Evaluation of group discussion on developing oyster culture in Kerala

Edible oyster presents good farming potential in Kerala in view of the conducive ecology and manpower availability. As the technology transfer function is vested with the extension personnel of the Socioeconomic Evaluation and Technology Transfer Division of CMFRI, a systematic evaluation of the programme was conducted by the Division to quantify opinions and suggestions and to list out the constraints anticipated in taking up the technology which would be helpful in developing suitable TOT strategies

Economics of trawling along Goa coast

A trawler on an average earned a gross revenue of Rs. 6,28,800 during 1991-'92. The annual cost of trawl operation is calculated at Rs. 6,03,705. Thus, an amount of Rs. 25,095 is found to be the net profit of a trawl unit. The income over operating expenses comes to Rs. 1.82 lakh. By investing one rupee on fuel, an amount of Rs. 2.52 is earned by a trawler. It requires 6 years to recover initial investment in a trawl unit with the average production of 43,520 kg of fish per annum with a price of Rs. 14.45 per kg. The rate of return to capital is calculated at 20% which is higher by 5% than the rate of interest on which capital was made available for acquiring the trawlers

കാലാവസ്ഥ വ്യതിയാനവും നയങ്ങളും (Climate Change and Policy-ClimEd Series:4C)

ClimEd Series IV- This instructional material “Climate Change and Policy” has been developed as a part of the Belmont funded project titled “Global Understanding and Learning for Local solutions: Reducing Vulnerability of marine dependent coastal communities” as a means to create awareness and impart climate change knowledge across the target populace

HIERARCHICAL APPROACH OF USING P300 IN EEG BASED BCI

Brain Computer Interface is a system that translates the electrical activity of the brain into commands which can control devices in real time applications, enabling the disabled people to communicate with the outside world. In this paper we focus on P300 based real time application where the users’ difficulty in communicating with the external environment is made easier. The P300 Event Related Potential (ERP) are natural responses of the brain to some specific stimuli. A person who is paralysed or bedridden needs full care and attention. This means that a care team will likely be working together (including family, friends, nurses and other professional help). Because of this, it is important to make sure that every or any one of the care team member should always be there with the patient. If there occurs a situation where the patient is in need and the care taker is not present with them, our work finds a solution for this problem using BCI technology. In this concept we use a CRT or LED monitor placed infront of the user where different images are displayed. These images represent the basic needs of the paralysed person. When the user is in need of some requirements they can gaze at the images displayed on the monitor. Meanwhile the signals generated during this event is processed and the output is given to the desired applications. Thus this paper eases the users difficulty in meeting their basic needs

Preparation and characterization of chain-extended bismaleimide/carbon fibre composites

This paper presents an experimental study of the influence of the addition of aromatic diamine (MDA) to bismaleimide (BMI) resin on the crystallinity, solubility, melting temperature, and mechanical properties of BMI/carbon composites. The modified BMI was prepared through the chain extension with MDA via Michael addition reaction with molar ratio of 3:2 (BMI:MDA). Both modified and unmodified BMI were characterised for chemical structure, crystallinity, melting temperature, mechanical property, and morphology and fracture behaviour using FTIR, XRD, DSC, UTM, and SEM, respectively. The FTIR results revealed the formation of polymeric chain due to the broad N-H absorption. The modified resin was semicrystalline in nature having low melting temperature and hence showed good processibility. The modification of BMI resulted in decrease of pores and increase of tensile, flexural, and impact properties of the composites. Also, SEM studies of the tensile fractured specimens revealed that modification of BMI resulted in improved resin/fibre interfacial strength

Genetic variability for grain yield and water use efficiency in blackgram genotypes

Transpiration efficiency (TE, g biomass kg-1 water transpired) is the preferred measure for examining po- tential genetic variation in crop water use efficiency (WUE). TE was assessed gravimetrically from sowing to grain harvest in fifteen blackgram accessions, two checks and two local varieties under well-watered conditions during kharif season. TEbiomass varied from 2.87 - 5.27 g kg-1 and TEseed varied from 1.10 - 2.03 g kg-1 among genotypes. High coefficient of variability was observed for seed yield and TEseed.Total biomass, TEbiomass, HI and water transpired recorded medium coefficient of variability. High heritability in broad sense was observed for seed yield, TEseed and total biomass. High genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for seed yield, TEseed, total biomass and TEbiomass. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for seed yield, total biomass and TEseed.TEseed is significantly positively correlated with TEbiomass (0.883**), seed yield/ plant (0.805**), HI (0.757**) and biomass (0.572*). TEbiomass, seed yield per plant, total biomass and HI were the important components of TEseed as revealed by correlation studies.D2 analysis partitioned the nineteen genotypes in to five clusters. The maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster II and V (24.94) and III and IV (22.6). Genotypes IC436665, IC343952 and Local II (Cluster III) had high mean values for TEbiomass and TEseed along with total biomass and seed yield. These genotypes should be useful in future breeding programs for higher water use efficiency

