eChapters

A. Case study: Breeding for disease resistance and yield improvement in Black pepper (Piper nigrum)
Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is one of the most important spice crops globally, often referred to as the “King of Spices.” However, its production is frequently threatened by various diseases, particularly Phytophthora foot rot, which can cause significant yield losses. Over the years, extensive breeding efforts have focused on developing disease-resistant and high-yielding varieties of black pepper.
1. Background
• Primary disease concern: Phytophthora foot rot (caused by Phytophthora capsici) is a major disease affecting black pepper, leading to root and stem rot, defoliation, and ultimately, plant death. Other diseases include slow
decline (caused by nematodes and fungal pathogens) and viral infections.
• Yield challenges: The average yield of black pepper is relatively low, primarily due to the susceptibility of many traditional varieties to diseases and pests, along with poor management practices and climatic challenges.
2. Objectives of breeding programs
• Disease resistance: To develop varieties resistant to Phytophthora foot rot and other significant diseases.
• Yield improvement: To increase the overall productivity of black pepper plants, focusing on higher berry yield, larger berries, and better quality.
• Quality enhancement: To maintain or improve the quality of black pepper in terms of essential oil content, piperine content, and other flavour components.
 

14.1 Introduction

As discussed above, the development discourse on women nationally and internationally moved from Women in Development (WID) to Gender and Development (GAD) and Women's Empowerment. This was reflected in the Government Plans and Policy Documents throughout the past six decades. Since independence, many schemes have been launched for the emancipation of women in the country.

The social welfare method was superseded by the development strategy in the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-1979). This acknowledged the contribution and productive role of women. With its emphasis on work, education, and health, the Sixth Five-Year Plan (1980-1985) marks a turning point in the history of women's growth. The Seventh Five-Year Plan (1985-1990) prioritized projects aimed at improving women's status.

6.1 Introduction
The success of design thinking depends on its applicability in industries and service organization. The applications of design thinking applied to product development should focus on the needs of users. The design thinking can also be applied to design new processes as well as improve an existing process.
6.2 Case Studies
The section presents several case studies of applying design thinking in realities as listed below.
1. Design thinking in eye care
2. Design thinking in foundry
3. Design thinking in FMG company
4. Design thinking in auto industry
5. Design thinking at retail outlet
6. Design Thinking in Flight Reservation System
7. Design thinking in winding fabric on roller in textile mill
6.2.1 Case study: Design Thinking in Eye Care
Eye care is a crucial part of health care system. There are many factors that are responsible for poor eye vision. Normally in the early stages, viz. children and adults up to 40 or 45 years of age may have eye power issues, which are managed

Livelihood enterprises associated with farming encompass a diverse range of activities that support agricultural income, enhance food security, and provide sustainable livelihoods for farming communities. Below are several case studies from different regions and types of farming-related enterprises:
1. Organic Vegetable Farming in India
• Location: Karnataka, India
• Enterprise Type: Organic farming
• Synopsis: A group of farmers transitioned from conventional agriculture to organic farming, focusing on high-value crops like tomatoes, bell peppers, and leafy greens. They formed a cooperative to share resources,
equipment, and knowledge.
• Impact: By adopting organic practices, farmers increased their income by 30-50% due to higher market prices for organic vegetables. The cooperative also created a direct supply chain to urban markets, reducing dependence on middlemen.
2. Beekeeping as a Supplementary Enterprise in East Africa
• Location: Kenya
• Enterprise Type: Beekeeping

In order to portray the conditions of the migrated rural youth in cities, who otherwise would have been practicing agriculture, a few case studies were conducted to know more about the migrated rural youth, their family background, reasons for migrating, satisfaction after migration, type of support given to the family at the villages, assets created at their village and in the cities, types of problems faced, opinion about the environment, and willingness to go back to their villages for continuing farming. The sample included migrated persons engaged in different jobs in Bangalore city as Hotel workers, Construction Workers, Auto Drivers / Taxi drivers, Security Guards, Garment workers and Vegetable/Fruit Vendors. From each category, five respondents were interviewed by using a simple questionnaire. Following are the case studies.

