Impact of industry on agricultural development in Sylhet region of Bangladesh: Farmer’s perception

The study targets at farmer’s perception and their cognition how they conceive that agricultural performance has been affected and devastated through industrial work. It reviews and investigates the opinion of 25% farmers of two villages from each upazila of two named Madhapur and Habiganj sadar upazila in Sylhet division where Charu Ceramic Industry Limited and Olipur industry are located respectively from mid-September to mid-October, 2021 through survey of questionnaire, interview and group discussion. According to 85% farmers, the industry shades agriculture by imposing an adverse and toxic impact on agricultural exposure and development. Among them, (41.6% and 48.4%) of farmers realize that the industry creates high propensity of losing standard quality of soil and water, respectively. They (40.2%) notice that invasion of several dangerous insects on crops has become prominent and unmanageable near the industrial area. The study represents such kind of realization of farmers to show a salient feature in view of their finding causes and intuition with significant numerical data. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 133-138, Dec 2021

Land Resource Cards: An Innovative Approach to Empower Farmers for Site-Specific Farm Resource Management

The paper investigates an innovative extension approach of generation and distribution ofLand Resource Cards, developed from Land Resource Inventory database, used for site-specific farm resource management in watersheds adopted under World Bank funded Sujala-III project. Extent of reach, satisfaction level and training status of Land Resource Cardsin 12 model micro-watersheds located in different agro-climatic regions of Karnataka witha sample size of 720 farmers was assessed. The Land Resource Cards reached only 18 percent of farmers while 22 per cent of farmers were trained for its utilization. However, 77per cent were satisfied with the information provided and 23 per cent suggested for furtherimprovement in cards for greater utility. The overall farmer’s perception on capacity buildingon land resource cards revealed that they were very useful in farm-level resourcemanagement. Hence, need for replication of similar approach in all database drivenwatersheds to be implemented in the future with adoption of modifications is suggested.

Farmer’s perception of climate change and adaptation strategies under temperate environmental conditions of Kashmir, India

A study was conducted in nine different topographical locations of Kashmir valley to know the perception of the farmers about climate change. Adaptation and mitigation strategies adopted by the farmers were also documented over a specified period viz., 1980-2019. Results from the observed data revealed warming trends in all seasons, however, winter and spring season temperatures have shown statistically significant increasing trends at the rate of 0.040C/year. Analysis of seasonal and annual precipitation data shows a decreasing trend at the rate of -4.5 mm/ year. The farmers in the study areas had perceived that the climate has changed for the last four decades. Increasing temperature, frequent droughts and less snowfall were the main visual parameters experienced by the farmers. About 30-35% of the farmers have adopted different strategies by default to mitigate ill effects of climate change. However, the majority of the farmers (70%) have not adopted any strategy to cope up with the impacts of climate change. Farmers (>90%) have stressed on provision for an early warning system, timely supply of inputs, provision of financial support and nutrients for soil enrichment as viable options to combat the ill effects of climate change.

Agroforestry development in Lake Toba catchment area: Farmer’s perception and interest

The Lake Toba Catchment Area (LTCA) has degraded due to a lack of implementation of conservation principles. Agroforestry is one of the land-use techniques with a conservation approach. Agroforestry development in LTCA should be supported by stakeholders, especially farmers. Farmers’ support will be formed if they have a good perception and interest in developing the agroforestry systems. The study aims to determine farmers’ characteristics, perceptions, and interests in agroforestry development in LTCA. The study was conducted from July until August 2019 at Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra Province. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using a questionnaire with 30 respondents. Measurement of farmers’ perception and interest use a Likert scale. The data were then analyzed descriptively. The results showed that the farmers’ age is dominated by the productive phase (30-50 years old); they are only completed elementary schools, with average landholding was <0.3 ha, and farming experience >10 years. Farmers’ perceptions and interests in agroforestry development in LTCA are in good categories, each with a score of 4.18. These perceptions and interests of farmers are supporting factors that would positively impact the development of sustainable agroforestry in LTCA.