Research note on economic performance of 'dol' at Sasoon Dock

Stakenet which is popularly known as 'dol' in Maharashtra is an important gear to fish, specially, Bombay duck and Acetes spp. Sasoon dock is one of the important fish landing centres in Maharashtra commonly used for landing mechanised catch of trawl and 'dol' units. Annual net profit of a 'dol' unit is calculated at Rs. 18,623 during the study period. The net earning per kg of fish is calculated at Rs. 0.36. Thus, 'dol’ operation during 1990-'91 was profitable at Sasoon dock

Economic Analysis on the Hatchery Technology and growout of Pearl Spot (Etroplus suratensis)

“Karimeen’’, which is also known as 'Peari spot fish’, is one of the most important fish species in Kerala. Even though it was officially announced as the 'State Fish of Kerala' in only the year 2010, karimeen is the most influential fish in the lifestyle of Kerala. Karimeen is highly nutritive as food. Pearl spots have the special ability to live equally in both pure and saline waters. They are mainly found in rivers, ponds, farm fields, canals and estuaries. Karnataka and Orissa are the other major states in India, where karimeen is found. Due to the favouring geographical conditions of the coastlines in Kerala, almost 10 per cent of the local freshwater fish found in Kerala are karimeen. With its increasing demand, the price of the fish variety is also soaring. Apart from the growing demand from local market and domestic tourism sector, the fish is also exported in large quantity to foreign markets as well. Though, Kerala produces 2000 tonnes of Karimeen annually, it is not sufficient to meet the rising demand for 'Kerala Karimeen' inside and outside the state. This paper presents the different package of practices of karimeen farming and analyses the economics of the pearl spot hatchery technology and farming in cages and farms involving monoculture and polyculture. The analysis in d ic a te s the economic viability of pearl spot as a candidate species for farming in Kerala, which could provide alternate vocation and good remuneration to the fishers

Role of Self Help Groups on coastal indebtedness in marine fisheries sector – a case study from Kerala, south India

The Self Help Groups (SHGs) mobilised in marine fisheries sector play pivotal role in reducing the indebtedness among marine fisherfolk. An effort is made in the present paper to assess the extent of indebtedness among marine fisherfolk in various sectors and to assess the role of SHGs on coastal rural indebtedness. The study was carried out in northern, central and southern coastal belts of Kerala State. Situational analysis was done through Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) in the selected locations in the above mentioned zones of Kerala and the sample respondents were selected from mechanised, motorised, traditional, secondary, tertiary and mariculture sectors. Data were collected through personal interview from members of 12 selected SHGs and nonmembers in these sectors comprising a total of 600 respondents. The level of indebtedness of members of SHGs was less compared to the nonmembers. Even if indebtedness was more in certain cases, the repayment capacity was found to be significantly improved in SHGs. There is an extreme necessity of strengthening the SHG ventures in the traditional, secondary and tertiary sectors in the state. It was also found that the SHGs ranked better in most of the major attributes in the perception of stakeholders. A comparative assessment of the sources of credit, the purposes of credit and the utilisation pattern of loans in the state also was undertaken to draw valid conclusions. Successful microfinance ventures documented can be used as a practical manual for mobilising SHGs in any key areas on a sustainable basis

Compilation of Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Marine Fisheries Sector of Karnataka

The research article makes an earnest effort to compile the major Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITKs) prevailing in Karnataka. The major objectives were to document the different FTKIs of the coastal villages of Karnataka and to anlayse the changes in practice as well as to study the perception of the scientists and the fisherfolk on the role of FTKIs in resource management. ITKs categorised under eight groups such as ‘Craft and Gear Making/Maintenance’, ‘Shoal Identification’, ‘Harvesting Methods’, ‘Predicting Natural Hazards’, ‘Preservation Techniques’, ‘Processing’, ‘Medicinal Uses’ and ‘Beliefs & Value systems’ have been collected through personal interview of 400 stakeholders including fisherfolk, farmers, policy makers, development agencies, govt. departments and NGOs with a structured interview schedule, focus group interactions and PLA techniques undertaken in potential maritime pockets of Karnataka state such as Mangalore, Ullal, Thalapadi, Bhadkal, Baithkol, Tadri, Belekeri, Dandebag, Karwar, Sunkeri, etc. free flow of information on ITKs was encouraged and documented everything recorded as such. In the second phase each practice was examined systematically for the scientific rationale by the project associates and the changes in the practice of FTKIs were quantified through interactive sessions and appropriate PLA tools. The scientific rationale behind the selected items as perceived by the scientists and the fisherfolk was also found out at appropriate stages through content analysis. This identification and documentation process of the fisherfolk on ITKs will accelerate the technology transfer as well as the technology refinement in such a way to suit to the needs of the target group as it acknowledges their inherited knowledge and value system and thereby the inclusion of selected FTKIs in the contemporary management measures will augment the resource management strategies