Modernization in agriculture is both technological and historical by nature having deeper socio-ecological expression and impact. The three distinct phases of Indian agriculture, as conspicuous by dictum and directions, are inductive and stimulative in approaches. The present book has triggered an attempt to delineate the process of modernization in the psychic domain of vegetable growers in terms of a score of socio-ecological and eco-behavioural variables. The cognitive changes have transcended into the adoption behaviour to execute a recommended change with both ephemeral and long – term impact. The book would be of great help to the adoption vis-à-vis socialization researchers in extension science with both conceptual and methodological innovation.
Prof. (Dr.) S.K. Acharya, former Head, Dept. of Agril. Extension and Director, Extension Education, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, WB, born on 6th October, 1960, started his career as Assistant Professor at BCKV in 1988 and has been in teaching, research and extension over 30 years. An erudite teacher and an elegant speaker as he is, Prof. Acharya, was the topper in his M.Sc. (Ag) academic career in Agril. Extension,is internationally acclaimed for his unique research domain of Social Entropy and Energy Metabolism, Social Ecology and Environmental Sociology, Enterprise Ecology Framework. Farm Stewardships: The Transition from Conservation, Technology Socialization Process, and The Social Ecology of Livelihood, which have got tremendous policy as well as scholastic importance. Research Publication: 180 in National and International Journals. Book Publication: 83 books authored/coauthored, covering topics Participatory Extension Planning and Management; Value addition and quality management, Extension Strategy for Natural Resource Management; Horticulture Management with Quality Issues, Technology Socialization Process; Fish biodiversity; Income and Livelihood; Enterprise Management and Entrepreneurship Building; Women’s Participation in Panchayat; Gender Issues in Floriculture; Technology gap in Floriculture; Enterprise Synergy in Agriculture; Disaster Management; Social Metabolism, Farm Energy Metabolism, Community Perception on Climate Change , Social Entropy and Chaos. Research areas of Publication: Community Forest Management and Role performance by EDC and FPC; Social forestry and community participation (paper published in Indian Forester); Technology Diffusion and Socialization. Primary Education : Dropout Problem, Nutrition and Livelihood; Fish Ecology and Community Indexing of Fish Biodiversity; Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Analysis; Development Communication; Diffusion Approach in Forestry and Animal Enterprise; PRA, PLA, BME, etc. Membership of Distinction: Chancellor Nominee on selection committee; Member of Agriculture Commission; Marketing and Extension Sub-Committee, Govt. of West Bengal; Expert member WWF projects in BTR (Buxa Tiger Reserve Project); Expert member; DFID project on Primary Education (DPEP); REIA, Visited: Italy, France, Germany, China, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Delivered 13 Keynote addresses in International Congress, Chaired 17 Sessions in International conferences, Editors of a score of national and international journals.He has so far been awarded with 9 best paper awards in National and International Conferences, Organizing Secretary of two International Conferences, held in the years 2016 & 2018, Jointly Organized by Department of Agricultural Extension, BCKV, WB and Krishisanskriti, New Delhi.
He has also been honored to be selected as the Convenor of Panel (PE-32) entitled the hunger, poverty and silence, of IUAES, University of Manchester, UK, 2013 .Co-PI of ICAR and World Bank funded project CAAST on Conservation Agriculture. So far he has successfully guided 15 Ph.D. scholars from BCKV, CU, KU, Vidyasagar University.
Dr. Hemanga Kumar Kalita is presently working as Professor in Department of Extension Education, Assam Agricultural University. Earlier he served Central Board for Workers’ Education as Education Officer from 199396.He did his M.Sc. (Agri) from Assam Agricultural University and Ph.D. in Agricultural Extension from Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya. To his credit he has published 20 numbers of research papers in reputed national journals. He has developed expertise in the field of technology socialization, entrepreneurship, Transfer of Technology, Market led Extension, Participatory Extension, etc.