Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology
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Assessment of Compost and Oyster Mushroom Production from Cotton Stalks as an Additional Income to Cotton Farmers in Wardha District of Maharashtra, India
No full textA study was conducted in Wardha district of Maharashtra during the period 2016-18 to assess the impact of ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT) technology of compost and oyster mushroom cultivation using cotton stalks on bringing additional income to farmers. The villages selected for the study were Godavari, Tekoda, Palasgaon, Digras, Amgaon, Kadki and Pavnoor. The awareness was created among 145 cotton growers about these technologies in 2016, while 56 farmers were selected and given training in 2017 at the Ginning Training Centre (GTC), ICAR-CIRCOT, Nagpur. Data was collected from 50 respondents by the personal interview method to assess the impact of compost and oyster mushroom cultivation among the farmers. The results showed that the farmers were well aware of the advantages of compost and oyster mushroom cultivation for additional income generation. The farmers preferred to use compost in their own field than selling it owing to the enhancement of soil health and savings in the cost of cultivation. Mushroom cultivation was preferred by the farmers for its income generation. Farmers earn Rs. 1000-3000/- and Rs. 4000-6000/- per acre by utilizing the cotton stalks generated per acre for the production of compost and cultivation of oyster mushroom, respectively. The major constraints faced by the farmers were the unavailability of chipper machine, decomposer culture for composting and spawn for mushroom cultivation from private/other institutions other than government agencies. The other major constraints are the poor marketing channel and the lower participation of women in mushroom cultivation
Socio-economic Profiles of Maize Growers in Surguja District, Chhattisgarh, India
No full textThe present study was carried out in the Surguja district of Chhattisgarh state. Data were collected from 120 respondents from 8 selected villages. The results indicate that most of the respondents belonged to the middle age group, had a tribal category, had different level of education from primary to higher education level, were small size and had a joint family system, engaged in agriculture with labour activity, had an annual income and also the contribution of maize to their annual income was medium level, medium category of land ownership and large category of area under the maize cultivation, maize was the main commercial crop in wet and dry seasons, productivity of maize was medium level, low experience in cultivation, the majority of respondents consumed maize as flour/ bread, corn and animal/poultry feed, maximum respondents belonged in two or more organizations membership with moderate participation, Progressive farmers, Krishi Sangwari and RAEOs were major sources of technology information, tube wells were main source of irrigation, medium to a high level of knowledge of maize cultivation, regular available agricultural inputs, produce sold to local/outside traders, every respondents adopted the marketing channel as Producer-traders-wholesaler-retailer- consumer for their grain produce and did not adopt storage practice. The association of family size, occupation, annual income, land ownership, maize acreage, productivity, farming experience, knowledge of maize technology, marketing, education and source of irrigation were found positive and significantly correlated with the extent of adoption of maize technology. And remaining variables like the contribution of maize to their annual income, consumption pattern, social participation, extension agency contact, inputs availability and Storage practices were found nonsignificant association
Challenge Faced by Horticulturists in Orange Cultivation with Special Reference to Madhya Pradesh, India
No full textThe study was conducted in Madhya Pradesh to examine the factors limiting citrus production and challenges faced by orange growers in the Agar Malwa and Pandhurna districts. A total of 183 respondents were selected using a proportional stratified sampling approach. The findings revealed several critical challenges affecting citrus farmers, with pest and disease outbreaks being the most significant constraint, impacting yield and fruit quality (mean score 4.26). Second major challenge was inadequate subsidies (mean score 4.19), followed by climate change effects, including temperature fluctuations, frosts, and irregular rainfall (mean scores 3.96 and 3.89, respectively). Other concerns included the high cost and unavailability of disease-free rootstock, a shortage of trained labor, market fluctuations, and post-harvest losses. These issues highlight the need for targeted policy, extension and research interventions to enhance pest and disease management, improve access to disease-free rootstock. Additionally, there is a need for market stabilization mechanisms and strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on citrus farming
Economic Insights into Paper Sweet Making Units in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District, Andhra Pradesh, India
No full textThe present study examines the economics and constraints of paper sweet-making units in Atreyapuram Mandal of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District, Andhra Pradesh. Data were collected from 15 micro and 15 macro units using purposive random sampling. The economic analysis highlights the financial viability of these units, with both categories showing positive Net Present Value (NPV) and Benefit-Cost Ratios (BCR) exceeding one. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) stood at 51.19% for micro units and 67.98% for macro units, indicating substantial profitability. Macro units, benefiting from larger production capacities and investments, were more profitable than micro units.The break-even production level was 7,559.6 boxes for micro units and 7,598.7 boxes for macro units, with actual production levels averaging < 30,000 boxes and > 30,000 boxes, respectively. Despite their profitability, paper sweet-making units face challenges such as inconsistent raw material supply, labor shortages, inadequate credit access, and quality control issues. Marketing constraints, including seasonal demand fluctuations and low-profit margins, further hinder growth
Market Access through Cooperative Action: Insights from Shea Cooperatives in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana
No full textAims: The aim of this study is to investigate how cooperative activity in the shea business affects market access. Access to shea business market is fundamental for the success of shea production. Yet shea nuts pickers are not always able to provide the shea nuts because of the seasonal nature making ready market a challenge.
