Scientific rationality and evaluative perception on indigenous plant protection practices on coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

This study documented 116 Indigenous Plant Protection Practices (IPPPs) on coconut in Kerala where in more practices were registered in the technology dimension of 'control of rhinoceros beetle' (23.28 %), followed by general plant protection measures (11.21 %) and control techniques of termites (10.34 %). Of the practices, 75 % belonged to pest management practices, while only 25 % were related to disease management. Out of the 116 practices, 47 were selected for further analysis. Of these 47 practices, 39 practices (82.98 %) were found rational; the underlying scientific rationales/operational principles were also analysed in the study, which revealed the strong scientific base of these practices. However, only nine practices out of the 47 practices were known to more than 50 % of the farmers, reflecting the low level of knowledge of farmers on IPPPs on coconut. Similar was the situation, in the case of adoption. Further, out of the 47 selected practices, eight practices were analysed for their perceived effectiveness and found that six practices (75 %) were found rational and effective. Unraveling the indigenous technical knowledge should therefore be a research priority which in turn would enrich our agricultural technology

Relative importance of Farmers’ Characteristics in Predicting their Knowledge about Indigenous Agricultural Practices

This study was conducted to identify the farmers’ characteristics that act as factors in influencing their knowledge on indigenous agricultural practices. The study was conducted in the state of Kerala among 40 farmers each of ten selected horticultural crops. Step wise regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were employed to identify the influencing factors. The study revealed that age, farm power status, innovativeness, rational orientation, communication status, and social participation status positively influence knowledge of farmers on indigenous agricultural practices whereas material status, educational status, and family status were the important characteristics of farmers negatively influencing the knowledge of indigenous practices

Utilization of selected Information Technology Enabled Systems (ITES) by agricultural extensionists of Kerala

Several information technology enabled systems (ITES) are available for providing valuable information to agricultural extensionists which in turn would help them to assist famers, and increase crop production. The present study was aimed at assessment of knowledge and extent of use of selected ITES among agricultural extensionists of Kerala. Data were collected from randomly selected 60 computer literate agricultural officers and 60 computer literate agricultural assistants of Kerala State. The study revealed that knowledge of agricultural extensionists on web browsing and agricultural portals was comparatively higher. The knowledge of agricultural expert system and digitized databases was found to be very low, with 79 percent and 81 percent respectively falling in the low category. On the other hand the extent of use of all the selected ITES was found low among the agricultural extensionists. This points figures towards the need of sensitizing agricultural extensionists on the importance and value of ITES

Training Needs of Farmers and Agricultural Extensionists on Selected Information Technology Enabled Systems for Agriculture

The study analyses the training needs of farmers and agricultural extensionists of Kerala,India on selected Information Technology Enabled Systems (ITES) such as web browsing, agricultural portals, agricultural expert systems, digitized databases and on line trading in agriculture. Computer literate farmers and agricultural extensionists from the districts of Thrissur, Idukki and Malappuram of Kerala consisting of 300 farmers and 120 agricultural extensionists were the respondents of the study. Training on agricultural portals was identified as the highest training need among both farmers and agricultural extensionists. The study points to the need of imparting IT oriented training to both farmers and agricultural extensionists which would enable them to get right information at the right time for the overall development of agriculture

A standardised knowledge test to measure the extent of knowledge of agricultural extension personnel on m-tools

A standardised teacher made test for assessing the extent of knowledge of agricultural extension on m-tools was developed using the item analysis procedure. For the purpose, a teacher made test consisting of 30 items were prepared and administered to 30 agricultural extension personnel. Based on the results of the study,14 items having difficulty index value ranging from 20 to 80 and discrimination index value above 0.10 were selected to construct the knowledge test. This standardised test can be used to measure knowledge level of the extension personnel on m-tools