Journal of Agricultural Extension Management
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Forecasting Cotton prices in Warangal District - an empirical analysis
Full text linkForecasting prices of agricultural commodities is important from the farmer\u27s point of view for making agriculture profitable. Domestic forecast of cotton prices in USA is expecting a slash of six per cent due to price support policies of the developing world especially India, according to a report from Texas Tech University\u27s, Cotton Economics Research Institute (CERI) (Darren Hudson, 2009). A periodic review of the dynamics of various local, national and international factors and their inclusion into the models for forecasting prices of various crops would help farmers in choosing crop plans and consequently in realizing remunerative prices for their produce. lsengildina-Massa et al (2009) developed a model which forecasted changes in the U.S. upland cotton farm price based on changes in U.S. cotton supply, changes in U.S. stocks-to-use ratio (S/U), changes in China\u27s net imports as a share of world consumption, selected farm policy parameters, and changes in the foreign supply of cotton. Cotton is one of the important commercial crops in India. India\u27s importance could be realized by its influence on world cotton prices as discussed above
Technological Impact on Productivity and Profitability in Mulberry Silk Cocoon Production
Full text linkIndia is the largest consumer of natural silk in the world and the demand for silk is consistently increasing in the country. As a result, the demand-supply gap is widening in mulberry raw silk. Hence, there is an urgent need to improve the production, productivity and quality of Indian silk for meeting the import substitute for domestic market and compete in the international market especially in the changing scenario of global trad
Farmers’ Attitude to Improved Soil and Water Conservation Practices in the Environs of Simen Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Full text linkIn the past, many soil and water conservation practices were introduced in Ethiopia. However, those technologies failed to win acceptance of the land users because of their limitations and constraints. Thu s, identification of constraints in relation to the adoption of soil and water conservation practices is of paramount importance. A study was undertaken in the environs of Si men Mountain National Park area of Amhara state to assess farmers\u27 attitude on the existing soil erosion and soil and water conservation and to identify alternative approaches and strategies to promote improved soil and water conservation technologies. The results of the study show that farmers\u27 level of perception on soil erosion and soil and water conservation is significantly related to adoption of soil and water conservation practices by the farmers. Incorporating farmers \u27 views in the design of physical works undertaken in soil and water conservation should be practiced as an alternative policy and strategy to promote improved soil and water conservation practices
Indebtedness of Farmer Suicide Victims in Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra
Full text linkThis paper examines aspects relating to the indebtedness issue of farmer suicide victims in Vidarbha. The paper discusses the indebtedness position of the victims\u27 households according to the credit sources; analyses the average outstanding debts across land holdings; distribution of the victims according to the amount of debt and sums up the indebtedness issue of farmer suicide victims of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra and policy implications. Results reveal that majority (98.50 per cent) of the victims were found indebted and 92.00 per cent were defaulters. Over 51.50 per cent of the victims, had outstanding debt of both institutional and non-institutional credit sources, whereas 47.00 per cent were having debt of only institutional sources. Institutional credit sources used by the selected victims to fulfill their credit needs include cooperative and commercial banks, while non-institutional credit sources include friends, relatives and money lenders
Applications of Social Network Analysis in Human Resource Development
Full text linkSocial network analysis (SNA) is a technique that focuses on identifying and comparing relationships within and between individuals, groups and systems in order to model the real world interactions at the heart of organizational knowledge and learning processes. SNA promises to add significantly to theory building in the field of Human Resource Development (HRD) by providing a methodological approach for improving empirical rigor of conducting research in organizational development, organizational learning, leadership development, training and development. Thus, SNA can play an important role in moving HRD forward. An attempt has been made here to project SNA as a methodology to approach, deal, analyze, plan issues related to HRD. Since HRD forms a vital component of extension management, SNA methodology gains strategic significance
Socio-psychological risk factors associated with Farmers\u27 suicides in Vidarbha
Full text linkA study was carried out during 2008-2009 in six suicide hit districts namely Yavatmal, Washim, Buldana, Akola, Amravati and Wardha of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra using exploratory research design. Respondents were the households of selected victims. A total of 200 victims were selected by proportionate method of random sampling. The sample covers 178 villages and 34 tehsils I talukas of six districts. The main objective of this study was to know the different socio-psychological risk factors associated with an individual victim externally within the last five years of suicide incidence. The study revealed that there were three common risk factors which coexisted with over two third of the deceased farmers , and these were increased indebtedness (94.00%), drop in economic status (84.50%) and hopelessness due to crop failure (78.50%) and these factors show the deteriorated economic condition of the deceased farmers. With 71 .50 per cent of the victims, 5 to JO risk/actors were associated. The path analysis reveals that the annual income contributed significantly in identified number of risk factors of suicide in terms of maximum negative direct effect and maximum negative indirect effect through other variables while socio-economic status indicated maximum negative total indirect effect on identified risk factors of suicide
