Determinants of Crop Diversification in Bangladesh: An Econometric Analysis

This study aims to investigate the factors that influence household behaviour in cultivating the diversified crops on their cultivable land in Bangladesh. Cragg’s alternative tobit model has been applied to a unique rural household level dataset to find the catalysts of crop diversification. The results obtained portrayed a mixed impression of crop diversification in the country. The estimated results have revealed that the male head of household, the accessibility of information, a greater number of farming parcels and the availability of hired labour seem to govern the decision of a farming household to participate in non-rice crop production, while factors such as the total amount of land, agricultural extension service and irrigation facilities influence rice cultivation. Moreover, the findings obtained from the same Cragg’s alternative tobit model estimation for the Aman, Boro and Aus seasons have also revealed a similar depiction of crop diversification in Bangladesh.

Agricultural Advisory Diagnostics Using a Data-Based Approach: Test Case in an Intensively Managed Rural Landscape in the Ganga River Basin, India

technology adoption through agricultural extension may be a consequence of providing generic information without sufficient adaptation to local conditions. Data-rich paradigms may be disruptive to extension services and can potentially change farmer-advisor interactions. This study fills a gap in pre-existing, generic advisory programs by suggesting an approach to “diagnose” farm-specific agricultural issues quantitatively first in order to facilitate advisors in developing farm-centric advisories. A user-friendly Farm Agricultural Diagnostics (FAD) tool is developed in Microsoft Excel VBA that uses farmer surveys and soil testing to quantify current agricultural performance, classify farms into different performance categories relative to a localized performance target, and visualize farm performance within a user-friendly interface. The advisory diagnostics approach is tested in Kanpur, representative of an intensively managed rural landscape in the Ganga river basin in India. The developed open-source tool is made available online to generate data-based agricultural advisories. During the field testing in Kanpur, the tool identifies 24% farms as nutrient-limited, 34% farms as water-limited, 27% farms with nutrient and water co-limitations, and the remaining farms as satisfactory compared to the localized performance target. It is recommended to design advisories in terms of water and nutrient recommendations which can fulfill the farm needs identified by the tool. The tool will add data-based value to pre-existing demand based advisory services in agricultural extension programs. The primary users of the tools are academic, governmental and non-governmental agencies working in the agricultural sector, whose rigorous scientific research, soil testing capacity, and direct stakeholder engagement, respectively, can be harnessed to generate more data-based and customized advisories, potentially improving farmer uptake of agricultural advisories.

Role of Psychological Attributes of DAESI Dealers in Knowledge and Skill Development

Psychological attributes are the internal human characteristics which reflect a great impact over the trainees of any programmme. These attributes are distinct for each and everyone. National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) had launched a individual financed One-year Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI) Programme during the year 2003 for the input dealers in order to make input dealer competent enough in terms of knowledge and skill. In Chhattisgarh, under the flagship of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidhayalaya Raipur, Directorate of Extension Services had initiated a yearly Diploma course which was started in the year 2017-18. This study is focused to access the role of Psychological Attributes of DAESI dealers in knowledge and skill development. a random sample of 100 participants were selected out of 154 participants. The data was collected through a well prepared Questionnaire & need based online data methods and ex-post facto research design was used. The study reveals that majority of respondents were moderately benefited from DAESI programme 2019-20 in terms of increase in knowledge and gain in skills. Correlation and path analysis between various psychological attributes and increase in knowledge & gain in skill reveals that three attributes namely, innovativeness, risk bearing ability and self-confidence is considered the most important and determining attribute for increase in knowledge and skill level of DAESI dealers

Effective Extension Sustainability in the face of COVID-19 Pandemic in Smallholder Agricultural Markets

