Karnal District Research Articles

Evaluation of INSAT-3DR Hydro-Estimator product for monsoon season rainfall at block-level and its utility in forecast verification: A case study in Karnal district, India

Evaluation of INSAT-3DR Hydro-Estimator product for monsoon season rainfall at block-level and its utility in forecast verification: A case study in Karnal district, India

Safety monitoring of precautionary third dose of COVID-19 vaccines in a district in Northern India.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) a pandemic on March 11, 2020. On 16th January 2021, India began its vaccination programme using two COVID-19 vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin). Precautionary dose (booster shots) was administered to health and front-line workers in the beginning and then to all eligible populations. This was a descriptive observational study conducted in the COVID-19 vaccination centres of Karnal district and the ADR monitoring centre, KCGMC, Karnal. During the visits to vaccination centres, all beneficiaries of the precautionary third dose of COVID-19 vaccines as well as healthcare workers were sensitized to report in case of any adverse event following vaccination as part of the policy of the vaccination programme run by the government and Pharmacovigilance Programme of India. The data were collected in suspected adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting form version 1.4, and causality assessment was done as per the WHO-UMC scale. The data were analysed as simple proportions and percentages. The booster dose was administered to 72,853 individuals, while the 1st dose and 2nd dose were given to 13,30,042 and 10,73,050, respectively. Only three ADRs were reported with the booster dose in 34 vaccination centres in the Karnal district. These three ADRs were classified as unlikely on causality assessment and hence not included in the analysis. The booster dose administered for the prevention of COVID-19 has been found to be reasonably safe. The population who received COVID-19 booster doses was significantly less than the populations who received the first and second doses, which suggests a low acceptance rate.

Cost-return analysis and resource use efficiency of marigold cultivation in Karnal district of Haryana

Cost-return analysis and resource use efficiency of marigold cultivation in Karnal district of Haryana

Documentation of Avian Species Composition and Assemblage in Agricultural Landscapes of Karnal, Haryana

Avian communities maintain ecological balance by eliminating pests, providing ecosystem services, and acting as biological indicators, thereby playing a pivotal role in conserving agricultural landscapes’ integrity and stability; thus from an environmental monitoring standpoint, assessment of bird aggregations in various landscapes is necessary. A three-year (2021, 2022 and 2023) bird survey was conducted to document the checklist, density, and diversity of bird species assemblage of agricultural landscapes in the Karnal district of Haryana, India, to obtain the richness of birds in different agricultural habitats. A total of 79 bird species from 36 families and 14 orders were recorded; two bird species (Alexandrine Parakeet and Black Headed Ibis) are listed as Near Threatened in the ‘IUCN’ (2010) category. Seventeen avian species with global declining population trends are present in the study area. The Passeriformes order, with 44 species, is the most diverse in the study area. In all habitats, analysis of food and feeding guilds, as well as perching activity, revealed that the insectivorous guild (29) is dominant, followed by Omnivore (25), Carnivore (11), Granivore (7), Frugivore (5), and Nectarivore (2). The results of this study indicate that, in order to enhance the quality of bird habitat in agricultural landscapes, biodiversity friendly farming practices should be adopted.

Adoption of Improved Sugarcane Cultivation Practices by the Farmers in Karnal District of Haryana, India

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is an important commercial crop of India. Sugarcane and sugar beet are used for large scale production of sugar in the world. The present study was conducted in purposively selected Karnal district of Haryana state. There are 8 blocks in Karnal district of Haryana, out of which Indri block were selected on the basis of maximum area under cultivation of sugarcane. From the list so prepared, 12 respondents were selected from 10 villages of the block which constitutes total number of 120 respondents. Majority of the respondents 55.83% fell in the medium adoption level group, whereas 25.00 per cent respondents were observed in the high adoption level group and remaining 19.17 per cent respondents formed low adoption level group. It is hereby concluded that majority of farmers were having medium level of adoption followed by high and low adoption level, respectively. Socio-economic characteristics like Annual income, Land holding, social participation and Extension contact were positively and significantly related with extent of adoption of farmers regarding recommended sugarcane cultivation practices. Whereas, positively and non-significant relationship between Age, Education, Family type and Family size and their level of adoption of recommended sugarcane cultivation practices.

