eChapters

Types

• News story

• Feature story

• Success story

• Popular article

• Radio and TV script

• Process or utility feature

• General information feature

• Experience feature

• Personality feature

News story

• Any new information, idea, event, situation or development, that is of interest to a large number of people, is a news.

• Any event when reported becomes a news.

Sources of information

News is constantly occurring. There is a newsworthy event happening somewhere in the world every minute of every day.

People, letters, books, files, videos, cassettes, and other materials thatjoumahsts utilise to put together news articles can all serve as sources of information.

Types of sources

Primary sources: A person with first-hand knowledge of a problem or a document they produced can both be considered primary sources.

They are typically the best sources of knowledge regarding their particular aspect of what occurred. They should be able to provide you with reliable information as well as powerful opinions.

Example: Artifacts, audio recordings, diaries, internet communication, interview, letters, peer-reviewed journal articles, original documents, patents, photos, proceedings, records of organizations, speeches, videos, survey results, works of art, web sites.

• A title should be able to talk. It ought to make a point that both informs and amuses the audience.

• A headline needs to be concise and sum up the story.

• A headline should engage readers and entice them to read the material behind it.

• Make use of recognisable acronyms.

• Assist in setting the publication’s general tone.

• The headline ought to be assertive and upbeat.

• Function as a visual component on the page.

Choosing and designing news headlines

• If necessary, the headline should be written in all capital letters.

• Double-tick the letter that needs to be capitalised.

Fundamentals of writing farm stories

1. Use of plain and simple language: A farm journalist would have translated technical terms into their plain language.

2. Presentation of novel ideas: People are open to new concepts that are logically explained and will increase their return on investment as a whole.

3. Keep the message brief and to the point so that farmers can recall it. The information should be focused on the benefits that can be attained without using an excessive amount of wording.

4. Use of visuals: Visuals add interest, are more memorable, and have deeper significance. A statement is more understandable and pleasing to the eye when there are more visuals present.

5. Farmers are very receptive to messages that are recent, reliable, realistic, and relevant (the “4Rs”).

6. The audience appreciates and accepts the message that is centred on their environment, locations, and selves.

The ease with which a text can be read is referred to as readability. Complexity, recognizability, legibility, and typography are all possible inclusions. Sentence length, syllable density, and word familiarity are common considerations in readability algorithms.

It refers to how easily a reader can comprehend a written content. The complexity of a text’s vocabulary and syntax, as well as how it is presented, determine how easily it may be understood in natural language (such as typographic aspects like font size, line height, and line length).

Why is readability important?

A decoration, interpretation, or visual explanation of a text, concept, or process that is intended to be included in published media including posters, flyers, magazines, books, teaching materials, animations, video games, and films is called an illustration.

Using Illustrations

We can comprehend information better when it is shown. Illustrations were one of our first forms of communication, long before any kind of contemporary writing. In reality, new discoveries of cave drawings from more than 35,000 years ago show that humanity have been using images to communicate for a very long time. This did not occur by accident; according to study, over 90% of the information we process is visual, and a significant portion of our brain is dedicated to visual processing.

Benefits of using Illustrations

Cutlines, another name for photo captions, are a few lines of text that provide context or additional information for published images. In some circumstances, captions and cutlines are distinct from one another. A caption is a brief (often one-line) title or explanation for the picture, whereas a cutline is a longer, prose block that describes the picture more thoroughly, provides context, or connects it to the article.

The first things people read in a publication are frequently the photo captions. A crucial component of a news photographer’s job is writing captions for photos. The reader should receive the essential information from a photo caption in order to comprehend the image and its news value.

Caption writing should adhere to the same professional standards of clarity, accuracy, and completeness as any other writing that appears in a publication. A lousy caption can lessen the impact of a beautiful photo and damage the caption’s reputation as journalism by being uninformative or, worse, misleading. Why should readers believe the rest of the publication if they can’t trust the accuracy of the straightforward information in a caption?

Editing

Editing is the process of refining the content, structure, grammar, and presentation of a written work. Editing is done to make sure that your thoughts are communicated to the reader as clearly as possible.