The effects of COVID-19 have tested and crushed the earlier achievement in sustaining the agricultural and extension delivery system globally. COVID-19 has pressed a reset panel on the extension services more especially among the smallholder farmers who are already underprivileged. Specifically, this review paper aims to analyse studies on the sustainability of agricultural extension delivery systems in face of the COVID-19 crisis. The various theories and factors advanced in discussing sustainable agricultural extension delivery systems, and how they contribute to improved production and productivity to end poverty have been addressed. The COVID-19 mitigation strategies and their effect on agricultural extension sustainability have been laid bare. No single sustainability theory can explain how COVID-19 has disrupted the extension delivery systems. The service providers and farmers have had their effects differently, and all players have followed mitigation to the best of their knowledge. Extension delivery has undergone numerous modifications over the years to better meet the demands of farmers and the changing nature of the markets in which they operate. In order to provide effective service delivery and outcomes to farmers, collective involvement of various stakeholders is necessary since no single player can achieve effective extension sustainability alone due to the diverse nature of the challenges, which are mainly influenced by factors such as geographical location, poverty, and social status among others. Therefore, appropriate approaches should be selected based on the needs of farmers and the market dynamics of a specific economic orientation in a given area. We conclude that effective and sustainable extension delivery systems require many combined theories, support functions, formal and informal rules, and regulations involving all extension-based stakeholders. Keywords: Sustainability, COVID-19, smallholder farmers, agricultural market systems, extension services

Strategi pengembangan profesionalisme penyuluh dalam peningkatan mutu penyuluhan pertanian

Agricultural extension is less clear, so it needs to be addressed, by developing professionalism of extension workers in improving the quality of agricultural extension. How is the implementation of strategic management in improving the quality of agricultural extension. The research objectives were to identify and analyze: 1. SWOT internal environment (strengths and weaknesses) and external environment (opportunities and challenges / threats); 2. Strategic formulation; 3. Strategic implementation; 4. Management of supervision and evaluation of agricultural extension professionalism; 5. Strategic steps to overcome problems and weaknesses. The research method uses a qualitative approach. Research location: BP3K Sukalarang and Sukabumi Subdistricts, West Java. The underlying theory is educational management, strategic management, human resource management, agricultural management and extension, quality theory and culture. The research findings are: 1. Not all BP3K heads have analyzed and combined their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges into the conclusion of strategic assumptions in the preparation of strategic plans; 2. Strategic formulation has not been based on strategic assumptions by maximizing strengths and minimizing weaknesses by taking advantage of opportunities in facing challenges. Vision, mission, strategic objectives and policies for professional development of extension workers are integrated in RENSTRA BP4K; 3. Strategic implementation includes programs, budgets and implementation procedures contained in the BP3K Annual Work Plan Program with a nominal BP3K Budget Work Plan, the agricultural extension professionalism development program has not been specifically regulated; 4. Supervision and evaluation of the professionalism of agricultural extension workers have not collaborated between the Head of BP3K and the district agricultural extension coordinator. The head of BP3K has not reported the results of the detailed and periodic professionalism assessment of agricultural extension agents to the district agricultural extension coordinator; 5. Strategies to overcome problems in an anticipatory manner through fostering motivation to all agricultural extension workers. Research recommendations: it is recommended that BP3K heads maximize strengths, minimize weaknesses, take advantage of opportunities to overcome challenges. Strategic assumptions are the basis for formulating vision, mission, goals, strategies and policies so that the professionalism of agricultural extension workers can develop to improve the quality of agricultural extension.

Klasifikasi Penyakit Padi berdasarkan Citra Daun Menggunakan Model Terlatih Resnet101

Rice is a staple food source for most countries in the world, including Indonesia. The problem of rice disease is a problem that is quite crucial and is experienced by many farmers. Approximately 200,000 - 300,000 tons per year the amount of rice attacked by pests in Indonesia. Considerable losses are caused by late-diagnosed rice plant diseases that reach a severe stage and cause crop failure. The limited number of Agricultural Extension Officers (PPL) and the Lack of information about disease and proper treatment are some of the causes of delays in handling rice diseases. Therefore, with the development of information technology and computers, it is possible to identify diseases by utilizing Artificial Intelligence, one of which is by using recognition methods based on image processing and pattern recognition technology. The purpose of this research is to create a Machine Learning model by applying the model architecture from Resnet101 combined with the model architecture from the author. The model proposed in this study produces an accuracy of 98.68%.