Malliah Nirmala Devi

The Cauvery Delta of Tamil Nadu is experiencing accelerating agrarian stress, characterised by rising input costs, groundwater dependence and deepening indebtedness among paddy cultivators. This study assesses economic vulnerability and farm-size inequality using a mixed-methods, explanatory sequential design in 3 delta districts (Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam). A stratified multi-stage sample of 450 farmers (marginal n=178; small n=197; medium n=63; large n=12) was surveyed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, corroborated with land passbooks, input bills and focus group discussions. Quantitative analyses comprised descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s HSD, construction of a composite economic vulnerability index (CEVI) using min–max standardisation and estimation of a farm size economic stress model (FSESM) using multiple regression; qualitative data were thematically analysed to contextualise trends. Results reveal pronounced stratification: marginal farmers show the highest debt–asset ratio (3.47) and input cost intensity (≈29 % higher per ha than large farms), with net returns per hectare (₹17644) markedly below medium (₹33304) and large (₹45830) categories (all group differences p<0.001). The CEVI scores decline with farm size (marginal 0.78; small 0.62; medium 0.41; large 0.22), indicating severe vulnerability among the smallest holders. The FSESM explains 62 % of observed income variability (R² = 0.62); standardised β weights identify farm size (β = 0.61, p<0.001), irrigation reliability (β = 0.42, p<0.01), formal credit access (β = 0.38, p<0.01) and mechanisation (β = 0.29, p<0.05) as key determinants. Qualitative evidence underscores the role of informal credit dependence, tail-end irrigation delays and market access asymmetries in perpetuating risk. The findings indicate that structural factors-not farmer inefficiency-drive economic vulnerability and support a smallholder-first resilience agenda. Recommended measures include targeted low-interest/no-collateral credit, community machinery banks, strengthened tail-end irrigation governance and market and storage interventions (such as village procurement centres and stronger farmer producer organisations (FPOs)) to redress inequality and improve adaptive capacity in the Cauvery Delta.

This study examines multidimensional agricultural vulnerability in the Cauvery Delta of Tamil Nadu, India, with particular attention to farm-size inequality, economic distress and resilience outcomes relevant to agricultural policy. Using a multistage stratified random sampling design, primary data were collected from paddy farmers across 3 delta districts and analysed through rank based quotient (RBQ) analysis and comparative statistical techniques. The results identify a hierarchy of severe production, institutional and market-related constraints, indicating that vulnerability in the delta is not episodic but structurally embedded. Economic analysis highlights pronounced disparities in debt–asset ratios across farm-size categories, with marginal and small farmers facing disproportionately higher financial stress and weaker resilience compared to larger landholders. The Composite Economic Vulnerability Index (CEVI) and related social and institutional indicators further reveal deficits in adaptive capacity and institutional trust, reinforcing cycles of vulnerability among resource-constrained farmers. Overall, the findings demonstrate that agricultural vulnerability in the Cauvery Delta is shaped by intersecting economic and institutional inequalities rather than isolated agronomic factors. The study provides policy-relevant empirical evidence to inform targeted interventions aimed at enhancing resilience, reducing farm-size–based inequities and strengthening institutional support mechanisms in deltaic paddy systems.

Ethnobotanical practices, rooted in indigenous knowledge, offer sustainable solutions for health, nutrition and agriculture, yet their adoption remains understudied, due to socio-economic or institutional constraints. This research examines factors influencing farmers’ intention to adopt ethnobotanical practices in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. It aims to identify the key drivers and barriers. Using a quantitative method, data were collected through interviews with 540 respondents across 12 blocks and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results indicate that Perceived Benefits (PB), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), Social Influence (SI) and Access to Resources (AR) positively influence adoption, while Institutional Support (IS) showed a weak negative correlation, suggesting inadequate alignment with local needs. The study highlights the potential of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) as catalysts for integrating traditional knowledge with modern agricultural systems through improved resource access and collective marketing. Key findings underscore the importance of community-centric approaches in promoting ethnobotanical practices, emphasizing the need for policy reforms to enhance institutional responsiveness. The study concludes that empowering FPOs to bridge indigenous and scientific knowledge systems can significantly improve rural livelihoods, health resilience and agricultural sustainability. Recommendations include strengthening local capacity-building initiatives, refining extension services to better incorporate traditional wisdom and fostering participatory models of knowledge exchange. These insights provide actionable pathways for policymakers and development practitioners to leverage ethnobotanical knowledge for sustainable rural transformation.

Flooding exacerbated by cyclones and heavy monsoons has become a significant challenge for agriculture in Tamil Nadu especially in its coastal regions. This study explores the technological mitigation strategies that can help to reduce the adverse impacts of flooding on agriculture. By focusing on flood-induced crop losses, soil erosion and waterlogging, the research emphasizes the need for innovative agricultural technologies to build resilience in farming practices. The study identifies eight TNAU recommended technological solutions to mitigate flooding stress at field level, including bio stimulants, submergence-tolerant rice varieties, salt-tolerant crops, raised bed systems, polyhouse farming and foliar sprays for crop recovery. Through a survey of farmers and extension officials, the study evaluates awareness, acceptance and adoption of these technologies. Findings indicate that while farmers exhibit high awareness and acceptance of traditional mitigation methods, newer technologies face adoption barriers due to financial and knowledge constraints. The study suggests targeted policy interventions, such as financial incentives, extension services and subsidies, to increase adoption rates. Furthermore, it calls for enhanced collaboration between research institutions, government agencies and farmers to foster a more resilient agricultural system capable of coping with flood-related challenges. This research offers actionable insights to help Tamil Nadu’s agricultural sector adapt to increasingly frequent and intense flooding events.

