Constraints and strategies of smallholder farmers for successful protected cultivation of capsicum: A critical appraisal

The study was framed to assess the challenges/constraints in protected cultivation of capsicum by small holder farmers in Karnataka state, India and provide strategies for sustained profitability. Ex-post-facto research design was followed for conducting study in three districts (Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Urban and Chickballapur) of Karnataka. From each district, 50 smallholders capsicum cultivation farmers under protected cultivation were selected through purposive random sampling, constituting 150 respondents. Garrett’s ranking technique was adopted to analyse the constraints faced by the farmers in the study area. The various constraints experienced by the farmers were broadly grouped in to production constraints, market constraints, financial constraints, technological constraints, institutional constraints, weather-based constraints, health and labour constraints. These finding demonstrated urgent need to intervene towards the constraints experienced by the smallholder capsicum grows under protected cultivation, which not only ensures to get stable income but also sustain their livelihoods

Assessing performance of horticultural farmers producer companies: Comparative case study

Every year the horticultural sector of India faces huge quantity of food wastage due to lack of processing, value addition and post-harvest handling. Farmers Producer Company (FPC) can mitigate the loss through ensuring better value chain management. There are several horticulture based FPCs established in different parts of India. They have grown very fast and competing with agro-industries. The present study aimed to assess the performance of FPCs working in horticulture sector. The study was conducted in Maharashtra State of India by selecting three FPCs working in horticultural sector. Performance of these FPCs was assessed through Effectiveness Index developed for this study. Seven components viz. functional effectiveness, increase in income, increase in farmers share in consumers rupees, inclusiveness, sustainability of company, farmers satisfaction and empowerment were included in the index by following standard index forming protocol. Sahyadri Farms was found the best performing one among the selected FPCs, regarding effectiveness with a mean index score of 63.69 followed by Vasundhara Agro Producer Company Limited (50.20) and Junnar Taluka FPC Ltd. (41.29)

Training Needs of KVK Personnel and Farmers of NEH Region in Horticulture

North East Hill (NEH) Region has adequate potential for developing horticulture. To enhance productivity and profitability in horticulture in this region, it is imperative to train the farmers. Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the main outreach arm of ICAR train the farmers on need-based themes. There are 78 KVKs are functioning in NEH region. To enhance the expertise of the KVK personnel in horticulture, it is necessary to train them regularly. To train the farmers and KVK personnel in NEH region in horticulture, there is a need to assess their training needs. With this view, a  questionnaire survey was conducted with KVK personnel (42) to assess their training needs and the training needs of farmers as perceived by KVK personnel in NEH region. The results of the survey was analyzed to arrive at meaningful conclusions. The results are presented in this paper for sensitizing the training organizations in order to design effective training modules for stakeholders of NEH region in Horticulture

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Not AvailableNorth East Hill (NEH) Region has adequate potential for developing horticulture. To enhance productivity and profitability in horticulture in this region, it is imperative to train the farmers. Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the main outreach arm of ICAR train the farmers on need-based themes. There are 78 KVKs functioning in NEH region. To enhance the expertise of the KVK personnel in horticulture, it is necessary to train them regularly. To train the farmers and KVK personnel in NEH region in horticulture, there is a need to assess their training needs. With this view, a questionnaire survey was conducted with KVK personnel (42) to assess their training needs and the training needs of farmers as perceived by KVK personnel in NEH region. The results of the survey were analyzed to arrive at meaningful conclusions. The results are presented in this paper for sensitizing the training organizations in order to design effective training modules for stakeholders of NEH region in Horticulture.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe study attempts to determine the capacity building needs of the medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) farmers emphasizing three major thematic areas. Data was collected from thirty-four progressive farmers from Karnataka who had attended capacity building program on cultivation and conservation of medicinal and aromatic crops. Analysis of study revealed that 45% farmers were in middle age category (30-39 years), 41% of them had land holding up to 5 acres, and 21% between 5.1 to 10 acres. Under cultivation needs of medicinal and aromatic plants, farmers’ priority was to get training on “Integrated pest and disease management” with a weighed score (WS)of 2.68. Under processing needs “Training on value addition in medicinal crops” (WS 2.47). With respect to marketing needs of MAP farmers the most important training needs were “Marketing intelligence” (WS 2.44). The most important constraints felt by the respondents were “Inadequate incentives for cultivation of MAPs (74%). The most important suggestion felt by cent per cent respondents was “Need for organized markets” for MAPs. The investigation inferred that there is a critical need to plan and design regular capacity building programs in identified thematic areas to fulfill the knowledge gap among the medicinal and aromatic plant growers of Karnataka to enable them a sustainable incomeNot Availabl

