The study was conducted in the coastal areas of Saurashtra where coconut is a major crop. Total five talukas i.e. 3 talukas of Junagadh, 1 taluka of Porbandar and 1 taluka of Bhavnagar district were selected purposively, which is having the highest coconut growing area. Three villages from each taluka and 10 respondents from each village i.e. total 15 villages and 150 respondents were included in the sample. The study was conducted to know the managerial efficiency of coconut plantation growers in coastal area of Saurashtra region. The finding of the study revealed that in various aspect of managerial efficiency viz., coconut plantation growers gave first position to intercropping and quality of coconut products in knowledge, planning about the inputs in ability to planning, implementing the decision in ability to make rational decision, coconut plantation growers gave importance to team work to achieve the goal in organizing the activities, consulting the extension worker when they heard about the incidences of insect-pests and eriophyid mite in epidemic condition or disease attack on the coconut plantation for coordinate activities, consultation with family members about source of credit for budgeting, well aware about co-operation with co-workers which produce better results in form of desirable work hours in communication and human relationship, supply of coconut fruits to the market when high price of produce in ability to make rational marketing, ability to sell the coconut produce after grading process which increase value addition and supervising the working of people while different agricultural operation in ability to controlling activities. In all, more than half of the coconut plantation growers had medium level (51.33 per cent) of overall managerial efficiency.

The present study was conducted to assess resource–use efficiency and technical efficiency of marigold cultivation under contract farming in erode district of Tamil Nadu. The partial correlation matrix also revealed the increased use of seeds having negative correlation with all other explanatory variables there by implying the need for experimenting with higher seed rates which would simultaneously enhance yield, returns and reduction in the use of other inputs with scope for reduction in total cost. The study revealed that the need to cut the use of farm yard manure and increase the use of seed, potash, and plant protection chemicals to increase the yield and increase the income. The farmers innate ability to perform on the frontier as revealed by the mean technical efficiency of 99 per cent. To accomplish these, the company can work with farmers on one hand and organizations like Tamil Nadu Agriculture University and Department of horticulture and plantation crops of Govt. of Tamil Nadu.

The knowledge level of dairy farmers about scientific management practices in four major areas of dairy farming such as breeding, feeding, management and health care practices were studied in Navsari district of Gujarat state. Considering the potentiality of Gandevi, Jalalpore and Vansda talukas of the Navsari district, nine villages were selected proportionately. Proportionate random sampling method was used to identify 100 respondents from nine villages. The study find out that majority of the livestock beneficiaries (81.00 per cent) were in middle to old age groups, secondary level of education (57.00 per cent), small family size (64.00 per cent), higher level of animal husbandry experience (79.00 per cent), active social participation (69.00 per cent), small size of land holding (69.00 per cent), medium to large size of livestock possession (86.00 per cent), frequently accessed the information (70.00 per cent), medium to higher level of innovativeness (73.00 per cent), medium to higher level of risk orientation (82.00 per cent), moderate to higher level of scientific orientation (78.00 per cent) and 81.00 per cent earned their livelihood from two enterprises (animal husbandry + farming or animal husbandry + service/ business). In case of knowledge, majority of the livestock beneficiaries had high level of knowledge about breeding practices (74.00 per cent), feeding practices (60.00 per cent), management practices (66.00 per cent), and health care practices (72.00 per cent). In overall knowledge, majority of the livestock beneficiaries (76.00 per cent) were found with high level of knowledge about scientific management practices. Education of beneficiaries (0.3324**), social participation (0.2695**), source of information (0.3944**), risk orientation (0.4495**) and scientific orientation (0.4017**) found highly significant association with knowledge about scientific management.

