West Garo Hills District Research Articles

Evaluating food security and nutritional pathways of rural farm families: Empirical evidence from northeast India

The study aimed to ascertain a relationship between agricultural status, socioeconomic factors, and nutrition of farm families. The study was conducted in selected villages in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, using Stratified Random Sampling (St. RS). Using pretested interview schedules, we collected primary data from respondents in 2020 and 2021, focusing on socioeconomic variables, body mass index, and income from agriculture and related sectors. The data was analysed using correlation analyses and separate combined regression estimates for each year and month were obtained. Results from the study indicate that agricultural income significantly influenced nutritional status (p < 0.05) and household income growth was also found significant. The region's agricultural production of cereals, pulses, and vegetables was insufficient, as was the production of meat and meat products, milk, and milk products. Hence, expenditure towards purchasing the above food groups from the market was found to be significant (p < 0.05). Therefore, the markets near the mainland especially in the hilly region play a crucial role in the nutritional pathway of rural farm families.

Influence of Organic Inputs on the Performance of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cv Festival

An experiment was conducted to find out the effect of organic inputs on yield attributing characters and quality of strawberry cv. Festival was carried out in Garo Hills region of Meghalaya, India during 2022-2023 at Department of Horticulture, North-Eastern Hill University, Tura Campus in West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with eight different treatments which were replicated thrice. Treatment T2 (vermicompost 250g/plant) was found to be superior over other treatments for parameters like number of shoots (6.67-11.00), number of leaves (9.33-26.00), leaf area (31.50 cm2-104.50 cm2), total numbers of runners (7.00) and yield parameters like number of fruit set (13.00), fruit set percentage (81.61%), fresh fruit weight (16.55g), fruit length × diameter (34.00 mm × 30.00 mm) and yield of the plant (495.26g). Whereas, T1(vermicompost 300g/plant) recorded the highest in number of flowers (2.66-4.00), duration of flowering (107.00 days) and minimum days taken for flowering (43.00 days). Meanwhile, it was also recorded that T2(vermicompost 250g/plant) was found to have maximum total soluble solids (TSS) (10.47°Brix), total sugar (4.38%), reducing sugar (2.33%), non-reducing sugar (2.05%), titratable acidity (1.80%), ascorbic acid (16.46 mg/100g) and anthocyanin content (23.92 mg/100g). The overall findings indicate the potential of vermicompost (250g/plant) in organic production of strawberry.

Gender Perspectives in Agriculture and Livestock Production: Insights from Garo Tribal Farm Households in West Garo Hills: Meghalaya

This study was conducted in two villages situated in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya in 2023, focusing on a sample of 60 tribal farm families. Respondents were randomly selected from the selected villages. Statistical analyses were performed using frequencies and percentage. The findings revealed that 80.0% of households had a nuclear family structure, with 61.67% being led by males. Agriculture was the primary occupation of 51.67% of households, and 33.33% reported an annual household income ranging from Rs. 85,001 to Rs. 150,000. Additionally, 78.33% of households possessed areca nut orchards and 60.0% utilized mobile phones for communication. Credit facilities were available to 31.67% of respondents. Regarding information sources, 98.33% of males and 96.67% of females relied on friends and neighbours for agricultural information. Decision-making was reported to be joint in 65.0% of households. Crop harvesting, which was primarily performed by females (55.0%), and the selling of harvests during financial needs, which were handled by males (35.0%) and females (38.33%), were identified as patterns. Revenue management from sales was undertaken by males (36.67%) and jointly (33.33%). In livestock-related decisions, 63.0% reported joint decision-making, and the grazing of animals was managed by children within households (68.33%). For healthcare, 63.33% of independent males consulted the veterinary department during instances of animal disease. Joint decisions were made for the purchase and sale of animals (81.76%). The present findings contribute valuable insights into gender in agricultural discourse, guiding informed and inclusive development in the North East Region. Practitioner Summary: The study was on 60 small Garo tribal farm families actively engaged in both agricultural and livestock activities. Study revealed that women has integral role in agriculture and livestocks then men. Joint decision making in agriculture collaborative farm management, males often takes lead in financial management and certain post-harvest processes.