Precision farming has emerged as a transformative approach to enhance resource efficiency and minimize environmental impact as agriculture confronts more and more sustainability concerns. This systematic literature review delves into key factors influencing environmental stewardship in the context of farmers embracing precision farming using the Theory, Contexts, Characteristics and Methods (TCCM) framework. Well-screened data obtained from the Web of Science database published between 2002 and 2024, 40 relevant studies being reviewed through bibliometric and thematic content analysis using R Studio and VOS viewer. Findings revealed a steady increase in precision farming research, led by the United States, Agriculture and Human Values as the most cited journal and Finger’s (2019) work has received the most citations. Key findings pointed out that social norms, economic incentives and government policies as significant determinants of farmers’ environmental stewardship. Despite advancements, farmers are still confined by resource scarcity, knowledge gap and differences of opinion about environmental issues. This review marks the necessity of targeted interventions as a panacea to the barriers, encouraging ecological resilience and sustainability in agriculture.

Agricultural production is closely linked with weather conditions, as fluctuations in temperature, rainfall, wind patterns and humidity significantly influence crop productivity. Adverse weather events often lead to considerable crop losses, emphasizing the need for timely and accurate weather information. Weather Based Agro Advisory Services (WBAAS) play a pivotal role in bridging this gap by providing farmers with real-time and forecasted weather information, enabling them to adopt strategic measures to mitigate risks and optimize agricultural outputs. WBAAS offers customized guidance based on weather predictions, including optimal sowing times, irrigation scheduling, pest and disease management and post-harvest strategies. By receiving accurate and timely advisories on parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and rainfall, farmers can make informed decisions, reducing the likelihood of crop failure and improving yield quality and quantity. These services not only aid in minimizing production losses but also enhance economic returns by promoting resource efficiency and sustainable farming practices. The integration of technological innovations into weather based agro advisory services further strengthens their impact, facilitating the dissemination of precise weather data through mobile applications, SMS alerts and other digital platforms. Studies have demonstrated the transformative potential of these services in improving farmers' adaptive capacity and resilience against climate variability. This review analyses studies on how farmers utilize technological innovations combined with weather-based information to enhance agricultural productivity. It examines the impact of weather based agro advisory services on agriculture and explores their broader role in achieving sustainable farming practices and addressing challenges posed by climate change.

Consumer preferences for food products are evolving due to various factors, promoting producers to differentiate their products through unique production methods and adhere to quality standards. Certifications, such as Geographical indications (GI), assist consumers in identifying distinct product attributes while safeguarding producers against unfair competition. Geographical indications products linked to specific regions are recognized for their unique qualities, with certifications like protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI) ensuring quality and market distinction. However, using PGI labels on low-quality products can harm their reputation and diminish their ability to command a premium price. This study explores consumer preferences for GI-certified products, specifically Vripakshi Hill banana, Kodaikanal Hill garlic and Madurai Malli jasmine, in Dindigul and Madurai districts, India. This study surveyed 90 households to identify key attributes influencing consumer preferences. These include production method, quality and price premium for bananas and garlic. For jasmine, the significant factors are price, fragrance, flower size and shelf life. Findings show that GI certifications enhance product quality perception, with variations in attribute importance across commodities. Consumer awareness mainly comes from traditional sources, with consumption patterns differing by product. The study highlights how GI products can support sustainable agriculture, regional growth and market differentiation. It also stresses the importance of educating consumers to raise awareness and improve the competitiveness of these products.

Agriculture remains a primary source of income and livelihood especially in developing nations amid the rapidly changing global economy. However, traditional educational systems often fail to prepare aspiring agricultural entrepreneurs due to limitations such as geographical barriers, rigid curricula and insufficient access to resources. Open and Distance Learning (ODL) emerges as a transformative solution, offering flexible, accessible, scalable education tailored to diverse learner needs and modern agribusiness demands. This study examined a comprehensive review of 192 publications using academic databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus and Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC). India is the leader in ODL research, United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Australia and China are other countries contributing to ODL research studies. The analysis identified key benefits, including bridging the education access gap in rural areas, fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting lifelong learning. The scalability of ODL facilitates widespread reach, impacting a larger audience than traditional education methods and enhancing individual livelihoods. Furthermore, it fosters community engagement and collaboration, strengthening the resilience of the agricultural sector. This review highlights the significant role of ODL in nurturing a new generation of skilled agripreneurs, contributing to sustainable agricultural development, economic growth and global food security. Future research should explore the potential of ODL courses in metropolitan cities and green entrepreneurship.

Geographical Indications (GIs) provide legal protection to products tied to specific regions, highlighting their unique qualities and heritage. The significance of GIs has grown globally, as they serve as tools to protect traditional products, promote regional economic development and ensure product quality in the market. This paper examines the role of GIs globally and in India, emphasizing their importance in promoting sustainable production practices and protecting intellectual property rights. The study utilizes secondary data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Intellectual Property India database, examining trends in GI registration across various product categories and states. China ranks first in the total GI share with 9785 GIs and India ranks 52nd with 530 GIs Globally in 2023. In India, Uttar Pradesh ranks first with 74 GIs and Tamil Nadu Ranks second with 59 GIs in 2024. The findings revealed that agricultural commodities and handicrafts products dominate the GI landscape in India, while globally, wines and spirits form the largest share of GIs. Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for Global (8.17 %) and Indian GIs (5.76 %) showed a positive growth rate for the period under study. CAGR analysis indicated the highest growth in the registration of GIs under agricultural commodities in India (10.63 %) and globally (12.14 %). The paper concludes that while India has made significant progress, further research and policy frameworks are needed to address challenges in promoting GIs and the support needed post-GI registration. Globally, GIs offer potential for economic growth, cultural preservation and sustainability.