It takes more than just changing a word, adding a comma here and there, and fixing spelling errors to edit a tale. The procedures below must be followed in order to edit effectively.

1. Read the story from beginning to end first. The writer’s intent will become clearer to you at this point. Then check to see if it addresses the following queries: what? Why? Where? When? Who? and how - regarding the topic.

2. Make your notes in the margin while keeping these inquiries in mind.

3. Next, consider the general level of education and comprehension of your magazine or letter’s readers. Make a note of every word you believe they won’t comprehend.

4. Next, determine how long the story should be. What room in your magazine can you offer it? It is preferable to rewrite the story rather than attempt to condense it by omitting some details if you need a very brief copy.

5. Verify that the information is logically ordered and, if a process story, that the directions are comprehensive and given in the right sequence.

Traditionally, remote sensing encompasses a wide array of technologies and methods used to gather information about objects, areas, or phenomena without direct physical contact. This includes devices like seismographs, fathometers, radar systems, and more. These tools enable us to observe and measure various aspects of the environment from a distance.

However, in contemporary contexts, when we talk about remote sensing in a more specialized sense, we often refer to the use of satellite and aerial-based systems to capture and analyze electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted from the Earth's surface. This form of remote sensing has become incredibly valuable in fields such as environmental monitoring, urban planning, agriculture, forestry, and disaster management, among others.

Modern remote sensing techniques leverage sensors capable of detecting specific wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light, infrared, and microwave radiation. By analyzing the patterns and intensity of this radiation, researchers can derive valuable information about the Earth's surface features, including vegetation cover, soil moisture, land use, and changes over time.

Lithological interpretation of igneous rocks involves the identification and description of the different types of rocks that form as a result of the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. Igneous rocks can be classified based on their mineral composition, texture, and the way they formed. Here are some of the common types of igneous rocks and their characteristics:

1. Basalt

Basalt is a dark-colored, fine-grained rock that forms from the rapid cooling of lava. It is typically composed of minerals such as pyroxene, plagioclase feldspar, and olivine.

Basalt is a common extrusive igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of basaltic lava. It is typically dark in color, ranging from black to dark gray, and has a fine-grained texture. Basalt is composed mainly of plagioclase and pyroxene minerals, with smaller amounts of olivine, magnetite, and other minerals.

Basalt is found in many parts of the world, including the oceanic crust, volcanic islands, and some continental regions. It is also used as a construction material, such as in road paving, because of its durability and resistance to weathering. Additionally, basalt fiber is used in various applications, including reinforcing materials in composites, insulation, and other industrial uses.

Basalt in India: Basalt is a type of igneous rock that is commonly found in India. It is a dark-colored, fine-grained rock that is rich in iron and magnesium minerals.

India is a geologically diverse country with a wide variety of rock types. The major rock types found in India can be broadly classified into the following categories:

Igneous Rocks: These rocks are formed from the solidification of molten magma. They can be further divided into two types:

1. Plutonic (Intrusive) Igneous Rocks: Examples include granite, diorite, and gabbro. These rocks are formed deep within the Earth's crust and have a coarse-grained texture.
2. Volcanic (Extrusive) Igneous Rocks: Examples include basalt, andesite, and rhyolite. These rocks are formed on the Earth's surface from volcanic eruptions and have a fine-grained texture.

Sedimentary Rocks: These rocks are formed by the deposition and consolidation of sediments over time. They can be further divided into various types based on their composition and mode of formation:

1. Clastic Sedimentary Rocks: Examples include sandstone, shale, and conglomerate. These rocks are formed from the accumulation and lithification of fragments of pre-existing rocks.
2. Chemical Sedimentary Rocks: Examples include limestone, dolomite, and rock salt. These rocks are formed from the precipitation of minerals from water bodies.

Interpretation of Drainage Patterns Through Aerial Photographs

Aerial photographs can provide a useful tool for interpreting the drainage patterns of a landscape. Drainage patterns are formed by the natural movement of water across the land and the way in which it flows from high to low areas, creating channels and streams that eventually converge into larger rivers and bodies of water. Different types of drainage patterns can be identified through aerial photographs, which can help to understand the underlying geology and topography of the landscape.