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Not AvailableAnthropometry deals with the measurements of physical properties which are essentials for designing any tools or equipments. For designing ergonomically sound women friendly technology and assessment of nutritional status anthropometry has the pivotal role. In the present study anthropometric measurements of 45 body dimensions of women and nutrition related measurements of body type were documented from farm women’s in hills of Uttarakhand. The aim of this study is to document the mean and percentile range of static and dynamic anthropometric measurements and to provide a comprehensive data for use by anthropologists, nutritionist and ergonomic practitioners who are engaged in designing and evaluating mechanized technologies for women. Various body dimensions in standing and sitting positions, reach measurements, determinants of body fat and Body Mass Index (BMI) were recorded for hill women working in the agricultural domain. Total 100 women extensively involved in agricultural operations were chosen for the study and reference data to specify the physical dimensions for enhancing operational ability, safety, and convenience and comfort were recorded. Skinfold thickness was measured at four sites i.e. biceps, triceps, subscapula and suprailiac. The data(mean ± Standard Deviation) in centimeters pertaining to stature 149.5 ± 9.04, Standing eye height 140.96 ± 6.89, Standing cervical height 129.33 ± 6.21, Standing shoulder height 123.63 ± 4.86 , Naval height 99.67 ± 2.02, Hip Breadth (Standing) 102.12 ± 6.11, Chest depth 85.80 ± 5.58, Chest Breadth 91.13 ± 4.48, Arm Span 57.66 ± 3.41, Elbow span 38.48 ± 2.22, Arm Length 50.12 ± 1.57, Ankle height 7.73 ± 1.01, Thigh Circumference 45.26 ± 4.28, Calf Circumference 29.54 ± 4.08, Sitting measurements, head and face, hand and foot anthropometry and reaches were incorporated. The range of biceps, triceps, subscapula and suprailiac for farm women varied between 3.9 to 8.1 mm, 6.2 to 10.8mm, 8.4 to 15.2 mm and 7.5 to 12.5 with the average of 5.9 ± 0.9 mm, 8.08 ± 1.8 mm, 12.75 ± 1.6 mm, 10.5 ± 3.5 mm respectively. It was found that body density of subjects was ranged from 1.03 to 1.06, with mean of 1.04 ± 0.003 and percent body fat was 24.5 ± 1.4. The subjects were classified into categories of chronic energy deficient, normal and obese on the basis of Body Mass Index. It was found that 46 percent were undernourished, 33.3 percent women were normal, 18 percent low normal and only 1.6 percent overweight.Not Availabl

Socio-economic Issues of Litchi Cultivation in Coorg Region of Karnataka.

Not AvailableLitchi one of the important sub-tropical fruits in India. Considering the time of flowering of Litchi in Coorg region of Karnataka, there is a high market demand for these fruits. Hence, a questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the socio-economic issues in Litchi cultivation among the Litchi growers (30) from Coorg region. The socio-economic issues in Litchi cultivation, motivational factors for Litchi cultivation, training needs of Litchi growers and extension activities preferred by Litchi growers etc. were identified through this survey. The data was analyzed through descriptive statistics. This paper presents the resultsof the survey, which may be useful for the stakeholders of Litchi cultivation.Not Availabl

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Scientific health benefits of <em>Namakeen Chai/Jya </em> (salted tea): A traditional tea beverage of <em>Bhotiya</em> tribal community in higher altitudes of Uttarakhand

365-369Bhotiya is a primitive tribal community in the high altitude hills of central Himalaya. The community is globally well known for its ethnic knowledge. They have the old tradition of preparing beverage "Namkeen chai ” or “Jya ” (salted tea) which is considered incredibly energetic and nutritive for health. The beverage is prepared by using the Taxus baccata L. bark, milk, ghee, and salt. It has a noteworthy role in depicting the socio-economic and cultural life of Bhotiya tribe of Uttarakhand.  Biochemical analysis of the Taxus baccata bark was done to determine total phenolic content, total flavonoids and anti-oxidative properties. This paper deals with the documentation of procedure for preparing “Namkeen chai ” by the Bhotiya tribal community and its scientific health benefits