Impact of information and communication technology on agricultural sector in Karnataka: a case study of Hassan district

Agriculture sector is considered to be the most predominant sector of Indian economy. From the last few decades of research, extension and farmers efforts have all contributed significantly to enhancing food production from 50 million tonnes in 1950-51to a land mark achievement of an estimated 265.04 million tonnes in 2014-15. The total demand for food production is estimated to reach 280 million tonnes by the year 2020 -21. Meeting this demand necessitates a growth rate of nearly 2 percent per annum in food grain production and the agriculture sector has to grow at a minimum targeted four percent per annum.. Given the challenges, the arrival of Information Communication Technology (ICT) is well timed. The benefits of the green revolution greatly improved agricultural productivity. Importance of ICT in the process of agriculture and economic development of India and to improve the farmer’s knowledge and crop yield is recognised. At present, a network of ICAR Institutes, State Agricultural Universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Kissan Call Centres are spread across the country are responsible for developing, refining and disseminating innovative and latest technologies to reach the farmers. This study is based on a primary survey of 400 farmers belonging to four taluks of Hassan district of Karnataka. An enumerator- based questionnaire was used to collect information. The interview method was adopted to collect data from farmers who were involved in farming activities. According to the sample size determination method sample size is 384, but study has taken 400 samples for data collection to reduce some error values. The data is analysed using SPSS 20.0 and Excel. Along with simple table and charts, independent t-test is used to identify the differences between ICT users and non ICT users in the returns of agricultural commodities of paddy, maize, and potato

ACE inhibition attenuates uremia-induced aortic valve thickening in a novel mouse model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We examined whether impaired renal function causes thickening of the aortic valve leaflets in hyperlipidemic apoE-knockout (apoE^-/-) mice, and whether the putative effect on the aortic valves could be prevented by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) with enalapril.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thickening of the aortic valve leaflets in apoE^-/-mice was induced by producing mild or moderate chronic renal failure resulting from unilateral nephrectomy (1/2 NX, n = 18) or subtotal nephrectomy (5/6 NX, n = 22), respectively. Additionally, the 5/6 NX mice were randomized to no treatment (n = 8) or enalapril treatment (n = 13). The maximal thickness of each leaflet was measured from histological sections of the aortic roots.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Leaflet thickness was significantly greater in the 5/6 NX mice than in the 1/2 NX mice (P = 0.030) or the unoperated mice (P = 0.003). The 5/6 NX mice treated with enalapril had significantly thinner leaflets than did the untreated 5/6 NX mice (P = 0.014).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Moderate uremia causes thickening of the aortic valves in apoE^-/-mice, which can be attenuated by ACE inhibition. The nephrectomized apoE^-/-mouse constitutes a new model for investigating the mechanisms of uremia-induced aortic valve disease, and also provides an opportunity to study its pharmacologic prevention.</p

ICT programmes and policies for agricultural extension in India: A Review

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in agriculture is an emerging field focusing on the enhancement of agricultural sector in India. It involves application of innovative ways to use ICT in the rural domain. It can provide with accurate information necessary for the farmers this facilitates better Agricultural output. In recent year farmer's attitude to access to agricultural information has changed owing to the emergence of fast network of information and communication technology. Farmers can get the information regarding fertilizers, pesticides, crop patterns and weather forecasting and other information at zero affordable cost. Many of the organizations like government, private, co-operatives and public have also attempted to facilitate the information technology transfer in the agriculture sector. ICT is crucial in facilitating communication and access toinformation for agriculture and rural development. With this perspective present study is going to find out the relevant ICT applications for agricultural extension in India under the central government initiative with policy perspective

Impact of information and communication technology on agricultural sector in Karnataka: a study on Raitha Samparka Kendras

