Constraints Faced by the Farm Based Agri-Input Enterpreneurs in Central Telangana Region

In a situation when farmers’ suicide and distress sell still remain the key issues in India’s Agricultural scenario, we are dreaming of achieving a double income for the farming community. This gap in the income level of farmers can only be bridged by adopting newer income generating opportunities like establishing Farm based enterprises. Farm based enterprises are the vehicles for transforming rural India, these enterprises are maintained by the agripreneurs and this are the people enthusiastically more interestedly established units in agriculture especially in rural areas. Main aim of my research is to knowing about the constraints faced by the farm based agri input entrepreneurs and their impact on rural people especially on farmers of the area. The research investigation was conducted in Central Telangana region of Sanga Reddy district it consists of three revenue divisions namely Zahirabad, Narayanakhed and Sanga Reddy. From each revenue division Nine blocks were selected purposively using simple random sampling method thus making up a total of 26 blocks. From out of 26 Blocks each block 09 respondents interviewed and collected data with help of specially designed interview schedule it constitutes a total of 234 farm based agri-input entrepreneurs. The exploratory research design was used for the study. the objective to know the problems experienced by the Farm based Agripreneurs to start and run the farm-based enterprises. Constraints of agripreneurs stated that inadequate field diagnostic skills, lack of seed availability and storage facilities, high transportation costs, lack of financial facilities etc. are major Constraints faced by the farm based agri input entrepreneurs.

A Tool to Measure Entrepreneurial Skill among Agripreneurs

Entrepreneurship skills are an individual’s ability to make business in a profitable way. The study focused on to develop a tool to measure the entrepreneurial skill among the agripreneurs by reviewing of literature. Item selection and scoring procedure had been included in this study. Based on the reliability and validity testing, this study finalized the instruments to yielding seven indicators, namely, marketing dimension, psychological magnitude, managerial skill, behavioural skill, technical skill, communication competency, cognitive skill. It is recommended that future researchers apply and thereby extend the developed measure by cross-examining the instruments presented in this study across different entrepreneurs study. The results obtained will be helpful in planning and implementing the capacity development programmes. Among seven indictors and the respective sub indicators, the indicators and sub indicators having above 0.75 relative weightage score had taken for final index. The study found that marketing skill (0.88), psychological magnitude (0.89), behavioural skill (0.79), technical skill (0.83), communication competency (0.93) and cognitive skill (0.89) were the major skill of the agri entrepreneurs, should possess to run their business effectively and efficiently.

A Study of Floriculture Entrepreneurial Challenges in Odisha, India

Floriculture is the practice of cultivating and planting flowers for commercial purposes. Odisha is a state with a lot of flower production and commercial possibilities. The government has also created some policies for Floriculture under the Department of Horticulture, taking into account the demand and scope of flowers in the state. Floriculture provides a wealth of opportunities for the state's residents, not only in terms of farming, but also in terms of employment. Rose, marigold, jasmine, lotus, and champa are some of the flowers that have had a high demand over the years and are currently intended for export. The state's agro-climatic conditions are ideal for flower planting, and the number of flower plantations is increasing day by day to meet domestic demand as well as the demands of the state's enterprises. Now, floriculture is solely for commercial purposes, with small and medium-sized businesses relying on it.

Social Impact of Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies (PACS) in Nadia District of West Bengal