Here are some of the different drainage patterns that can be identified through aerial photographs:

1. Dendritic pattern

This pattern resembles the branches of a tree and is the most common type of drainage pattern. It occurs in areas where the underlying rock or soil is uniform and has no preferred direction of erosion. The streams converge into larger rivers, which may flow in a particular direction.

Structural landforms are landforms that are created due to the underlying geological structures of the earth's crust. These structures can include folds, faults, and other features that have been formed due to the tectonic forces that have shaped the earth's surface over millions of years.

Examples of structural landforms include mountain ranges, plateaus, and rift valleys. Mountain ranges are formed due to the upliftment of the earth's crust along a fault line or due to the folding of the earth's crust. Plateaus are flat-topped landforms that are formed due to the upliftment of a large area of the earth's crust. Rift valleys are formed due to the stretching and pulling apart of the earth's crust along a fault line.

Denudational landforms, on the other hand, are landforms that are created due to the process of erosion and weathering. These landforms are formed due to the gradual wearing down of the earth's surface by natural forces such as wind, water, and ice.

Rock

A rock is a solid, naturally occurring substance composed of minerals or mineraloids. It is typically formed through geological processes, such as cooling and solidification of molten lava or magma, or by the deposition and compaction of sediment over time. Rocks are classified into three main types based on their origin: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

Igneous rocks: Formed from the cooling and solidification of molten lava or magma. Examples include granite, basalt, and obsidian.

Sedimentary rocks: Formed from the accumulation and compaction of sediment, such as sand, mud, or organic matter, over long periods. Examples include sandstone, limestone, and shale.

Metamorphic rocks: Formed from the transformation of existing rocks under high temperature and pressure conditions. They undergo changes in mineral composition, texture, and structure. Examples include marble, slate, and gneiss.

Rocks serve as the building blocks of the Earth's crust and are an essential part of the geological processes that shape the planet. They can provide valuable information about Earth's history, including the formation of mountains, the movement of continents, and the presence of ancient life forms. Rocks are also used in various practical applications, such as construction, road building, and the production of minerals and resources.

Geomorphological mapping is the process of creating detailed maps that illustrate the physical features of the Earth's surface, including landforms, soil types, vegetation, and water resources. These maps can be used to better understand the underlying geology and topography of a region, and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as land-use planning, environmental management, and geological hazard assessment.

Geomorphological maps are typically created using a combination of field observations, aerial photography, and remote sensing data. Field observations involve physically visiting a site and making detailed observations of the landforms, soil types, and vegetation. Aerial photography involves taking high-resolution photographs of the Earth's surface from an airplane or satellite, which can be used to create detailed maps of the area. Remote sensing data can also be used to create geomorphological maps, including data from satellites, radar, and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems. These technologies allow scientists to gather data about the Earth's surface without physically visiting the site, and can provide highly accurate information about the topography, geology, and vegetation of an area. The resulting maps can be used for a variety of purposes, including land-use planning, natural resource management, and hazard assessment. For example, geomorphological maps can be used to identify areas of high risk for landslides, floods, or earthquakes, and can be used to develop strategies for managing these hazards.

Remote Sensing in Mineral Exploration

Remote sensing is a powerful tool used in mineral exploration to study and identify minerals and mineral deposits from a distance. This technology allows geologists to gather information about the Earth's surface and subsurface without having to physically access the site. Here are some ways remote sensing is used in mineral exploration:

Mapping Geology: Remote sensing can be used to map geology by identifying surface features associated with mineral deposits. Geologists use images collected by remote sensing satellites and aircraft to create detailed maps of the geology and topography of a region. These maps can help identify areas that are likely to contain mineral deposits.

Mineral Identification: Remote sensing can help identify specific minerals by analyzing the reflectance or absorption patterns of light. Different minerals have unique spectral signatures that can be detected by remote sensing instruments. By analyzing these signatures, geologists can identify the type and abundance of minerals present in an area.