I. Case Studies on Migrated Rural Youth Working as Building Construction Workers

1. Case of Sri Krishnappa : Muttanna, V.L. Madhuprasad and D. Nanjappa

Sri. Krishnappa S/o Saranappa, aged 30 years from Surapur taluk, Yadagiri district had migrated to Bangalore as a construction labourer. He had completed his primary education and got married at an early age. He has two sons and  two daughters.  After marriage, he continued to live in a pucca house along with his parents, one brother and two sisters.  The family has two acres of dry land, and  farming is main occupation. Desire to earn more money by him and non  co-operation among members of his family are the reasons for Sri Krishnappa’s migration.

1. Success Story of Rural Youth in Dairying
 
M.S. Nataraju, P. Sunil Kumar and R. Shashidhar

There is a proverb in Kannada that “Koti Vidyeginthaloo Meti Vidyee Yee Melu” means - among all the professions for livelihood on this earth agriculture is the best profession for better livelihood.  This proverb suits Sri. Vasudeva Indraje, resident of Yenmoor village in Sulliya Taluk of Dakshina Kannada Dist. in Karnataka State. Sri. Vasudeva Indraje is a role model for today’s youth, who are neglecting agriculture and migrating to cities with an illusion of making a quick buck.  Hailing from an agricultural family his moorings was in agriculture and allied activities.  After passing out from SSLC he did not seek to continue the studies but showed interest in pursuing some small business.  Along with his younger brother he started a cold drink house in Balila and made good profit from it.  When it appeared that the business was seeing a downward trend he came out of the business and invested the money in farming land.

Sri. Vasudev along with his friend visited RUDSETI, Ujire and enquired about the training programmes. After going through his interests Director suggested him to apply for Dairy and Vermicompost training programme.  Later, he was selected and undergone Dairy and Vermicompost training programme in the year 2007.  During his training programme along with the technical inputs regarding the Dairy management he also learnt about different soft skills like how to develop entrepreneurship competencies? How to develop Self Confidence? How to avail Institutional Credit? etc.

Planning Research and Action Institute, Lucknow (1960) found that lack of initial capital considerably hindered the growth of Animal Husbandry Projects in Youth Clubs. It was also revealed that involvement of non-official agencies and training of youth organizers were very important for strengthening youth clubs.
Singh and Prasad (1963) identified that following deficiencies in the working of youth clubs.
    1.    Inadequate knowledge of youth club work on the part of members as well as on leaders
    2.    Non-availability of literature on youth clubs
    3.    Lack of active leadership‘
    4.    Rift between village youth clubs and village panchayat
    5.    Lack of proper guidance and follow up of youth club programme
Behniwal (1964) revealed the following factors as responsible for the successful working of youth clubs.
    1.    Strength of membership in a club 
    2.    Participation in project work
    3.    Participation in games
    4.    Frequency of meetings
    5.    Attendance in tours, rallies and games
    6.    Actual gains received  
Kumar (1965) found that in the successful clubs the youth had clear conception of the importance and objectives of the youth organization. 

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.

21.1 Introduction

The industrial revolution, which began in the early 18th century in some countries of Europe, set in motion new forces in the environment and greatly changed the pattern of social life. Rapid industrialization and urbanization subsequently brought many changes in the environment and ecosystem. India also witnessed a phenomenon of industrial growth in the post independent era. Progress in the industrial development in Tamil Nadu during recent past is appreciable. New industries developed, existing industries expanded and new technologies are introduced.

In India, the past decades have witnessed population explosion and increase in per capita consumption of food and consumer goods. These have led to the proportionate increase in the domestic and industrial wastes. The waste is continuously increasing at an alarming rate. By the end of this century, India’s population is likely to increase from the present level of 700 million to about billion. Similarly the per capita consumption of food has been estimated to increase by 40% resulting in double production and disposal of industrial and domestic wastes (Manivanan, 2004).

