As such, world wide there is a strong feeling that the solution of problems of conventional farming now lies in organic farming. The organic farming has been designated for creating ecofriendly and pollution free environment. This generates ecological balance and microenvironment suitable for sound health and growth of soil micro flora, plants, animals and human beings who consume farm products. Today, India has significant strengths in selected tropical organic produce in world market and its contribution reaches up to 20 million US $. Notwithstanding the growing opportunities in this field, there has been little effort in research front regarding socio-economic status of organic farming followers. There is an urgent need to create a data base on various aspects of organic farming followers in order to reorient the research agenda and train extension and development workers in organic farming. Therefore, the present study was undertaken with following objectives.

A critical analysis of socio-economic status of organic farming followers of south gujarat

As a very common feature of fish marketing, small-scale fisheries in tropical countries suffers from huge post-harvest loss every year. A method was proposed to quantify the post-harvest quality loss of wet fish using sensory based assessment tool. The assessments were conducted on four fish species (rohu Labeo rohita; Ilish Tenualosa ilisha, catfish Pangasius sutchi and tilapia Oreochromis niloticus) in different steps of major distribution channels in Bangladesh for a year. Sensory quality defect point data were standardized with corresponding biochemical and microbiological quality parameters through interval estimate based on regression analysis, where a “near to actual” sensory quality breaking point was found to be DP 3.3. High value of goodness of fit 2 R indicated a highly fitted regression model for all the fishes tested, with highly significant (p<0.01) estimated regression coefficients. Percent quality loss of fish at each step of distribution channel was determined using DP 3.3, constructing a (1-α) confidence interval for average percentage of defective fish. The loss assessment study indicated that fish did not lose quality during handling by the fishermen, and fish farmers or at landing centers and primary fish markets, except fresh T. ilisha destined for consumer market. While, T. ilisha used for salting during glut catch suffered substantial loss. Most of the quality losses were initiated at the transporters and commission agents, from 4% in P. sutchi to 11% in O. niloticus. When fish come to retailers, a 16% loss was recognized in L. rohita and O. niloticus, but 7% in P. sutchi and 9% in T. ilisha. Higher loss was observed in fish vendors, from 10% - 19%. Considering the retailers as the end-point stake in the fish distribution chain, study revealed the range of fish quality loss was 7-16% in four major consumed species in Bangladesh. The method was further validated in assessing the quality of 24 other major commercial fish species in different seasons and locations country-wide for two consecutive years and found identical results. The results suggest that the new method can be applied to any fish in quantifying the qualitative loss. SAARC J. Agri., 13(1): 75-89 (2015)

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Assessment of post harvest loss of wet fish: a novel approach based on sensory indicator assessment

Shrimp farming in India has developed at an uneven pace since export-oriented production began in the early 1990s. The introduction of Penaeus vannamei in 2009 along with disease-related production declines in competing Asian nations has led to a remarkable expansion in recent years. It is clear that the long-term success of Indian shrimp farming will continue to rely on the widespread adoption of Better Management Practices (BMPs). A two-round stakeholder Delphi survey was conducted in 2012 to elicit views and build consensus on the relative importance of a comprehensive set of BMPs covering most aspects of shrimp farming production. While the vast majority of BMPs were considered important, respondents placed greater emphasis on those BMPs aimed at improving production efficiency. Also, BMPs focused on overall outcomes were ranked higher than those placing specific restrictions on input usage. Results also yielded interesting policy implications on BMPs that are yet to be widely adopted such as distance...

Building consensus for sustainable development in aquaculture: a delphi study of better management practices for shrimp farming in india

