Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology
Not a member yet
2852 research outputs found
Sort by
Assessing the Attitude of Farmers towards Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
No full textDigital technology innovations, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), have the potential to significantly benefit agriculture. Agriculture is increasingly being held accountable for ensuring food security and safety while also taking into account environmental concerns. AI in the agricultural sector has the potential to feed a continuously growing global population while also contributing to achieving the UN\u27s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This was the right time to analyse and explore the artificial intelligence in agriculture. The present study was conducted in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. The findings indicated that farmers had moderately favourable level of attitude towards AI in agriculture. Farmers had positive attitude towards AI in agriculture because AI-enabled systems make weather predictions, monitor agricultural sustainability, and assess farms for the presence of diseases or pests and undernourished plants using data like temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and sun radiation in conjunction with photographs taken by satellites and drones
Assessment of the Group Efficiency of the Farmers Producer Organization in the Old Alluvial Zone of Eastern India
No full textA Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) is a collective of farmers who join together to form an organization to improve their agricultural production and marketing efforts. This study investigates the group efficiency of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in the Malda District of West Bengal, focusing on factors influencing their performance and collaboration networks. The study was conducted from 2020 to 2022 in the old alluvial zone, the study used a combination of simple and purposive sampling methods to gather data from 90 respondents across 9 villages. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, and advanced tests like ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis, supported by factor analysis to identify efficiency drivers. Results highlight critical factors such as women’s participation, respect for opinions, and access to up-to-date information as pivotal for FPO effectiveness. Network analysis reveals stronger institutional collaborations in Group A compared to Groups B and C, underscoring their impact on group efficiency. Findings emphasize the importance of inclusive decision-making processes and supportive external networks for enhancing FPO performance in rural contexts
Constraints Faced by Farmers in Information Seeking in Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh
No full textThis research was conducted with the objective of studying the constraints faced in information seeking by farmers in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. A sample of 210 respondents was randomly selected, and data were collected through a structured and pre-tested interview schedule. The gathered data were analyzed and tabulated to identify constraints related to information seeking in the study area. The findings highlighted various challenges faced by farmers, including issues such as the absence of information in the local language, lack of training, financial constraints, limited educational qualifications, restricted access to computers and information sources, insufficient electricity and internet availability, infrastructure deficiencies, inadequate community facilities, disorganized social structures, and the presence of an inferiority feeling. The study underscores the multifaceted nature of status of constraints faced by the farmers of Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh regarding accessing sources of informatio
Benefits Availed and Constraints Faced by Beneficiaries of Jalasamrudhi, Project, Thiruvananthapuram
No full textThe study analysed the benefits availed and constraints faced by beneficiaries of Jalasamrudhi Project, Thiruvananthapuram. A systematic sampling technique was adopted for the data collection and information was collected from 80 beneficiaries of the project, thus making the total sample size 80. The farmers responded to the benefits availed and the constraints were ranked using Garrett ranking technique. The respondents benefitted from increase in ground water table level, market and non- market benefits. The major constraints faced by the beneficiaries were crop loss due to high speed wind, pests and climate change, followed by non-availability of inputs and non- availability of subsidy on time, lack of technical guidance. The primary suggestion from beneficiary farmers was to ensure continuity and follow-up, increase the project period from 5 to 10 years and ensure better infrastructure facilities to improve the effectiveness of the project
Evaluation of Soil Health Card Scheme on Productivity & Income Generation of Wheat in Kymore Plateau Region
No full textAn attempt has been made to analyze the impact of Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) on productivity, fertilizer consumption, and farmers’ income in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh. The data were gathered from 66 SHC holders, and the impact of SHC was assessed based on the farmers’ use of SHC. It was observed from the study that the majority of farmers have a positive opinion regarding SHCs. They were found to have reduced the use of urea, DAP and MOP and increased the SSP, and organic manure in cultivation of wheat after adoption of the SHC recommendations. Due to Soil Test Value (STV) based nutrient application net income increased by 9.38 per cent after adoption of SHC. The benefit-cost ratio revealed that for an investment of ₹ 1.00, an average SHC holder received a return of ₹ 1.98 in wheat cultivation. The SHC Scheme is highly beneficial to the farmers in terms of increasing crop production and farmer’s income. However, there is a need to generate awareness about the benefits of this Scheme in terms of cost saving through STV based nutrient application among the farmers and strengthen soil testing services / laboratories for a wider adoption of SHC recommendations
Erratic Rise in Tomato Prices, Status, Issues, Government Initiatives and Policy Suggestions to Manage the prices of Tomato and other Vegetables
No full textTomatoes, hold a paramount position in both Indian cuisine and the nation\u27s economy. The status of tomato area and production in India and in states show its importance in Indian economy. India is leading tomato producer in the world. In India, MP and Andhra Pradesh are the largest producer of tomato in India. The erratic weather conditions, pest attack and transport bottlenecks have raised the tomato prices in June to August 2023. In this regard, the paper is to analyze the status and issues in erratic rise in tomato prices, government initiatives and Policy suggestions to manage the prices of tomato and other vegetables. In the study, it is found that the number of reasons that has led to rise in prices starting from poor prices received for tomato for rabi crop, rise in temperature in May – June and to high rainfall in July end. Government has then initiated number of needed measures to support both producers and consumers from creating the awareness, purchase of produce from surplus areas and then distribution of produce in high price areas. To prevent the abnormal price situations in tomatoes or other vegetables, there is need of a multi-pronged approach involving both short-term relief and long-term strategies. As a policy suggestion, to combat such crisis in future, a collaborative effort and coordination required among government agencies, weather departments, agricultural experts, extension machinery and farmers themselves is essential
