Cart

default logo

EA - Volume 61 - Issue 4

[<<< GO BACK ][ VOLUME 61 - ISSUE 4 ]

Title: Performance of Pomegranate Export from India
Abstract :

In the present study efforts have been made to explore the current status and performance or direction of trade and changes in the export of pomegranate from India. The secondary data on value of Pomegranate exported to various countries were collected for the period 2006-07 to 2014-15. The collected data were analysed using Markov Chain analysis. The study reveals that the production of pomegranate in India during 2006-07 was to a tune of 839650 tons and the quantity exported was 21670.43 tons accounting for 2.6 per cent of production, which increased during the year 2012-13 with production of 744950 tons and correspondingly the export as 35970.60 tons (4.8%). The dynamic nature of trade pattern was analyzed by applying first order Markov process. Examining the gains and losses in export share of major pomegranate importing countries showed UAE as one of the stable importer of Indian pomegranate as reflected by high probability of retention at 0.83811. Netherland and Other-countries were found able to retain their market share by probability of 0.55988 and 0.48860 respectively.

Title: Input use Pattern in different Soybean Based Cropping System in Karnataka
Abstract :

The research study was conducted in Bidar and Kalaburagi Districts of Karnataka to assess the input use pattern in soybean based cropping systems. A sample size of 160 farmers was selected using multistage random sampling method. Field level data were elicited for the Agricultural year 2013-14 through personal interview method. The data collected were using tabular analysis. The major soybean based cropping systems followed were soybean + redgram, soybean + jowar, soybean +bajra and soybean sole crop in the study area. The input utilization pattern under soybean based cropping systems was more or less equal to the recommended level. The fertilizer utilized was more in cropping system-II. Whereas, it was bullock labour which was found to be highest in CS-III followed by cropping system-II. The machine labour in cropping system-IV was found to be highest. In all the cropping systems it was observed that the utilization of human labour was more when compared to bullock labour and machine labour.

Title: Comparative Study of Marginal Farms in India vis-a-vis West Bengal; Evidences from Last Decade
Abstract :

Agriculture is the backbone of overall growth for the majority of the countries where the primary occupation of rural population is predominantly agriculture. The growth of agriculture is essential for poverty reduction and food security for these countries. The present study deals with the current situation of holdings, operated area and average size of land holding by marginal farms at the national level as well as West Bengal. The data has been collected from Agricultural Census, Government of India and West Bengal. It is found that 67.10% marginal farms cultivate only 22.50% of area in 2010-11 which has increased from 62.88% and 18.70% respectively from 2000-01 at national level. In case of West Bengal, 82.16% of marginal farms operate 52.47% of land which has increased from 80.44% and 49.74% from 2000-01 respectively. On the other hand, the average size of land holding has been decreased during this time frame both at national level and in case of West Bengal. Thus, the concentration of marginal farms is much more significant in the context of West Bengal for sustainable agriculture and maintain food security and to reduce poverty.

Title: Impact of Farmers Suicides on Social and Economic Conditions of Victim Households
Abstract :

The deplorable condition has emerged for the suicide victims’ households due to the loss of the burdened family member committed suicide by various socio-economic reasons. Size of own land holding, operational land holding dairy farming has been adversely affected; Victims family sold their lands to sustain their livelihood. Numbers of victims’ farmers’ family become landless.

Title: Performance of Self-help Groups in Micro Finance
Abstract :

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) emerge as an important strategy for empowering women and to alleviate poverty. India’s SHG movement has emerged as the world’s largest and most successful network. The main objective of this paper is to assess the study is conducted by using multi-stage random sampling method to collect primary data from the Akola District. The study revealed that Self-help group has earning on an average ` 14528/year to each member through dairy enterprise and ` 19600 thorough goats rearing. The study also concluded that on the extent of various levels of empowerment achieved by the members through their participation in SHGs. Personal, social, economic and financial empowerment were attempted which was possible due to microfinance.

Title: Effect of Price of Other Seasonal Fruits on Mango Price in Uttar Pradesh
Abstract :

The study analyzed the effect of prices of seasonal fruits available as substitutes of mango in highest producing state of India. Market infrastructures being internal factor, prices of other fruits too affects externally to the major fruit of the state. It depends on the transaction behavior of buyers in the existing market conditions. Lucknow and Varanasi markets in Uttar Pradesh were selected purposively on the basis of maximum arrivals of mango. Monthly time series data for 22 years from 1993-94 to 2014-15 was collected of major arriving fruits from both the selected markets. Data was analysed using Multiple Regression technique for the available dataset. Study revealed that in both markets pomegranate price and sweet orange price found to be significant and affected positively to mango price. But the price of apple in Lucknow market and prices of banana in Varanasi market was found non-significant. It was also confirmed from the correction coefficients of corresponding fruit in a particular market was found to be non significant. Study suggested that efforts should be made to make available theses substitutes in order to check the volatility of mango prices in the market, which will benefit producers and consumers both.

