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Type : Other Article

Study on the Relevance of Post Graduate Research to the Needs of Farmers in State Agricultural Universities of Southern India

T. Srinivas, T. V. Sridhar, P. Punna Rao and T. Ramesh Babu

Abstract

The present study was conducted to find out the relevance of Post Graduate Research conducted in State Agricultural Universities to the needs of farmers of respective states. Relevance was observed between the research being conducted and the farmer preferences in all the research areas in Agriculture. However, relevance was more in TNAU when compared to ANGRAU and PJTSAU. Resource management as an important research area was recognised by the farmers of Tamilnadu and Soil and Water pollution and Soil health management are recognised as important areas by the farmers of Telangana and Tamilnadu when compared to farmers of Andhra Pradesh. Studies on nutrient management were given top priority by the farmers of AP and Tamilnadu while water management is prioritised in Telangana and accordingly research is being conducted. Management of insect pests and diseases was recognised as top priority area by the farmers of the three states and accordingly research is being conducted. Farmers have not recognised the importance of post harvest pest and disease management in all the three states while the importance of biological control of insect pests and diseases was more felt by the farmers of Tamilnadu compared to AP and Telangana. Studies on pesticide resistance were more demanded by the farmers of AP than other two states. Studies on stress management were recognised as top priority by the farmers of Telangana and Tamilnadu while research studies are more towards genetic deviance in ANGRAU, PJTSAU and character association and selection studies were more in TNAU. The importance of crop growth models were recognised by the farmers of Tamilnadu only. The farmers of AP and Telangana have given highest importance to diffusion and adoption studies while impact studies were prioritised by farmers of Tamilnadu and accordingly research is being planned except in AP where production economics occupied top place. In all the universities studies on agricultural finance and credit were given almost equal importance while studies crop insurance was given least importance in ANGRAU. The results recommended to plan necessary strategies for considering the farmers needs as top most priority in selection of PG research topic for the students and accordingly the teachers experience in the subject and innovativeness should also be integrated.

Keyword: State Agricultural Universities; Relevance; Post Graduate Research; Farmers preference;

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