Agriculture Update https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au <div id="i-scholarabout">Agriculture Update is an official publication of Ihe HAS. It features the original research in all branches of Agricultural Extension and other cognate branches of sufficient relevance. The journal publishes Ihree types of articles. i.e. Review/Strategy/Case study (exclusively by invitation from the personalities of eminence). Research paper and Research Note. The manuscripts should be submitted in triplicate with CD in all respect to the Editor</div> en-US hahs_2005@yahoo.com (Dr. Alka Singh) hahs_2005@yahoo.com (Dr. Alka Singh) Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 OJS 2.4.2.0 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 Utilization of Information and Communication Technology Tools by the Extension Personnel of Kerala https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196209 This study was conducted to analyse the utilization pattern of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among the agricultural extension personnel of Kerala. Data were collected from 150 Agricultural Officers working in different districts of Kerala. It was observed that 66 per cent of the extension personnel were females, more than two-third of the extension personnel (71.33%) had only medium level of innovation proneness. Almost three-fourth (74.66%) of the extension personnel did not receive trainings related to ICTs. With regard to the attitude towards ICTs, majority (86.66%) of the extension workers were under medium category. The ICT tools with low extent of accessibility were decision support system, video camera, video conferencing and kiosk, with less than 25 per cent. The respondents were evenly distributed among the categories of very less frequent users, less frequent users, frequent users with 26 per cent each and most frequent users with 22 per cent only. More than 70 per cent of the respondents spent 1-5 hrs per week in using various ICT tools. S. Helen, Smitha Baby, N. Mridula https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196209 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Relational Analysis of MGNREGA Beneficiaries with Socio-Economic Impact of MGNREGA https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196210 The present study was conducted purposively in Aurangabad, Nanded, Beed and Jalna district of the Marathwada region of Maharashtra state during the year 2017-2018. From this four district eight tahsils were selected purposively. From each selected taluka two villages were selected purposively for the study. Fifteen beneficiaries of MGNREGA were selected randomly from each selected villages. Thus, comprising total 240 beneficiaries were selected from Marathwada region for research study. Majority (52.08%) of the MGNREGA beneficiaries were middle aged, 28.75 per cent educated upto primary school level, (40.84%) were found lower category, more than two third (66.25%) of them having medium family size and 34.16 per cent of them having small size of land holding. It was observed that, more than half (56.67%) of them having farming as main occupation, majority (53.75%) of them having medium annual income, 57.09 per cent were found joint family, nearly half (49.17%) of them having medium social participation, less than half (46.66%) of them having medium source of information, 59.58 per cent of them having medium level of extension contact and 45.41 per cent of them having medium level of economic motivation. It was observed from that the independents variables namely age, education, occupation, annual income, family type, social participation, sources of information, extension contact and economic motivation were positively and significantly related with overall impact of MGNREGA scheme. However, category, family size and land holding could not establish any relationship with overall impact of MGNREGA scheme. It was found that co-efficient of determination (R 2 ) of the independent variables was 0.685. It means that 68.50 per cent of total variation in the overall impact of MGNREGA on its beneficiaries was explained by the selected 12 independent variables. The unexplained variation may be due to the factors not included in the study. V. G. Dhulgand, R.P. Kadam https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196210 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Yield Gap Analysis in Maize Production in Karimnagar District Telangana https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196211 The term “yield gap” refers to “the difference between actual yields and potential yield,”. The purpose of the study was to investigate the key factors limiting maize productivity in Karimnagar district of Telangana in order to develop strategies to reduce the yield gaps. So, for the present studymaize hybrid KNMH-131 was purposively. Purposive sampling technique was employed for collecting primary data from a sample of 30 progressive farmers and 30 normal farmers, so the total sample becomes 60 for the study. Thus, collected primary data was analysed with the help of yield gap analysis tables and production function analysis. The study revealed that the yield gap–I was observed to be -1.21 per cent and yield gap –II and yield gap-III were 3.97 and 23.13 per cent, respectively. Various