Changing Roles in the Pursuit of Alternative Livelihoods among Maasai Agro-Pastoralists in Kenya
Full text linkThe Maasai, traditionally pastoralists, are increasingly pursuing agro-pastoralism as an alternative livelihood. Crop cultivation has introduced new activities and decision-making patterns to the households, which few studies have focused on. This study examines the changing roles of Maasai in their pursuit of alternative livelihoods. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. Data were collected through interviews, from 153 male and 87 female household heads Jn Narok North Sub-county, Kenya. The study found that more females than males were involved in planting, weeding and harvesting while more males were involved in marketing crop produce. Women\u27s involvement in marketing was higher than in pastoralism where they rarely participated. Men made most decisions on crop farming activities, although women\u27s involvement was substantial. The study concludes that agro-pastoralism has led to changed roles among Maasai men and women, and, women bore a heavier labour burden. Crop farming also led to empowerment and improved status of women due to their involvement in marketing, income generation and decision-making. The challenge for the extension service is to provide appropriate support to the Maasai agro-pastoralists in the face of their changing roles, so that they can successfully diversify their livelihoods for improved household food security and income
Factors Contributing to Organizational Job Stress among Dairy Scientists
Full text linkIn the Indian Council of Agricultural Research system, all the scientists, irrespective of their specialization are expected to devote their time and efforts in certain domains like research, teaching and extension; and in each of these perspectives; they may undergo some job stress. This study was conducted to measure and compare the level of organizational job stress among dairy scientists and to find out the factors responsible for organizational job stress. A total of 120 scientists, with a minimum five years of job experience were purposively selected. The level _of stress was found moderate. Scientists were found to be having slightly more amount of stress than other categories. Personal and organizational factors were found to be most important factors contributing to job stress with 44.47 per cent variance. The factors yielded when regressed with job stress, accounted for 57.80 per cent variance. Only social factors showed a positive and significant relation with stress
A Study on the Socio-Economic Status of the Fishery-Based Self-Help Groups in Jagatsinghpur, Odisha, India
Full text linkThe study was conducted in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha State on the status and performance of women’s Self-Help Groups in the fisheries sector. Two blocks i.e., Jagatsinghpur Sadar and Earsama, block were selected for the study. A survey and group discussions were conducted to interview 150 respondents from two Self Help Groups (SHGs) each. Despite the fact that majority of the women being illiterate, participation in Self Help Groups had a significant impact on their empowerment (30.85%). The effectiveness of each SHG’s Group Dynamics was measured using a 12-sub-dimension index called the Group Dynamics Effectiveness Index (GDEI), which included participation, influence and styles of influence, decision-making procedures, task functions, maintenance functions, group atmosphere, membership, feelings, norms, empathy, interpersonal trust, and SHG accomplishments. Therefore, it has been determined that the women’s SHGs in the study area have a greater influence and benefit their members socially and economically which indicates that the fisherwomen SHGs are doing well in exploring and repaying microloa
Strengthening Postharvest Technology Development and Improvement Through Feedback
Full text linkThis inquiry is predicated on the datum or truism that all technologies have a gap and or become obsolete at some point, and the utilization of passé technologies and methods predisposes the agricultural sector to underdevelopment. It investigates technological paucities and fixes for NSPRI technologies (NSPRI Smoking Kiln (NSK), Parabolicshaped Solar Dryer (PSSD), Ice Fish Box® (IFB®), Hermetic Steel Drum (HSD) and Ventilated Plastic Crate (VPC)) from the perspective of users of the technologies.The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using the in-person method as its feedback mechanism in 18 states across 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Data were obtained through interview schedules supplemented with key informant interviews while a multi-stage sampling procedure was employed in the selection of respondents. Firstly, eighteen (18) States where NSPRI postharvest technologies have been disseminated and adopted were purposively selected. Secondly, users of improved NSPRI postharvest technologies were selected from diverse locations within the states earlier selected. Nonprobabilistic techniques particularly snowballing were also employed at this stage. Frequencies, percentages, means and weighted averages were employed in the analysis of data components. Results showed that 70% of respondents have never provided feedback on NSPRI technologies. Executives of various associations was used by 45% of NSK users, 59% of IFB users, and 48% of VPC users to provide feedback while 43% of PSSD users and 40% of HSD users shared opinions through NSPRI extension staff. In general, there exists a strong (NSK: 94% PSSD: 95.2% IFB®: 91% HSD: 88.6% VPC: 74.5%) willingness to recommend technologies among respondents even as they provided positive feedback on use parameters and components of the technologies. However, respondents opined that the roller and chimney (NSK), durability of polypropylene cover (PSSD), draining of thawed ice (IFB®), and bolted ring (HSD) require improvement