Significant Differences In Adoption Research Articles

Impact of ASCI Sponsored Skill Development Trainings on Dairy Farming Practices: An Empirical Analysis

Background: The present study assessed the impact of Agricultural Skill Council of India (ASCI) funded dairy training programme conducted at CSKHPKV Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. These skill development training programs of 200 contact hours trained 40 participants in two trainings conducted in 2018 and 2019. Impact of these trainings was understood by studying changes in adoption, herd size, milk production and capital investments made before and after the trainings. Methods: A semi-structured interview schedule was designed for the collection of data before the start of training programme to assess socio-economic profile, herd size, milk production and adoption of various dairy farming practices. Post training data in March 2021 was collected to study the impact of trainings. The adoption index was calculated by procedure laid out by Mande and Thombre (2009) and Godara et al. (2018). Result: Significant differences in adoption of various practices before and after training were observed with few notable practices such as silage making, castration of male calves, screening of animals for sub clinical mastitis, cattle insurance and biogas production which scored lower adoption even post training. Lack of proper financial support from the banks, poor milk marketing and other socio-psychological factors prevented farmers from reaping full benefits post training.

English

Climate change and inefficient water utilization have led to marked fluctuations of the mean rice crop production in sub-Sahara Africa. In order to improve food security and households’ income, adaptation strategies to climate change such as the adoption of new rice varieties are inevitable. This study examined the farmers’ perception and adoption of climate change friendly New Rice for Africa in Mwea West Sub-county. The study applied the descriptive survey design with questionnaires being administered to a sample of 376 farmers. Key informants included four officers from Mwea Irrigation Agricultural Development and the Ministry of Agriculture. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences whereas qualitative data were analysed through establishing the categories and themes, relationships/patterns, and conclusions drawn in line with the study objectives. Results indicated a highly significant difference in adoption between farmers affiliated to Mwea Irrigation Scheme and the out-growers (X2= 18.5, df =2, p= 1.67×10-6). The study concluded that the adoption of New Rice for Africa varieties in the Mwea West Sub-county is low and slow. This is mainly caused by inadequate information among the farmers as well as low market demand for the rice varieties. There is a need to enhance these rice varieties by intensifying efforts to sensitize farmers.   Key words: Climate change, new rice for Africa, adaptation strategies.

Impact Based Study on Mobile Wallets in India

With the rapid technological advancements taking place around the world every day, mobile phones and internet connectivity have posed as one of the most significant inventions done by mankind. This was made possible with the inception of mobile wallets in the technological world. Mobile wallet is a virtual wallet that stores payment card information on mobile devices. The mobile wallet industry is estimated to grow 150% to approximately $4.4 billion by 2022. This accelerated increase is estimated due to increased adoption and inclusion of the platform that is backed by the government. The present study aims to explain the impact and adoption of mobile wallets and consumer perception towards the same. A structured questionnaire was prepared for this study and data was collected from 299 valid respondents and factors affecting adoption and threats was analyzed using various statistical tools. An online survey was circulated and the data was collected through convenience sampling. The survey consisted of 15 objective questions which collected information regarding preference, adoption, threats and demographic details. Statistical analysis was performed on IBM SPSS 22. The data was tested for Reliability using Cronbach's Alpha, Normality using Shapiro-Wilks and ANOVA were performed to check significant difference in adoption, threat and preference for different groups of various demographic variables such as age, gender, occupation, education and income level. Regression analysis was also conducted using linear regression to check impact of variables such as ease to use  security and safety and accessibility on the reputation of the company. The study showed many findings in relation to preference, adoption and threats relating to mobile wallets. Paytm emerged to be the current market leader with recharges and money transfer as the most popular services accessed. It was found that there was a significant difference for adoption of mobile wallets among age groups of 16-25 & 36-45 and Students & Businessmen with the first group in each case showing favorable outcomes in adoption. Another finding was the presence of significant difference in relation to preference of mobile wallet over other cashless alternatives among the group of Student & Businessmen and the low income (0-15 lakhs per annum) and high income groups (16 lakhs and above per annum) with the latter group preferring other alternatives in both the situation. The study suffers from the limitation of sampling and since the data was collected through surveys it is open to subjective bias as well. Time constraint is also a major limitation of this study. The implication of the study is to determine factors that affect the adoption and reputation of the company in this fast paced, rapidly growing industries so that current market players can work with the findings to adapt and change to retain their position in the industry and also to sustain their market share. The study was conducted with primary data and the analysis was performed personally with the finding being drawn on first hand basis indicating the utmost originality of the study. References for secondary data are also mentioned in APA format.

