40 jan-june 2004.docx · web viewstudy on communication behaviour of extension personnel, conducted...

Indian Journal of Extension Education

Vol XXXX No 1 & 2. 2004

Future Projections of Use of Information Technology in

Agricultural Development in

India

Shaik. N Meera* and Anita

Jhamtani**

ABSTRACT

The new paradigm of agricultural development is emerging at a faster pace, Information

Technology applications never required more visionary leadership than now. Professionals of

development departments and policy makers are the key persons in providing valuable inputs for

designing a sound strategy They can make a difference in developing e-readiness of entire

country in coming few years. For designing an effective strategy of IT, one needs to look at the

grass root level realities like e-readiness parameters (connectivity, e- leadership, human capital,

etc). Perception and projection of policy workers and development professionals play an

important role in designing a sound strategy. The extent of e-readiness will also give the

magnitude of support, which is required from the government and policy making bodies.

INTRODUCTION

The overall development of rural areas in developing countries is taking new avenues of

expansion. Conventional method of business in terms of delivery of important services to

citizens are being challenged in both developing and developed countries. A complete

transformation of traditional societies to the knowledge societies has been increasingly felt all

over the world. The report of the "Task Force on India as Knowledge Super Power (2001)"

emphasized the need for developing the capacity to generat, absorb, disseminate and protect

knowledge and aslo to exploit knowledge as a powerful tool to derive societal transformation.

The background report of "working Group on information Technology for the Masses" declared

"It is firm view of the Government that if any technology can create new opportunities to bridge

the gap between information haves and have nots in the present times, it is Information

Technology". (Working Group of 001, Background Report, 2000). It is being increasingly felt

that IT can be a major vehicle for all round socio-economic development. In other words, IT can

play spectacular role in the societal transformation so as to realize the concept of "Knowledge

Society" in the Indian context. IT when used as a broad tool for amalgamating local knowledge

of communities with the scientific knowledge, heralds the formation of the class of society,

which is nothing but "Knowledge Society". Being an agriculturally rich country, India can not

overlook the field of agricultural development as the main domain of societal transformation.

Here comes the enormous potential of the IT that has to be harnessed for societal transformation

in general and overall agricultural development in .particular. The development of precision

farming in countries of the North emphasizes knowledge - intensity and hence the new

agricultural paradigm in India will have to be recast to take advantage of the knowldge

availability to achieve multiple goals : of income, food , jobs, etc. The emerging Information

Technologies have significant role to perform in evolving such a paradigm, as was evident from

the Interdisciplinary dialogue on Information Technology: (Swaminathan 1993).

Hence, it is important to make an assessment of the readiness at the national level. To

what extent it will be possible to apply and use IT for agricultural development. For such future

projections the knowledge and expertise of the policy makers need to be utilized and arrive at

realistic future projections. A society will have to develop the appropriate context and awareness

before it can gainfully deploy a new technology. At the level of the nation as a society, the

context is in the minds of its masses and its administrators - both political and those in the

bureaucracy. Of course, their readiness is greatly influenced by the knowledge of what is

possible with the technology (Bediet al., 2001). While it has been amply demonstrated as to what

is possible, and that there are no limits to what is possible with intemet, its deployment would be

limited only by other factors such as e-readiness climate - both physical and psychological. The

present study was undertaken with the objective to assess e-readiness parameters and the

predictions made by selected experts in the field on the future state of e-readiness parameters in

India for agricultural development.


Vol XXXX No I & 2, 2004

Expert System for Effective Extension

R. Bahall*, M. Wason, Sudseep*** and B. Issar****

ABSTRACT

The demand based extension services have not been provided to different types of clients.

Due to diversification of agriculture, farmer's needs vary from area to area. Farmers need very

calculated, feasible, viable and economical practices to follow for better output and income.

Therefore, demand based extension services are not possible through the conventional system of

extension with the available human and financial resources. Our extension agents are also not

well equipped to give the information as per the farmer's needs. Therefore, a. web based

extension system is required in our country, which can provide all required information

answering all possible questions of the farmers. Keeping this point in view, an effort was made

to develop an Expert System of Extension at Division of Agricultural Extension, Indian

Agricultural Research Institute New Dlehi-12. The system was built in two phases. In the first

phase, the agricultural information of the selected crops was collected from the authentic sources

and stored in a database. In the second phase, the decision rules were formulated and coded in

the expert system. Both these phases were finally combined to form web-based expert system,

which is hosted on the Internet for the use of the farmers and general public.

INTRO UCTION

Dynamics of socio-economic development and effective transfer of technology requires a

wide array of human skill. In the era of globalization, our extension strategy should not depend

only on conventional systems like; demonstrations, trainings, Radio, and TY broadcasts.

Extension system should be very fast, need based and look for resources, market and cost benefit

ratio. The existing conventional extension suffers from severel drawbacks, mainly on accent of

low educational level of extemsion workers who cannot advice farmers according to their

needs.In the age of fast vowing electronic information system, best combination of man and

machine is required to meet the socio-economic upliftment and information needs of the fanners

for sustainable apiculture. In fact, expert system of extension would be the major form of

technology dissemination system in the near future. Combined knowledge of multiple human

experts gives the system more breadth that a single person is likely to achieve. Considering these

points in view, developing an Expert System for effective extension would be a better option to

serve the farming community in best possible way in new millennium. With this background, a

project of Expert System of Extension was launched to develop a website for effective extension.


Vol XXXX No 1 & 2, 2004

Factors Contributing to Communication Fidelity in Relation to Modern Rice Production

Programme

M.Raisul Haider*, A Halim** and M.d. Monirull Islam**

ABSTRACT

The rice is main crop of Bangladesh. It is grown in three seasons namely; Aus, Aman and

Boro. Coverage of modern varieties has been to an extent of 30,43, and 92 per cent in Aus,

Aman and Boro seasons respectively In case of Aus there was little scope to increase coverage of

area due to scarcity of water. In Boro season, adoption of modern varieties was quite satisfactory

But in Aman season, adoption of modem varieties was still far below the potential. Hence, there

is great scope to increase food production by increasing the adoption of modern varieties of

Aman rice and other improved production technologies . In order to predict the potential

technologies, a multiple regression analysis was conducted and seven variables contributed

significantly in predicting communication fidelity. Study reveled that 52 per cent of respondents

belonged to high fidelity and 48 per cent having low to medium communication fidelity.

INTRODUCT1ON

There arc three rice-growing seasons in Bangladesh: Aus, Aman and Boro. In which Aus

produces 10 per cent Arnan produces 47 per cent and Boro produces 43 per cent of the total rice

production. Coverage of modern varieties (MV) has been to an extent of 30, 43 and 92 per cent

in Aus, Aman and Boro season, respectively (BBS, 1998). Average yield of Aman, Aus and

Boro rice are: 1.8,1.2 and 2.7 t/ha, respectively whereas potential yield is up to 5.0-7.5 t/ha

(BARC,2000). Above facts indicated that still there is big yield gap between national average

and achievable yield. This enormous increase in the rice yield was not attained possibly because

of two reasons: firstly, it may be that all the area under rice had not been brought under HYV and

secondly, it may be due to the non-adoption of the entire package of practices recommended by

the scientists. There are many evidences that rice production packages are not followed properly

by the farmer (Ray et al., 1995, Kashem and Islam, 1990).