yield gap indices in maize were worked out and the same are presented in Table 2. Various yield gap indices were worked out to know the untapped potential of maize in the farmers’ fields. The index of yield gap in maize was 21.92 per cent, the index of realized potential yield gap of normal farmers in maize was 78.07 per cent. The indices of realized potential farm yield presented in table indicated that the farmers, in general, were successful in exploiting the potential farm yield of normal farmers of maize to the extent of only 77.14 per cent. The analysis indicated the existence of a considerable percentage of untapped potential farm yields in maize.The production function analysis showed negative production elasticities for total labour (-0.083) and plant protection chemicals cost (-0.1499) which clearly indicates the excess usage of these inputs for progressive farmers. For the normal farmers plant protection chemicals cost and experience in farming resulted in negative results which indicates that the farmers need to know the current information on newly introduced pests and diseases and they have to take initiative measures for controlling the same. D. A. Rajini Devi, P. Sadvi https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196211 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Constraints for Organic Farming Practices in Bikaner District of Rajasthan https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196212 The present study was undertaken for studying constraints of organic farming practices in Bikaner district of Rajasthan. This district was selected purposively as it has large area under rainfed farming and mostly fertilizers and pesticides are not being used in this area. For the study 30 farmers practicing organic farming were selected. The results revealed that the important constraint faced by the farmers of study area were non-availability of sufficient organic manure, low productivity of organic farming, lack of selling outlets, marketing of organic farming produce is the main problem, certification facility is not available of organic farming, unawareness of organic farming, price of the organic products is the high and cost of certification organic farming is high. The study of constraints revealed that about 81.5 per cent farmers of the study area faced the problem about no availability of sufficient organic manure. The problem faced by the farmer is related to difficulty in adoptions of organic farming was worked out about 61.9 per cent. About 81.03 per cent farmers reported the problem of selling. Dropati Saran, Madhu Sharma https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196212 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Effect of Different Insecticides on Adult Emergence of <i>Trichogramma japonicum</i> (Ashmead) https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196213 The present investigations were undertaken on laboratory studies of <em>Trichogramma japonicum</em> (Ashmead) during the year 2013-2014 in the Bio-control laboratory, Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Dapoli (Maharashtra). The results of effect of different insecticides on adult emergence of <em>T. japonicum</em> revealed that insecticides viz.,oxydemeton methyl and cypermethrin can be safely used in the field after release of <em>T. japonicum</em>. However, insecticides viz.,dimethoate, indoxacarb and emamectin benzoate can wisely used in the field 4-5 days after release of <em>T. japonicum</em>, while use of malathion and dichlorvos should strictly be avoided. M. Bhargavi, K.V. Naik, S. K. Mehendale https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196213 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Acase Study on Village Adopted by RARS, Polasa, Jagtial https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196214 The village adoption programme (VAP) is to bring socio-economic development in villages by way of involving the village communities as a whole. The Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Polasa, Jagtial adopted Avunoor village of Siricilla district. In view of bringing a change in agriculture activities were conducted i.e.diagnostic field visits, awareness programmes on impact of indiscriminate usage of pesticides, high yielding varieties etc.This study is helpful for documenting developmental activities carried out in the village, the changes occurred in production of crops and life style of the farmers and to make the village a model for other villages. The present study revealed that interventions carried out in adopted village resulted in agricultural developmental changes in village, i.e. yield levels increased upto 5 qntls / acre in paddy and cotton. Farmers shifted cultivation towards modern varieties i.e.JGL 18047, KNM 118 from traditional varieties. JGL 18047 area increased from 50 acres to 600 acres from 2015 to 2018 and KNM 118 was not cultivated in 2015 and now it was grown in 100 acres in 2018. Soil fertility increased by reduction of pesticides and fertilizers. Income levels were increased upto 1, 00,000 per year. Soil test recommendations are followed and application of organic manures to some extent. P. Sadvi, D. A. Rajini Devi, R. Uma Reddy https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196214 