, name, village and mandal. The second part consisted of profile characteristics of the respondent and third part consisted of the dependent variable i.e., awareness and perception towards soil health card. Farmers were also asked to elicit the benefits and problems they faced in utilizing the soil health cards and were asked to give their suggestions which they think will improve the situations. The data were collected and recorded in free and frank atmosphere where the interviewer and interviewee had a good rapport. xv The findings with regard to the selected profile characteristics of the soil health card beneficiaries indicate that majority of the SHC beneficiaries were belonged to middle age, middle school education, nuclear family, medium farming experience, semi medium land holding medium annual income ,medium cropping intensity ,medium mass media exposure ,medium social participation ,medium extension contact ,medium scientific orientation, medium economic motivation, medium innovativeness, medium risk orientation, medium management orientation and medium achievement motivation. In the present study majority (67.92%) of the SHC holders had possessed medium level of awareness about soil health card scheme and 79.58 percent medium level of perception about soil health card scheme. In case of relationship between independent variables and awareness of farmers about soil health card scheme there was a positive and significant relationship of awareness about soil health card scheme with education, land holding , mass media exposure , social participation, extension contact, economic motivation, risk orientation and achievement motivation at one per cent level of probability where as cropping intensity ,scientific orientation, innovativeness and management orientation at five per cent level of probability. Age and annual income exhibited positive and non-significant relationship with awareness about soil health card scheme where as farming experience and family type exhibited negative and non-significant relationship with awareness about soil health card scheme. In case of relationship between independent variables and perception of farmers towards soil health card scheme there was a positive and significant relationship of perception towards soil health card scheme with education, land holding , mass media exposure, social participation, extension contact, scientific orientation, economic motivation, risk orientation ,innovativeness, management orientation and achievement motivation at one per cent level of probability where as cropping intensity at five per cent level of probability. Age and annual income exhibited positive and non-significant relationship with perception of farmers towards soil health card scheme where as farming experience and family type exhibited negative and non-significant relationship with perception of farmers towards soil health card scheme. The data related to benefits derived by utilizing soil health card by the SHC beneficiaries are as follows, the farmer can decide well which crops they should cultivate and which ones they should skip, SHC helps farmers to improve soil health and ultimately increase productivity, the farmer will always have updated data about their soil, the soil health card will help the farmers to get an idea on the crop-wise recommendations of nutrients and fertilizers required in each type of soil, reduces the over utilization of major nutrients (N,P,K) ,the government will also employ experts to help farmers in carrying out the corrective measures ,balanced application of fertilizers has increased ,soil health card portal enables SHC beneficiaries to get immediate data relating to their soil, the farmers are also given advice by the experts to improve the productivity of the crops and the necessary methods that have to be practiced in order to implement the changes and reduces the loss of fertilizers and soil pollution. Majority of SHC beneficiaries reported that difficult to calculate fertilizer dose on the basis of nutrient status of soil was the major constraint in utilizing soil health card scheme, received soil health cards after crop harvest, time gap between soil samples taken and issuing cards is too high ,collection of soil sample was not done in xvi presence of farmers ,lack of technical advice on method and time of fertilizer application, recommended fertilizers not available in adequate quantity in local market ,soil testing labs are located far away ,high price of fertilizers ,doubt on the quality and reliability of the information provided in the SHC, lack of training, unable to operate internet (access to soil health card portal) and irregularity of extension services. Majority of the farmers suggested that crop wise recommended dose of fertilizer should be given in the SHC ,soil sampling procedure should be done in presence of farmer ,SHC should be issued prior to crop season ,SHC should be issued prior to crop season, provide training for better understanding about content of soil health cards, farmer should be trained to take soil sample of his own soil ,soil testing laboratory should be established at taluka level with highly qualified staff ,government should provide subsidy on inputs used by farmers ,ensure availability of recommended fertilizers in the market, proper and timely agriculture extension services. The findings of this study revealed that majority of the SHC beneficiaries were of middle age and had moderate education level, who have vital role in crop production technology base on application of soil health card and hence, such type of farmers should be approached for training in shaping the favourable perception and attitude towards soil health card programme. The findings of this study would facilitate in knowing the existing level of awareness and perception of farmers towards soil health card scheme which will serve as a guideline to planners and extension agencies to understand whether soil health card scheme is considered by the farmers as useful programme or not. It will help them in planning and implementing efforts to develop favourable disposition towards soil health card scheme. Hence there is more responsibility on shoulders of government to involve all the stakeholders of soil health card scheme on a single platform to make the scheme successful.
