eChapters

Government policies can significantly impact the economy, business, and society, with various success stories and emerging trends shaping their future. Successful policies include the National Food Security Act in India, which reduced stunting and improved dietary diversity. Future trends involve increased digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on sustainable practices.
ICAR MODELS, NFDB/PMMSY SCHEMES FOR IFF
ICAR’s Models for Integrated Fish Farming
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has played a leading role in advancing Integrated fish farming (IFF) models that effectively combine aquaculture with agriculture and animal husbandry. These models aim to improve resource efficiency, boost overall farm productivity, and ensure sustainable practices.
• Rice–Fish–Duck System (ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack): This model combines paddy cultivation with fish and duck rearing. Ducks act as natural weed and pest controllers while fertilizing the fields with their droppings. Fish support nutrient cycling and also help manage weeds. The system enhances rice yield, produces fish and duck meat/eggs, and optimizes water and land use.
• Fish–Makhana–Water Chestnut System (ICAR-RCER, Patna): Widely adopted in Bihar, this model integrates fish farming with the cultivation of makhana (fox nut) and water chestnut. The aquatic crops provide natural habitat and supplemental feed for fish. This integration improves pond utilization and generates multiple income streams for farmers.

The yesteryear concept of employing one or two acclaimed anaesthetic drugs to produce sedation and general anaesthesia is now switching over to the era of balanced sedation and balanced anaesthesia. The theory of balanced anaesthesia entails achieving the state of general anaesthesia with the proportionate administration of a mixture of small amounts of several neuronal depressant drugs which summates the advantages of the individual drugs but not their disadvantages (Bettschart-Wolfensberger and Larenza, 2007). Knowledge about balanced anesthesia and targeted effects of drugs on neuronal pathways has started to influence veterinary anaesthetists worldwide. But there are many constraints for a vast majority of veterinary practitioners in India to follow this emerging modality of anaesthetic practice. It is almost impractical for most of them to get the assistance of a veterinary anaesthesiologist every time. So they experience complexities to deal with the pharmacological dosing of multiple component drugs of balanced anaesthetic protocols. Memorising the doses and calculating the volume of injection of multiple component drugs where the doses of some drugs has to be calculated in milligram per kilogram body weight while others have to be calculated in microgram per kilogram body weight becomes a cumbersome task for the practitioner. Moreover, many of these anaesthetic drugs are available in ampoules, and hence multiple ampoules have to be broken for every single surgery; consuming a lot of time. Wastage of the leftover anaesthetic in opened ampoules is another concern. Unavailability of some drugs at some areas is another issue the practitioner faces. These challenges constrain the practitioner from practicing balanced anaesthesia and most of them lean on the verily familiar conventional anaesthetic protocol, based exclusively on one or two frequently used drugs, for almost all the surgical procedures of varying depth. Since only one or two anaesthetic drugs are involved in the protocol, the drugs have to be used at its upper limit of pharmacological doses to achieve the desired endpoints of anaesthesia. This will increase the probable risk of undesired side effects of these drugs. The challenges that restrict our practitioners from advancing beyond the era of sole reliance on one or two drugs for producing the state of anaesthesia has to be addressed and measures to resolve these issues have to be evolved to promote and equip our veterinary practitioners to practice the safer technique of balanced anaesthesia. Encompassing these objectives, and based on evidence and

Canine transmissible venereal tumours (CTVT) is also known as infectious sarcoma, transmissible venereal tumours (TVT), venereal granuloma (VG), canine transmissible venereal sarcoma (CTVS), transmissible lymphosarcoma or Sticker tumour, is a benign reticuloendothelial tumour of the dog that mainly affects the external genitalia and occasionally the internal. As it is usually transmitted during coitus it mainly occurs in young, sexually mature animal. Canine transmissible venereal tumour is histocytic tumours that may be transmitted among dogs through coitus, licking, biting and sniffing tumour affected areas. CTVT is spread by the transfer of living cells between dogs, usually during mating. The tumour cells are themselves the infectious agents, and the tumours that form are not genetically related to the host dog (Purohit, 2008; wikipedia ctvt).