Remote Sensing in Oil Exploration

Remote sensing plays a significant role in the oil exploration industry. It refers to the use of sensors and instruments to gather information about the Earth's surface and its environment from a distance. This information can be used to locate and evaluate oil and gas deposits.

There are different remote sensing techniques used in oil exploration, including

Seismic surveys: This technique involves creating sound waves underground and recording their reflection to determine the subsurface structure. It is commonly used in oil exploration to locate potential oil and gas deposits.

Magnetic surveys: This technique uses a magnetometer to measure the magnetic field of the Earth's surface. Magnetic anomalies can indicate the presence of underground geological structures that may contain oil or gas deposits.

Gravity surveys: This technique involves measuring variations in the Earth's gravitational field, which can indicate the presence of underground geological structures.

Remote sensing can be a useful tool in engineering geological investigations, particularly in the identification and characterization of geological features and hazards.

Some of the ways that remote sensing can be used in engineering geological investigations include:

Geological mapping: Remote sensing data can be used to create detailed maps of the geological features in an area, including rock formations, faults, and folds. This information can be used to identify potential hazards, such as landslides and rockfalls, and to plan engineering projects accordingly.

Landslide detection and monitoring: Remote sensing data, such as satellite imagery, can be used to detect landslides and monitor their movement over time. This information can help engineers to design and implement appropriate stabilization measures.

Ground deformation monitoring: Remote sensing techniques, such as Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), can be used to detect ground deformation caused by geological processes such as subsidence, uplift, and faulting. This information can be used to identify potential hazards and plan engineering projects accordingly.

Definition of Disaster

A disaster can be defined as a sudden or catastrophic event that causes significant damage, destruction, and disruption to human life, property, or the environment. Disasters can be natural, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or they can be human-made, including industrial accidents, terrorist attacks, or technological failures.

Disasters often result in the loss of lives, injuries, displacement of people, infrastructure damage, and the interruption of essential services like electricity, water, and communication systems. They can have long-lasting impacts on communities, economies, and the environment.

Governments, organizations, and communities implement disaster preparedness, response, and recovery strategies to mitigate the effects of disasters, protect lives and property, and facilitate the rebuilding and restoration of affected areas.

A cow is called repeat breeder when it has failed to conceive even after three or more number of services, has normal estrus cycle length, no abnormal vaginal discharge, no palpable abnormality in the reproductive tract, has calved at least once before and is less than ten years of age. Repeat breeding is one of the most important infertility problem faced by field veterinarians.

Causes

1) Fertilization failure

2) Early embryonic death

Main Points that Need to be Known by a Farmer About Repeat Breeding Cow

• Signs of estrus like vaginal discharge and its color, bellowing, mounting etc

• Time of estrus as observed by owner (morning, evening etc)

• Vaginal discharge whether clear or mucopurulent/purulent

• Duration of estrus

• Inter-estrous interval

• Number of inseminations

Anoestrus in cows is a condition in which there is absence of observable estrus signs. Anoestrus in cattle is suspected when estrus in not expressed by the female animal or in case the farmer fails to detect it. Among reproductive problems, it is one of the most commonly occurring conditions in cattle. It affects the production and economics of a cow to a great extent and the economic losses occur due to increase in inter-calving interval, poor net calf crops, loss of production, expenses incurred on treatment etc. It is caused by multiple factors including mostly inadequate or unbalanced nutrition, environmental stress, uterine or ovarian pathologies and poor managemental practices.

Diagnosis

• Rectal examination of animal. The ovaries are small and smooth. Should be confirmed by repeated examinations at 10 days interval.

• Ultrasound examinations at regular intervals can be done to diagnose and confirm anestrous.

• Progesterone estimations at intervals of 10 days would aid in confirmation. Low progesterone levels at both times indicate true anestrous.

Sub estrus (Weak or Silent Estrus) is a condition in which there are normal cyclical changes in the reproductive organs of a cow but the heat signs are not exhibited to a level of intensity as in normal cows leading to failure of estrus detection by a farmer. This condition is common during post partum period. It is a common reproductive problem in cattle affecting the productivity and economics of a cow due to increase in inter-calving interval, production loss, treatment expenses etc.