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Constraints Faced by the Beneficiaries of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196215 The present study was conducted purposively in Aurangabad, Nanded, Beed and Jalna district of the Marathwada region of Maharashtra state during the year 2017-2018. From this four district eight tahsils were selected purposively . From each selected taluka two villages were selected purposively for the study. Fifteen beneficiaries of MGNREGA were selected randomly from each selected villages. Thus comprising total 240 beneficiaries were selected from Marathwada region for research study. It was found that, in participation of MGNREGA scheme major constraints relating to the financial constraints, situational constraints, technical constraints, administrative constraints and communication constraints were faced by the MGNREGA beneficiaries and MGNREGA beneficiaries suggested some important suggestions to overcome these constraints. V. G. Dhulgand, R. P. Kadam https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196215 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Empowerment of Young Awardee Farm Women of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196216 Empowerment is recognized as an essential strategy to strengthen the well-being of individuals, families and communities. The present study deals with the empowerment of young awardee farm women. This study was conducted in Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri districts of Karnataka. The woman who had received Yuva Shresta Krishi Mahile award during 2014-2017 was purposively selected. A total of 60 young awardee farm women were selected as a sample for the study from 17 talukas conferred by the UAS Dharwad. Pre- structured interview schedule was used to collect the data. Suitable statistical tools like frequency, percentage and indices were used for analysis of the data. The important findings of the study revealed that, cent per cent of the awardee farm women belonged to young age group (&lt; 35 years) had high school education and from big family size (43.33 %) belonged to joint family (51.67 %), had medium farming experience (60.00 %) and had big land holding (38.33%). A majority of the respondents had low annual income (78.33 %), the overall empowerment of awardee farm women was to the extent of 50 per cent only. Among the various components the highest index of 70.00 was for leadership, next was production with an index of 59.09 followed by income 50.10. The lowest was for resources i.e.only 29.77 indicating that they owned resources only to the extent of 30 per cent. Suma Balambeed, Geeta P. Channal https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196216 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Adoption of Bt Cotton Growers about Management Practices for Control of Pink Bollworm https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196217 The present study on adoption of Bt. cotton growers about management practices for control of pink bollworm was undertaken in Daryapur and Achalpur taluka of Amravati district. With sample size of the 80 respondents. The data were collected on personal, socio-economic, communicational and psychological characteristics of the Bt. cotton growers, adoption about management practices for control of pink bollworm with the help of pre-structured interview schedule. Finding reveled that majority 65.00 per cent of the respondents belonged to middle age group, high propotion of respondents 31.25 per cent were studied upto high school level, majority of respondent 37.50 per cent had small land holding (1.01 to 02.00 ha), Majority 58.75 per cent respondents were having medium level farming experience, More than half of the respondents 77.50 per cent having annual income between Rs. 70,0001 to Rs. 2,90,000, majority of 60.00 per cent had occupied medium level of social participation, majority of 71.25 per cent of the respondents have medium level of extension contact, majority of the respondent 62.50 per cent had medium level of source of information, majority of the respondent 61.25 per cent of the respondents had medium level of achievement motivation, majority of the 66.25 per cent of the respondents had medium level of training received, majority of the 56.25 per cent found to be in the medium level of risk orientation. in case of adoption of management practices for control of pink bollworm 77.50 per cent having medium level of adoption. The variable namely education, source of information, training received are positively significant with adoption of management practices for control of pink bollworm at 0.01 level of probability and the variable namely farming experience, extension contact, achievement motivation, risk orientation are positively significant and age, land holding, annual income, social participation, were non - significantly correlated with adoption of management practices for control of pink bollworm at 0.05 level of probability. S. B. Khodake, A. N. Deshmukh, A. H. Lade, V. B. Khodake https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196217 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Technological Gaps in Major Vegetable Crops and Suggestions to Sustain the Vegetable Production https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196218 