In this article an attempt has been made to validate month wise and season wise rainfall forecast issued to Krishna agro-climatic zone (it includes Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts) of south coastal Andhra Pradesh for 2017-18 by using skill score analysis. The skill score averaged for South West monsoon (June-September) for Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam indicated that it was 86%, 83% and 88% respectively as a whole it was 86% for the zone, and in North East monsoon, it was 74%, 76% and 66% respectively as a whole it was 72% for the zone. Month wise and season wise percent deviation of forecasted rainfall from its normal and actual was also validated and that indicate southwest monsoon ( June to September) period indicated that -46 % and -35% for Krishna district, -50% and -50% for Guntur district and for Prakasam district it was -64% and -68%, during northeast monsoon (October to December) period indicated that -91 % and -86% for Krishna district, -89% and -75% for Guntur district and for Prakasam district it was -89% and -64% and entire monsoon (June to December) period were -69 % and -66% for Krishna district, -67% and -61% for Guntur district and for Prakasam district it was -76% and -66%.

The present study was undertaken to characterize different rice genotypes for agro-morphological characters, to identify different rice genotypes for better yield and to study the genetic diversity between the rice genotypes for use in rice improvement. Forty rice cultivars were collected from different parts of Manipur and grown in a randomized block design with three replications at the farm of College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal during Kharif season of 2015. The analysis of variance among the genotypes showed that the variation of each character is very significant having maximum variability. The significance of D2 values revealed the existence of considerable divergence among the genotypes. Clustering of genotypes was done following Tocher’s method. Maximum number of genotypes was included in cluster I involving 16 genotypes followed by cluster II, III, IV, V and VI with 7, 5, 4, 4 and 2 respectively. While the cluster VII and VIII have 1 genotype each. The value of intra-cluster distance ranged from 0 (Cluster VII and VIII) to 2795.39 (Cluster V). The maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster III and IV (26970.83) while minimum between cluster V and VIII (3646.87). The basic study on genotypes for yield contributing characters of traditional aromatic varieties and other quality traits would help in making précised breeding strategies

The present study was conducted to measure the attitude of entry level agricultural scientists towards research, so as to assess the quality of scientists appointed to Agricultural Research Service and to suggest measures to improve their attitude towards research. Data was collected from 550 respondents who were administered a standard psychometric test “Attitude Scale towards Research”. The study revealed that 75 % of scientists have either moderately favourable or above attitude towards research. However, 25 % scientists have ‘unfavourable’ attitude towards research. Among the four dimensions of attitude towards research, the scores in ‘General aspects of research and research process’ and ‘Difficulties in research and research anxiety’ were lower compared to the scores in the dimensions, ‘Usefulness of research in professional career’ and ‘Relevance of research in personal and social life’. Different ways and measures to improve the research attitude of these young (or would be) agricultural research professionals were discussed.

Being a developing economy there should be vast agricultural performance and industrial growth. In many ways both agriculture and industry are interdependent and influence each other. The sectors with strongest linkage tend to stimulate rapid growth in production, income, employment and plays very crucial role in poverty alleviation. This paper deals with economic development at regional level through agriculture and industry linkage. This study revealed that there is the vast scope for emergence of agriculture based industries since the study region has cultivation of major agricultural and horticultural crops which will ultimately provide livelihood for farming, industrial and household sectors.

The entrepreneurship is a critical input of socio-economic development of society the entrepreneur not only brings economic change in economy but also socially and culturally. In present study an attempt was made to understand entrepreneurial behavior of tribal farmers in Jharkhand state data was collected using pre structure interview schedule from 120 farmers selected randomly from Kharsawan block of Saraikela-Kharsawan district of Jharkhand. Respondents were found to possess medium level of decision making ability, risk taking ability, achievement motivation, level of knowledge, leadership ability and cosmopoliteness whereas innovativeness, planning ability and self-confidence were low information sources utilization and level of aspiration were found to influence entrepreneurial behavior of the farmers. Entrepreneurship development programme based on the attributes identified in the study would further boast entrepreneurial interest of the state in future.

