Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology
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Constraints Faced by the Tribal Farmers in the Adoption of Ethno-medical Practices in Idukki District of Kerala
No full textThe study was conducted with the aim of identifying constrains faced by the tribal farmers in the adoption of ethno-medical practices. The study was carried out in the Idukki district of Kerala among the nine major tribal groups in all the eight blocks in the district, who were primary engaged in agriculture and allied occupations. The most essential constraints faced by the tribal farmers in adopting EMPs in the decreasing order of importance are it is time-consuming, challenging, and often dangerous to search for herbs in the forest and bushes, depletion of much of the trees and herbs from local medicine sources, the lack of standardization of EMPs and documentation, individualism prevents people from transmitting information to others, prescription variations such as the quantity and periodicity, inadequate recognition of the importance of EMPs on the broader (nonindigenous) community, no external funding to exercise these skills in new and demanding contexts generating public benefit, regressive government regulations, banning such practices as cannabis cultivation, illegal tree cutting, etc., less effective in large scale production, the younger generation has a distorted attitude towards using EMPs due to their education and exposure to modern training, too much or less rainfall and often drought, erratic or unreliable weather conditions, lack of chances of exposure to EMPs, it requires more time to deliver the desired results and the destruction of nutrient-rich staple food from mainstream community food
Identifying and Analysing Constraints in the Branded Rice Market: A Comprehensive Study of Stakeholders in Kerala, India
No full textThe study assessed the various constraints faced by the stakeholders in branded rice market in Kerala. These stakeholders include farmers, exporters, non-exporting private rice manufacturers, co-operative society, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. By examining the constraints across the branded rice market from production to consumption, the study aimed to identify the critical issues like, production constraints, procurement constraints, marketing constraints, institutional constraints export constraint and financial constraints. A sample of 30 farmers and one agent, five exporters and 10 non-exporters 20 wholesalers and 30 retailers and 120 consumers from Ernakulam and Palakkad districts were selected for the study.
The study identified the major problems faced by the stakeholders of branded rice market by using Garret’s ranking method. Farmers were facing difficulties in rice production due to high input costs, high labour costs and untimely availability of water. Delay in procurement from SUPPLYCO and adequate facilities for drying and cleaning compel them to sell their produce in the open market. There was a communication gap between institutions and farmers. Lack of transportation facilities, high maintenance cost of machinery and financial difficulties were the major constraints faced by PADDICO. High transportation cost, high international trade barriers and price volatility were the major constraints faced by private manufacturers of branded rice. Heavy documentation & procedures was the major constraint faced by exporters. Lack of demand of branded rice was the major constraint faced by resellers. High price was the major constraint faced by the consumers. The high cost of production faced by farmers can be reduced by improved mechanisation in the rice cultivation. The study also recommended the suggestions for the constraints of other market stakeholders of branded rice market
Vanishing Paddies: Tracing the Transformation of Rice Cultivation in Kerala, India
No full textThe study of rice cultivation in Kerala from 1957-58 to 2022-23 reveals a significant decline in the area under cultivation, dropping from 7.66 lakh ha to 1.91 lakh ha, driven by factors such as land conversion for non-agricultural purposes, labour shortages, and a shift to more profitable crops like rubber and coconut. Despite a notable increase in productivity from 1,188 kg/ha to 3,108 kg/ha, these gains were insufficient to offset the decline in area, leading to an overall reduction in production. Government interventions, including the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act of 2008, slowed the decline, but the trend persisted. The data for this study was collected from various government publications of the Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Kerala. The analysis employed several statistical tools, including structural break analysis, compound annual growth rates, the Cuddy-Della Valle instability index, and decomposition analysis, to examine the trends, stability, and factors affecting rice cultivation in Kerala. A district-wise analysis revealed notable regional disparities, with Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad experiencing the most significant declines in terms of the loss in total area under rice cultivation. Period-wise, the most severe reduction occurred during Period III (1996-97 to 2006-07), while Period IV (2007-08 to 2022-23) saw a more moderate decline due to policy efforts. Moving forward, policies need to focus on better land-use management, protection of paddy fields and wetlands, and economic incentives to sustain rice farming in Kerala
Attributes Required for Entrepreneurs of Self-Help Groups (SHGS) Involved in the Development of Microenterprises