Vegetables provide smallholder farmers with much higher income and more employment than staple crops. Even though vegetable area is higher in India, the farmers who produce vegetable crops, struggle a lot to bring them up. A wide gap exists between the yields obtained and the potential yields due to non-adoption of scientific technologies. Keeping this in view the study was conducted with 90 vegetable growers in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu, India to assess the real technological gaps and yield gaps. The results showed that the major yield gap is due to increasing intensity of pest and diseases and physiological disorders due to climate change viz.,fruit borer (70.00 %), blossom dropping and less fruit setting percentage (68.33 %), sunscald due to high temperature (61.66%), fruit cracking (53.33 %), deformation of fruit and lower quality (51.66%), yellow or green fruit shoulders (46.66%) and okra curling/small size of fruit and hardness of fruit (40.00 %). The major technological gaps are due to non-application of foliar spray / micronutrient spray /growth regulators (100.00 %), non-adoption of IPM packages (77.77%), seed treatment practices with biofertilizers and bio agents (56.66 %), application of recommended quantity of top dressing (63.33) and mulching (50.00%). Improved package of practices can decrease the technology gap; thereby productivity of the crop can be increased.Training programme on improved vegetable production technology along with multiple demonstrations is required to enhance level of knowledge and skills which increase the yield and income. A. Janaki Rani https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196218 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Association between Knowledge Level of Recommended Soybean Cultivation Practices by the Farmers and their Selected Independent Variables https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196219 The present investigation was conducted in Kota region of Rajasthan purposively because this region stands first in area 822329 hactare and production 1197758 tonnes of soybean cultivation among all ten agriculture regions of Rajasthan. Kota region comprises four districts viz., Kota, Baran, Bundi and Jhalawar. Out of these two districts viz., Kota and Jhalawar were selected purposively for this study because of highest area and production. Kota and Jhalawar districts comprise five and seven tehsils, respectively. Out of which two tehsil from Kota (Degod and Ramganj Mandi ) and two tehsil from Jhalawar (Khanpur and Manohar Thana) (as per the data of 2014-15) district were selected randomly. Out of these 6 villages were selected from each selected tehsil on the basis of random sampling method. Thus, the total 24 villages, were selected. List of all the soybean cultivators was prepared from each of the selected village, with the help of patwari and agriculture supervisor, eight to twelve farmers were selected by using proportionate random sampling technique as per availability so as to make the sample size 220. The age, education, size of land holding and extension participation were found to be positively and significantly associated with the knowledge level of farmers about recommended soybean cultivation practices. While, the variables like, caste, family type and family size were found to be non-significantly associated with the knowledge level of farmers about recommended soybean cultivation practices. Surendra Kumar, J. P. Yadav https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196219 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Socio-Economic Profile and Constraints Faced by Rice Farmers in Tribal Areas of Nalgonda District of Telangana https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196220 Majority of the farmers were of middle age group, illiterate, had small land holding and red soil type, bore as major irrigation source, low farming experience and medium family size. Majority of the tribal farmers had not taken any agricultural loans from Government agencies but had taken loan from informal sources i.e., neighbors. More than fifty per cent of the respondents had no membership in any agricultural society/ farmer groups, no leadership in any society and had not availed any subsidy on agricultural inputs and farm machinery. More than 62.73 per cent of the respondents had not insured their crop against natural calamities and crop failure. The gross returns obtained per hectare was Rs. 68006/-. The net returns per hectare was Rs. 14,223/- with a benefit cost ratio of 1.26. Non- availability and high charges of labour during the critical operations viz., transplanting and weeding, loss of crop yield due to pests and diseases were the major constraints ranked by the tribal farmers. Large scale awareness programmes need to be organized to motivate tribal farmers to avail crop subsidy, crop insurance and other benefits of government schemes specially being offered for tribal farmers to improve their socio-economic status. Amtul Waris, B. Nirmala, N. Sunder Rao, B. Jangaiah https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196220 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Problems Faced by Anna Bhagya Beneficiaries and the Suggestion Given by them for Improvement of Anna Bhagya Scheme https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196221 Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. The Public Distribution System is one of the poverty alleviation programmes in India. The basic aim of PDS is to provide essential commodities like rice, wheat, sugar, edible oil and kerosene at subsidized prices throughout the country. In our investigation we studied the problems faced by Anna bhagya scheme beneficiaries in Karnataka state. The study was carried out during 2018-19 in seven districts of Northern Karnataka namely Dharwad, Uttar Kannada, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Haveri, Belagavi and Gadag. From each districts 20 beneficiaries were selected making the sample size of 140. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect the data and suitable statistical tools like frequency and percentages were used for analysis of the data. It was noticed from the study that, cent per cent of the beneficiaries never faced problems like that they should pay for some items and compulsory purchase of some items. It was also clear from the study that, 84.29 per cent of the beneficiaries never mentioned about the leakages of food grains and the weight of the food items. Geeta P. Channal, Shobha Nagnur, Supriya P. Patil, Rekha Rayangoudar https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196221 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Marketing Behaviour of Hi-Tech Farmers in Kerala https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196222 The study was conducted to assess the marketing behaviour of hi-tech farmers in the state of Kerala. The investigation was carried out on two categories of hi-tech farmers viz., polyhouse farmers and open precision farmers to analyse the discrimination in their marketing behaviour. A sample of 60 farmers was selected by multistage sampling. The analysis indicated that the marketing behaviour of polyhouse and open precision farmers was found to be significantly different, particularly with respect to marketed surplus i.e., open precision farmers followed farming as a profitable business while polyhouse farmers had less marketed surplus and lower price satisfaction. It was also found that open precision farmers had better backward and forward linkages with input and marketing agencies, respectively which contributed greatly to their success. The study also throws light on the various marketing channels used by hi-tech farmers in the state. Shilpa Karat, Smitha Baby, S. Helen https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196222 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Impact of Cluster Frontline Demonstrations on Red Gram in Davanagere District https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196223 In order to introduce suitable intercrop in maize, ICAR-Taralabalu Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Davanagere has taken up cluster frontline demonstrations on integrated crop management in red gram and introduced BRG-5 variety. The demonstrations were conducted in 2 clusters namely, Santebennur and Devarahalli during 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively covering 100 farmers (50/year). The results reveals that the increase in yield was found to be 27.13 per cent and 27.8 per cent during 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. The technology index was 20.66 per cent and 20.93 per cent. During 2018-19, FLD farmers sold 31.4q as seeds to 280 farmers. In 2019-20, 26 FLD farmers sold 26.8q as seeds to 169 farmers. The seed procurement agency sold 20.6 q. and 74.5q. during 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively, including through Raith Sampark Kendras. The data on vertical spread of technology reveals that 68 per cent and 52 per cent FLD farmers continued with BRG-5 variety during 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively. Main reasons for non-adoption of BRG-5 red gram variety during 2019-20 are red gram is not profitable as maize (79.1%), lack of rainfall during June and July (45.83%), difficulty in use of weedicide maize (33.33%) and wilt problem (20.83%). J. Raghuraja, T. N. Devaraja, H. M. Sannagoudra, B. O. Mallikarjuna https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196223 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Constraints Faced by Banana Growers Inkerala https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196224 The present study was conducted in Palakkad district of Kerala state with an objective to study the constraints faced by banana growers in adoption of banana production technology and obtained their suggestions to overcome these constraints. The data were collected with the help of interview schedule. Keeping the above in view, a research study was designed to study the constraints faced by banana growers in Palakkad district of Kerala. An ex-post facto research design was followed to conduct the study with a total of 120 banana growers selected from three blocks named Attapady, Mannarkkad and Sreekrishnapuram. The data was collected through pre-tested interview schedule, which was subjected for individual responding and interpreted. Bio physical constraints, technological constraints, socio personal constraints, economic constraints, administrative constraints and marketing