Better crop establishment, residue recycling and diversification for sustaining non-basmati rice (Oryza sativa) in western IGP

The conventional non-basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) is neither economical nor sustainable in IGP. Therefore, an on-farm study was carried out at the farmer’s field in Karnal district of Haryana to find out alternative by diversified crops having legume (summer mungbean) with the best tillage and residue management practices. The intensification through conservation agriculture (CA)-based crop management within the RW system (CTR–ZTWMb and DSR– ZTWMb) and beyond with diversification by maize (ZTMWMb and ZTMMuMb) gave statistically on par yield to conventional non-basmati rice (CTRW). Compared to CTRW, total water use was reduced by 0.8 and 14.8% in CTR– ZTWMb and DSR–ZTWMb, respectively. The total water use was significantly reduced by 53.9 to 60.8% with maize and soybean (ZTMWMb, ZTMMuMb, and ZTSWMb) over DSR–ZTWMb and CTRW. The net returns increased by ₹3.7–6.5 × 103/ha in CTR–ZTWMb and DSR–ZTWMb over the CTRW. In diversified systems, net returns increased by ₹10–16.5 × 103/ha with maize systems compared to three rice production scenarios. Similarly, in soybean, net returns enhanced by ₹4.6 × 103/ha over the CTRW systems. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in global warming potential (GWP) by 53.4–69.1, 53.3–69.0 and 46.9–64.8% was observed under ZTMWMb, ZTMMuMb and ZTSWMb, respectively over the three RW system treatments. These results demonstrate that crop diversification with the inclusion of maize and soybean with CA may be opted to improve crop and water productivity and farmer's income replacing traditional rainy (kharif ) season non-basmati rice in Western Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP).

Groundwater Markets structure and its evolution: a study of Karnal District, Haryana, India

Groundwater Markets structure and its evolution: a study of Karnal District, Haryana, India

Women Political Participation in Urban Local Government: A Study of Karnal District in Haryana

Women Political Participation in Urban Local Government: A Study of Karnal District in Haryana

Are Happy Seeder and PUSA Decomposer Potential Options for Sustainable Ways of Paddy Straw Management

The study was undertaken to assess the effect of in-situ paddy straw management by the adoption of Happy Seeder and PUSA decomposer on the profitability in wheat cultivation and constraints to the adoption of these technologies using primary data collected from randomly selected 121 farmers in the Karnal district of Haryana in the year 2022. The results showed that the adoption of these technologies has reduced the cost and increased the profitability in wheat cultivation. However, the adoption of these technologies especially among small farmers remains limited. Financial constraints to the adoption of Happy Seeder and the longer duration for the decomposition of straw by PUSA decomposer were reported to be major hindrances in their adoption. Educating the farmers regarding the consequences of stubble burning and the potential benefits of adopting these technologies and addressing financial constraints and improving the efficacy of PUSA decomposer may be the potential options for sustainable management of paddy straw.

Inclusion of fractal dimension in four machine learning algorithms improves the prediction accuracy of mean weight diameter of soil

The study of soil mean weight diameter (MWD), essential for sustainable soil management, has recently received much attention. As the estimation of MWD is challenging, labor-intensive, and time-consuming, there is a crucial need to develop a predictive estimation method to generate helpful information required for the soil health assessment to save time and cost involved in soil analysis. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) are used to estimate parameters that are ‘difficult to measure’ and time-consuming with the help of ’easy to measure’ parameters. In the current study, empirical PTFs, i.e., multi-linear regression (MLR), and four machine learning based PTFs, i.e., artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), classification and regression trees (CART), and random forest (RF) were used for mean weight diameter prediction in Karnal district of Haryana, India. A total of 121 soil samples from 0‐15 and 15‐30 cm soil depths were collected from seventeen villages of Nilokheri, Nissing, and Assandh blocks of Karnal district. Soil parameters such as bulk density (BD), fractal dimension (D), soil texture (i.e., sand, silt, and clay), organic carbon (OC), and glomalin content were used as the input variables. Two input combinations, i.e., one with texture data (dataset 1) and the other with fractal dimension data replacing texture (dataset 2), were used, and the complete dataset (121) was divided into training and testing datasets in a 4:1 ratio. The model performance was evaluated by statistical parameters such as mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE), normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), and determination coefficient (R2). The comparison results showed that including the fractal dimension in the input dataset improved the prediction capability of ANN, SVM, and RF. MLR and CART showed lower predictive ability than the other three approaches (i.e., ANN, SVM, and RF). In the training dataset, RMSE (mm) for the SVM model was 8.33% lower with D than with texture as the input, whereas, in the testing dataset, it was 16.67% lower. Because SVM is more flexible and effectively captures non-linear relationships, it performed better than the other models in predicting MWD. As seen in this study, the SVM model with input data D is the best in its class and has a high potential for MWD prediction in the Karnal district of Haryana, India.

