Districts Of Maharashtra Research Articles

Drip Irrigation System in Cotton Cultivation: One Step Enroute Intended for Sustainable Agriculture

Maharashtra is the leading cotton producing state of India with the area of 40 lakh ha under cotton cultivation and a production of 82 lakh ha But it lags much behind in term of productivity (379 kg per ha), which is far below the national average productivity of. 482 kg per ha. The present study was conducted in Jalgaon, the highest cotton producing and drip using district of Maharashtra, with the objective to estimate the costs and returns faced by farmers in adoption and non-adoption of drip system. The results revealed that at aggregate level total cost of cotton cultivation at farms using drip irrigation method (Cost C3) was estimated to be 66531 per ha whereas the same was estimated to be 66355 per ha on farms using conventional irrigation method. Per hectare net returns over Cost C3 at aggregate level of farms growing cotton with drip irrigation method were estimated to be 36509 per ha while the same, on the farms growing cotton with conventional irrigation method were estimated to be 26907 per ha.

A Roadmap for Poultry Sector Development in Jalna District of Maharashtra

A Roadmap for Poultry Sector Development in Jalna District of Maharashtra

Socio-economic profile of dairy farmers of Nanded district of Maharashtra and constraints confronted by them in animal husbandry practices

Socio-economic profile of dairy farmers of Nanded district of Maharashtra and constraints confronted by them in animal husbandry practices

Financial Feasibility Analysis of Pomegranate Production in Solapur District of Maharashtra

Financial Feasibility Analysis of Pomegranate Production in Solapur District of Maharashtra

Dairy Sector Development in Jalna District of Maharashtra: Current Status and Future Vision

Dairy Sector Development in Jalna District of Maharashtra: Current Status and Future Vision

Assessment of awareness and service utilization of maternal and child health programmes among beneficiaries in a tribal district of Maharashtra

Background: Reduction of mortality of women and neonate is an area of concern for the governments across the globe. Ensuring that women receive skilled care at delivery is an essential part of safe motherhood programs. Janani Suraksha Yojana, a safe motherhood intervention was introduced in 2005 to promote institutional delivery among the poor pregnant women. In 2011, Janani Sishu Suraksha Karyakram was launched. The present study intends to assess awareness of services rendered among beneficiaries. Objectives: To assess the awareness regarding the schemes in pregnant mothers and utilization of the same. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in antenatal care Outpatient Department of Rural Health and Training Centre of a government tertiary care teaching hospital situated in a tribal district of Maharashtra. Study was conducted from August to September 2016. Study tools used were pretested questionnaire used as personal interview. The data were compiled, coded and analysis was done in SPSS Version 23. Results: Among the 200 pregnant females included in the study, 30 (15%) were

Attitude of Agro-Input Dealers towards eParwana eAgri Service in Maharashtra

There is an increasing realisation about the potentialities of Information and Communication Technology in dissemination of agricultural technologies among all the stakeholders involved in agriculture. The end user's perception about any developmental activity is priceless resource to policy makers for designing suitable policies and strategies to implement it effectively. Towards this end, the study was conducted in Pune district of Maharashtra with random sample of 30 agroinput dealers to measure the attitude of agro-input dealers towards eParwana eAgri services. Data were collected through well-structured interview schedule and analysed by using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression. It was observed that about 53.34% of men agro-input dealers had favourable attitude, whereas about 66.67% of women agro-input dealers had most favourable attitude towards eParwana services. It was satisfying to note that overall 93.33% of agro-input dealers had favourable to most favourable attitude towards eParwana services. The maximum likelihood estimates indicates that gender and education were found to be positively significant at 5% level of significance.

Review of Contract Farming Regulations with special reference to State of Maharashtra and Gujarat

There is a consensus among experts and policymakers that contract farming (CF) helps to render small-scale farming competitive with large-scale farming as it enables the farmers to access technology, credit, andmarketingchannels, with low transaction costs. However, studies made in the early 2000s found that in the absence of laws governing in appropriate ways the contracts between firms and farmers, the contracts tended to be very unfair to the farmers. Agricultural marketing is, in India, governed by the various states; so, the Union Ministry of Agriculture in 2003 circulated to the 28 states and 7 unionterritory governments a model “Agricultural Produce Marketing (Development & Regulation) (APMR) Act” and, in 2007, a set of model rules for implementing such an act. This model APMR act and set of rules include provisions for the registration of contract farming sponsors, the recording of CF agreements with some authority prescribed under the act, and a vital dispute-settlement mechanism. The rules are intended to protect the interests of farmers. As of 2015, 21 states have made legal provisions accordingly, but in reality, many of the contracting firms are not registering with the prescribed authorities. The multi-national corporations drawing up the CF contracts in regard to the large-scale production of white onions and chip-grade potatoes in Maharashtra and Gujarat have not registered themselves with the prescribed district authorities in. Survey conducted in 2012–13 in selected districts of Maharashtra found that the farmers, unaware of the existence of dispute-settling authorities, felt helpless whenever a dispute would arise. In this paper, attempt is made to review the CF rules in the national Model APMR Act; and identify, in the light of that review and of discussions with selected contracting firms and Government officials, some suggestions on how to make contract farming rules more participatory and effective have been suggested. We argue that better compliance of the CF rules would reduce the amount of troublesome uncertainties in regard to exploitation by contracting firms, and would thereby strengthen the CF system.