Chrysomelid beetle : Aulacophora foveicollis : ChrysomelidaeAphids : Macrosiphoniella  sanborni; Myzus  persicae; Brachicaudus  helichrysi; Aphis  gossypi; Aphis fabae; Aulocorthum circumflexum: Aphid

Chrysanthemum   is infested by different species of aphids. Aphids are small, soft bodied insects and their colour varies with species. Both nymphs and adults cluster on the growing stem tips and under surface of leaves. As a result, the plants show loss of vigor, distortion of leaves and flowers, yellowing, premature leaf fall and stunted growth. The damaged plants bear only undersized buds and they remain unopened. Peak damage period is November-December. Secretion of honeydew by the aphids favor development of sooty mould which hinders photosynthesis and the plants become stunted. They are also vectors of virus diseases.

Bacteriophage is the term applied to bacterial viruses. Bacteriophage having the ability to lyse certain sensitive living cells. Phages are small particles, which can only be seen in the electron microscope after the application of suitable staining techniques. All phages have a head and most have a tail. The head may be isometric or prelate with a hexagonal outline.

There are two types of phages virulent and temperate which enter a different relationship with the host, the lytic and lysogenic cycles respectively.

Determination of pH is actually measurement of hydrogen ions activity in soil-water system. It is defined as negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion activity. Mathematically, it is expressed

as:pH = - log a H⁺

The pH value of a soil is an indication of soil reaction i.e. acidic, neutral or alkaline. The nutrient availability is governed by soil reaction. It is maximum at neutral pH and decreases with increase in acidity or alkalinity. Thus, pH value gives an idea about the availability of nutrients to plants.

Principle

The pH is a measure of hydrogen or hydroxyl ion activity of the soil-water system. It indicates whether the soil is acidic, neutral or alkaline in reaction. Since crop growth suffers much under both very low (strongly acidic) as well as very high pH (alkaline) conditions.

Now a days, most of the pH meters have single combined electrode. Before measuring the pH of the soil, the instrument has to be calibrated with standard buffer solution of known pH. Since, the pH is also affected by the temperature, hence, the pH meter should be adjusted to the temperature of the solution by temperature correction knob.

Introduction

Agriculture has been the back bone of Indian economy and culture and it will be continued to remain as such for a long time in future. Parallel to this, energy security of a country is also very important and efforts have been given on renewable energy utilization since the fossil fuel based energy is depleting at a very fast rate. In agricultural fields, considerable amount of energy is used to do different field activities e.g. ploughing, irrigation through pumps, intercultural operations, spraying of agricultural chemicals for plant protection, harvesting, post-harvest processing etc. Therefore, there is also need to replace the conventional energy source with renewable sources to operate above mentioned agricultural activities.

Approximately, 35% of the crop production is damaged if pest and diseases are not controlled at right time. Uniform spraying of liquid formulations throughout the crop field is very important for effective control of pest and diseases. Using sprayer, liquid pesticide formulations are generally broken down to minute droplets of effective size for uniform distribution over a large surface area. Different types of sprayers are used in agricultural field based on different requirements.

A broad range of products and services are required by farmers in order to adopt Integrated Disease Management , calling for close interaction between them, the
scientists and the experts developing IDM technologies. IDM must be based on farmers’ concerns and circumstances.

It is heartening to see that the Government of India has included the Agrochemicals Industry in the current list of 12 Champion Industries, owing to significant manufacturing for both domestic and foreign markets. Some areas require immediate attention in order to continue growing.

1. Being Independent of China: The Make in India programme should be enforced for many essential agrochemical intermediates, thus becoming China independent.Significant efforts should be made to make this a reality. A well planned, concentrated approach must be developed between the business sec tor and the GOI. Success should be seen within the following two to three years.It is important to emphasise that we can export domestically manufac tured agrochemical intermediates, thereby reducing certain countries’ reliance on China.The agrochemical business would benefit greatly from a level play ing field free of burdensome rules and restrictions, as many of them appear unreasonable.

The growth and productivity of crops depend on various factors, with the nutrient content of plant parts like leaves and stems playing a crucial role. These parts are often used as indicators to assess the nutrient status of plants. Each crop requires essential elements at specific concentrations during different growth stages, known as ‘critical levels’. When the nutrient content falls below these critical levels, plants may display symptoms of deficiency.