Value chain and constraints analysis of ginger in West Garo hills district of Meghalaya

Value chain and constraints analysis of ginger in West Garo hills district of Meghalaya

Constraints in Ginger Cultivation by Farmers of West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya

A research was conducted in West-Garo Hills district of Meghalaya State, India during October 2020 to January 2021 so as to identify the major constraints involved in ginger cultivation as perceived by the respondents. Following the multi stage sampling method, two RD blocks i.e., Rongram and Daluwere purposively selected for the study with a total of 120 respondents from six villages. Descriptive research design was followed in this study. The study concluded that most of the ginger cultivators belonged to middle age category. The land holding under ginger cultivation was medium because of the hilly terrain. It was found that ginger cultivation had been a family tradition for generations thus promote large scale cultivation of ginger commercially. Ginger growers of the study area had average income. The farmers were getting very less return from ginger cultivation, therefore, to mitigate it, the Department of Agriculture, Government of Meghalaya initiated the transportation system called the 1917 i-TEAMS Ginger mission (Integrated Technology Enabled Agri- Management System) to facilitate remunerative price by eliminating the middleman. It was also found that farmers had interest towards new innovations and technologies and were willing to take high risk to get more income from ginger cultivation, therefore, concerned departments should build upon this interest in bringing about adoption of new practices. The major constraint was the lack of knowledge on pest and disease management, hence, the study recommended for training on plant protection measures.

Comparative Study of Online and Offline Shopping Behaviour among Undergraduate Girl Students

Aim: The study aims to analyze the shopping behaviour (Online and Offline Shopping) of the students studying in remote and hilly area during the peak of pandemic.&#x0D; Study Design: The study comprises of a descriptive research design.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya which is located distantly form the capital city, Shillong during 2020-21.&#x0D; Methodology: Purposive sampling technique was used to collect 60 samples form a college in Sangsangre, a small village in Tura.&#x0D; Results: The findings of the study reveal that respondent shop mostly during discount and offer season online, number of purchases made is more than one in a week and almost all respondent relies on online shopping to purchase almost any product namely Habiliments, Electronic gadget, Books except for groceries, furniture and jewelry. Festive ads attract respondent go for online. Amazon and Myntra services are most preferable online portal. &#x0D; Conclusion: It is evident that with the changing in the retail business due to digitalization and worldwide lockdown, customer behaviour also changes irrespective of the location.

Present scenario of Ginger Farming in West- Garo Hills District Meghalaya: An Analysis

One of the key species grown in the North-East is ginger. The rural agricultural populations' livelihood comes from the cultivation of ginger, which also helps with socio-economic advancement. Farmer endeavors and the expansion of the production base are encouraged by the favourable soil and climatic characteristics of some of the chosen agro-climatic zones. However, there are some limitations on ginger production and marketing, especially from the perspective of farmers. This paper attempt to analyse the contemporary scenario of ginger farming in West-Garo Hills District of Meghalaya. The study is primarily undertaken from farmer's perspective. In the process of doing the same, constraints of the ginger growers are also taken into consideration. The study is based on both primary as well as secondary data. Ginger growers were selected based on non-probabilistic convenience sampling procedure. Desired responses were obtained with the help of structured schedule. It was observed that increasing input cost primarily affect the ginger growers. There is scope for improvement in the form of value addition at the growers' level, farmers can add significant value by processing and diversifying their raw ginger supply. The study's suggestive conclusion is that ginger-based agro-entrepreneurship should be promoted. The study suggest for the development of favourable market conditions to the growers' greater advantage. Absence of well-organized markets set up also acts as impediments in the process of production and marketing of ginger.