Open Access
A STUDY ON WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH SELF HELP GROUPS IN ANDHRA PRADESH
(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) SIDDESWARI, G.K.; SATHYA GOPAL, P.V.
‘Woman’ is the key for success of any human being because of their excellent qualities such as hard-working nature, patience, cordial affiliation, convincing capacity, communication etc., in handling multifaceted activities. On the other hand women in rural areas are comparatively less educated, economically poor, confined to limited geographical boundaries and live under rigid structural constraints. Entrepreneurship is one of the prospective options to uplift rural women by generating self employment opportunities. The concept of Self Help Group (SHG) acts as a driving force for the rural women with the ultimate objective of converting household women as enterprising women and encouraging them to enter into entrepreneurial activities. But the rate of success is an issue to be thoroughly analysed to assess the performance and to identify the scope for strengthening the role of SHGs towards upliftment of rural women. So, it is necessary to study the status of women entrepreneurship achieved through SHGs followed by the entrepreneurial behaviour and profile characteristics of women entrepreneurs. Further, it is also mandatory to have an inventory of various types and scales of enterprises being run by the women entrepreneurs, their constraints in operating the enterprises so as to develop a strategy to improve the entrepreneurial culture among the rural women of SHGs. Ex post facto research design was followed in the present investigation. The investigation was carried out in three districts selected each from three regions viz., Chittoor (from Rayalaseema region), East Godavari (from Coastal region) and Srikakulam (from North Coastal region) were purposively selected based on the highest number of SHGs. Four mandals from each district, two villages from each mandal and one hamlet from each village were purposively selected based on the highest number of SHGs thus making a total of 12 xix mandals, 24 villages and 24 hamlets respectively. From each hamlet ten women entrepreneurs were selected from all the existing SHGs in that hamlet, by using simple random sampling procedure thus making a total of 240 women entrepreneurs as the sample of the study. The data were collected by personal interview method through a structured interview schedule and analyzed by employing suitable statistical methods. Seventeen independent variables and entrepreneurial behaviour as the dependent variable were identified for the study. The status of SHGs in terms of women entrepreneurship was assessed, out of 1,103 SHGs nearly two-fifth (38.53%) of the SHGs were having 11 to 15 years of existence and only 2.63 per cent of SHGs had more than 20 years of existence. More than two-fifth (43.79%) of the SHGs had savings of ` 50,001 – ` 1,00,000 and only 3.9 per cent with more than ` 2,00,000 savings. More than one-fourth (27.83%) of the SHGs have taken a loan amount of ` 10,00,001 – ` 15,00,000 and only 4.08 per cent with more than ` 25,00,000. Nearly two-third (60.60%) of the SHG members converted as women entrepreneurs and the remaining 39.4 per cent of the members have used SHG amount for other purposes. The ‘savings’ of the SHGs and ‘loan amount received’ by the SHGs have positively significant association with the ‘number of years of existence’ of SHGs. The results of the study shown that majority of the women entrepreneurs were in middle age, illiterates and completed high school education, medium level of experience in SHG, annual income, social participation, mass media exposure, extension contact, not received the training, medium level of innovativeness, decision making ability, achievement motivation, value orientation, management orientation, economic orientation, scientific orientation, risk orientation and credit orientation. A scale was constructed to measure the entrepreneurial behaviour of women entrepreneurs. Two-third (65.83%) of the women entrepreneurs were with neutral to highly unfavourable entrepreneurial behaviour. Only one-third (34.17%) of the women entrepreneurs had moderate to high entrepreneurial behaviour. About 63 types of enterprises being run by 240 entrepreneurs depending upon availability of natural resources and demand in the local area coming to a total of 286 enterprises. Provision shop (16.08%) was the main choice of the respondents, followed by Tailoring (13.29%), Dairy (6.99%), equal (4.55%) percentage with Small hotel/Tiffin centre and Sarees and dress materials/ Cloth business and Fancy shop (4.20%). One-third (33.22%) of the SHG members running the enterprise with an income range of ` 50,001-1,00,000. Only 0.70 per cent of the SHG members running the enterprise with an income range of ` 5,00,001 and above. More than half (56.99%) of the enterprises being run by the SHG women entrepreneurs were the primary sources of income for their family. There was a significant association between the types of enterprises and scale of enterprise. xx Correlation analysis revealed that education, annual income, social participation, mass media exposure, extension contact, training received, innovativeness, decision making ability, achievement motivation, value orientation, management orientation, economic orientation, scientific orientation, risk