To know the personal and social variables of the extension educationists for transferring agricultural information through Agricultural FM Radio (AFMR), a study was conducted on a random sample of 60 extension educationists working at Anand Agricultural University (AAU), Anand in Gujarat state. The data, collected by personal contact, revealed that half (50.00 %) of respondents were of the middle age and majority (78.33 %) of them had earned their last degrees with first class (> 6.90 OGPA or %) while more than half (58.33 %) of them were belonged to the rural areas. The data on relationship between those variables of the extension educationists and their attitude towards AFMR to transfer agricultural information shown that age of respondents had positive and non-significant relationship with attitude while academic performance & native had negative and non-significant correlation with attitude towards AFMR.

The study was conducted following exploratory research design to ascertain the profile characteristics of livestock farmers in rural and urban areas of Navasari District. In the rural areas 53.5, 42 and 4.5 percent of dairy animal owners were from middle, old and young age group category while in urban areas the proportion of the dairy animal owners in the above mentioned age group was 62, 23 and 15 per cent, respectively. In rural area 11, 29.5, 52.5 and 7 percent of the dairy farmers were illiterate, functional literate, educated up to secondary and graduate and above level while it was 11, 36, 47 and 6 percent in urban area, respectively. Hence, efforts should be undertaken by the Government, Veterinary Universities and other extension agencies in providing information on livestock farming practices so that they could bring about change in their living and improve the socio-economic status of livestock farmers.

Gujarat accounts for one third of the total area under groundnut in the country. In term of production, Gujarat contributes around 30 per cent to the country’s groundnut production. Groundnut cultivation in Gujarat predominantly concentrated in Saurashtra region. Saurashtra is an oil pouch of the India. All India cover the share of Saurashtra is 25 per cent by area and 27 per cent by production. With a view to support larger group of groundnut growers with agricultural information in future, it seems worthwhile to determine the information needs of the groundnut growers. The result of the study revealed that majority of the groundnut growers (68.33 per cent) were fall under groups of information needs about groundnut production technology. Attempts are being made to ascertain the extent of association between the variables and their direction. The study data inferred that the characteristics of the respondents like extension participation and mass media exposure had positive and significant association with the information needs of respondents, while four variables like cosmopoliteness, economic motivation, scientific orientation and risk orientation had negative and significant association. The characteristics of the respondents like age, education and social participation had positive and non-significant association with the information needs of respondents, while three variables like size of land holding, annual income and market orientation had negative and non-significant association.

Frontline demonstrations on improved variety of cumin GC-4 with recommended practices were conducted on 30 farmer's fields by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, JAU, Porbandar, Gujarat on 12-hectare area in different villages of Porbandar district during Rabi season of 2008-09 to 2010-11. The results revealed that improved variety of cumin GC-4 with recommended practices recorded significantly higher average grain yield of 852 kg ha-1, which was 13.1% higher than conventional variety with farmers’ practice (753 kg ha-1). The overall average extension gap of 98.50 kg ha-1 with technology gap (398 kg ha-1) and technology index (31.9) was recorded. The higher net return of Rs. 68836 ha-1 was obtained under the demonstration fields than farmers’ practice (Rs. 55720 ha-1) with additional return of Rs. 13116 ha-1. Benefit cost ratio was also considerably higher in demonstration plot (4.19) than farmer's practice (3.29). So, improved variety of cumin GC-4 with recommended package of practices should be adopted in Saurashtra region of Gujarat for gaining higher yield and profit from cumin cultivation.

The present study was carried out in Navsari district of south Gujarat region. From Navsari district, three talukas selected randomly. From each taluka, two self help group selected for study in which one was successful self help group and other was unsuccessful self help group. From each group 10 respondents was taken for study. Thus, total 60 respondents were studied under this study. The study revealed that, in successful SHGs, majority of respondents (53.33 per cent) were middle aged, had secondary education (56.67 per cent), small family size (66.67 per cent), 70.00 per cent of SHGs member belonged to nuclear families, had small land holding (50.00 per cent), medium level of income (43.34 per cent), moderate social participation (40.00 per cent), medium extension participation (56.67 per cent). In case of unsuccessful SHGs, majority of respondents (63.33 per cent) were middle aged, had primary school education (53.00 per cent), belonged to small family size (50.00 per cent), 73.33 of women beneficiary’s belonged to nuclear families, had small land holding farmers (73.33 per cent), low income level (66.67 per cent), had poor social participation (60.00 per cent), medium extension participation (73.34 per cent). The successful SHG members were doing mango grafting (60.00 per cent) followed by 40.00 per cent milking and supply chutney making. The unsuccessful SHG the members were doing mango grafting (40 per cent) followed by 33.33 per cent pickle making.

