Rajagiri Journal of Social Development

Technical Efficiency in Maize Production among Small-Scale Farmers in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka

2025-02-06T05:19:02+00:00

Maize is largely a subsistence food under promotion for ensuring food security and
it is also the source of income for small-scale farmers in rural areas. The study of
technical efficiency directs small-scale farmers, especially small-scale farmers in
Koralaipattu North Division who tend to underutilise or over utilise some of the
factors of production, to compare the expected potential yield with the actual yield.
Therefore, 100 maize farmers were randomly selected as respondents from among
150 farmers for the study to estimate the technical efficiency of maize and its
determinants in Koralaipattu North, DS division from December to March 2022.
Cobb Douglas, Stochastic frontier production function was applied to identify the
impact of each input on maize production and the findings revealed that log forms
of the inputs such as land size, labour hours and fertiliser significantly affected the
maize production in this study area. Further, the findings indicated that the mean
value of technical efficiency was 78%. The inefficiency effect model indicated that
the coefficient for farmers’ experience, education, farm income and credit assistance
were statistically significant and negative which reduced the technical inefficiency.
The findings of the study suggest that government should initiate programs to
exchange the farm experience among the community and promote farmers’ education
which encourages the adoption of new farming techniques and management.
Further, providing additional income and credit facilities improves the efficiency of
maize farming and their income in the future

Understanding Quality of Life of Patient with Tuberculosis: Findings from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

2025-02-06T05:19:16+00:00

All around the world, tuberculosis (TB) is still a serious public health issue. Finding
out the quality of life (QoL) of tuberculosis patients in the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands is the main goal of this paper. This cross-sectional study was conducted
from July 2021 to December 2022 in seven tuberculosis units. The quality of life
(QoL) was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L scale. We used descriptive statistics, logistic
regression, and the chi-square test. Pulmonary TB was more common among males.
More than half belonged to middle socioeconomic status. Pulmonary TB was higher
among males at 70%, whereas extra pulmonary TB was higher among females at
60%. Multivariate regression shows that the age group 46-55 (OR=0.1; 95% CI 0.0-
0.5; p<0.01) was less predictive of higher QoL compared to patients aged 18-35 years.
Patients with depression had a lower probability of having a higher quality of life
(OR=0.1; 95% CI 0.0-0.2; p<0.01) when compared to non-smokers and those who
had not experienced depression. This study provides valuable insights into the
intricate interplay between alcohol use, demographic factors, and the QoL among
TB patients.

An Empirical Analysis of Transnational Migration and Post-Study Decisions of Kerala’s Educational Migrants

2025-02-06T05:19:29+00:00

As the migration of students from Kerala goes on unabated, the current paper
focuses on the factors that motivate students to migrate. Migration decisions of
students to a certain extent are influenced by their aspirations to take advantage of
better employment prospects in the destination country. This is obvious from their
post-study plans which in turn depend on the push factors especially those relating
to bleak employment prospects and poor quality of lives in their home state. Poststudy decision plans of the students are also inextricably linked to their choice of
destination country. Those who have emigrated to the United Kingdom and the
European Union have expressed their preference to stay back in their host country
to further their career prospects and enjoying a better quality of life. Contrarily, those
who have emigrated exclusively for securing higher education in countries like China
and Russia prefer to return to their home state. Amongst the emigrant students
who prefer to remain abroad, the majority are aspiring first-generation learners from
urban areas belonging to low-income families. This establishes the role of
unfavourable local conditions in determining the post-study decisions of emigrant
students.

Inclusive Development and Persisting Challenges: Mapping the South Indian Story

2025-02-06T05:19:40+00:00

The South Indian pattern of development is receiving much attention in the recent
times not just for its achievements in development indicators, but also for the politics,
displayed by the region until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This study examines
the development trajectories of five South Indian states, namely Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It compares the selected socio-economic
indicators to assess how far the case of South Indian model of inclusive development
can be accepted. These states give us the demonstration of the back-and-forth
linkages of human development and economic growth. It also looks at the persisting
challenges faced by these states in its development trajectories. Another common
challenge faced by the South Indian states is regarding the centre -state fiscal
transfers which have a punitive impact on better performing states. This paper is
based on secondary data, namely the NITI Aayog reports, National Family Health
Survey 2019–2021 and RBI’s Handbook of Statistics on Indian states

Assessing MOOC Courses and its Impact on Sustainable Development among Higher Education Teachers

2025-02-06T05:19:48+00:00

In order to improve teachers’ performance on technological advancement in higher
education institutions, this research aims to better understand the MOOC Courses
and their impact on sustainable development among higher education teachers.
Through the use of an online questionnaire with two scales and identification
questions, this study adopted a quantitative methodology. 145 respondents were
chosen at random from the workforce and management of these institutions to
make up the sample. The results gathered via the questionnaire were examined with
statistical tools like descriptive statistics and SEM Model. Teachers from both private
and government sector colleges are taken into consideration as a sample for this
study. According to the findings, 76 of them are male and 89 are female; also, the
majority of the respondents range in age from 20-30, who happen to total 59, which
clearly shows that the teachers are in the early stages of their careers. Adapting
MOOC Courses is facilitated by the habit of self-development and an inner drive
to learn something new. However, inner drive alone cannot have an impact. The
teachers’ skill gap prevents the inner urge to adopt MOOC Courses and results in
their inability to learn through a new medium. It is vital to advocate for the
involvement of teachers who will lead the change process in the implementation
processes in order to boost the productivity of institutions.

Customer Practices in SBI’s Green Initiatives: Societal Impacts in Central and Northern Regions of Kerala

2025-02-06T05:20:00+00:00

The banking industry is increasingly recognizing the imperative for sustainable
and environmentally responsible practices, fostering the rise of “green banking”
(GB) as a key component of financial operations. The State Bank of India (SBI)
has demonstrated a proactive approach in implementing GB principles,
underscoring its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable
development. This study investigates the factors that influence customer
adoption of green banking services (GBS) and explores the relationship between
customer awareness and the adoption of these services within SBI’s customer
base. By leveraging a robust data set, this research identifies key determinants
that impact customer engagement with GBS, providing insights into behavioral
patterns and awareness levels that affect the utilization of green banking products.
The findings offer strategic implications for SBI, guiding the design of targeted
marketing and educational initiatives to enhance awareness and adoption in the
central and northern districts of Kerala. These insights not only support SBI in
refining its outreach and engagement strategies but also contribute to the broader
discourse on sustainable banking practices in emerging economies.

Understanding Consumer Behavior Toward Electric Appliances: A Social Perspective

2025-02-06T05:20:11+00:00

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing consumer
behavior towards eco-friendly electric appliances. Design and Methodology–The
study is conducted on the basis of primary data collected from 300 consumers of
eco-friendly electric appliances in Coimbatore District. The sample respondents have
been selected on the basis of systematic random sampling from the list of customers
obtained from the dealers of eco-friendly electric appliances. The statistical tools
like percentage analysis, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis have been
employed to analyze the data using SPSS 22. Findings–The findings of the study
indicated that consumer behavior towards eco-friendly electric appliances has been
influenced positively and significantly by environmental concern, cultural and social
factors, and product experience. However, consumer awareness has made a significant
influence on consumer behavior. Implications–The results of the study have indicated
the factors influencing consumer behavior towards eco-friendly electric appliances.
The manufacturers of eco-friendly electric appliances could draft suitable policies
for the product design and marketing of these products. Originality–The present
study is conducted among the consumers of eco-friendly electric appliances in
Coimbatore District. This study contributes to the available literature in the field of
consumer behavior