Place of Study: This study was conducted to assess market access through cooperative action: Insights from shea cooperatives in the Tamale metropolis.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was used in this study among study participants in the Tamale metropolis. Simple random sampling technique was applied to obtain a sample size of 384. The collected data was filled on cleared for completeness and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version (SPSS) 21.0 and Microsoft word excels 2013.
Results: From the results, 384 (100%) study participants indicated that cooperative assisted them to get access to market information about shea production. The results showed that, 84% study participants cited that being a member of the cooperative helped them to get ready market for shea nut/butter products. The results also showed that, the category of study participants and age were significantly associated with knowledge of factors that undermine the shea cooperatives from accessing markets (χ2=45.7, p=0.001; χ2=49.7, p=0.002) respectively. However, variables such as education and marital status respectively (χ2=10.3, p=0.10; χ2=10.5, p=0.14) were not statistically significant and had no association
Conclusion: The study concluded that, cooperatives had a positive effect on women access to shea market at the study setting. Among other things, the study recommends that, cooperative governance structures should be strengthened to enhance coordination, bulk marketing, and collective bargaining power for better market access
The Role of Advanced Biofuels in Promoting Energy Access and Economic Growth in Rural Areas
No full textThis paper examines the role of advanced biofuels in promoting energy access and economic growth in rural areas, with a focus on developing countries. Advanced biofuels, produced from non-food biomass sources such as agricultural residues, algae, and waste, have the potential to reduce rural energy poverty while creating economic opportunities. Through case studies of successful initiatives in countries like India and Brazil, this study highlights how decentralized biofuel production has improved energy access, created local employment, and enhanced agricultural value chains. Notable findings include the establishment of community-led biofuel plants that reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels and generated sustainable incomes for farmers by utilizing crop residues. The study also identifies key challenges such as limited infrastructure, access to financing, and policy support, while offering actionable recommendations to scale advanced biofuel adoption. Overall, advanced biofuels present a promising pathway to sustainable rural development by enhancing energy security, reducing environmental impact, and fostering economic growth
Emerging Trends in Livelihood Diversification in Rural Communities: A Bibliometric and Systematic Review
No full textLivelihood diversification has become an important avenue for rural people to build resilience, alleviate poverty, and adjust to socio-economic and environmental changes. The trend is part of a broader change in rural economies, in which diversification has become a way to spread risk, smooth incomes, and enhance well-being. This study examined the idea of Livelihood Diversification in Rural Communities by conducting a thorough Systematic Literature Review and bibliometric Analysis. This study uses a combined systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of 318 Scopus-indexed publications published between 2014 and 2024 to examine livelihood diversification in rural areas. VOSviewer and R-based Biblioshiny software were used to analyze the articles, which show a 5.07% yearly growth rate and an average of 19.08 citations per document. With 18,548 references, the collection demonstrated the depth of research in this area. One of the most important discoveries is that academics increasingly work together internationally; 37.74% of articles include international co-authorship. The research also emphasizes how the word "Climate Change" is becoming increasingly common in the literature, indicating the growing impact of climate change. Leading countries in the topic include the USA, Australia, and India; notable periodicals in this area include the Journal of Rural Studies, Sustainability (Switzerland), and Climate and Development. According to network analysis, "livelihood" is a key idea that is linked to concepts like "food security," "rural development," and "economic development." The study concluded that while much progress has been made in understanding diversification\u27s drivers, strategies, and outcomes, there are still key research gaps, particularly around the need to address the complexities of different rural contexts, the role of intersectional factors, and the long-term impacts of livelihood strategies. The project intends to use these insights to guide evidence-based policy actions that support equitable and sustainable development in rural regions. 