orientation and credit orientation had a positively significant relationship with the entrepreneurial behaviour of women entrepreneurs at 0.01 level of significance. The variable ‘experience in SHG’ was non significantly related with the entrepreneurial behaviour of women entrepreneurs, whereas age was negatively non significant with the entrepreneurial behaviour of women entrepreneurs. Multiple Linear Regression Analysis revealed that out of the 17 selected independent variables, mass media exposure, training received, decision making ability, management orientation and credit orientation had positively and significantly contributed to the most of the variation in entrepreneurial behaviour of SHG women entrepreneurs. Manifest changes through SHGs among women entrepreneurs will indicates the significant changes occurred among women entrepreneurs in the selected components viz., annual income, productive working days, monthly saving, monthly expenditure, debit status, employment generation, prevalence of bonded labour, dependency on local informal money lenders, social status, type of house, domestic assets, mode of transport, skills in paraprofessional work, awareness about institutional financial transactions, composition of diet, priority for children education, social recognition, communication network, access to credit and livestock assets after joining in SHG. The current entrepreneurial status viz., net income from the enterprise, employment generation, monthly saving, monthly expenditure, social recognition and skill in paraprofessional work were significantly associated with the entrepreneurial behaviour of women entrepreneurs. Whereas, debit status was non significantly associated with the entrepreneurial behaviour of women entrepreneurs. Three case studies of successful SHG women entrepreneurs were documented. The study highlights that, the prominent constraints expressed by women entrepreneurs, regarding personal and socio-psychological constraints, ‘Male dominance’; In case of financial constraints, ‘Inadequacy SHG loan amounts’; In case of technological constraints, ‘Lack of entrepreneurial training opportunities’; Regarding marketing constraints, ‘Stiff competition’, In case of infrastructure constraints, ‘Inadequate space & building’ were perceived as the major constraints by the majority of the women entrepreneurs. A suitable strategy was designed with seven steps, starting from ‘identification of potential women entrepreneurs from SHGs’ to ‘converting them as brand ambassadors for women entrepreneurship’. All the seven steps were integrated in such a way that each step will have a synergistic effect over the further steps. Critical events to be taken up in each step were clearly depicted starting from A to Z in such a way that the strategy would be more comprehensive covering all the dimensions of women entrepreneurship through SHGs.
Open Access
A STUDY ON INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES OF MAJOR CROPS IN RAYALASEEMA REGION OF ANDHRA PRADESH
(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) KRANTHI KUMARI, B; PRASAD, SV
The present study entitled “A study on indigenous agricultural practices of major crops in Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh”. The study intended to analyze the indigenous practices in agricultural crops with the objectives of documentation of the available Indigenous Agricultural Practices (IAPs) in the study area, analyzing their rationality, extent of adoption and the relationship between the profile characteristics of farmers with the extent of adoption. Ex-post facto research design was adopted in the present investigation. Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh state was selected purposively for the study. From Rayalaseema region two districts i.e. Anantpur and Kurnool were selected purposively based on the highest cultivated area. Three mandals were selected purposively, from each selected district based on the highest cultivated area. Thus a total of 6 mandals were selected from the two districts. Two villages were selected from each of the 6 mandals by following simple random sampling thus making a total of 12 villages. From each village, 15 farmers were selected by following simple random sampling procedure, thus making a total of 180 respondents who were cultivating three crops i.e. paddy, groundnut and red gram had been selected for the study. This study was conducted in three phases in two districts of rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. In this first phase maximum possible numbers of indigenous agricultural practices in major crops (paddy, groundnut and red gram) were collected through informal interviews with 90 experienced farmers. In the second phase, 133 IAPs applicable to 3 selected crops were judged for their rationality by scientists. During the third phase, extent of adoption of these 133 IAPs was studied with 180 farmer respondents through a structured interview schedule. The results of the study indicate that majority of the respondents were middle aged, illiterates, had semi-medium farm size, medium level of farming experience, family size, family income, extension contact, mass media exposure, innovativeness, xvi fatalism, social participation, achievement motivation, scientific orientation, economic orientation, market orientation and attitude towards indigenous agricultural practices. There were 