Apart from the quantitative increase there will be also a qualitative change in the waste product, which are likely to contain greater amount of oil, toxic chemicals, detergents and dyes. A large number of these compounds are non-degradable and are cumulative, thus rendering the toxic products. Certain group of plants like algae and bacteria are selective in their functions and can executive certain toxic chemicals and heavy metals. The microorganism communities are helping in effective recycling of industrial effluents.

The government is taking serious efforts to keep the production of toxic substances under strict control at production centers. It carefully watches the efforts that are made to discharge the toxic waste from industries within the permissible limits and usages of toxic chemicals within the prescribed limits. The majority of rural population being uneducated is prone to excessive use of water which has become pollutant. The pollutant ultimately is drained into the natural aquatic environment, the rivers and the oceans. A part of these wastes are recycled and they again enter the food chain and cause detrimental effects to human health. Thus in nature, long and short term chain reactions are continuously in progress and these are required to be understood. Even when the best available yardsticks are applied to conserve the environment. It is a stupendous task to enforce these regulations.

In addition to production of more waste the coming years will see a qualitative change in the composition of waste. These wastes are likely to contain greater amount of toxic chemicals, detergents, non-degradable products based on hydrocarbons, and its derivatives. Large amount of wastes which are non degradable and cumulative in nature produce a series of new and complex problems. Therefore, alternative methods should develop for treatment and disposal of cumulative and nondegradable chemicals and pollutants.

Easykrishi is a young enterprise that uses digital interventions with an aim to change agricultural practices from Reactive Mode to Proactive Mode. It is a consortium of 12 FPOs and 150 Ground Organizations. 14 In a world of declining land-holdings, we realize aggregation of agricultural resources is the only way to keep this planet sustainable for human survival. Aggregation ensures viability and profitability of Agriculture. Easykrishi’s baby steps in the entire cycle of aggregation of agricultural resources have made significant impact for Food Producer Corporations across Karnataka and they have made a mark on organizations and individuals that are dedicated for the betterment of Agriculture and farmers.

Introduction

Livestock and livestock products are an important source of food nutrition and livelihood security. Animal origin foods are an important source of high quality protein and micronutrients compared to cereals and plant-based foods. Production of animal- based foods has grown dramatically over the past two decades. Meat, Milk and Egg consumption has grown rapidly in east and Southeast Asia over past twenty years. The greatest increase in the production and consumption of animal-origin foods, as a result of rising incomes and dietary diversification away from staple cereals, has taken place in East and Southeast Asia. World meat markets reveal that the production and trade of bovine meat, poultry meat, pig meat and ovine meat are significant unlike rabbit meat. In spite of many advantages in rabbit farming and rabbit meat, the rabbit meat is less consumed when compared to other meat. So the objective was to study the farmer who involved in rabbit farming.

Involvement of Farm Youth in the developmental sector of Agriculture is emerging as a crucial area for the water management sector. Initiative of Farm Youth is essential for accelerating modern Agricultural technologies to be adopted by the large number of farmers in the rural area. Being an educated, effective use of the information & communication   technology (ICT) is possible. The recent developments in the field of Agriculture like, green-house technology, exporting vegetables and fruits to outside country, formation of agricultural producer’s company etc. are the challenging areas where the Farm Youth can develop a leading role for the farming community.
 
Maharashtra, being a progressive State, encourages Farm -Youth activities in various fields to boost-up the younger generation to participate in the information and communication technology (ICT) areas. As a result of Govt. initiative, in the field of Participatory Irrigation Management, the Water Users Association, namely, ‘Mahatma Phule Water Users Association’ At Post: Ozar (Mig), Taluka: Niphad, Dist: Nasik was successfully run by a Farm Youth namely, Mr. Govardhan Rajabhau Kulkarni who is an idol for the Farm Youths to participate in the irrigation water management field. The use of internet, e-mail, agriculture related web sites and developing software programmes for irrigation management is highly appreciated by the Govt. of Maharashtra.