Exploring Farmers\u27 Awareness and Adoption of Soil Sampling Practices: A Survey in Fatehgarh Sahib District, Punjab, India
No full textSoil sampling is a vital practice for assessing soil health, nutrient levels, and fertility, contributing to informed decisions on fertilizer application and sustainable land management. Despite widespread awareness of its importance in agriculture, the adoption of soil sampling techniques remains limited in rural areas of Punjab, India. This study, conducted in Fatehgarh Sahib district, aims to assess farmers\u27 awareness, knowledge, and adoption of soil sampling practices. The survey was conducted in six villages, involving 60 farmers, with data collected through a structured questionnaire and a demonstration video on soil sampling techniques. The findings revealed that while 78.3% of farmers were aware of soil sampling, only 16.7% had actually implemented the practice on their farms. The study identified several barriers to adoption, including limited access to soil testing facilities, cost concerns, and lack of technical knowledge. However, after watching the educational video, 91.7% of farmers expressed their intention to adopt soil sampling in the future. The results suggest that awareness campaigns, subsidies, improved access to testing facilities, and hands-on training are crucial to increasing the adoption of soil sampling practices. This study highlights the importance of targeted education and support in fostering sustainable agricultural practices and improving soil health management in Punjab
Socio-Economic Impact of Poultry Farming in India: A Case Study of Rural Youth Farmers under Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture Project (ARYA)
No full textThe future of India\u27s agricultural advancement lies on its rural youth. Through its Agricultural Extension division, ICAR has implemented the Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) initiative through several recognized KVKs around the nation in an effort to sustain youth interest in agriculture and their sustainable livelihoods. This program has been implemented in five KVKs in Odisha. The current study was conducted in the Sambalpur District KVK in 2023–2024, where the ARYA project has been working on three enterprises: scientific horticulture nursery management, backyard poultry rearing, and mushroom production, with a horizontal spread of 400 rural youths. Following ARYA\u27s implementation, backyard poultry rearing produced the highest average production and net income out of the three businesses supported by the program. However, the firm that produced mushrooms had a higher benefit-cost ratio. The social profile of young people in rural areas was positively and significantly correlated with a number of economic performance metrics. A number of institutions came together to provide technical assistance to young people in rural areas as a result of the program\u27s execution. Under, ARYA project poultry farming is one of the primary features chosen for the present study. With this perspective, the present study has been carried out to know the attitude of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of ARYA project towards chicken farming. A scale including 24 statements was created using the Likert approach to gauge attitude. Out all the technologies used in chicken farming, 12 positive and 12 negative comments were chosen and structured appropriately. The "t" values from the item analysis were used to pretest and choose the assertions. Researchers and policymakers involved in poultry farming may find the attitude scale helpful
Index Approach and Livelihood Security of Small Scale Buffalo Farmers in Prakasam District of Andhra Pradesh, India
No full textThe research aims to study the livelihood security status of buffalo farmers in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. The information collected through direct interview using pretested structured interview schedule. A Total number of 120 buffalo farmers who possess at least two milch animals were selected from six villages using purposive and multi-stage random sampling. A composite of livelihood security index was developed for the study. The index values were further analyzed and categorized in to high, medium and low using appropriate statistical operations. The different dimensions of livelihood security studied were food, economic, livestock farming, social, institutional and environmental security. The food security (78.10%) was in better situation as compared to others and environmental security (31.20%) was in most vulnerable situation. The study inferred that most (40.80%) of the buffalo farmers were in medium livelihood security situation and the trend is towards better livelihood in the study area.