Allan Thomas | Kerala Agricultural University (original) (raw)
Papers by Allan Thomas
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION, 2020
The present study was conducted among the coconut farmers of Kozhikode district of Kerala to asse... more The present study was conducted among the coconut farmers of Kozhikode district of Kerala to assess the extent of knowledge on coconut cultivation. A total 120 farmers from purposively selected eight panchayats of the district formed the sample. Extent of knowledge of the farmers was measured using a teacher-made test. Based on analysis of data, it was found that more than half of the farmers possessed medium level of knowledge about the recommended coconut farming practices.
International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 2017
International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, 2016
It has been suggested that 'agri-expert systems' might have a significant role in the future by e... more It has been suggested that 'agri-expert systems' might have a significant role in the future by enabling large number of people so that they can access human experts. It is, therefore, important to understand how potential users interact with these computer systems. This study investigates the extension professionals' attitude towards the use of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) expert systems for fertilizer recommendation, pest, disease diagnosis, and management of weeds in crop fields. The study also depicts the factors affecting the attitude of extension professionals. A survey was conducted among three targeted segments of Kerala's extension professionals with a sample of 100 respondents actively involved in the field of agriculture to evaluate questions about the attitude of respondent in using agri-expert systems. It also aims to depict the factors which are affecting the attitudes of extension professionals. Results showed that the extension professionals' attitude towards agri-expert systems was generally moderately favorable and the factors such as Training, Innovative proneness and Information content were positively and significantly related with the attitude towards expert systems among all three categories of respondents. In order to improve the extension professionals' attitude towards expert systems, information content available in the expert system should be up to date and addresses the problems which are location specific and need specific. There is also greater need to enrich extension professionals' knowledge about the innovative applications of expert systems by conducting suitable training programmes in a timely manner for the benefit of farming community and effective agriculture decision making.
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION, 2020
The paper assessed the apipreneurs of Kerala based on their entrepreneurial potential. Ex post fa... more The paper assessed the apipreneurs of Kerala based on their entrepreneurial potential. Ex post facto research design was followed for the study conducted during 2019-2020. The location of the study was South Kerala focusing on three districts viz., Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Kottayam. Seventyfive apipreneurs were randomly selected for the study. Based on the study it was found that about 69 per cent of the apipreneurs had medium level of entrepreneurial potential. The results obtained from principal component analysis on the dimensions of entrepreneurial potential, based on Eigen vectors revealed that the three dimensions viz., entrepreneurial motivation, management competencies and social competencies had influenced the entrepreneurial potential of the apipreneur.
Journal of Extension Education, 2016
The study was conducted in the four districts of Kerala covering a sample size of 208 homegardens... more The study was conducted in the four districts of Kerala covering a sample size of 208 homegardens using multi-stage stratified random sampling technique representing the three major agro climatic zones viz. lowland (problem zone), highland and midland. The primary objective of the study was to identify the technology needs of the homegarden farmers. Maximum technology need was reported for unexploited and under exploited horticultural tree crops which was on par with fruit tree crops (mango and jack) and followed by beverage crops. Processing, value addition and storage requirements were immediate technology needs of the homegarden farmers. Drainage and soil amendment technologies were reported to be important for Alappuzha homegarden farmers .
Homegardens in Kerala represents a subsistence land-use system typical of tropical Indian South, ... more Homegardens in Kerala represents a subsistence land-use system typical of tropical Indian South, where interaction and intimate association of different production components (crop-tree-animal mix combine) insitu are intensively facilitated and managed by family labour so as not only to meet the food production but also to generate additional income through sale of farm surplus. This interaction and intimate association makes it ever evolving and unique in its unique structural configuration and cropping patterns. It is the predominant type of agricultural production system in the state of Kerala. Increase in population, emerging nucleotide family structure and high rate of fragmented holdings year round leading to decreased land for agriculture raises the conservation status of these land-use systems and makes it necessary for a ‘homegarden policy’ in regions where they are found. Homegarden is important as reservoirs of agricultural biodiversity and knowledge and it help in formul...
