eChapters

Theileriosis is a tick-borne protozoan disease that affects a wide range of domestic and wild animals, particularly cattle. While multiple species of Theileria exist, Theileria parva and Theileria annulata are the most important pathogens in terms of their impact on domestic cattle. This disease is transmitted by ixodid ticks and has a significant impact on cattle populations in tropical and subtropical regions. Theileriosis poses a substantial threat to livestock productivity, affecting economic stability in many countries, especially those that rely heavily on agriculture and cattle farming.
The disease has two primary forms: East Coast fever (ECF), caused by T. parva, which predominantly affects cattle in eastern, central, and southern Africa; and tropical theileriosis, caused by T. annulata, which affects cattle across northern Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Both diseases are highly pathogenic and, if left untreated, can lead to high morbidity and mortality rates, significantly impacting livestock production.

Introduction

A thematic layer is defined as a layer with a set of logical feature data placed under single theme such as soil type, pH level, salinity, and water table. The features in these layers determine real world objects and are created using geometries such as points, lines and polygons (Tickoo 2017). Thematic layering is the spatial representation of analyzed data of elements that belong to the same type. Thematic maps are used to create these layers, which show how one or more specific data themes vary across different geographic areas.

Maps make it easier to interpret and communicate the results of any GIS analysis. R has a large number of packages for making thematic maps. Static mapping is straightforward with plot()methods provided by core spatial packages sf and raster. The use of plot() function have been discussed in the previous chapters. Another package for mapping isspwithspplot() having enough options for producing good quality thematic maps.It is also possible to create advanced maps using ggplot2. This chapter discusses, separately, preparing thematic maps from vectors and rasters with the above mentioned packages. A dedicated map-making package tmaphas been given special focus in this chapter.

Introduction

Pig production and marketing have been driven by the growing consumer demand for high quality and low cost animal protein. As a result, organized and industrialpiggery has been rapidly developing globally. Pigs are domesticated in various parts of India, especially in South-Central and North Eastern Region (NER), each place has its own locally adapted pig breed, and most households raise at least one or two pigs each year. Pigs are more valuable alive than dead, acting as efficient converters of kitchen and agricultural scraps into nutrient-rich fertilizer, before becoming pork that could even sometimes be given as a wedding gift, used to curry political or social favor, or eaten as part of local celebrations, especially in NER. The 21stcentury agricultural and dietary changes however represent radical departures from the small holder production system and consolidation of industry is clearly visible in the last two decades. It should be noted that the industrialization of pig production is a relatively recent phenomenon globally. In India, too, the speed and scale of change has been phenomenal, conditioned by policies, investments and the transforming economic system.

Training: The Concept

For any kind ofdevelopment, resource is the basic condition and necessity. Every resource should undergo a process of refinement, up gradation, and integration for being able to contribute to a proper functioning and accomplishment. No exception to human resources, the most splendid and creative resource of the earth. While human resources are unique? The following are the reason:

(a) It can think and create

(b) It can integrate and coordinate

(c) It can ideate and communication

(d) It can support and sustain

Introduction

A community radio station is characterized by its ownership and programming and the community it is authorized to serve. It is owned and controlled by anon- profit organization whose structure provides for membership, management, operation and programming primarily by members of the community at large. Its programming should be based on community access and participation and should reflect the special interests and needs of the listenership it is licensed to serve.

While community radio is a form of public-service broadcasting, it has an approach that is different from conventional broadcasting. Its specific focus is to make its audience the main protagonists, by their involvement in all aspects of its management and programme production, and by providing them with programming that will help them in the development and social advancement of their community.

