Study of extent of coverage of flower crop information and its content analysis in Agrowon newspaper

Introduction

Most of farmers who read newspapers have a curiosity in reading about farming-related topics. Newspapers can therefore be a useful tool for educating farmers about technologies. Newspapers in local languages have the potential to provide agricultural-related data (Kalantri et al., 1991) [4] . Examining the extent of the analysis of different agricultural data is crucial.Print media, out of all the mainstream media, are crucial in helping rural communities learn about farms. Newspapers serve a special function in print media since most farmers who read them have a curiosity in reading about farming. On April 19, 2005, the Sakal group of newspapers launched Agrowon, the first Marathi daily exclusively focused on agriculture. The most recent agricultural reports and views, political coverage that impacts farmers' social

Results and Discussion

Articles published on horticultural information in Agrowon newspaper

The Horticulture is a heart of the agriculture. The horticulture is one of the major branch of the Agriculture. The horticulture is divided in sub-branches like fruits, vegetables flowers, spices, aromatic and medicinal plants. The frequencies and space covered of respective types were worked out which are represented in Table 9. The data from table 1 delineates that among horticulture, fruit crop information topped (54.53 per cent), followed by vegetable crops (30.79 per cent), flower crops (7.73 per cent), spices crops (4.26 per cent) and aromatic and medicinal crops (2.69 per cent) in terms of frequency. Regarding space covered by horticultural information, fruit crop information topped (56.54 per cent) on second rank vegetable crop information (29.50 per cent) and on third rank flower crop information (7.84 per cent). It was followed by spices crop information (3.35 per cent) and Aromatic and Medicinal crop information (2.77 per cent). There is scope to increase the number of articles on Aromatic and medicinal crops and spices crops so that there will be all round in coverage of horticultural information in Agrowon. The finding was partially supported by Kayal (1975), Panhale (1993) [5,8] .

Distribution of cropwise flower crop information appeared in Agrowon newspaper

The horticultural information on flower crop was grouped into different types on the basis of growth habit. They were grouped under shrubs, bulbs, shade loving plants, annuals, climbers and general information on flower crops. The frequencies and space covered of respective types were worked out which are presented in Table 2. The other group like annuals (5.14 per cent) and climber (2.10 per cent) had less covered space to the total space covered by flower crop information. There was no space observed to shade loving plants even 1 per cent. Among space covered by cropwise flower crops in Agrowon shows general information on flower crops topped (62.59 per cent).

Distribution of cropwise flower crop information appeared in Agrowon newspaper

Distribution of cropwise flower crop information shows that the frequency of articles on flower crops, general information on flower crops topped (60.87 per cent) to the total number of flower crop information. The shrubs crop stand on second position (21.74 per cent) and bulbs crop on third position (11.59 per cent). It was followed by annuals and climbers both were (2.90 per cent). There was no any article observed on shade loving plants so there is a need to give more attention on shade loving plants.

Regarding space covered in square centimeter by flower crop information, general information on flower crops ranked first (62.59 per cent) followed by shrubs (17.98 per cent) on second rank and bulbs (12.19 per cent) on third rank. The other group like annuals (5.14 per cent) and climber (2.10 per cent) had less covered space to the total space covered by flower crop information. There was no space observed to shade loving plants even 1 per cent. Among space covered by cropwise flower crops in Agrowon shows following results. On flower crop, general information on flower crops topped (62.59 per cent). These results indicate that Agrowon has given more information on flower crops in general and not cropwise so that it is necessary to give coverage on information in cropwise pattern. It is necessary to emerge the less covered and neglected crops and give attention to climber flower information. The result of finding was supported by the findings of Kayal (1975) and Panhale (1993) [5,8] .

Distribution of package of practicewise flower crop information appeared in Agrowon newspaper

The flower crop information was grouped into different types on the basis of package of practices. The frequencies and space covered of respective types were worked out which are presented in Table 2. It was reported from table 3 that various types of package of practicewise flower crop information appeared in Agrowon. In package of practicewise, general information on flower topped (60.87 per cent) in terms of frequency. In this position preparatory planting operations was on first rank (26.09 per cent), marketing on second position (7.25 per cent) and on third position other information as well as farm mechanization (5.80 per cent). It was followed by less number of articles on remaining package of practices. In package of practisewise, on second position shrub crops (21.74 per cent), in this preparatory planting operations topped (5.80 per cent), followed by harvesting and farm mechanization (4.35 per cent) and other practices were neglected. Bulbs crop on third position (11.59 per cent) in terms of frequency. In this preparatory planting operations topped (5.80 per cent), followed by farm mechanization (4.4.35 per cent), intercultural operations (1.45 per cent) and no any articles on other practices. Among package of practices annuals and climbers covered same articles (2.90 per cent) in terms of frequency. In annuals marketing and intercultural operations were (1.45 per cent), while in case of climber's preparatory planting operations and farm mechanization both were same (1.45 per cent). There were no any articles on remaining package of practices of annuals climber crops. On shade loving plants, there were no any articles; it was totally neglected in terms of frequency. The overall package of practices in terms of frequency, preparatory planting operations topped (40.58 per cent). It was followed by farm mechanization (13.04 per cent), marketing (11.59 per cent), intercultural operations (10.14 per cent), and other information (8.70 per cent). There was less number of articles on remaining practices. Regarding space covered in sq. cm. of flower group type general information topped (62.69 per cent). In this preparatory planting operation on first rank (26.20 per cent), on second rank marketing (10.76 per cent) and on third rank intercultural operations (5.82 per cent). It was followed by remaining practices having very less space.