In case of Aus there was little scope to increase coverage of area due to scarcity of water. In

Boro season adoption of MV were quite satisfactory But in Aman season adoption of MV was

still far below the potentiality. These facts indicated that there was a great scope to increase food

grain production by increasing the adoption of MV of Aman rice and other improved

technologies. This calls for a very efficient technology transfer system to implement the MV of

Transplanted (T) A-man rice programme in full sewing. There was hardly any comprehensive

study, which considered all the evidences of behavioural change into a composite measure to

determine the communication fidelity. Therefore, the present study has been undertaken with

following objectives.

i) To determine the communication fidelity (dependent variable) of farmers in relation

to modern varieties of T.Aman rice production programme.

ii) To measure the selected independent variables (factors associated with

communication fidelity)

iii) To find out the degree of relationships of communication fidelity with the selected

factors pertaining to differen: elements of the communication process and iv. To

determine the contribution of the selected factors explaining the variation of

communication fidelity

iv) To determine the contribution of the select factors in explaining the variation of

communication fidelity.



Communication Behaviour of Extension Personal

R.M.Bordoloi, V.K.Makhija and S.N.Laharia

ABSTRACT

Study on communication behaviour of extension personnel, conducted in two districts of

Assam, one district representing progressive and another non progressive. The personnel from

the progressive districts were found to be better than those of non progressive district. The

personnel from non progressive district utilized less number of sources of information, they did

not use progressive farmers, meetings, seminars, extension publications, kisan mela, etc. The

most used sources of information by the extension personnel in descending order were: senior

officials, demonstrations, agricultural scientists, colleagues, radio, training, progressive farmers,

TV. and newspaper. Correlation and regression analysis between communication behaviour and

personal variables of the personnel revealed negative and significant-association with age and

experience. A positive and significant association was reported for training and availability of

communication facilities. The regression coefficient were 10.31 for training and 4.501 for age.

INTRODUCTION

Commnication of new agricultural technologies to the farmers is a matter of paramount

importance for the agricultural development of the country. Generation of new technology will

be fruitful only when it is understood and accepted by the farmers without any time lag. The

present study was carried out to study communication behaviour of extension personnel as well

as to ascertain the correlates which affect their communication behaviour.


Vol XXXX No.1 &2, 2004

Information Needs of Young Farmers of Punjab

G.S.Khurana, Manjinder Singh**,D.S.Dhillion** and Kuldip Kumar**

ABSTRACT

Information needs of young farmers were studied in various aspects of agriculture. The study

revealed a high information need in the following areas; identification and management, of

weeds, soil and water management, seed rate and sowing methods, stage of harvesting and

storage. For subsidiary occupation like poultry they had high need for information on poultry

diseases managements and accounting system. In case of diary and bee keeping information

needs pertained to almost all areas of dairy management and bee keeping.

INTRODUCTION

India may be the major global power in the overall agricultural development and exports

provided it modernizes agriculture for becoming internationally productive in production. Punjab

is the most agriculturally advanced state of country. This is due to the result of use of various

educational approaches which have been used for the purpose training the farmers. Mass media

has played a significant role in the transfer of appropriate technology to the farmers for such

purposes. Since high tech. agriculture is more risky so the young farmers need to be educated for

the adoption of latest technology. Thus the main thrust area is the development a training

programmes on the basis of needs of the young farmers in agriculture and subsidiary

occupations. After knowing the information or training needs of the farmers the training

programmes can be planned and conducted successfully which will be helpful in improving the

quality and increasing the production potential in agriculture and allied through better training

system. Thus it becomes very important to know the information needs or training need of the

farmers so that they can be trained accordingly by using different methods or media such as,

lectures, booklets, charts, cassettes (audio & visual), etc. This study was planned in connection

with NATP research project entitled. "Developing Testing of Multimedia Integrated System of

Education forming Farmers of Punjab in High Tech. Agriculture". For developing a multimedia

integrated system it becomes necessary to know the information or the training needs of farmer

so that the media could be developed and finalized accordingly for the purpose of training the

young farmers in the villages as well as at KVKs. Therefore, "information needs of the young

farmers agricultural and subsidiary occupations" have been studied with following objectives:-

1. To study the socio- personal characteristics of the young farmers.

2. To know the information needs of the young farmers related to agriculture and subsidiary

occupations.



Information Seeking and Dissemination by Extension Personnel

Lavleesh Garg* and G.S.Saini**

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to know the efforts made by the extension personnel of Ludhiana

District to cope with the challeges due to provisions of World Trade Organisation (WTO) in

agriculture. It was found that a were nine per cent of extension personnel sought information

about the provisions of WTO. Nearly three fourth of them made efforts to transfer technology to

the farmers about quality production and maintaning soil health. However, about one third of

them transferred technology about envrionment protection, better marketing and value addition.

More than fifty per cent of them made efforts to educate farmers about the reduction of farming

cost and diversification in agriculture.

INTRODUCTION

World Trade Organisation (WTO) has developed certain provision related to agriculture sector to

regulate trade between nations. The main goal of WTO is to help producers of goods and

services, exporters and importers to conduct their business. It has basic objective of 'sustainable

development' in relation to the optimum use of natural resources by having fair market orieted

trading system among different countries through substantial progressive reduction in

agricultural support and protection. The spirit of the agreement was to develp to wide base for

the poor countries leading to a reduction of economic gap across the globe. Unlike the tendency

of most farmers, the important consideration of WTO has been quality rather than the quantity of

production besides special stress on lowering production cost and keeping pollution free

environment.

In transforming India from food deficit to food surplus country, Punjab has played a pivotal role.

The main objective of Punjab farming/agriculture is to increase production to meet the growing

food requirements of Indian people. Punjab has been contributing different crops to the central

pool. The share of different crops to the central pool like wheat and rice was 59 and 52 per cent

respectively This means that Punjab has surplus produce of these items. If Punjab farmers are

aware about the different norms of WTO then they can fetch more profit in WTO regime,

likewise diversified farming will help the farmers to have more opportunities of participation in

world market. If Punjab Farmers do some serious efforts they can get maximum profit from this

agreement. For that the state extension agencies have to play a pivotal role. They should make

efforts to educate the farmers about quality, value addition and reduction in cost of production,

diversification and better marketing. Keeping all this in mind present study on efforts made by

extension personnel to educate the farmer about these was conducted with the following

objectives:-

To study the efforts made by extension personnel in transfer of technology about quality

production and diversification in farming.


Vol XXXX No 1 & 2, 2004

Influence of Farm Telecasts on the Viewers Life Style

K.C. Meena* and Rahn Bhagat**

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted in three tehsils of Dausa district of Eastern Rajasthan to investigate the

influence of farm telecasts on the lifestyle of farmers. Influence of farm telecasts as perceived by

farmers was discussed under three broad areas i.e. economic, social and psychological sphere.

The findings revealed that maximum number of male respondents had low and moderate

economic influence whereas in case of females, the maximum number of respondents had low

economic influence. Maximum number of males and females had moderate social as well as

psychological influence. Statistical significant difference was found between economic influence

of telecast on the lifestyle of male respondents, whereas in case of females, non-significant

difference was found. Similarly significant difference was found between economic influence of

telecast on the lifestyle of male respondents, whereas in case of females, non-significant

difference was found. Like wise statistical significant difference was found between lifestyle of

viewers with their social as well as psychological influence of telecast in both the categories of

respondents.