Fluctuations in prices of different agricultural commodities are a matter of concern among farmers, policy makers and stakeholders. As the potato is an extremely sensitive crop in terms of the impact of all external influences to the prices, it is imperative to study the price forecasting of potato by employing sound statistical modelling techniques that, in turn, will be beneficial to the farmers and planners in formulating suitable policies to face the challenges ahead. Seasonal adjusted ARIMA can capture the seasonal price volatility of potato.

volatility in potato prices across different markets are matter of concern among farmers, policy makers and stakeholders. As the potato is an extremely sensitive crop in terms of the impact of all external influences to the prices, it is imperative to study the market linkages and flow of price information of potato by employing sound statistical modelling techniques that, in turn, will be beneficial to the farmers and planners in formulating suitable policies to face the challenges ahead. Johnson co-integration and granger causality can capture the market linkages and flow of price information among the markets.

Field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 respectively on red soils of Agricultural Research Station, Darsi, Prakasam to find suitable alternative crop for tobacco for Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. The experimental results from the three years data indicated that among the different rabi crops viz., blackgram, greengram, cluster bean, cow pea, quinova, bengalgram, safflower and castor as an alternative to tobacco indicated that bengalgram was found to be alternative to tobacco in terms of tobacco equivalent yield in kgha-1 but in terms of monitory returns (C:B ratio) cowpea followed by cluster bean was found to be an alternative to tobacco. Overall data pertaining to three years clearly indicated that none of the crop found to be constant an alternative crop to tobacco.

The study on influence of germination and vigour of plant growth by sowing position orientation of cashew seed was conducted at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Ullal, Mangaluru, Karnataka during 2017-18. Results revealed that significantly the highest per cent seed germination was recorded in T3-notch side down position of orientation and T4- stalk end up position of orientation of seed sown (70.00 % and 6.70 %, respectively). With respect to number of leaves per plant indicated that 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after seed sowing the maximum number of leaves per plant was recorded in T3-notch side down position of orientation followed by T4- stalk end up position of orientation of seed sowing. Results on plant girth indicated that 20, 35 and 45 days after seed sowing found no significant difference among the seed sowing positions, however the plant girth ranged from 0.98 to 2.08 mm. The maximum root length was recorded in T4- stalk end up position of seed sowing (27.00 cm) followed by T5- stalk end down position of orientation seed sowing (21.50 cm).

Study was conducted at the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai to find out the influence on dates of sowing and nitrogen levels on the growth and yield of groundnut cultivars COGn 4 during Rabi crop season 2016. Twelve treatment combinations comprising off our dates of sowing (D1:9th February, D2:19th February, D3: 29th February, and 9th D4:March) and three N levels (Normal dose, 25% more, 25% less) was executed in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The growth parameters like plant height, dry matter production and leaf area index and yield of parameters like pod yield and haulm yield were significantly influenced by the dates of sowing. The highest pod yield and haulm yield were obtained from the plants sown during February 9th, followed by February 19th sowing. The variety COGn 4 recorded the highest pod yield and haulm yield. Delay in sowing reduced the crop duration and subsequently reduced the crop yield. Results of N levels highest influenced were significantly higher growth and yield parameters were influenced by N3: Higher than normal and followed by N1: Normal and lower on nitrogen levels was observed in N2: Lesser than normal. Interaction between dates of sowing and nitrogen levels influenced highest growth and yield parameters significantly were D1: 9th February+ N3: Higher than normal followed by D1:9th February+ N1:Normal and lowest interaction was observed by D1:9th February+N2: Lesser than normal.

A soil fertility study was conducted in ten village of Dubahar Block of Ballia district by taken surface soil sampling. Soil pH of Dubahar block soils were varied from 6.62- 8.17, EC value ranged between 0.12 - 0.13, Bd of soils ranged from 1.36 to 1.42, organic carbon status ranged from 0.426-0.90 %, available nitrogen content varied from 315.64 to 406.45 kg ha-1, available phosphorus status ranging from 15.41 to 16.48 kg ha-1 and available potassium ranged from 136.64 to 149.69 kg ha-1 in the soils studied area. The studied information indicated the lower fertility status for phosphorus and medium for nitrogen and potassium while pH, EC and organic carbon content in considerable range.

