Informatics Publishing Limited

M. B. Dhadwad ¹, K. Vijayaragavan ¹, Premlata Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Extension, Division of Agricultural Extension, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi, IN

Abstract

This investigation was aimed at assessing agricultural scientists' perceptions regarding climate change in the context of agriculture. The study was conducted in MPKV, Rahuri and DBSKKV, Dapoli agricultural universities and random sampling procedure was followed in selection of respondent scientists and total sample size was 60. Agricultural scientists' perceptions were assessed through a summative rating scale which consisted of five dimensions: scientific understanding of climate change, its causes, changes in climatic parameters, impacts on agriculture and adaptation and mitigation strategies to climate change in agriculture. During the investigation, significant and positive relationship was observed between age, education, professional experience, information sources accessed and the trustworthiness of the information source. Regression analysis indicated that work experience and source of information were high predictors of climate change science consistent perceptions and 37 per cent of the variance in climate change perceptions was explained by the regression model.

Keywords

Perception, Climate Change, Agricultural Scientists

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S. K. Dubey ¹, R. R. Burman ², J. P. Sharma ², K. Vijayaragavan ², V. Sangeetha ², Ishwari Singh ², H. S. Gupta ²

Affiliations
1 Zonal Project Directorate, Zone IV, Rawatpur, Kanpur 208 002, IN
2 Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, IN

Abstract

Action research on validating the linkages with post offices in the dissemination of farm technology was done. Post offices and their personnel (50) at the district, block and villages levels in Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh, were contacted. Organizational analysis of Indian Postal Department helped identify the scope for entering into linkages for the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. Seeds of improved varieties were disseminated and different possible dissemination modes were experimented. The trend analysis of post office works showed sharp decline (about 50%) in the mail and delivery of ordinary post. Similarly, the sale of postal stamp and revenue stamp had declined to the same extent. The collaborative activities through tie-ups with other agencies like SBI, ICICI, mutual fund agencies, Oriental Insurance, etc. had increased (15-20%), which provided the opportunity for establishing linkages. Up to summer/zaid 2013, more than 1900 farmers under 18 post offices in five states covering 181 villages have been reached through this innovative technology dissemination model. The major crops included in the programme are wheat, paddy, pigeon pea, bajra, mustard, bottle gourd, pumpkin and okra. The farmer-to-farmer diffusion of improved variety of wheat was found to be 32 times of the total area originally covered by seed quantity disseminated through post offices. The cost sharing and capacity building of farmers and post office personnel were the other innovative interventions to make the linkages more successful. Based on the experiences and lessons learnt, future action plans have been suggested.

Keywords

Collaborative Activities, Farm Technology, Post Offices, Variety Dissemination.

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S. Paul ¹, K. Vijayaragavan ¹, Premlata Singh ¹, R. Roy Burman ¹, V. P. Chahal ²

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, IN
2 Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan-I, New Delhi 110 012, IN

Abstract

A micro level analysis for understanding the major determinants of research productivity of individual scientists in the National Agricultural Research and Education System of India was undertaken. A sample of two hundred scientists was drawn through multistage disproportionate stratified random sampling from a high performing and a low performing agricultural institute in India. Forced choice Q-sort technique was employed to record perception of respondents regarding relative influence exerted by selected variables on their research productivity and a factor analysis using principal component method with varimax rotation helped in extracting 11 major factors determining research productivity of agricultural scientists, namely, organizational research environment, creativity, perseverance and commitment, research facility, ability to work under constraint, incentive policy, proactiveness, purpose-driven orientation, achievement motivation, involvement in teaching and job satisfaction. The apparent uniformity in percentage variance contribution of these 11 factors implies that optimum research productivity of scientists can only be harnessed when personal and organizational factors work in harmony.

Keywords

Agriculture, Determinants, Productivity, Research, Scientists.

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