constraints faced by the banana growers were found and presented in order of their importance. Reshma J. Murugan, K. Vyshali, B. Mukunda Rao https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196224 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Attitude Toward Homestead Technologies among RAWE(IAHS) Students https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196225 Various technologies have been developed by the scientists working in College of Home Sciences operational under agricultural universities for alleviating drudgery, increasing efficiency and technological empowerment of rural women in the areas like health, nutrition, sanitation, child rearing, resource management, clothing and textile and entrepreneurship. It is very much necessary to disseminate these technologies and make them to adopt by rural women. Present study was conducted in CCSHAU, Hisar and data was collected from total of 50 students who were already completed their IAHS Programmes of I.C. College of Home Science. Questionnaire were prepared regarding attitude was used to collect the data. Results revealed that majority (56.00%) of the respondents were agreed with the IAHS has helped to get familiar with rural people and 61.00 per cent of the respondents were strongly agreed with the IAHS has helped to understand village situations. Result also showed that cent per cent respondents were strongly agreed with the statement ‘there is a need to develop more technologies that are purely meant for women’ and ‘the University should develop more low-cost household technologies’. By seeing other people living nearby their places adopting new thing, rural women should try to start these things for better life and to improve the condition of their living. Anju Kapri, Jyoti Rani, Seema Rani https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196225 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Front Line Demonstrations in Greengram in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196226 The study was conducted at Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh on FLD in greengram by Scientists of district Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centre of ANGRAU. Greengram crop was sown as rice fallow in <em>Rabi</em> season during 2018-19 and 2019-20 in an area of 1803 ha and 2739 ha also it was found in an increase in yield of 35.4 per cent and 38.7 per cent in FLD field, respectively. Thus, it was concluded that front line demonstrations conducted under the close supervision of scientists is one of the most important tools of extension to demonstrate crop management practices at farmers’ field. FLDs motivate farmers to adopt scientific practices. So, FLDs are to be designed, supervised with extension activities viz., training programmes, demonstration, field days etc. to increase yields and profits of farmers. P. B. Pradeep Kumar, K. Tejeswara Rao https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196226 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Perception and Adoption of Soil Health Cards (SHCs) by the Farmers in Kadapa District https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196227 To understand the perception and adoption levels of soil health card the present study was undertaken in three mandals (Vallur C K Dinne and Vontimitta) comprising of 60 soil testing based beneficiaries in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. The findings of study revealed that majority of the farmers had medium level of perception (67%), followed by low (20%) and high level of perception (13%), respectively. Further results on the adoption levels of the selected respondents was that majority of the respondents (63.33%) had not adopted recommended organic manures as per SHC results, recommended nitrogen as per SHC results 85 per cent of the respondents not adopted, recommended phosphorus as per SHC results 91.67 per cent not adopted, recommended potash as per SHC results 90 per cent of the respondents not adopted, recommended micro nutrients as per SHC results 80 per cent of the respondents not adopted and recommended gypsum/lime as per SHC results 96.67 per cent of the respondents not adopted. Further results on the constraints, farmers feel that fertilizer dose is not sufficient if applied as per SHC result ranks first followed by difficult to understand and follow the recommended doses ranks second etc. The suggestion offered for the increase of soil health card adoption by the farmers were method of calculating the fertilizer dose on the basis of nutrient status of the soil should be given on SHC, training should be given on soil sample collection procedure and also its importance and contact number should be given in the SHC. With respect to the results on the reasons for non-adoption of soil health cards as perceived by the mandal agricultural officers is that not receiving timely soil health card to farmers ranks first followed by lack of awareness on the importance of soil testing ranks second and applying over doses of fertilizers by comparing with other farmers in the village ranks third etc. N. Krishna Priya, B. Padmodaya https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196227 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Rediscovering Potential of Dairy Co-Operatives in