Browsing by Author "Saket Kushwaha"

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Analysing Absenteeism in Agriculture: A Dialogue-Based Study using Phi(Φ) Correlation Coefficients
(Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, 2025) Sachin Rathour; Sonal Pandey; Prakash Singh Badal; Virendra Kamalvanshi; Saket Kushwaha; S. R. Devegowda
This study examines absentee landlordism within the agricultural sector and explores the sentiments of farmers regarding this phenomenon. Employing descriptive analysis, TextBlob sentiment analysis, topic modeling, and Phi (Φ) correlation coefficients, the study uncovers significant interdependencies among these factors. Topic modeling analysis reveals farmers’ key concerns and aspirations, shedding light on their perspectives toward agriculture. While notable hardships persist, farmers maintain a constructive outlook. Drawing on responses from samples, the research identifies key factors driving declining engagement in farming, such as stable alternative income sources, wildlife threats, and high agricultural input costs. Results indicate strong correlations between absenteeism and economic stability, rural-to-urban migration, urbanization, and wildlife-related challenges. The findings highlight that off-farm income opportunities, environmental uncertainties, and inadequate rural infrastructure are primary drivers of absenteeism, prompting rural populations to seek urban livelihoods. Challenges like land fragmentation and poor living standards further impede agricultural sustainability, whereas modern agricultural technologies exhibit minimal influence. © 2025 Indian Society of Agricultural Economics. All rights reserved.
Beyond harvest: unlocking economic value through value addition in wild edible plants for sustainable livelihood in Arunachal Himalayas
(Springer Nature, 2025) Inda Mihu; Mundeep Deuri; Dipankar Borah; Tonlong Wangpan; Saket Kushwaha; Sumpam Tangjang
Modernization and urbanization have profoundly impacted the way tribal rural communities interact with forests. This study sheds light on how tribal communities are adapting to the modern market economy by processing wild edible plants (WEP) into value-added food products using traditional knowledge and whatever little finance they can afford. The study demonstrates how value addition to WEP not only increases the revenue generated by tribal vendors but also enhances the overall economic value of these underutilized botanical resources. While certain species are popular in their raw form, it is within the realm of value addition that few other species command even greater market sales. This is particularly important for lesser-known WEP species that have minimal economic value in their raw form. This highlights the untapped potential of WEP and the substantial economic contributions resulting from strategic processing and packaging. Notably, the study also identifies regional disparities in trade and revenue, with developed urban centers showing higher demand for these products. The economic implications extend beyond mere market dynamics to the very livelihoods of tribal communities, with a special focus on women who constitute 99.52% of vendors. The research brings to light the pivotal role of WEP-based value-added food products as the primary source of household income for 86% of these vendors. This economic dependence demands policy consideration not only to support the economic empowerment of tribal women but also to promote biodiversity conservation through the sustainable management of wild plant species. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024.
Beyond harvest: unlocking economic value through value addition in wild edible plants for sustainable livelihood in Arunachal Himalayas
(Springer Nature, 2024) Inda Mihu; Mundeep Deuri; Dipankar Borah; Tonlong Wangpan; Saket Kushwaha; Sumpam Tangjang
Modernization and urbanization have profoundly impacted the way tribal rural communities interact with forests. This study sheds light on how tribal communities are adapting to the modern market economy by processing wild edible plants (WEP) into value-added food products using traditional knowledge and whatever little finance they can afford. The study demonstrates how value addition to WEP not only increases the revenue generated by tribal vendors but also enhances the overall economic value of these underutilized botanical resources. While certain species are popular in their raw form, it is within the realm of value addition that few other species command even greater market sales. This is particularly important for lesser-known WEP species that have minimal economic value in their raw form. This highlights the untapped potential of WEP and the substantial economic contributions resulting from strategic processing and packaging. Notably, the study also identifies regional disparities in trade and revenue, with developed urban centers showing higher demand for these products. The economic implications extend beyond mere market dynamics to the very livelihoods of tribal communities, with a special focus on women who constitute 99.52% of vendors. The research brings to light the pivotal role of WEP-based value-added food products as the primary source of household income for 86% of these vendors. This economic dependence demands policy consideration not only to support the economic empowerment of tribal women but also to promote biodiversity conservation through the sustainable management of wild plant species. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024.
