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Recent Research Studies Completed

2007-Study No-124: Viable Entrepreneurial Trades for Women in Agriculture in Andhra Pradesh Objectives of the Study: The study is undertaken with four major objectives:

1. To identify the viable entrepreneurial trades for women in agriculture.

2. To study the impact of these trades on the women beneficiaries in terms of income and their socio-

economic conditions.

3. To assess the role of training.

4. To understand the constraints faced and study the linkages and support system needed for

enhancing the viability and feasibility of the trades.

Methodology and Study area:

The ICAR launched the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) in Home Science in the year

1983 in six State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) for building human capital of rural women. Later in 1996,

three more SAUs were added. The nine states are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh,

Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The project includes all the five components

of Home Science that focus attention on integrated improvement in quality of life of rural families. The five

components are Food and Nutrition, Family Resource Management, Clothing and Textiles, Home Science

Extension and Human Development. The project horizon extends to inter collaboration with government

and non-government agencies for sustained development of rural families.

The Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh is one of the coordinating

Centers of the AICRP. The Home Science department of this university is conducting the AICRP

programmes like extension activities and training programmes through the Krishi Vignan Kendras (KVKs) in

the State. The agro-based technologies undertaken by the Home Science department under AICRP include

preparation of processed food items like jams, jellies, energy drinks, poultry management, dairy

management, etc. Apart from this training was also given in carry bag making, door hangings, wall

hangings, cloth locked file folders and soft toys. However, we could not

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All the Research Studies were conducted on behalf of Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India with its complete financial assistance.

Disclaimer: Findings and views expressed in the respective studies are that of the researchers. Government of India does not necessarily subscribe to the same

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get the beneficiaries lists from the department. Therefore we selected the districts for study purposefully.

Firstly, we selected East Godavari district where the KVK along with the Coir Board conducted a number of

training programmes to women in the preparation of various items from coir, which is locally available in

abundance. The Home Science department of Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) in

collaboration with the KVK under the AICRP, also conducted training programmes in preparation of coir

products. We were informed that these training programme were very successful and about 60 per cent of

the trainees are adopting the skills they acquired and earning Rs.500-1500 per month. The women who

were training by the KVK and who have taken up the enterprise of coir products are spread in several

mandals around the KVK. We selected Gokavaram village from Gokavaram mandal and Kalvacherla village,

where the KVK is situated, from Rajanagaram mandal. From the list of the women trainees obtained from

the KVK we selected 25 entrepreneurs from the two villages by simple random sampling. Another 15

untrained women entrepreneur in the same activity were selected from the two villages as a control group.

Secondly, the KVK in Visakhapatnam district is under the management of a voluntary agency namely

Bhagavathula Charitable Thrust with the assistance of ICAR. Here also women were given training in the

preparation of pickels, papads, lead plates, handicrafts, etc., The women who were trained in the

preparation of pickles, jams, etc. were scattered and we could trace only one or two women. A sizeable

number of women were involved in the preparation of leaf plates. So we selected this enterprise from

Visakhapatnam district. We selected Rambilli mandal where this activity is intense. Two villages namely

Mamidivasa and Marripalem were selected for the study and a total of 26 trained women from the two

villages namely Mamidivada and Marripalem were selected for the study and a total of 26 trained women

from the two villages were selected by simple random sampling and for the control group q14 untrained

women were selected. Tirdly SRikakulam district is selected. In this district a voluntary organization viz,

Youth Club of Bejjipuram (YCB) undertakes training in jute handicrafts to rural women. A number of

programmes were implemented in collaboration with government agencies. Two mandals viz. Burja and

Laveru and four villages i.e. ABC per from Burja mandal and Adapaka, Budumuru and Bejjipuram from

Laveru manmdal are selected for this study. From the list of trained women obtained from the YCB a total

of 24 women entrepreneurs in jute handicrafts were selected by simple random sampling and another 16

untrained women in the same activity were also selected. Thus the total study sample is 120 i.e. 40 each

district. Data were taken from these 120 women with the help of pre-designed questionnaire. From the

selected households only one woman is considered as the entrepreneur. She may get help in the

entrepreneurial work from other family members but they are not entrepreneurs. This study is also

supported by secondary data drawn from the Statistical Abstracts of Andhra Pradesh, NSSO rounds and the

Census of India, 2001.

Enterprise wise Sample Size of the Study

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District East Godavari Visakhapatnam Srikakulam Total Enterprise Coir Products Leaf Plates Jute Handicrafts No.of Mandals 2 1 2 5 No. of Villages 2 2 4 8 No.of trained women entrepreneurs selected

25 26 24 75

No.of untrained women entrepreneurs selected

15 14 16 45

Total Sample 40 40 40 120

Policy Suggestions:

In the training programmes at the KVKs, the per cent of scheduled caste beneficiaries is almost

equal to the proportion of scheduled castes population in the region, but for starting an enterprise with their

skills, the scheduled caste women are lagging behind. This is mainly due to lack of financial support.

Moreover, socially the OBCs are better placed than the scheduled castes, in the village community.

Therefore, they dominate the social scene and the benefits from the government’s programmes. The

government machinery should ensure that there is equitable distribution of the benefits from the government

schemes and that there is an equal representation of all the social groups from the weaker sections.

The government may help the women, who underwent training in skills but lack financial resources to

start an enterprise, by providing loans to utilize their skills in income earning activities, so that the public

expenditure spent in training these women may not go waste.

The comparison of the per capita income of the sample households with the poverty line income

shows that the sample households are well above the poverty line even without including the enterprise

income. The NGOs and the government agencies that are imparting skills to rural women for their

empowerment need to be appreciated but they should concentrate more on women from BPL households.

For such women, the extra income they earn may help their households rise above the poverty line.

The YCB is relying on the same designs over the years, which is reducing the marketability of their

products. The sample women are aware of this and they are enthusiastic to learn new designs. As the jute

products are in vogue, the YCB may take the help of experts in fashion designing for training the rural

women in design that go with the present day fashion.

There are improved versions of the coir rope making mats which will improve the productivity with

less strain but the sample women do not have access to them. Such improved versions may be made

available to women entrepreneurs who work with coir. Among the coir products entrepreneurs and jute

handicrafts entrepreneurs about 20-30 per cent are suffering due to lack of work space. The government

may provide community centres in the villages for women’s groups to work. The expenditure may be met

from the DRDA funds.

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2009-Study No-125: Impact of Aquaculture on Agricultural Production, Rural Employment and Environment – A Study in Orissa

Objectives of the Study:

a) To examine the trends in the area under aquaculture by type of lands converted.

b) To examine the socio-economic conditions of the aqua farmers.

c) To estimate the costs and returns of aquaculture.

d) To examine the impact of aquaculture on employment, crop production and environment.

e) To analyze the overall impact of aquaculture on different sections of the society in that area.

Methodology and Sample Design:

This study is based on the primary and secondary data. Secondary data has been used for

analyzing the trends, which covers the period from 1990-91 to 2004-2005. The rest of the study is based on

the primary data, which will be collected from the different categories of the sample farmers viz, aqua

farmers, crop farmers whose lands are adjacent to aqua farmers and farmers who leased out lands to aqua

farming and agricultural labourers, by canvassing different schedules. Stratified random sampling techniques

has been used for selecting samples.

For this study, Ganjam district was selected based on the discussions with the officials and District

Fisheries Officers-cum-executive officers at the Directorate of Fisheries and Fishery Department in

Bhubaneswar. Besides this, Ganjam district was selected because of the highest fresh water fish production

(14.17 TMT) was recorded in the district during 2000-01. After selecting the district, by using the stratified

multistage random sampling method, a sample of 80 aquaculture households and 40 cultivator households

belonging to three different size groups viz, small (up to 2.00 hectares), medium (2.01 to 4.00 hectares) and

large (above 4.00 hectares) was selected from 11 blocks out of 22 blocks in the district. Thus the sample

comprised of 18 small farmers, 23 medium farmers and 39 large farmers among aquaculture farmers and 18

small farmers, 8 medium farmers and 14 large farmers among cultivator households. Separate schedules

were canvassed to aquaculture farmers and crop cultivators and primary data obtained from them pertaining

to the objectives of the study which were relating to the impact of aquaculture on agricultural production,

rural employment and environment. The secondary data relating to area and production of inland and

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marine fish in the state and in the sample district from 1996-97 to 2005-06 were collected. Besides this, the

data relating to performance of FFDAs in pond development, its programmes and the coverage in terms of

areas and beneficiaries were collected for the selected district and state from the offices of the Fisheries

Departments both at the state and sample district. The reference period for the study is 2006-07.

For estimating the growth rates of fish production, the exponential form of equation In y=a+bt+ut

is used where “b” is the growth rate. However, for testing whether there is an acceleration or deceleration in

the growth, the parameters based on the log-quadratic form In y=a+bt+ct2+ut, are used. Here, the

coefficient of t2 ie “c” indicates the acceleration or deceleration in the growth depending upon the seign of

the coefficient. If the sign is positive there is acceleration and if the sign is negative there is deceleration in

the growth.

Problems and Suggestions:

Besides above major findings, there are some problems which are faced by the aquaculture

farmers, have come across during conducting the field survey in Ganjam district.

1) Though aquaculture is allied to agriculture, this sector is not getting any insurance benefits like

waiving of loans or interest or regularising the loans at the time of drought or natural calamities

which are extending to agricultural sector.

2) Aquaculture farmers are not getting any support price to their product unlike in agriculture. Further

they are receiving low price for their fish because the buyers are dictating the price.

3) The financiers are extending the loans by taking in to account the value of the land. But in

aquaculture the value of the land is more when the investment in aquaculture is also taken in to

account.