Permeability is a fundamental concept in food packaging, shaping the protective capabilities of packaging materials by determining the extent to which gases and vapors can move through them. This property plays a crucial role in preserving food freshness, safety, and quality by controlling the interaction between the food product and its surrounding environment. Understanding permeability is essential in designing packaging solutions tailored to the specific requirements of different food products, as improper permeability can lead to accelerated spoilage, nutrient degradation, and undesirable changes in texture and flavor. In this chapter, we explore the science of permeability in food packaging, breaking down its core principles, the behavior of different gases and vapors in various packaging materials, and the factors influencing permeability. Additionally, we examine how permeability impacts shelf life and consumer satisfaction, offering insights into selecting materials for specific food types. By understanding and manipulating permeability, food manufacturers can develop packaging that optimally balances protection and breathability, extending product shelf life and ensuring quality

Introduction 
The evolution of digital governance in the 21st century has significantly redefined how public institutions function, deliver services, and interact with citizens. This transformation, enabled and accelerated by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), is not merely technical, but deeply institutional, cultural, and political. As states move toward more digitized, networked, and citizen-responsive systems, drawing upon theoretical frameworks that help explain, interpret, and evaluate these complex dynamics becomes essential. Theories provide the conceptual scaffolding necessary for analyzing the design, implementation, outcomes, and unintended consequences of digital governance practices. At its core, a theory systematically explains a phenomenon or set of phenomena. It involves a coherent set of interrelated concepts, assumptions, and propositions that define causal relationships and offer predictive insights (Kerlinger, 2000). According to Prasad et al. (2017), theory represents a systematic grouping of interdependent concepts that offer a framework to organize existing knowledge, explain observable events, and predict yet-unobserved outcomes. Hollander (1967) adds that theories contain one or more functional statements or propositions that articulate relationships between variables to account for empirical realities. Central to any theory are concepts, the building blocks that articulate the causal linkages and assumptions within a conceptual system. When structured together, these elements form a deductive framework for reasoning and explanation. In sum, theory allows us to understand what is happening in digital governance and why, how, and with what implications. Digital governance, distinct from narrower terms like e-government or e-governance, is a multi-layered process involving the reconfiguration of power, the redesign of institutions, the engagement of diverse stakeholders, and the transformation of public value creation in a digitally mediated environment. It encompasses dimensions of public administration, information systems,

Introduction 
Life’s unpredictability is a common thread that weaves through our experiences, prompting the use of various societal mechanisms to help us navigate the uncertainties we face (Lenhart, 2020). On a personal level, a typical strategy for managing this uncertainty includes utilizing financial instruments, commonly known as insurance (Ito & Kono, 2010). Today a diverse range of items is now eligible for insurance, encompassing aspects such as health, travel, and personal belongings, typically categorized as health, travel, and property insurance respectively. In India, the recognition of life insurance is prevalent, but with the increase in literacy and financial awareness, a growing number of individuals and families are starting to grasp the importance of health insurance (Kumar & Duggirala, 2021). Following this cause, the third goal of sustainable development that highlights the significance of ensuring and promoting healthy lives is worth mentioningtowards the effort of massification of the health insurance. By integrating finance, the third Sustainable Development Goal emphasizes a crucial initiative aimed at achieving universal health coverage for every citizen, which encompasses state health insurance for all individuals(Pauly, 1994). This initiative aims to equip citizens with the financial resilience needed to navigate an uncertain future, particularly concerning health-related challenges. In the context of health insurance frameworks, understanding the accessibility of initiatives aimed at the bottom of the pyramid is crucial for realizing universal health coverage towards achieving the SDGs’ (Pablos-Mendez, Cavanaugh, & Ly, 2016). The effectiveness of accessibility is intricately linked to the level of awareness that exists within the community. As the landscape of health insurance is ever-dynamic, understanding its intricacies will be crucial moving forward.For a thorough exploration, a researcher should have a wide-ranging grasp of the discipline, including theoretical, contextual, and methodological perspectives. Taking this into consideration, present chapter aims to explore a theoretical aspect of the review through a bibliometric analysis (Faruk, Rahman, Heliyon, & 2021, n.d.) of the literature spanning from 1984 to 2024 (Lebek, Uffen, Neumann, Hohler, & Breitner, 2014). This theoretical perspective will guide us in exploring how to reflect on the answers effectively. Theories illustrate methods for examining and establishing a structure for comprehending occurrences (Mahajan, n.d.). Furthermore, the theory clarifies how phenomena connect with the practical world, providing a distinct path and perspective for the researcher. This upcoming section will outline the reasoning behind this study, which entails performing a bibliometric analysis of the literature through the PRISMA Protocol (Moher et al., 2009), succeeded by a comprehensive text analysis of the chosen literature. The next section provides a concise overview of the theories explored within the realm of health insurance literature. This review adopts the PRISMA protocol (Moher et al., 2009) to scrutinize the articles to be included in the review. The protocol involves two phases of scrutinization, which consist of identification and screening. In the identification phase, I selected the Scopus register (Malanski, Dedieu, & Schiavi, 2021) and collected a database of 16797 articles. I gathered this database based on the “Article titles” criterion, including the keywords “Health Insurance” or “Health” and “Insurance” from 1984 to 2024, encompassing 50 years of literature. The year selection provides a timeline of the 50 years of academic scholarship related to the subset of health insurance as a research topic. After applying the language filter of English, duplication, and automation tools to this dataset, I were able to obtain 10961 articles for the subsequent screening stage. In this stage of screening, I have used the filter of subject area by selecting the subject area of Social Sciences; Business, Management, and Accounting; Decision Science; Economics, Econometrics, and Finance, which leads the collection of the 2580

Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a form of groundwater pollution that is often due to naturally occurring high concentrations of arsenic in deeper levels of groundwater. The Ganges Delta’s usage of deep tube wells for water delivery has raised awareness of the issue because it has led to widespread arsenic poisoning in significant numbers of people. During the weathering of rocks and minerals, which is followed by subsequent leaching and runoff, arsenic (As) is released into the soil and groundwater. Additionally, anthropogenic sources can transfer it into the soil and groundwater. Six West Bengal districts with a combined area of 34000 km2 and a population of 30 million have been determined to have groundwater levels of arsenic over the WHO maximum allowable limit of 0.05 mg l1. (Alam et al.,2002)

At present, 37 administrative blocks by the side of the river Ganga and adjoining areas are affected. Areas affected by arsenic contamination in groundwater are all located in the upper delta plain and are mostly in the abandoned meander belt. More than 800 000 people from 312 villages/wards are drinking arsenic-contaminated water and amongst them, at least 175 000 people show arsenical skin lesions. Thousands of tube well water in these six districts have been analysed for arsenic species. Hair, nails, scales, urine, and liver tissue analyses show elevated concentrations of arsenic in people drinking arsenic-contaminated water for a longer period. Arsenic comes from a geological source. Only a few soil strata have high arsenic contents, which are determined to be linked to iron-pyrites according to investigations of bore hole silt. Arsenical skin lesions in various areas cause a variety of societal issues. (Das et al.,1996)

This chapter focuses on key terms and their associated concepts that are crucial for effectively communicating the ideas of the study. It also establishes a theoretical orientation for the empirical investigation and provides guidance for selecting appropriate predictor variables that are relevant to the research.

The scholastic and theoretical exercise referred to in the statement related to the intellectual and academic process involved in conducting research. It involves delving into existing literature, theories, and concepts related to the research topic, as well as formulating new ideas and theories based on the researcher’s understanding and analysis.

One of the key outcomes of this exercise is the development of an operational definition. An operational definition is a clear and concise description of how a specific concept or variable will be measured or observed in the research study. It provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the data collected during the research process.

Furthermore, the pursuit of knowledge is an essential aspect of the research process. Researchers engage in a systematic exploration and investigation of the research topic, seeking to expand the existing knowledge base and contribute new insights to the field. This pursuit of knowledge involves critically analyzing existing theories, synthesizing information, and generating new ideas and theories through the research process. The theory that is developed as a result of this exercise is constructed in alignment with the set of objectives and research designs established at the beginning of the research project. The theory serves as a framework that guides the research process and helps to organize and interpret the data collected. It is important for the theory to be congruent with the research objectives to ensure the research study is focused and relevant to its intended goals.

Migration shows the trends of social changes. From the historical viewpoint during the process of industrialisation and economic development, people migrate from farms to industries, from villages to cities, from one city to another and from one country to another. In modern times, technological changes are taking place in Asia, Africa and Latin America due to which these regions are witnessing large-scale migration from rural to urban areas.