Traditional oral healthcare practices followed by the Garo tribe of West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya

Ethnomedicinal study of therapeutic healing methods of oral diseases was conducted during 2016-19 in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, India. Recurrent field trips in and around different parts of West Garo Hills lead to the five most knowledgeable and available THPs (Traditional health practitioners) from whom valuable information was elicited. A pre-tested interview schedule was used to gather information from them. Information like vernacular names, common names, scientific names, family, habit, habitat, plant parts used and a comprehensive procedure for preparation of the medicines was recorded. After obtaining detailed information regarding the indigenous wild medicinal plants used wholly for healing oral diseases, an assessment was made that, 14 plant species belonging to 12 different families were found to heal the dreadful and painful disease. Out of the 14 plants having medicinal value, the most important plants used were Curcuma longa L., Piper nigrum L., Piper longum L. and Mimosa pudica L., etc. These 14 medicinal plant species are comprised of trees (five), shrubs (three), herbs (three), vines (two) and grass (one). Among the plant parts used, the leaves were the most primarily used plant part, followed by root and rhizome. The plants were either used alone or in combination with other species. The administration of these herbal medicines was mostly done orally in the form of a juice/decoction. In some cases, the juice was also used to rinse the mouth. These medicinal plants were mostly collected from nearby forests, local markets and kitchen gardens. The present paper aims for the documentation of the ever-diminishing information on the wisdom and knowledge of the Garo THPs on use of various herbs in the traditional oral healthcare system and the detailed description of the preparation and treatment procedure that were practiced by the Garo THPs in the West Garo Hills of Meghalaya.

Haemoglobin Content and Fertility Among the Garo Women of Garo Hills

The present study was conducted among the Garos of Bajengdoba village and Tura town of West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya. Data for the present study were collected from 233 ever-married women of Bajengdoba Village and 252 from Tura town aged between 15 and 49 years. The finding of the present study reveals that women whose haemoglobin level is below 12g/dl have higher number of live-births than the ≥12g/dl. Maternal age, Maternal age at marriage, occupation and Body Mass Index are significantly associated with the haemoglobin level and among all Maternal age and Body Mass Index are positively associated with higher prevalence of anemia in the present populations.

Moderating Effect of Emotional Intelligence on Occupational Stress and Burnout of Health Care Professionals

Front line healthcare professionals are often times confronted with tremendous stress resulting in emotional distress that impacts their success at work. It is understood that individuals with high emotional intelligence perceive potential stressors better and withstand stress. The present study intended to explore the emotional intelligence dimension of health care professionals in dealing with stressful situations. The study included frontline healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses) employed in the West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya. The results revealed that emotional intelligence was negatively correlated with occupational stress. Emotional intelligence was found to moderate perceived stress and burnout. The study revealed the presence of moderate to high levels of high occupational stress and emotional intelligence among doctors and nurses. It was also observed that emotional intelligence moderated perceived stress, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization dimensions of burnout for both doctors and nurses. The above insights necessitate the requirement of well-developed training modules to improve the emotional intelligence of doctors and nurses. A well carved out training module on emotional intelligence will assist in decreasing the negative effects of job stress, coping up with the stress, and its related burnout faced by health care professionals.

Changes in soil carbon stocks under plantation systems and natural forests in Northeast India

Understanding the impact of land use conversion from forests to plantations on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks is critical for sustainable land and forest management in Northeast India (NEI). The present study was conducted in West Garo hills district of Meghalaya state in NEI, to evaluate the impact of plantations (rubber, tea, areca nut, cashew nut and pineapple) on SOC stocks in comparison with a natural forest. Soil samples were collected from plantations of different age classes (0–5, 5–10, 10–15, 15–20, 20–25, 25–30, and 30–40 years old) to assess their potential for C storage. RothC model was run at equilibrium on forest land-use, and thereafter was calibrated and validated to model SOC stocks in the plantations over the 40 years chrono-sequence using the baseline average climate data. Results showed that with increase in age of plantations (at 40 years), SOC stocks decreased to 57.4, 50.3 and 44.4 Mg C ha−1 in rubber, areca nut and pineapple plantations at the average rate of 0.41, 0.58 and 0.73 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, respectively. This corresponded to a SOC stock loss of about 22, 32 and 40% compared to the initial SOC stock under forest (73.6 Mg C ha−1). Conversely, SOC stocks in tea and cashew nut plantations increased to 83.4 and 75.4 Mg C ha−1 (at the average rate of 0.24 and 0.05 Mg C ha−1 yr−1), corresponding to a SOC gain of about 13 and 2.5% compared to that under forest over 40 years. The data on abrupt climate change (ACC) scenario by RothC simulations showed that rubber, areca nut, pineapple and forest land uses would lose carbon at the rate of 0.65, 0.65, 1.42 and 0.13 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, respectively. Conversely, tea and cashew nut plantations might gain C at the rate of 0.35 and 0.23 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, respectively, representing a valuableoption for storing C and mitigating and adapting to climate change. Further, protecting and restoring natural forests and/or mixed stands of native tree species might reduce the risks of the loss of biodiversity and be a viable option for sustainable land management in NEI.