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION, 2019
Agri-clinics and Agribusiness Centres (ACABC) scheme is a credit linked subsidy based scheme for ... more Agri-clinics and Agribusiness Centres (ACABC) scheme is a credit linked subsidy based scheme for setting up 'agriventure' by trained agricultural graduates launched by Government of India to strengthen public extension system, technology transfer and to augment employment in rural areas. The present study was conducted during the year 2017-19 in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh (AP) among the agripreneurs trained under ACABC scheme. The sample comprised 30 agripreneurs from each nodal training institute (NTI) in Kerala and AP.The purpose of the study was to assess the attitude of agripreneurs towards ACABC scheme. Majority of the agripreneurs from both Kerala and AP had medium level of attitude towards ACABC scheme.
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION, 2019
Current Science, 2017
This communication focuses on adoption stages of extension professionals in terms of extent of us... more This communication focuses on adoption stages of extension professionals in terms of extent of use of expert systems and factors influencing the extent of adoption of such systems by them, with special reference to agri-expert systems 'KAU-Fertulator' and 'e-Crop doctor' developed by Kerala Agricultural University. A survey was conducted among three targeted segments of Kerala extension professionals with a total of 100 respondents who were actively involved in the field of agriculture, to evaluate questions about the adoption stage of respondents in using agri-expert systems and factors influencing the extent of adoption. Results showed that, extension professionals categorization based on the stage of agri-expert system adoption process. Based on the stage of adoption, respondents were categorized into different adopter categories, which led to comparison with Roger's adopter categorization. Also, innovation proneness was positively and significantly related with extent of adoption expert system among all three categories of respondents. Based on the results, it is imperative to boost the adoption of agri-expert systems by streamlining the basic expert system applications for ease of use.
Rice, which plays an important role in providing food to the majority of the world population, is... more Rice, which plays an important role in providing food to the majority of the world population, is cultivated in a wide range of ecosystems. In India, out of the 42.7 million ha of land under rice, about 21.9 percent of the area is exposed to risk prone upland ecology (Mishra, 1999). The productivity of the upland rice is very low because of a host of problems among which soil moisture stress, poor native soil fertility and heavy weed infestations are the important ones. Under upland situation, moisture stress is likely to occur during any of the growth stages of the crop which may adversely affect the growth and yield. The yield of rice under upland situation can be increased by judicious management of production inputs.
Homegardens of Kerala presents a traditional agroforestry system designed to meet the food, fodde... more Homegardens of Kerala presents a traditional agroforestry system designed to meet the food, fodder, fuel wood and timber requirement of the farm households and to generate supplementary income through the sale of surplus The structural and functional diversity of this farming system makes it a unique one and it is the predominant type of agricultural production system in the state of Kerala. This study was undertaken in the Southern Kerala comprising Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts covering a sample size of 208 homegardens using multi-stage stratified random sampling technique which, examines the different dimension of technology suited for homegarden systems. There has been interplay of several institutions that have led to development of technologies cutting across different crops. Irrespective of the inclusion of crops in homegardens, these technologies have been disseminated by extension systems considering crops in isolation. But, since these crops are only components of a larger system such as a homegarden, the relevance or otherwise of the technologies generated / disseminated need to be thoroughly probed. Technologies that have permeated into the homegardens alone would be relevant to their sustainability. Thus, the identification of such technologies and its dimensions is an important part of the study. On delineation of dimensions of technologies as perceived by homegarden farmers, agricultural officers and scientists, twentyfour dimensions were felt important by all categories of respondents. Additional nine dimensions perceived by the farmers were found to fall out of the ambit of extension and scientific community revealing that there is a major requirement either overlooked by the scientific/extension system, which is yet to be bridged.