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) is one of the vastly cultivated oilseed crops in the world as it is cultivated in more than 100 countries and that is why it is referred to as a universal crop. India has largest area under groundnut (7.6 million hectares) in the world comprising 30 per cent of global area and 22 per cent (7.8 million tonnes) of world’s production. In India, Gujarat is the leading State in groundnut cultivation in both area and production with 1.86 million hectares and 2.57 million tonnes, respectively. Groundnut cultivation in Gujarat predominantly concentrated in Saurashtra region. Groundnut is cultivated across the region on 1.64 million hectares of land with output of 2.25 million tones nut in shell. North Saurashtra region of Gujarat state has 1.14 million hectares under groundnut and produces 1.44 million tonnes nut in shell with an average yield of 1327 kg/ha which is less than the average of South Saurashtra region i.e. 1762 kg/ha. There is a wide scope to enhance the groundnut production per unit area. However, the productivity of groundnut crop is low, because majority of groundnut growers do not know and adopt recommended groundnut production technology. The perception of farmers plays a crucial role in adoption of groundnut production technology. Generally the groundnut cultivation in this region is affected by inadequate, uncertain and erratic rainfall, infestation by pest and diseases, and losses during post harvest operations. In addition to these factors, the level of perception, extent of adoption and a range of personal, socio-economic, psychological and extension communication factors are also important which influence the groundnut production in the study area. Hence, it is worthwhile to assess the level of Perception of the farmers about groundnut production technology and factors which hindering the adoption. Keeping this in view, a study entitled “Farmers’ Perception and Adoption of groundnut production Technology” was undertaken with the following objectives: 1. To develop and standardize a scale to measure the farmers’ Perception of groundnut production technology. 2. To assess the farmers’ perception of groundnut production technology. 3. To assess the farmers’ adoption of groundnut production technology. 4. To study the profile of groundnut growers of Jamnagar and Rajkot districts of North Saurashtra Agro climatic Zone. 5. To ascertain the relationship between perception and adoption of groundnut growers and their profile. 6. To know the extent of variation of selected independent variables on the perception and adoption of groundnut growers. 7. To elicit the constraints in adoption of improved groundnut production technology faced by groundnut growers and to seek their suggestions to overcome the same. In order to realize the objectives of the study 180 farmers were selected from 15 villages of 6 talukas of Jamnagar and Rajkot districts of north Saurashtra agro climatic zone by employing purposive, proportionate and multi-stage random sampling technique. In this study, the dependent variables (perception and adoption) and independent variables (age, education, farm size, herd size, annual income, groundnut crop intensity, groundnut yield Index, irrigation potentiality, farm mechanization, social participation, innovativeness, risk orientation, achievement motivation, attitude towards modern agriculture, mass media exposure, extension participation and participation in training) were selected based on review of literature and consultation with the experts. Perception scale was developed and standardized for measurement of perception of groundnut production technology. The extent of adoption of groundnut growers was measured by developing the teacher made scales. The selected independent variables were measured either with the help of scales developed by other researchers or structured schedules developed for the purpose. The data were collected by personal interview method with the help of structured interview schedule. The data so collected were coded, classified, tabulated and analyzed in order to make meaningful conclusions as under; Majority of the groundnut growers were in middle aged, medium level of education, medium farm size, medium herd size, medium annual income, medium groundnut crop intensity, medium groundnut yield index, medium irrigation potentiality, medium farm mechanization, medium social participation, medium innovativeness, medium risk orientation, medium achievement motivation, medium attitude towards modern agriculture, medium mass media exposure, medium extension participation, medium participation in training, medium perception and medium adoption. The majority of farmers (66.67 percent) were in medium perception category followed by high (22.00 percent) and low (13.33 percent) perception category respectively. Farmers perceived production technology as an important aspect of groundnut cultivation. Majority of the groundnut growers (64.44 per cent) were medium adopters of the groundnut cultivation practices. Whereas, 18.89 per cent were low and 16.67 per cent were high adopters of the groundnut production technology. The cent percent of the farmers adopted threshing after proper drying with thresher by selection of variety, keep the crop free from weeds for 45 days after sowing, after removing the residues of previous crops soil prepared to a good tilth, selecting of healthy and disease free seeds, gap filling is done in 10 days after sowing and Harvesting at right maturity in descending order. Post harvest management practices like stacking the bags on wooden planks keeping a meter gap from the walls in a well aerated place, grading by removing immature and insect or mechanically damaged pods and storing the pods in new/clean polythene lined gunny bags, and use of bio agents i.e. seed treatment with Rhizobium culture, use NPV 250 LE for prodenia and heliothis or spray BT powder @ 1 kg/ha were the practices which less adopted by groundnut growers. There was positive and significant association was observed between perception, education, farm size, annual income, groundnut crop intensity, groundnut yield index, irrigation potentiality, farm mechanization index, social participation, innovativeness, risk orientation, achievement motivation, attitude towards modern agriculture, mass media exposure, extension participation and participation in training, whereas, negative and significant association between perception and age of the groundnut grower was observed. There was positive and significant association between adoption, education, annual income, groundnut crop intensity, groundnut yield index, farm mechanization, innovativeness, risk orientation, achievement motivation, attitude towards modern agriculture, mass media exposure, extension participation in training and perception, whereas, positive and non-significant association was observed with herd size and social participation and age of the respondents was negatively and non-significantly associated with the extent of adoption. Seventeen variables contributed towards 69.22 per cent (R2 = 0.6922) variation in perception. Out of these, only eight variables had significantly contributed towards variation in perception. The contribution of these variables from highest to lowest is innovativeness, adoption, farm size, education, annual income, extension participation, attitude towards modern agriculture and mass media exposure. Fifteen variables contributed towards 61.30 per cent (R2 = 0.6130) variation in extent of adoption. Out of these, only five variables had significantly contributed towards variation in extent of adoption. The contribution of these variables from highest to lowest is perception, innovativeness, annual income, extension participation and farm size. The most important constraints in adoption of groundnut production technology were; unavailability of certified seeds from government authorized agencies at right time followed by shortage of labour during critical operations especially at harvest and post harvest stages, irregular, erratic and insufficient electric power supply at the time of critical stages of irrigation, unreasonable price of farm produce, difficulty in use of fertilizers due to increased prices and in time availability, genuine problem of damage caused by Neelgay and Bhund, lack of sufficient micro irrigation facilities (sprinkler irrigation system) for providing supplemental irrigation, high labour wages, lack of awareness about recommended GPT, complicated recommendation to understand i.e. doses are on hectare bases, lack of awareness about integrated nutrient management, lack of knowledge about the importance of seed treatment with fungicides, high price and unavailability of organic manure and lack of awareness about importance of gypsum (61.11 per cent). The most important suggestion offered by farmers were made available certified seeds from government authorized agencies at right time, provision of remunerative price of farm produce, required quantity of fertilizers should be made available in time at subsidized rate, regular electric power supply with proper voltage should be made available, creating awareness on the efficient use of micro irrigation system, government should take some measure to protect the field of farmers from the damage caused by Neelgay and Bhund , imparting training programmes for the farmers on production technology aspects of groundnut prior to monsoon, educating the farmers about the role of bio agents in controlling pests and diseases, and timely supply of required inputs to farmers through government agencies. Dr. D. M. Thakrar Major Guide & Professor, Department of Extension Education, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh 362001 -:: C E R T I F I C A T E ::This is to certify that the thesis entitled “FARMERS’ PERCEPTION AND ADOPTION OF GROUNDNUT PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY” submitted by SHRI GORFAD PARBAT SAIVA in partial