Gedong Gincu mango farmer’s perceptions toward the advantages and obstacles of the modern market

Gedong gincu mango is an exotic fruit that can become an exclusive mango to supply the modern market. This paper aims to explore the perceptions of Gedong Gincu mango farmers toward their interests, advantages, and barriers to entering the modern market. The study was conducted in Indramayu and Cirebon Districts, West Java, during Juli‒Agustus 2019, with 102 farmers as respondents. This study applied a survey method for data collection using structured questionnaires. The data were descriptively analyzed with a focus on farmer’s perception of the modern market. The results showed that most respondents (>50%) in Indramayu and Cirebon Districts are interested in selling their mango to the modern market. The biggest advantages of the modern market are that they will get a higher price (75%), gain access to better quality seeds/seedlings (16.50%), and get technical assistance and new skills, especially for cultivating and handling yields (15.06%). This study also reveals factors that cause farmers reluctant to sell mangoes to the modern market. The main reason is that most farmers own small-scale farms, so they cannot meet modern market criteria (28.73%). Besides, farmers feel that the mango has low-quality products. Other farmers think they do not have the ability, experience, and sufficient information related to modern markets (14.94%). This study suggests that the government could encourage mango farmers to engage in the modern market by facilitating the training to improve farmer’s capability and provide a supplier who guarantees the supply’s payment and sustainability.

Farmers’ Perception of the Feasibility of Mithun (Bos frontalis) Farming and its Constraints in Nagaland, India

The present study was conducted on a sample of 126 mithun farmers randomly drawn from three districts of Nagaland to assess the perception of the farmers regarding the feasibility of mithun farming and its constraints that can contribute to a better understanding of the mithun production systems and its declining population in Nagaland. The farmer’s perception of the feasibility of mithun farming and its constraints was measured using a 3 and 5 point continuum Likert scale, respectively, drawing various inferences based on the respondents’ responses. A low mean perception score (MPS) of 1.06, reveals that the majority (99.21%) of the respondents are in disagreement with the statement that mithun farming is not profitable. Mithun farming according to them is very profitable which needs the right hand-holding support from financial institutions for the exploitation of its marketable potential. Due to the lack of institutional efforts in promoting mithun rearing as bankable and insured schemes, 99.21 percent of farmers held a strong perception (MPS=2.98) that mithun farming, in the long run, may not be feasible and may result in discontinuity of mithun farming in some villages. Also, the high cost of inputs for fencing (Mean value=3.91) and constant predator attack on the animal particularly the young calves (Mean value= 3.88) renders mithun farming difficult with the existing system of rearing. The findings indicate that though mithun farming is profitable, there is a strong need to promote a scientific and alternative semi-intensive method of mithun rearing and encourage the diversified use of mithun for meat, milk, hide, and draught potential to stop the slaughter of mithun for table purpose only. Therefore, considering the socio-cultural linkages of the tribes with the mithun proper strategies and policies are essential for its conservation.

Late blight resistance of Ecuadorian potato landraces: field evaluation and farmer’s perception

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary, is one of the most devastating diseases of potato world-wide. A field experiment, in a location under high P. infestans pressure, was carried out in Ecuador to assess resistance or susceptibility to late blight of 31 potato landraces collected in Carchi, Chimborazo and Loja. Resistant commercial varieties (I-Fripapa) and a susceptible (Superchola) were included as references. Based on the Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) three categories were scored: resistant, intermediate and susceptible. The landraces under study showed different responses to late blight in the experimental field. Only, five landraces showed the best field resistance: Uva, Chaucha roja, Guata amarilla, Coneja and Chaucha ratona. Additionally, a survey to 150 farmers growing potato landraces in these three provinces identified the main diseases affecting their potatoes. Informal conversations with these farmers both during the collections and during farmer meetings provided additional information regarding late blight and their perception of landrace resistance. Similar to farmers growing commercial varieties also farmers currently cultivating landraces consider late blight as the main disease in their potatoes. Probably the broad crop diversity on their farms and the planting of potato landrace mixtures reduces the late blight severity effects within their potato fields. Possible strategies to improve late blight resistance in potato in Ecuador could include the identification of accessions with resistance among local landraces, wild potato relatives and/or the introduction of new sources of resistance from other origins.

Farmer's Perception regarding On-farm Water Conservation in Punjab Agriculture

The present paper aimed to explore the farmer's perception regarding on-farm water conservation in Punjab agriculture and outline the critical factors affecting the knowledge and adoption of on-farm water conservation techniques. The study was conducted in Moga, Rupnagar and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts selected randomly representing three agro-climatic zones of Punjab. The study revealed that most of the respondents were literate with farming experience of more than 15 years. The regression analysis applied on the knowledge index, and adoption index concluded that by enhancing the education level, mass media exposure, extension contacts, participation in extension activities, and farming experience, the knowledge level regarding the new technologies may improve, resulted in the effective adoption of that particular technology. It will also help to reduce future constraints in the adoption of the technologies and for increasing the income level of the farmers by decreasing the cost of production.