4) Most of the tanks in the district are owned by the Gramapanchayats and these tanks are using

multipurposly like drinking, bathing both for people and animals. So there are restrictions in using

organic and inorganic fertilizers for the growth of fresh water aquaculture. Further, share holders of

these waters are more and preference is given to agriculture and industry rather than to

aquaculture. Short term lease of these tanks is another problem.

Suggestions:

1) Whatever the benefits given to agriculture at the time of calamities should be extended to

aquaculture also.

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2) As in agriculture, in aquaculture also, the government should announce support price for the

product.

3) All the Gramapanchayats (GP) tanks in the district must come under the jurisdiction of the fishery

department, so that fishery department should be responsible for leasing these tanks, improving

these tanks by way of increasing the depth of the tanks and removal of weeds etc. further, leasing

procedure should be easier, if GP tanks are under fishery departments.

4) Short term lease of one year is not suitable for aquaculture. GPs are not interested to give lease of

their tanks on long term.

5) cold storage facilities should be provided to the aquaculture farmers.

6) For the present, the government is providing subsidies for inputs, excavations and innovations of the

ponds to the aquaculture farmers once in their life time. As in agriculture, these facilities should be

extended to every crop of the fish farming.

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2009-Study No-126: State Budgetary Resources and Development and Agricultural Development in Andhra Pradesh

Objectives of the Study:

The present study proposes to analyse the allocation of budgetary resources by the state of Andhra

Pradesh as well as the balance between Central and State schemes in the State, with the following

objectives:

1) to analyse the trends in budgetary allocation of resources to the agricultural sector as a

whole and the sub-sectors of agriculture in the state.

2) to document and analyse schemes under operation in the state contributing to the

development of the agricultural sector and

3) to enlist and analyse the impact of Central sector schemes operating in the agricultural

sector of the state.

Methodology:

This study is conducted with the help of Secondary data collected from the published and

unpublished sources of various Government Departments like Office of the Commissioner and Director of

Agriculture, Government of Andhra Pradesh and Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of

Andhra Pradesh. A list of the schemes operating in the state and also the Central Sector schemes are

obtained from the State Department of Agriculture. Since the studies about the schemes are not available,

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discussions are made with the implementing State authorities of Department of Agriculture. Time series

data from 1985-86 to 2005-06 are used for the analysis of the study. The Compound (Log-linear) growth

rates are estimated by employing the equation Y = aebt, where ‘b’ is the growth rate.

Policy Suggestions:

The Agricultural sector has lost its pre-eminent position with its share in GSDP coming down from

42.64 percent in 1985-86 to 35.76 percent in 1991-92 and further dwindled to 26.66 percent in 2005.06.

The allocation of state budget in accordance with the changes in the agricultural sector is also observed.

Accordingly the following policy measures are suggested for the future development of the agricultural

sector:

1. The declining trend in area under Cereals, and Millets reflected in the decline in the percentage of

area under Total Food Grains. Therefore, the area under Cereals and Millets must be increased by

providing qualitative certified seeds of important cereals which improves the production and productivity of

these crops.

2. The considerable number of non-farm employment schemes must be implemented in rural areas to

create employment to the work force engaged in this sector and also to prevent the percentage of migration

to other sectors.

3. The share of expenditure on agriculture and allied activities as a percentage of total budget showed

several fluctuations and was as low as 6 percent in 2005-06 and average to 5.8 percent over the entire

period. This inferences that this sector has been neglected by the Government for so many years. Hence,

adequate resources must be allocated to increase the per hectare expenditure so as to achieve better

productivity of crops.

4. Several Centrally Sponsored Schemes and State Sector Schemes are implemented in the State. But

so many farmers in the interior parts of the districts are unaware of the importance of these schemes.

This is mainly due to inadequate extension staff to popularize the benefits of the schemes in the interior

villages. Hence, adequate extension staff must be employed and proper transport facilities must also be

provided to the extension staff.

5. Finally, sanction and release of funds by the Governments must simultaneously be initiated to

implement the schemes effectively.

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2009-Study No-127: Environmental Degradation, Tank Irrigation and Agricultural Yields in North Coastal Andhra Objectives of the Study:

a) To examine the changes in land use pattern and assess its impact on environment

b) to examine the impact of environmental degradation on Tank Irrigation

c) to examine the impact of deterioration in tank irrigation on crop yields and poverty

d) to examine the impact of poverty on environment

Methodology and Sample Areas:

Out of the three districts in North Coastal part of Andhra Pradesh, two districts namely Vizianaragam

and Srikakulam which represent a maximum cropped area cultivated under tank Irrigation were selected.

At the second stage, five villages from two mandals per district were selected. The total number of sample

villages is ten. The sample of farmers was drawn from the lists of farmers provided by the irrigation

department for various tanks in the selected villages. Fifteen farmers from different categories of farms

were selected from each village randomly with probability proportional to the numbers in the three groups.

The total sample comes to 150 farmers. The reference period for the collection of primary data was 2006-

07. Secondary data were used to study the changes in land use pattern and the other factors which have a

bearing on rural environment. The study of linkage between environmental degradation and deterioration

in tank irrigation was based on the secondary data. It covers the period 1960-61 to 2005-06.

The relationship between environmental degradation, poverty, development and more

environmental degradation is quite complex and not amenable to easy generalization. With in a State or

regions too there is a big diversity pattern and situations. Though there seems to be no clear cut evidence

to show the most important factors contributing the environmental degradation and poverty, generally it was

said that in a region like north coast A.P., environment is a source of livelihood for many, particularly the

poor. Environmental degradation has tremendous human costs. It hits the poor most----- and directly too.

The very survival of the poor depends on it. The basis for vicious circle perception lies in the fact that in

relatively poor regions, they depend directly on the environmental resources for their livelihood. In fact, a

sizable chunk of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is generated out of these resources in such regions:

Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and mining have a good share of GDP in such areas.

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Poverty is the root cause of environmental degradation which further lead to deterioration of tank

irrigation and low agricultural yields and low income /negative farm business income and again recycles to

poverty. So, poverty will decline only when agriculture sector is the full participant in economic growth,

especially that of small and marginal farmers. Poverty reduction is driven ultimately by raising farm

incomes spent on locally produced goods and services that lead to more village level employment

opportunities. Direct, target oriented programmes alone are not enough to deal with this problem, and the

stepping up of economic development is considered a more effective strategy for eliminating poverty.

Higher growth rates and higher levels of development have to be so achieved as to arrest the degradation of

environment in this region.

One can no longer have environmental prevention through continuation of poverty and the denial of

development opportunities to backward regions. It would be far better for the State, if the backward

regions are helped in their struggle to achieve higher levels of development in an environmentally sound

way.

Policy Suggestions:

In the Union Budget 2007, the Finance Minister has announced 100% subsidy for water harvesting

by small farmers and 50% for others. The subsidy needs to be extended to the existing water harvesting

bodies for desilting operation, which are defunct because of sediment deposit. Now, the desilting and

maintenance activities are linked to the on-going National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)

programme. So far, more than 8100 irrigation tanks of different sizes are desilted under the NREGA in the

State of Andhra Pradesh. The programme is the best answer to bring the tanks to their original position

by removing the encroachments in tank areas and to improve the feeder channels for free flow of water into

the tanks.

At the field level, there are some drawbacks noticed in the process of earthwork done to the tanks.

The programme is oriented to create rural employment in slack seasons to the natives. But the work

consciousness and the quality of work is poor and not done in a systematic manner. Tank bunds are not

improved as per their original tank memoirs. It is found that, the irrigation department is not engaged to

supervise the technologies involved in improving the tank bunds or to clear the bush and shrubs in the tank

foreshores and the weeds also not removed in the tank beds. The silt is being removed near the sluices

and along with the tank bund but not of the tank foreshores. Unskilled Field Assistants, who are not

competent to supervise such engineering works, are mostly appeared at the work spots. In many areas,

though the locals (both cultivators and agricultural labourers) are involved in the tank works, the quality of

the work is questionable and it has not been done in proportion to the payments made to the

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workers/beneficiaries, who might be the stake holders of tank irrigation in respective villages. Another

important point to be mentioned here is that the payments to workers were made mostly on the basis of

muster rolls but not to the quantum of work done, which is manageable by the local leaders. This should

be corrected by the State authorities to improve the quality of irrigation under tanks.

The NREG programme is a boost and best programme to improve the surface irrigation under tank

system and to safeguard the environment in tank areas on a large scale. The irrigation department’s

presence as a professional support body –-- which at present is minimal should be increased.

Measures Proposed to Improve the Tank System and to Minimize the Environmental Losses or Degradation:

1. Treat the catchment area with tree planting to minimize soil erosion. 2. Make improvements in the siphon and feeder channel to increase the water inflow from the

intercepted watershed. 3. Protect the foreshore agricultural lands with appropriate soil conservation measures to prevent silt

accretion in the tank. 4. Eradicate the weeds to minimize transpiration loss. 5. Strengthen and widen the earthen tank bund adequately for use as a cart track as well and stone

pitches the water face of the bund, in order to prevent seepage loss.

6. Provide drainage channels wherever needed to dispose the excess water.

7. Repair or construct the irrigation sluices to permit the discharge required and replace the regulation arrangements for effective water control.

8. There is an urgent need to desilt the tanks in order to increase the storage capacity of water (The

Government of A.P. has taken up the issue on a large scale by execution of NREG programme in tank areas).

9. There should be a balance between minor, medium and major irrigation systems through judicious

allocation of funds. 10. Groundwater should be treated as common pool resource, and not as private property. Otherwise,

it is difficult to ensure equity in distribution.