Nutrient requirements and availability can be evaluated through: i) plant diagnosis, ii) soil analysis, and iii) plant analysis using qualitative or quantitative methods. By conducting these tests, necessary nutrients can be identified and applied to crops to sustain growth and correct deficiencies. While rapid tissue tests offer quick solutions for nutritional problems, quantitative estimation of both plant and soil nutrient concentrations is more economical and provides a long-term strategy for managing nutritional issues. Implementing quantitative estimation allows for informed application of fertilizers, whether as basal or foliar, thus addressing deficiencies effectively and ensuring sustainable crop growth.

An animal breeder usually interested in various economic traits and when wishes to improve them in the herd/flock, he has three general methods at his disposal. Tandom method, independent culling level method and  index selection method.

Tandom Method

It involves selection for one trait at a time and until it reaches at a satisfactory level, and then for a third trait etc. This method is applicable only when the different traits in question are entirely independent or positively genetically associated to each other. Its effectiveness decreases with the increase in number of traits. This method is least desirable of all the methods.

Abiotic stresses are major constraints for many crop plants in specific areas over the globe which limits the crop production. Dudal (1976) estimated that only 10% of world’s arable land may be categorized as free from stress. The rapid change in environmental conditions likely to override the adaptive potential of plants, this environmental changes mainly originated from anthropogenic activities, which has caused soil and air pollution, plant are exposed to natural climatic or edaphic stresses, such as, high irradiation, heat, chilling, freezing, drought, excess water and waterlogging and nutrient imbalance. Among abiotic stresses drought is the main abiotic factor as it affects 26% of arable area (Table 1.1). Water stress is a single most severe, limitation to the productivity of rice in the rainfed ecosystem (Widawgky and O’Toole, 1990). Mineral toxicity/deficiencies are second in importance. Among mineral toxicity, salinity is wide spread and is estimated to affect 10% of the world land surface (Richards, 1995).

Concept

Basic concept of this type of improvement is to accumulate, infuse and improve the frequency of favourable genes in established population. This includes the removal or substitution of an undesirable gene with a counterpart favourable one with the superior performance in a given environment, incorporation of a balanced gene combination for better performance - per se or may be even bringing in a better plant type congenial for better physiological activity and biochemical versatility, resulting in better performance of a population. As per theory of Hayes (1963), most of the commercial varieties/hybrids can be improved in one way or the other for one or more of the agronomic attributes. This is primarily because some of the lines in each hybrid generally excel in comparison with other in their ability to transmit desirable characters to their hybrid progeny and thus provide scope for the improvement of the weak inbred lines of the hybrid to further better its performance. The choice of the particular population improvement technique mainly depends upon the genetic information. Since by and large, population improvement techniques envisage controlled crossing followed by selection and recrossing by further selection. This information is vital. Therefore, before deciding upon the choice of a particular methodology, such information as the type of gene action involved in the expression of attribute under improvement, nature of genetic associations, extent of heritability, various possibilities of genetic manipulations should be available. Some of the procedures, which could be successfully utilized in population improvement of parents used in released hybrid populations, are backcross method of breeding, convergent improvement, gamete selection, technique for the removal of complementary genes and step ladder method of breeding.

Standardization

Standardization means establishment of standards for matters such as quality, size, weight and color. Once standards are set grading is possible using the criteria established in the standards. Thus, standardization involves establishment and maintenance of uniform measurements of produce quality and/or quantity.

Grading

Grading follows standardization. It is a sub-function of standardization. It is a method of dividing products into certain groups or lots in accordance with predetermined standard. Grading before sale enables farmers to get a higher price for their produce .Consumer get standard quality products at fair prices. It is easier for them to compare the prices of different qualities of a product in the market. It minimizes their purchasing risk, for they will not get a lower quality product at the given prices .e.g. eggs are graded into different categories based on set standards. Similarly cattle feed is also sometimes categorized into different grades based on established standards.

The method is based on the Stokes law which states that the rate of fall of particles in suspension is directly proportional to their size. Accordingly, larger particle (sand) will settle first, followed by silt and clay. The resistance offered by the liquid to the fall of the particles varies with the radius of the sphere.