Journal of Extension Education, 2017
The study was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala to identify the constraints expe... more The study was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala to identify the constraints experienced by students in the course of engaging in school vegetable gardening programme. Ten schools were selected for data enumeration. A total of 130 respondents with 100 students comprising ten students each and 30 teachers comprising three each, from each school were selected for meeting the objectives of the study. The reaction to each constraint was obtained on a four-point continuum namely most important, important, less important and least important with the score 4, 3, 2 and 1 respectively. Mean rank cumulative index for each constraint was worked out and the constraints were ranked and catalogued. The major constraints as perceived by students in school vegetable garden projects were, high input cost followed by lack of student’s participation, lack of teacher’s involvement, non-availability of implements, high labour cost, poor storage facilities and lack of knowledge about gard...
Homegardens are traditional agroforestry system with a unique structure and function. It is the p... more Homegardens are traditional agroforestry system with a unique structure and function. It is the predominant farming system in Kerala. The study was undertaken in Thiruvananthapuram district covering a sample of 100 homegardens farmers from all the five agro-ecological units with an aim to assess the level of adoption of selected Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) production practices in homegardens. Results of the study identified that majority of the farmers (63%) belonged to medium level of adoption. Adoption quotient was worked out and compared with standard Rogers curve. Correlation analysis of the independent variables with the dependent variable viz., level of adoption indicated that age, farming experience, knowledge, evaluative perception, mass media contribution, livestock possession and extension contribution had direct significant effect on level of adoption of KAU production practices by homegarden farmers.
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION
Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology
Home gardens are a time tested food production system which can be projected as a promise to the ... more Home gardens are a time tested food production system which can be projected as a promise to the future to mitigate the issues related to the global food security crisis. The home gardens in Kerala are an integral part of the rich tradition which impart a dominant role in livelihood security of the people. The diversity profile of traditional homegardens of high range area and its spatial patterns were investigated in the present study revealed that a mean Shannon and Wiener diversity index (H) of 2.185 was recorded which denoted a dwindling trend in species diversity in banana based high range home gardens of Idukki. An appraisal of the diversity of crops revealed that the highest diversity was recorded in spices (H=1.425) and was on par with fruit crops (H=1.339) whereas lowest was noted on fodder crops (H= 0.054) followed by medicinal plants (H=0.197). Furthermore, the mean total diversity index exhibited a positive significant correlation with the total area of the home garden w...
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION, Sep 30, 2018
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION, 2020
The present study was conducted among the coconut farmers of Kozhikode district of Kerala to asse... more The present study was conducted among the coconut farmers of Kozhikode district of Kerala to assess the extent of knowledge on coconut cultivation. A total 120 farmers from purposively selected eight panchayats of the district formed the sample. Extent of knowledge of the farmers was measured using a teacher-made test. Based on analysis of data, it was found that more than half of the farmers possessed medium level of knowledge about the recommended coconut farming practices.
International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 2017
International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, 2016
It has been suggested that 'agri-expert systems' might have a significant role in the future by e... more It has been suggested that 'agri-expert systems' might have a significant role in the future by enabling large number of people so that they can access human experts. It is, therefore, important to understand how potential users interact with these computer systems. This study investigates the extension professionals' attitude towards the use of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) expert systems for fertilizer recommendation, pest, disease diagnosis, and management of weeds in crop fields. The study also depicts the factors affecting the attitude of extension professionals. A survey was conducted among three targeted segments of Kerala's extension professionals with a sample of 100 respondents actively involved in the field of agriculture to evaluate questions about the attitude of respondent in using agri-expert systems. It also aims to depict the factors which are affecting the attitudes of extension professionals. Results showed that the extension professionals' attitude towards agri-expert systems was generally moderately favorable and the factors such as Training, Innovative proneness and Information content were positively and significantly related with the attitude towards expert systems among all three categories of respondents. In order to improve the extension professionals' attitude towards expert systems, information content available in the expert system should be up to date and addresses the problems which are location specific and need specific. There is also greater need to enrich extension professionals' knowledge about the innovative applications of expert systems by conducting suitable training programmes in a timely manner for the benefit of farming community and effective agriculture decision making.