Title: Determinants of adoption of poultry technology by the farmers of adopted and non-adopted villages in North Eastern states of India
Abstract :

This study to analyse the determinants of adoption of poultry farming practices in North East Region was conducted in 13 purposively selected KVK districts in the region with 130 sample size from each adopted and non-adopted villages selected through proportionate random sampling. Data collection from the selected respondents was made with the help of pre-tested structured schedule through personal interview method. The study reveals that majority of the respondents in KVKs adopted villages had medium level of adoption of improved poultry farming practices, while over half of the total respondents in non-adopted villages were found having low to medium adoption level of the same poultry practices. Respondents of non-beneficiary farmers was found with little adoption of specific recommendations of selected poultry farming practices like stocking of birds, brooding and rearing and health care as shown by their corresponding total scores compared to beneficiary farmers. The study further reveals that out of 13 independent variables under study, primary occupation, trainings received, mass media exposure and extension contact of the respondents were found having positively significant relationship with the extent of adoption of poultry farming practices. While four variables namely, primary occupation, size of operational land holding, trainings received and extension contact had emerged as the most dominant factors influencing farmers for adoption of poultry farming practices in the region.

Title: Country of Origin Labelling: A Consumer Preference Analysis for Ethnic Greens and Herbs in the East Coast USA
Abstract :

The objective of the study was to predict the willingness to buy (WTB) Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) ethnic greens and herbs in the east-coast region of U.S. The estimated logit model results indicate that, the sample respondents are more likely to buy COOL if they consider food safety, and products sold in packages instead of loose. Sample respondents who consume ethnic greens and herbs for health motives have a higher probability of buying COOL ethnic produce. Reading food label and frequency of purchase have a significant positive effect to buy COOL ethnic greens and herbs. Moreover, the distance to closest ethnic store and price have a negative effect on consumers’ WTB ethnic greens and herbs with COOL. Income still plays an important role to buy COOL ethnic greens and herbs. Compared with other respondents, those who earn annual household income from $40,000 to $59,999 are less likely to buy COOL ethnic greens and herbs. Respondents aged 21 to 50 have a higher likelihood of buying COOL ethnic greens and herbs compared with a cohort older than 65. Based on the results in this study, producers can have a pricing strategy to set an appropriate price. Although there are important variables which may be beneficial in targeting ethnic consumers and executing marketing strategies, further research is needed to explore why these variables have varying effects on influencing ethnic consumers’ attitudes towards WTB ethnic greens and herbs.

Title: Entrepreneurial Behaviour of Rural Women on Bamboo Handicrafts in Tripura, North-East India
Abstract :

Women entrepreneurship development is an essential part of human resource development. Any strategy aimed at economic development will be lop-sided without involving women who constitute half of the world population. Entrepreneurship enhances financial independence and self esteem of women which empower them socially and economically. The hidden entrepreneurial potentials of women have gradually been changing with the growing sensitivity to the role and economic status in the society. The present study has been conducted to know the entrepreneurial behaviour of rural women of Tripura. Being one of the major bamboo growing states in India, bamboo handicrafts providing self employment to many rural women and in order to understand the intricacies associated with the bamboo handicrafts, this enterprise has been selected purposively for the study. The study has been conducted in Sepahijala and West Tripura district in 2015-16. Total sample size for the present study was 80. Result shows that 58.75% rural women belong to medium entrepreneurial behaviour category followed by 25% low and 16.25% belong to high entrepreneurial behavior category. The study also indicated that investment on enterprise, annual income, credit orientation, extension participation, mass media participation and level of aspiration have positive and significant relationship with entrepreneurial behavior. The entrepreneur are solely dependent on the middlemen for marketing of their product which ultimately reflected in the marketing orientation as it is evidenced negative significant relationship in the study. Therefore, to promote women entrepreneurship and improve their socio-economic condition adequate institutional, financial support should be given by the Govt. for sustainable livelihood besides the development of infrastructure on marketing.