Sustainable Practices in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Ecuador

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as larger enterprises, generate economic, social, and environmental impacts on their environment. However, in the case of these types of enterprises, the accumulation of these impacts is very significant in the immediate surroundings where they offer their products and services. This discussion is particularly relevant in Ecuador, where 99% of all enterprises are SMEs. The objective of this research is to find out if small and medium-sized enterprises in this country are involved in the adoption of sustainable practices as well as see if there are significant differences in adoption based on size, sector, and age. The methodology used is the performance of a descriptive analysis and regression of the data obtained through a structured questionnaire (indicators of the Ethos Institute of Brazil). Previously, the reliability of the questionnaire was validated through an exploratory factor analysis. The target population consists of 9843 enterprises, obtaining a sample size of 188 valid surveys, which implies a response rate of 2%, representing a sampling error of ±7.08%. The results obtained enabled us to perform a sustainability diagnosis of SMEs in Ecuador, identifying the strengths and weaknesses. The managers have a positive and favourable attitude towards sustainability. The practices considered show a medium-high implementation level of 79.71% in economic sustainability, 82.28% in social sustainability, and 78.14% in environmental sustainability in the enterprises considered in the sample. Although these percentages are significant, there is plenty of scope for improvement.

A Comparison of Turkish and Bosnian EAP Students' Adoption of Language Learning Strategies

The number of the undergraduate Turkish students studying at universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina has increased over the past few years. They usually study at universities where the language of instruction is English, namely International University of Sarajevo and International Burch University. This research explores the differences in adoption of language learning strategies between Turkish and Bosnian university students learning English for Academic Purposes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Fall 2015, one hundred and forty Bosnian (N=140) and ninety-two Turkish (N=92) freshman university students were surveyed with the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning ‒ SILL 7.0 (Oxford, 1990) at International University of Sarajevo. The results analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the adoption of Memory, Cognitive, and Affective strategies. The analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in the adoption of Compensation, Metacognitive, and Social strategies. However, an independent T-test showed a statistically significant difference in the overall adoption of the SILL strategies. The results imply that EAP instructors need to design courses which personalize instruction and facilitate adoption of different language learning strategies.

Adoption of improved dairy farming practices in Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir

The study was conducted in Akhnoor and R.S. Pura blocks of Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir to assess the extent of adoption of improved dairy farming practices by the selected dairy farmers. The analysis of information collected by personal interview method revealed that majority of the respondents (62 per cent) had medium level of adoption of improved dairy farming practices. Maximum adoption was found in case of feeding practices, whereas minimum adoption was found in case of housing practices. It was found that there was a significant difference in adoption between different groups of respondents regarding improved dairy farming practices.

Adopters, testers or pseudo-adopters? Dynamics of the use of improved tree fallows by farmers in western Kenya

