Indigenous technical knowledge derived from traditional wisdom is an asset of farmers in developing countries. To ensure the continuity of these practices for future generations, we need to understand the scientific rationality and their communication patterns, and then document them. This study aimed to document the indigenous pest management practices, test their scientific rationality, and determine their communication pattern among the farmers. A total of 120 farmers from district Bageshwar in Uttarakhand, India, were selected through the simple random sampling method. Interviews and focussed group discussions were used to collect data. Out of a total of 32 documented indigenous practices, 27 were found to be rational by the scientists. Neighbours ranked first as the source of information, followed by friends and relatives. Knowledge related to managing pests through indigenous methods was shared by the farmers, mainly in temples. They learned the practical application of these indigenous practices during childhood while working with parents in the fields, followed by observing their friends and relatives. The indigenous technical knowledge should be conserved and combined with the scientific cognizance for sustainable agriculture. Next- generation farmers need to be motivated to adopt these practices.

Agriculture is the mainstay of Indian economy because about 56 per cent of our population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihood. Agriculture and allied sector contributes approximately 13.9% of India’s GDP but still Indian agriculture is facing many challenges, which hinder the potential of agricultural production. In these challenges natural calamities like hail, drought, floods, cyclone and typhoon are very severe because they are out of control for human being, but we can mitigate the loss from these calamities with the help of crop insurance. The present study was conducted in Jaipur district of Rajasthan as this district had highest number of registered farmers under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) as compared to other districts of the state. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the beneficiary (67.78%), non-beneficiary (62.22%) and overall respondents (65.00%) had medium level of knowledge about PMFBY. There was significant association between education, annual income, mass media exposure and extension agency contact with the knowledge level of the respondents.

Major part of Indian economy is contributed by agriculture and its allied sector. Around 56 per cent of population directly or indirectly depends upon agriculture. The GDP contribution of the agriculture and allied sector is about17.8 per cent but this sector is facing many challenges to flourish. Out of these challenges, lesser crop productivity and inefficient use of fertilizers are the main challenges faced by Indian farmers. Till now, fertilizer recommendations for different crops are made on the basis of agronomical practices and not on the soil test basis. This has led to nutritional deficiencies and decrease in soil fertility in some parts of the country. Hence, to improve the soil health and boost productivity it has become necessary to nurture the soil. In the wake of this, Government has launched the soil health card scheme in February, 2015. Under this scheme farmers are issued a soil health card which carries crop-wise recommendation of nutrients and fertilizer required for individual farm. Soil health card makes the farmers aware about soil health of their farm and help them to improve productivity by maintaining soil health. Thus, to measure the knowledge level of respondents about SHCs the present study was conducted in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan state which was selected purposely. The Sri Ganganagar district consists of nine tehsils, Out of these, three tehsils namely Padampur, Sadulshahar and Karanpur were purposely selected for the present investigation on the basis of highest number of registered farmers under SHCs. The proportionate random sampling method was used to select the registered farmers and they were called as beneficiary of Soil Health Card scheme because they have benefited under Soil Health Card scheme. Further, equal number of non-beneficiary respondents from same tehsils were also selected randomly who have not benefited under Soil Health Card scheme and they were called as non-beneficiary respondents. Thus, total 120 respondents i.e. 60 beneficiary and 60 non-beneficiary respondents were selected from selected tehsils for the present investigation. The results of the study revealed that majority of respondents in the study area had medium level of knowledge about SHCs. They had highest knowledge about the aspect of “information regarding soil sampling” and least knowledge about “general information regarding key features”. There was significant association found between education, occupation, annual income, mass media exposure and extension agency contact with knowledge level of the farmers.

This study was an attempt to analyze the attitude of farmers towards solar-powered water pumping systems. The present study was conducted in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan state, which was selected purposely. The Bikaner district consists of eight tehsils; out of these, two tehsils, namely Kolayat and Poogal, were purposely selected for the present investigation based on the highest number of solar-powered water pumping systems installed during 2013–17. Further, one gram panchayat from each selected tehsil, namely Phoolasar from Kolayat and Shivnagar from Poogal, were selected purposely based on the highest number of solar-powered water pumping systems installed. The proportionate random sampling method was used to determine the user respondents, and they were called beneficiaries of the solar-powered water pumping system because they have installed it. Further, an equal number of non-beneficiary respondents from the same gram panchayats were also selected randomly who have not installed solar-powered water pumping systems, and they were called non-beneficiary respondents. Thus, 120 respondents, i.e. 60 beneficiary and 60 non-beneficiary respondents, were selected from the selected gram panchayats for the present investigation. The study's findings revealed that most of the beneficiary, non-beneficiary and overall respondents had a neutral attitude towards solar-powered water pumping systems. In the case of beneficiary respondents, “by the use of solar technologies energy crisis can be solved” had ranked first. While, in the case of non-beneficiary and overall respondents, “use of these technologies requires more skill” had ranked first. Education, annual income, occupation, extension agency contact and mass media exposure were found to be positively and significantly associated with the attitude of respondents towards solar-powered water pumping systems.

The present study was conducted in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan to find out the extent of adoption of improved cattle management practices by the women. A list of women engaged in cattle management practices was procured from Uttari Rajasthan Sahkari Dugdh Utpadak Sangh Limited (URMUL). The respondents were selected by using proportionate random sampling procedure from 18 dairy co-operative societies of 6 selected milk procurement routes. Therefore, a total number of 120 women respondents of dairy co-operative societies were drawn for the present investigation. Data were collected with the help of pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule. The findings of the study revealed that majority (56.67%) of women respondents were in medium adoption category followed by low (28.33%) and high (15.00%) adoption groups. Relatively more number of cross-breed cattle owners fell in medium adoption group as compared to indigenous cattle owners. Both type of respondents adopted, management, breeding and feeding practices to a large extent. Minimum adoption was found in health care aspect of improved cattle management practices.

Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy as 56 per cent of our population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihood. But due to various risks such as production risk i.e. crop failure, price risk, financial risks etc. farmers ’have huge debt on their family, so they don't want to continue with this and leaving their villages. To overcome these risks crop insurance is a measure by which they can sustain in their livelihood. This study was an attempt to analyze the constraints faced by wheat growers in the adoption of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The present study was conducted in Jaipur district of Rajasthan state as this district had highest number of registered farmers under PMFBY as compared to other districts of the state. Findings of the study revealed that the most important constraints faced by the wheat growers in the adoption of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana were “to get claim is burden sum”, “connive by agricultural department” and “lack of motivation”. This might be due to the reason that farmers in the study area were not aware about the right procedures involved in the adoption of PMFBY. Hence, it can be said that farmers in the study area required more exposure of PMFBY through awareness programmes, trainings and other extension activities to increase the adoption rate of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.