In subclinical endometritis (SCE), there is inflammation of the internal lining of uterus (endometrium). It is one of the major causes of repeat breeding in cattle and causes significant reduction of reproductive performance. Cervico- vaginal mucus in subclinical endometritis is clear in contrast to endometritis. It is also called cytological endometritis and is associated with increased proportion (percentage) of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in endometrial cytology samples. SCE affected cows have delayed first service and subsequent pregnancy causing significant economic losses due to reduction in reproductive performance, feed intake increase per lactation, milk yield reduction and increase in culling rate.

Endometritis in cow is actually the inflammation of endometrium that is inner lining of the uterus. It occurs after bacterial contamination of uterus at calving, during A.I. following dystocia, retention of placenta, abortion etc. There is expulsion of white or whitish-yellow muco-purulent discharge from vagina. The animal does not shows systemic signs like increase in temperature, increase in respiration rate, anorexia, toxemia etc as in metritis. However, the animal fails to conceive even after repeated inseminations.

Metritis is a condition seen in cattle in which there is the inflammation of the entire thickness of uterine wall (endometrium, myometrium and serosa). When it occurs just after parturition, it is called puerperal metritis. It usually occurs after abnormal birth like in case of dystocia, abortion, RFM etc. The animal shows systemic signs like increase in temperature initially, increase in respiration rate, anorexia, toxemia etc. There is expulsion of large volume of foul smelling reddish to brown discharge from vagina frequently associated with straining. The expelled discharge from vagina is often with pieces of degenerating placenta.

Retained fetal membrane (RFM) in cow is a condition in which fetal membranes or placenta fail to separate and expelled by 12-24 hours after the birth of calf. It is a common in bovines and is usually associated with dystocia, abortion etc. Retained placenta in bovines predisposes the animal to uterine infection and thereby leads to infertility.

Vaginal prolapse in cow is a condition in which there is protrusion of whole or part of vagina including sometimes the part of cervix through the vulva. It occurs in cow mostly during last 2-3 months of gestation. It occurs due to excess secretion of estrogen from placenta, hypocalcaemia, inadequate exercise, bulky food like roughages etc. Sometimes occurs in non pregnant cows due to cystic ovaries, severe straining due to vaginal irritation etc.

Uterine prolapse also called casting of the “Calf Bed” in cow is a condition in which there is eversion of whole or part of uterus outside the vulva after its movement through dilated cervix and vagina. It occurs in cow after the birth of calf and mostly in dairy cows having given birth many times to a calf. It occurs due to hypocalcaemia, defective involution, inadequate exercise, excessive force applied during removal of calf etc.

Pyometra meaning “pus filled uterus” is a condition in cow which is characterized by progressive accumulation of pus in the uterus, presence of persisting CL, absence of estrus and regular estrus cycles and a closed cervix. Pyometra occurs following chronic endometritis in most cases as uterus fails to produce endogenous CL regressing agent i.e. PGF2a. So, the CL of diestrus persists resulting in failure of elimination of uterine infection as the animal remains under the continuous influence of progesterone. Progesterone production from the persistent CL causes closure of cervix, pus accumulation in the uterus and consequently leading to enlargement and distension of uterus.

Uterine torsion in cow is actually the rotation of the pregnant uterus on its longitudinal axis and usually occurs before onset or during late first stage of parturition but rarely encountered during early second stage of parturition. In cattle, uterine torsion involves both gravid and non gravid horns because of strong intercornual ligament and distension of uterine horn and body with placenta and fluid. The remarkable feature of uterine torsion is its association with advanced pregnancy and process of parturition in cow.

Cystic ovarian disease (Cystic ovarian degenertaion or ovarian cysts) is a common ovarian dysfunction in cattle and causes huge economic loss to farmers due to its high incidence and negative impact on the reproductive performance of cow. Animals having cysts on ovary result in anoestrum as the most significant clinical sign. Althouugh the exact cause that leads to cystic ovarian disease is not yet fully clear but altered release of LH hormone is the most accepted hypothesis.