The study revealed that the dal mill owners are themselves working as the manager as well as the decision maker of processing units. The per dal mill total capital investment cost was Rs. 43,11,723.60, Rs. 76,55,497.50 and Rs. 1,19,16,452, respectively for the small, medium and large sized dal mills. The main product (whole dal) contributed about 94 per cent of the total returns and the remaining 6.76 per cent contribution was made by the value of total by-products. The per dal mill net returns over total variable cost was estimated to Rs. 77,27,688.52 and that over total cost came to Rs. 63,89,614.31 during the year. Whereas, the per quintal net returns over total variable cost worked out to Rs. 415.62 and that over total cost to Rs. 343.66. The BCR in pulse processing worked out to 1.09. The BEP of pulse was 26.29, 13.48 and 10.28 per cent of the actual quantity processed by these mills, respectively. The efforts should, be made to utilize the available capacity of the dal mills. In this context, it is suggested that the millers should not only carried out the activity of procuring pulse, processing it and selling the finished products in the market but should perform the job of customer’s processing by extending pulse processing services to the people as and when available.

The present study revealed that nearly two- third (65.00 per cent) of cotton growers found in the category of high level of knowledge regarding basic knowledge about weeds, slightly less than half (49.16 per cent) of cotton growers had very high level of knowledge about preventive measures. Whereas. 42.50 per cent of cotton growers falls under the category of high level of knowledge about cultural method. Exactly one third (33.33 per cent) growers had high level of knowledge about chemical method, more than 41.66 per cent of cotton growers had medium level of knowledge about biological method and 40.00 per cent of growers found with medium level of knowledge about safety measures. Nearly 67 per cent of the cotton growers had high level of overall knowledge pertaining to integrated weed management practices. The variables like education, social participation, mass media exposure and land holding had positive and significant correlation with knowledge level.

The study was conducted in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra State to find out the constraints faced by the extension personnel in transfer of technologies and to know the suggestions for the improvement of their work performance. For the study 96 Agricultural Assistants were selected as respondents. A total of 67 constraints were listed down and measured the severeness on a three point continuum. They were also requested to give their valuable suggestions to overcome the constraints successfully and the frequency and percentage of each suggestion was worked out to identify the major suggestions of the respondents. It was observed that Agricultural Assistants were faced most severe constraints in Input supply, Administrative aspects, Social constraints and General constraints. Results also revealed that majority of Agricultural Assistants were facing medium level of constraints. A large majority of the Agricultural Assistants suggested to provide training on advanced technologies.

The Dairy farming is means of subsistence for millions of dairy farmers in country and is supplementary occupation along with agriculture. Majority of dairy farmers who are engaged in dairying, who keep dairy animals, do not practicing modern dairy management practises and are unaware about recommendation pertaining to location specific and improved animal husbandry practices recommended by SAUs. Most of the dairy farmers do not adopt improved dairy practices to its fullest potential even if they possessed required knowledge. Government spent lot of money behind imparting training to ensure optimum adoption of location specific and recommended practices to tap highest production and productivity per unit with less expenditure. Still it seems to be distant away from achievement. Scientist of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Junagadh Agricultural University, Surendranagar are also making every efforts for increasing knowledge as well as adoption level of dairy farmers in their operational area of intensive working by imparting vocational training programmes, through implementing Front Line Demonstration (FLDs) and on Farm Testing (OFT), advisory services etc to dairy farmers and try their best to ensure no stone remain unturned for disseminating knowledge among dairy farmers. But still there is gap between desired level of adoption and actual adoption level of dairy farmers regarding SAU recommendations pertaining to location specific and improved animal husbandry practices. Looking into this, the present study was taken up among 225 beneficiary dairy farmers of operational area of KVK from Chotila, Sayala and Limbadi taluka of Surendranagar district of Saurashtra region of Gujarat with the specific objectives to study the adoption level of dairy farmers about SAUs recommendation pertaining to location specific and improved animal husbandry practices. Most of dairy farmers had high level of adoption of SAUs recommendation pertaining to animal breeding management practices. Adoption of animal health management practices was also near to high. In case of live stock management practices and animal nutrition, partial adoption level was found. Whereas low adoption level was found regarding fodder production management practices.

