Diversification of Small and Marginal
Farms in Himachal Pradesh
-- Tilak Raj
Diversification in agriculture is considered as an important means for rapid economic growth
and development in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh. It includes shift in cropping pattern, i.e.,
growing high-value crop in place of traditional crops, and adoption of allied activities like dairy,
poultry, fishery, sheep and goat rearing, and horticulture, etc. The present study seeks to examine the extent
of agricultural diversification in Himachal Pradesh through a comparative analysis of crop
diversification, in tribal and non-tribal areas. An attempt has also been made to find out the reasons for decrease
in diversification over time. Herfindhal and Entropy indices are used to determine the degree of
crop diversification in the sampled farms. The results show high level of crop diversification in tribal
area and among small farmers. Further, between 1980-90 and 2004-05, the number of crops
decreased resulting in low level of diversification in both the areas of the state.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Biopesticides in Ghana: Vegetable Farmers' Perception
and Willingness to Pay
-- Ramatu Al-Hassan, John Baptist D Jatoe and Irene S
Egyir
The study investigates farmers' perceptions of pests, pest control practices and their Willingness to
Pay (WTP) for a new biopesticide in Ghana. The survey results suggest a rising trend in vegetable
pest intensity with significant variation in farmers' pest control practices, especially their choice
of pesticide(s). Farmers are willing to pay a substantial price premium for improved
agricultural environmental safety and cost reduction or yield enhancing benefits of a new biopesticide.
Farmers' perception that vegetable pest intensity is increasing, and their experience in farming and with the
use of Dipel, a biopesticide, are identified to be the statistically significant determinants of farmers'
WTP for the new biopesticide. Evidence of farmers trying out other biopesticides or botanical products is
an indication that there is good market potential for new biopesticides, although the market growth is
likely to be slow. However, existing pest control practices combined with other results of this study
indicate a need for enhanced and targeted education of farmers on the use of alternative pest control
methods. Other recommendations include intensifying current initiatives geared at reducing the misuse
of chemical pesticides, education of specific target groups, increased promotion of botanical products
such as neem extracts, and wider dissemination of biological control and integrated pest
management techniques.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Perceptions, Practices and Constraints
Regarding Availing of Government Subsidies: An Empirical Study of Fruit Growers in Punjab
-- Pavninder Singh and Lalit Mohan Kathuria
The present study was undertaken to analyze the fruit growers' perceptions toward government
subsidies and constraints faced while availing the government subsidies. The study was conducted among the
fruit growers of Ludhiana District of Punjab. The study points out that rate of subsidy, lack of
information about prevalent subsidies, and long documentation procedure are the major factors, that influence
the decision regarding availing of subsidies. Also, it is found that low awareness, lack of
orientation programs and non-proximity to sanctioning authority's office are the major constraints faced by the
fruit growers while availing government subsidies. The present study suggests certain measures to
remove these constraints, in order to make the government programs a success.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Health Condition and Health Awareness Among the
Tea Garden Laborers: A Case Study of a Tea Garden
in Tinsukia District of Assam
-- Dukhabandhu Sahoo,
Konnaki Konwar and Bimal Kishore Sahoo
The Assam Human Development Report of 2003, acknowledged the fact that the health status of its
tea garden laborers is much below the state average; the state itself is languishing at the bottom. The
present study is an attempt to explore the health condition of the tea industry laborers, especially laborers
of the Beesakopie tea garden, a garden in Tinsukia District of Assam. The study reveals that a
significant percentage (23%) of labor families suffer from calorie deficiency of more than 1,200 calories.
Further, it is also observed that there is a huge gap between the per capita requirement and intake of both
protein and carbohydrate among the laborers and their families. Therefore, it was observed that the
laborers are suffering from various disorders like fever, cough, anemia, hypertension, gastric problems,
skin problems, etc. Moreover, the data reflect that a considerable percentage of members of labor
families died during the last five years due to
tuberculosis, high blood pressure, lack of proper
treatment and so on. Child mortality is also observed whose reasons are not known to the laborers, indicating the
lack of awareness among the laborers. Further, the laborers do not show any interest to go to hospital
for treatment. The laborers are ignorant or are not conscious about personal hygiene and
sanitation practices. Moreover, only 1% of labor families use filter to purify water. Therefore, health
awareness among the tea industry laborers is very poor. Thus, the government as well as the authority of the
tea industry should consider this serious issue as an integral part of the developmental plan, for
equitable and sustainable economic growth of the country.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Milk and Dairy Products Consumption
in Assam: An Economic Analysis
-- Manesh Choubey
The present study aims to analyze consumers' preferences and trends in consumption of milk and
dairy products and their impact on determining dairy production and marketing opportunities in Assam.
The survey was done on 1,500 households in nine project districts of the Assam Agricultural
Competitiveness Project. The results reveal that the rural consumers are older and less educated, and on average,
have larger household size than urban consumers. Almost all consumers are non-vegetarians and the
majority of their household members are lactose tolerant. Urban and rural consumers have shown
differential preferences for certain quality attributes of milk and dairy products and this finding does not
support the hypotheses of the same preferences by these two types of consumers. In terms of taste, nutritive
value, health risk and hygiene, boiled milk scored the highest preference rating among both urban and
rural consumers, on average. On the other hand, powdered milk scored the highest preference rating in
terms of shelf life and packaging. Urban consumers also gave the highest preference score to powdered
milk for availability, while rural consumers did the same for raw milk. In terms of price, urban
consumers gave the highest preference rating to raw milk, while rural consumers preferred powdered milk for
this particular attribute.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