Farmers’ perception and adoption of groundnut production technology

Fisheries sector occupies a very important place in the socio-economic development of the country, as it contribute to economic growth and human welfare. Fisheries sector has been recognized as the powerful income and employment generator for the poor people of rural area. Six purposively selected blocks namely Jagdalpur, Bastar, Lohandiguda, Tokapal, Bakawand and Darbha located in Bastar district were selected for the purpose of the study. The sample size was comprised of numbers 10, 21 and 43 members from the fishery cooperative societies, SHGs and fishermen groups respectively, with overall respondents being 74. The various characteristics of respondents were studied considering age, education, sex, group size, occupation, annual income, size of water body/pond and credit acquisition as independent variable as well as to find out the economics, constraints and suggestions of fish production. Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents indicated that the majority of them belonged to middle age (35-55 years), had middle school education for fishery cooperative societies as well as SHGs and up to primary school education for fishermen groups, SHGs were having about 71.43 % of females as compared to only 28.58 % of males, however in fishery cooperative societies and fishermen groups their percentage was very less, more number of members were found in fishery cooperative societies as compared to SHGs and fishermen groups, it was expected because cooperative societies work on a large scale, majority of respondents had benefited multifold by doing agriculture, animal husbandry as well as fisheries at a time. Per hectare production cost was almost similar in fishery cooperative societies and SHGs (Rs. 38883.31 & Rs. 39152.67 respectively) however it was much more in case of fishermen groups (Rs.56125.48) indicating the better economics of the earlier. Productivity of fish was found 32.50 quintals, 42.22 quintals and 38.16 quintals of fish for fishery cooperative societies, SHGs and fishermen groups, respectively.

https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2018/vol7issue3/PartX/7-3-170-100.pdf

Assessment of status of the fishery cooperatives, SHGs and fishermen groups in Baster district of Chhattisgarh: A review

The study was conducted among the aquafarmers in four selected districts viz., Trichur, Alleppey, Ernakulam and Kannur in Kerala. Data were collected on the extent of adoption of good management practices among the sample respondents. Of the 10 practices evaluated, the adoption scores were higher for six practices viz., preparation of ponds (93.15%), eradication of predators and weeds (85.39%), use of PGR tested seeds (84.47%), use of recommended feeding schedule (77.63%), water exchange and quality monitoring (71.69%) and harvesting after prescribed days of culture (70.32%). The extent of adoption of each practice varied significantly (p < 0.01) among the aquafarmers with the overall mean adoption score of 70.09% (n=73). The variables viz., number of training programmes undergone, number of information sources utilized and expert services availed, were found to have positive relationship with the extent of adoption. Regression analysis revealed that of the seven variables, only one variable viz., number of training programmes undergone had contributed significantly (p < 0.05) towards the extent of adoption of improved practices.