Eastern India https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196228 India is the world’s largest producer of milk, with 22 per cent of global production. According to NDDB Report 2018-19, India produced 187.7 MT of milk with per capita availability of 394 g/day. The dairy sector contributes 27 per cent of agriculture GDP and 67 per cent of the total output of the Livestock Sector, thus providing livelihood opportunity to 70 million households. Much of the success of the ‘White Revolution’ in India is attributed to the co-operative framework of dairy development strategies. After operation flood programme, even though India has stood self-sufficient in milk production, but milk production throughout the states in India is not uniformly distributed and therefore, there are huge demand and supply gap of milk and milk products in few states of Eastern India. Due to lack of proper infrastructure for dairy processing and manufacturing of milk and milk products, poor quality of milch cattle and buffalo breeds and lack of dairy services have posed challenged for dairy development. Less participation of dairy farmers in organized sectors like dairy co-operatives creates instability in the farm income for the dairy farmers. Several studies suggest that farmers’ participation in dairy co-operatives has resulted in a significant increase in milk production and productivity and has reduced per-unit cost of milk production thereby enabling them to achieve higher output prices, reduced transaction costs and increased profits. Therefore, dairy co-operatives can play instrumental role in harnessing the potential of the dairy sector in Eastern States of India. Kalyan Mandi, Ritu Chakravarty https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196228 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Tribals in Agriculture https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196229 The progress of the country is related with tribal development as the tribal population in the country is not small. Tribal economy is mainly hunting, collecting and fishing or a combination of hunting, collecting with shifting cultivation. The tribal agriculture is primitive and backward resulting in low productivity. Tribal agriculture is characterized by small land holdings, improper land utilization, poor farming techniques, over grazing of pastures, low capital investment and low production inputs. Tribal areas are in the nature’s lap and agriculture has unique potential to absorb these people and creating opportunities for employment. It was found that tribal farmers were aware of some improved farming practices but did not have detail knowledge and training on method of application of fertilizer, organic and chemical fertilizer doses and method of application, method of transplanting, plant protection measures, methods of harvesting and methods of inter-culturing. The indigenous knowledge of farmers is considered as important sources of information about the local farming systems, experiences, institutions, culture etc. Tribal women constitute half of the work force among tribals in India. Tribal women are discriminated, though they make enormous contribution to the agriculture and allied sectors. Due to absence of employment opportunities in agriculture sector; young people belonging to tribal communities are finding themselves at cross-road of life. There is strong need to sensitize and train the tribal folks through adequate extension, policy and financial support for holistic development of tribals in our country. Kalyan Mandi, Ritu Chakravarty https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196229 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Efficient Utilization of Water Bodies Increasing the Cropping Intensity of North Pulinpur ADC village of Tripura, India – A Case Study Under NICRA project https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196230 North Pulinpur with GPS location 23°52.836¹ N, 91°35.275¹ E and elevation 47m is one of the draught prone tribal inhabited ADC village of the district Khowai under the state Tripura. The total geographical area of the village is 950 hectare with cultivable area of about 250 hectare only among 806 farm families. So, most of the families are holding either small or marginal farms. There was no perennial streams, rivers, ponds and other irrigation facilities in the village. Prevailing temperature ranges from 16°C to 37°C. Annual rainfall ranges from 2050 to 2550 mm, but almost whole amount goes out to neighboring lower elevated village. Agriculture is the mainstay of the people, about 85 per cent of them engage in agriculture and its allied activities. Farmers earned their livelihood from rainfed rice based monocropped cultivation. Moisture stress during Kharifdry spell and winter season which lead to rice based mono-cropping system. Under the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture(NICRA) Project KVK,Khowai has constructed and rejuvenated 22 water bodies from 2011-12 to 2018-19 at North Pulinpur ADC village; all of which provided life saving irrigation for paddy during Kharifdry spell as well as during Rabiseason through nano pumps installed nearby farm ponds. Before implementation of NICRA project to North Pulinpur ADC village, most of the areas remain dry during Rabi