Constraints Analysis of Shrimp Farming in the Coastal Belt of South Gujarat

The study examined the constraints analysis of shrimp farming in the coastal belt of South Gujarat. From the South Gujarat region, mainly four districts, namely, Valsad, Navsari, Surat, and Bharuch districts, were selected purposively to study the socio-economic characteristics of shrimp farmers. From each district, two talukas were selected purposively according to the availability of shrimp farmers. After that, two villages from each taluka and from each village, fifteen farmers were selected by simple random sampling (SRS) method. Thus, a total of 240 shrimp farmers were selected for this study. The present study was the vital work in this area which revealed that the disease problem was ranked as the most crucial constraint followed by poor quality of seeds. Feed cost was a third major constraint as reported by shrimp farmers in the study area. The other important constraints identified in the study area were lack of credit, lack of co-operation among shrimp producer’s, lack of technical guidance, involvement of middleman, lack of quality control agencies, lack of government support and losses due to theft that resulted in low productivity etc.

Problems and Prospects of Himalayan Farmers and Farming: A Case Study of District Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir

Agriculture is one of the fundamental features of the Indian economy. Agriculture along with its allied activities employs near about half of the population of India. The Himalayas form the major mountain ranges of the country and covers the northern and northeastern parts of the country. The Himalayan mountain region covers around 10 states of India including Jammu and Kashmir (J & K). The main source of livelihood of these regions is agriculture but the nature of agriculture is still traditional and is of subsistence type. The productivity is also low and unsatisfactory. This paper is an attempt to highlight some of the main problems faced by the farmers and to analyze prospects for the future growth of Himalayan agriculture. It also focused on analyzing the present status of farmers in the region. This paper is focused on district Kishtwar of J & K, a major Himalayan territory. The paper is based on primary data and a sample of 400 farmers has been taken for the study. The finding of the study shows that farmers in the region are mostly marginal and the area still lacks the irrigation facility. Still, the traditional mode of farming is practiced in the region. It also revealed that illiteracy, lack of information, lack of credit, lack of irrigation facilities, soil erosion, traditional mode of agriculture, etc. are some of the major problems faced by the farmers in the district. The area needs some immediate steps to be taken for the growth of agriculture in a real and much better way.

Logit analysis of socio-economic factors influencing people to become fishermen in the central region of Ghana

This study analyzes the socio-economic factors that influence people?s decision to become fishermen in the central region of Ghana. Using a well structured interview schedule, a random sample of 98 people from Elmina in the central region of Ghana was selected for the study. Results from the descriptive statistics analysis of respondents identified fishing as a family business, minimum skills requirement and ready market for fish demand as factors that motivated majority of the people into fishing. Lack of storage facilities, access to credit, lack of government assistance and unpredictable changes in weather conditions on sea were the main constraints to fishing activities. Results from the logistic regression model indicated that household size and access to credit were significant factors that positively influenced people?s decision to become fishermen. The regression analysis further revealed that engaging in other income generating activity and being educated significantly reduces the probability to start fishing business.