Climate change and its effects on maize yield in Nepal: An empirical analysis using the ARDL model
(Association of Agrometeorologists, 2025) Aashma Aryal; Abha Goyal; Ankit Yadav; Bharath Kumar Mannepalli; Prakhar Deep; Virendra Kamalvanshi; Saket Kushwaha
This study analyzes the impact of climate change on maize yield in Nepal’s Gulmi (hilly) and Rupandehi (Terai) districts using climatic data from 1981 to 2023 on rainfall, relative humidity, maximum temperature, and minimum temperature applying the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The findings obtained ARDL model shows that rainfall positively influences yield in both regions. Relative humidity has a positive long-term effect in Gulmi but a negative impact in Rupandehi. Maximum temperature increases yield in Gulmi but significantly reduces it in Rupandehi, indicating regional sensitivity. Minimum temperature negatively affects Gulmi yields but has a negligible positive effect in Rupandehi. The ARDL models demonstrate strong explanatory power, with adjusted R² values of 0.86 (Gulmi) and 0.80 (Rupandehi), confirming a significant long-term relationship between climate variables and yield. Error correction terms suggest that 28% (Gulmi) and 30% (Rupandehi) of short-term yield deviations adjust back to long-run equilibrium annually. These results highlight the importance of localized climate adaptation strategies in agriculture. © 2025, Association of Agrometeorologists. All rights reserved.
Consumer acceptance of genetically modified (GM)- Cowpeas in sub-Sahara Africa
(2008) Saket Kushwaha; A.S. Musa; James Lowenberg-Deboer; Joan Fulton
Cowpea (known as black-eyed peas in America) is the most important indigenous African grain legume for both home use and as a cash crop. Because of its tolerance to drought, it is especially important for the Sahel. Genetic transformation of cowpea with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes to control pod-boring insects has many advantages, but little is known of the potential consumer response. This article analyzes and reports the results of a survey of 200 consumers in northern Nigeria concerning consumer awareness of and acceptance of biotechnology. Ninety percent of the respondents were aware of genetically modified (GM) products. Those respondents who were most concerned about the ethics of genetic transformation were likely to disapprove of such products, while those individuals who identified international radio as an information source were more likely to approve of GM technology. © 2008 by The Haworth Press.
Consumer preferences for quality characteristics along the cowpea value chain in Nigeria, Ghana, and Mali
(2009) Fulgence Joseph Mishili; Joan Fulton; Musa Shehu; Saket Kushwaha; Kofi Marfo; Mustafa Jamal; Alpha Kergna; J. Lowenberg-DeBoer
The production and trade of cowpea is a growing business in West Africa. But a better understanding of consumer preferences is essential to market development. The objective of the study was to determine the impact of cowpea grain quality characteristics on market price. The data for the study were collected from markets in Nigeria, Ghana, and Mali. Hedonic pricing methods provide a statistical estimate of premiums and discounts. The results indicated that cowpea consumers in Ghana, Mali, and Nigeria are willing to pay a premium for large cowpea grains. Bruchid damage is not statistically significant in any market. The impact of price on other cowpea quality characteristics such as skin color and texture and eye color vary locally. Implications for development of the cowpea value chain are as follows: (a) researchers should identify cost-effective ways to increase cowpea grain size because larger grain are preferred and (b) serving local markets requires a portfolio of grain skin and eye color and skin texture combinations. [EconLit citations: Q130]. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Factors Affecting the Adoption of Climate-resilient Technologies in the Rice-wheat Cropping System of Eastern Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh
(The Society of Economics and Development, 2023) S.R. Devegowda; Saket Kushwaha; P.S. Badal
The study was conducted to assess the level of adoption and factors that affected the adoption of climate-resilient technologies in rice-wheat cropping systems. The empirical data were collected via purposive and random sampling with a well-structured schedule. Data was processed using multi-ordinal logistic regression. The study found factors on the adoption such as education, land holding, experience and extension contact were positive, whereas age had a negative pattern. Economic impact like high climate resilient technology adopted farmers had higher returns per rupee invested compared to the medium and low adopted farmers. The policy implications emphasize the importance of implementing targeted extension services, providing financial incentives and creating a conducive policy environment that encourages widespread adoption and enhances agricultural resilience. © 2023 The Society of Economics and Development, except certain content provided by third parties.
