The study was conducted during 2020-2021 to assess the information sources utilizationpattern of livestock and poultry farmers of Uttar Pradesh. A total of 120 farmers, 40 fromeach group i.e., dairy, piggery and poultry were selected randomly. Semi-structured personalinterview and online survey through google forms were considered together for collectionof data keeping in view the COVID-19 second wave. Information source utilization bymajority of the respondents was medium. ICT utilization among the respondents wasmaximum with mean score of 0.63 followed by mass media with mean score of 0.51 andextension agency contact with mean score of 0.498. Education, land holding and experiencein farming business were found to be significant contributors in information sourceutilization. Except age, all the variables such as education, annual income, land holding,experience in farming business and number of trainings undergone were positively correlatedwith information source utilization of the respondents.

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The paper emphasizes the importance of understanding the prior knowledge of trainees as a pre-requisite for designing an effective training programme. Data on prior knowledge of trainees and their attitude towards extension services were elicited from 153 extension service providers (ESPs) of varied disciplines using a semi-structured interview schedule. The interview focussed on the extension advisory services and the agriculture extension policy in India. The results show that ESPs carried misconceptions and stereotyped opinions towards various aspects of the extension system. An effort was done by the researcher to address the popular misconceptions, debunk myths with truth and persuading the trainees towards delivering effective extension services well within the recommended resource availability.

Background: Indian agriculture is considered as a major source of livelihood generation for more than 58 percent of rural households. Credit is a pivotal element both in agricultural production and marketing system. Presently, most of the marginal and small farmers solely depend on localized lending models viz., village money-lenders who lend money to farmers for short term. The ministry of agriculture estimates that to double farmers’ income, private investment in agriculture must increase to two-fold. P2P crowdfunding is gaining grip at a very fast pace and gradually becoming an attractive investment option for investors. Methods: This paper attempts to explore different aspects of P2P crowdfunding and its scope as an alternate source of credit for the small and marginal farmers. Based on secondary data analysis (2014-2022) from a number of research papers, RBI notifications, blogs and newspaper articles. Results: It is evident that the global peer to peer (P2P) lending market size was valued at $67.93 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach $558.91 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 29.7% from 2020 to 2027. This type of funding option has tremendous potential to magnify agriculture capital markets by allowing agricultural firms to build value more efficiently and involve more people directly in food production. The paper distinguishes the advantages of P2P lending over traditional credit system and private lending that are predominant in agriculture. However, P2P lending has its own limitations that is also discussed. Additionally, companies as well as investors need to analyse crowdfunding options carefully as per its economic feasibility and structure so that it will lead to mutually beneficial investment relationships.

The present study was conducted in selected shandies of Hassan district to analyze the trading practices of the farmers with respect to livestock. About 200 participants i.e., 90 sellers, 90 buyers and 20 intermediaries were included in the study. Results revealed that livestock trading was negotiable business. About 45 percent of the farmers visited 3 to 4 shandies in a week. Livestock business was more active in the morning hours of the day. About 43 percent of the famrmers sold the animals due to distress. It was found that 54.5 percent of the farmers revealed that animals were transported through walk. Among the respondents 54.44 percent of buyers and 62.22 percent of sellers were dependent on the middlemen. Further 55 percent of the middlemen were marginal and 35 percent were landless. Most of the participants in the shandies were landless to marginal farmers. Livestock business was also a source of livelihood to many of the farmers and middlemen. The sales were completely unorganized without any weighing facility for the small ruminants.