The study was undertaken purposively in Jaipur district of Rajasthan state having largest area and highest production of tomato crop in comparison to other districts of Rajasthan was selected; two talukas viz., Amber and chomu were selected randomly. Four villages from each taluka were selected by using simple random sampling technique. Total 120 respondents, 15 from each of the selected eight villages were selected randomly. The study revealed that a great majority of the respondents were having medium level of training needs in relation to improved tomato cultivation practices. The most important aspects of training need as reported by the respondents were plant protection measure, application of manure and fertilizers and nursery raising. The independent variables viz., education, size of land holding, extension participation, extension contacts, knowledge level, adoption index and risk preference had negative and significant association with the training needs of tomato growers. While, the variable annual income was found having positive and significant relationship with training needs of the tomato growers. KVK and SIAM were the suitable venue for 59.17 per cent tomato growers, training programme before crop season was the convenient time for the 60.84 percent tomato growers, one day duration of training was convenient to 55.00 percent tomato growers and 63.37 percent opined training programme twice in a year.

The potential of social media to support the access to and exchange of information for smallholder farmers is enormous. Online social networking provides users with powerful means of sharing, organizing and finding content as well as contacts. The utility and rapid development of these sites provides an urge to study the characteristics and the utilization of online social networks at large scale. Understanding this analysis is important, in order to improve the current systems and to design new applications for online social networks. Recently there are many giant technologies, like Facebook, Viber, Google+, Hike, WhatsApp Messenger and many more have been ruling the industry with their distinct. India is an agrarian country. Agriculture and its allied sectors play a crucial role in the economy. Hence, the development in agriculture is essential for the development of our nation. Most of the farmers in our villages now have access to mobile phones. Even, the Government of India has launched a new initiative named Digital India. This paper presents the SWOT analysis of WhatsApp Messenger, which is a powerful social media tool which can be used by the farmer community in the agricultural field.

The Present investigation was conducted in Navsari district of Gujarat state during 2015. All the taluka namely Navsari, Jalalpore, Gandevi, Chikhli and Vansda of Navsari district selected and from them 100 vegetable growers selected randomly. The study revealed that middle age (46.00 per cent), secondary education (40.00 per cent), medium size of family (52.00 per cent), membership in one organization (58.00 per cent), small size of land holding (48.00 per cent), annual income (49.00 per cent), medium extension participation (52.00 per cent), medium mass media exposure (63.00 per cent), medium market orientation (50.00 per cent), medium innovativeness (50.00 per cent), medium of risk orientation (67.00 per cent), medium scientific orientation (62.00 per cent), medium achievement motivation (49.00 per cent). Than in overall knowledge about eco-friendly practices of vegetable growers. The majority (69.00 per cent) of the vegetable growers had medium level of knowledge. The independent variables like size of family (0.205*), size of land holding (0207*), social participation (0.247*), extension participation (0.211*), scientific orientation (0.127NS), risk orientation (0.199*), innovativeness (0.245*), and mass media exposure (0.204*) had positive and significant correlation with the knowledge towards eco-friendly practices of vegetable crops production.