Title: Economics of Milk Production in Mandya District of Karnataka
Abstract :

The study was conducted in Mandya district of Karnataka by collecting data from 90 milk producing households which were post-stratified into small, medium and large herd size categories. As far as productivity of the animal is concerned, the average productivity for milch animal was lowest for local followed by buffalo and crossbred, respectively. Similarly the average feed and fodder taken by the animals were found to be lowest for local cows followed by buffalo and crossbred, respectively. Per day maintenance cost was found to be highest for crossbred cows followed by buffalo and local cows. Among total maintenance costs feed and fodder costs accounts highest followed by labour cost, total fixed costs and miscellaneous costs, respectively. The return per litre of milk was highest for crossbred cows followed by buffalo and local cows. The net return from crossbred cow was more than that from buffalo and local cows indicating higher profitability in rearing crossbred cow in the area.

Title: Economic Feasibility of Jatropha Oil as Biodiesel
Abstract :

We studied economic feasibility of biodiesel production from jatropha in current research work. We prepared the biodiesel by process of transesterification of the unfiltered jatropha oil in presence of three percent of KOH catalyst. We added ethanol to oil by 30% volume basis. We kept as reaction temperature at 60 ± 5°C for one hour. The developed batch production unit of 5 litres capacity at Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal was used for biodiesel production from jatropha oil. We obtained 90.20% biodiesel recovery. We calculated the economic feasibility of prepared biodiesel by analysis of economics of jatropha plantation, jatropha oil extraction, jatropha ethyl ester production. We found the cost of oil per kg and JEE production per litre to be ` 25.34 and 28.64, respectively.

Title: Dynamics of Production and Export in Transformation of Tea Plantation Sector in India
Abstract :

The study was based on secondary published data with effect from 1971 to 2011 with an objective to examine the trends of production and export of tea and growth in India. It was observed that tea sector plays an important role contributing more than 200 crores to the GNP of the country. The major three producing regions are Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri. In the recent years, the sector has witnessed a stiff competition in the international export market affecting domestic production. It was observed that China produces 39.00% of world tea followed by India sharing 24.55% with an annual change of 2.87% during 1971-81 to 3.06% during 2001-11. Production of tea in the country was mainly due to increase of area and productivity. Replanted and replacement area could not influence the production of tea significantly. Number of tea estates was found to increase in between 1991-01 at the rate of 74.09% due to inclusion of small tea gardens and it declined from 5.29% to 3.64% during 1961 to 2011. Productivity change was higher in Assam, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and Kerala with high production change during the decades. The area growth during the decades was low. Production share of tea grades like CTC, Darjeeling and Green tea declined over years while share of Orthodox tea increased over years. The country witnessed high annual change of area of tea bushes under the age group of 5 to 10 years followed by below 5 years due to more area put under the small tea estates in the recent years. The export of tea bags as value added tea grew faster from 1971-72 to 2011-12 in terms of quantity and value followed by packet tea. Auction sale in the country declined. Employment generated per estate varied from 191 in Karnataka to 1011 in West Bengal in 2011. The emerging small tea sector has contributed from 5% in early 90’s to 31% during current year and is expected to touch 50% within next few years. It can be concluded that area could influence the production and it needs to be increased under replanting and replacement planting. Steps should also be taken to increase the export of value added tea in the country. The small tea sector should be organised and regulated to make it more productive.

Title: Effect of Inorganic and Organic Sources of Nutrients on Physico-chemical Composition of Mango (Mangifera indica L) cv. Amrapali
Abstract :

A field investigation was conducted to study the Effect of inorganic and organic sources of nutrients on physico-chemical composition of mango (Mangifera indica L) cv. Amrapali under high density orchard at Horticulture Complex, Maharajpur, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur (M.P.) during 2012-13 and 2013-14. A total of twenty four treatment combinations of inorganic and organic sources on nutrient were tested in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The fruit weight (177.5 g), length (9.67 cm) and width (7.68 cm) was recorded with the application of 125% recommended dose of chemical fertilizer and the higher TSS (22.600B), total sugar (18.87%), non-reducing sugar (13.94%), reducing sugar (4.94%), ascorbic acid (60.08mg 100g pulp-1) and TSS: Acid ratio (66.86) was recorded with recommended dose of chemical fertilizer applied in combination of Vermicompost (25 kg plant-1) + Oil cake (2.5 kg plant-1) + Azotobacter + VAM + Trichoderma viridi + PSB (100g plant-1 of each inoculants).