Should sputum-negative presumptive TB patients be actively followed to identify missing cases in India?

Setting: Sputum smear microscopy, the primary diagnostic tool used for diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in India's Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), has low sensitivity, resulting in a significant number of TB cases reported as sputum-negative. As the revised guidelines pose challenges in implementation, sputum-negative presumptive TB (SNPT) patients are subjected to 2 weeks of antibiotics, followed by chest X-ray (CXR), resulting in significant loss to care among these cases. Objective: To determine whether reducing delays in CXR would yield additional TB cases and reduce initial loss to follow-up for diagnosis among SNPT cases. Methods: In an ongoing intervention in five districts of Maharashtra, SNPT patients were offered upfront CXR. Results: Of 119 male and 116 female SNPT patients with a mean age of 45 years who were tested by CXR, 32 (14%) were reported with CXR suggestive of TB. Administering upfront CXR in SNPT patients yielded twice as many additional cases, doubling the proportion of cases detected among all those tested as against administering CXR 2 weeks after smear examination. Conclusion: Our interventional study showed that the yield of TB cases was significantly greater when upfront CXR examination was undertaken without waiting for a 2-week antibiotic trial.

<b>An extended distribution of Natesh’s Cape-pondweed <I>Aponogeton nateshii</I> (Aponogetonaceae), a new record to the state of Goa</b>

Aponogeton nateshii, a recently described species from Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra and also recorded from Belagavi District of Karnataka is now reported from the state of Goa for the first time. This species is highly variable in habitat preference, leaf morphology and embryo appendages.

Correlates of biodynamic compost method on its beneficiary farmers

The present study was undertaken in 16 villages of Telhara Panchayat samiti of Akola district in Maharashtra state.For the present study, 112 beneficiary farmers were purposively selected from 16 villages and the data from selected 112 beneficiary farmers were collected. An exploratory research design was used for the present study. The findings of the present study revealed that majority of beneficiary farmers were from middle age group, had education upto high school level, belonging to small land holding, the annual income was observed above Rs.2,00,000/-, had medium level of animal possession (5-8 animal), had medium level of sources of information, had medium level of extension contact, had medium levels of scientific orientation, had medium levels of risk preference and innovativeness. The per cent change in annual income after use of biodynamic compost method was 11.76 per cent. Soybean and cotton crops showed change in average productivity in positive direction i.e. increase in productivity. Soybean showed maximum increase in average productivity (16.71%) over base year followed by cotton (10.76%). The variables viz ., livestock possession, sources of information, scientific orientation, risk preference and innovativeness were found to be significant at 0.05 per cent level of probability with change in annual income, whereas independent variable extension contact had positive and highly significant relationship with change in productivity at 0.01 per cent level of probability. However, age and education had shown non-significant relationship with the change in annual income and change in productivity, respectively.

Acid lime Growers’ Feasibility Perception of Contract Farming.

Contract farming is generally practiced by food processing firms wherein the risk is allocated between the company and its growers. Its key aspect is risk sharing and risk reduction. Hence we made an attempt to know the perception of acid lime growers and ascertain the prospects of contract farming. The sample comprised of 200 acid lime growers in 3 districts of Maharashtra, using random walk sampling technique. The data collected through a structured interview schedule were analyzed using the t-test of significance of difference between sample and population means. The study revealed significant relationship between occupation (t=1.596) and perceived acceptability of contract farming in citrus at 5 per cent level of significance. Similar relationship prevailed between annual income from acid lime (t=0.391) and perceived acceptability of contract farming in citrus. Guaranteed and fixed pricing structures was perceived to be the main advantage of contract farming which attracted attention of the maximum respondents (RBQ=175). As regarding risk factors, inadequate water for irrigation ranked the topmost factor followed by price uncertainty. In case of issues governing profitability, unfair market price has been ranked as the number one issue (RBQ=181.33) followed by over production and less market price (RBQ=178.33) to the produce. It is expected that this study will help policy makers to develop more appropriate marketing policies in India.

Nutritional Status and Physical Fitness of Tribal Adolescents in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra

ABSTRACTWe examined the influence of nutritional status, body fat, and anemia on the physical fitness (PFI) of tribal adolescents. Weight, height, skinfold thickness, PFI, and hemoglobin levels of 147 adolescents (11 to 16 years) were measured. The experience of cycling was recorded. Overall, 31.3% were mildly, 12.9% were moderately, and 10.9% were severely thin. The majority (81.6%) were nonanemic. All had “poor” PFI scores. Hemoglobin levels were significantly associated with PFI scores in boys and girls. Experience of cycling also predicted PFI in girls. Nutritional status, hemoglobin level, and physical activity were associated with the fitness levels of these adolescents.