Economists are interested in the study of migration because migration affects the supply of skilled and semi-skilled labourers, development of industries and commerce causing changes in the employment structure of the migrated people. Formulation of economic policies has a close relation with the process of migration because migration affects the economic and social development of a country.

3. Contemporary Crisis in Global Agriculture
Over the past century, bunch of initiatives have been taken and achieved worldwide in expediting human welfare. Societies have also changed to great extent as a result of quantum leaps in technology, rapid globalization, and innovations in agricultural production systems. Perhaps the world ‘free of fear and want’ envisioned at the foundation programme of the United Nations is still a far cry.
Similarly, much work left to be fulfilled the vision of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and to make ‘a world free of hunger and malnutrition and one in which food and agriculture contribute to improving the living standards of all, especially the poorest, in an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable manner’.
Amidst great plenty, millions of people still face pervasive poverty, inequalities, joblessness, natural resource depletion, environmental degradation, displacement, migration, disease, and deprivation. Majority of humanity’s progress has reached at a significant cost to the environment. The impacts of climate change are already being felt, and if left unabated; definitely will intensify to a considerable extent in the years coming. Besides, population dynamics will radically change demographics over the decades ahead. Growth in the world’s population is projected to be concentrated in Africa and South Asia and in the biggest cities.
Then agricultural production has to maintain pace with those of rising population for atleast a sustainable world. Although, agricultural production more than tripled between the years of 1960 and 2015, where Green Revolution owes to robust crop production and a significant increment in the use of land, water and other natural resources for agricultural purposes. This period witnessed a remarkable progress in both of industrialization and globalization of food and agriculture. At the same time changes in the length of food supply chains took place as the physical distance from farm to plate has increased dramatically; the consumption pattern of processed, packaged, and prepared foods has changed simultaneously in everywhere though the most in rural communities.

2.1 Present Situation
Agriculture is a way of life, a tradition, which, for centuries, has shaped the thought, the outlook, the culture and the economic life of the people of India. Agriculture, therefore, is and will continue to be central to all strategies for planned socio-economic development of the country. Rapid growth of agriculture is essential not only to achieve self-reliance at national level but also for household food security and to bring about equity in distribution of income and wealth resulting in rapid reduction in poverty levels.
The onset and growth of extension strategy has so far been in a response to the socio-economic milieu across the World. In addition to socio economic dimensions, the other dimensions like temporal, geographical, ecological, managerial, technological and so on are being ascribed towards modeling extension researches.
The North East part of India is not only unique but also solitary examples in these arenas by having a huge score of bio-diversity, geo-morphological variation and ethno cultural diversity. Still the agriculture is running there with low productivity, poor accessibility to market and splashed with traditional rigmaroles. In hunting out the crux of problems, it has been one of the options to deal with the problems of lithospheric barriers or opportunity, if any, on shaping the extension strategy for upgrading and uplifting the agricultural status of hill eco-system of Manipur.
The present study well encompasses the issues of hilly terrain including the slope and runoff directions for deciding on the befitting extension strategy. The entire slice of research has divided the terrain into high, medium and low altitude to elucidate the altitude specific factors impacting on the crop stands, yield behavior, technological options and market responses.
The empirical study has elicited a unique pattern of altitudinal change on crop husbandry, bio-diversity score, livelihood pattern and situation specific need perception to present ultimately a geo-sensible extension perception. This will be applied towards having a sustainable and comprehensive agro-economic

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).

3.1 Entrepreneurship

3.1.1 The Concept and Definitions

Entrepreneurship is the active search for possibilities using originality and innovation. Taking prudent risks, effectively mobilising and managing resources, and adjusting to shifting market conditions are all part of it. By adding value and having a beneficial effect, entrepreneurs want to expand both commercially and socially.

3.1.2 Meaning of Entrepreneur

The French word "Entrepredre," which means "to undertake" is where the name "Entrepreneur" got its etymological roots. It was originally used to refer to a commander or planner of military missions in France during the 16th century when the phrase first gained popularity.

