Suchergebnisse

Research Paper ; The study evaluates the behaviour construct of self help group (SHG) members. Data were solicited from randomly selected 100 SHG members of Patna district, Bihar, India at two point of time (in before and after situation), i e during 2008 and 2013. The behaviour construct developed, consisted of 30 items, for which Cronbach's alpha coefficient of reliability was observed as 0.82. Data were solicited on three-point continuum, viz. No Change=1, Slightly Changed=2 and Highly Changed=3. The mean values of two situations (before and after situation) were compared (z-statistics) to observe the behavioural change among the SHG members. An improvement of 34.91% between pre (46.09%) and post evaluation (81%) and a significant improvement in behaviour of SHG members was observed, which exemplifies the impact of SHG approach in instilling a positive behavioural orientation. Positive behaviour could play a great role in tackling the issues of rural poverty for improving sustainable livelihood security in eastern India. To achieve this rural livelihoods must assimilate the vital facets like (i) formation and stabilization of SHGs, (ii) pro-poor financial and credit support system, (iii) market-driven and decentralized extension system, (iv) diversification towards high-value enterprises, (v) technological intervention and impact assessment, (vi) media-mix for technology transfer, (vii) frequent educational tour/visits and interaction with other SHGs and research institutes, (viii) developing leadership skills, and (ix) strong political will. Nevertheless, extension system needs to be re-oriented and revitalized with new agricultural knowledge base in emerging technologies and methodologies. ; Not Available

Not Available ; Pulses are vital sources of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and adding significantly to the country's nutritional stability. India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world, accounting for about 25% of global production and 27% of consumption. India imported nearly 2.63 million metric tons of pulses during 2019-20. The peculiarity of the pulse production scenario in India illustrated that while India is the world's largest producer of pulses, domestic demand outstrips domestic production and the shortfall is being addressed from import, Increasing the production of pulses in the country is a long-term solution to meet the demand for pulses. This is a major challenge for us to ensure the availability of pulses as their cultivation is predominantly taken up on marginal and sub-marginal lands under rain-fed conditions. The major constraints hindering the pulses production are low seed replacement rate, poor management practices, non-availability of rhizobiuna, unfavorable weather condition, inadequate infrastructure etc. Government of India is taking many initiatives to overcome the constraints and enhance the pulses production of the country. This article deals with present scenario of pulse production and delineates constraints along with strategies to overcome these constraints. ; Not Available

Article ; Farmer to Farmer (F2F) extension approach in agriculture is a systematically utilization of community leadership and informal communication between farmers. This approach aims to strengthen the information flow and enhance the agricultural production. As a generic term we use it as 'farmertrainer', even though we recognise it by different names e.g. lead farmer, farmer-promoter, community knowledge worker may imply different roles.F2F approach helps in building the effective, farmer-centred extension systems and empowering farmers as change agents for improving livelihoods in their communities.F2F model can reduce the extension cost and workload of extension functionaries in a large country like India where extension worker and farmer ratio is very wide. Moreover, this approaches needs community as well as government support for sustainability and scalability. ; Not Available

Not Available ; There is plenty of information available in public domain that covers various aspects of extension and know-how about new methodologies for implementation. However, this information is often scattered and presented in complex academic language.Hence practitioners, who often have very limited time and/or may only have basic formal education, find it difficult to make use of this information. F2F model can reduce extension cost and workload of extension functionaries in a country like India where extension worker : farmer ratio is very wide. However, approach needs community as well as government support for sustainability and scalability. ; Not Available

Not Available ; Flour dust in Agro-Processing Industries (APIs) is one of the potential sources of health hazards among the workers. Hence, an investigation was undertaken in APIs of Punjab during 2012 to measure the dust particle size in small and medium sized mills run by the illiterate entrepreneurs. Data were solicited from purposively selected 15 Agro-Processing Centres (APCs) established and supported by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. A total of 120 workers engaged in these APCs responded for this study. Study reveals that Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) near all work stations was found higher than the recommended value of 0.5 mg/m3as given by ACGIH. The highest TSP was observed 17.94 mg/m3 at hopper (wheat pouring station), much greater than American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) limit. Study shows the representative example of current Indian situation, where the recommended value exceeded tremendously. Hence, emission sources of the dust particulate should be given special attention. There is also need to undergo the pre-employment and periodic medical surveillance tests of workers which should be ensured by the employer. The personal protective measures like use of face mask, proper ventilation and reduced working hours in high dust concentration areas are strongly recommended. ; Not Available