Factors affecting accessibility of maternal health-care institutions in Meghalaya: A hospital-based study

BACKGROUND: The present study determines to understand the maternal health-care infrastructure in Meghalaya, a state of Northeast India. The state has large number of population of 2,964,007 (Census 2011), however, the state has only two public District Hospitals related to maternal health-care services – one in East Khasi Hills District and the other one in West Garo Hills District. Furthermore, according to the National Rural Health Mission (2015–2016), the maternal mortality ratio of Meghalaya is 211/100,000 live births which is higher than the national average. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital-based mixed method study has carried out to identify the problems faced by the women during their maternity period and to assess the quality and availability of maternal care infrastructure in Meghalaya. To conduct the interview, the present study covered all 80 pregnant women who were admitted in the major two district maternal health-care hospitals of Meghalaya for maternity care (i.e., delivery and postdelivery period) during the period of hospital visit in October 2019. RESULTS: The study shows that majority of the admitted women came from different villages of different districts of Meghalaya as those remote areas have no adequate maternal health-care institutions nearby other than dispensary or subcenter. The study also revealed that women who came to get treatment in hospital during pregnancy had to face difficulties like to travel a long distance, use public transport, bad road conditions, and financial problems. CONCLUSION: To improve the health scenario of health-care system in the remote village areas, the Government should give more focus on infrastructure development in terms of availability of adequate facilities for handling any emergency cases of maternal care in remote areas of Meghalaya.

Academic and Administrative Attitude of Prospective Teachers Towards Teaching Profession

Education seeks to develop the innate inner capacities of man. The ultimate goal of education is to prepare the students to be responsible and mentally healthy person to live on this earth. In order to achieve this, students are to be molded only by making them experience the significance of values in the school itself. In most of the cases education takes place under the guidance of teachers. Teachers are the biggest influencers in a student’s life. Their personality and attitudes contribute to a great extend in students learning. In this respect, determining the attitude of prospective teachers towards teaching profession is of great importance. The main objectives of this paper are to test: academic attitude of prospective teachers towards teaching profession; and administrative attitude of prospective teachers towards teaching profession. Tool used for the study was ‘attitude scale towards teaching’, developed by Dr. (Mrs.) Ummen Kulsum. In order to analyze the data, Z-score in terms of standard deviations from the mean was used. The study was delimited to West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya.

Development of mobile based fishery advisory prototype: An experience with fisher tribes of Garo Hills in North-Eastern Himalayan region of India