Impact of Integrated Agricultural Productivity Project on the Smallholder Beneficiaries in Mithapukur Upazila, Rangpur District of Bangladesh
No full textIn Bangladesh, plenty of development projects are assumed, though success of very few is evaluated. This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of Integrated Agricultural Productivity Project (IAPP) on the smallholder beneficiaries. The proportionate random sampling technique was used to select 90 smallholder beneficiaries from seven project villages implemented. Data were collected during 2018 to 2019 using a predesigned interview schedule. The perceived advantages of the project and the beneficiaries\u27 annual income change were utilized to assess the impact of the project on the smallholder beneficiaries. Majority (58.8%) of the smallholder project farmers were under young to middle age category, with literacy belonged to moderate family size, small farm category, average annual income of BDT 134989 and 227633 during before and after the project intervention, respectively. They showed moderate contact with the extension source (95.6%) and moderate organizational participation (64.5%). Benefits derived from different components of the project were caused change in the usages of different agricultural improved technologies by the beneficiaries. The technologies implemented were improved fish, crop, livestock and water technology. All technologies had statistically significant contributions to the beneficiaries. The changes were significant for all the cases, viz. improved fish technology (t=13.65), improved crop technology (t=24.36), improved livestock technology (t = 20.43) and improved water technology (t= 22.29). There was also significant change in annual income comparing before and after the project intervention. Major problems faced during the intervention of the project were poor coordination of activities followed by training, poor quality deliverables and inadequate supply of project incentives. It is recommended that the authority needs to consider necessary measures to sustain the tempo and resolve the problems experienced by the beneficiaries in the future interventions
Preservation of Biodiversity and Sustainability of Ecosystem
No full textSustainable agriculture and biodiversity have a significant impact on human well-being, ecological resilience, and food security. They are closely related aspects of the future of our planet.It promotes the stability and functioning of ecosystems, providing numerous ecosystem services vital for agriculture, including pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, and genetic resources for crop breeding. Biodiversity provides ecosystem services strengthening agricultural productivity and resilience. For instance, pollinators like bees and butterflies facilitate the reproduction of many crops, while natural predators help control pest populations, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Sustainable agriculture, on the other hand, seeks to meet current food needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. However, modern agricultural practices have often led to the degradation of ecosystems, loss of biodiversity, and the erosion of genetic diversity in crops and livestock. These problems have been exacerbated by deforestation, overuse of agrochemicals, and monocropping. In the long term these practices harm the environment and endanger food security by reducing the system\u27s ability to adapt to changing conditions. Sustainable agricultural practices, by enhancing farming methods such as crop rotation, agroforestry, and organic farming, can support and enhance biodiversity by preserving habitat diversity. Conservation of native species, implementation of agro-ecological practices, and support for small-scale farmers are important steps towards achieving a harmonious coexistence between agriculture and biodiversity. There is a need of collaboration across all sections of society from intergovernmental agreements down to local community action for tackling the biodiversity catastrophe. People may learn more about local ecosystems and develop a greater regard and appreciation for them by reestablishing a connection with nature and inspiring others to do the same. UNDP sustainable development goal-15 aims to protect the biodiversity by sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystem
A Review on Status and Influencing Factors of Agricultural Diversification in Bangladesh
No full textAgricultural diversification has been recognized as one of the important adaptation strategies for maintaining rural livelihoods, which enhances farm income, generates employment opportunities, and manages risk in agriculture. Despite the benefits of agricultural diversity, farmers’ decisions and influencing factors regarding agricultural diversification have not been well defined. This review article aims to measure the status and influencing factors of agricultural diversification in Bangladesh. The review revealed that progress in cereal foods (rice, wheat, and maize) production increased by1.75 times and non-cereal foods (potatoes, vegetables, fruits, pulse, oilseeds, spices, milk, meat, and fish) production increased by 4.75 times from 2000 to 2022. Moreover, the percentage of non-cereal foods consumption increased from 46.74% in 2000 to 65.92% in 2022. Crop diversification showed an upward trend during this period, while overall diversification in agriculture was an increasing trend with a fluctuating nature.
There are several factors influencing crop and non-crop diversification that were identified in this review article by using different statistical techniques like the Probit model, Tobit model, correlation co-efficient (r), multiple regression, etc. Among these, age, education, farm size with the number of plots, farming experience, family working members, availability of irrigated land, availability of hired labor, family income, farm assets & infrastructure, the share of non-agricultural income, access to markets, credit facility, training received, extension linkage, membership in social organizations, and participation of women in farming were the key factors that have a significant positive influence on agricultural diversification in Bangladesh. The findings of this article have significant implications for extension functionaries and other development workers to find a proper approach to motivate the farmers towards agricultural diversification and enhance the means of livelihood for farm households
Construction of Knowledge Test to Measure the Knowledge Level of the Millet Farmers of Bundelkhand Region, Uttar Pradesh, India
No full textKnowledge is the key to development and growth. It creates foundation for speedy adoption of agricultural innovations among the farmers. Millet being the most relevant crops of recent times, attracted farmers back to its cultivation. Extension systems initiated various programmes focusing on the increase in millet production and quality. Prior to this it is imperative to assess the knowledge level of the farmers about millet cultivation practices. With this background, the study was conducted to construct the knowledge test to determine the knowledge level of the Millet farmers in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. The steps viz. selection of items, item analysis and pre testing, calculation of difficulty index, discrimination index and point bi-serial correlation, final selection of the items and also testing its reliability and validity were followed to develop a standardized knowledge test. The final knowledge test retained 32 items out 50 raw items. The test was found to be significantly reliable and valid which was indicated by high significant value of reliability coefficient and content validity