* * * * * 2010-Study No-128: Impact of Aquaculture on Agricultural Production, Rural Employment – Study in Andhra Pradesh Objectives of the Study:

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a) To estimate the Development and trends of Marine and Inland Fisheries

b) To examine the socio-economic conditions of the aqua farmers.

c) To estimate the costs and returns of aquaculture.

d) To examine the impact of aquaculture on employment, crop production and environment.

e) To analyze the overall impact of aquaculture on different sections of the society in that area.

Methodology and Sample Design:

This study is based on the primary and secondary data, and secondary data has been used for

analysing the trends which covers the period from 1990-1991 to 2004-2005 for India and 1995-1996 to

2006-2007 for Andhra Pradesh and the selected district. The rest of the study is based on the primary data

which will be collected from the different categories of the sample farmers, viz., Aqua farmers, crop farmers

whose lands are adjacent to aqua farmers and farmers who leased out lands to aqua farming and

agricultural labouers, by canvassing different schedules. Stratified random sampling techniques have been

used for selecting samples.

For this study, Krishna district is selected based on the discussions with the officials, Director, Joint

Director of Fisheries and district Fisheries Officers of Fishery Department in Hyderabad. As per 2006-2007

Fisheries Statistics of Andhra Pradesh, Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh covered around 87.50 per cent of

fish and prawn production of the State. Among the Coastal districts, Krishna district is selected for the study

because of its major contribution (28.89 per cent) to total fish and prawn production of the State. After

selecting the district, by using the stratified multi-stage random sampling method, a sample of 64 aqua

culture households and 40 cultivator households belonging to three different size groups viz., small (up to

2.00 hectares), medium (2.01 – 4.00 hectares) and large (above 4.00 hectares) were selected in the district.

Thus the sample comprised of nine small farmers 17 medium farmers and 38 large farmers among aqua

culture farmers and 30 small farmers, 7 medium farmers and 3 large farmers among cultivator households.

Separate schedules were canvassed to aquaculture farmers and crop cultivators and the primary data was

obtained from them pertaining to the objectives of the study which were relating to the impact of

aquaculture on agricultural production, rural employment and environment. The secondary data relating to

area and production of inland and marine fish in the state and in the sample district from 1995-96 to 2006-

07 were collected. The reference period for the study is 2006-07.

For estimating the growth rates of fish production, the exponential form of equation in y=a+bt+ut

is used where “b” is the growth rate. However, for testing whether there is an acceleration or deceleration in

the growth, the parameters based on the log-quadratic form In y=a+bt+ct2+ut, are used. Here, the

coefficient of t2 i.e “c” indicates the acceleration or deceleration in the growth depending upon the sign of

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the coefficient. If the sign is positive, there is acceleration and if the sign is negative there is deceleration in

the growth.

Impact of Aquaculture on Agricultural Production, Rural-Employment and Environment: The fresh water fish production can be increased by resorting to improved and more intensive

cultural practices as well as by bringing in more areas under aquaculture cultivation. But agricultural

production may be affected under both intensive and extensive methods. Under intensive cultural practices,

large quantities of fresh water has to be pumped out to the fish ponds, result in water table on a long run

becomes low and thus leads to low agricultural productivity to the lands which are adjacent to these aqua

farms. Under extensive cultural practices, most fertile, productive agricultural lands are converted into fish

ponds would lead to low agricultural production. For example, in the sample district of Krishna, the paddy

production has been depleting and even stand still in some years even though high yielding short hybrid

varieties have been introduced.

Not only, highly productive fertile agricultural lands are converted, but also non-approachable thick

mangrove forests are changed in to fish ponds owing to the high profits accrued in aquaculture which are

several times greater than agriculture. But large scale destruction of vegetation in that area, particularly

clearing of mangroves resulting in soil erosion, lack of protection against the cyclones and tidal waves and

displacement of wild life from the natural habitats.

Even employment opportunities are affected by aquaculture. Fish farming requires low labour input

when compared to crop cultivation. Further, trained and skilled man power is required for fishery industry.

But owing to illiteracy, only few are employed and thereby increases the unemployment. Most of the

aquacultural operations are done by men. So, work for women in the fishery industry is very limited.

With regard to environmental affects, the impact of aqua culture on it has not been limited. Due to

wastage discharges from the farm which contain unused chemicals, medicines, excess food etc., in to the

wild water bodies causes pollution which in turn leads to incidence and spread of infectious and non-

infectious diseases and it is carried out from one farm to the other through inflows from a common source.

For example, in Taiwan, the shrimp culture has been collapsed owing to the environmental mismanagement.

By applying appropriate management measures, the majority of impacts can be remedied.

Problems and Suggestions:

Besides the above findings, there are some problems, which are faced by the aquaculture farmers have

come across during conducting the field survey in Krishna district.

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1) One of the major problems faced by the aquaculture farmers is the lack of availability of sufficient

quality seeds.

This constraint can be overcome by two ways. The setting up of new hatcheries with

feasible and profitable composition of seed which should be suitable for a particular region and for a

particular locale and they should start in every region so as to save delay in transportation of seed to

the farmer’s field. Another method of seed availability is through a number of matured brooders in

the sea catches. So, impart knowledge, skills and technology to the fishermen for appropriately

capturing them and breeding them in captivity.

2) Another problem faced by the aquaculture farmers is the non-availability of good quality feed at

reasonable prices. So, they have to import quality feed for higher prices or depend upon lower

quality local substitutes which in turn effect production levels and impair the quality of the pond

water and bottom.

This constraint is also being overcome by establishing feed mill plants as many as possible in

every region of the district.

3) The non-availability of government owned brackish water land is another constraint for the

development of aquaculture.

So, Andhra Pradesh government should allot Coastal lands suitable for brackish water

farming in the ratio of 60.20.20 to fishermen co-operatives, technocrats and progressive

entrepreneurs respectively. These lands should be given lease on a long term basis because short

term lease of one year is not suitable for aquaculture. Another factor that needs careful

consideration is the permission of the government for mortgaging these lands to banks/financing

institutions for taken financial assistance for the development of aquaculture.

4) According to the Land Reforms Act, the land should not be used for any other purpose other than

those specified. So, most of the unproductive agricultural lands are not available for aquaculture.

If aquaculture is included under the head Agriculture in the Act, then the land which is less

productive in nature for agriculture production, should be used for aquaculture and there by reaps

the better economic returns.

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5) By the advent of Green Revolution, the government is providing several benefits to the agricultural

farmers such as priority in power connection at concession rates and subsidies on various inputs.

Though aquaculture, being a major foreign exchange earner, employment generation amongst the

rural population, uplifting the rural economy by way of proper utilization of unutilized and under-

utilized areas is denied the benefits which are extended to the agriculture.

So, there is every justification for treating aquaculture on par with agriculture and extend

whatever the benefits given to agriculture to aquaculture also.

6) Aquaculture farmers are not getting any support price to their product unlike in agriculture.

Further they are receiving low price for their fish because the buyers are dictating the price.

So, the government should announce support price for aquaculture product, as in

agriculture.

7) Fish is a very highly perishable food commodity and its preservation becomes a necessity to prevent

from spoilage and for future use. So, cold storage facilities should be provided to the aquaculture

farmers.

8) Though, aquaculture has a huge potential for demand and high profitability, credit flow to this sector

has been rather slow. So, providing reasonable and timely institutional finance and accepting the

Government-lease hold-land as collateral security are necessary in view of the enormous capital

input cost of aquaculture when compared to land crop farming systems.

9) In order to inculcating the habit of thrift among fisher women, there is a necessity of promoting

women’s self-help groups so as to decrease the hold of money lenders and traders on them.

* * * * *

2010-Study No-129: Production and Cost of Broiler Meat: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal

Objectives of the Study: The specific objectives of the study are:

(i) to analyse the production related aspects of broiler farming and estimate the total broiler

meat production in the selected states,

(ii) to analyse the cost of production of broiler meat,

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(iii) to examine the input purchase and output sale arrangements and estimate the net returns

in broiler farming and

(iv) to identify the constraints in broiler farming and suggest remedial measures.

Methodology:

The focus of this study is on estimation of production and cost of broiler meat and analysis of the

related aspects. The various production related aspects examined are – source of supply of chicks, linkages

between hatcheries and the farms, linkages between farms and feed shops and traders, type of sheds and

other structures on the farm, equipment, feeding and management practices, access to veterinary services

and other infrastructure facilities, crop duration i.e., from the day the chicks are placed in the shed to the

day of lifting from the shed, crop cycle in a year, mortality of the birds, quantities of feed given, feed

conversion efficiency, weight of the birds at the time of sale and the number of birds produced in a year.

The cost related aspects include ownership particulars of land, rent of land, cost of sheds and buildings,

depreciation of sheds and buildings cost of equipment such as feed mixer, feeding set, watering set,

cleaning set and health care set, source of supply of feed and vaccines and their prices, tie up between input

suppliers and farmers, employment of labour, wages, power charges, transport charges, source of funds and

interest rates. Marketing aspects include marketing channels of broiler meat, type of sale and pricing of the

product. The information on these aspects are drawn from the sample broiler farms.

This study is mainly based on the primary data collected from the sample broiler farms. For

selecting the farms a two stage random sampling design is used. It was observed that broiler farms are

located around big urban centres and the farms located around each urban centre are taken as a cluster. At

the first stage two clusters are selected and at the second stage, the farms in each cluster are classified into

three strata viz., farms with size less than or equal to 2500 birds, farms with 2500 – 5000 birds and farms

with more than 5000 birds. The clusters selected in each state are:

1. Andhra Pradesh : One cluster is in Ranga Reddy District i.e., farms located around the

16

state capital, Hyderabad. The second cluster is in Visakhapatnam

district i.e., farms around Visakhapatnam city.

