Informatics Publishing Limited

V. Mangayarkarasi ¹, A. Prema ², Narayana Rao ³

Affiliations
1 Dept of Microbiology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kattankulathur-603 203
2 Department of Paediatrics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kattankulathur-603 203
3 Department of Nanotechnology, SRM University, Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram Dist. 603203

Abstract

The provision of safe drinking water to rural and urban areas is one of the challenges of present century in the realm of public health. The present study focuses on an in vitro testing of the effectiveness of nanoscale silver based filtration units for the removal of bacterial pathogen contaminated water. Clinical isolates of diarrhoegenic Escherichia coli (E.coli) in measured volume of water was tested for most probable number (MPN) of E.coli by multiple tube test. The water samples were filtered through the ceramic silver nanofilter, plain polysulfone membrane and polysulfone membrane coated with silver nanoparticles with a pore size small enough to retain the pathogenic E.coli. The water sample was filtered through plain polysulfone nanomembrane without silver nanoparticles and ceramic silver nanofilters and the results were compared. Silver nanomembrane and ceramic silver nanofilter effectively retained and destroyed the pathogenic organism and thus exhibiting better protection over the plain polysulfone membrane. Research on metal nanoparticles having significant antimicrobial effect would be utilized for making cost effective water filter systems which could protect us from the water borne diseases.

Keywords

Polysulfone Silver Nanomembrane, Ceramic Silver Nanofilter, Diarrhoegenic E.coli, Membrane Filtration Method, Water Contamination

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L. Steephen ¹, A. Prema ¹, Ajith kumar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur Kerala, IN
2 Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur Kerala, IN

Abstract

An economic analysis of anthurium cultivation, tracing of marketing channels and estimation of marketing efficiency in homesteads of Central Kerala was carried out in 2011. Eighty anthurium growing units were surveyed across three scales of operation, viz., small (less than 500 plants), medium (500 to 1000 plants) and large (above 1000 plants) for a standard of 100 plants in each category. Per unit cost of cultivation of anthurium showed increasing pattern towards smaller groups with average cost ranging from Rs. 13830 in large group to Rs. 19341 in small group. The returns ranged from Rs.32,790 in small group to Rs.41,152 in large group. Capital productivity analysis indicated that anthurium enterprise was a highly profitable agri-business venture with Benefit- Cost ratio ranging from 1.30 to 2.22 and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) much higher than the opportunity cost of capital. Six marketing channels were identified and the price spread varied from 27 % to 95% among the channels

Keywords

Flori Trade, Anthurium, Economic Analysis, Marketing Channel, Marketing

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Sachu Zachariah John ¹, A. Prema ², Binoo P. Bonny ³, P. K. Sureshkumar ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Rural Marketing Management, College of Co-operation, Banking and Management, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur (Kerala), IN
2 Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KAU), Vellanikkara, Thrissur (Kerala), IN
3 Communication Centre, Directorate of Extension (KAU), Mannuthy, Thrissur (Kerala), IN
4 Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur (Kerala), IN

Abstract

Agriculture in Kerala is faced with the agrarian crisis of farmers and farm labourers leaving the sector. The worst hit is rice production which has been the main employment provider for rural population in the state. Green Army Labour Bank (GALB) fostered by the local body of Wadakkanchery Block in Thrissur district of Kerala was organised on the lines of Food Security Army (FSA) of Kerala Agricultural University and started functioning from 2008. It was conceptualised as an efficient work force in the form of labour bank equipped with modern farm techniques and has succeeded in infusing modern methods into conventional farming especially in rice through mechanisation and other labour-saving techniques. Paper describes the results of a systematic study taken upto assess the attitude of rice farmers towards GALB and mechanization in rice. Attitude of rice farmers towards GALB was measured using Likert’s summated rating method. Responses from a sample of forty randomly selected rice farmers from the study area was used. Mean attitude score for the sample was 52.25 which indicated overall positive attitude to GALB and farm mechanization. It indicated high reputation of the GALB members among the farmers. Ninety-five per cent of farmers agreed that they preferred GALB for farming operations as GALB showed better efficiency in farm operations. There was also complete agreement among farmers that farming wasmore remunerative and easier with machines compared to manual practices. Hence, there is good scope for mechanization of field operations in other crops and need to be extended throughout the state.

Keywords

Green Army Labour Bank, Farmers’ Attitude, Food Security Army, Agricultural Mechanisation.

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