133 IAPs identified and documented under three different sub components viz., crop production, crop protection and post harvest practices in three major crops. In paddy crop, a total of 68 IAPs were identified and documented out of which, 34 IAPs were documented in crop production followed by 27 practices in crop protection aspects and 7 in post harvest practices. In groundnut a total of 37 were documented, out of which 17 IAPs were documented in each crop production and crop protection and 3 were identified in post harvest aspects. In red gram, 12 IAPs were documented in crop production followed by 10 IAPs in post harvest practices and 6 in crop protection. Among 133 documented, 44 IAPs belonged to pest and disease management, 20 were related to post harvest management, 16 were related to seeds, sowing and planting, 9 were related to nutrient management, 8 IAPs were documented in each preparatory cultivation and varieties, 7 belonged to cropping system and the 6 IAPs were documented in each other plant protection management (wild boar, monkey, rat elephant bird control) and harvest aspects, 5 IAPs documented on seasonal aspects, 3 were in inter-cultivation and weed management and 1 was documented in water management. In paddy crop, 50 per cent of the farmers were medium adopters followed by 28.89 per cent were low adopter and 21.11 per cent of the farmers were high adopter category in paddy. In groundnut crop, 55.56 per cent of the farmers were medium category followed by low (30.56%) and high (13.88%) categories respectively. In red gram crop, 52.78 per cent of the farmers were medium category followed by low (33.33%) and high (13.89%) categories respectively. Out of 68 IAPs on paddy, 61 IAPs were found rational and 7 IAPs were found irrational. Among the 37 IAPs in groundnut, 35 IAPs were found rational and 2 IAPs were found irrational. Among the 28 IAPs on red gram, 25 IAPs were found rational and remaining 3 IAPs were found irrational. Out of 68 IAPs on paddy, more than 50 per cent of the respondents adopted 16 IAPs completely and 13 IAPs partially and 39 IAPs were not adopted by more than 50 per cent of the respondents. Out of the 37 IAPs on groundnut, more than 50 per cent of the respondents adopted 9 IAPs completely and 7 IAPs partially and 21 IAPs were not adopted by more than 50 per cent of the respondents. Out of the 28 IAPs on red gram, more than 50 per cent of the respondents adopted 8 IAPs completely and 4 IAPs partially and 16 IAPs were not adopted by more than 50 per cent of the respondents. The correlation analysis indicated that the profile characteristics of the respondents like age, farming experience, fatalism and attitude towards indigenous xvii agricultural practices were found positive and significant with the extent of adoption of indigenous agricultural practices. Whereas education, extension contact, innovativeness, achievement motivation, scientific orientation and economic orientation had negative and significant relationship with the extent of adoption of indigenous agricultural practices. Farm size, family income, social participation and market orientation exhibited positive and non-significant relationship and mass media contact exhibited negative and non significant relationship with the extent of adoption of indigenous agricultural practices. The step wise multiple regression analysis indicated that, out of the 16 independent variables, four variables viz., age, fatalism, attitude towards indigenous agricultural practices and extension contact were found to be the important variables in influencing the extent of adoption of IAPs to the tune of 66.69 per cent. Of these four variables, age, fatalism and attitude towards indigenous agricultural practices were found to influence positively and the extension contact negatively influenced the extent of adoption of indigenous agricultural practices. Problems expressed by the farmers were the preference for sophistication with much reliance on readymade inputs/products followed by farmers are not willing to take risk, IAPs requires more time for their adoption and lower economic status of the farmers and hence cannot wait for long term benefits. Suggestions elicited by the farmers were to make available necessary inputs and clear cut methods of implementation of IAP practices followed by to make IAP practices compatible with modern technologies to arrive at optimal solutions and to highlight the values and advantages of IAP practices and give propaganda for the same especially at fairs and gatherings. Strategy was developed for promotion of indigenous agricultural practices by blending with modern technologies. Blending of indigenous knowledge with modern scientific technologies is the need of the day to support sustainable development of agriculture and allied sector in our country. A consortium of sustainable technology development is to bring policy makers, administrators, farmers, researchers, extensionists and NGO representatives together in order to classify the identified problems and IAPs and blend the IAPs with modern technologies to solve the local problems for development of agriculture. The various institutions in our country has mentioned in the strategy play a major role in identification, collection, documentation and preservation, validation, up scaling and out scaling of the IAPs and giving acknowledgement to the knowledge generated in local system.
