Impact of Self-Help Group Formation on Social Indicators of Sustainability

Vegetable production has emerged as an important source of farm income from small farms in hilly states like Himachal Pradesh in India. Various researchers have studied agricultural sustainability taking into consideration three dimensions i.e. economic, environmental and social. Keeping in view the importance of the social sustainability which measures extent of social capability of farming system, present study was conducted in Himachal Pradesh to find out the ways to strengthen farm sustainability. Farm sustainability of self-help group member farmers and non-member farmers was studied and compared. Study revealed that the social sustainability of vegetable growers who were members of self-help groups was significantly higher when compared to non-member farmers

Constraints Encountered by the Beneficiaries of Krishi Vigyan Kendra in North Eastern Region of India

The study was conducted among 200 farmers of ten purposively selected Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in North Eastern region of India. The respondents were interviewed using a questionnaire for identifying the constraints and their suggestions for future improvement of KVK activities. The study revealed that unavailability of labour, unavailability of good quality seed and other inputs, unavailability of information about pest and disease management at right time,(inability to purchase modern agricultural implements and lack of capital were the major constraints. The respondents suggested that timely availability of seed and other inputs, regular and continuous monitoring, linking farmers to financial institutuions for financial support, and more long term practical oriented training programme are important for strengthening KVK activities

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Not AvailableTerrace gardening or rooftop gardening is becoming popular in urban and peri-urban areas of metro cities worldwide including in India. Among various crops suitable for growing in terrace garden, strawberry is a popular one as being an important annual herbaceous plant with delicious fruits which can be easily grown in pots or containers including grow bags filled with different potting substrates. In the present study, different combinations of soil, organic manure (vermi-compost and FYM) and cocopeat were tested for growth, yield and physico-chemical characteristics of two strawberry cultivars (Winter Dawn and Sweet Charlie). Winter dawn was found better than Sweet Charlie for measured growth and yield parameters, and potting substrates had similar effect on both the cultivars as no interaction effect was noticed. Combination of Soil + vermi-compost + cocopeat or soil + FYM + cocopeat in equal proportion (1:1:1) was found most appropriate potting substrate for strawberry cultivation, hence suggested as a suitable growing medium for production of strawberries in terrace or rooftop gardening in peri-urban areas of Delhi/ National Capital Territory. Further investigation is needed to standardize cost-effective management agro-techniques of strawberry cultivation in terrace garden involving some other cultivars, nutrient management and environment protective structures and so on.Not Availabl