Managing Humanitarian Challenges of Disaster Responses and Pandemic Crises: Interface of 4IR Ecosystem
(Frontier Scientific Publishing, 2022) Arindam Chakrabarty; Uday Sankar Das; Saket Kushwaha; Prathamesh Churi
The human civilization has witnessed myriads of road-block and crossroads at every facet of its journey. Many a time, it becomes untenable to sustain its existence. The series of health hazards, critical epidemics and even the catastrophic pandemic diseases have been challenging our vivid foundation and perpetuity. The disasters both natural and man-made have attempted massively to destroy, devastate, and ruin our glorious leadership on earth. In all such cases, the society has responded through rendering relief and rescue operations and offering emergency health services to mitigate these humanitarian crises. It is imperative to understand, the response time for such emergencies varies with the nature and intensity of the hazards. It is still difficult to reach the epicenter or the point of occurrence even though services have begun to function towards the outer periphery region. The deployment of medical and non-medical personnel at the critical point in the early hours becomes unsuitable and unwise decision. There are issues of the inadequacy of resources for deployment strategy. In the era of 4IR (4th Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0), it is emergent to improvise AI induced guided or auto guided devices that can perform various tasks at such unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The introduction of the Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT) protocol embedded with medical based AI i.e. Internet of Medical Robotic Things (IoMRT) would be able to deliver superior performance to minimize loss of life and property. This paper has attempted to explore how the IoMRT system can contribute to society with excellence. © 2022, Frontier Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved.
Perception, Perceived Impacts and Constraints about Adoption of Climate Resilient Technologies in the Eastern Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh
(AESSRA, 2021) S.R. Devegowda; Saket Kushwaha; P.S. Badal
Climate change affects crop production adversely. The study focused on the perception, perceived impacts and constraints on the climate change and adoption of climate resilient technologies in the eastern plain zone of Uttar Pradesh. 240 rice-wheat cropping pattern following farm households were interviewed using the structured schedule. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Garrett’s ranking technique. Results showed that farmers were aware of climate change and there were know the impact due to climate change. Lack of knowledge and training, lack of inputs availability and lack of credit availability were major constraints to adopt the climate resilient technologies. © 2021 AESSRA. All Rights Reserved.
QOL Barometer for the Well-being of Citizens: Leverages during Critical Emergencies and Pandemic Disasters
(Springer, 2022) Arindam Chakrabarty; Uday Sankar Das; Saket Kushwaha
Improving the quality of life for its citizens has been the focal point of any governmental system across the globe. Every state is committed to providing good governance to its countrymen. Society is moving through the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) where the e-governance ecosystem has become the priority need of the hour. The days of mechanistic bureaucracy have become unpopular and outdated. The modern democracies desire an organic, citizen-friendly governmental system where information needs to be collected from the people at the bottom of the pyramid so that the state could ensure delivery of improvised and augmented public goods and services effectively and efficiently keeping in view its commitments for achieving all the UN-SDGs by 2030. This chapter has devised a dedicated model based on an e-governance framework. This QOL Barometer would be designed using the 4IR ecosystem. The innovative QOL Barometer or the “CARE-Protocol” may be developed and implemented for improving the quality of life of its citizens. This protocol would be conceptualized, based on inputs and insights from secondary sources. The benefits of this model can be leveraged during critical emergencies and pandemic disasters. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Resource use efficiency and yield determinants in rapeseed-mustard cultivation: an integrated approach using Cobb-Douglas, Monte Carlo, and sensitivity analysis
(Frontiers Media SA, 2025) Sachin Rathour; Meera Kumari; Prakash Singh Badal; Virendra Kamalvanshi; Saket Kushwaha; H. S. Jatav; S. R. Devegowda
Rapeseed-mustard (Brassica spp.) is one of the most significant oilseed crops globally, with India being a major contributor, accounting for 11% of world production. Despite advancements in mustard cultivation practices, there remains a lack of comprehensive analysis integrating resource efficiency and input interactions to optimize yields sustainably. Furthermore, limited studies have employed advanced methodologies to assess the impacts of input uncertainties on yield stability and risk management. Therefore, the study evaluated the resource use efficiency in mustard cultivation through the Cobb-Douglas production function, Monte Carlo simulations, offering insights into input utilization and yield variability under uncertain conditions and sensitivity analysis for specific inputs’ contribution to yield. Results revealed imbalances in resource utilization; land and soil qualities are underutilized, while labor, plant protection chemicals, and machinery are overutilized. Fertilizer and seed inputs emerged as significant positive influencers of yield, with sulphur and fertilizer identified as critical factors through sensitivity analysis. Monte Carlo demonstrates yield stability, predicting a 100% probability of achieving at least 6 quintals per acre (1483 Kg/ha) under current input conditions. Policymakers can design targeted interventions to reduce regional productivity disparities and foster sustainable growth in the rapeseed-mustard sector. Findings also underscore the need for optimizing input utilization to balance economic, agronomic, and environmental outcomes, as well as adopting better practices for India’s oilseed sector. © © 2025 Rathour, Kumari, Singh Badal, Kamalvanshi, Kushwaha, Jatav and Devegowda.