Market structure of cotton seed in Nanded district of Maharashtra

Market structure of cotton seed in Nanded district of Maharashtra

Eriocaulon idukkianum, a new tuberous species of Eriocaulaceae from southern Western Ghats, India

Eriocaulon idukkianum, a new species of Eriocaulaceae from the southern Western Ghats, India, is described and illustrated. The new species is remarkable by the presence of a rootstock with a terminal tuber and seeds without appendages. The closest relative of this species is probably E. tuberiferum, a taxon known from Kolhapur, Nashik and Satara districts of Maharashtra.

DIETARY DIVERSITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS IN RURAL INDIA.

Dietary diversity is associated with household or individual food availability and intake of nutrients from different food groups and is an important component of nutritional outcome. This study examined the Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) and the Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) of three dietary diversity indices and their relationship with the nutritional status of adolescents and adults in rural regions of two states in India, Wardha district in Maharashtra and Koraput district in Odisha, in 2014. Individual dietary diversity was calculated using 24-hour diet recall (FS24hr) data and household dietary diversity was measured with food frequency data using Berry's index (DDI) and food scores (FSFFQ). The nutritional status of individuals was assessed using anthropometric indices. The diets in both locations were cereal dominated. It was observed that 51% of adolescent boys and 27% of adolescent girls had 'thinness' and stunting. The prevalence of undernutrition was higher among adult women (48%) than adult men (36%). The mean diversity indices were FS24hr of 8, DDI of 89-90 and FSFFQ of 64-66 in the two locations. The FS24hr was found to be positively correlated with the NAR of all nutrients while DDI and FSFFQ were correlated with seven and six nutrients, respectively. The DDI and FS24hr showed an association with MAR if the two locations were combined together. Sensitivity and specificity analysis showed that FS24hr gave more true positives than false positives and the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was 0.68, implying that this measure truly differentiates individuals having low dietary diversity with low MAR from those with low dietary diversity and a high MAR. All three measures of dietary diversity showed a linear association with the nutritional outcomes of adults, while in the adolescent group only DDI showed a relationship. It is concluded that 24-hour diet recall is a good measure for studying the relationship between dietary diversity and nutritional status in adults.

Dalit Participation in Total Sanitation Campaign with Special Reference to Satara District in Maharashtra

Development cannot be achieved without the participation of people from all segments of society. It is a process that requires collective action for social transformation or social change in the socio-economic and political lives of the people. The Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) is one of the major programmes in India to promote sanitation and hygiene. The article is an attempt made to understanding the Dalit population’s participation in the total sanitation programme. The field visits in six villages reveal that illiterate 20 per cent respondents did not participate in the decision-making process. Gram panchayat has not given equal opportunity for participation to Dalit women in the planning process of the campaign activities. Educated people are more likely to get the opportunity for participation in planning and implementation of the scheme. Villages, even gram panchayats, have not conducted any awareness campaign to disseminate the information of the Campaign among Dalit and rural masses.

Diversity of Wild Edible Plants in Dhadgaon Block of Nandurbar District in Maharashtra, India

Diversity of Wild Edible Plants in Dhadgaon Block of Nandurbar District in Maharashtra, India

Check list of medicinal plants from Navapur, district Nandurbar (Maharashtra State), India

Nandurbar is known as predominantly tribal district in Maharashtra. More than 80% population of the district is tribal. While studding flora of medicinal plants of Navapur Area, Navapur taluka author collected one hundred and fifty-eight medicinal plants. In this communication these medicinal plants were listed.

Study of workplace violence, its risk factors and perceptions about workplace security in doctors of Paithan

Background: Of all work settings, hospitals carry the greatest risk of verbal abuse and threats, with 73% of staff on medical premises suffering abuse. The scenario in Indian subcontinent is also not so bright. Doctors are frequently assaulted in India as well where doctors are shot, even stabbed. Thus this study was undertaken to know the exact prevalence of such incidences in Paithan taluka of Aurangabad district. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was done in the Paithan taluka of Aurangabad district in Maharashtra from October 2015 to December 2015. All the doctors in the urban as well as rural areas of Paithan were interviewed to know their experiences about episodes of workplace violence (WPV) during last 12 months as well as their lifetime experiences. Some of the factors associated with the WPV were also asked along with the perceived reasons for such type of incidences. Results: The prevalence of workplace violence in the last 12 months was found to be 63.41%, whereas the lifetime prevalence was found to be 78.05%. It was observed that 21.95% of the doctors were demanded for extortion money and 11.27% experienced intentional destruction of their hospital property. Workplace violence was seen to be significantly more associated with younger doctors, highly educated doctors, doctors in government service and doctors with comparatively lesser practice experience. Lack of communication was perceived by the doctors as the most common reason for these incidences.Conclusions: Workplace violence is emerging as a bane to the medical profession and has to be dealt with urgently. Poor communication with patients along with other factors should be dealt with to mitigate this problem.