Article is retracted from publication process - as Article Author already published article in other journal

The study was conducted in Costal area of Saurashtra region of Gujarat state with ex-post facto research design. Three districts viz. Junagadh, Bhavnagar and Porbandar from the coastal area of Saurashtra region were selected. Five talukas were selected which had the highest coconut growing area from the districts randomly. From each selected taluka three villages were selected by purposively. Total number of 150 farmers, 10 farmers from each selected villages were selected by using purposive random sampling technique. To know the relationship of managerial efficiency of coconut plantation growers with their personal, socio-economical, psychological and extension-communicational characteristics. The finding revealed that the selected independent variables viz education, farm size, area under coconut, annual income, access to market facilities, innovativeness, risk orientation, perception, symbolic adoption, attitude toward coconut cultivation, information seeking behaviour and extension participation had significant relationship with managerial efficiency of coconut plantation growers. All the 16 independent variables together explained total variation in managerial efficiency to the extent of 69.90 per cent. The calculate ‘t’ value for partial regression co-efficient was positive and significant with age, educational status, area under coconut cultivation, annual income, access to market facilities and innovativeness, negative and significant with farm size, social participation, risk orientation and participation in training programme of coconut plantation growers.

Labour is one of the primary factors in agriculture production who shoulder the major responsibility of successfully carrying out the field work in every farm. Considering the importance the study entitled, livelihood pattern and aspirations of farm labourers was conducted to know the overall livelihood status, different parameters of livelihood status and aspirations of farm labourers in all the regions of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra State in India. The study clearly indicates that a majority of the respondents had medium level of livelihood pattern. Majority respondent's getting pure drinking water, residence place is within 5 kms from the primary and secondary education facilities, one half of the respondents were consuming food grain, pulses, vegetable daily and occasionally fruits & milk and all most all of the respondents aspired for respect to them in the society.

Rural women play a great role in decision-making process of farm matter, perform many of the farm operations and undertake many responsibilities concerning care and management of farm animals. Therefore research study entitled “Training need assessment in dairy farming among farm women of adopted villages under RKVY project” was under taken with an objectives to determine the training need of dairy farm women in dairy farming practices. On the basis of mean score obtained for various areas of dairy farming the farm women shown interest in training regarding breeding, feeding, management and fodder production where as they shown less interest in animal health care practices as it is highly technical in nature and require expert advice.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jamnagar conducted 75(45 of Gram and 30 of Green Gram) Front Line Demonstrations in the farmer’s fields on pulse crops- Gram and Green Gram during 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15. The results showed that in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 the gram variety GJG-3 gave 7.95, 12.23 and 11.52 percent increase in yield over local variety. While in case of green gram variety GM-4 produced higher production over local check i.e. 11.24, 10.10 and 11.17 per cent respectively.

Among the pulses, green gram (Vignaradiata L.) is one of the most important and extensively cultivated pulse crop. Apart from India, it is also cultivated in China, Thailand, Indonesia, Burma, Bangladesh, and also in hot and dry regions of Southern Europe and the Southern United States. Suitable climate for cultivation of Green Gram should be warm humid and within temperature range of 25°C to 35°C, with moderate rains of 80-100 cm. In our country where people are predominantly vegetarian, pulses form the main source of protein and are thus of vital importance in our daily diet. It provides very good quality green gram fodder to animals. The principal objective of the study is to measure the level of knowledge of green gram growers' about green gram production technology and to identify relationship between knowledge and their selected characteristics of the green gram growers. A majority (58.00 per cent) of the respondents had medium knowledge level about the recommended green gram production technology, followed by 22.00 per cent high and 20.00 per cent low level of knowledge about recommended green gram production technology. The results of this study indicated that an average level of knowledge of improved green gram production technology was 24.36 percent. There was no significant association of the knowledge of green gram growers about recommended green gram production technology with their size of land holding. An Education, innovativeness, social participation, extension contact, cropping intensity irrigation potentiality, economic motivation and risk orientation were significant with level of knowledge. While, age was negative and significantly associated with the knowledge of the green gram growers.