Identification and Prioritization of Problems in Integrated Agriculture for Community Development: A Case of Amba Village in Sub-humid Region of Western India
Mukesh Meena *
ICAR- Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (IISWC), Research Centre - Datia, MP, India.
Pramod Sahu
ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms (NBAIM), MAU, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Alka Joshi
ICAR- Food Science & PHT (Post Harvest Technology - IARI, New Delhi, India.
Ibandalin Mawlong
ICAR- Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research (DRMR), Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) is a technique which gives more emphasis on local knowledge end enable locals to do their own appraisal, analysis and planning on the participatory basis. In this study, a transect survey was conducted at Amba village of Ajmer, India to understand the factual needs of the farming community. The rank-based quotient (RBQ) was calculated followed by the value based Index (VBI) in order to prioritize integrated agriculture problems and their solution was given using problem-solution-tree approach. Findings indicated low productivity of animals, unavailability of irrigation water, bacterial blight in marigold, leaf blight in chrysanthemum and low yield in pearl millet as important constraints faced by the farmers. Constraints identified were categorized as problems arising out of gaps in research/extension activities in various agriculture and allied disciplines. Based on the results and necessity of the villagers, scope for research/extension and policy implications was made.
Keywords: Participatory rural appraisal, rank based quotient, the productivity of animals, traditional knowledge, transect survey.