Issues and Preferences of Horticulture Farmers

A National Farmers Meet (NFM) was organized by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) at Regional Research Station (RRS), Paiyur, Tamil Nadu on 14.3.2015. The purpose was to sensitize the farmers about improved horticultural production technologies and obtain first-hand information about issues of horticulture farmers of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. A brief survey was conducted at NFM with horticulture farmers as respondents (60) through a structured questionnaire. Analysis of the survey data indicated that Mango, Tomato and Marigold are the major fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops cultivated respectively. Non-availability of critical inputs such as fertilizers, seeds/ planting material and lack of remunerative market price are the major issues in contemporary horticulture, apart from unawareness towards improved horticulture production technologies. Field demonstrations and offcampus training programmes are the two major extension interventions preferred by the horticulture farmers; whereas mass media channels are preferred as information sources apart from institutional sources such as development departments and research institutes. Appropriate extension strategies are suggested based on the findings of the survey

Gendering Farmer Producer companies at the Agricultural Frontier of India: Empowerment or Burden?

Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) are driving agricultural frontier expansions in India. Their main objectives are to mobilize small-scale farmers to collectivize and organize in order to gain collective bargaining power, in the process empowering farmers and eliminating middlemen. However, they have not established any demonstrable success in achieving these goals. This chapter seeks firstly, to draw transnational connections between agro-ecological transformations in India and larger market/capital expansions through FPCs, contextualized amidst national development goals for farmer empowerment, changing labor patterns, and ecological degradation. In doing so, it will, secondly, explore the gendered dimension of FPCs in India by analyzing how the process of establishing women-only FPCs by using mandatory inclusion as a participation tool can serve to disempower and further burden women. While mandatory involvement of women farmers on their Board of Directors as an empowerment strategy can prove crucial to enhancing women’s decision-making roles, this chapter asks whether such an inclusionary approach remains meaningful to achieve FPC success in a context where external support for women’s empowerment is not provided

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Not AvailableA study was conducted to analyze the role of Ayakudi Guava Producers Company Limited in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu with respect to extending broad-based extension services to the producer members. Information pertaining to the general profile of the company, organizational pattern, critical success factors and challenges faced by the company was collected from office bearers of the company, whereas that of profile of the farmers, their perceived effectiveness of the company against social, economic and overall performance indicators was collected from producer members (32) of the company, through case study approach with ex-post factor search design. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and pragmatic conclusions and recommendations for strengthening the services of the company were suggested. This paper discusses the result of the study for further replication of such model in related commodities and under similar socio-economic situations.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableNon-remunerative price, poor knowledge and adoption behavior, poor access to credit, input and market, low productivity, lack of surplus for value addition and exploitation by intermediaries apart from natural factors are reasons for distress status of farmers. Direct marketing from producer to customers through promotion of appropriate entrepreneurship models may enhance farm profitability.Not Availabl

Socio-Economic Factors for Cashew Production and Implicative Strategies : An Overview

ABSTRACT An ex-post facto research study was initiated by NRCC, Puttur during 2004-0

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Not AvailableThis paper captures the perceptions of farm scientists towards impact of ‘Centre for Advance Faculty Training’ programmes. The purpose was to recommend strategies for enhancing training impact of CAFT programmes Concurrent evaluation was done through assessing perceived effectiveness and knowledge and skill gains. Ex-post-facto assessment was approached through capturing perception of respondents towards training transfer in a system’s perspectives. Participants (271) of CAFT programmes organized during 2007-08 to 2009-10, their peer group and deputing authorities (129) and participants (34) of on-going programmes (2) were the respondents. Data were collected through three different instruments and analyzed through descriptive statistics. Respondents had favourable opinion towards training design and delivery of CAFT programmers. Transfer outcomes revealed the effectiveness and positive impact of CAFT programmes. Results of concurrent evaluation and opini on of peer group and deputing authorities also confirmed these results. Training preferences of respondents were delineated.Factors influencing training transfer were identified and strategies to enhance training impact were recommended. The empirical model of the study contributes to training literature. Recommendations of study have direct implications on enhancing competency of agricultural faculty and thereby quality of agricultural education.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA research study was pursued to assess the ‘training transfer’ in National Agricultural Research System (NARS), India across Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) organizations. A questionnaire survey was conducted among the scientists who underwent capacity building programmes during 2005-2009 at National Academy of Agricultural Research management (NAARM), Hyderabad. The conceptual model proposed for the study was evaluated and the variables contributed for ‘training transfer’ were depicted in an empirical model. Strategies were recommended for improving the participation of NARS scientists in capacity building programmes, refining the training design and delivery efforts of capacity building programmes of NAARM and improving organizational support climate for motivating scientists to participate in capacity building programmes and respective ‘training transfer’.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA national farmers meet (NFM) was organized by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Tamil Nadu Agricultual University (TNAU) at regional Station (RRS), paiyur, Tamil Nadu on 14.3.2015. the purpose was to Sensitize the farmers about issues of horticulture farmers of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra pradesh & Kerala. A breif survey was conducted at NFM with horticulture farmers as respondents (60) through a structured questionnaire. Analysis of the survey data indicated that Mango, Tomato & MArigold are the Major fruit, vegetable & ornamental crops cultivated respectively. Non-availability of critical inputs such as fertilizers, seeds/ planting material and lack of remunarative market price are the major issues in contemporary horticulture, apart from unawareness towards improved horticulture production technologies. Field demonstrations and off campus training programmes are two major extension interventions preferred by the horticulture farmers: whereas mass media channels are preferred as information source apart from institutional sources such as development departments and research institutes. Appropriate extension strategies are suggested based on the findings of the survey.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe concept of ‘Cooperative’ is one of the options available for the producers to get organized themselves to moveup in the supply-chain by value addition and business ownership. However, the cooperative system in the country has been infected by several inadequacies. Hence, there was an amendment of Companies Act 1956 during 2002 that paved the way for incorporation of ‘producer companies’. Since then, about 150 producer companies have been established in India covering a wider range of commodities. ‘Producer Company’ is the hybrid between a private limited company and a cooperative society. It combines the goodness of cooperatives and efficiency of corporate company. Most of the initiatives on producer companies are start-ups and promoted by NGOs/ development agencies/ sponsoring organizations. There are certain serious issues to be addressed for the effective functioning of producer companies. The effective functioning of ‘producer company’ model in India and scaling-up of this concept may bring prosperity to the future of peasants at a scenario wherein huge challenges pose before Indian agriculture. The best practices followed by the successful producer companies across the country in capacity building, awareness creation, promotional efforts etc are to be documented and disseminated. This paper intends to document the genesis and spread of producer companies, selected experiences and challenges ahead and to suggest policy implications for promotion.Not Availabl

Perceived Impact of Centre for Advanced Faculty Training Programmes and Implicative Strategies

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