Estrus is referred to as the period of estrous cycle during which the female animal allows the male for mating. It is the period of estrous cycle during which insemination is done to female animal so that the animal will become pregnant. During estrus, cow usually seeks out the male and ’stands’ for him to mate her. In all domestic species, Ovulation occurs during this phase of the cycle but in case of cow, ovulation occurs about 12 hours after the end of estrus period.

Artificial insemination (AI) is a technique in which sperm cells loaded in straws and stored in liquid nitrogen are thawed and manually deposited into the reproductive tract of a female animal at estrus. The recto-vaginal technique is the most commonly used method for artificial insemination in cattle. In order to increase the probability of pregnancy, the animal in estrus should be inseminated at proper time not too early or late.

The diagnosis of pregnancy (Cyesiognosis) was desired earlier by farmers for curiosity, but currently early pregnancy diagnosis is considered essential for economically viable and profitable dairy farming. Clinical methods are commonly used for pregnancy diagnosis in cattle with recto genital palpation and trans-rectal ultrasonography as the methods of choice for an accurate and early pregnancy diagnosis.

Vaccination of cattle and prevention of diseases causing huge economic losses is very much essential for economic rearing of livestock as prophylactic and strategic vaccination helps in development of immunity against the vaccinated diseases thereby prevents the animals from developing such infections and consequent diseases. Animals should be vaccinated at specific age and at definite time intervals for optimal protection against the diseases.

Regular deworming of cattle including young stock is essential for economic rearing as sever parasitic infection leads to reduced feed intake, decreased reproductive performance, lower milk production, decreased growth rate and increased incidence of diseases. So, deworming as per scientific schedule and dose rate is a must for animals to keep away these profit eating parasites.

Calves play an important role in the dairy development and successful growth of young calves to mature stage is required for herd replacement and to get economic returns when they are sold. Good calf-care is important for sustenance of the dairy form and preservation and maintenance of good quality germplasm.

Maintenance of optimum fertility and reproductive goals is very important for profitable and economically viable cattle rearing. It is highly desired and essential for the farmers to maintain the high reproductive efficiency in cows so that the losses incurred on infertility are reduced to the maximum extent through good managemental practices and following scientific guidelines properly.

1.1 Meaning

The English word 'communication' is derived from the Latin communis, which means common sense. In other words, it is the transmission and interaction of facts, ideas, opinions, feelings, or attitudes. Communication is a two-way process that involves transferring info rmation or messages from one person or group to another. This process goes on and includes a minimum of one sender and receiver to pass on the messages. These messages can either be any ideas, imagination, emotions, or thoughts. Communication is a Latin word that means "to share".

2.1 Audio-Visual Aids Classification

Audio-visual aids are tools that combine auditory and visual stimuli to facilitate learning and improve comprehension. They can make abstract ideas more concrete and understandable. Here's a classification of some commonly used audio-visual aids:

• Audio Aids

• Tape recorders: are tools for teaching that playback sound or music.
• Radio: Programmes can serve as educational resources and audio learning aids.
• Podcasts are digital audio programs or episodes with a focus on learning.

3.1 Language and Principles of Writing: Basic Differences Between the Print, Electronic and Online News

Because each media has a unique readership with different needs, writing for print, electronic, and digital news demands distinct terminology and approaches. Here are the key differences:

Print News: Language

1. Conciseness: Print news requires concise and to-the-point writing due to limited space.
2. Formal Language: Language tends to be more formal and structured.
3. Third Person: Writing is often in the third person.
4. Headlines: Print headlines are shorter and must convey the essence of the story.

4.1 The Meaning of Journalism

The profession and practice of journalism entail gathering, confirming, analysing, and distributing news and information to the general public. Reporters, often known as journalists, are essential to the accurate, timely, and insightful coverage of events, problems, and advancements that have an impact on society. They are responsible for presenting the facts, providing diverse viewpoints, and conveying information in a clear, objective, and ethical manner.

5.1 Basics of Writing

Writing news stories involves a specific set of guidelines and practices to ensure accuracy, clarity, and effective communication.

• Writing News Stories

A methodical approach is necessary when writing news articles in order to provide accurate, educational, and captivating information.