2. Karnataka : One cluster around Bangalore rural district and the second cluster is

around Shimoga district.

3. Maharashtra : Nashik and Pune in and around cities – as two clusters.

4. West Bengal : Bolpur of Birbhum district and Bishnupur of Bankerva district.

The information on the farms is drawn from the local hatcheries. From the three strata, a total of 30

farms are selected maintaining the probability proportions. Thus a total of 60 farms are selected from the

two clusters and from each selected farm the required data are collected by canvassing a pre-designed

schedule. The reference period for the study is November 2003 – October 2004.

The data obtained from the farms are used for analyzing production and cost related aspects at the

farm level and for identifying the constraints under which the farms have been operating. From the data

supplied by the NABARD, the number of birds produced in the state is estimated by using the mortality rate

of the sample broiler farms. Then for estimating the total live weight, the average live weight per bird is

derived from the sample farms. Finally the total meat weight is derived by deducting the wastage.

Policy Suggestions:

The potential of the broiler sector in improving the nutritional levels of the people, in creating

employment and in accelerating exports should be tapped by formulating suitable policies.

1. There is no uniformity between demand and supply of broiler meat, often demand falling short of supply.

To increase the demand, the marketing strategy should be improved. Advertising and creating awareness

in people, especially in the rural areas, about the benefits of broiler meat over other meats, should be given

importance. Dressed and neatly packed ready to use broiler meat will be preferred by many in the urban

area, especially the working women. To meet such demand the processing facilities should be improved.

The supply may be reduced by reducing the parent bird population and the government should

check the growth of hatcheries to limit production.

17

2. To increase the scope for exports, there is a need to increase the processing facilities by following strict

quality control measures. The Government should help the broiler farmers in reducing the production costs

thereby, increasing the competitiveness of our products in the international market.

3. Broiler farming may be used as a welfare measure for the socio-economic upliftment of the weaker

sections. The small and marginal farmers are leaving the industry due to high operational costs. The

government should provide various inputs like chicks and feed through public outlets as presently the

industry is dominated by the private sector.

4. The government should recognize poultry sector either on par with agriculture or with industry. Due to

lack of such clarity, the poultry sector is not able to avail the benefits provided to either agriculture or

industry.

5. Majority of the farmers reported of high and increasing costs of feed and feed ingredients. As the main

constituents of poultry feed are maize, corn and soya, slight changes may be made in the cropping pattern

by increasing the area under these crops which require less water. By this the farmers will have a chance to

get reasonable prices for their product due to the demand in poultry sector and at the same time the poultry

farmers will have increased availability of feed ingredients within the state which may reduce the import

costs.

6. The crop cultivators and poultry farmers may develop direct contracts, like buy back agreements, in the

beginning of the crop period, thereby eliminating the role of middlemen and to derive mutual benefit. The

government may fix a reasonable price which is beneficial to both the cultivators and the poultry farmers.

If the cultivators are assured of selling their product at a reasonable price, the area under the crop is bound

to increase. Poultry farmers may provide poultry manure, which is a valuable organic fertilizer to the

cultivators on credit.

18

7. The network of disease diagnostic facilities should be improved as many broiler farm clusters do not have

access to such facilities. This can reduce the mortality in farms. The government Animal Husbandry

Department is not providing any extension services to the poultry farms. The government should provide

extension services at least to the benefit of small farms.

8. In order to reduce the environmental pollution by the poultry farms, as reported by some residents living

close to the farms, the government should formulate a policy regarding the location of the poultry farms at

safe distance from residential areas.

9. The small and medium farmers reported problems in acquisition of credit. The institutional credit facilities

may be improved for the benefit of the broiler farmers.

* * * * *

2010-Study No-130:

Inter Linkages of Credit with Factor and Product Markets in Agriculture - A study in Andhra Pradesh Objectives of the study:

To

1. examine the nature of inter-linkages of credit with factor and product markets

2. analyze the effects of inter-linkages and

3. identify the factors causing these inter-linkages

Methodology:

Inter linkages of credit are prominent in commercial crop like cotton where investments are also

high when compared to food crops. The study is mainly based on the primary data collected from a sample

of cotton cultivators. Andhra Pradesh falls under the 10th and 11th Agro-climatic Zones as per 15 Agro-

climatic zones classified by the Planning Commission, Government of India. The state agricultural

department has classified the area falling under the above two zones into seven Agro-climatic Zones. Two

districts are selected from two different agro-climatic zones. Those are Guntur from Krishna-Godavari Zone

and Warangal from North Telangana Zone. Guntur is traditionally a cotton growing area whereas Warangal

has taken up cotton in the recent past. Both districts are in the south-west monsoon zone. Both districts

have good regulated markets for cotton and market dealers play a crucial role in credit supply. Guntur and

19

Warangal are among the 100 agriculturally less developed and distressed districts in the Country. These two

are also among the 31 distressed districts identified by the Government of India where the Prime Minister’s

special rehabilitation package is being implemented.

Sample households are selected following a multi-stage stratified random sampling process. In the

first stage, four representative villages from each district are purposively selected depending on their

proximity from the market. In the next stage, information on landholding status of each household within

these villages is collected from local panchayat bodies to facilitate drawing of a random sample of

15households as per the following stratification: 6 households from below 2.5 acres, 6 from 2.5 to 5 acre

group and 3 from above 5 acre category.

Districts Villages No. of sample

Guntur

1.Kattavaripalem 15 2.Pakalapadu 15 3.Gudipudi 15 4.Rentapalli 15

Warangal

1.Chinapendyala 15 2.Rajavaram 15 3.Tekulagudem 15 4.Uppalapalli 15

Sample from each village Below 2.5 ac 6

2.5- 5.00 6

Above 5.00 3

Total 15

The data are collected from each of the selected households by canvassing a pre-designed schedule

at a single point of time. The reference period chosen for the study is 2007-08.

Conclusions:

Injection of more institutional credit would go a long way in reining the unwanted influence of

private money lenders and their tied up loans on vulnerable sections of peasantry.

To sum up the credit transactions, it can be said that, though dependency on informal sources is

high 80.70 per cent in Guntur district. The occurrence for tie up loans is declining as it s only 16.74 per cent

in the total borrowings. Instead, borrowings from the land lord and other private operators, where only

cash transaction take place, are high. The interest on the loans is the same as with lenders of inputs

dealers and commission agents. But they are no more fleeced by way of low quality inputs and high

commission on their produce. They could exercise their free will to choose their seed and to sell their crop

wherever they want. This development, it was reported, was due to growing awareness of the farmer of

20

the perils of tied up loans increased capacity of the lenders in the village. The share of intuitional

borrowings is only less than one fifth 19.29 per cent of the total.

In the other district, Warangal, where the cotton markets are relatively established late, 44.87 per

cent of the loan amount is still tied up either with input dealers (16.32 per cent) or dealers at market yard

(28.55 per cent). This is quite high when compared to the traditional cotton market at Guntur. Another

31.53 per cent of the borrowings are from private sources in the proximity of the village where the

transaction are free from tie ups.

In both the districts, institutional loans from commercial banks and co-operatives form only a smaller

share. It is 19.29 per cent in Guntur and 23.59 per cent in Warangal.

Credit flow through SHGs has certainly contributed to reduced dependency on informal money

lenders and other non institutional sources. For most of the small and illiterate farmers the procedures and

documentation requirements are difficult to meet. Accordingly the cost of the borrowing also increases. On

the other hand, non institutional credit seems cheap where transaction costs are negligible and involves no

procedural complications.

Suggestions:

1. Efforts must be made to find ways and means to streamline the flow of credit to the poor farmers.

2. Procedural and documentation hassles must be removed. Timely and affordable credit must be

made available to the farmer in adequate measure.

3. Dealers of seed, fertilizer and pesticides must be made responsible for selling only good quality

inputs.

4. Efforts must be made to see that commission agents at the market yard comply with the market

regulations and do not charge exorbitant commission.

5. Increasing flow of credit would automatically mute the tied up transactions and make them more

borrower friendly.

* * * * *

2010-Study No-131: Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package for Farmers in Suicide Prone Districts of Andhra Pradesh Objectives of the Study:

1. To observe whether the benefits of package has reached the intended beneficiaries.

21

2. To assess the overall social and economic impact of the rehabilitation package

3. To study the constraints in the implementation of the package and suggest improvement/policy

measures.

Methodology and Sample Design:

The study is based on both the primary and secondary data and secondary data has been used for

analyzing the trends which covers the period from 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10. The data on

area, production and productivity of major crops, land use pattern, cropping and other agriculture related

aspects of this study have been collected from the various issues of Season and Crop Report, Statistical

Abstract of Andhra Pradesh. The data relating to physical targets, achievements and financial aid released

under PMs package to various departments of Agriculture, Revenue, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture,

fisheries, Micro Irrigation, Watersheds and NABARD are collected from the heads of the respective

departments for Andhra Pradesh and for the selected districts. Regarding the number of suicides and the

major problems faced by the suicide victims and affected families are collected from the cases reported in

the newspapers and from the information gathered by A.P. Rythu Sangam.

For this study, out of 16 identified suicide prone districts of Andhra Pradesh, Guntur, Ananthapur

and Warangal districts are selected from three distinct regions viz., Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and

Telangana respectively based on the highest number of suicide cases reported. From the reports of media

and Rythu Sangam the number of suicides had taken place during the period from October 1997 to

September 2002, a total of 202 cases in Warangal, followed by 70 from Ananthapur and 59 from Guntur.

But it could just be the “tip of an iceberg “as many more cases might have gone unreported, if not

unnoticed. In Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package, there are eight major schemes implemented by the

departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, irrigation and fisheries and also compensation

and ex-gratia payment for families of suicides farmers are paid by the Collector from P.M. National Relief

Fund. As per suggested methodology, five beneficiaries are selected from each of the eight schemes and

thus the sample comes to 40 beneficiaries from each district and the total samples have become 120

beneficiaries for the State. Precaution should be taken, if a single beneficiary household is benefiting from

more than one programme, he will be selected for only one scheme even though information is collected for

all the schemes he/she has availed under the P.M. Package. Structured schedules are canvassed to the

sample beneficiary households and primary data is obtained from them pertaining to the objectives of the

study which are relating to the Agricultural aspects, household annual income, credit issues,

programmes/schemes under PM Relief Package and benefits, compensation or subsidies received etc., and

22

performance of different departments of government in implementing the schemes. The reference period

for the study is 2008-09.

But in Andhra Pradesh, all the eight major schemes are covered only in the sample districts of

Warangal whereas in Guntur and Ananthapur sample districts, irrigation scheme is not being implemented

there, so there are only 70 sample households. Then the total sample has come to 110 beneficiary

households for three sample districts under Prime Ministers’ Rehabilitation Package Programme.

* * * * *

2011-Study No-132: Impact of Emerging Marketing Channels in Agricultural Marketing – Benefits to Producer – Seller and Marketing Costs and Margins of Agricultural Commodities

Objectives of the Study:

i. To examine the share of the farmer in the consumer rupee in emerging marketing models vis-à-

vis, the traditional marketing channels.

ii. To examine the degree of market efficiency and incidence of post-harvest losses in emerging

marketing channels vis-à-vis traditional marketing channels.

iii. To study the superior market practices and services provided by different agencies in the

emerging marketing channels vis-à-vis traditional marketing channels and

iv. To study the constraints faced by the farmers and different market functionaries in the emerging

marketing channels vis-à-vis traditional marketing channels.

Methodology and Sample Design: The study is based on the primary and secondary data. The secondary data relating to the State

marketing Act, bye-laws, regulations of Mandi committees and documents of different marketing channels

both for traditional and modern, collected from respective market channels and from National Informative

Centre for the chosen district/s from where primary data is being collected. The rest of the study is based

on the primary data and collects from the different categories of respondent’s viz., farmers, commission

agents, retailers and consumers. The sample size is presented in the following table.

S.No. Category of Respondents Traditional Channels Emerging Channels

1 Farmers 15 25

23

2 Commission Agents 5 -- 3 Retailers 5 -- 4 Consumers 5 5 Total 30 30

Two crops are taken one from Vegetables group i.e. Brinjal and one from Fruits Group i.e. Banana.

From each crop, the sample is 30 respondents of the above categories.

Regarding the new emerging marketing channels for the study, one emerging marketing channel

should be studied and the contrast/control would be a regular/traditional marketing channel wherein the

produce is sold in a regulated market. The same crop/ product should be studied in the emerging

marketing and contrasted with the traditional marketing channel. The chosen emerging marketing channels

is Rythu Bazar (Farmers’ Market) in Visakhapatnam district. The Traditional Market Channel (Poorna

Market) is taken from the city of Visakhapatnam. The reference period for the study is 2009-10.

Modern Practices and Method of Cultivation:

In the use of chemical fertilizer, much deviation is found in small farmers for both crops and vice-

versa for medium farmers. Organic fertilizer is predominant in EMC for all farmer groups for Banana but

for Brinjal it is not found. Medium farmers went ahead in use of tractors than other groups.

Interestingly, the intensity of tractor use is high in Brinjal cultivation than in Banana and there is 100 per

cent use of pump sets for both crops in study. The small farmers are very conscious in the use of quality

seed than other groups but total production cost is low for medium farmers for both crops.

Economics of Cultivation:

In the economics of cultivation, the farmers of Rythu Mazar/EMC are found with less marketing costs

and high production costs and the opposite for TMC farmers. Based on the analysis, it is observed that

there is lot of comparative advantage for the TMC/Regular Market Farmers. Even though there is high

marketing cost in the Regular Market/TMC, farmers are finding some average farmer margin, and it is less

than EMC. There is need of institutional reforms in Regular Markets, since much marketing cost is existing

in these markets.

Post-Harvest Wastage for Sample Farmers: At farm state level, farmers do not face any wastage due to lack of storage, refrigeration etc,. But

both farmers met loss due to transport and encountered with rejection of small portion in the specified

market. The TMC farmers met high amount of wastage during marketing the product by all groups, as such

the farmers may have less bargaining power. In case of Brinjal also the farmers of both markets received

wastage. Comparatively TMC farmers have high amount of wastage. The variation of value (by Standard

Deviation) among the farmer groups is also high in TMC rather than EMC groups. This means that the

24

different farmer groups meet different situations in post-harvest- wastage in general for all farmers and in

particular for TMC/Regular Market Farmers.

Marketing Cost (MC): The Farmers Market/EMC finds very resourceful edge over TMC in meeting marketing cost, though

the city affect prevails over the out-skirts of Visakhapatnam for farmers market. The huge MC faced by

TMC farmers may be at least curtailed if there are institutional arrangements done in the norms: form of 1)

per cent of fixed commission, 2) registration by agents and caution deposits etc. Then the farmers of TMC

may be relieved from high MCs.

Credit Availability: Different scenario appears in between farmers Market and regular market. Small farmers from EMC

depend much on institutional credit (Banks and Co-operatives) but the same group in TMC relys 50 per cent

on money lenders. Medium farmers of EMC find much finance from private lenders, whereas medium and

large farmers of TMC depend much on institutional credit. All are using loans for cultivation. No credit

engagement is there for Brinjal crop in EMC and no defaulter cases are there in any group from either

market.

Farmers Perception over Market Infrastructure: The farmers are in the view that there are no internet, telephone, banking computer and Godown

facilities. There are no cold storage facilities. Market supervision is good in Farmers Market and it is nearly

nil in Regular Market. Sorting and weighing facilities are not available to both markets. Sometimes the

weighing is very bad in TMC. The farmers are not finding any standard norms for loading and packing of

the produce.

Farmer Perception over proximity of Market: It is observed that the TMC farmers are from far off places to sell their produce in Visakhapatnam

city, while EMC farmers are nearer to city. To get better prices, TMC farmers are to export the produce

distant places. Mostly, banana fruit is imported from the distant places while vegetables are from close

winter land of the city.

Comparison of Revenue and Profit Margin: All groups of farmers market have enjoyed good profit margin compared to regular market. The

share of consumer rupee received by the farmers is high in EMC rather than in TMC. In TMC much portion

is swallowed by intermediary and retailer. Therefore, the farmer of regular market finds his pocket with

less weight, as robbed in the form of commissions, low price, rejections etc.

25

Buyers Margin-Aggregate and Monthly: There is no analysis for farmer market, since farmer is seller also. The buyers in TMC have high

margins/profit during seasons and some specific months. The margins are very high for Banana to the

buyer compared to Brinjal. It is better to supervise much in the seasons and certain months by marketing

department to curtail higher price fixation by buyers.

Retail Market Margin: The retailers are not engaging stock and not facing any cost for maintaining stock. Retailer is very

comfortable for vegetables (Brinjal) than fruits (Banana) and he/she is getting profit margin for Brinjal than

for Banana. There is much syndicate nature among retailers in the fixation of price everyday in the market.

Therefore, it is better to supervise the fixation of prices done by retailers in Andhra Pradesh. The same will

be proved in following topic.

Share of Market Margin and Consumer Price: Spectacular scene is that the Farmer Market has shown the better than Regular Market. It is found

that the Intermediary (Rs. 28) and the Retailer (Rs. 80) have taken out 71 per cent from the price paid by

the consumer for Banana per quintal while this scene does not arise to Farmer Market as there are no

middlemen. The same situation existed for Brinjal marketing as 82 per cent taken by both the intermediary

and the retailer per quintal. To avoid this, Government and the Marketing Department is to streamline the

regular markets in the interest of farmer and nation, otherwise the pathetic situation of farmers could not be

restored.

Market Efficiency: The market measuring parameters prove that the EMC or Farmers’ Market is the best one compared

to Regular Market/TMC. At overall groups the Farmer Market clearly shows the price paid to farmer as

42.16 per cent high for Banana and thus 11.89 per cent high for Brinjal, though consumer was charged very

low price as referred earlier. The modified Measure of Market Efficiency (MME) is found as high as 23.13

per cent for Banana and 1.84 per cent for Brinjal for Farmers’ Market. Therefore, it is 100 per cent

advisable to start Farmers’ Markets in every reasonable centre in Andhra Pradesh and also across all states

in India.

Policy Suggestions to be implemented:

1) In one way, the farmer is “vulnerable” before this unscrupulous market hegemony which is existing

across Andhra Pradesh and all-India. Hence, it is suggested to appreciate and implement Farmers’

Market across Andhra Pradesh and all-India. There is apparent proof that Farmers’ Market can be

started at all mandal headquarters (1128), Corporations, Municipalities (124) and Major Panchayats

(132).

26

2) In the establishment of Farmers’ Market, the location is to be given top-priority keeping in view the

consumer’s access and approach. And at the same time, the farmer may be given transport facility

on nominal charge.

3) The infrastructural facilities and market supervision are needed in either market since these are very

far to the need level.

4) There is a strong and dire requirement for godown and cold storage facilities which are nearly not

available to farmers.

5) There should be some encouragement in the purchase of inputs on subsidy basis who produce

vegetables and fruits.

6) It is high time to rationalize the institutional setup of regular market, since all the farmers are losing

their sweat in the form of commission, low price fixation, no bargaining power etc,.

* * * * *

2011-Study No-133: Possibilities and constraints in increasing pulses production in Andhra Pradesh and the impact of

national food security mission on pulses

Objectives: The study is taken up with the following objectives

Analyze returns from cultivation of pulses vis-à-vis competing crops

Analyze the other major problems and prospects for pulse cultivation

Assess the impact, if any, of NFSM pulses.

Methodology: The comparative economics (costs and returns) of pulse cultivation as compared to other competing

crops will be analyzed by doing a survey of primary data. The increase in area under pulses, if any, for

2008-09 will be focused upon to gauge the impact of NFSM.

For the survey of primary data Prakasam district under NFSM and Ranga reddy district outside NFSM

are selected. Ervaguda village from Sankarampally mandal is selected in Ranga reddy district. In Prakasam

district Veerannapalem is selected from Parachur mandal. From each village 50 farmers comprising small,

marginal, SC/ST, Women farmers are selected using PPS sampling.

Using secondary data growth trends of pulses and major competing crops since 1990 are calculated

on the aspects of area, production, yield, and irrigated area, area under improved varieties, prices and

procurement.

27

Time series data on pulses are collected from the “season and crop reports” and “Statistical

Abstracts of A.P. published by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

The reference period for the study in 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Constraints in pulses development: Pulses crop is mostly given low priority and usually grown in rain fed, moisture stress areas and

marginal and sub-marginal lands in terms of soil quality, lack of irrigation etc. Though it is a energy rich crop

it is raised in conditions of energy starvation. Although Tur dal Board recommends seed replacement every 3

years, farmers continue to use seeds grown in the farm year after year. Seed management, a crucial

element for growth in productivity had witnessed serious problems in the recent past as it is not improving

seed production. The role of public sector in seed production is minimal.

High fluctuations in prices of pulses indicating high risk seems to have turned the farmers away from

its cultivation. Low harvest prices continuing up to market season is one of the reasons for the low

expansion of acreage under pulses cultivation.

Policy Implications: Technology Access:

Every one concedes with the application of latest technical know-how across fields. In this study it

is found that farmers received information regarding “Certified seed availability and the pest control

practices” from neighbours (90 per cent). It is high time that the department is to arrange the sources

authentically regarding technology adoption practices and the reliable access to the farmer community. The

farmer community lacks dynamism in practicing the recommended doses or methods, since they are not

well-versed with the practices recommended. The supply of equipment in question (sprayers) is to be

channelized at the required and reliable level to reach the farmer in-time and without prejudice.

Nutrient Management: It is seen that the good level of yields are realized by the application of potassium, nitrogen and

phosphorous as expressed by the farmers. This can be supplemented by Rhizobium culture. But these

practices are to be across fields in sowing season by the extension staff followed by post-sowing advice and

methods to be practiced by the cultivators.

Marketing Intervention: The government intervention in market is sought at certain level. During the harvest season, the

low price existence is to be given redress through the cold-storage arrangement by the department or by

permitting the private to start cold storage at large scale. Further, post-harvest prices should reach the

farmers, since the middlemen are sharing the lot of price. The prevailing market price is to be well known to

farmers with the initiation of marketing department, provided some stipulations are laid against middlemen

to avoid low price fixation in

their sales.

28

Management of Cultivation: As the farmers expressed, the mixed cropping for Red gram is to be followed in other areas. This

reduces the costs of pest control to the farmers. Pest Management in pulses cultivation is very important

and well accepted norm/practice. The in-time completion of these practices are to be done and these should

be guided by the extension staff.

Distribution/Availability of Inputs: It is observed the scarcity of certified seed across the study district. Therefore, the high amount of

certified seed is to be distributed. Some information brochures/pamphlets in Telugu regarding the latest

input use is to be distributed to the farmers. The sources of durable and reliable pesticides are to be

informed to the farmers. The good pesticide brands are to be made available to farmers. The bulletins or

some brochures may be handy to the farmers regarding input prices or the prices of produce of the area in

question.

* * * * * 2011-Study No-134: Impact of Macro management of Agriculture Scheme in Andhra Pradesh Methodology & Sample Design: The present study is based on both secondary and primary data collected from both published and

unpublished sources from the Directorate of Agriculture, Directorate of Economics and Statistics,

Government of Andhra Pradesh, over the years. The primary data is collected with the help of three stage

sampling procedure. In the first stage four districts are selected, they are: East Godavari, Guntur, Nellore

and Mahaboobnagar districts. In the second stage, one mandal from each district is selected and from each

mandal four villages are selected. In the third stage 15 farmers from each selected village are selected.

Thus a total sample of 60 beneficiary farmers from each district and a total sample of 240 farmers from the

state are taken for the analysis. Among the selected districts:

1. East Godavari district is selected to analyze the scheme of sugarcane based cropping system

(SUBACS).

2. Guntur district is selected for analyzing the scheme of Integrated Nutrient Management

(INM) & Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

3. Nellore district is selected for analyzing the scheme Integrated Cereal Development

Programme (ICDP) - Rice and

4. Mahaboobnagar district is selected for analyzing the schemes National Watershed

Development Programmes (NWDPRA) and River Valley Projects (RVP).

29

Table Details of Sample Size of Farmers

S.No. Scheme District Block/Mandal Village No. of sample

1 Sugarcane based cropping system

(SUBACS) East Godavari

Kirlampudi Peddapuram Yeleswaram

1. Somavaram 2. Kandrakota 3. Peravaram 4. Lingamparthi Total

15 15 15 15

60

2 INM & IPM Guntur Vemuru

1. Chadalawada 2. Kakarlamudi 3. Kuchellapadu 4. Balijepalli Total

15 15 15 15

60

3 ICDP – Rice Nellore Buchireddy palem

1. Damara Madugu 2. Rebala 3. Penuballi 4. Kalayakagollu Total

15 15 15 15

60

4 NWDPRA & RVP Mahboobnagar Kalwakurthy

1. Vepur 2. Thotapally 3. Bhahmanpally 4. Vovilkole Total

15 15 15 15

60

Reference Period: This study is analyzed taking 2007-08 as reference period.

Policy Recommendations:

1. A. Constraints in Implementation of Components (SUBACS): All the Components under the scheme SUBACS are not successfully implemented due to late release of funds. In fact, during 2001-02 and 2005-06 funds were not at all released under the scheme. As a result, the scheme was not implemented during those years on sugarcane crop. Hence, adequate and timely release of funds from Central Government to State is inevitable.

B. Subsidy on Critical Inputs: Many farmers of sugarcane crop are demanding full subsidy towards critical inputs of the crop. Therefore, the quantum of subsidy must be increased towards critical inputs, which helps the farmer to release from the overburden of operational costs.

2. INM & IPM Demonstrations and Training Programmes: The demonstrations and training programes must further be intensified to realize the importance of the components of soil health management. It is to be fully clarified the over-use of either nutrients or pesticides. This may be seen to be reached to the villages, as the much amount for these inputs are being spent/wasted indiscriminately.

30

3. NWDPRA & RVP:

A). Credit facilities to farmers at Watershed areas: Though the farmers are receptive of watershed works demonstration programmes, still some farmers are lagging in the use of inputs owing to financial constraints. Hence, adequate credit facilities with low rates of interest must be provided to the farmers residing at watershed areas. B). New Varieties: The new varieties which withstand the scarce water and dry spell are to be given to these farmers, since, they met high expenditure to cover all the exigencies in cultivation and realized less income in their cultivation. When the seed/saplings becomes best fit, the farmer in this area endures hard conditions and acquires adequate income. 4. Rodent Management in Rice Cultivation (ICDP – RICE): The Rodent Management in case of Rice cultivation should be made rigorous to avoid the major percentage of crop damage. Further farmer community may be guided extensively in these areas.

Fertilizer Use: Training programmes, for the use of recommended dosages of fertilizers must be conducted because some farmers are still in the opinion that high use of fertilizers results in high yields” (Many farmers in the field study expressed).

* * * * *

2013-Study No-135: Impact Study of the National Horticulture Mission Scheme in Andhra Pradesh

Objectives of the study: The study was carried out of accomplish the following objectives:

1) Assess the impact in terms of increase in area, production and productivity of identified horticultural crops covered under National Horticultural Mission.

2) Extent to which the scheme has helped in creating employment opportunities and enhancement of income of the farmers.

3) Suggest measures in improving the implementation strategy.

Reference Period: The reference period for the study is 2005-06 to 2008-09

Methodology: The present study was conducted in Andhra Pradesh state about current level of area coverage,

production and productivity of identified horticultural crops covered under NHM and also examined the area

expansion, INM (Integrated Nutrient Management)/IPM (Integrated Pest Management), Organic farming and

farm mechanization. It also analyzed the survival and growth of horticultural crops.

The study was based on both primary as well as secondary data. The secondary data was mainly

collected from the department of horticulture, Government of Andhra Pradesh for the study period (2005-06

to 2008-09), various Season and Crop Reports, Statistical Abstracts, Fruits and Vegetable Crops in Andhra

Pradesh published by Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad

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and District Hand Book of Statistics etc. The primary data was collected through a structured Questionnaire

and the household survey was conducted in four districts Rangareddy, Nalgonda, Prakasam and Kurnool.

This study included the two most important fruit crops namely Mango and Sweet Orange. From each

selected district two villages were taken one village near the Periphery of district head quarters and another

village was selected from distant place. The field survey was conducted in two villages were selected from

four districts in Andhra Pradesh. The list of total number of beneficiaries under NHM scheme was obtained

from the district level authorities. From the selected villages 25 beneficiaries were selected for household

survey of both Mango and other Sweet Orange crop. The study represented all the sections of the society

such as small and marginal farmers, SC/ST farmers and women folk.

Suggestions: Based on the findings of the study and observations and problems identified at the field level, the

following policy implications have been suggested for development of horticultural crops in the State.

Andhra Pradesh has got strong resource base interms of varied Agro-climatic conditions, adequate

rainfall and extensive water resources, growing infrastructure and skilled and productive work force.

Therefore these are suggestions to improving the area, production and yield of horticultural crops through

implementation under NHM scheme in the state.

1) The availability of planting material is scarce, So we promote horticultural crops. The State

government should encourage setting up model nurseries and small nurseries both in public and

private sector to supply of good quality planting material under NHM scheme.

2) Rural farmers are unable to meet the cultivation costs of horticultural crops. District level authority

should arrange the institutional credit through nationalized banks at low interest rate exclusively to

marginal, small and SC/ST categories.

3) The effective implementation of NHM programme. The government should appoint the field level

supervisors to cover the field visits frequently to sort out the problems relating to plant diseases and

proper guidance of horticultural farmers.

4) The cost of cultivation has been increasing due to price inflation and non availability of labour. The

cost of cultivation was calculated by the government in far less than the actual cost incurred by the

farmers. It is taken as the basis for granting subsidies for horticultural crops. The government

should revise the norms of cost of cultivation for horticultural crops. The rate of subsidy should

increase at least 50 per cent of all horticultural crops. The NHM subsidy is not enough to meet the

purchase of inputs and other labour costs.

5) The government should encourage the organic farming practices then only reduce the cost of

cultivation and supply of hybrid varieties instead of traditional varieties of seeds and plants to the

farmers under NHM scheme.

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6) The government is need to create awareness to use the technical equipment and also supply these

implements at subsidy prices to the farmers. There is also need to intensify and advertise the NHM

programmes through print and electronic media.

7) There is a frequent floods, hail storms, abnormal rise in temperature and attack of pests and

diseases occurred many areas, which make horticultural crop farming as risky occupation of farmers.

Therefore the government has come forward to instruct the banks and insurance companies to

cover insurance of horticultural crops in case of natural calamities in the State.

8) More extension services like training, awareness and exposure visits play an important role.

Therefore the state Horticulture Department can only arrange the activities to beneficiaries through

the NHM scheme.

9) Extend the marketing facilities to sale the horticultural produce like fruits, vegetables and flowers

because there is no exclusive horticultural markets existed in the state. Therefore the State and

local Governments should recognize the importance to initiate establishment of new markets.

10) Improve the pre and post harvest practices like IPM and INM programmes, cold storage and

processing activities.

11) Through huge amount of money is spent an different activities under NHM scheme and the

horticulture is an important segment of agriculture sector. Agriculture is one of the major

components of national economy along with manufacturing and service sector. Therefore the

development of horticulture also generates more additional employment, income, savings and

investment in rural as well as urban economy in Andhra Pradesh.

* * * * *

2012-Study No-136: Impact of MGNREGA on Wage Rates, Food Security And Rural Urban Migration in Andhra Pradesh

Objectives of the study:

1. To measure the extent of man power employment generated under MGNREGA, their various

socio-economic characteristics and gender variability in all the districts implementing MGNREGA

since its inception in A.P.,

2. To compare wage differentials between MGNREGA activities and other wage employment

activities,

3. To know the effect of MGNREGA on the pattern of migration from rural to urban areas,

4. To find out the nature of assets created under MGNREGA and their durability,

5. To Identify factors determining the participation of people in MGNREGA scheme and whether

MGNREGA has been successful in ensuring better food security to the beneficiaries and

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6. To assess the implementation of MGNREGA, it’s functioning and to suggest suitable policy

measures to further strengthen the programme.

Data base and Methodology: The study is based on both primary and secondary data. For primary data, reference period is

January 2009 to December 2009. Five districts namely 1) Adilabad, 2) Chittoor, 3) Mahboobnagar, 4)

Srikakulam and 5) Krishna are selected for the study from the state of Andhra Pradesh. From each district,

two villages are selected keeping into account their distance from the location of the district or the main

city/town. One village is selected from the nearby periphery of around 5 kilometers of the district/city head

quarters and the second village is selected from the farthest location of 20 kilometers or more than that.

From each selected village, primary data is collected from 20 participants in MGNREGA and 5 non-

participants working as wage employed. Thus 10 villages are selected and a total number of 250

households are surveyed in detail with the help of a structured questionnaire. Therefore, in A.P., 200

participants and 50 non-participants are surveyed to estimate the variations specially and temporally. For

selecting participant households, a list of all beneficiaries in the village is obtained from the Gram Panchayat

or programme Officer in the village along with the information of caste and gender. After getting the list,

the participant households are selected giving proportionate representation to the community i.e., i)

Scheduled Castes ii) Scheduled Tribes 3) Other Backward Castes and 4) Other Castes, through a stratified

Random sampling method with a due representation to gender. Since the list of non-participants of

MGNREGA is not available, the non-participating households are selected with analogues design of

MGNREGA workers. To analyze the incomes and consumption aspects of the participants, Gini ratio’s and to

analyze the determinants of participation in MGNREGA, the Logit function are adopted to find the variations

across selected groups of workers and villages.

In addition to household questionnaire, a village schedule is also canvassed to capture the general

changes that have taken place in the village during the last half decade and to take note of increase in

labour charges for agricultural operations after the implementation of MGNREGA. The qualitative questions

in the village schedule helps to know the change in standard of life. Village schedule in each village is

canvassed with the help of a group discussion with Panchayat members, officials, educated and other well-

informed people available in the village.

Policy Suggestions 1) 100 days Employment Norm:

Much can be done under this scheme when the works are taken out of the seasons of agricultural

activity, when the participants will anticipate the employment. Thus the fulfillment of 100 days employment

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could be done in an acceptable way across the community. It is still to be achieved 100 days in A.P.,

provided no damage to farming activity.

2) Long term works:

A fascinating point is that the long term works are to be launched, instead of the other. This will

stabilize the availability of works in the vicinity and further it generates durable and long-lasting works

which may be envisaged as Rural Connectivity, Water Harvesting, Land development works, Irrigation

generating works etc.

3) Unemployment Allowance: The Unemployment Allowance may scarcely be mull over in the areas where the employment channels

are null and void and the labour force is under strains due to the problem of finding employment. Where the

poverty is high in the districts for example Ananthpur, there the unemployment allowance becomes a

stabilizing factor for consumption of the labour. There is dire need to do some in favour of such labour force

in areas in question with good discrimination to avoid wastage of funds of the scheme. But it is found as a

whole absent grossly across all districts in A.P.

4) Gram Sabhas, VMCs and Social Audit:

Decision making and useful work generation could be achieved in villages through their interest and

pro-active role. A reasonable formal propaganda could ensure interest among villagers. It is observed that

the Gram Sabhas are held at low ebb in some districts viz. Guntur, Krishna and Nellore which are well

developed. The Village Monitoring Committee activity is to be much promoted to strengthen the coordination

of works and payments. Though the social audit is applauded in A.P., there is much lacuna. Still some

districts display bottom level performance, however these districts are developed. Hence there is a need of

refurbishing the administrative set up in West Godavari, Krishna and Visakhapatnam districts.

5) Alternative Payment Channel:

Post offices are doing good service in the payments of MGNREGA rather than banks in the study

area. It is high time to ponder over the mobile banking every day or no less than in specified, days and

timings. It will generate saving attitude in the rural people and it facilitates to take the wages in time and it

generates deposits to the banks. If it is costly affair, it is better to arrange some specified ‘Automatic teller

Machines’ for this purpose, since this scheme has practice of issuing job cards which can be converted into

bank debit card or identity card for payment from the teller machine to worker.

6) Mobilization of Savings: It is better to start some saving mobilizing fund groups for example thrift fund groups among the

participants to meet their exigencies and further it reduces the dependency on other sources which charge

35

24% interest or more based on the need and emergency of participant borrower. They may be given short

term life and health insurance coverage within the purview of scheme through the paltry contribution of the

participant.

7) Location of works: To save time and energy of the participants, it would be much sought after the works in the vicinity

of participants of the scheme. It is observed that there are some linkages of labour demand with, other

works and urban area across all days for middle age group of labour and this scheme is a source of

employment to women and to the segment of the more than middle aged labour

8) MGNREGA: A Custodian for Higher Wage from Vicinity and Migration: There is no change in migration except during no demand in from other areas. Wage of the scheme

has been acting as a buffer wage/opportunity wage to the labour and they trade off the supply of labour

based on the seasons of agriculture, constructions works from other sources other than the MGNREGA and

the demand derived from urban areas due to variety of works in recent past. This appears very rampant for

middle aged or able bodied labour. Therefore, the migration aspect has not been curtailed because of the

scheme, instead it has in another way continued with higher wages when compared to the previous lower

wages. Thus the scheme has affected positively, to have higher level of the bargaining power of the labour

and or changed total demand and supply labour linkages. These linkages ultimately have become positive

and resourceful to the manual labour in all the study districts. To this end, cultivators are unable to find

labour not only during the seasons of farming but also in other periods through the existing wage of the

locality. It is very difficult to conclude that MGNREGA has reduced migration rather than reinforced the wage

structure to the labour in other avenues, since all the sample villages of all sample districts of this study

exhibit this trend across all the developed and backward districts in A.P. In case of women and aged men,

the migration has been sharply declined and they go along the scheme in their villages and they find good

wages (not below of scheme wage) in their villages.