Open Access
A STUDY ON COMMUNICATION BEHAVIOUR OF EXTENSION PERSONNEL OF ANDHRA PRADESH
(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) PRAVEEN BABU, R; SIVANARAYANA, G
Communication plays very important role in effective implementation of rural development programmes and adoption of new technologies. It is only through communication, the external ideas and new technologies enter the communities. This entails the extension personnel to have thorough understanding of the communication process. Hence the communication behaviour of extension personnel of Andhra Pradesh was studied. The Communication behaviour of the extension personnel was broken into three main components namely information input behaviour, information processing behaviour and information output behaviour. The Department of Agriculture has a strong chain of human resources consisting of more than 2000 extension staff of field and supervisory cadre. At the District level the Department is headed by Joint Director of Agriculture and assisted by DDA's, ADA's and AO's at District, Division and Mandal levels respectively. The Divisional ADA is the head of the Agriculture division assisted by agricultural officers at the mandal level. There are 148 divisions in the state. In all, there 664 Rural and Urban mandals of the state at least one Agriculture Officer is working in each mandal. These AO's are assisted by few Agricultural Extension Officers at village level. The study was conducted in four districts of Andhra Pradesh during 2014. The respondents were selected by proportionate random sampling comprising 240 extension personnel. Considering communication behaviour and Attitude as dependent variables, the Scale was developed for attitude by using summated rating technique. The attitude scale comprised 22 statements. The study was conducted by following an Ex-Post-Facto Research Design. Data were collected by pre-tested instrument followed by personal interview method. Appropriate statistical procedures were employed to analyse and interpret the data. The detailed analysis of the profile characteristics of extension personnel indicated that majority of them were middle aged (75.40 %), 42.90 per cent are having only B.Sc. (Ag.) as qualification majority of them belonged to medium level of job experience (63.60%) , annual income (70.40%), training exposure (50.80%), perceived work load (67.10%), organisational climate (68.80%), job performance (42.40%), scientific orientation (39.20%), innovativeness (40.40%), achievement motivation (45.80%) and 52.90 per cent of the respondents were having high job satisfaction The various communication behaviour components were information input behaviour, information processing behaviour and information output behaviour . With regard to various components they possess, medium level of information input behaviour (65.83%), medium level of information processing behaviour (60.42%), medium level of information output behaviour (55.00%) and medium overall communication behaviour (41.30%) was observed. The detailed analysis of dependent variable attitude towards ICT's indicated that majority (61.60%) of the respondents had favourable attitude towards ICT's and principle component analysis revealed that five factors i.e. real time accessibility of ICT's , authencity of information of ICT's, data capture utility of ICT's, multiplier power of ICT's and empowering power of ICT's had explained the maximum variation (66.99%) in attitude towards ICT's. The computed correlation coefficient ‘r’ values of Age, Educational status, job experience, Annual income, Trainings exposure, Organizational climate and Job performance were found to have positive and significant relationship with communication behaviour at 0.05 level of probability. Perceived work load was negatively correlated with the dependent variable. The multiple regression equation with twelve selected independent variables put together contributed 86 per cent to the total variance in the communication behaviour; remaining 14 per cent was due to the extraneous effects of the variables. The variables such as Age, Educational status, job experience, Annual income, Trainings exposure, job satisfaction, Organizational climate and Job performance were found to have positive and significant relationship with attitude, perceived work load was negatively correlated with the dependent variable. Whereas, variables such as Scientific orientation and Achievement motivation were found to be positive and nonsignificant with the attitude of extension personnel towards ICT's.The multiple regression equation with twelve selected independent variables put together contributed 76 per cent to the total variance in the communication behaviour and remaining 24 per cent was due to the extraneous effects of the variables. Regarding the training in presentation skills the respondents had given first rank to effective preparation of presentation (I) followed by Combining different methods (II) Captions / illustrations .Regarding training related to visual aids, first rank was given to designing power point followed by designing flip/strip charts. The Major problems faced by extension personnel in information input are 'Lack of transports facilities to visit the farmer’s field' was given first rank and Regarding problems related to information processing that 'less resources for developing visual aids'. The major problems in information output behaviour are 'unfair Political interference in all activities'. Most( 85.83%) of the respondents anticipated that skilled staff should be employed in the agricultural department.