The study was conducted in the in Sira taluk of Tumakuru district in Karnataka state. Tabular method of analysis and Cobb-Douglas type of production function were used in the study. The results of the study indicated that expenditures on seeds and fertilizers in terms of primary nutrients (N+P+K) were higher in sunflower in spite of consumption of those resources in larger quantities in ragi. The cost of cultivation per hectare was also higher in sunflower than that in ragi. Net return per hectare was negative in ragi, while it was found to be considerably higher in sunflower. Return per rupee of expenditure was also higher for sunflower than that for ragi. Analysis of Cobb-Douglas production function indicated that while human labour and seeds had positive significant effect on production of ragi; human labour and bullock labour had a significant positive effect on production of sunflower. The production function analysis was found to explain 64 percent and 67 percent of variation in the production of ragi and sunflower respectively. The ratio of marginal value product (MVP) to marginal factor cost (MFC) revealed that there existed a scope for increasing output of ragi by enhanced use of human labour and seeds, while the output of sunflower could be increased by using more of human labour and bullock labour.

Field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam during Rabi season (November- February) of 2016­2017 to study the response of sulphur and zinc on yield and quality of hybrid sunflower variety CO2 in an Alfisol of Tamiraparani tract. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) replicated thrice with eight treatments. Application of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) as 60:90:60 kg of NPK ha-1+ S @ 25 kg ha-1 + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1(T2) produced significantly tallest plant (170.6 cm), days to 50 % flowering (51), largest size of capitulam (20.1 cm), highest number of seed capitulam-1 (1013), maximum weight of capitulam (73.1 g), hundred seeds weight (5.7 g), seed yield (2101 kg ha-1) and stover yield (6523 kg ha-1), net return ( 82,159 ha-1) and B:C ratio (3.39). However, the RDF as 60:90:60 kg of NPK ha-1+ ZnSO4 @ 37.5 kg ha-1 + S @ 0.2 % foliar spray (T8) registered taller plant, days to 50 % flowering, larger size of capitulam, higher number of seed capitulam-1, weight of capitulam, hundred seeds weight, seed yield and stover yield and B:C ratio. Significant built up of organic carbon (0.65%), available N (241kg ha-1), available P (17.9 kg ha-1) and available K (265.7kg ha-1) were also registered with the application of RDF as 60:90:60 kg of NPK ha-1+ S @ 25 kg ha-1 + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1.

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of time series models based on artificial neural network and support vector machine techniques to predict the area and production of sorghum crop. The data consist of area and production of sorghum crop area (‘000 ha) and production (‘000 MT) from 1955-56 to 2014-15 were collected from “Agricultural Statistics at a Glance 2014-15, Karnataka, India [2]. The support vector machine and artificial neural network models used to predict the area and production of sorghum crop, which is one of most important millet crop of Karnataka. The models’ results are compared using three criteria, i.e., Mean Squared Error (MSE), Root-Mean-Square Errors (RMSE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). A comparison of support vector machine results with artificial neural network method indicates that support vector machine is better than the artificial neural network method in prediction of the area and production of sorghum.

This paper analyse the role of a Non-Governmental Organization namely Connecting Dream Foundation. It is a study on Connecting Dream Foundation (CDF) that has been engaged in the field of education, healthcare, livelihood and entrepreneurship in rural areas. This paper examine Connecting Dream Foundation’s (CDF) Information and Communication Technology based initiative, its utility and effectiveness in delivery of information and services to rural people, particularly rural youth and rural women. CDF strives to bridge the gap between the rural and urban India by setting up sustainable models of education, healthcare and livelihood. The study was conducted in the Ghaziabad and Hapur districts of Uttar Pradesh as Connecting Dream Foundation was working there. The data were collected through survey method using structured interview schedule. Eighty rural women from four villages (Twenty from each village) who were subscribers of the services offered by CDF were selected as respondents through random sample technique. Study revealed that majority of respondents found services provided by CDF like advisory services (60 percent), financial literacy (50 percent) of high utility. Study also stated that respondents found services offered by Connecting Dreams Foundation (CDF) was very effective.

