Maize one of the important crops of rainfed agriculture is grown in low, mid and high hill altitudes. The study was conducted on resource use efficiency of maize production in Jammu Region of J&K state during the year 2007-08. Jammu region of state observed a positive trend for area but negative for yield of maize. In sampleddistricts, area under maize cultivation contributed positively in production but yield and interaction effect of both factors contributed negatively during the overall period of twenty years. The allocative efficiency was 0.014, 0.668, 1.019, 3.244 and 13.38 respectively for labour, capital, irrigation and fertilizers (N and K), respectively and the allocative efficiency of fertilizer (P) was negative (-1.732). Maximum likelihood estimates showed that the value of variance parameters lambda (λ) was 4.219 and that of sigma (σ) was 0.455, which were significantly different from zero indicating a good fit and the correctness of the distributional assumptions specified and the value of gamma ( γ) was 0. 946 indicating 94 per cent of variation between the observed output and frontier output The estimated elasticities of the explanatory variables like labour (0.378), capital (0.336), irrigation (0.225), nitrogen (0.244) and potash (0.292) were positive while the value of phosphate (-0.383) was negative. The analysis of results showed that the returns to scale (RTS) was 1.092. Factors that affected on technical efficiency predicted the regression coefficient for education as 0.023 and farm size as 0.878 and for the proportion of female workers (0.062) in the family was also positively significant.

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The present study analyses the consumers meat consumption behaviour in Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir. After preparing the comprehensive list of meat markets operating in Jammu district, three meat markets were selected, and from each selected meat market ten retail meat shops were randomly chosen. From each randomly selected retail meat shop, a list of consumers was prepared. Out of the list four consumers were selected randomly to make a sample size of 120 consumers. Data were collected through a well structured interview schedule. The data were coded, classified, tabulated and analyzed using the software; Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS 16.0). The presentation of data was done to give pertinent, valid and reliable answer to the specific objectives. Frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviation were worked out for meaningful interpretation. It was found that majority of consumers started meat consumption in early childhood and any change in the meat consumption habit was insignificant. Most of the consumers preferred chicken meat twice a week and consumption was enhanced during winter and rainy seasons while due to religious sentiments some consumers avoided consuming meat on specific days. Visual examination and fresh and disease free meat were the most prominentindicators and desired meat quality by 100% respondents.A significant proportion of respondents showed reduction in the consumption of chicken and eggs due to the fear of bird flu outbreak

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