Title: Agripreneurial Attitude among the Farmers of National Capital Region of Delhi
Abstract :

Agriculture is still the mainstay of livelihood for millions of farmers in India. However, farmers are getting disenchantment with the agriculture due to climatic and production risks and more importantly due to the poor returns and high cost of cultivation. As entrepreneurship has assumed greater significance in economic development across the world, it is essential to set an entrepreneurial culture in farming and the farmers need to be motivated to shift from subsistence cultivation to commercial cultivation. Various agripreneurs in the country have proved that agriculture can be economically viable if various agricultural enterprises are followed up with post-harvest processing, value addition and marketing. However, favorable attitudinal orientation is an important prerequisite before taking up agripreneurial venture. Hence, understanding agripreneurial attitude has been a subject of interest for many researchers as agripreneurs exhibit varied types of characteristics that constitute agripreneurial attitude. The study was conducted in selected villages of National Capital Region of Delhi. Total 110 farmers, consisting of eighty agripreneurs selected purposively based on predetermined criteria (e.g. self-starter of agribusiness, extent of commercialization, recognition and awards secured, adoption of innovation in production system), and 30 non-agripreneurs selected randomly comprised the sample size of the study. The agripreneurial attitude was measured using the modified version of the entrepreneurial attitude scale of Robinson et al. (1991). About 53 and 22% of agri-preneurs were found to possess high and very high level of agripreneurial attitude respectively. Mann Whitney U-test revealed that agripreneurs and non-agripreneurs differed highly significantly (P<0.01) with respect to all the four variables namely achievement motivation, innovativeness, personal control and self-esteem.

Title: Identification of Research & Development Prospects in Small-Scale Food Processing Industries
Abstract :

The core objective of this research article is to investigate the different areas of R&D anticipated significant by the entrepreneurs associated with small scale food processing units particularly in terms of their prospect and start-ups motivator of small food processing business in Haryana. The added advantage of Haryana is its close vicinity to National Capital region, state applying contineous efforts to explore the benefit of this sector. Ministry of Food processing Industries visioned various policies and acting as driving force to bring R&D’s benefit for food processing sector but, small scale units probing their turn. The study present was conducted on 160 entrepreneurs engaged in food processing industries in Karnal, Sonipat, and Gurugram and Yamunanagar districts of Haryana state to understand their anticipation towards R&D sector and revealed various aspects which could benefit the small sector. Survey was done with the help of interview schedule. Aquaintness to R&D and availability of institute’s anticiapated most prosperous for food processing with weighted mean score of 2.10 and 2.02 respectively. Economic utilization of biomass, waste utilization and quality testing were other areas of prospects. Socio-economic characterstics of entrepreneurs was also studied. Along with, about one third of entrepreneurs felt that self motivation was one of the important reasons for them to enter into food processing business.

Title: Marketing Channel vis-a-vis Economic Viability of Ornamental Fish Cum Aquarium Business in Agartala, Tripura
Abstract :

Economic viability of ornamental fish business is utmost important as this sector has been identified as a powerful tool for rural income & employment generation. The study was conducted in Agartala, Tripura in the year 2015-2016 among 14 traders actively involved in ornamental fish business in Agartala. The data collected through observation, personal interviews with designed interview schedule as well as focus group discussion with the respondents revealed that majority of the respondents (78.57%) were young aged, all are literate and 28.57 % of them were graduates. Around 42.86% of the traders considered aquarium business as their main occupation. Around 71.43% were doing retail business and 28.57% were performing as wholesaler-cum- retailer. Majority of traders (28.57%) earned between ` 3,60,000-4,32,000 per annum. Among the identified six different channels in ornamental fish marketing in Tripura, majority of the traders (64.29%) used to take benefit of marketing channel V due to the higher profit margin i.e., purchased ornamental fishes from the producers of outside state and used to sell directly to the consumers and/or to the retailers. Profitability analysis of the ornamental fish trading indicated that all the cases studied generated positive net returns. Payback period were very short i.e., 0.14 years and 0.29 years for wholesaler cum retailers and retailers respectively which reflects that the investment in the business of ornamental fisheries and aquarium is less risky as well as repaid in the shorter time period and is considered the better choice as investment or action costs are recovered sooner and are available again for further use.

Title: Agro Processing Industries in Haryana: Status, Problems and Prospects
Abstract :

Agro processing assumed vital importance particularly in a state like Haryana where agriculture production has reached on plateau. Its importance became more elevated when employment opportunities in rural areas are squeezed. This paper analysed the growth of village level agro industries for different periods and also prioritized the factors hindering agro industrialization in Haryana. It is evident from the results traditional processing of village oil ghani, and jaggery and khandsari not keeping pace with time whereas cereal and pulses processing industries and fruits preservation and processing gaining movement in recent period. Nonetheless, the period of twenties indicating that village level processing is coming back on track. The situation is owing to development and adoption of suitable post-harvest machinery particularly for pulse milling, oil extraction and jaggery recovery. The growth of village level processing is constrained by factors such as procedural complexity in land acquisition and higher prices, insufficient finance for small entrepreneurs, lack of skill and awareness, higher cost of machinery and poor support on marketing and policy front. Hence, a comprehensive strategy which include development of physical, functional and market infrastructure along with provision of single window system, tax rebate and export subsidy need to develop to boost agro-processing in the state.