Aims: The researcher has endeavored to analyze impacts of PACS in-terms of selected social parameters using perception of the sample respondents. The study is significant to evaluate the perception of members PACS. Place and Duration of Study: The researchers have employed 290 members in 29 PACS out of the 365 operating PACS found in the Nadia district of West Bengal. Primary data for the study have been collected during 2017-2019. Methodology: The researchers have employed a multi-stage random sampling technique for selecting 290 members in 29 PACS in the Nadia district of West Bengal. The Likert-scale used with 5 points in the questionnaire in which, the respondents were required to grade the scale of their satisfaction for particular thing. Data have been standardized for in the study with Zero mean and Unit Standard Deviation. Qualitative as well as quantitative techniques of data analysis were used to describe and analyze the research questions. The data collected from household survey were organized, coded and entered into statistical package, TANAGRA and Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics such as, frequency distribution, percentages etc. multivariate analyses for data reduction, Principal Component Analysis, K-means Cluster Analysis, analyses related to Group Characterization have been done to arrive meaningful interpretations for conclusions of the study. Results: The score obtained from the PCA are then grouped through cluster analysis. Social perception is to arrange the score according to deviations from Standard Deviation (SD). More than 76 percent of the total members fall in the group implying the perception of the members on social development by PACS is mostly homogeneous in nature. The researcher has find two variables namely, PACS role on empowering women in decision making and PACS Social business with other rural institutions comprise the first factor. Similarly second factor consist of the two (2) variables namely, PACS role in sensitizing women leadership in PACS management and role in skill development of women though training/ handholding etc. The second factor may be viewed as the factor of woman empowerment. Conclusion: The study concludes that PACS play important role in social development of the family. Most of the members agreed upon the positive role of the PACS Empowering women in decision making, Generating awareness of ongoing social development schemes of Government, Mobilizing of weaker sections, Educating Co-operative principles and Social business with other rural institutions. Moreover, PACS help to improve education level and improve habit of agricultural loan at the time of cash requirement particularly during peak season of agricultural operations.

Decomposition Analysis of Poverty among Rural Farming Household in Oyo State, Nigeria

The incidence of poverty in Nigeria is worrisome, and it has constituted a national menace. The occurrence of poverty incidence had been found to be more pronounced among Rural farming households in the country. However, paucity of data exists in terms of decomposition of household poverty into relevant subgroups using their socio-economic characteristics. Therefore, this paper assessed the decomposition analysis of poverty among rural farming Households in Oyo State, Nigeria using the data collected through a well-structured interview schedule from 170 respondents who were selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data collected were described using frequency counts and percentage while poverty Indices was analyzed using Foster-Greer Thorbecke model and Decomposition analysis. The findings revealed that higher proportion (73.5%) of the respondents were above 40 years, 65.3% were male, 78.2% were married and 27.6% had secondary education, while 62.4% had household size of between 5 and 9 persons. Majority (79.4%) had farm size of more than 1.5 hectares and 62.9% had no access to remittance. Poverty incidence (P0) was 40.59%, Poverty depth/gap (P1) was 16.11% and Poverty severity (P2) was 0.09%, among the respondents using income-poverty line measure. Decomposition analysis showed that Poverty was high among households that were headed by male, young with low literacy level, and large household size. The severity of poverty was higher among households headed by labour of other farms. Effective poverty reduction strategies should therefore focus on education, livelihood diversification and control of household size.

Growth, Instability and Decomposition Analysis of Nutri Cereals in Tamil Nadu

Aim: The study was undertaken to know the growth rate, instability, and contribution of area and yield on the production of Nutri cereals. Place and Duration: The study was based on the secondary data for the period of 20 years (2001- 2020) for Tamil Nadu. Data has been collected from Agricultural statistics at a glance (2020), Season and Crop report (2020). Methodology: The growth rate of Nutri cereals can be estimated through compound annual growth rate, instability is measured using Coppock’s instability index and contribution of area and yield on production is studied using decomposition analysis. Results: Results revealed that Nutri cereals growth rate is found to be negative in first decade and positive in second decade Production of Nutri cereals in both the decades found positive in decline trend. The trend of productivity seems positive for both the decades at declining rate. Instability index is higher in terms of production than area and productivity. Area effect was most responsible for the production of Nutri cereals than yield and interaction effect. Conclusion: The area effect is more responsible for production of Nutri cereals. Area effect on production of Nutri cereals is high, hence government should intervene in this regard to improve the area of Nutri cereals cultivation.