Crop classification by using dual-pol SAR vegetation indices derived from Sentinel-1 SAR-C data

In the following study, an attempt is made for crop classification of rainy season through analyzing time-series Sentinel-1 SAR data of May 2020 to September 2020. The SVIDP index derived from dual-pol (VV and VH) bands consisting of NRPB ([Formula: see text]), DPDD [Formula: see text]), IDPDD ([Formula: see text]), and VDDPI [Formula: see text] ratios are utilized for discriminating inter-vegetative boundaries of crop pixels. This study was conducted near Karnal city region, Karnal district, Haryana, India. The Sentinel-1 data has the capability to penetrate thick cloud cover and provide high revisit frequency data for rain-fed crops. Obtained classification achieved higher accuracy in both RF (93.77%) and SVM (93.50%) classifiers. Obtained linear regression statistics of mean raster imagery reveals that IDPDD index is much sensitive to other crop which has highest standard deviations in σvh° and σvv° bands throughout the period, and high R2 with σvh° (0.70), VV (0.58), NRPB (0.693), and DPDD (0.697) indices. In contrast to this, IDPDD index has least correlation (< 0.289) with σvh°, σvv°, EVI 2, NRPB, and DPDD indices for water body which has smooth surface and lowest SAR backscattering with minimum standard deviations in the same period.

Indian fertilizer subsidy conundrum: Tracking the recent developments

Subsidies to fertilizers have played a crucial role in yield improvement in Indian agriculture, yet it is being criticised recently for issues like soil nutrient imbalance, inequity in distribution etc. Several policies are being implemented in India to control scorching fiscal burden due to fertilizer subsidy, control the diversion of subsidised fertilizers and better the soil nutrient balance. Present study was carried out at the Division of Agricultural Economics, ICAR- IARI, New Delhi during 2020–21 to understand the status of fertilizer subsidies in India and its distribution. The prime objective of the study is to assess who benefits from the fertilizer subisides. Secondary data collected from various issues of Fertilizer Statistics, Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, and the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) dashboard, as well as on primary data collected from 200 farmers and 60 fertilizer retailsers of Karnal district, Haryana are used for analysis. The farmers, for whom the subsidies are announced, don't seem to get a fair share of it. It is the industry that benefits most from the subsidies, and they have been heavily subsidised especially in the 1990s and after 2010. The stakeholder perception of DBT is in support of the scheme, and both farmers as well as retailers reported increased fertilizer availability after the implementation of the scheme. Aadhar authenticated fertilizer purchase under DBT is hence a welcome development that has the potential to manage the irregularities surrounding the fertilizers to some extent.

Comparative Economics of Production and Marketing of Tomato under Protected Structures in Haryana

A profitable comparative analysis of tomato production in Haryana under different protected structures was done. The results revealed that naturally ventilated polyhouse (NVPH) was around 34 per cent costlier compared to net houses. The results indicated that the NVPH had the highest total cost (cost C ) incurred on tomato in the district of Sonepat (?872492), as compared to Karnal 2 (?865752) and Hisar (?832322) and B: C ratio was highest in Karnal district (1.19) among the three districts. In the case of a net house, the highest total cost was incurred in Sonepat (?626197) compared to Hisar (?612524) and the B: C ratio was found to be highest in Sonepat (1.48) compared to Hisar (1.47). It was observed that Channel-III (producer to direct consumer) was a highly efficient marketing Channel. Moreover, this research will aid in formulating effective policies to reduce the cost of protected structures and improve the efficiency in other market Channels.

Modeling climate change impact on groundwater and adaptation strategies for its sustainable management in the Karnal district of Northwest India

Modeling climate change impact on groundwater and adaptation strategies for its sustainable management in the Karnal district of Northwest India

Rice Value Chain Systems in Haryana: An Economic Analysis

The economic analysis of rice value chain in Haryana has been carried out using a sample of 30 farmers, 10 wholesalers and 20 retailers which were purposively selected from Karnal district of Haryana. One government (HAFED Taraori rice mill) and 5 private rice mills in Karnal were selected as the processing units. The results revealed that retailers incurred the highest total cost in both Basmati and non-basmati (PR-fine) rice value chain (` 93.37 kg-1 and 41.73kg-1), whereas rice mills contributed the largest value addition to both Basmati and PR-fine rice (61.34% and 56.19%). The highest profit in Basmati rice and PR-fine rice was accrued by rice mills (` 37.96 kg-1 and ` 8.88 kg-1). The major production and processing constraints were lack of remunerative prices and market instability with Garrett mean score of 76.33 and 63.71, respectively, while the major wholesaling and retailing constraints was increased procurement cost as a result of per litre increased cost of fuel. Better remunerative price policy for paddy should be made to entice farmers to produce more and ensure regular supply of paddy to the processing units, which will trickle down to the entire value chain.