INTRODUCTION

Television plays an important role in non-formal education and deals with important issues

relating to social and economic progress of rural people in the world. It is constantly providing

the farmers with information on new agricultural practices, motivating them to adopt new

techniques of farming, integrate them into their on going practices and attempting to raise their

consciousness. The TV has virtually shrunken the world into a global village and exposed the

village to the global dimensions. Salesman (1993) pointed out that television is playing an

important role in the modernizing processes of rural life i.e., democratization, consumerism,

urban modeling and linguistic hegemony-that are presently widespread and each had major

ramifications for cultural life locally and beyond, and they all deserve close and detailed

attention by anyone trying to understand contemporary life. Extension researches conducted in

India have revealed a discriminative rural response structure towards farm television

programmes. Televiewing behaviour is one of the significant parts in that. Behaviour of the

viewer is not a change or random phenomenon, it is a response to a cause or stimulus and it is

purposeful and goal oriented. It is intended to accomplish some objectives, which in turn would

satisfy or at least reduce some need of the viewers.

Television has ability to convey life and events in action to develop a profound influence upon

the viewers. It provides viewers with realistic experiences, which capture their attention and

motivation them in proper direction. So, keeping in mind the use of television in the process of

social change, the present study was undertaken to analyse and understand the influence of farm

telecasts on the lifestyle of the viewers.


Vol XXXX No 1 & 2, 2004

Impact of Annadata –Velugubata programme on the Televiewers in

Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh

K. Vikram Swaroop Chandra* And D. Rarnachandrca Reddy**

ABSTRACT

Distance education through electronic media, namely television is a powerful mass medium

playing a vital role in effective communication. Realising the enormous potential of television,

the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University started the telecast of distance education

programme in agriculture and allied fields under the caption "Annadata-velugubata" from 2nd

October 1998, in collaboration with the private T.V. channel i.e, ETV. The programme is mainly

intended for the benefit of the farming community, to make them update the latest agricultural

technologies for adoption, apart from making them to take up self employment in fields like

dairy, poultry, apiculture, sericulture, mushroom cultivation, venniculture, etc. The study was

undertaken to assess the impact in terms of knowledge given and symbolic adoption by

televiewers of this programme and to find out the relationship between the selected independent

variables with knowledge and symbolic adoption of the respondents.of profile characteristics of

the televiewers and symbolic adoption. . Symbolic Adoption was operationally defined as a

positive decision on part of the respondents to accept and adopt the recommendations telecast

through the Annandata Velugubata programme.

INTRODUCTION

Distance education through electronic media in television is playing a vital role in effective

communication. Realising the enormous potential of television, the Acharya N.G.Ranga

Agricultural University started the telecast of distance education programme in agriculture and

allied fields under the caption "Annadata-velugubata" from 2nd October 1998, in collaboration

with the private T.V channel ETV. The programme is mainly intended for the benefit of the

fanning community, to make them know the latest agricultural technologies for adoption apart

from making them to take up self employment in fields like dairy, poultry, apiculture, sericulture,

mushsroom cultivation, vermiculture etc. The study was undertaken to assess the impact in terms

of knowledge given and symbolic adoption by the televiewers of this programme and to find out

the relationship between the selected independent variables with knowledge and symbolic

adoption.


Vol XXXX No I &2, 2004

Radio Listening Behaviour and Preference of Rural Pepole

Ram Chandra*, Prakash Singh**, B.. Mishra*** and B. Singh*

ABSTRACT

Radio listening behaviour of rural people in Faizabad district of U.P was studied. Of the 20 hours

of daily radio broadcast, majority (62%) listened for 1.5 to 3.05 hours daily. The most preferred

programmes were: news bulletine, film songs, folk songs and employment news (ranked Is' to

IVth in that order). Among the least preferred programmes were those that foussed on sports,

labour and local news, (ranked 14t", 1.3th,inth z ) Agricultural programmes was ranked 7th in a

total of 14 programme items. More than 60 percent farmers listened to the agricultural

programme on daily basis. Most preferred aspect of this programme was crop cultivation and

plant protection. Least preference was given to programme on water havesting and music in

agricultural programme.

INTRODUCTION

The fundamental function of mass communication is to transmit information efficiently and

accurately with a view to reduce the uncertainities and diversities in the attitude of the rural

people. Of the different mass media of information, radio is one which is being effectively used

since long and reaching to a large number of people in a very short time and minimum cost.

Keeping the above into consideration this study was undertaken with following objectives.

To find out the radio listening behaviour of the farmers. and

To study the preference for items in the farm programme.


Vol XXXX No .1 & 2, 2004

Role of Radio in Transfer of Mushroom cultivation Technology

M.P.Sagar* and B.Vijay*

ABSTRACT

The revolution in communication technology has accelerated the pace and amount of information

in the shortest possible time for majority of the farmers and rural population , the information

and communication technology that is cheap, multipurpose, well established easily available,

user friendly and having wide coverage can still provide required amount of information. Radio

is one such source that is being effectively used for the rural masses. The NRC, salan has used

radio to transfer mushroom cultivation technology amongst the farmers in Himachal Pradesh in

collabortion with All India Radio, shimla. The study revealed that mushroom pathshala (School)

listeners had enhanced their knowledge about mushroom cultivation and the listeners were

highly motivated.

INTRODUCTION

The National Research Centre for Mushroom, Solan has used Radio (AIR) to transfer mushroom

cultivation technology amongst the farmers in Himachal Pradesh in collaboration with All India,

Radio, Shimla under an extension project with following objectives.

• To assess the extent of knowledge gain and adoption of mushroom cultivation amongst the

mushroom pathshala listeners.

• To study the profile of Mushroom pathshala listeners with respect to some selected agro-

economic and socio-psychological variables.



Viewing Behaviour of Farmers Towards Farm Programme

M.N. Ansari*and Ashok K Singh**

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out within the penetration range of Muzaffarpur Doordarshan

Kendra of Bihar state in order to analyse the viewing behaviour of television viewers with

reference to "Krishi Darshan" and Mera Goan Mera Desh" programmes on television. A total of

120 televiewer farmers were selected as the sample from the same viewing jurisdiction. The

results indicated that maximum number of televiewer farmers had moderate knowledge about the

farm TN. programmes and they watched the entire farm programmes with full attention. The

agricultural T.V. programmes were viewed by one-fourth of the respondents on regular basis, 30

per cent of the viewer respondents were able to understand fully the content of the farm telecast.

The findings were further analysed in order to get the desired feedback for making the

agricultural programmes of television more effective and useful for farming community .

INTRODUCTION

Today, communication is assuming an important role in every sphere of human life including

agriculture. The higher media utilization and indulgence in various forms of communication

have made a significant impact on agricultural developmen scenario. The benefits of latest

technology can, however, be realised only if it is shared by the millions of farmers, who are

ultimate users.

Mass media play a very important role in bringing about change in the behaviour of users by

putting across the useful information which includes decision making for adoption of new

innovation. Among the different sources of mass media, television gains a special status because

of its potential to communicate to the two sense organs (eyes and ears) simultaneously and to

reach a large section of population even those living in isolated regions. Television is now,

considered as a mirror of a nation's personality. It can recall the past, dwell upon the present and

peep into the future. Therefore, it is more effective than any other media in providing agricultural

information and technological known-how to the farmers and helps to bridge the gap between

scientists and the farmers. Pillai and Waghdhare (1987) reported that introduction of television in

the rural area has achieved a remarkable success in enhancing agricultural information and

knowledge of the rural televiewers. In view of the same, the present study aims to analyse the

viewing behaviour of television viewers with reference to "Krishi Darshan" and "Mera Goan

Mera Desh" programmes on television, in order to get the desired feedback to make the

programme moe effective and useful for clientele group



Cable Television Viewing Behaviour of Farmers and Farm Women

J.Meenanabigai* and R. Netaji Seetharaman

The active participation of audience was the critical factor to the assessment of impact of cable

television. Activity behaviour exhibited by the audience speaks on the effectiveness of a given

communication medium.This study of audience activity was carried out in Thondamuthur block

of Coimbatore district. Thirty faim households were selected based on the number of cable

connections in Thondauthur and Devarayapuram villages. Audience activity was measured in

terms of voluntary and selective orientation by audience towards the communication process.