Although there has been increasing research on the adoption of agroforestry technologies over the last decade, few such studies have assessed uptake over a long period and many are based on a single snapshot in time. Furthermore, most of these studies have mainly looked at non-adopters and adopters: only recently have social scientists considered testers. A further category of users neglected in adoption studies has been re-adopters of technologies. Studying this group provides an interesting and more nuanced understanding of adoption and re-adoption. Methodologically, most adoption studies use quantitative methods and fail to link their findings to wider socio-economic, political and institutional settings. This paper presents a study of the dynamics of improved tree fallow use by farmers in Siaya and Vihiga districts of western Kenya over a period of eight years. It uses both qualitative and quantitative data to critically discuss the motivations of adopters, testers/rejecters and re-adopters. The results show that the process of adoption is highly dynamic and variable with farmers planting improved fallows and discontinuing or re-adopting them due to a whole range of factors, of which soil fertility improvement is just one. These factors included incentives from projects, the tying of adoption to credit programmes, prestige, participation in seminars/tours and the availability of a seed market from projects promoting improved fallows. Farmers planting improved fallows for such reasons may be termed ‘pseudo-adopters’. There were significant differences in adoption between the two districts, with more farmers in Siaya planting improved fallows than in Vihiga. A majority of farmers in Vihiga (53%) who were given seed never planted improved fallows, even though they had been exposed to the technology. Some 40% of farmers in Siaya and 38% in Vihiga planted improved fallows but later rejected them. This has some important implications for research and development. For improved fallow technologies to be attractive to farmers, they must provide other tangible economic benefits besides soil fertility improvement. This presents a challenge to researchers who must better attune themselves to the needs and demands of farmers if they wish to see their research findings widely adopted.

Personal variables affecting adoption of agricultural innovations by Nigerian farmers

This is a descriptive study aimed at finding how personal variables affect the adoption of agricultural innovations by farmers in Nigeria. Questionnaires and interviews were used as instruments for the generation of data. The totality of Nigerian farmers comprised the population of the study and sampling was based on the cluster approach using the purposive procedure to select one hundred farmers from each of the five ecological zones of the country. The data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and the One-Way Analysis of Variance used for statistically testing the hypotheses. The analysis showed that significant differences existed among farmers in the adoption of innovations on account of educational qualifications, farm size and mean perception of their various access times. Post-hoc tests, using Scheffes Difference Test identified areas where the differences existed. Among farmers with high and higher education there was no significant difference in adoption, neither between illiterates and primary school leavers; but between the former and latter groups significant differences existed. Between medium and large-scale farmers, there was no significant difference, but between them and small-scale farmers a significant difference was found in the adoption level of agricultural innovations. Farmers with medium and long time access to information had no significant difference in adoption of innovations, but between them and those with short time access, a significant difference existed. SA Jnl. Agric. Ext. Vol. 33 2004: 94-107

Do the investigative sites that take part in a positive clinical trial translate that evidence into practice?

Abstract Purpose The earliest awareness of new evidence should be at the trial sites that first generated the evidence. We hypothesized that sites that had taken part in the Survival and Ventricular Enlargement (SAVE) trial, which demonstrated that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were beneficial following myocardial infarction, would be more likely to adopt their use in this group of patients. Subjects and methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data collected for the 25,886 North American patients with myocardial infarction enrolled in the Global Utilization of Streptokinase and Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO-1) study from 1990 to 1993. Patients were treated at 659 hospitals, 22 of which had also taken part in SAVE. One third of patients were enrolled after SAVE was published in 1992. The primary outcome was use of an ACE inhibitor at discharge. We analyzed the data using hierarchical models and multivariate regression. Results Patients treated at sites that had taken part in SAVE were not more likely to receive an ACE inhibitor at discharge than were patients treated at non-SAVE sites (226/1415 [16%] vs. 3671/24,471 [15%]; odds ratio [OR] = 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.8 to 1.4; P = 0.67). Although patients with heart failure were more likely to receive ACE inhibitors than were those without heart failure, there was no difference between SAVE and non-SAVE sites (90/297 [30%] vs. 1322/4405 [30%]; P = 0.75). Use of ACE inhibitors increased following the publication of the SAVE trial, but again there was no significant difference in adoption of the drug between SAVE and non-SAVE sites. Conclusion Sites that had taken part in SAVE were no more likely to adopt ACE inhibitors for patients with myocardial infarction than were sites that had not taken part. If those who generated the evidence are slow to translate it into practice, it is unlikely that passive forms of dissemination can improve the quality of care. To accelerate adoption of new evidence, we need to understand factors other than knowledge and awareness that influence practice.