Constraints in Adoption of Laser Land Levelling Technology in Haryana

The study analyzed perceptions of farmers about laser land levelling and constraints faced by them in adoption of this resource conservation technology in Sirsa and Karnal district of Haryana. Mean percent score tool of statistics was used to rank perceptions and constraints of farmers. It was noticed that 97.00 per cent respondent farmers believed that there is reduction in irrigation cost. 80.00 per cent believed that laser land levelling adoption helped in better weed management. Also, it was examined that major constraint was non-availability of machines due to shorter window between two consecutive crops. Study of diffusion revealed that fellow farmers and relatives were major source of diffusion. 86.25 per cent of laser land levelling service provided by private players showing dominance of private investment. It was also observed that laser land levelling is a scale neutral technology because it was adopted by all categories of farmers and not biased towards large farmers. It was observed that under scheme Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) laser leveller along with tractor and operator at a custom hiring centre (CHC) was provided at nominal rate Rs. 1075/day while Cooperatives provided laser leveller at rupees 575 per acre.

Adoption of food safety practices in the informal milk processing units of Haryana, India – A value chain approach

In this paper, we analysed how the adoption level of food safety practices varies with milk procurement system in the informal milk processing sector and also developed a composite food safety index (FSI) deliberating the interplay of factors and actors. Primary data were collected from value chain actors, viz ., small and micro dairy processing units (main actors), milk supplier, i.e. , dairy farmer and milk vendors (upstream actors) and traders (downstream actors) in Karnal district of Haryana state of India. FSI of two identified milk procurement systems, viz. , (i) own collection centres, and (ii) private vendors were compared. Processing units with own collection centres in production catchments have been able to establish better linkages with dairy upstream actors and resulted in better overall FSI (0.66) than those processing units procuring milk from private vendors (with FSI as 0.51). Further, the profitability of the processing unit is positively associated with the FSI, as consumers are willing to pay higher prices for safe milk. There was a need to design efficient milk procurement systems; design and development of efficient milk transport systems and processing technology along with training in post-milking handling for small vendors and processors for better food safety compliance in the milk value chain of the informal sector.

Economic Performance of Crop based Intervention under Farmer FIRST Programme of National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal

Farmer FIRST programme is a new approach for project development initiated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The present study entitled ‘Impact Assessment of Selected Interventions under farmers FIRST programme of NDRI’ was conducted in the farmer FIRST project area in five villages namely KamalpurRoran, GarhiGujran, NagalaRoran, Churni and Samourafrom Indri and Karnal blocks of Karnal district of Haryana state. This paper is about economic performance of crop-based intervention under this project. Total three crops-based interventions were selected and 42 respondents were selected in proportionate to the intervention. Informal’ experimental design (before and-after without control design) was used. The results shows that respondents were getting benefit-cost ratios of Integrated Pest Management in paddy (2.08), Integrated Weed Management in wheat (1.97) and integrated nutrient management in wheat (2.05), respectively, with increased yields, effective pest management in paddy, better weed management and balanced nutrient management in wheat crop under these interventions. Overall project has made good impact in the study area.

Growth and Economic Profitability of Rice Cultivation in Haryana

An investigation on the growth and economic profitability of rice production was conducted in Karnal district of Haryana, India in 2019-20. A sample of 30 farmers from Karnal district were interviewed to collect relevant information related to various expenses incurred in the cultivation of rice and output attained as well as constraints encountered in production of rice. Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) results revealed an increasing trend in area, production and yield of rice in Haryana. Large instability suggests that there was more variability in area, production and yield in Haryana than in India during the period under study. Highest cost was incurred in variety Basmati CSR-30 (Rs. 763kg-1) cultivation. Similarly, highest net profit was realized in the cultivation of Basmati CSR-30 (Rs. 202kg-1). Lack of remunerative prices was the main constraint in rice cultivation. Thus, cultivation of rice could be made more profitable by upward review of per unit price of rice and looking into other avenues to incentivize the rice farmers. Similarly, research should be reoriented to reduce the production cost and improving yield which have direct effect on profitability.

Effect of Laser Land Levelling on Paddy-Wheat and Cotton-Wheat Cropping Pattern in Haryana

The study has quantified and compared the effect of laser land levelling technology with conventional land levelling in paddy-wheat and cotton-wheat cropping pattern in Karnal and Sirsa district of Haryana state, respectively. Using Bisaliah decomposition model (1977) improved technology and change in input use to enhance productivity under laser land levelling has been assessed. Decomposition of total productivity highlighted that in Karnal district, out of total incremental change in productivity, 8.38 and 5.36 per cent change was contributed only due to change in technology and rest was due to input use in paddy-wheat, respectively. Similarly, in Sirsa district, out of total change in productivity 5.4 and 4.87 per cent change contributed only due to enhancement in technology while rest was due to input use in cotton-wheat cropping pattern, respectively. Further study highlighted that water as well as fertilizer use efficiency was most influenced by use of laser land levelling technology. On the account of results of study, it was concluded that laser land levelling is an effective scale neutral resource conservation technology which has immense potential to cure low water use efficiency and improve fertilizer use in most prevalent cropping patterns (i.e. paddy-wheat as well as cotton) of Haryana state.