Adoption of Good Management Practices by Aquafarmers

The study was conducted at the fish landing centres in selected four districts of Kerala viz., Trichur, Alleppey, Ernakulam and Kannur, and the fish markets in Ernakulam district. In the case of landing centres, of the six practices evaluated among the fishermen, the adoption score was higher for only one practice viz., use of clean containers for fish handling (81.03%). Low level of adoption was observed on two practices viz., use of adequate clean water for washing fish (39.49%) and prompt system of waste disposal (40.00%). The overall adoption index was 54.96%. The 'F' test results revealed that the extent of adoption varied significantly among the fishermen in the four districts. The perception index for the impact of popularization efforts undertaken among fishermen was 55.26%. The R2 value indicated that all the variables put together served as a cause of 71.60% variation in the adoption level. In case of fish markets, the overall index for the availability of infrastructural facilities was 79.74%. The fish marketing personnel were well aware of all the seven hygienic practices studied, with the overall awareness index of 93.60%. Of the six hygienic practices measured, practices such as the use of clean containers or polythene sheets for keeping fish (89.55%), using adequate clean water for washing (98.51%), sorting of fish hygienically in a clean place (84.33%), using adequate ice for preventing fish spoilage (98.51%) and maintaining personal cleanliness and handling of the fish hygienically (94.78%), were adopted by majority of the respondents. Lower adoption was observed in the case of using prompt methods of waste disposal (68.66%). The regression analyses revealed that education positively influenced the extent of adoption among the fish marketing personnel.

Adoption of Hygienic Practices at Fish Landing Centres and Markets

In India, fish is the major source of protein for over one-third of the population especially for the rural poor in coastal areas. The per capita consumption of fish in India is 9.8 kg. against the recommended intake of 13 kg. The marine fish production has also been stagnating over recent years (CMFRI, 2004). As per FAO, the post harvest loss in world fisheries is 10%.Considering the nutritional significance coupled with stagnating catches in India, it is imperative that losses at all levels should be reduced. A pilot study to assess harvest andpost harvest losses in the marine sector was carried out by Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin in collaboration with Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi. This paper presents the results obtained vis-a-vis the post harvest sector in the study.

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Post harvest losses in marine fisheries

The fishing community, is almost solely dependent on the sea resources for their livelihood (Krishna Srinath. 1987) and the roles that a fisherwoman plays are integral for the maintenance of the family. With intensification of the fishing effort and the decrease in production per unit resuhed in fluctuations in the income of fishermen. The s ignificance of employment of fisherwomen is paramount for the sustenance of fisher families.

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A Study of Women in Fish Marketing in Kerala

Training needs assessment is a pre-requisite to prepare good training schedules and this paper deals with the training needs of fisheries officials and its association with their job characteristics. The study data were collected from random samples of 52 fisheries officials in the Department of Fisheries, Kerala, and 40 fisheries officials in the Department of Fisheries, Andhra Pradesh using mailed questionnaires. The data were analysed by using various statistical techniques. The results revealed that the overall job satisfaction index scores were 56.47% and 62.83% for the two samples. The role performance index scores among Kerala and AP officials were 57.43% and 57.71% respectively. It was seen that the training needs were comparatively higher among the Kerala officials (X=71.78%) than the AP officials (X=61.17%) in most of the subject areas of fishery technology and these differences were highly significant at 1% level. The major thrust areas in which the fishery officials need training were identified and presented in the paper. Simple correlation coefficients were calculated between the socio-personal characteristics of the fisheries personnel and their training need index scores. The major constraints reported by the respondents were also listed out.

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Krishna Srinath

Papers

Adoption of Good Management Practices by Aquafarmers

Adoption of Hygienic Practices at Fish Landing Centres and Markets

Post harvest losses in marine fisheries

A Study of Women in Fish Marketing in Kerala

Training needs and associated variables of fisheries officials in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh