The present study coverage of basic agriculture, facilities, infrastructure, agriculture policy among the different communities in the rural areas of the district. The basic survey showed the coverage of primary agriculture facilities. This study important about the distribution of farming households and land holdings, share of agriculture, non-agriculture and cropping pattern in the districts. The study also discusses in sector wise distribution the value of output in agriculture and allied agriculture activities. Share of area under different fruits, vegetables, seasonal vegetables as a percentage of total Area in the district. Annual growth rate (Compounded) of different livestock, share of livestock output, percentage distribution by household in rural areas in the district, share of agricultural Vis-à-vis Non-agricultural and commodity exports in agriculture in the district. This paper focuses the primary agriculture status among the poor population on socio-economic improvement of different communities. This paper finds out the rural development, agricultural growth, poverty reduction, production linkages. This study aims to analyze the trends and patterns of agricultural diversification and related development in the district.

Farmers don\\\’t use credit for the purchase of herbicides in the rice crop and they prefer a particular formulation of herbicide in Kashmir. To know the reasons, a study was conducted in four randomly selected development blocks of district Baramulla. Two villages from each development block were selected randomly. A sample of 200 farmers comprising adopters, partial adopters, and non-adopters was selected from eight sampled villages through stratified random sampling technique proportional to size. The study revealed that financial soundness and the risk of losing their lands in case of untimely repayment of credits were the main reasons for not using credits. It was further revealed that granular formulation was preferred over liquid formulation owing to lesser requirement of labourers and ease of application.

Brahmi [Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst] is one of the most popular medicinal herb in Indian Pharmacopeia. It has been used as brain tonic and mind refresher in Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic, Siddha and Folk medicines. Realizing the importance of scientific support for the sustainable and large scale production of Brahmi, an agronomic trial was conducted with an aim to develop an acclimatized package of cultivation practices for the plains of Assam. The experiment was conducted at the Instructional-cum-Research Farm of Assam Agricultural University (AAU) under medium-land rainfed conditions during summer season. The study revealed that the crop is very sensitive to soil nutrient status, spacing and availability of moisture in the soil. Addition of organic manure resulted faster spread and ground coverage of the crop and the optimum dose was determined as 2t ha?1 enriched compost. Organic manure improved the soil health by increasing the organic carbon content nearly to 17 per cent after the first harvest of the crop and also improved the water holding capacity of the soil. The planting of 12 to 15 cm long rooted slips with a spacing of 20 cm between rows and 10 cm between plants resulted faster ground coverage that gave better competitive ability of the crop against the associated weeds. The highest yield (144.17 g m?2) on dry weight basis was obtained with the application of 2t ha?1 enriched compost at spacing of 20cm x 10cm, after 6 months of planting. In addition, this treatment also yielded 996 numbers m?2 of rooted slips. The results were very promising for acceptance of Brahmi for commercial cultivation and entrepreneurship development

The present investigation was carried out to study the communication source utilization pattern by the farm women about recommended package of practices and to identify various constraints faced by the farm women in getting technical information regarding chickpea cultivation. A proportionate random sample of 65 farm women were selected purposively from Rewari district of Haryana. The pre-tested structured interview schedule was used to collect the information and the data were processed, tabulated and analyzed by using frequency, percentage, mean weight score and ranking etc. Results revealed that majority of the respondents used family members, neighbours and friends most frequently to get the information amongst the localite sources and were found fully satisfied. None of the respondents used cosmopolite source of information to acquire the information about chickpea cultivation. All the cosmopolite source of information and television and radio as mass media sources were found somewhat satisfying by the respondents. It is also vivid that family member being localite source of information was found most useful source, whereas all the cosmopolite source were found somewhat or not useful and radio and television were perceived as useful mass media sources of information by the respondents. It was worth noticed that the localite sources of information such as village leaders, panchayat members, progressive farm men/women, traditional folk media and all of the cosmopolite and mass media sources were perceived as most needed for repetition of information. The most serious constraints perceived by the respondents were social, physical and time in getting the technical information regarding chickpea cultivation.

The low tunnel technology increased seed germination from 75.3 to 91.0 per cent and seedling survival on transplanting from 76.3 to 96.6 per cent. Time taken for production of marketable seedling as well as attaining marketable cabbage heads reduced from 53 to 45.6 days and 85.3 to 75.3 days, respectively. Low tunnel cultivation advanced the growing of crop by around two months. The total cabbage yield was significantly higher under low tunnels as compared to open field conditions. Higher net returns per unit area were realized under low tunnel cultivation of cabbage than open cultivation due to early maturity, early market entry of produce and evading market glut.

Bael fruit with nutritive and medicinal value was processed into products especially for diabetics patients. The preparation was done using sorbitol a non-nutritive sweetener in place of sugar. These were then analyzed for TSS, pH, Vitamin C, acidity and sugars. The products contained good amount of vitamin C, less acidity and less sugar, beneficial for the patients.

The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of Salix alba spacing on the growth and yield of wheat under shallow water conditions. Two clones of Salix alba (Salix alba cv. coerulea and Salix alba cv. vitellina), planted four years earlier at four different spacing of 4 m × 5 m, 6 m × 5 m, 8 m × 5 m and 10 m × 5 m, one treatment being control i.e., without any tree, were tried in split plot design with three replications. Wheat variety PBW 343 was sown in between the rows of Salix trees. Almost all plant characters like germination, plant height, number of tillers, spike length, number of fertile spikelets, number of sterile spikelets, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and above ground biological yield were found statistically at par due to tree clone. However, the treatments having lesser tree population were significantly superior over the treatments having greater tree population in all the growth and yield attributing parameters. The highest grain yield (3898 kg/ha) was obtained from the treatment having no trees followed by the treatment having tree spacing of 10 m × 5 m (3533 kg/ha) and 8 m × 5 m (3533 kg/ha). The lowest grain yield (3161 kg/ha) was obtained from the treatment having tree spacing of 4 m × 5 m. Tree height and tree diameter at breast height (DBH) taken before and after wheat crop were also found non-significant due to Salix clones and Salix spacing.

Increased and efficient use of nutrients is one of the options for increasing vegetable crop productivity. Among the various factors affecting the production of chillies, the role of fertilizers assumes a greater significance. Taking this aspect into consideration, a field investigation was carried out during 2009–10 at farmer\\\’s field of Minnathur village of Pudukkottai district to study the effect of application of recommended dose of N, P and K fertilizers (RDF: 120:20:80 kg/ha.) as water soluble and conventional fertilizers in the proportion of 100:0, 50:50, 25:75, respectively as T1, T2 and T3. The results revealed that the maximum plant height (80 cm), number of branches/plant (18), number of leaves/plant (137), leaf area index/plant (1228), number of fruits/plant (110), fruit length (11.5 cm), fruit weight (8.7 g) and yield/plant (960 g) were recorded in treatment T1 where 100 per cent fertilizer application was done through water soluble fertilizers. The highest benefit cost ratio (1:3.27) was also accrued under treatment T1.

To study the effect of two planting patterns viz. 60 cm apart single rows and 30/90 cm apart double row strips (30 cm from row to row and 90 cm from strip to strip) and different irrigation levels viz. 0, 3, 4, 5 and 6 irrigations on growth and yield of maize, a field trial was carried. The growth and yield of maize were not influenced by planting patterns but number of plants per plot at harvest, number of grains per cob, 1000 grain weight, biological yield, grain yield and harvest index were significantly affected by different irrigation levels. When planting spacing was kept at 30/90 cm apart; double row strips (30 cm from row to row and 90 cm from row to row) and 6 irrigations, maximum grain yield (7.37 t ha?1) was produced.

The present investigation was carried out to study the performance of twelve cultivars of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus) under open field conditions in Assam. Vegetative, flowering and flower characters varied significantly among the cultivars. Mean performance of the cultivars revealed that Pride of Sikkim attained the highest plant height (61.8 cm) and longest stalk length (49.5cm). Cultivar Red Gem produced maximum number of leaves per plant (46.6), plant spread (54.1 cm) and number of suckers per plant (24.0). Days taken to bud visibility and full bloom varied greatly. Cultivar Pink Melody took minimum days of 63.8 and 76.0 for bud visibility and full bloom, respectively. With respect to flower characters, Red Gem recorded the maximum number of flowers per plant (53.2) and possessed longest self life (19.9 d) and vase life (9.8 d). Largest flower diameter was found in Orange Gleam (11.2 cm) followed by Classic Beauty (10.9 cm). The maximum fresh weight of flower was recorded in Classic Beauty (16.7g). Flowering duration was longest in Red Gem (130 d). Wide variation in flower colour was also observed among the cultivars. Cultivar Red Gem exerted best performance on various growth and flower characters along with Orange Gleam, Classic Beauty and Pink Melody.

Livestock sector has significant contribution in GDP of India. India ranks first in milk production but this is attributed to large livestock population and not to the productivity. However, the average livestock productivity in India is quite low due to low genetic potential, poor nutrition and poor management of animals. Poor nutrition is due to unavailability of green fodder throughout the year. In order to provide the balanced nutrition to the dairy animals, urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) lick technology can play a major role but the adoption of this technology is low. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra made an attempt to popularize this technology amongst dairy farmers of district Kapurthala. Farmers were provided with UMMB licks and were asked to observe the effect of its feeding on the dry matter intake, water consumption, milk production and overall health status of their animals. After three months of UMMB feeding, a study was carried out to know the reactions of the farmers. Results of the study showed that with the use of UMMB licks, milk yield and fat percentage increased in 44.0 and 11.5 per cent cases, respectively. Similarly, farmers observed improvement in the dry matter intake (73.1%) and water intake (46.5%). More than eighty per cent of the dairy farmers were satisfied with this technology. The results of the technology were almost immediate and observable. It was concluded that farmers are ready to adopt this technology but availability of UMMB licks, as and when required, due to limited production is hindrance in its adoption. It was suggested that farmers should be trained in the preparation of UMMB licks for enhancing the adoption of this technology.

The study was carried out in Kathua, Barnoti and Hiranagar blocks of Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. These three blocks were purposely selected because, traditionally, these blocks have maximum area under rice. Apart from training programmes and frontline demonstrations, other extension methodologies viz., farmers-scientists interactions, field days and media coverage were also employed to get the maximum impact. The data were collected through personal contacts with the help of well structured interview schedule. Total thirteen practices were selected as a criterion to evaluate the farmers for the extent of knowledge gained and adoption of basmati rice production technologies as a result of the training programmes conducted by KVK, Kathua. The results of the study revealed that the farmers had gained knowledge about the production technologies for basmati ranging between 9.4 per cent in case of land preparation to 86.6 per cent in case of high yielding Pusa basmati 1121 variety, after attending the training programmes. It was noticed that none of the farmers were following the improved practices viz., high yielding variety, seed treatment, soil testing and time and method of harvesting before acquiring training whereas, after attending training programmes 86.6 per cent trainees adopted Pusa basmati-1121, 73.3 per cent seed treatment, 46.6 per cent soil testing and 48.0 per cent adopted appropriate time and method of harvesting. Further, it was observed that after attending the training programmes, the farmers started adopting the production technologies ranging from 18.7 per cent for storage to 86.6 per cent for high yielding variety i.e. Pusa basmati 1121.

National Centre of Organic Farming, Jabalpur is organizing various training programmes on organic farming since last 15 years. The participants in such programmes are from state government departments viz., Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Non government Organizations (NGO) etc. During the year 2011–2013, more than 300 trainees have been trained by this institute. To study the impact of these training programmes the data regarding gain in knowledge and adoption level about organic farming technology before and after training were recorded. The finding of the study revealed that extension officers had gained knowledge about organic farming technology ranging from 97.5 per cent for land preparation to 45.0 per cent for seed treatment after acquiring training. Likewise, only 1.2 per cent of extension officers knew about the soil treatment with punchgavya/jeevamrut, crop rotation (15.0%), plant protection (45.0%) before training whereas after training they adopted seed treatment with puncvhgavya (45.0%) crop rotation (60%) and plant protection by (95.0%). The study also revealed that they were adopting the organic farming technologies ranging from 20.0 per cent to 48.0 per cent for storage and marketing after attending the training programme.

The present study was undertaken to compare the yield of bed planted wheat intercropped with two varieties of Mentha arvensis. The field experiment was conducted at KVK farm and at 5 farmers’ field in the district. Four treatments were studied viz. T1, wheat crop sown with seed drill. T2, wheat sown on raised bed. T3, wheat + mentha (variety Simsaryu1) on raised bed and T4, wheat + mentha (variety kosi) on raised bed. The results revealed that bed planted wheat resulted in 10.2 per cent higher grain yield over traditionally sown wheat crop with seed cum fertilizer drill. Among the two mentha varieties, Simsaryu 1 resulted in higher herbage and oil yield compared to Kosi variety. The B:C ratio of bed planted wheat was 2.14 and under intercropping of wheat with mentha variety Simsaryu1 it was 2.84. Highest net return was also recorded with intercropping of bed planted wheat with mentha variety SimSaryu1.

A field study was conducted to see the effect of different plant densities for yield and yield attributes of Basmati at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Farm, Kapurthala during Kharif 2013. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with three treatments viz; 18 plants/m2, 26 plants/m2 and 33 plants/m2 with five replications on loamy sand soils. Basmati rice when transplanted with 18 plants/m2 gave significantly higher number of effective tillers/m2 (16.7) and significantly lesser unfilled grains per panicle (15.7). Lesser plant densities of 18 plants/m2 also gave significantly higher grain yield (46.5 q/ha) and straw yields (61.3 q/ha) than the plant densities of 26 plants/m2 and 33 plants/m2. Highest harvest index was recorded with higher plant densities of basmati rice.

The pig farming in the hilly districts of North Eastern Region including Dima Hasao district of Assam is a household traditional activity. It is also a dividend paying secondary source of income. The study was conducted in the district among 100 pig farmers in two different blocks namely Jatinga Valley Development Block and Diyungbra ITDP Block based on distance from the headquarters and higher pig population. A pre-tested reliable and valid interview schedule was used to get the responses. The study revealed that majority i.e. 78, 68 and 80 per cent of the respondents in Block I, Block II and pooled sample were in medium category of perception of problems relating to rearing of pigs. When specifically studied, it was revealed that high cost of computed feed at 88, 98 and 93 per cent and expensive nature of medicines and vaccines at 80, 98 and 89 per cent in Block I, Block II and pooled sample were the major hindrance in pig rearing. The present status demands scientific intervention from technical personnel of extension agencies like KVKs.

The growing of vegetable seedlings under protray is gaining importance for the production of pest free healthy seedlings. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Namakkal has initiated the production of hybrid vegetable seedlings during 2007 where seedlings were raised under fifty per cent shade net. The side portion of the shade net area was covered with sixteen mesh white net to prevent the entry of sucking pest. Nearly seven lakh seedlings were supplied to the farmers in the district and the technology was disseminated through training programmes and demonstrations. Through this intervention, area under hybrid vegetables cultivation increased up to 400 ha.

The main feature of bee-keeping enterprise is low capital investment and quick and high returns. Since 2006, more than one hundred rural youths have been trained in bee-keeping enterprise through seven vocational training courses conducted by KVK, Muktsar. Out of total 120 trainees, 28 trainees were continuing the bee-keeping enterprise with great success. Present case study was conducted to know the impact of bee-keeping enterprise on the income of 28 successful bee-keepers. Findings of the study revealed that bee-keepers were in the age group of 26–42 yrs of age. Majority of them (35.7%) were having education up to middle followed by matriculation (32.1%). Four bee-keepers (14.3%) were landless, more than half (53.6%) of these bee-keepers were small and marginal farmers and nine (32.1%) were medium farmers. It was found that 16 bee-keepers (57.1%) were having small scale of enterprise (10–50 colonies), while five (17.9%) were having medium scale of enterprise (51–100 colonies) and 7 (25.0%) were having large scale of enterprise (>100 colonies). The average income range in small scale of enterprise varied from 0.20 to 1.28 lac. In medium scale of bee-keeping enterprise, average income varied between 1.30 to 1.92 lac. It was found that seven farmers were having more than one hundred bee colonies (up to 350 bee colonies) and their average income varied from 1.95 to 6.20 lac per annum. The bee-keepers were earning income from the sale of honey, bee colonies and bee wax.

The present study was conducted during the year 2013 in Manipur state of North-East India. Out of total 9 districts of the state, two districts namely; Imphal-East and Imphal-West were selected purposively for the present study. All pesticide retailers of both the districts (total 109 respondents) were surveyed through complete survey method using pre-tested structured interview schedule. Risk bearing ability, achievement motivation, knowledge and aspiration level of the pesticide retailers were found in medium level which were skewed towards low level except in case of achievement motivation of pesticide retailers in the state. Identification of different pest and pesticides emerged as the most needed training area followed by IPM techniques. Among crop specific training needs, vegetable crops ranked first followed by rice. Training on application ICTs in business were also needed. Seasonal business of pesticide, lack of need-based training and higher transportation costs were the constraints as identified by the pesticide retailers in Manipur.

Niger is an important oilseed crop in Maharashtra but still a vast yield gap exists between its potential yield and the yield obtained by the farmers of the area. In this study, it was observed that average yield varied from 2.0q to 2.7 q/ha under farmers’ practice and 2.8q to 4.3 q/ha under demonstration plots.  Per cent yield improvement in demonstration plot was recorded from 37.5 to 59.3 over farmers’ practice. It was found that variety IGP-76 and Phule Karala performed better in Thane district where 53.3 to 59.3 per cent increase in yield over farmers’ practice was recorded. The technological gap was observed as minimum i.e. 0.61 q/ha and 0.70 q/ha in niger variety IGP-76 and Phule Karala, respectively. The extension gap ranged between 0.8q to 1.6 q/ha under both the locations indicating the need to educate the farmers through various extension approaches for the adoption of improved technologies. The lower value of technology index in variety IGP-76 and Phule Karala indicated the feasibility of the demonstrated niger crop technology.

India has one of the oldest, richest and most diverse cultural tradition associated with the use of medicinal plants. Use of medicinal plants by ancient people and handing over the uses from one generation to next generation by tribal people led to the study of plants covered under ethno botany, where relationship between humans and plants can be taken care of in health care programmes and also for exploration of various lives supporting species. It also studies useful information about socio-cultural, medico-religious lures and mores, phrases and proverbs, taboos and totems prevailing in an area or in a society.