The adaptation triangle: a multivariate analysis of vulnerability, resilience and livelihood strategies in semi-arid regions of India
(Frontiers Media SA, 2025) Bharath Kumar Mannepalli; Saket Kushwaha; Virendra Kamalvanshi; Pradip Kumar Parida; Evans Kemboi; Ankit Yadav; Prakhar Deep; Reshmi Mukherjee
India’s semi-arid regions covering 37% of is geographical area were among the most climate-vulnerable ecosystems globally characterized by erratic rainfall, intense heat and fragile livelihoods. Despite extensive research, few studies have comprehensively investigated household vulnerability, resilience and their interplay in these dry regions. This study formulates the “adaptation triangle” framework to examine the interlinkages among livelihood strategies, vulnerability and resilience. Employing a multistage stratified random sampling methodology, primary data was collected from 375 households in Rajasthan, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, encompassing 69 socioeconomic, environmental and institutional factors. Composite indices for household livelihood vulnerability (HLVI) and resilience (HRI) were constructed in accordance with IPCC and FAO guidelines. Multivariate linear regression was employed to investigate the influence of 13 livelihood strategies on HLVI and HRI, while multinomial logistic regression evaluated their effect on household transitions within the vulnerability-resilience matrix’s four quadrants. National-level data indicates moderate vulnerability (HLVI = 0.517) and low resilience (HRI = 0.489) with 37.07% of households categorized in the most at-risk high vulnerability-low resilience (HVLR) quadrant. Key adaptive strategies such as income diversification, rainwater harvesting, adjusting sowing dates and adoption of crop and livestock insurance were found to substantially reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience. Households dependent on casual labor face heightened climate risk was also found to be significant. This study reinforces that livelihood choices are not only survival responses but pivotal levers in shaping climate adaptation outcomes. Policy recommendations include promoting diversified and climate-resilient livelihoods, expanding social safety nets, scaling up insurance access, microfinances and investing in water harvesting and agro-ecological infrastructure. The adaptation triangle framework provides a valuable lens to inform targeted interventions and build long-term resilience among vulnerable populations in India’s semi-arid regions. © © 2025 Mannepalli, Kushwaha, Kamalvanshi, Parida, Kemboi, Yadav, Deep and Mukherjee.
TRENDS AND VARIATION FOR RAINFALL IN THE EASTERN PLAIN ZONE OF UTTAR PRADESH
(DAV College, 2021) S.R. Devegowda; Saket Kushwaha; P.S. Badal; M. Nagaveni; S.R. Manasa
The Eastern part of Uttar Pradesh regularly faces the problem of a severe flood. This study is mainly concerned about the trend of rainfall in the Eastern Plain Zone (EPZ) of Uttar Pradesh. Data for the period 1981-2017 were collected on yearly and monthly basis to calculate annual and seasonal rainfall trend and variation. Mann-Kendall (MK) test was used together with the Sen’s Slope Estimator for the determination of trend and slope magnitude. South West (SW) monsoon has the highest share in the annual rainfall. Annual rainfall followed the same trend of SW monsoon, which is increasing over the period. North East (NE) monsoon and winter rainfall indicated decreasing trend over the years, whereas summer rainfall exhibited a significant increase. NE monsoon, winter rainfall and summer rainfall revealed more variation compared to SW monsoon and annual rainfall. © 2021 DAV College. All rights reserved.