Principle

This method is based on the principle of dispersion and sedimentation techniques, employed to a given weight of soil sample. Mechanical stirring disperses macro aggregates while chemical dispersing required for micro aggregates. The mixture of dispersed soil particles in water is called a soil suspension. Sedimentation refers to the settling rates of the dispersed particles in water, which is a function of particle size and is governed by Stoke’s law.

1. Botanical name : Crataegus oxyacantha L.

2. Family : Rosaceae

3. Common Name : English Hawthorn

4. Name in Indian languages

Bansangli (Hindi), Ghingharoo (Kumaoni).

5. Description

Hawthorn is a thorny shrub commonly found in abundance in forests and open places in Himalayan regions at an altitude of 1500- 2500 m above msl. It is an aggressive settler and difficult to remove. The stem is grayish to purple brown in colour and hard. Hawthorn has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of diarrhea, gall bladder disease, insomnia, and as an antispasmodic agent in the treatment of asthma.

Validation of IDM technologies is ultimate test for IDM knitted with available technologies under ground realities of the field. Since IDM is multidisciplinary, multiorganizational and multi-locational participatory approach, involvement of all the stakeholders, including farmers and field technicians is to be ensured. The following guidelines have been used as spirit behind the methodology of IDM validation.

Over the time, the concept of extension education transformed from an educational system to an empowerment tool. It is a programme and a process of helping village people to help themselves in view to increase production and raise their general standard of living. As a science, Extension education deals with the creation, transmission and application of knowledge designed to bring about planned changes in the behaviour-complex of people. This particular branch of agricultural science is devoted to bring changes in perception and attitude towards scientific farming techniques, adoption of hi-tech horticulture, precision farming, improved machineries of pre and post-harvest management etc. through vocational training, capacity building, participatory approaches and through many other approaches. A proper planning of extension strategy will help to popularize livestock-based system of production, processing and economics associated with it.

Duration: 60-75 minutes
Objective: Build resilience and flexibility to thrive in changing environments, embracing new challenges and opportunities.
Why It Matters
In today’s fast-paced world, adaptability ensures you can handle disruptions, learn new skills, and stay relevant. Resistance to change leads to stress and missed opportunities. For example, adapting to a new software tool can boost efficiency, while resisting it can hinder performance. This module equips participants to embrace change confidently.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module, participants will:
1. Understand the importance of a growth mindset and resilience.
2. Practice strategies to cope with change and learn new skills.
3. Develop a personal adaptability plan.
Key Concepts
1. Growth Mindset View challenges as opportunities to grow.
• Embrace Learning: See setbacks as feedback (e.g., “This failed project taught me better planning”).
• Stay Curious: Ask questions and explore new ideas (e.g., “How can this new process improve my work?”).
• Seek Feedback: Use input to improve, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Ketamine and Propofol - “Ketofol”
“Ketofol’’ is a 1:1 (w:w) combination of ketamine and propofol (Taboada and Leece, 2014; Thejasree et al., 2018). The advantages of using both ketamine and propofol in combination (Ketofol) include analgesia, rapid recovery, preservation of airways and maintenance of spontaneous respiration and haemodynamic stability (Saeed, 2011). The admixture has benefits of both drugs, while reducing the side effects of the individual drugs when administered alone (Amornyotin, 2014; Lee and Lee, 2016; Mirfazaelian et al., 2016). Propofol-induced respiratory depression is less with the admixture, while analgesia and cardiorespiratory functions are good due to ketamine (Amornyotin, 2014; Mirfazaelian et al., 2016). Since the adverse effects are dose dependent, the combination helps reduce the dose of the individual drug needed to cause the desired anaesthetic effects. This combination of ketamine and propofol can be used to induce anaesthesia following sedation with any of the previously mentioned balanced sedative cocktails. Induction should be “titrated to effect” based on the depth of sedation achieved from the administration of the balanced sedative cocktails.
Thiopentone and Propofol - “Thio-propofol”
Thio-propofol is a 1:1 vol:vol mixture of 2.5% thiopentone and 1% propofol (Ko et al., 1999; Evans et al., 2002; Larisa et al., 2008). Since the mechanisms of action of propofol and thiopentone are similar, the mixture provides an additive hypnotic interaction (Vinik et al., 1999) and behaves in-between to that of the