The findings of this study concluded that "complete reading of newspaper before start of the

programme", "taking meals in accordance with the programme", "mending clothes", "knitting"

were the predominant activities in pre exposure selectivity, exposure involvement and post-

exposure utility by the farmers and farm women viewing cable television. Audience activity was

measured in terms of voluntary and selective orientation by respondents before having exposure

to television programmes, during exposure and after exposure to the programmes. The

methodology followed by Mansingh (1992) was used in this study

INTRODUCTION

The satellite broadcast and cable television bring an enormous amount of information and

images from sources with irk the country as well as from trans-national agencies. The free flow

of information and images hitherto largely alien, come to us in our living rooms at the flick of a

switch, courtesy, satelite television linked with cable system. After the emergence of multi-

channel cable television people themselves expose to variety of channels and programmes. The

frequency of watching various programmes and time spent per day for cable TV viewing varies

among people of different section of the society has been made to study the cable television

viewing behaviour of farmers and farmwomen.


Vol XXXX No 1 & 2, 2004

Information Source Utilization for Vaccination Against Foot and Mouth Disease in Live

stock.

Raja Ram Singh* and Mahesh Chander*

ABSTRACT

Awareness is important for successful implementation of any developmental intervention

including mass vaccination campaigns. The information source utilization for vaccination against

FMD was studied in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh through interviews of 240 farmers from 12

villages and 20 field veterinarians. Self-initiative, neighbours and veterinary officers were

considered as number one source of information about vaccination in block I. Neighbours

followed by self-initiative and local veterinarian were the source for their knowledge on FMD in

block II, in order of preference. Among ranked first sources of knowledge, self-initiative was

reported by most of the respondents (40%) in block I and neighbours (44.44%) in block II. Mass

media was ranked fourth by the majority of the respondents across the selected blocks. 40%

doctors convened meeting, 35% sent messenger and 20% informed village head to inform

farmers about vaccination.

INTRODUCTION

India owns one of the largest livestock wealth in the world, which substantially contributes to

national economy and also plays a vital role in sustaining livelihood of rural people. This

livestock-based economy (including fisheries) contributes about 7.35 percent (2000- 2001) to the

total GDP, in spite of the fact that livestock sector in India is seriously affected every year due to

various diseases. Indian economy may further gain significantly once it is able to harness full

potential of livestock by improving health status of its livestock and eradicating certain

problematic diseases from India.

There are certain major diseases afflicting livestock that are serious and fast spreading in India.

One of such diseases is Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). In India, FMD alone causes loss of

approximately Rs. 5000 crores (GOI) annually.

FMD is a highly infectious disease and is endemic in India. It occurs in almost every part of the

country and throughout the year. FMD has been listed in the 'A' category of OIE (Office

International des Epizooties) infectious diseases' list. Countries free from this disease inflict trade

embargo on export of animals and animal products on the countries, where FWID is

inadequately controlled (Randolph et al. 2002). Because of this trade embargo, India suffers

heavy economic losses in terms of export potential apart from the production losses. India's

potential for exporting animal products is likely to increase significantly if India is declared

disease free for FMD, as it has already overcome major hurdle by making India free of

Rinderpest recently.

Successful implementation of vaccination campaign depends on various factors, among which

mass awareness/ publicity efforts, information sources utilization by farmers as well as doctors

play a significant role. Therefore, Information Sources Utilization by the farmers and doctors for

FMD Vaccination was studied.


Vol XXXX No 1 & 2, 2004

Information Utilization Pattern Among Veterinary and Livestock Development Assistant

in Haryana.

S.P.Singh* and R.S.Dalal**

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted on 250 Veteninary and Livestock Development Assistants (VLDAs)

Proportionate random sample was selected from ten distrcits of Haryana state during 2002-03 to

ascertain the sources of information utilization pattern among them. The study reveals that

majority of the VLDAs obtained the information about latest livestock production practics from

their seniors follwed by collegues. Sometimes they also discussed these problems/seek

information from the villagers around the dispensary. Most of them utilized / newspaper and

watched television for getting information. They considered the veterinary suregeons as highly

reliable, most confident and credible source of information. Majority 87 percent of them

perceived 'non availability of extesion literature at dispensary level' as very serious problem,

follwed by lack of funds / resouces with dispensary. The statistical analysis indicates that age,

education, parental occupation, rural-urban backgruound, knowledge possessed and in-service

training undergone were the important factors influencing the information utilization pattern

among VLD As.

INTRODUCTION

The scintist of Veterinary and Animal Science disciplines generate lot of technologies to be

utilized by the livestock owners for better results. The primary function of State department of

Animal Husbandry is to disseminate and transfer these technologies to the livestock owners. It is

reported that very small percentage of generated technology reaches to the ultimate users. The

generated technology first of all are given to the higher and middle level of specialists engaged in

the state department of animal husbandry and then they disseminate these technologies to the

livestock owners through grass root field fuctionaries. Veterinary and Livestick Development

Assistants (VLDAs) are posted at dispensary level and are known as grass-root field

functionaries. VLDAs play a crucial role and build a linkage between Subject Matter Specialists

(Veterinary Surgeons) and livestock owners. They have direct contact with technology users and

it is on the part of the veterinary surgeons to ensure that these VLDAs prosses the latest know-

how. Being the grass-root extenson field functionaries, it is their duty to have a close contact

with the veterinary sugeons/subject matter specialists to obtain the latest technology Hence an

effort has been made to study the extent of information utilization pattern of the VLDAs working

in the State Department of Animal Husbandy, Haryana.


Vol XXXX No 1 & 2, 2004

Communication Pattern and Information Access Among The Dairy Farmers of Kerala

Letha Devi G* S.K. Jha** and S.R.K Singh***

ABSTRACT

Communication has substantial role in the adoption and diffusion of the advanced technologies

in agriculture for regular growth and development of the farmers. A comparative study was

conducted in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala among two types of milk societies, viz.,

traditional and cooperative milk societies. Six milk societies, three each in the two categories,

were selected for the study. Total 90 respondents were randomly selected (15 from each society).

The findings of the study reveals that majority of the respondents in both type of milk societies

mostly used personal localite channels and mass media for getting information. Among personal

cosmopolite channels, dairy extension officers were the most commonly used source. Use of

telephone and mobile phones was on the rise and the respondents of both the categories were

well aware of the internet services. There were significant differences among the use of

communication channels between the two categories of the respondents.

INTRODUCTLION

Communication has substantial role in the adoption and diffusion of the advanced technologies

in agriculture for regular growth and development of the farmers. Dairying plays pivotal role in

Indian agriculture. It is supposed to be 'rural banks' for resource poor farmers. Indian dairy is

mainly dependent upon the milk societies for its survival. At present, India has more than half a

million co-operatives milk societies with 230 million members. Since the advent of "Anand-

Pattern Co-operative Societies (APCOS)" this sector is functioning very efficiently in all the

states except in some pockets of our country where still some traditional milk societies exist.