I. Case Study Framework: Agri-Sector Startups
This framework focuses on analyzing the startup’s value proposition, execution, and impact within the agricultural landscape.
A. Start-ups Profile
1. Name and Location: (e.g., “Agbotic, New York, USA”)
2. Founding Date and Team: (Key founders, their backgrounds, and relevant experience in agriculture, technology, or business). Highlight the team’s expertise and any advisory boards.
3. Mission and Vision: What problem are they solving? What is their longterm goal for transforming agriculture?
4. Legal Structure: (e.g., LLC, Corporation)
5. Funding History: Seed rounds, Series A, venture capital, grants, bootstrapping. Identify key investors and the amount raised.
6. Stage of Development: (e.g., Ideation, Seed, Early Growth, Scaling)
B. Value Proposition
1. Problem Addressed: Clearly define the specific challenge in agriculture that the startup is tackling. (e.g., labor shortages, inefficient irrigation, lack of market access for small farmers, food waste, soil degradation).
2. Solution Offered: Describe the startup’s product or service. Be specific about how it works. (e.g., AI-powered yield prediction software, robotic harvesting systems, a mobile platform connecting farmers to buyers, a  bio-fertilizer product).

1. Precision Agriculture
Example: Farmers Edge
Farmers Edge offers a comprehensive suite of solutions for farmers, utilizing data analytics, AI, and IoT (Internet of Things) technologies. The platform provides predictive analytics for crop health, soil quality, and weather, helping farmers make informed decisions.
• Impact: Improved yield and reduced resource wastage.
• Technology: Satellite imagery, data analytics, and machine learning.
2. Vertical Farming
Example: AeroFarms AeroFarms uses aeroponic technology to grow crops without soil, using 95% less water than traditional farming methods. They operate indoor farms that can produce high yields all year round, independent of climate conditions. • Impact: Increased food security in urban areas; fresh produce available year-round.
• Technology:Aeroponics, LED lighting, and climate control systems.
3. Supply Chain Optimization
Example: Example: AgroStar
AgroStar is a mobile platform connecting farmers with quality products and services, including fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds. They also provide guidance on best practices for crop management, enabling farmers to make better purchasing decisions.

Quantitative studies are preferred over qualitative studies for their relatively higher objectivity. But many of the times, complexities involved in the occurrence of phenomenon, its causes, and consequences demand for in-depth analysis of a single unit of study. Whenever we want to study a single unit in depth both qualitatively and quantitatively then case study is the best method of research. Case study is a best tool to use, when we are interested in exploring a new phenomenon on which there is very less scientific information available and also when we are interested in formulating new hypothesis for causal study.

Case taking in homeopathy is based on five themes such as Philosophy of Homeopathy, Materia Medica of Homeopathy, The case, Case Analysis and Case Management (Owen, 2007).

Themes

i. Philosophy – Clinical practice of homeopathy is based on the principles and key concepts of homeopathy as detailed in Chapter 2 and 12.

ii. Materia Medica- It is in the core of understanding of the practice of homeopathy providing the information how the remedy pictures are developed and expressed in different ways. It allows the practitioner to understand the patient and prescribe rationally.

iii. The Case- The relationship between a homeopath (human /veterinary) and patient (animal or human) is in the center of the therapeutic process in case taking in homeopathy. It is more than a record of the consultation as case skills facilitate the level of revealing by the patient and the depth to which the homeopath perceives.

iv. Case Analysis- Case analysis allows the matching of what is perceived of the patient with what is known of the remedies. Case analysis governs the order, pattern and interpretation that emerge in the healing process. The variety of case analysis strategies and methodologies available to the homeopath is a major factor that determines the breadth of their clinical competence.