9) Impact on Agriculture and the Alternative: A significant fact is divulged through this study regarding labour linkages and cultivation. As such it is

important and pertinent to note the dependence of cultivator on manual labour to be reduced through

mechanization and to shift to new methodologies, since the scheme has very extensive affect on the

availability of labour over cultivation and its wage structure. This is apparent through the phenomenon

observed from the sample villages. While it is highly suggested that the scheme may be kept under pending

during peak agricultural seasons by villagers, it would be better to readjust the schedule of works of the

scheme with variations based on the agricultural cropping pattern, rain fed cultivation and irrigation levels of

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the districts in question. At least, a district may be taken as a unit to do this exercise, as this makes flexible

to administer the scheme.

* * * * *

2012 - Study No Evaluation Study/Appraisal in Respect of Implementation of the Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) Programme: Odisha The Problem: The programme is completed two years of implementation and over the years, the programme has

adopted the proved and tested approach with recommended technological interventions that have been

yielding satisfactory results. At this stage, the Ministry of Agriculture, Crops Division, Government of India

wants a 3rd party evaluation of the implementation to understand the implementation status of the

programme so that required policy decisions, technical and administrative corrections could be evolved for

better implementation in future. In this connection the Ministry of Agriculture, Crops Division, Government

of India asked the Agro-Economic Research Centres of concerned Eastern states of India to take up an

evaluation study on the “Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India”. Hence, the Agro-Economic Research

Centre, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam has taken up the evaluation study in Odisha.

Objectives of the study: The main objectives of the study are:

1. To study suitability/corrections of technical interventions/prescriptions and approach adopted at

state/district and local levels.

2. To observe Crop response to technology promoted

3. To make Critical evaluation of administrative aspects of implementation.

4. To identify status and impact of implementation of various interventions.

5. To identify gaps, if any existing between recommended, promoted and implemented strategies

and

6. To explore effectiveness of scientific backstopping in the form of scientists deployed at the

district.

Data Base and Research Methodology: The study is conducted mainly based on secondary data available at the state, district and block

levels. However, primary level data is also collected from the sample farmers and progressive farmers in

order to capture grass root level impact of the programme. In order to capture grass root level response

from the farmers about the programme, sample units of demonstration are to be selected from 5 agro-

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ecological sub regions namely Rainfed uplands, Rainfed low lands (shallow low land, medium, deep water)

and Irrigated rice (Traditional, Hybrid). However all the BGREI districts are covered under 1) Upland rice, 2)

Shallow water and 3) Irrigated rice under High Yielding varieties and Hybrid. Hence for Upland Rice: 1)

Ganjam district, 2) for shallow water: Khurda district, 3) for High yielding varieties: Koraput and Rayagada

and 4) for Hybrid: Sambalpur district, thus a total of five districts are selected for the analysis of the study.

In the second stage, one block for a cluster is selected. In the third stage, a total of 10 beneficiaries

and 5 non-beneficiaries are selected at random from each selected blocks. Thus a total of 50 beneficiaries

and 25 non-beneficiaries spread over 5 selected districts are covered in this study.

Policy Recommendations and Suggestions:

Based on the the analysis done by using secondary and primary data in the previous chapters, the

following policy recommendations and suggestions are given in this chapter. It has been tried to bring to

lime light the field requirements in coordination with administrative adjustments in Odisha state for BGREI

programme implementation and success.

1) Enhancement of Yield Rates:

There is need of selecting cultivars which are suitable for areas where the rainfall becomes scanty

for rice cultivation. In average the irrigation shows decline in the study districts and Odisha, though

it is the basic element for cultivation. Among the principal crops, there has been shift from paddy to

other crops like Mung, Biri (black gram), groundnut etc. The trend has been in decline for rice crop

area and thus there is high time for enhancement of yield rates for rice across Odisha.

2) Refurbishing the Staff:

It is found that the technical backstopping is at bottom level in Rayagada district and therefore it is

better to refurbish the staff with necessary skill set and coordination.

3) Sufficient Extension Staff:

The Progressive farmer has shown the impeccable role in the access of new seed to the farmers

across all the ecological regions compared to other technical backstopping sources. Hence it is

better to draft the advanced farmers in the programme at higher level to make the programme

successful. Overall (average of farmers of all selected districts) shows the highest place for

extension worker followed by progressive farmer by performance index, so the extension staff may

be increased sufficiently to strengthen BGREI and also other agricultural schemes.

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4) Employment to Local Youth in lieu of NGOs:

There has been drafting of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for each cluster(1000 ha) at

the cost of Rs250/- per ha. Instead this practice, it is better to recruit local educated youth which

will be more dynamic, democratic and resourceful to the BGREI programme. The same fund is

sufficient to recruit three to five staff on temporary/ad hoc/ contract basis within a block for the

same purpose for a season.

5) Crop Decline in Rabi and Water Resources:

There is a rapid rise for rice at overall level for kharif season only but the rabi season displays

decline due to lack of water resources for both beneficiary and non-beneficiary groups and this

stands as a common phenomenon to the study villages for all ecological regions except for Hybrid

Rice region (Sambalpur district). Therefore, not only the programme design but also the basic water

resources are important to achieve the scheme objectives.

6) Varieties Promoted under BGREI Program & ‘Jeypore Tract Genetic Varieties’:

The breed/cultivar adopted by farmers and department has given good result in the fields of the

participant farmers in all districts in meeting the potential yield, except in Koraput and Rayagada.

These districts are to execute distinct cultivars during sowing season. The beneficiary farmers of

Koraput and Rayagada districts under ‘HYV ecology region’ have shown a different trend in the

realization of potential yield when compared to other districts. They report high unmet yield gap

which may be due to the root cause of the difference in the yield potential of the varieties promoted

under BGREI program and the native tolerant and age old ‘Jeypore Tract Genetic Varieties’. This is

to be examined and further studied by the State Agriculture University (SAU) as to whether suitable

substitutes with high yield potential and adaptability to these traditional varieties are available for

‘Jeypore Tract’.

7) Better Stable System for Delivering Inputs in Time:

Still the programme could be developed by providing modern implements and more supply of inputs,

but the later one is rated much and given much priority by beneficiaries. It is better to establish

sooner or later a stable system which will deliver inputs in time. This is further proved through

‘Regression Analysis’ that the adequate and timely supply of inputs are required to achieve better

results with due concern of ecological systems. It may be a better hope for co-operatives or

departmental outlets as per the perception of farmers.

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8) Same Technical Backstopping for Future:

Farmers have no reservations or limits to follow the practices of BGREI in the rice cultivation in their

fields in the coming seasons and they are fully convinced with methodology. Hence the same

technical backstopping could be extended in the programme.

9) BGREI Extension for Coming Years:

All the sample villages and all the beneficiaries are ready to follow the method of cultivation even

after scheme, as expressed by beneficiaries in Odisha. They rated BGREI performance as good by 88

per cent, average by 12 per cent and no one rated it as poor. Therefore it is proved that the

programme is generating much utility to the farmers and the BGREI may be extended for coming

years.

10) SLMT Resolutions and Required Changes:

In the SLMT resolutions, it could be traced the missing link of time bound programme given to

districts. There is neither reference for any suggested schedule to district Committee or concerned

officers. The timeliness of the programme and its constituent components is not appeared in either

meeting. Of course many items under BGREI are resolved for action, still it is felt that there is need

of much direction and suggestive approach. All the districts are in general administered but,

instead, it would be better to be region specific to co-ordinate, guide, channelize and educate to

achieve targets in-time for successful programme.

11) SLMT and Parametric Factors to Districts:

The SLMT has not touched the parametric factors which are to be induced to the district

administration. For example, ‘the site specific Activities’ are not completed in time, despite this the

SLMT has not referred and suggested any ways and means. Likewise in other cases also, the SLMT

might have done the same but it does not appear in its resolutions.

12) DLMTs and Desired Change in the Routine Administrative Orientation:

Though DLMTs made many resolutions for the execution of programme, the aspects like timeliness

fixed for different sub aspects of the scheme could not be found from the resolutions taken. Many

aspects like 3 items to 11 items were discussed in the different meetings of study districts. But

these basically reflect the routine administrative orientation rather than counselling, leading, co-

ordinating and suggesting over the different points of the scheme execution at block or village level.

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13) DLMTs and ‘Task schedule’ to the field staff for this scheme:

There is no reference of any time table/calendar/Sequential tasks regarding the scheme

implementation at field level. It would be better to suggest a ‘Task schedule’ to the field staff for

this scheme. This will enable them to have clear idea regarding the scheme in a season which

demands certain precautions and ways and means at the farm gate.

14) Right wheeling and lubricating:

The average net return per hectare (excluding benefit amount) for beneficiary farmers is reported

to be Rs. 28423.6 and Rs. 21747.94 (including benefit amount). The net return per hectare for

non-beneficiary farmers is reported as Rs. 8514.20. The reasons for variations in net return among

the ecological regions are varying by production cost, level of technical backstopping, and irrigation

facility and soil fertility. The programme may be wheeled properly and fuelled in time in such way to

reduce cultivation costs and in return increase in the incomes of farmers.

15) BGREI Standing as the Good Program in Right Time in Odisha:

The rice area declined very rapidly in Odisha from 79% to 42%, and in the BGREI districts from 81%

to 40%. Nevertheless non-BGREI districts displayed decline but the area was higher than BGREI

districts. Mung and Biri (Black gram) have shown much acceleration during 2006-11 across Odisha,

BGREI, non-BGREI and study districts. The factors may be labour costs and relative incomes from

other crops for crop shifting from paddy to Mung, Biri and groundnut. It indicates that there is need

for increase of yields and incomes for rice cultivation to the farmer and the economy. Therefore,

BGREI would stand as the good program in right time in Odisha.

* * * * *