In the recent decade, many Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects in Indian agriculture have emerged, either substituting or supporting extension services by providing forms with access to agricultural information. In Karnataka Raitha Samparka Kendra (RSK) has been playing a prominent role to reach many farmers with timely and accessible content. But, the content that the RSKs deliver has more relevance if it is localized and context specific, as this improves the value and action ability of the information, which can have important impacts on farm management. The localization of content is influenced by how the RSKs program access, apply, and deliver the content. This paper examines the content development and management process of RSKs in Karnataka agriculture. There are important lesson learned from study of this process. Content management and development through RSKs are important to examine because, agricultural extensional services would be able to increase the efficiency and effectiveness in farm management. Though, there are many other services working in Karnataka for agriculture extension, RSKs are working for farmers at gross root level and it is trying to bridge knowledge gap of the farmers. RSKs play a prominent role in knowledge management for agriculture in rural livelihood. The effectiveness of RSKs will improve with centralized activity at Panchayat level with digital agricultural information and expert inputs

Impact of information and communication technology on agricultural sector in Karnataka: a study on Raitha Samparka Kendras

In the recent decade, many Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects in Indian agriculture have emerged, either substituting or supporting extension services by providing forms with access to agricultural information. In Karnataka Raitha Samparka Kendra (RSK) has been playing a prominent role to reach many farmers with timely and accessible content. But, the content that the RSKs deliver has more relevance if it is localized and context specific, as this improves the value and action ability of the information, which can have important impacts on farm management. The localization of content is influenced by how the RSKs program access, apply, and deliver the content. This paper examines the content development and management process of RSKs in Karnataka agriculture. There are important lesson learned from study of this process. Content management and development through RSKs are important to examine because, agricultural extensional services would be able to increase the efficiency and effectiveness in farm management. Though, there are many other services working in Karnataka for agriculture extension, RSKs are working for farmers at gross root level and it is trying to bridge knowledge gap of the farmers. RSKs play a prominent role in knowledge management for agriculture in rural livelihood. The effectiveness of RSKs will improve with centralized activity at Panchayat level with digital agricultural information and expert inputs

Altered insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion and lipid profile in non-diabetic prostate carcinoma

Insulin can influence cancer risk through its effect on cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Although hyperinsulinemia is considered as a risk factor in the pathogenesis of various cancers, the data related to insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion and lipid profile is lacking in non-diabetic prostate carcinoma cases. The present study was undertaken to evaluate lipid profile parameters and insulin sensitivity and secretion using surrogate markers derived from the measurements of fasting glucose and fasting insulin.The study group comprises 27 prostate carcinoma cases and 27 controls having similar age. Fasting serum insulin, glucose and lipid profile parameters were estimated in both the groups. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by Homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity and Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. Insulin secretion was assessed by insulinogenic index.Fasting serum insulin, insulinogenic index and LDL-cholesterol were significantly increased (p<0.05) and HOMA-IS, QUICKI and HDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in carcinoma cases compared to controls. PSA level was significantly associated with fasting insulin (R2=0.150, β=0.387, p=0.046) and QUICKI (R2=0.173, β=−0.416, p=0.031). Fasting insulin was significantly correlated with triglyceride (r=0.404, p=0.037) and HDL-cholesterol (r=−0.474, p=0.013).The present study concludes that hyperinsulinemia associated with reduced insulin sensitivity may play a role in the pathogenesis of prostate carcinoma

Diagnostic accuracy of combined Pleural fluid Adeno sine Deaminase and Lymphocyte/Neutrophil ratio in Tubercular pleur al effusion

Background: In India, tuberculosis is an endemic disease. Delay in diagnosis results in poor prognosis and fast spread of the disease. The objective of the present study is to look for an effective and acceptable diagnostic test, which may be helpful to initiate early treatment to improve prognosis and reduce spread. The presence of ADA in pleural fluids reflects the cellular immune response in the pleural cavity and in particularly, the activation of T lymphocytes. Objective of study include evaluating efficacy of combined use of ADA activity diagnosing tuberculous pleural effusion. Methods: Biochemistry, cytology, and microbiology studies were performed on 164 consecutive pleural fluids. ADA were determined on all exudative effusions. Results: Pleural fluid ADA activity at a level of ≥40 U/L, the sensitivity=95.5%, specificity=93.4%, positive prediction value=94.4%, negative prediction value=94.7% and efficacy= 94.5 %. It was statistically significant (p value&lt;0.001). Conclusion: ADA is a highly sensitive diagnostic marker of tubercular pleural effusion