season. After the intervention, approximately 26187 ft 3 rainwater had been harvested covering an area of about 135.0 ha. for winter vegetables and Rabi maize cultivation and during dry period. In addition to this, a total area of about 1 ha waste land had been converted to paddy land using water from community bund. Ponds were also used for composite fish culture with average yield of 30 q/ farmer/year/ha during 2018-19. Dipankar Dey, Dipak Nath, Lord Litan Debbarma, Subhra Shil, Suresh Chandra Biswas, Ardhendu Chakraborty, Rajib Das, Nurul Islam, Subrata Choudhury, Prasanto Reang https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196230 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Value Chain Study of Handicraft in Barmer District of Rajasthan https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196231 Barmer district is situated in western part of Rajasthan state. Barmer is the second largest district of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is the important state in the country as far as handicraft sector is concerned. Considering the drought situation which exists almost every year, it is one sector which can provide huge employment and alternate income to rural mass. The exports of handicrafts from Rajasthan in 2003-2004 stood at Rs. 1800 crores as against 1200 crores in the previous year, with a growth rate of 33 per cent. The export of zari and zari goods, which was 57.19 crore in 1994-95, increased to 210.54 crore by 2003-04. Every district has its distinctive handicrafts and over 7 lac craft persons are employed in this activity.Thus, their is a immense scope for livelihood enhancement through handicraft and marketing in Barmer district. Pradeep Pagaria, Sonali Sharma https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196231 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Use of CeRA Consortium by Research Scholars of University of Agricultural Sciences in Karnataka https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196232 Information communication technology (ICT) has given many e-services to the libraries in the present era. Libraries are using ICT to improve the management of scholarly information to strengthen and speedy access to such information not available locally. Consortium for e-Resources in Agriculture (CeRA) is most valuable research tool that, instead of print based services in traditional library services. In this study an attempt has been made to search use of CeRA consortium by research scholars in University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. It included use and access of CeRA, frequency and purpose of using CeRA. Also Escalating of CeRA services by adding more resources and facilities has given strong information support for the teaching, research and extension programmers. Ekanath Rathod, Krishna S. Maraddi, Kumaraswamy Hiremath https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196232 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Impact of Lockdown on Agriculturea and Allied Sector in Washim District https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196233 Study on Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on agriculture and allied sector,best emerging practices in production,processing,value addition and marketing and initiatives of Krishi Vigyan Kendra to update farmer in these circumstances was carried out by KVK in the district.The data on impact of COVID-19 on agriculture and allied sector reveals that 50 per cent Rabicrops harvesting delayed due to non-availability of labour and field operations were costilier.34 per cent farmers faced problem of sale of farm produce, turmeric crop harvesting losses upto 75 per cent mostly small and marginal farmers were affected due to lockdown.Fruit and vegetable growers has to succumb 85 per cent losses during sale, storage and marketing due to district boundaries blocking. Marketing problem has shown the another way of direct marketing through personal contact or use social media group. Similarly due to lockdown best agriculture practices has emerged in the field of production, processing, marketing and supply chain management. 30 per cent losses in dairy and 87 per cent losses in poultry farming enterprise has been indicated in the study. S. K. Deshmukh https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196233 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Trends in Area, Production and Yield of Pearl Millet Crop in Barmer District of Rajasthan https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196234 Pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum) is an important low value cereal crop grown in rainfed areas of country. The Indian hot arid zone is spread over 0.32 m km<sup>2</sup> area and 65 per cent of it is in the western district of Rajasthan. The Rajasthan is largest producer of pearl millet in India. The area, production and yield of the <em>Bajra</em> crop in Rajasthan and Barmer has been witnessing an increasing/ decreasing trend since the 2007-2008 to 2017-18. Barmer district is having the most extensive sown area but productivity is very less as compared to other district and Rajasthan. Sonali Sharma, Pradeep Pagaria https://i-scholar.in/index.php/Au/article/view/196234 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000