Regarding space covered of flower group type, shrubs crops (17.98 per cent) was on second position. Among this harvesting topped (3.94 per cent) followed by preparatory planting operations (3.72 per cent) and other information (3.21 per cent). The remaining practices were neglected. In space covered of flower group type bulbs crops (12.19 per cent) was on third position. Among this farm mechanization topped (6.48 per cent). It was followed by preparatory planting operations (4.22 per cent) and intercultural operations (1.48 per cent). There were no any articles on remaining package of practices. The coverage of annuals was 5.14 per cent. In these intercultural operations was topped (2.85 per cent). It was followed by marketing (2.29 per cent). Remaining practices were not covered. Very less coverage was observed on climber flower group types. The coverage of shade loving plants was not observed. The overall package of practices in terms of space covered, preparatory planting operations topped (35.20 per cent) followed by marketing (14.85 per cent) and farm mechanization (14.82 per cent). The remaining practices were covered less space.

Types, placement and colour of illustrations used in flower crop information appeared in Agrowon newspaper

The illustrations were grouped in types, placement, colour and without illustrations. The frequencies and space covered by respective types were worked out which are presented in Table 4. Illustrations are useful for literate as well as illiterate persons and are easily understood by the readers. Table 3 shows that the frequency of types of illustrations, in photographs general information topped (36.84 per cent) followed by shrubs crops (22.37 per cent), bulbs (11.84 per cent) and less number of photographs used in shade loving plants i.e. 5.26 per cent and annuals 1.32 per cent. In charts, general information topped (13.16 per cent) and on other crops less number of charts was used. In colour of illustrations, multicolour topped (85.53 per cent) followed by black and white (14.47 per cent). As regards space covered by illustrations, in types of illustrations in photograph general information topped (33.01 per cent) followed by shrubs crops (22.37 per cent), bulbs (11.84 per cent). In chart, general information topped (13.16 per cent), shrubs (7.59 per cent). On remaining crop groups less than 4 per cent charts were used in terms of space covered. As regards space covered by placement of illustrations, in general information, left lower left side topped (10.20 per cent) followed by right upper right side (9.22 per cent). In shrubs crops upper middle side topped (7.63 per cent). In bulbs, left upper left side topped (4.57 per cent). In shade loving plants, left lower left side topped (3.24 per cent). In annuals less than 3 per cent space covered by placement because in annuals less illustration was used. Regarding space covered by colour of illustrations of flower crops, in general information multicolor topped (40.09 per cent) followed by black and. white (7.10 per cent), same picture was observed in other groups of crops. Among overall space covered by illustrations of flower corps, in types of illustrations photograph topped (73.22 per cent) followed by charts (26.78 per cent). In placement, upper middle side topped (21.05 per cent) followed by right upper right side (17.92 per cent), left upper left side (12.76 per cent). In colour of illustrations, multicolour topped (83.88 per cent) followed by black and white (16.12 per cent).

References

1. Abdullah MA. Content analysis of agricultural information appeared in Syrian farm weekly from Damascus, Syrian [MSc thesis]. Rahuri (India): Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth; 2000.
2. Jadhav MC. Content analysis of Marathi newspaper Agrowon from Maharashtra with special reference to horticultural information [MSc thesis]. Rahuri (India): Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth; 2007.
3. Jagtap VR. Content analysis of agricultural information appeared in leading Marathi newspaper 'Pudhari' from western Maharashtra [MSc thesis]. Rahuri (India): Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth; 2001.
4. Kalantri LB, Sinha RR, Kubde VR. Attitude of farmers towards newspaper as a source of agricultural information. Maharashtra J Ext Educ. 1991;10(2):15863.
5. Kayal BS. A study of source of information, readership and content of Bengali farm magazine Krishi Pragati in West Bengal [MSc thesis]. New Delhi (India): Indian Agricultural Research Institute; 1975.
6. Kamble RN. Type, contents and quality of illustrations appeared in leading farm magazine in Maharashtra [MSc thesis]. Rahuri (India): Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth; 1988.
7. Murthy VR. Uses and limits of content analysis. Communicator. 1999;34(2):9-10.
8. Rahuri (India): Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth; 1993.
9. Patil SD. A study of Marathi periodical Deenmitra in terms of its nature and contents with special reference to agriculture [MSc thesis]. Rahuri (India): Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth; 1999.
10. Rajmane SB. Content analysis of farm magazine Shetkari [MSc thesis]. Rahuri (India): Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth; 1996.
11. Shendre NK. Types, coverage and content analysis of the agricultural information in leading Marathi newspaper in Maharashtra [MSc thesis]. Rahuri (India): Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth; 1985.