3 research outputs found
Understanding the Information Network among Farmers through Content Analysis of Farmers’ Facebook Groups
Full text linkFacebook groups have emerged as a powerful tool for connecting individuals with shared interests, and the agriculture sector is no exception. Examining the significance of Facebook’s involvement in agricultural extension within India is essential because of the nation’s significant agricultural industry, growing digital presence, and the necessity for prompt and precise information distribution. This research aims to investigate the origins of the Bengali Facebook groups, the profiles of members and administrators, and the manner in which information is shared through posts within these groups. The study also seeks to delve into the broad themes of these posts and their specific focus on agricultural topics, including general agriculture, identification of plant diseases, crop varieties, recommended practices, and more. Furthermore, this study analyses the content of posts concerning agricultural operations, implements, agricultural products, and livestock. Out of 995 Facebook groups, 84 core agricultural groups and 24 Bengali groups were purposively sampled. Among the 1442 posts, 206 were screened randomly for the study. Results revealed that 50 percent of these groups emerged during the lockdown period and the most discussed agricultural operation in these groups was ‘plant protection measures’ . The study suggests that Facebook groups should be mainstreamed by public and private extension agencies to reach even those farmers with low levels of formal education
Traditional knowledge of agriculture in Bengali folk songs
No full text346-352India is a rich repository of cultural heritage and diversity, with a significant portion consisting of traditional folk songs.
West Bengal has no exception and has got a wide variety of folk songs in every district of the state. This research has been
conducted to identify the folk song relevant to agriculture and farmer’s livelihood by understanding the contents with
respect to themes. Emphasis has been rendered to explore the agricultural messages implied in the folk songs and to delve
into any possibility to employ the folk songs as a tool for transfer of agricultural technologies. The research has been
conducted by creating a compendium of the Bengali folk songs related to agriculture with experts’ assistance. These songs
were analyzed by applying content analysis and represented in tabular forms depicting knowledge items with quantification.
Since folk songs relevant to agriculture were considered, most of the songs belonged to the category of Karmasangeet (work
song), followed by Tusu, Bhadu, Mahipal, Mecheni and others. Some of the songs carry traditional agricultural knowledge
on cropping sequence, intercultural operation, plant protection, planting times, etc. Folk songs, whose primary idea was born
to express the inner state of mind and break the monotony, can also be used for transforming the tacit knowledge into
explicit one. Agricultural Extension, as a discipline, can very well employ the traditional folk media to impregnate the
remotest of Indian villages with new technologies keeping intact the entertainment component
Traditional knowledge of agriculture in Bengali folk songs
Full text linkIndia is a rich repository of cultural heritage and diversity, with a significant portion consisting of traditional folk songs. West Bengal has no exception and has got a wide variety of folk songs in every district of the state. This research has been conducted to identify the folk song relevant to agriculture and farmer’s livelihood by understanding the contents with respect to themes. Emphasis has been rendered to explore the agricultural messages implied in the folk songs and to delve into any possibility to employ the folk songs as a tool for transfer of agricultural technologies. The research has been conducted by creating a compendium of the Bengali folk songs related to agriculture with experts’ assistance. These songs were analyzed by applying content analysis and represented in tabular forms depicting knowledge items with quantification. Since folk songs relevant to agriculture were considered, most of the songs belonged to the category of Karmasangeet (work song), followed by Tusu, Bhadu, Mahipal, Mecheni and others. Some of the songs carry traditional agricultural knowledge on cropping sequence, intercultural operation, plant protection, planting times, etc. Folk songs, whose primary idea was born to express the inner state of mind and break the monotony, can also be used for transforming the tacit knowledge into explicit one. Agricultural Extension, as a discipline, can very well employ the traditional folk media to impregnate the remotest of Indian villages with new technologies keeping intact the entertainment component.