Analysis of Recent Rice Price Dynamics in Bangladesh: Causes and Policy Options

Rice availability and affordability are the key determinants of food security in Bangladesh. Therefore, it becomes the most important crop for the social and political economy of the country. Although a tremendous technological advancement contributed to the increasing trend of rice production, its affordability threatened due to the increasing price at the consumers’ level. The recent natural calamities and COVID-19 have worsened the food security status across the world. This research has estimated the demand and supply of rice in the pandemic era and figured out the drivers of recent price hike both in the producers’ and consumers’ levels using empirical and cognitive approaches. Based on the findings, some actionable policy options have been suggested to address the price level of rice in Bangladesh towards sustaining food security.

Perception of Farmers towards Climate Change in Southern Parts of Tamil Nadu: A Critical Analysis

The goal of this research was to look into farmers' perceptions of climate change in agriculture. An ex post facto research design was used in the study. The research was carried out in wetland, dryland, and garden land farming systems in the Tamil Nadu districts of Madurai and Sivagangai. A total of 120 farmers representing three farming systems were chosen and surveyed for the study using a proportionate random sample procedure. Personal interviews with respondents were conducted using a well-structured and pre-tested interview schedule. Descriptive statistical tools were used to analyze the data. According to the findings, more than half of the respondents in the wetland (65.00%), dryland (50.00%), and garden land (55.00%) were perceived climate change in agriculture at a medium level. The majority of the garden land respondents (72.50%) had perceived the increased pest and disease incidence due to climate change than the respondents of wetland (52.50%) and drylands (30.00%). More than three-fifths of the respondents in the study area had perceived the income from agriculture was adversely affected (69.17%) due to climate change followed by the change in crop yield (64.17%) and cost of cultivation was increased (61.67%) due to the climate change. As a result, any intervention that supports the use of climate change adaptation measures may take into account location-specific factors that influence farmers' perceptions of climate change and adaptive responses to it.

Livestock Holding and Time Spent by Farm Women in Dairying Activities in Andhra Pradesh

A study was conducted to investigate the involvement of women in dairying activities in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The study involved a total of 225 respondents covering 75 villages. The result revealed that small farm women possessed significantly (P≤0.05) more graded Murrah buffaloes (3.68±0.28), whereas women under medium farm category possessed significantly (P≤0.05) more number of local cows (0.28±0.07), Murrah buffaloes (0.45±0.21) as well as more (P≤0.01) buffalo heifers (1.22±0.14). The milk production (litres per day) (13.25±0.80), consumption (1.48±0.06) and milk consumption by women (0.16±0.07) was observed to be high in medium women dairy farmers in the study area. Milk sale per day was observed to be significantly (P≤0.05) high in small farmers (14.20±1.90). Small farm women (587.00±81.70) obtained more income (rupees/day) through dairying followed by medium (516.34±54.35) and landless (385.66±32.39) farm women. It was observed that women are spending more time on dairy activities in the study area compared to men. The time spent was more on feeding activities.

Crop Residue Based Complete Feed for Enhancing Livestock Performance- A Review

The estimated projected data regarding demand and supply of feed and fodder shows13.20% and 18.43% deficit between demand and supply of dry and green fodder to livestock, respectively. Shortage of land for cultivation of fodders and increased human as well as livestock population has led to heavy competition for food grains that necessitates using the crop residues for the feeding of livestock. These crop residues are rich in fibre and low in other nutrients; they also have low palatability and digestibility. The best way to efficiently utilize the crop residues is to prepare complete feeds from pretreated crop residues + concentrates mixture. Pretreatment of crop residues increases digestibility by increasing rate of delignification, increasing enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose, hemicelluloses and thus increasing the glucose yield. The complete feed is a quantitative mixture of all dietary ingredients to provide the specific nutrient requirement for various physiological functions of livestock. Crop residue-based complete feed could be prepared in mash, block and pellet (Expander and extruder) form. In this system, all feed ingredients including roughages are proportioned, processed and mixed into a uniform blend. Different researchers undertook feeding trials of complete animal feed and conventional animal feed and reported better performance in terms of weight gain, milk yield and reproductive performance on feeding complete feed pellets or complete feed blocks to ruminants as compared to conventional ration. In conclusion, crop residue based complete feed could improve ruminant performance and reduces cost of feeding per kg gain or yield and thereby improving livestock based rural economy in developing countries like India.