Pigeonpea germplasm lines were extensively screened for seed zinc content and four each of high and low seed zinc types were selected. The objective of the study was to detect the molecular polymorphism between the pigeonpea lines contrasting for seed zinc content. Attempt was made to cross the contrasting lines and effective crosses were obtained. SSR based marker system was employed to screen the contrasting lines for parental polymorphism. SSR polymorphism revealed higher polymorphism between ICP6992 & ICP8513 and least polymorphism between ICP6974 & ICP8602. Based on the parental polymorphism results, the cross ICP6992 × ICP8513 was taken further to develop a mapping population for further studies.

The present study was conducted during 2017-18 in Belagavi district of Karnataka to understand the knowledge level of farmers about improved cultivation practices in turmeric. A total of 120 respondents were selected randomly which includes 60 respondents from Gokak and Raibag taluks because production, productivity and area under turmeric was found to be maximum. The findings of the study revealed that, nearly half (48.33 %) of the turmeric farmers had high level of knowledge about improved cultivation practices followed by medium (30.00 %) level of knowledge and low (21.67 %) level of knowledge about improved turmeric cultivation practices. With respect to adoption of individual improved turmeric cultivation practices, More than 85 percent of turmeric growing farmers had thorough knowledge about land preparation practice, rhizome selection and its treatment, method of planting, recommended variety, planting season, inter-cropping with suggested crops, recommended rhizome rate per acre, FYM application, recommended method of irrigation, pests and disease management, manual weeding timings, maturity & its indicators, harvesting methods, preservation of rhizomes for seed purpose, grading, polishing and yield per acre. Further, more than 70 percent of farmers had correct knowledge about recommended dose of NPK, spreading of rhizomes after boiling, Neem cake or coir pith application, application of phosphorous and nitrogen and time required for boiling. Further, 43.33 percent correctly know about the bio-fertilizers application, only 34.17 percent of farmers know about recommended crop rotation and only one farmer knows the technique of mulching in turmeric.

Out-migration is quite conspicuous in the hilly areas of Uttarakhand. Besides other things out-migration has a bearing on livestock rearing which forms an integral part of hill economy. Present work attempts to study the economics of milk production and marketed surplus in migrant and non-migrant member households. Primary data was collected from 90 migrant and 60 non-migrant member households which were then analyzed using conventional economic analysis and linear regression analysis. Total cost of milk production was found to be higher for migrant member households whereas marketed surplus was higher for non-migrant member households. Migrant status of household was found to have a significant negative impact on marketed surplus of milk.

Application of different doses of nutrients such as fertilizers, fly ash (FA) and farm yard manure (FYM) to the soil, which changed the grain yield, had little effect on protein content of the rice grain except for the marginal increase of it when FYM is added. Similarly the soluble fractions of rice protein such as albumin, globulin, prolamin and glutelin, which determine its nutritional quality, were found to be affected only to some extent by the FYM treatments, especially the glutelin fraction. Therefore, though the application of various nutrients had been known to change the yield of rice grain significantly, its nutritional value, as far as the quantity and quality of protein were concerned, was not so.

In present experiment 3 lines, 14 testers and 42 hybrids were used to studies combining ability at three locations during kharif 2016. Analysis of variance for combining ability indicated that the mean sum of squares due to lines, testers and line x tester were found significant for days to 50% flowering and plant height. General combining ability effects suggested that ICMR 13111, ICMR 13333 and ICMA 92777 were found to be the best general combiners for earliness whereas, ICMR 13666, ICMA 04888 and ICMA 04999 were good general combiners for lateness. ICMR 14444, ICMR 14999 and ICMR 14888 were found to be positive significant GCA effects for plant height. The SCA estimates revealed that no cross combination was consistently superior for all four characters under study. ICMA 92777 x ICMR 13555 cross was only identified as the best specific combiners for yield. ICMA 04888 x ICMR 13666, ICMA 04888 x ICMR 14888 and ICMA 92777 x ICMR 14444 crosses showed highest SCA values for days to 50% flowering in negative direction that can be used for earliness, whereas ICMA 04888 x ICMR 13666, ICMA 04999 x ICMR 13777, ICMA 92777 x ICMR 14111 and ICMA 92777 x ICMR 14555 showed positive significant SCA effects for plant height.