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION, 2020
The paper assessed the apipreneurs of Kerala based on their entrepreneurial potential. Ex post fa... more The paper assessed the apipreneurs of Kerala based on their entrepreneurial potential. Ex post facto research design was followed for the study conducted during 2019-2020. The location of the study was South Kerala focusing on three districts viz., Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Kottayam. Seventyfive apipreneurs were randomly selected for the study. Based on the study it was found that about 69 per cent of the apipreneurs had medium level of entrepreneurial potential. The results obtained from principal component analysis on the dimensions of entrepreneurial potential, based on Eigen vectors revealed that the three dimensions viz., entrepreneurial motivation, management competencies and social competencies had influenced the entrepreneurial potential of the apipreneur.
Journal of Extension Education, 2016
The study was conducted in the four districts of Kerala covering a sample size of 208 homegardens... more The study was conducted in the four districts of Kerala covering a sample size of 208 homegardens using multi-stage stratified random sampling technique representing the three major agro climatic zones viz. lowland (problem zone), highland and midland. The primary objective of the study was to identify the technology needs of the homegarden farmers. Maximum technology need was reported for unexploited and under exploited horticultural tree crops which was on par with fruit tree crops (mango and jack) and followed by beverage crops. Processing, value addition and storage requirements were immediate technology needs of the homegarden farmers. Drainage and soil amendment technologies were reported to be important for Alappuzha homegarden farmers .
Homegardens in Kerala represents a subsistence land-use system typical of tropical Indian South, ... more Homegardens in Kerala represents a subsistence land-use system typical of tropical Indian South, where interaction and intimate association of different production components (crop-tree-animal mix combine) insitu are intensively facilitated and managed by family labour so as not only to meet the food production but also to generate additional income through sale of farm surplus. This interaction and intimate association makes it ever evolving and unique in its unique structural configuration and cropping patterns. It is the predominant type of agricultural production system in the state of Kerala. Increase in population, emerging nucleotide family structure and high rate of fragmented holdings year round leading to decreased land for agriculture raises the conservation status of these land-use systems and makes it necessary for a ‘homegarden policy’ in regions where they are found. Homegarden is important as reservoirs of agricultural biodiversity and knowledge and it help in formul...
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION, 2019
Agri-clinics and Agribusiness Centres (ACABC) scheme is a credit linked subsidy based scheme for ... more Agri-clinics and Agribusiness Centres (ACABC) scheme is a credit linked subsidy based scheme for setting up 'agriventure' by trained agricultural graduates launched by Government of India to strengthen public extension system, technology transfer and to augment employment in rural areas. The present study was conducted during the year 2017-19 in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh (AP) among the agripreneurs trained under ACABC scheme. The sample comprised 30 agripreneurs from each nodal training institute (NTI) in Kerala and AP.The purpose of the study was to assess the attitude of agripreneurs towards ACABC scheme. Majority of the agripreneurs from both Kerala and AP had medium level of attitude towards ACABC scheme.
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION, 2019
Current Science, 2017
This communication focuses on adoption stages of extension professionals in terms of extent of us... more This communication focuses on adoption stages of extension professionals in terms of extent of use of expert systems and factors influencing the extent of adoption of such systems by them, with special reference to agri-expert systems 'KAU-Fertulator' and 'e-Crop doctor' developed by Kerala Agricultural University. A survey was conducted among three targeted segments of Kerala extension professionals with a total of 100 respondents who were actively involved in the field of agriculture, to evaluate questions about the adoption stage of respondents in using agri-expert systems and factors influencing the extent of adoption. Results showed that, extension professionals categorization based on the stage of agri-expert system adoption process. Based on the stage of adoption, respondents were categorized into different adopter categories, which led to comparison with Roger's adopter categorization. Also, innovation proneness was positively and significantly related with extent of adoption expert system among all three categories of respondents. Based on the results, it is imperative to boost the adoption of agri-expert systems by streamlining the basic expert system applications for ease of use.
Rice, which plays an important role in providing food to the majority of the world population, is... more Rice, which plays an important role in providing food to the majority of the world population, is cultivated in a wide range of ecosystems. In India, out of the 42.7 million ha of land under rice, about 21.9 percent of the area is exposed to risk prone upland ecology (Mishra, 1999). The productivity of the upland rice is very low because of a host of problems among which soil moisture stress, poor native soil fertility and heavy weed infestations are the important ones. Under upland situation, moisture stress is likely to occur during any of the growth stages of the crop which may adversely affect the growth and yield. The yield of rice under upland situation can be increased by judicious management of production inputs.