An entrepreneur is someone who has the knowledge, drive, and vision necessary to launch, run, and succeed in a new business venture while accepting the risks involved in doing so with the intention of making a profit. A common illustration of entrepreneurship is the act of founding a new company. Entrepreneurs are acknowledged as sources of innovation since they bring new concepts and creations to market, frequently displacing preexisting ones.

For any research endeavor, perusal of available literature is of paramount importance. Such an effort will highlight the attempt made and provide a clear comprehension of similar studies. A search on earlier research studies revealed that only a few have concentrated on Multimedia, Interactive Multimedia and Information Technology (IT) in transfer of farm technology. The available concepts and literature are presented under the following sub-heads.

2.1 IT in Farm Technology

2.2 Interactive Multimedia in Farm Technology Transfer

2.3 Selection of Farm Technology

2.4 Effectiveness of Different Extension Teaching /Learning Methods

2.5 Effectiveness of Knowledge Gain

2.6 Effectiveness of Symbolic Adoption

2.7 Farmers Perception about Farm Technologies and Modes of presentation

2.8 Relationship of Characteristics of Farmers with their Knowledge and Symbolic Adoption.

Theoretical Probability Distribution

Many random variables associated with statistical experiments have similar properties, and as such can be described by the same probability functions. The distribution obtained from a theoretical listing of outcomes and probabilities, which can be described by a mathematical formula representing same phenomenon of interest is called a theoretical probability distribution. The distributions of discrete and continuous random variables are accordingly called discrete or continuous probability distributions.

Discrete Probability Distribution: It can be defined as a probability distribution of discrete random variables. Such a distribution will represent data that has a f inite countable number of outcomes. If the random variable X is a discrete random variable, the probability function P(X) is called probability mass function and its distribution is called discrete probability distribution. There are two conditions that a discrete probability distribution must satisfy. These are given as follows:

Types of Discrete Probability Distributions

There are several important discrete probability distributions-

• Uniform distribution

• Binomial distribution

• Negative Binomial distribution

• Geometric distribution

• Poisson distribution

• Hyper-Geometric distribution

Little and Watts (1994) define contract farming as a system of vertical coordination between growers and buyers, in which production decisions are directly shaped by contractual agreements. These contracts specify obligations related to market parameters such as volume, value, quality and in some cases price. Beyond market terms, contracts often extend to the supply of inputs, technical guidance and a degree of control exercised by the contracting firm over the farmer’s production process. At its core, a contract serves as a mechanism for risk-sharing between the farmer and the contracting firm. It is not merely a transaction but a reflection of the broader relationship between the two parties. Importantly, the nature and effectiveness of such contracts are influenced by the larger political and economic environment in which they operate. Thus, while contracts provide structure and certainty, their success ultimately depends on contextual factors such as governance, market stability and institutional support. In practice, contract farming typically involves the purchaser providing production support-supplying inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and even technical advice-while committing to purchase the produce at pre-agreed conditions. Farmers, in turn, commit to supplying the required crop or livestock product of specified quality, within a defined timeline and in the agreed quantity.
Dimensions of contractual agreements
The intensity and complexity of contractual agreements vary, often depending on the scope of support provided by the contracting firm. The provisions generally include:
1. Market provision: A binding agreement on the future sale and purchase of a particular crop or livestock product.
2. Resource provision: In addition to marketing arrangements, the buyers may provide essential inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers or even land preparations and technical advice.
3. Management Specification: The farmers agree to follow recommended cultivation and harvesting practices, input usage norms and other quality control measures.

Theories of entrepreneurship
1. An economic theory
2. Leibensteon’s X-efficiency theory
3. Dynamic entrepreneurship innovation theory
4. Harvard School theory
5. Theory of high achievement
6. Theory of change
7. Theory of profit
8. Theory of adjustment of price
9. Theory of market
10. Theory of social change
11. Theory of entrepreneurial supply
12. Theory of personal resourcefulness
13. Theory of cultural values