Meghalaya is one of the major fish consuming states in India, but fish is in short supply in the state due to inadequate domestic production to match its growing demand. Farmers of north-eastern hilly region of India, particularly the Garo Hill farmers are very much in need of scientific information on fish farming techniques, capacity building and training for sustainable fish farming in the area. The present study attempted to develop a mobile-based fishery advisory prototype in Garo Hills of Meghalaya as an alternate method of fishery extension to deliver right information at right time for Garo tribal farmers. Two thousand farmers from 65 villages (1000 farmers each from West Garo Hills District and South West Garo Hills District) were registered in Interactive Voice Response System(IVRS) with their farm details and mobile numbers. The major features of the system were to deliver the farm advisories (Pull Based) and information services (Push Based) using the software platform ‘Interactive Information Dissemination System (IIDS 2.0). The study revealed that majority of the farmers were seeking information on source of fingerling (31.85%), information on training in fisheries (19.32%), feeding management (10.18%) and subsidies/schemes(9.66%) respectively. The seasonal distribution of calls received revealed that majority of queries were received from the farmers during monsoon season. It was also found that clarity (4.5) and usefulness (4.5) of messages ranked highest in terms of average perceived credibility scores in 5point continuum against different parameters. Further, the inclusion of need based training programme and convergence with public and private extension system helped to develop an ICT based Stakeholder Interface (Experts-Line Departments-Fishpreneurs-Fish Farmers) in the region.

Socio-Economic, Psychological Profile and Constraints Faced by the KVK Adopted Farmers for Improved Rice Cultivation in West Garo Hills District

The study on socio-economic and psychological profile of the KVK adopted farmers of improved rice cultivation practices was conducted in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya with 120 sample size from the adopted villages. Data collection was done with the help of pre-tested structured schedule through personal interview method. The majority of the respondents in adopted villages belonged to middle age category and medium level of education, nuclear family type and medium size of family with medium level of social participation. They engaged farming as primary occupation and had operational land holding size up to 1 ha with income level ranging from ` 25,900.00 to ` 1, 65,067.00. Most of the beneficiary farmers had farming experience between the ages of 18 to 38 years, received medium level of trainings, financial credit facility from government sources. The beneficiary had medium level of economic motivation, information seeking behaviour, decision-making ability, innovation proneness and attitude towards KVK with high level of market orientation and risk orientation. The study further indicates that among the various problems identified by the respondents, inadequate availability of quality seed at proper time was highlighted as the major problem by the rice cultivators.

Spiritual Pilgrimage Towards Salvation: A Critical Study of Basavaraj Naikar's Religious Play The Pilgrim of Life

Evaluation of diversity through genetic variability and correlation studies on vegetative and floral characters of chrysanthemum genotypes were undertaken at experimental farm, Department of Horticulture, NEHU, Tura Campus, Tura, West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya during 2015-2019.Fifteen varieties namely, Korean Red, Korean Yellow, Solan Shringar, Ramblored, Yellow Star, Calabria, Ajay, AAU Yellow, White Star, Korean Bicolour, Charming, Lysid, Safin, Shayana and Gambit were selected for their evaluation. The range of variation was high for number of leaves (38.24-125.11) followed by days to bud initiation (34.60-94.66). Highest phenotypic and genotypic variances were observed for number of leaves (699.74 and 699.70), respectively. The estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits. Maximum PCV and GCV was observed for dry weight (89.73 and 89.17) followed by number of flowers per spray per plant (78.10 and 78.08). However, maximum heritability were observed in number of leaves (99.98 percent), number of flowers per spray per plant (99.98 percent) and flower longevity (99.97 percent) followed by days to bud initiation (99.95 percent) and plant height (99.94 percent), whereas, maximum genetic advance was noticed in number of leaves (54.49). The high heritability with genetic advance as percentage of mean for number of branches and number of flowers per spray per plant indicates the possible role of additive gene action. The magnitude of genotypic correlation was higher than their corresponding phenotypic correlation for most of the traits, indicating a strong inherent linkage between various traits under study. At genotypic and phenotypic level, number of leaves exhibited highly significant and positive correlation with number of branches (0.889), number of flower head per plant (0.498), number of sprays per plant (0.497) and number of flowers per spray per plant (0.419), while, vase life showed significant and positive correlation with number of flower head per plant (0.315), number of sprays per plant (0.339) and flower diameter (0.311).