6.1 Role of Media in Democracy: Introduction

The media is the fourth pillar of democracy. The media has a critical role in creating a democratic culture that transcends the political system and gradually enters the general public's consciousness. Voters rely on the political information provided by the media to make their selections. They facilitate discussion and help discover issues facing our society.

1.1 Background

The aftermath of Green Revolution has contributed to both coercions and pollution, albeit, it saved human civilization from hunger, malnutrition and impoverishment. The beginning of GR era, with the prevailing objective and condition, has got less but few choices to go for intensive cultivation that invited chemical fertilizer, assured irrigation and farm mechanizations to make the 'magic gene' revolutionizing the production, productivity and livelihood security in agriculture as well.

The welcome of exotic genes into Indian agriculture has also triggered the silent oftraditional cultivars. Nevertheless, the quantum jump of an agriculture with a production of 55 million tons to 120 million tons during 70s, has contributed to make India self-reliant in food and we have been able to earn a new esteem in the global geo-political scenario by throwing away the 'begging bowl' called PL480.

This chapter describes about the review of relevant researches related to the present study. This also helps in developing conceptual framework and selecting proper methodology for the study. Although studies have been conducted on different aspects of conservation agriculture in past, but a few reviews were available on social ecology and perceptional change of the farmers in managing critical inputs to agriculture like water, nutrient and soil organic carbon, and ecosystem as a whole. So, reviews having a little indirect bearings are also included in this section. In accordance with the subject of the proposed study, the review of literature has been presented under the following sub-heads:

The last century has witnessed a global change in agricultural practices. From high dependency on external input agriculture, the world is now shifting towards low external input sustainable agriculture (LEISA). The history of dustbowl devastation in 1930s in America has put agricultural practices, tillage in particular, to question (Friedrich et al., 2012). Traditionally, tillage was believed to be a primary farm operation for preparing a good seedbed, nutrient mobilization, weed management, moisture availability, crop residue incorporation (Hobbs et al., 2008), thereby improving the overall soil health with increased production (Farooq et al., 2011a). The dust bowl devastation of 1930s gave rise to the concept of protecting soil by reducing tillage operation and maintaining ground cover, popularized as conservation tillage (Friedrich et al., 2012). Economic and ecological sufferings caused by the disastrous droughts in USA during 1930s drove the shift towards conservation agriculture (CA) (Haggblade and Tembo, 2003).

4.1 Research Setting

In any social science research, it is hardly possible to conceptualize and perceive the data and interpret the data more accurately until and unless a clear understanding of the characteristics in the area and attitude or the behavior of people is at commend of the interpreter who intends to unveil an understanding of the implication and behavioral complexes of the individual who live in the area under reference and form a representative part of the larger community. The socio-demographic background of the local people in a rural setting has been critically administered in this section. A research setting is a surrounding in which input and elements of research are contextually imbibed, interactive and mutually contributive to the system performance. Research setting is immensely important in the sense because it is characterizing and influencing the interplays of different factors and components.

Research methodology is a detailed plan of investigation and the blue print of procedure for carrying out the research. In this chapter, discussion on the methodology has been made to understand the concepts, methods and techniques, which are utilized to design the study, collect information, analyzing data and interpreting the findings for revelation of truth and formulation of theories. The entire chapter has been broken up under following sub-heads for easy understanding:

1. Locale of research
2. Sampling design
3. Pilot study
4. Variables and their measurements

Table 1: Descriptive statistics of the socio-economic and communication characteristics of the respondents in terms of Range (Minimum and Maximum), Mean, Standard Deviation (SD) and Coefficient of Variation (CV) of Alluvial Zone in West Bengal

Table 1 Represents the distribution of variables in terms of range i.e. maximum and minimum values, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation for alluvial zone of West Bengal.

It has been found that for the independent variable age (x₁), the range lies between 82 and 27 years, where the oldest respondent is of 82 years and the youngest respondent being 27years old. The mean value of the age of the respondents in this study was found to be 51.49 years with a standard deviation of 12.42 in the dataset. Coefficient of variation for this variable was found to be 24.14 per cent, which indicates a high level of consistency in the distribution.