Role of extension in mariculture development

Extension is a term which is open to a wide variety of interpretations. Each extension agent probably has his own understanding of what extension is. This understanding will be based on past experience and the particular type of extension service in which the agent is working. The term extension may be examined by looking at a number of statements that have been written about it. Extension is an informal educational process directed toward the rural population. This process offers advice and information to help them solve their problems. Extension also aims to increase the efficiency of the family farm, increase production and generally increase the standard of living of the fishermen farm family

Cooperatives and FPOS: fisheries and aquaculture business models

Fish farming is a rapidly growing industry across the world, with an increasing demand for fish and seafood products. In recent years, the concept of Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) has emerged as a popular model for promoting sustainable fish farming practices and improving the socio-economic conditions of small-scale fish farmers. FFPOs are collective organizations of fish farmers who come together to achieve common goals related to the production, marketing, and value addition of their fish and seafood products. These organizations aim to provide small-scale fish farmers with a platform to access technical, financial, and marketing support, which they would otherwise find difficult to access individually. Presently, several FFPOs are operating across the world, which have been successful in improving the livelihoods of small-scale fish farmers. In India, for example, the National Fisheries Development Board has been promoting the establishment of FFPOs as a means to improve the socio-economic conditions of small-scale fish farmers. The PMMSY scheme of the Government of India, to be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25, seeks to ensure the socio-economic development of fishers, fish farmers, and fish workers with the goal of doubling their incomes. The scheme includes the establishment of 500 Fish Farmers Producer Organizations/ Companies (FFPOs/Cs) to empower fishers and fish farmers and enhance their bargaining power. Among these, 300 FFPOs will be set up under PMMSY, while the remaining 200 will be established through convergence with the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation, and Farmers Welfare’s ongoing FPO Scheme. Additionally, the Department aims to establish a total of 720 FFPOs through convergence with other schemes and programs of the central and state governments, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation, and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

"Keep it simple - a lesson from COVID-19" : highlighting the utility of chest X-rays in ARDS-associated illnesses through the Zonal Scoring System

Purpose: The post-pandemic era calls for appropriate literature on chest X-ray score cut-offs, enabling swift categorization and faster radiological reporting of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)-like illnesses, hence prompting healthcare equity in low-resource centres where extortionate modalities of imaging such as computed tomography (CT) are unavailable. In this study, we aim to bridge the literature gap using the versatile zonal scoring system. Material and methods: This retrospective cohort study uses data from 751 COVID-19 RT-PCR+ patients. Concordantchest radiograph (CXR) scores were reported, and inter-rater reliability was measured using kappa indices. receiver operating characteristic curves were used to establish cut-off scores for the outcomes of interest: mild or severe disease, admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), and intubation. Categorical data were expressed using means and percentages, and c2 or t-tests were used for comparison at an a level of 0.05. Unadjusted odds ratios for each outcome of interest vs. CXR score and comorbidity were then calculated using binary logistic regression. Results: CXR findings included infiltrates (46.07%), pleural effusions (7.05%), consolidation and fibrosis (4.43%), pneumothoraces (2.71%), and cardiomegaly (2.26%). Most patients had an index CXR score of 0 (54.19%). The index cut-off score of ≤ 1 (82.95, 81.68) was established for mild disease, ≥ 4 for severe disease (85.71, 83.99), ≥ 3 for ICU admission (86.90, 71.91), and ≥ 4 for intubation (87.61, 72.90). Hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, history of ischaemic heart disease, and history of tuberculosis were independent risk factors for a high CXR index score, intubation, and ICU admission. Conclusions: CXR scores can be effectively used in low-resource settings for triaging patients, maintaining records, and disease prognostication

Assessment of myofascial pain syndrome among married female healthcare workers: a cross sectional comparative study in a tertiary care centre

Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is common among females between ages 20-40 years. Psychosomatic and mechanical reasons are attributed as causative factors. Female health care workers (FHW) in hospitals with rapid patient turn over are vulnerable to develop MPS. Our aim was to ascertain the prevalence of MPS in married FHW working in various departments of the hospital and its association with poor sleep and work stress. Methods: We selected married FHWs in 20-50 years age group and divided them into two groups, medical and paramedical (those involved directly and indirectly with patient care respectively). MPS was diagnosed after detailed personal interview and clinical examination. Sleep duration was divided into less than 5 hours and more than 5hours. Presence of work-related stress and other medical parameters were also recorded. Results: A total of 150 medical and 150 paramedical FHWs were included in the study. Overall prevalence of MPS among FHWs was 42%, of which, medical group was 32% and paramedical was 52%. The paramedical group showed significantly higher prevalence of MPS (p: 0.02). Sleep was less than 5 hours in 29.3% of medical FHW and 13.3% of paramedical. This difference didn’t show any association to MPS (p=0.8). 38% FHW perceived excessive work stress, 40% were paramedical and 36% were medical. This didn’t correlate with prevalence of MPS (p=0.2) among them. Conclusions: Paramedical FHW experienced more MPS than medical and it was more of mechanical type and not due to work stress or sleep deprivation

Disease of Coffee during monsoon season and their management

Disease of coffee during monsoon season and its managementNot AvailableNot Availabl

Disease of Coffee during monsoon season and their management

Disease of coffee during monsoon season and its managementNot AvailableNot Availabl

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Not AvailableIndian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore conducted a Farmer Field School (FFS) programme in Agrahara village of Bangalore rural district to popularize the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) package in tomato. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) conducted in vegetable growing villages revealed that IPM package was not being adopted by majority of the farmers due to various reasons. To convince farmers on the effectiveness IPM package in the long run, FFS was initiated with the twin objectives of convincing the farmers on the philosophy of IPM; facilitating the identification and effective management of pests and diseases. The paper focuses on the impact of IPM in terms of reduction in pest and disease levels, effect on the level of usage of chemicals and reduction in the cost of cultivation compared to farmer's practice. The impact in terms of change in knowledge and attitude is also discussed.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableArka Microbial Consortia (AMC) is an unique microbial technology released from ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru for plant nutrition and health management in horticultural crops. It is a consortium of 3 unique bacterial strains viz. Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Azotobacter. This technology was introduced by ICAR-KVK, Gonikoppal in Kodagu district of Karnataka for addressing the problems faced by black pepper farmers of the district who were facing various problems like yellowing of leaves, spike dropping and death of vines due to a variety of factors like lack of nutrient uptake, nematodes, and Phytophthora infection. Farmers were applying different agro-chemicals to soils, thereby creating environmental hazards and increasing the cost of cultivation and still the vines were declining. The Microbial consortium technology was taken up as an on-farm trial and compared with 4 other treatments. It was found that drenching of pepper vines with AMC (@ 20g/l) three times in a year performed significantly better in terms of reduction in leaf yellowing, collar infection incidence, and wilting of vines. The pepper dry yield recorded with AMC application was 4.64q/ha which was higher than the other practices. The benefit cost ratio of 3.56 was higher than other practices. The technology gained popularity with the farmers and it is being followed by more than 2000 farmers of the district covering an area of 8000 ha. ICAR-KVK, Gonikoppal is annually producing 10–12 t of the AMC.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe study revealed that majority of the farmers require weekly information about the cultivation practices. But the beginning of monsoon season is crucial for farmers and they seek weekly information about new planting, nutrient management, management of pests etc during the monsoon season. Among the communication sources mobile phones have become integral part of every planter. The plantations are located far and wide in interior areas. With the advent of mobile phones and particularly smart phones, farmers are enthusiastic about the use of smart phones for receiving information on new technologies, timely pest, disease and nutrient management practices.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableFoot rot disease commonly known as quick wilt caused by Phytophthora capsici is one of the major limiting factors in production and productivity of black pepper in Karnataka, India. Roving surveys were conducted during 2014–15 to assess the incidence of foot rot disease in Kodagu district covering the three taluks viz., Virajpet, Madikeri and Somwarpet. In each taluk a 4–5 villages covering 250 vines in each village were examined. The maximum disease incidence was observed in Virajpet taluk (16.8%) followed by Madikeri (12.88%) and least incidence was observed in Somwarpet taluk (9.92%). The average foot rot disease incidence of black pepper in Kodagu District was found to be 13.2 per cent during the year 2014–15.Not Availabl