Title: Sustainable Groundwater Management through Energy Pricing: Evidences from North Gujarat Region of Gujarat, India
Abstract :

Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater and it is projected that by 2030, there will be overall gap of 40% between water supply and demand. The irrigation wells are energised by the electric as well as diesel operated pumps. In India, total electricity consumption to farm sector was 159144 Gwh during 2013-14, which account for about 18.03% of the total electricity consumption in the country and it is growing with a compound growth rate of 6.50% per annum during 2005-06 to 2013-14. Due to unsustainable use of groundwater for irrigated crop production leads many negative consequences including groundwater depletion. Overall objective of the present study was to assess the impact of energy pricing on sustainable use of groundwater without negative impact on farm level farmers’ income. The study was conducted in north Gujarat region of Gujarat State. The study suggests that the under the flat rate electricity pricing regime, farmers were getting lower net economic water productivity i.e. ` 4.15 m3 as compared to unit pricing of electricity (` 9.06/m3) at farm level. Therefore, government should make possible arrangement to charge electricity tariff on the basis of actual energy consumption at farm sector in water scare regions of the country to sustainable and efficient use of groundwater for irrigation.

Title: Performance of the Public Agricultural Extension System in Disadvantageous Settings: Evidences from Krishi Vigyan Kendras in North Eastern Region of India
Abstract :

Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the pivotal component of the Public Agricultural Extension System of the country has so far played a vital role in sustaining the largely agrarian based economy of North Eastern region. The present study aimed at assessing functioning of the North Eastern KVKs measured through individual performance of the Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) working under different KVKs in the region. The sample of the study comprised of 231 SMSs (n=231) from 59 KVKs in the region. A composite job performance index (CJPI) was developed following principal component analysis approach to measure overall job performance of individual SMSs. The findings of the study suggest that there is ample scope of improving job performance of individual SMSs, as a large majority (81.81%) of them had only poor to medium level of performance as indicated by the CJPI scores. Job performance of SMSs was comparatively poorer in areas and activities requiring larger mass participation and production of scientific literatures. A multiple regression analysis revealed that socio-personal characteristics of the SMSs had only little (13%) influence on their job performance; participation in training and workshop contributed high. The supervising institutes of KVKs in partnership mode may undertake special programmes including workshops and trainings in a focused manner, especially in job areas where performance of the SMSs can be improved. It will add to the overall functioning of KVK system in North East region.

Title: Consumption of High Value Agriculture Commodities in North Eastern Karnataka-An Economic Analysis
Abstract :

The present study analyzed the consumption pattern of the households in rural and urban areas of North Eastern Karnataka region based on the primary data obtained from 180 respondents belonging to Gulbarga and Raichur districts. Log Log Inverse (LLI) form of Engel’s equation was used to compute income elasticity. There was a significant difference in the consumption expenditure between rural and urban areas and across different income levels. The percentage expenditure share of HVAC was higher in rural area (21.56) in comparison with urban areas (13.69). The income elasticity was found to be higher in rural areas in comparison with urban areas and it has been found to vary across income classes. The magnitude of elasticity was found to be higher for lower income groups and these tend to decrease as income increased. The monthly expenditure on HVAC was influenced by monthly family income, family size and location. The study highlighted the influence of caste on consumption of non-vegetarian food items. The educated women included diverse vegetables in the daily diet and thereby improved the nutritional status of households.

Title: Farmers Perspective Towards Existing Poultry Contract Farming Model in Anand District of Gujarat
Abstract :

Contract farming in India can be seen in the production of various agricultural commodities. It has also been recognized in the poultry sector with Suguna Poultry pioneering in contract farming in this sector. Anand district in Gujarat has also witnessed rapid growth in contract farming in poultry. Many farmers who were earlier engaged in poultry farming as independent grower moved toward contract farming model. The paper has tried to study in detail the ‘modus operandi’ of poultry contract farming and the current scenario in Anand district of Gujarat, particularly what factors play role in entering into contract farming and the farmers’ satisfaction level towards the integrator.