These traditional societies are though co-operative in nature, yet they differ from the APCOS-

model apropos nature of functioning, mandate and policies. State of Kerala is the best epitome

for such traditional societies. The farmers prefer the traditional milk societies for one or other

reason. Keeping the importance of the situation in view, this study was conducted to know the

discrepancies regarding communication pattern along with other information accessibility

between the members of traditional and APCOS model milk societies.



Utilization of Information Sources by Shrimp Farmers

Kumaran.M*, Ponnusamy.K** and M.Krishnan***

ABSTRACT

Adequate, appropriate and timely information is necessary for shrimp farming to make wise

decisions due to its high risk and capital - intensive nature. A study undertaken in Cuddalore

district of Tamil Nadu State to investigate shrimp fanners, 'information sources, their nature and

extent of utilisation. Private input dealers, Fellow farmers/Peer, MPEDA and BFDA were the

major sources of information. Poor accessibility and Inadequate attention were the major

constraints. Formulating a vibrant TOT mechanism, establishment of Agricultural Technology

Information Centre (ATIC), aquacultural information centre at coastal areas, appropriate

extension programmes at field level, need based training, effective utilisation of mass media,

using farmers group as communication channel and regular interaction between research and

user systems will help in improving access to scientific information and their better utilisation by

shrimp farmers.

INTRODUCTION

Coastal aquaculture in India is synonymous with shrimp culture because of its high profitability,

ready marketability, premium price, and unlimited export demand. The Govt. of India has also

been giving enough importance by designating it as an 'extreme focus area' due to its significant

foreign earnings, employment generation and utilization of hitherto unutilized brackishwater

areas. Though we have a potential of 1.19 million ha of brackishwater area suitable for culture

hardly about 12 per cent (1.46 lakh ha) of it alone brought under culture so far. Further, our

national average productivity is also extremely low (0.545t/ha) compared to that of other shrimp

producing countries. Bringing more area under culture and increasing the productivity of shrimp

would geometrically increase production Study conducted by FAO (1997) - revealed that lack of

information delivery methods, mechanisms, ineffective information exchange and dissemination

were the major constraints in aquaculture development. Perhaps information commodity should

be seen and recognized as one of the essential resources needed by shrimp farmer to aid them in

taking proper decisions and improve farming practices (Shibanda, 1996). Adequate, appropriate

and timely scientific information is crucial for shrimp farming since it is a high risk and capital-

intensive enterprise. Knowledge on shrimp farmers information sources and their extent of

utilization is essential for formulating appropriate extension methodlologies and communication

stratagies for effective dissemination of scientific information about shrimp farming


Vol XXXX No 1 & 2, 2004

Utillization of Inter Personal and Mass Communication Channels by Farm Women

K.Prameela* and V. Ravicharadran**

ABSTRACT

Use of inter personal and mass communication channels by faun women of Kanyakumari

District, TN revealed a clear preference for official inter personal sources of communication. like

the AA0 & AO (75.33 % and 67 33% resp). Among mass media channels: Radio topped the list

with 28.67 per cent using it frequently, followed by television (23.33%). Education, social

participation and value orientation were significantly correlated with use of communication

channels.

INTRODUCTION

Tremendous changes that had taken place in the way of flow, quality and quantum of

information have necessitated to look into various sources of farm information through which the

rural people become aware of the innovation in agriculture and related fields. Only a few in the

field of apiculutre are able to receive the latest information on agriculture in the shortest possible

span because of their extrovertness and cosmopoliteness. Others become the victims of

discrimination due to lack of easy and necessary access to information.

The channels of communication are considered to be important stimuli to the individual in the

adoption process. It is a link between the diffusion of an innovation and its final adoption.

The efficiency of channels of communication varies from one social sector to another. The mass

media of communication for example, may prove more effective in an urban setting as compared

to the rural areas. The communicator will have to develop channels which will be most suitable

for the particular community in which he is working. Even though in the adoption of innovation

different channels of communication play important roles, all channels however do not have

similar impact on the farm women to bring about change in their mind. The heterogeneity of

clients in their education, socio-economic status, farm size and such other socio-economical

characteristics make the communication more complex.

To understand the issues involved, the present study was conducted to access the extent of

utilization of interpersonal and mass communication channels by farm women and to study the

association and contribution of selected socio-personal and psychological characteristics of farm

women with the use of communication channels.



Influence of Mass Media on Tribal Farm Women

Niva Barra, R. K Singh, S.K. Topno, and R. R Singh 'Ratan'

ABSTRACT

The influence of mass media on the opinion of tribal farm women belonging to different life

styles about selected socio-economic issues was studied in Kanke, Namkum, Angara and Ratu

blocks of Ranchl district. The respondents were grouped into three life style categories i.e.

modem, semi modem and traditional. Majority of tribal farm women belonging to modem and

semi-modern types of life style favoured co-education, widow remarriage, women's right to

divorce, use of family planning measures, breast feeding, use of household appliances, men's

participation in household chores i.e. division of labour should not be gender based and voting

should necessarily be an individual decision. On economic issues majority of the respondents

were of the opinion that men and women should get equal opportunities for employment and

receive equal wages. They favoured the idea that women should ask for share parental property

and family income should be equally shared between men and women. On the issues like

polygamy majority agreed that polygamy is a curse of society and disfavoured the idea of

abortion.

INTRODUCTION

In India, media facility has expanded enormously over the years since independence. In recent

years there is a definite policy shift in favour of adopting new technologies to accelerate the pace

of development and change the knowledge, opinion and life style of the country people. the

conventional approach to mass media an has been merely for dissemination of new knowledge

without taking into account their possible socio-psychological implications. Now-a days

however this paradigm has been changed to take into account all the psycho-personal and socio-

economic issues of the masses in order to make all the mass media a means of overall

development and change the opinion of people. Keeping this fact under consideration the study

was conducted to explore the impact to mass media on the opinion of tribal farm women on

selected socio economic issues.



Utilisation of Information Sources by

Farm Women in Arid Rajasthan

Amtul Waris*

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, with a sample of 40 uneducated and

40 educated (Anganwadi workers) rural women on their utilization of informal, (family

members/relatives/friends/neighbours) formal extension worker/Doctor/ANM/Bank officials,

Scientists/Sarpach and Mass media sources (radio/ television/Newspaper). It was observed that

irrespective of educational status, rural women consulted informal sources for agricultural

activities followed by formal, and mass media respectively. For livestock activities besides

family 'members, official sources were consulted to a greater extent by both uneducated and

educated rural women. Informal suources were utilized for information on household activities.

INTROD UCTION

Rural women play a critical role in household food production, right from sowing to post harvest

activities. In spite of their crucial role, women are less able than men to raise their productivity

because of less access to information and poor access to extension services. Moreover, lack of

education hampers their access and ability to understand technical information. The present

study was designed with the objective of analyzing the information sources utilized by rural

women for agricultural livestock and household activities.