Accusing Women as Witches: A Gendered Outlook

A woman is an integral part of all public affairs of the society, from rituals and festivals to a community meeting. But then, she is tactfully debarred from taking leadership, making decisions, or from the liberty of choosing an unconventional lifestyle for herself. Witch-hunting is one of those numerous ways and means of keeping women within the periphery well defined for them in patriarchal societies. Accusations of varying kinds are leveled, and suspected persons are targeted. Even if she survives after the accusation, she lives in constant fear with the trauma of nonacceptance in the society. She is denied access to public resources as well as economic activities in and around the village. The violation of rights in witch-hunting takes its root in the gendered roles of individuals, set by tradition. These roles and the subsequent subordinate position of women are considered normal and generally a woman is not expected to question the patriarchal authority. The current study attempts to compare four individual case studies of witch-hunting of women from Goalpara and West Karbi Anglong Districts of Assam and West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya. Case study method has been explicitly used to find out how it became easy for the instigators to get mass support in targeting each of these four women, and how they were dehumanized, and eventually were banished from their villages or murdered. The article attempts to showcase witch-hunting as one of the strategies used for continuation of the patriarchal control over the ordinary women to obstruct their rise in rural remote areas of Meghalaya and Assam. Here superstition is the larger backdrop within which factors such as jealousy, enmity and nonacceptance get legitimized in a patriarchal setting.

Characterization of jhum fields and fallow cycles in west garo hills district of Meghalaya using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Characterization of jhum fields and fallow cycles in west garo hills district of Meghalaya using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Farms or Forests? Understanding and Mapping Shifting Cultivation Using the Case Study of West Garo Hills, India

Attempts to study shifting cultivation landscapes are fundamentally impeded by the difficulty in mapping and distinguishing shifting cultivation, settled farms and forests. There are foundational challenges in defining shifting cultivation and its constituent land-covers and land-uses, conceptualizing a suitable mapping framework, and identifying consequent methodological specifications. Our objective is to present a rigorous methodological framework and mapping protocol, couple it with extensive fieldwork and use them to undertake a two-season Landsat image analysis to map the forest-agriculture frontier of West Garo Hills district, Meghalaya, in Northeast India. We achieve an overall accuracy of ~80% and find that shifting cultivation is the most extensive land-use, followed by tree plantations and old-growth forest confined to only a few locations. We have also found that commercial plantation extent is positively correlated with shortened fallow periods and high land-use intensities. Our findings are in sharp contrast to various official reports and studies, including from the Forest Survey of India, the Wastelands Atlas of India and state government statistics that show the landscape as primarily forested with only small fractions under shifting cultivation, a consequence of the lack of clear definitions and poor understanding of what constitutes shifting cultivation and forest. Our results call for an attentive revision of India’s official land-use mapping protocols, and have wider significance for remote sensing-based mapping in other shifting cultivation landscapes.

Stakeholder Analysis of Rongram Horticulture Hub, Meghalaya

The introduction of horticulture hubs across the different districts of the state has been a major contributor to horticulture development in the state. The horticulture hubs functions on a hub and spoke business model forming horticulture clusters of individual farmers, self-help groups and cooperatives within an area of 10–15 km radius. The study was hence conducted in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya to analyse the stakeholders of Rongram horticulture hub with the objectives of identifying different stakeholders of the hub, position of stakeholders based on their power and interest and to study the linkage among the stakeholders. Power-interest matrix was used for studying the position of stakeholders and Actor Linkage Matrix (ALM) was employed to study the linkage among the stakeholders of the hub. The results showed that the stakeholders of the hub belonged to four different categories viz., government, private, farmers and media and altogether eight stakeholders were identified. In terms of power and interest of stakeholders, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers'Welfare (MoA & FW, GoI), Directorate of Horticulture (DoH, GoM), farmers, farmers’ coordinators and the hub itself were perceived to have high power and high interest as the key players. The actor linkage matrix revealed Directorate of Horticulture as the stakeholder having maximum linkages with other stakeholders of the hub. The role and linkage with media were almost negligible. Farmers, though are important stakeholders, were not having strong linkage with the key implementing agency. Interventions to strengthen weak linkages and also to augment the role of media for better promotion and to attract better market linkages are recommended.