No full textUnder the pathetic and uneasy conditions the rural poor face, microfinance activity acts as the saviour to redeem them from the clutches of poverty and unemployment. The present study was conducted to examine the influence of entrepreneurial attributes of members of SHGs in the effectiveness of microfinance services for agro-enterprise development by the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Kerala. The study was conducted in ex-post facto design, in the three purposively selected districts of the three zones of Kerala, namely, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Malappuram. The effectiveness of microfinance services was calculated individually from the scores obtained for each respondent and the average score of members in a group constituted the effectiveness score of the group. The independent samples t-test was employed to find out the significant difference in entrepreneurial characteristics score with the effectiveness of microfinance services. Also, a correlation analysis was performed between entrepreneurial characteristics and the effectiveness of microfinance services. The correlation analysis of the entrepreneurial characteristics of the SHG members and the effectiveness of microfinance services revealed that ‘achievement motivation’, ‘innovativeness’, ‘thrift tendency’, ‘strategic visioning’ and ‘internal locus of control’ were positively and significantly correlated with the effectiveness of microfinance services at one per cent level of significance, whereas ‘economic opportunism’ was positively and significantly correlated with the effectiveness of microfinance services at five per cent level of significance. The independent samples t-test revealed that the entrepreneurial abilities of the members of SHG largely influenced the effectiveness of microfinance services for agro-enterprise development rather than other factors like the nature of agro-enterprises which was usually selected through micro screening techniques. The study necessitates a severe need of the establishment of business schools for youth to develop their entrepreneurial traits as well as better governance, especially in the agro sector
Gender Dynamics and Economic Impacts: The Feminization of Indian Agriculture in India
No full textThe phenomenon known as feminization of agriculture, which emerged in India after privatisation, refers to a rise in the proportion of women employed in farming. But feminization does not inevitably result in empowerment because female workers receive lower wages than male workers. Gender discrimination, general bias against women, a lack of advancements in technology for women, limited control over resources, and limited market access are some of the barriers that prevent women from progressing in agriculture. The states with a greater number of people working in agriculture saw the smallest shifts in labour participation between men and women. As women become more involved in agriculture, they contribute significantly to household income and food production. This financial contribution can enhance their decision-making power within the family and community.As small-scale farmers contend with growing competition from larger agricultural operations, more men are migrating to urban centres in pursuit of higher-paying jobs. This leaves women responsible for sustaining the family structure and preserving the traditional small-scale farming way of life. As a result, there is rising concern over the disparity between women\u27s actual economic contributions and the public\u27s perception of them. The first step in feminising agriculture and empowering women is to recognise the obstacles that women face in the sector. There are two in particular that are closely related i.e. land and credit. It is imperative to implement policy initiatives and programmes that advance gender equality, facilitate access to resources and training, and foster positive social situations. Social mobilization, collective action, community education, and community-based marketing are necessary. The focus on women\u27s access to land and natural resources has the potential to greatly improve their capacity to produce and obtain food
Challenges Faced by Cashew Processing Industry in Kerala, India: The Perspective of the Firm Owners and the Labourers
No full textThe study aimed to identify and analyse the constraints faced by the cashew processing unit owners and labourers in Kerala, particularly in the district of Kollam were the cashew industry is prominent. A total of 40 cashew processing units were selected randomly, and three workers were chosen from each unit, resulting in a sample of 160 respondents. Information was gathered from both the unit owners and the workers regarding the major constraints they are facing in the cashew processing. These constraints were ranked using Garrett’s ranking technique. The high processing costs, competition from other cashew-producing nations, and difficulties in maintaining a steady supply of cashew kernels were the major constraints faced by the processing unit owners. While, irregular income, physical strain and health issues, and high debt burden were the important constraints reported by the cashew labourers. The findings highlighted the need to address the critical issues impacting the productivity and sustainability of the cashew industry in Kerala. This study provides valuable insights that can guide policymakers and stakeholders in developing targeted interventions to improve working conditions, financial stability, and operational efficiency in the cashew sector
Human Capital, Migration and Remittance in Developing Countries: A General Equilibrium Approach
