Journal of Extension Education

From the Editor's Desk

PRATHAP D PUTHIRA — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This editorial of JEE 34(2) deals with the challenges faced by innovative farmers

Role of Institutional and Policy Factors in Influencing Adaptations to Climate Change

Vanitha Kommu — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of the study was to understand the role of institutional and policy factors in influencing the climate change adaptations by the farmers. The study was conducted in a climate vulnerable district of Andhra Pradesh, India by covering 90 farmer households through structured interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The selected villages had the climate change related projects implemented in the past. The findings revealed that while the farmers were aware of climate change and adaptations, the adaptation decisions were largely influenced by the policy factors like minimum support price, subsidies, loans, credit, market, extension, quality inputs, weather advisory etc. There is a need for an enabling policy environment for the farmers to follow the adaptations and benefit from the same.

Impact Assessment of Farm Diversification Schemes in Haryana, India

Elizabeth Jose, K.Ponnusamy — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Green revolution was capable of mitigating hunger and malnutrition but it had reportedly made a negative impact in terms of soil and water degradation. Diversification was also seen as one of the solutions to problems brought out by green revolution. As part of farm diversification, the Haryana government has initiated programmes like Mera Pani Meri Virasat (MPMV), Crop Cluster Development Programme (CCDP), Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana (BBY) etc. This study highlights the impact of MPMV Scheme in a detailed way. It was undertaken in three agro ecological zones of the Indian state of Haryana. One district from each agro- ecological zone was chosen. From each district, 60 farmers were contacted. The study reveals that there is only limited acceptance of new diversification schemes among farmers as it is reflected in their area of adoption. Adequate amount of incentives and timely provision of the compensation amount are likely to further improve the utilization of these programmes among farmers.

Attitude of Undergraduate Students in Rural Colleges of Kashmir Valley towards Experiential Learning

Mehraj ud Din Sheikh, Debendra Nath Dash, Sajad Ahmad Mir — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Experiential learning, which is the process of learning through direct experience and reflection, is a core component of contemporary education system. The present study attempted to explore the attitude of undergraduate students in rural degree colleges of Kashmir valley in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, towards experiential learning. Altogether, 150 undergraduate students pursuing bachelor’s programme in various rural government degree colleges, were identified for the study through randomization. The 25 item- questionnaire was administered to measure the attitude towards experiential learning. Various statistical techniques and graphical representations such as mean, standard deviation, percentage, 2x2 factorial design were employed. The study established that attitude towards experiential learning differs significantly with respect to gender and academic stream among the undergraduate students.

Constraints Encountered by Beneficiary Farmers and Extension Personnel of Agro Service Centres in Kerala and Suggestions for Improvement

Safna Vatakke Kandy Meethal Yoosuf, B Seema — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The present study was conducted among the beneficiary farmers and extension personnel of Agro
Service Centres (ASCs) in Kerala, India during the year 2018-19. The sample of the study comprised
120 farmers from purposively selected 26 Agro Service Centres and 60 Extension agents. Based on the detailed analysis and interpretation of different constraints faced by farmers and extension
personnel, it was found that lack of subsidy for farm inputs was the major constraint faced by the
beneficiary farmers and the discontinuance of service providers of Agro Service Centres for better
jobs was the major constraint faced by the extension personnel working in Agro Service Centres.
Better coordination among different extension agencies, periodic monitoring and evaluation of the
activities of ASCs by government officials, and improvement in the basic infrastructural facilities are considered some of the ways to improve the functioning of existing Agro Service Centres in the state of Kerala.

An In-Depth Study of Farmers’ Knowledge and Attitudes towards Organic Farming in Uttar Pradesh, India

Pushpa Kumari — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Organic farming has the ability to reduce the adverse consequences of modern farming methods and to support rural development. This study attempts to investigate the farmers’ knowledge and attitude towards organic agriculture where limited prior research had been conducted, in Mirzapur District of Uttar Pradesh, India. Out of 12 blocks in the district, two blocks namely Pahari and Manjhwa, were chosen purposively for the study. From each block two villages and from each village, 30 farmers were selected. A total of 120 respondents formed the sample. The results revealed that a majority of farmers were well aware of organic farming and have a favorable attitude toward organic farming. There exists an association between age, education & annual income and the factors influencing the attitude of farmers toward organic farming.

Perception of Farmers towards Mobile Based Extension Agro Advisory Services in Nagaland, India

Sesenlo Kath, Ruokuovilie Mezhatsu — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The agricultural extension services in the North East region of India are not only hindered by limited resources and scarcity of trained staff at state & regional level but also by the remoteness of the villages. Many villages remain inaccessible particularly during monsoon, due to poor road connectivity. The major technology dissemination approach adopted so far had been the traditional direct interaction and field level practical demonstration at the community level. The facility of toll-free modern smart phone based information and communication technology (ICT) service has been started and is gaining momentum. An attempt has been made to collect the data from 200 farmers of Tseminyu district of Nagaland State based on proportionate random sampling (PPS) technique to know the impact of mobile based extension agro advisory services in the region.
Majority of the farmer respondents had perceived ‘yield increase’ , and ‘information of new agricultural technology’ as the major benefits of using the mobile -based agro- advisory services.