Introduction

India is well-known around the world for its rapid economic growth rates over the last fifteen years or so, fuelled in part by the spectacular growth in its export- oriented software and ICT-based services sector. Many other countries look to India as a model for global outsourcing and try to imitate elements of this in their own strategies (Carmel 2003; Heeks and Nicholson 2004). Success at a particular period of time does not, of course, guarantee its continuation and commentators have expressed concerns such as rising wage rates and skills shortages of ICT professionals (CACM 2007), and increasing competition from countries such as China (Negroponte 2003). It is likely, however, that India will remain a major player in the ICT industry for years to come and thus its global image as an ICT success story will continue. Viewed from a broader development perspective, things are not so simple. The new wealth that has arisen in India from the ICT boom benefits the relatively wealthy and educated in the first instance (Kambhampati 2002). Will this trickle down to the poor and uneducated? Statistics paint a mixed picture of the current situation. On the one hand, India is now the world’s fourth largest economy in purchasing power parity terms, and has enjoyed high growth rates for over a decade rising to an average of over 8% per annum in the period 2004-7 (World Bank 2007).

On the other hand, India was ranked as 128th out of 177 countries on the human development index 2005 (UNDP 2005) which is a composite index based on life expectancy, literacy and education levels, and economic standard of living. Shocking statistics include the percentage of malnourished children under 5 being 46%, the adult female literacy rate as only 48%, and the percentage of the rural population using adequate sanitary services as 18% (World Bank 2007, UNICEF 2004). A major development issue, therefore, is whether India can seriously address the needs of all of its people, including the vast numbers of poor and uneducated in the rural areas and the urban slums. A related sub-question is whether, and to what extent, can ICTs be used to provide development benefits to all Indian citizens. There are increasing attempts to use technology in this way through projects such as e-government services and telecentres in poor areas.

Botany: Cashew belongs to the Family Aricardiaceae. A small evergreen tree native of tropical America from Mexico to Peru and Brazil but now cultivated largely in Malabar, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and to some extend in Maharashtra, Goa, Odisha and West Bengal

The commercial production is mainly confined to India, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya; Brazil, Philippines, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.Cashew is an important foreign earning crop of India, remarking second (29%) in the international trade of the nuts. It is a crop of marginal lands and can be grown under rainfed conditions.

Soil and climate: It grows up well in all soils. Red sandy loam is best suited. Plains as well as hill slopes upto 600 - 700 feet elevation are suitable for cultivation. Season: June - December. Propagation: Soft wood grafting, air layer and epicotyl grafting. Requirement of plants: 200 plants/ha. Preparation of field: Pits of 45 cm3 size are dug and filled up with a mixture of soil + 10 kg FYM + one kg neem cake and 100 g Methyl parathion 1.3 %.

Cashew apple, a highly potential nutritional source, is almost entirely wasted now. In Goa, cashew apple juice is fermented and distilled for production of alcohol. Cashew apple is juicy and swollen. It is a rich reserve of vitamins and minerals. The cashew apple is the peduncle of the nut. Normally the apple is 8 to 10 fold large by weight compared to cashew nut, at ripe stage. Cashew apples can be of different size and shape. The ripe apple is very juicy and fibrous with thin skin. When fully ripe, it gets detached from the pedicel and falls down. In Brazil, cashew is a popular fresh fruit and dwarf types are being evaluated to fulfil the market requirements of fresh cashew apple in terms of red colour, high sugar, low tannin etc.

Global Scenario

Globally, India’s share in the cashew area and production is 20 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively. India occupies the largest area followed by Ivory Coast (19%), Brazil (16%), Indonesia (12%), Vietnam (7%), Nigeria (7%), Benin (5%), Guinea-Bissau (5%), Mozambique (2%) and Philippines (1%). The highest production was from Vietnam (30%) followed by Nigeria (19%), India (16%), Ivory Coast (11%), Brazil (5%), Indonesia (3%), Philippines (3%), Guinea-Bissau (3%), Benin (2%) and Mozambique (2%). Sometimes back, India was credited as largest producer, processor and exporter of cashew in the world but as other cashew producing countries also acquired the know-how of processing and entered in the international market, currently the India’s share in the International market has shrank to 30 per cent only. On the other hand, the domestic consumption in India has increased considerably, owing to largest consumption of cashew kernel. Every year, over 7-8 lakh tonnes of raw cashew nut are imported mainly from African countries and exporting cashew kernel to USA and UK after processing (Saroj, 2013).