Open Access
ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND JOB PERFORMANCE OF RESEARCH AND EXTENSION SCIENTISTS IN ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2017) PRASANTHA KUMAR, T; Dr. B.VIJAYABHINANDANA
Different approaches to organizational effectiveness indicate that the achievement of organizational objectives efficiently is the outcome of organizational effectiveness. But it depends on the contribution of the individual employees, groups and the total organization. The System of State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) in India is one of the largest national agricultural research systems of the world. It has shouldered the responsibilities of research, education and extension in different fields of agriculture and allied discipline over decades. Approximately six thousands of scientists are employed under the ICAR and about twenty five thousands of scientists are working under the SAUs. Agricultural Research and Extension have a common objective of helping farmers. They are service agencies designed by the Government to help the farmers by generating appropriate technologies and transferring them into production recommendations – messages, so that the farmer adopt them in their farming to improve upon the production, income and living standards. The main objective of the study was to find out the perceived organizational effectiveness and job performance of research and extension scientists working in Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. An Ex-post- Facto research design was adopted for the present study. ANGRAU has been bifurcated into PJTSAU and ANGRAU on 2nd June, 2014. Being a native of A.P., the study was purposively conducted in ANGRAU, which is also situated in Guntur, A.P. Considering the objectives, organizational effectiveness and job performance were taken as dependent variables. The selected independent variables were educational qualification, professional experience, trainings received, attitude towards organization, organizational stress, organizational climate, achievement motivation, job involvement, job satisfaction and promotional avenues. Proportionate random sampling was followed by selecting as sample of 120 research scientists. Since the sample size of extension scientists (60 nos.) by following proportionate random sampling method was not getting, a complete enumeration of 60 extension scientists working in different extension units of university were taken in entire nine agro-climatic zones thus making a total of 180 respondents for this study who were having minimum five years of continuous experience in research and extension units spread over nine agro climatic zones of the state of Andhra Pradesh. A well structured questionnaire was constructed to meet the objectives of the present study. Before the instruments were used with the respondents the questionnaire was pre-tested with non-respondent research and extension scientists in Andhra Pradesh. The data collected through questionnaire were coded, categorized and filled into tables to facilitate interpretation of findings. The master table formed the basics for subsequent analysis. After subjecting the data to statistical analysis, the findings emerged out of the data were suitably interpreted objectively and necessary conclusions and inferences were drawn accordingly. It was found that half of the research and extension scientists belong to middle aged group (36-45 years) and had Ph.D degree (78.89%). The experience in the present position has upto 5 years (60.56%), 35 per cent of them had 6 to 10 years of overall experience. The study revealed there is a greater need for training in three major areas i.e., research, research project management and extension education. Majority of the scientists (46.67%) had undergone medium number of trainings in their entire service and very few of them had attended abroad trainings. Majority of the research and extension scientists were received 21 days training as it is mandatory for CAS promotion in the University. Majority of the selected scientists (45%) had the favourable attitude towards organization. Majority of them (54%) perceived high level of stress. About half of the scientists (52%) perceived the organization (ANGRAU) had good organizational effectiveness for the benefit of farmers. Regarding the organizational climate 41 per cent of the selected scientists agreed about their job clarity in terms of their job roles and responsibilities in the University. 45 per cent of them agreed that there is lot of scope in ANGRAU to work as teams. About 40 per cent agreed that the leadership of senior scientists in the University promote good superior-subordinate relationships and healthy climate among the scientists in the execution of tasks. 38 per cent of the scientists agreed that the University has a clear cut and transparent promotional policy and rewards in the University are based on individual performance and contribution. About 37 per cent of the scientists agreed that the scientists get demotivated due to lack of decision making ability. In case of communication, 40 per cent of the selected scientists disagree that there is inadequate communication in the University between the top management and scientists at all levels. The scientists of ANGRAU had high level of job involvement (44%). 79.00 per cent of them had high level of job satisfaction. 55.00 per cent of the scientists derived full satisfaction on their career advancement scheme (CAS) and direct selection. 