Homegardens of Kerala presents a traditional agroforestry system designed to meet the food, fodde... more Homegardens of Kerala presents a traditional agroforestry system designed to meet the food, fodder, fuel wood and timber requirement of the farm households and to generate supplementary income through the sale of surplus The structural and functional diversity of this farming system makes it a unique one and it is the predominant type of agricultural production system in the state of Kerala. This study was undertaken in the Southern Kerala comprising Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts covering a sample size of 208 homegardens using multi-stage stratified random sampling technique which, examines the different dimension of technology suited for homegarden systems. There has been interplay of several institutions that have led to development of technologies cutting across different crops. Irrespective of the inclusion of crops in homegardens, these technologies have been disseminated by extension systems considering crops in isolation. But, since these crops are only components of a larger system such as a homegarden, the relevance or otherwise of the technologies generated / disseminated need to be thoroughly probed. Technologies that have permeated into the homegardens alone would be relevant to their sustainability. Thus, the identification of such technologies and its dimensions is an important part of the study. On delineation of dimensions of technologies as perceived by homegarden farmers, agricultural officers and scientists, twentyfour dimensions were felt important by all categories of respondents. Additional nine dimensions perceived by the farmers were found to fall out of the ambit of extension and scientific community revealing that there is a major requirement either overlooked by the scientific/extension system, which is yet to be bridged.
Journal of Extension Education, 2017
The study was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala to identify the constraints expe... more The study was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala to identify the constraints experienced by students in the course of engaging in school vegetable gardening programme. Ten schools were selected for data enumeration. A total of 130 respondents with 100 students comprising ten students each and 30 teachers comprising three each, from each school were selected for meeting the objectives of the study. The reaction to each constraint was obtained on a four-point continuum namely most important, important, less important and least important with the score 4, 3, 2 and 1 respectively. Mean rank cumulative index for each constraint was worked out and the constraints were ranked and catalogued. The major constraints as perceived by students in school vegetable garden projects were, high input cost followed by lack of student’s participation, lack of teacher’s involvement, non-availability of implements, high labour cost, poor storage facilities and lack of knowledge about gard...
Homegardens are traditional agroforestry system with a unique structure and function. It is the p... more Homegardens are traditional agroforestry system with a unique structure and function. It is the predominant farming system in Kerala. The study was undertaken in Thiruvananthapuram district covering a sample of 100 homegardens farmers from all the five agro-ecological units with an aim to assess the level of adoption of selected Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) production practices in homegardens. Results of the study identified that majority of the farmers (63%) belonged to medium level of adoption. Adoption quotient was worked out and compared with standard Rogers curve. Correlation analysis of the independent variables with the dependent variable viz., level of adoption indicated that age, farming experience, knowledge, evaluative perception, mass media contribution, livestock possession and extension contribution had direct significant effect on level of adoption of KAU production practices by homegarden farmers.
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION
Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology
Home gardens are a time tested food production system which can be projected as a promise to the ... more Home gardens are a time tested food production system which can be projected as a promise to the future to mitigate the issues related to the global food security crisis. The home gardens in Kerala are an integral part of the rich tradition which impart a dominant role in livelihood security of the people. The diversity profile of traditional homegardens of high range area and its spatial patterns were investigated in the present study revealed that a mean Shannon and Wiener diversity index (H) of 2.185 was recorded which denoted a dwindling trend in species diversity in banana based high range home gardens of Idukki. An appraisal of the diversity of crops revealed that the highest diversity was recorded in spices (H=1.425) and was on par with fruit crops (H=1.339) whereas lowest was noted on fodder crops (H= 0.054) followed by medicinal plants (H=0.197). Furthermore, the mean total diversity index exhibited a positive significant correlation with the total area of the home garden w...
JOURNAL OF EXTENSION EDUCATION, Sep 30, 2018