Vol XXXX No 1 & 2, 2004

F actors Determining Adoption of Land Reclamation Technology

-An Application of Discriminant Function

R. Parshad and P. K. Joshi"

ABSTRACT

To meet the ever-rising demand for foodgrains for the burgeonoing population, continuous

search for new crop lands is the corner stone of the present agricultural policy. One potent

alternative is to bring the barren salt affected soils under crop production. The technological

packages have been developed to utilise such soils based on the studies carried out at the Central

Soil Salinity Reserch Institute (CSSRI), Karnal. Out of an estimated 7 million ha of highly

degraded salt affected soils, nearly 40 percent are afflicted with the menace of alkalinity and are

commonly referred as alkali or sodic soils (Abrol and Bhumbla, 1971). The remaining area is

either having the problem of inland waterlogged salinity or coastal salinity The results of field

demonstrations carried out by the CSSRI on farmer's fields under its transfer of technology

programmes show that by complete adoption of the package of practices, yield of 4-5 tonnes per

ha of additional foodgrains annually can be obtained (Parshad and Yadav, 1981). Further,

adoption of the complete package gives higher economic returns rather than when practices are

adopted selectively and or partially (Singh, Parshad & Ajore, 1990). The paper deals with

methodology of using discriminant function analysis to discriminate between high and low

adopter categories.

INTRODUCTION

It is often observed that the farmers don't adopt complete package and the adoption quotient

score is having high variance. The present investigation was directed to find out some socio-

personal characteristics which can differentiate between a 'high' or 'low' adopter. The results can

then be used to identify potentially low adopters to take up concerted programmes of enhancing

adoption level to reap full benefits of the technology



Use of Path Analysis in Extension Research

R.Randhawa*, Manjit Kaur** and Manisha Bhatia***

ABSTRACT

The path analysis is an extension of the regression model, used to test the fit of the correlation

matrix against two or more causal models which are being compared by the lesearcheis. Path

analysis is a very useful tool in extension researches. The model is usually depicted in a circle-

and-arrow figure in which single arrows indicate causation. Path analysis requires the usual

assumption of regression. It is particularly sensitive to model specification because failure to

include relevant causal variable or inclusion of extraneous variables often substantially affects

the path coefficients, which are used to assess the relative imporance of various direct and

indirect casual paths to the dependent variable. When ever the investigator suspects that there are

causal, rather than spurous or coincidental, correlations within independent variables, path

analysis, where it is important to separate out genetic commonly used in the field of evolution,

where it is important to separate out gentle and environmental influences. This paper describes

about path diagram, drawing, and reading path diagram, types of path diagram, path analysis

technique, testing the path co-efficient and application of path analysis

INTRODUCTION

The term Path analysis' was first introduced by the biologist Sewell Wright in 1934 in connection

with decomposing the total con-elation between any two variables, in a casual system. According

to Loether and McTavish (1976), "The use of standardized multiple regression equations in

examining a theoretical model is called path analysis", Sewell Wright describes path analysis as

technique based on a series of multiple regression analysis with the added assumption of casual

relationship between independent and dependent variables. This technique lays relatively higher

emphasis on the use of visual diagram, technically described as a path diagram (Kothari 1990).



Scientific Temperament of Farmer and its Correlates

Dipak De*

ABSTRACT

A scale to measure scientific temperament was developed based on scientific knowledge,

scientific attitude, scientific method practised by the potato growing farmers. The scale

comprises 24 items pertaining to scientific attitide, 12 for scientific habit, 27 for scientific

konwledge and 23 for scientific method. The factors identified as contributing significantly to the

scientific as contributing significanity to the scientific temperament were: communication,

irrigation potentiatity and farm implements. Other personal variables that affect scientific

temperament to a significant level are social participation and education. Variables like age,

caste and credit behaviour were not found significantly relaled to scientific temperament.

INTRODUCTION

Science and scientists assume high order significance in society for their help by promising

within the individual scientific outlook and attitude. Secondly, one of the blessings of science is

the crucial role in bringing prosperity to a country and leading the fight against the feudal

outlook, attitude and value system. Farmers too are the scientists of first order. By the trial and

error method they selected most valuable breeds of cattle and varieties of crops. An exhaustive

survey of different studies conducted on temperament revealed that there is no appropriate tool

for measuring the scientific temperament of farmers. Therefore, it was considered logical to

devlop and standardize a scale on scientific temperament and to find out its correlation with

differend parameters of the farmers.



Measurement of Attitude of Women Towards Gram Swarozgar Yojna

Vanitha Chethan*, B. Krishnamurtiy**, M.Shivamurthy**, and A.D. Ranganath***

ABSTRACT

A beneficiary oriented new holistic programme namely SGSY has been launched to improve the

family income of rural poor. The beneficiaries may have favourable or unfavourable attitude

towards the SGSY. The type and nature of attitude they hold towards the scheme varies from one

beneficiary to another. Hence, in this context it is imperative to study the attitude change among

women beneficiaries towards the programme to facilitate effective implementation and desirable

impact. The study conducted in Bangalore district revealed that most of the women beneficiaries

had formed favourable attitude towards SGSY since it was successful in creating additional

employment to the beneficiaries and had eventually raised their income.

INTRODUCTION

Swarnajayanthi Grama Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) Programme was launched on 1st April 1999

with definite aim of improving the family income and to uplift the rural poor living below the

poverty line within the period of three years and to train them to generate sustainable income

through micro-enterprise development. SGSY helps to improve the skills of the rural poor and to

develop them through self-employment with their own efforts. The programme gives importance

for Self Help Groups and thereby enhances the self-confidence of rural women and develops

them economically and bring about social change. In order to have qualitative participation in the

programme and avail its benefits the rural women have to develop a favourable attitude towards

SGSY. Attitude is the degree of positive or negative affect associated with some psychological

object, person, ideas, institution or a phenomenon. Past researchers have identified attitude as

one of the important psychological variable that influence the acceptance and narticipation of

rural women in rural development programme. Considering the importance of attitude this study

was conducted cosntruct a scale for measuring the attitude of women beneficiaries towards

SGSY, study their attitude and identify the relationship between socio-economic factors and

attitude of the women beneficiaries.



A Scale to Measure client Satisfaction and Accountability

of Extension Personnel

Saravanan R*, Veerabhadraiah V.** and Shivalinge Gowda, N. S.***

ABSTRACT

Considering the paramount importance of client accountability of extension personnel, client

satisfaction and agricultural knowledge dissemination, summated rating scales have been

developed through five stages. Based on review of literature, discussion with extension experts

and farmers, 27 statements were developed and subjected to judges rating on a three-point

continuum. Considering relevancy percentage of 75, relevant items were selected and subjected

for item analysis. The scales were tested for their reliability and validity. The scale to has

measure client accountability comprises 18 terms and clients satisfaction scale has 26 items.

INTRODUCTION

Assessing the impact of extension on farm productivity is a complex task. A detailed review of

various studies has pointed out that a common measurement problem is the inability to isolate

the contribution of extension from other factors affecting productivity (Feder et. al. 1987). In this

direction, clientele satisfaction as also the client accountability of the extension personnel act as

measurement indicators of extension service. Further, survival of emerging private and NGOs

extension services mostly depend on these two aspects. Hence, an attempt was made to develop

scales to measure the client accountability of extension personnel and clientele satisfaction in

public and private extension.


