Impact of Front Line Demonstrations on Mustard Crop in Sirsa District of Haryana

Krishi Vigyan Kendra conducts cluster demonstrations every year as per target assignedby ICAR. The study evaluates impact of 300 demonstrations on mustard crop in 120hectare area conducted by KVK Sirsa since 2015-16 to 2017-18 in different villages of thedistrict. The extension gaps in technologies were identified through farmers meetings andgroup discussions with the farmers. The findings indicated significant increase in the averageyield of demonstrated plot (15.13%) over the farmer’s practice plot of mustard crop. Averageyield of demonstration plots was recorded higher by 18.18 per cent, 14.09 per cent and13.13 per cent in years 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively. The extension gapwas 4.0 q/ha, 3.10 q/ha and 2.89 q/ha while technology gap was 2.0 q/ha, 2.90 q/ha and2.11 q/ha during consecutive years respectively. During these three years, yield increase indemonstration plots expressed as additional income over check plots accounted for Rs.7670/ha, Rs. 12350/ha and Rs. 11590/ha respectively during various years.

Technology Gap

This chapter extends the authors' previous research work in which an examination of causality was conducted between foreign direct investment (FDI), economic growth (GDP), and the environment (CO2 emissions and energy consumption [EC]) in the Indian context. Two more important variables (i.e., trade openness and technology gap) were also added. The chapter further examines the effects of information and communication technology (ICT) trade on both GDP and the environment of India. The results of previous model show that FDI is neither causing GDP nor is it bridging the technology gap. The results also indicate the existence of pollution haven hypothesis (PHH) in India as FDI is causing both CO2 and EC. Also, FDI is, though not causing the GDP directly, doing so indirectly through CO2 validating the existence of PHH. FDI is causing trade openness in India, but that openness is again causing more FDI, which is doing no good for India. The results of ICT trade model indicate that both GDP and ICT exports cause CO2 in India. Also, both the GDP and ICT exports are consuming energy in India.

The technology challenge in the transatlantic relationship

Technological innovation has become a critical element of international cooperation and geopolitical rivalry. This has impacted key areas of the transatlantic partnership, presenting both opportunities and challenges for EU–US relations, either rejuvenating a relationship mired in rifts or deepening those rifts. Instead of examining how these structural cracks have emerged and are growing, this article zooms in on the challenge to transatlantic relations posed by technological innovation, both as a driver of cooperation and a cause for further rivalry. In doing so, the article explores three interrelated elements: the transatlantic technology gap and the EU’s quest for technological sovereignty, approaches to technological innovation and the role of emerging and disruptive technologies, and the values-based governance of digital and technology issues. As fast-paced technological transformation continues to disrupt societies and economies on both sides of the Atlantic, technology should be at the heart of a revived phase in EU–US cooperation and trust.

Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of the Influence of Technology Gap on Carbon Emission: The Case of China

Numerous studies have examined the relationship between technological development and pollution. From a global economic perspective, the narrowing of one country’s technological gap relative to the world technology frontier (due to the technological progress) may affect its environmental pollution. However, few studies have focused on this issue. This study examined the relationship between technology gap and air pollution both theoretically and empirically. The theoretical model shows that narrowing the technology gap may help reduce pollution. Using patent data from USPTO, as well as industrial level pollution and socio-economic data in China, this paper found that the narrowing of technology gap plays a role in reducing air pollution emissions in China, which confirms the theoretical model. This study provides a new perspective on the relationship between technology progress and pollution.

Yield Gap Analysis of Rapeseed (Brassica campestris var. Toria) in Kokrajhar District of Assam, India

The present study was carried out at five different villages of Kokrajhar district of Assam where cluster front line demonstration (CFLD) of High Yielding Variety (HYV) of rape seed (TS 46) was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kokrajhar. A total of 652 nos. of front line demonstration (FLD)s were evaluated to find out the yield gaps between HYV toria variety TS 46 and variety grown by farmers. Yield data of both demonstration and farmers practice were recorded and their yield gap, technology gap, extension gap and technology index were analyzed. The yield of rape seed variety TS 46 was registered 22.38 to 50.00 per cent higher over farmer’s variety. On an average technology gap, extension gap and technology index were recorded as 2.28qha-1, 2.08 qha-1 and 20.73 per cent respectively.

Technical Efficiency of Kenyan Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Different Agro-ecological Regions

We employ stochastic meta-frontier and region-specific frontiers based on the “true” random effect framework to examine technical efficiencies, technology gaps and meta-frontier technical efficiency of Kenyan smallholder dairy farmers in different agro-ecological zones. The empirical analysis is based on comprehensive three-wave household level panel data from across three agro-ecological zones in Kenya. Results show variations in efficiency measures and that smallholder milk production is characterized by increasing returns scale across all agro-ecological zones. The results indicate that the milk output of smallholder dairy farmers from all the agro-ecological zones lags behind their potential with the technology available and the prevailing enviromnetal conditions in their agro-ecological zones. We also, find that there exists a significant technology gap in dairy production across the agro-ecological zones in Kenya. These findings generate important policy implication for achieving increased technical efficiency and reduce the technology gap in smallholder dairy production.

Technological Gap in Pineapple Cultivation in Dimapur District of Nagaland

The study was conducted to examine the technological gap in recommended cultivation practices of pineapple in Dimapur district of Nagaland. A total of 120 respondents were personally interviewed by the researcher using a pre-tested interview schedule. The result of technological gap revealed that the highest (100%) technological gap was found in recommended practices like planting time, treatment of planting materials, manure and fertilizers, intercultural operations, growth regulators and Insect Disease Management. And the lowest was found in recommended varieties with 0% technology gap.