52.00 per cent perceived the organization (ANGRAU) had good organizational effectiveness for the benefit of farmers.95.00 per cent of the farmers perceived Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University was ready to receive innovative ideas, technologies and welcome positive changes and accept new ideas. Regarding job performance of the scientists performed their job during the last five years was total number of research papers published in the international journals by the selected scientists was 735 (average 4), in national level journals was 1281 (average 7) and in state/regional level journals was 449 (average 2), 62 nos. of books were published as a first author and 81 books have been published as co-author and 23 nos. as co-editor. The selected scientists published 129 nos. of book chapters as first author, 75 nos. as co-author, 13 nos. of book chapters as co-editor. In case of edited volume, 11 nos. were published as first author, the same no. i.e., 11 as co-author and 20 nos. of the edited volumes published as co-editor. With regard to seminar proceedings 395 nos. as first author, 239 nos. as co-author and 49 nos. of seminar proceedings as co-editor. Number of technical bulletins published were 6008 and the popular articles were 3771 and that of conferences / seminar papers presented were 1118. Number of new crop varieties developed were 279, new farm implements were 36, number of new production technologies developed were 221, new protection technologies were 161, innovative extension methodologies were 119, new statistical models developed were 7 and that of patents obtained were 4. Number of externally funded projects completed were 210, number of research projects funded by the university were 887, internationally funded projects completed were 84, new projects developed were 120, paid up trials completed were 272 and money spent on projects was 284.9 lakhs. Revolving fund generated by the scientists was 264.2 lakhs, number of germplasm collected and conserved were 199, annual reports prepared were 595, number of university publications prepared were 227 and amount of service provided with related to production of seed was 294.2 tonnes. There were 252 students guided by the selected scientists during the last 5 years at M.Sc. (Ag). Level and the number of students guided at Ph.D level were 94. Number of training programmes conducted as course director were 128, as resource person were 5699, number of training manuals were 302, villages adopted were 600, farmers’ associations established were 957, extension leaflets printed were 8299, extension booklets were 2765, seed material distributed were 665 tonnes, on farm trials conducted 1917, front line demonstrations conducted were 2922, mini kits conducted were 3279, radio programmes given were 2513, TV programmes given were 3118, diagnostic surveys conducted were 9257, regional agricultural fairs organized/associated were 704, ICT models developed or practiced were 130, RAWEP batches organized were 437, group discussions conducted were 4321, exhibitions conducted were 852, kisan melas conducted were 515, field days conducted were 1564, campaigns conducted were 613 and the new formats designed for monitoring extension activities were 51. The international awards received by the scientists were 23, ICAR or other national awards were 57, state or university level awards were 92, district level awards were 114 and the awards by scientific professional societies were 58. Regarding professional recognition almost 95.00 per cent of the scientists (171 numbers) indicated that they were not occupied the honorary post of Chief Editor of any research journals; only 5.00 per cent of the scientists (9 numbers) had the post of the Chief Editor of the research journals. 87.78 per cent (158 numbers) of the selected scientists indicated that they were not editorial members of any research journal and it was found that 12.22 per cent (22 numbers) had editorial membership of research journals. 87.20 per cent (157 numbers) had no executive position and 12.78 per cent (23 numbers) had executive position with the professional societies. Regarding correlation analysis of independent variables with dependent variable, the variables namely attitude towards organization, organizational climate and organizational stress had positive and significant relationship with organizational effectiveness, while education, overall experience, trainings received and training needs of scientists, achievement motivation and job involvement showed non significant relationship with the organizational effectiveness. With regard to multiple linear regression analysis of independent variables with dependent variable (OE) organizational climate and job satisfaction were most important determinant of organizational effectiveness. It was most visible and tangible aspect that made variation in the organizational effectiveness as 1 per cent level of significance. The variable such as attitude towards organization, organizational climate, achievement motivation, job involvement, job satisfaction and perceived opinion of promotional avenues were most important determinant of job performance since it was most visible and tangible aspect that made variation in job performance as 1 per cent level of significance. The major constraints perceived by the scientists in the organization were lack of adequate supporting staff, followed by lack of avenues for higher training in abroad to improve skills. The main suggestion was felt in case of provision for a three months foundation course for newly recruited scientists as in the case of ICAR scientists. The other suggestion given by the scientists was formulation and implementation of transfer policy doing justification for all employees irrespective of recommendations/various pressures.

Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur

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