Vol X/100C No 1 & 2, 2004

Agriculture Data base and online facilities to

Disseminate Information

Madhu Balla* and Rajesh Kumar**

ABSTRACT

Information regarding different aspects of agriculture is scattered in various forms. The

agriculture research data book comprises 216 tables in eleven sections. The DNA databases

stores data of DNA sequences potentially useful for computation. DNA Databases are helpful to

get the annotations of specific sequences which helps in research work. Also, biological data is

so huge that biologists depend on databases to store, organize, search and analyse data. There are

various types of databases to store information about biological patterns of DNA. Most of these

databases contain evolving information and therefore have gone through several revisions, since

they were first introduced. Internet has played a significant role in providing information about

different biological softwares to the scientists in very limited cost and time. There are few widely

used archives of biosciences software. Two commonly used archives of molecular biology

software are IUBio Archive, at Indiana University and the European Bioinformatics Institute

(EN) software archive. Some of the important databanks are GenBank, DDBJ (DNA Databank

of Japan), EMBL (European Molecular Biology Laboratory). With the advancement of

technology all over the world in genomics, India has also tried hard to improve the

bioinformatics activities of the country The Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India has

established several internationally recognized databases in India under the National Jai Vigyan

Science & Technology Mission for Genomic Research. These databases are set up at Indian

Institute of Science (IISe), Bangalore; University of Pune, Pune; Jawaharlal Nehru University

(INV), New Delhi and Institute of Microbial "'Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh.

INTRODUCTION

When the thought of database arises in our mind, we think two basic important functions. Firstly,

storing of large and :attered data and secondly, a retrieval system which has ability -_ perform

various operations on stored data. The online data - ok contains information of agriculture in

eleven sections for _es? use of experts, research and extension professionals. In 1 NA databases

efforts are made to store data of DNA sequences potentially useful for computation. When a new

DNA sequence is obtained, there is desire to know, whether this DNA sequence already exits or

it is a new one. This can le searched in databases to know its originality DNA Databases are

helpful to get the annotations of specific sequences which elps in research work. Also, biological

data is so huge that biologists depend on databases to store, organize, search and analyse data.

Keeping all these in mind an effort is made in 'Ls paper to provide an idea about bioinfonnatics,

types of Databases, highlight some of the facilities on internet for searching DNA database and

efforts made for bioinformatics which can be utilized by the extension system.


Vol XXXX No 1 &2, 2004

Research Note

Information Need of Farmers in Uttranchal and Uttar Pradesh

S.P. Gupta*, Amardeep** and Kushal Vir***

INTRODUCTION

Low productivity in agricultural and allied sector is due to many reasons. Several studies reveal

that information needs of farmers regarding crop production and management are not met fully

Shakya (1973) observed that crop cultivation, horticulture, kitchen gardening, plant protection

and livestock were the areas in which farmers need information. Similar studies reported that

farmers had information needs in agronomic practices, improved varieties, plant protection

measures and farm machinery with respect to rice- wheat cultivation . (Singh 1981, and Singh &

Hansara 1992). Mathiyazhagam and Singh (1986) identified fertilizer application, propagation

method, plant protection methods and varieties as the areas in which information needs of

farmers are not fully met. It has also been observed that farmers are not fully aware of improved

practices of production and management in agriculture. It is also a fact that some of the farmers

are reluctant to adopt new practices, as they are not aware of their potential. Keeping in view

these facts it was realized that there is an urgent need to identify the information needs of

farmers under different production system in Uttranchal and Uttar Pradesh.

An action research under NATP sub - project on Team of Excellence in Agricultural Information

and Communication was conducted for identifying information needs of farmers under different

production systems. Total 557 farmers were I selected from 12 villages who were engaged in

particular production system.



Research Note

Information Sources For Agriculture Technology

G.R.Bhagat, M.S.Nain,Rakesh Narda*

INTRODUCTION

It is well recognized that agricultural development is the process of accepting new ideas and

practices that influence the attitudes and life-styles of farmers to enable them to live better life.

Besides other inputs in the process of agricultural development, various modes, of

communications at the hands of extension agency contribute a great deal to faciliate technology

transfer, technology acceptance and technology utilization. Realizing the significance and power

of information sources in communicating the latest agricultural technology to ultimate users, an

attempt was made to conduct the present investigation to understand which of the media could be

used in a most effective way for disseminating agricultural technology to the farming system.



Research Note

Media Exposure and Preferences of Rural Young Girls

Towards Advertisements

Meenakshi Chargotra**, Narinder Paul*** and G.R.bhagat*****

INTRODUCTION

Media plays a vital role in creating awareness by providing information and education besides

entertainment. It helps people to be active partners in nation building endeavour. In the modern

information age, new technologies are being developed at a faster rate and it has made the

process of diffusion more complicated. The emerging technologies are creating as well as

widening the gap between its generation and utilization. But it has been observed and

recogonized that whenever there has been effective media advertisements the gap is abridged

significantly. Advertisements pave the way for the speedy dissemination and faciliate the early

adoption of modern technologies. However, crucial to all this is exposure of people to the

advertisements. Still more important factor is the preferences of masses to these advertisements.

Rural young girls are key to the decisions often made in the household regarding the aspects of

daily life. Media advertisements addressed to rural young in Newspaper, Radio and Television

were selected for the present study.

Newspaper is the primary instrument of mass communication. A good newspaper provides

balanced and intelligible accounts of events in the country and the world. Newspaper provides

detailed information. Majority of the educated people read newspapers even after listening to

news programmes through radio or television. Today, radio has reached all the places with

improvements in the waves and space technologies. Different media channels provide news and

views of various events occurring inside and outside the country. It educates people both in

informal and formal ways. Television broadcasting assumes tremendous importance in a

developing country like India which has low literacy rate and varied cultures and multiple

languages. The government has recognized that audio-visual medium is one of the most efficient

and effective ways to disseminate information and educate the masses Keeping this background

in view, the present study was planned with the main objective to study the media exposure and

preferences of rural young girls with respect to advertisements.


Vol KKKAL. No 1 & 2, 2004

Research Note

Mass Media Effect on Adoption of Food and Nutrition Practices

Poonam Srivastava*, Priyanka Jain** and Prakash Singh*"

INTRODUCTION

Role of women in household is vital and unique. They alone are responsible for the methods

adopted for the preparation and serving of meals to family members. The nutritional status of

family members are greatly influenced by the sound knowledge, attitude, belief and values

possessed by them. The present study aimed to assess the effect of mass media on adoption of

food and nutrition practices among rural women.



Research Note

Internet Utilization Among Post- Graduate Girl Students

Shedilly Sharma* and A. Malaviya**

INTRODUCTION

Internet is the greatest revolution to have taken place in the world of technology in the last

decade. It is being used extensively for sharing information about people, products, services,

international affairs, hobbies, science etc. The world wide web (www) is the easiest and most

popular way to access the internet and has emerged as a mode of instruction in different areas

such as-education, communication, entertainment and many others. Keeping in view, the wide

range of information provided through interne and increasing students' involvement in internet

usage, the present study was undertaken.

Indian slo,itrnal of Extension Education

Vol XXXX No] &. 2, 2004

Research Note

A Scale to Measure Attitude Towards People`s Participation in

Soil and Water Conservation Programme

INTRODUCTION

In soil and water conservation (SWC) programmes through watershed management, the local

people's participation is essential at the time of programme planning, implementation and

maintenance of conservation structure. The beneficiaries, the local people who are affected with

the SWC programme, must have favourable attitude to participate in the development

programme. Keeping this in view the study was undertaken to develop a scale for measurement

of attitude to towards people's participation in soil and water conservation programmes.


Vol XXXX No 1 & 2, 2004

Research Note

A Scale to Measure Knowledge Level of Hill Farmers Regarding

Improved Agriculture Practices

Nirmal Chandra*, Shailesh Kumar** and KKS Bisht***

INTRODUCTION

Adoption of improved agricultural practices in hill fanning requires proper knowledge about the

practices. It was, therefore, thought necessary to develop a scale to measure the knowledge level

of hill farmers regarding improved agricultural practices. Knowledge in the present context was

conceptualized as the amount of information about currently recommended practices for hill

farming as possessed by the hill farmers.