No full textThe paper develops a three-sector model with Harris–Todaro type unemployment to examine the consequences of an increase of migrants’ human capital on remittance within a small open dual economy. By using indirect utility functions, the paper endogenizes the remittance. The theoretical analysis shows that an increase of human capital level of rural migrants increases their income, urban consumption and remittance, while its effect on the proportion of remittance in migrants’ income depends on the impact of remittance on agricultural production
Relationship between the Personal Characteristics of Teachers and their Extent of Utilization of Different ICT Tools
No full textICT has the ability to prepare learners for a rapidly changing world scenario. They may use ICT as a tool to identify, analyze, exchange and present information as per their need. The study was conducted in three purposively selected agricultural universities in Rajasthan. Three constituent colleges from each agriculture university were selected purposely on the basis of having maximum number of teachers and 60 per cent of teachers were selected from every college by using simple random sampling technique. The teachers of SKNAU, Jobner and their personal characteristics there were negative and significant relationship with age and annual income, negative and non-significant relationship with education, teaching experience and training, positive and significant relationship with time devoted to ICT in a day and achievement motivation and positive and non-significant relationship with accessibility to ICT tools, innovativeness and job commitment. In SKRAU Bikaner there were negative and significant relationship with age, annual income and teaching experience, negative and non-significant relationship with achievement motivation, positive and significant relationship with time devoted to ICT in a day and accessibility to ICT tools and positive and non-significant relationship with education, training, innovativeness and job commitment. Whereas, in MPUAT, Udaipur there were negative and significant relationship with age, teaching experience and annual income, negative and non-significant relationship with education, innovativeness and achievement motivation, positive and significant relationship with training, time devoted to ICT in a day and accessibility to ICT tools and positive and non-significant relationship with job commitment
Community Engagement in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Analysis at the Grassroots in Rural Tanzania: A Case of Visual Problem Appraisal for AIDS and Rural Development
No full textMissed grounded analysis of Human Immune Deficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Analysis (HIV/AIDS) at the grassroots level has led to the persistence of the pandemic in rural areas. This pseudo-experimental study aimed to explore the potentiality of Visual Problem Appraisal of AIDS and Rural Development (VPA A & RD) in supporting grassroots capacity to make informed choices through grounded analysis of the HIV/AIDS problem. Primary data were collected through VPA A & RD workshops, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews, physical visits and observations. The secretariat of Matombo Division Farmers Groups’ Local Network (MVIWATAMA) was involved directly in a strategic selection of 20 (14 males and six females) workshop participants from Kifindike, Tawa, Uponda, Kiswira and Konde villages. The collected data, narratives and observations were verified and compared with relevant literature for interpretation and interrelations. The tool was found to be useful in engaging, empowering and supporting small-scale farmers’ informed choices. In addition, findings indicate that the persistence of HIV/AIDS in rural areas is due to improper analysis of the problem and review of HIV/AIDS policy. The study, among other things, recommends the establishment of an HIV/AIDS policy working paper and the incorporation of VPA potential in Tanzania universities’ curricula to enhance critical thinking among graduates
Triple Problems of Nepalese Hills: Low Income, Migration and, Land Use Changes – One Possible Solution: Specialty Rice
No full textThe hills of Nepal face a complex triad of interrelated challenges: low income, outmigration, and land abandonment leading to aquifer desiccation, with low income serving as the precursor of this vicious cycle. The Nepalese hills harbor two significant yet underutilized potentials. First, the picturesque terraces, a legacy of preceding generations, are unfortunately abandoned and neglected. Second, these hills harbor diverse landrace varieties of rice, each with unique traits, though only a limited number among them have received the deserved recognition and fair market prices. This study seeks to identify and analyze these rice varieties, investigate their value chain, and conduct a comparative cost-benefit analysis against other rice varieties across Nepal to evaluate their economic feasibility. This study, conducted across 12 districts in Eastern Nepal, involved 12 focused group discussions with rice farmers, 200 individual interviews with rice farmers, as well as 10 individual interviews each with rice millers, agro vets, and rice traders. The research employed cost-benefit analysis as a tool to assess economic feasibility. The findings indicated that some of these rice varieties demonstrate a benefit-to-cost ratio ranging from two to four times higher than conventional rice varieties. The economic viability of most other varieties remains unknown as they have not yet been tested in the market. These findings present crucial insights for researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, and the private sector to further explore, act upon, facilitate, and invest in the untapped potential, aiming to break the vicious cycle and ensure increased income, reduced migration, and conservation of ecological and environmental resources