Journal of Extension Education


Research Note

Norms for Using Socio-Economic Status Scale

O.P. Mishra and P. N . Kaul**

INTRODUCTION

A scale was constructed and standardised to measure the socio-economic status of rural families

in Bareilly area. Items included in the scale are such on which quantitative information can be

objectively collected. It consists of 10 items viz., number of literate males, total years of

schooling of the family, (total of classes by the family in years), number of rooms, area of house

(square yards), total land owned (in bigha), irrigated land owned (in bigha), value of total crop

production (Rs. 000s), estimated annual income of family (Rs. 000s) and total number of

household items (Mishra, 1997). The items included in the scale are such that information can be

easily collected about these. No subjective judgement of the investigator is required in the

collection of the data. Any investigator who can interview villagers can collect data on the scale.

The scale has been found to be highly reliable and with high validity (Mishra and Kaul, 2001).

The scale vill be useful for those concerned with research, development and education in rural

areas. So often, data are required on socio-economic status of rural families. The scores obtained

on the scale can be used for this purpose. However, raw scores as such have limited utility. The

raw scores earned by an individual or a particular group do not indicate the relative position of

the individual or the group in the total distribution of the population. Singly considered such

scores do not provide a comprehensive view of the community studied nor they are usable for

purposes of comparative study. For this, "norms" are needed. Norms are helpful in providing a

basis for understanding and interpreting the raw scores. Norms also help in knowing the relative

position of an individual on a scale (Pareek and Trivedi, 1993).

Norms are worked out on the basis of the pattern of respondents of the population under study.

"Norms are a range of Values constitution the usual performance of a given group”.


Vol XXXX No 1 & 2, 2004

Research Note

A Scale to Measure Attitude of Training Towards Agri-Clinics

and Agri-business Centres

M.C.Goyal*, Narinder Paul** and K.L. Dangi***

INTRODUCTION

Recently, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India in association with National Bank for

Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has launched an innovative programme to take

better methods of farming to each and every fanner of the country by helping agricultural

graduates to set Agriclinics and Agri-business centres. This programme aims to tap the expertise

available with large pool of agricultural graduates irrespective of whether they are fresh

graduates or not, currently employed or not. Before setting up such clinics and centres, interested

candidate are provided specialized training initiated by small farmers Agri-business consortium

(SFAC) and coordinated by National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management

(MANAGE), Hyderabad. For setting up any venture attitude of the person or a group towards

different social, psychological, economic aspects of that venture is of prime importance. In

simple words, the success or failure of such a venture would mainly depend on their attitude

towards it. By and large the success or failure of agri-clinics and agri-business scheme depends

on the attitude of trainees. Their participation in training programme does not ensure that they

have positive attitude towards it. They might have joined training under the influence of several

factors. Keeping in view the significance of this programme, it was planned to develop an

attitude scale for measuring the degree of positive or negative feeling of trainees associated with

Agri-clinic and Agri-business centres.



Research Note

INTRODUCTION

A Scale to Meas ure knowledge of tribal Women on

Nutrition Practices

Meera Singh* and N.C. Verma"

INTRODUCTION

The knowledge has direct bearing on the behaviour of the individuals. Therefore, the success or

failure of any programme or practices would mainly depend upon the people's awareness and

knowledge towards it. With a view to measure the knowledge of tribal women towards nutrition

practices, a scale was developed.

CONSTRUCTION

For developing the scale, summated rating technique as suggested by Likert (1983) was

followed. Item collection Fifty four statements on nutrition were prepared on the basis of

relevant literature, discussion with faculty members of the College of Home science and

interview with tribal women. These statements were scrutinized following the fourteen informal

criteria as suggested by Edwards (1957). Item Analysis The statements were presented to 120

tribal women and their agreement disagreement in five point continum was sought. The purpose

of item analysis was to examine how well each item discriminates between persons having

different level of knowledge on such criteria, items with good discrirnanatory values were

retained and others eliminated.

The following steps as suggested by Edward were followed in the item analysis. The total score

obtained by each person on all the statements was calculated in the preliminary series. The

various responses were assigned numerical weiditage varying from 5 strongly agjee, 4 agree, 3

undecided, 2 disagree and 1 strongly disagree for positive statements. This order was reversed in

case of negative statements. Total score of an individual was the summation of numerical weight

assigned to each response. On the basis of individual total scores.

Twenty five percent subjects with highest total scores and 25 percent of the subjects with the

lowest scores were segregated and formed the criterion group for evaluation of individual

statements for determining the relevance of a particular statement and eliminating those which

did not discriminate well between persons holding different level knowledge.



Research Note

Socio-Personal Factors Affecting Academic Performance

Vijay Avinashillingam, N.A. *, Upayana Singh* & Gyanendra Sharma**

INTRODUCTION

The academic performance of students is an area of gravest concern which plays an important

role in their becoming more competent, intelligent and intellectual professionals. As these

professionals move higher in their life, their academic performance still remains a criterion for

deciding their professional expertise. The socio-personal characteristics of students exert their

influence on improving or impeding their performance in academics. One of the basic underlying

assumptions behind higher academic performance is hard work, labour and determination. Other

factors that also affect academic performance include family support, medium of instruction,

proximity of school to home etc. It was therefore necessary to identify and group these factors or

socio- personal characteristics on the basis of some similarities between them that affect the

academic performance.


Vol XXXX No 1 & 2, 2004

Research Note

Knowledge of Stake Holders on Indian Agriculture under WTO

R.Saravanan* and N. S. Shivalinge Gowda**

INTRODUCTION

Agriculture was brought under the purview of multilateral trade negotiations and rules for the

first time with the establishment of WTO in order to reduce the trade distortions in the

agricultural sector. The Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) however raised many questions and

doubts especially among the developing countries like India, who fear that the implementation of

the provisions of this agreement would adversely affect their domesetic agricultural production,

export and import and their farmers. Indian agriculture is known for its multi-functionalities of

providing employment, livelihood, and food, nutritional and ecological securities. There is

indeed a great scope for agriculture if only Government orients the farmers slowly, getting them

connected to the global village. Though the farmers know what needs to be done in relation to

particular soils, crops and diseases, yet they have scope to learn from peers, scientists and others.

The knowledge of people about the WTO agreement on agriculture and its impact on Indian

agriculture is necessary for agricultural development in India and also to upgrade

competitiveness in world trade. Considering this the present investigation was undertaken to

know the knowledge level of farmers, technocrats and administrators on Indian agriculture under

WTO.


Vol XXXX" No I &2, 2004

Research Note

Evaluation of Beekeeping Vocation

Sonali A. Tapre* and P.0. Ingle**

INTRODUCTION

Beekeeping and agriculture are interlinked from time im-memorial. Beekeeping refers to the

husbandry of specific spe-cies of insect. It is estemated that from about 330 bee hives one can

earn Rs. 25000 to 32000 in a period of three months (Jastus ,1991). Bee version has a medicinal

value and is effec-tive in treating cancer (Anon, 1995). Role of bees as pollinators added to the

tune of Rs. 26.00 crores toward state economy (Brar etal., 1992) The present study 'Evaluation of

beekeep-ing vocation' was undertaken to study the knowledge and adoption of improved package

of beekeeping practices. and socio-economic benefits received by beekeepers from beekeeping

vocation.

40 jan-june 2004.docx · web viewstudy on communication behaviour of extension personnel, conducted...

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