eChapters

Introduction

Biological control of plant pathogens is currently accepted as a key practice in sustainable agriculture. Plant parasitic nematodes and mycorrhizal fungi are commonly found inhabiting the same soil and colonizing roots of their host plants. These two groups of microorganisms exert a characteristics, but opposite effect on plant health. The potential role of mycorrhizal fungi as biocontrol agent for the control of nematode plant diseases has recently received considerable attention. The literature on the various aspects of VAM research such as interaction of VAM- mycorrhizal fungi with nematode pathogens (Sikora, 1995, Pinochet et al. 1996), biotechnology and future of VAM commercialization (Wood and Cumming, 1992) and trends in mycorrhizal research (Sahay et al. 1998) has been reviewed. The damage due to nematodes diseases is generally decreased in mycorrhizal fungi has shown an antagonistic influence on the population of plant parasitic nematodes (Nagesh et al. 1999, Kantharaju et al.

Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods, have become increasingly frequent and intense in recent years, posing significant threats to agricultural productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods. The impacts of extreme weather events can be devastating, resulting in crop failures, livestock deaths, and damage to infrastructure and property. Traditional approaches to dealing with extreme weather events have often focused on top-down, expertdriven solutions, where external experts provide advice and guidance to farmers and rural communities on how to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events. However, these approaches have often been criticized for being ineffective, unsustainable, and neglecting the needs and perspectives of local communities.
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of interactive community approaches for dealing with extreme weather events. These approaches involve working closely with local communities to identify their needs, priorities, and capacities for dealing with extreme weather events. They also involve empowering local communities to take ownership of their own disaster risk reduction and management efforts, through the provision of training, resources, and support.
A critical component of these interactive community approaches is the development and implementation of Early Warning Systems (EWS). EWS are designed to provide timely and accurate warnings to communities about impending extreme weather events, allowing them to take necessary precautions to minimize losses and protect their lives and livelihoods (Fig.8.1).

Abstract

Intensification of agriculture during the last few decades has resulted in considerable depletion of the productivity of Indian soils and the balance sheet of potassium (K) is highly negative due to very low level of K fertilization. Although the need for balanced fertilization is known for many years, it is not always observed in practice by farmers. Since the effects of nitrogen are easily seen and crops look more vigorous and yield better, excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers, accompanied by an inadequate supply of other nutrients, is considered by farmers as a reasonable insurance against yield losses. Often, the lack of K restricts nitrogen uptake and utilization, and hence plant growth. When K is limiting, nitrogen fertilizers are used inefficiently by the plants. This nutrient imbalance is thus closely associated with low nitrogen-use-efficiency (NUE) of crop plants, which is detrimental to crop production and environment – because of the consequences of N unused by the crop.

Introduction

Interactive media is the integration of digital media including combinations of electronic text, graphics, moving images, and sound, into a structured digital computerised environment that allows people to interact with the data for appropriate purposes. The digital environment can include the Internet, telecoms and interactive digital television. No wonder it is difficult for new entrants to understand. The important concepts to hold on to are ‘interactive’ and ‘media’ across a range of ‘delivery channels’ or ‘platforms’. There are many terms used to denote the interactive nature of digital applications—multimedia, new media and interactive design are common examples. Because the interactive sector has quickly evolved through phases, the terms have often been coined to reflect a phase that then gets surpassed. A quick historical overview will give the background that causes confusion for those joining the dynamic sector.

The word Multimedia used to have a specialist connotation for the audio-visual industry. Uses of multiple or mixed media in such analogue systems as slide shows or overhead projectors were known as ‘multimedia’. But this specialist use was superseded by the arrival of digital technology. Integrated digital media was termed interactive multimedia and usually shortened to plain multimedia for convenience. The need to differentiate between analogue (linear) and digital (interactive) uses of media spawned other terms like New Media and Digital Media. The term ‘New media’ carries its own problems as the media associated with the original term are replaced with newer instances of the ‘new’. Obsolescence is endemic in the interactive arena. However, the term remains in use although Digital Media and Interactive Media are more stable terms and are being used increasingly. The term Interactive Media highlights the interactive connotation that is a key characteristic of the difference between the older style media and the new. ‘Social media’ has evolved to describe the more recent success of digital social sites such as Facebook and MySpace, and would include the phenomenon of mobile texting, especially twitter.

What is an IVR

IVR or Interactive Voice Response is a technology that automates interaction of a database with telephone callers. Enterprises are increasingly turning to IVR to reduce the cost of common sales, service, collections, inquiry and support calls to and from their company.

IVR solutions are generally used with pre-recorded voice prompts and menus to present information and options to callers, and touch-tone telephone keypad entry to gather responses. Modern IVR solutions however, also enable input and responses to be gathered via spoken words with voice recognition.

IVR solutions enable users to retrieve information including bank balances, flight schedules, product details, order status, movie show times, and more from any telephone. Additionally, IVR solutions are increasingly used to place outbound calls to deliver or gather information for appointments, past due bills, and other time critical events and activities.

Intercropping

Canopy of cashew to cover the entire area in about 8 to 10 years when grown under normal spacing of 8m x 8m in fertile soil. However, in marginal lands, it takes 10 to 12 years for the canopy to cover entire area. Cashew when grown in hilly regions there is a possibility of soil erosion and weed growth during initial years of planting (Yadukumar and Nayak, 2000). Intercropping is the only available best options to prevent such erosions and conserve soil and moisture in hilly areas and to obtain sustainable income.

Recently, establishment of large plantations and adoption of systematic package of practices and intercropping is practiced to realize additional income in the initial years of cashew cultivations. When the cashew canopy starts touching the neighbouring trees possibility of intercropping is ruled out. Mixed cropping with other tree species is not widely accepted and even not advisable (Anon., 1997), though there are a few instances of growing casuarina as mixed crop in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa states (Yadukumar and Nayak, 2000).

Historical perspective: Planting of single crops or mono-cultural agriculture—is a recent invention of the industrial agricultural complex (Hirst, 2019). While unequivocal archaeological evidence is difficult to come by, it’s believed that most agricultural field systems in the past involved some form of mixed cropping. That’s because of even botanical evidence of plant residues such as starches or phytoliths of multiple crops are discovered in an ancient fields (Hirst, 2019). Mixed cropping, also known as polyculture, or co-cultivation, is a type of agriculture that involves planting two or more crop plants simultaneously in the same field so that they grow together. The primary reason for prehistoric multi or mixed cropping probably had more to do with the needs of the farmer’s family and perhaps to avoid crop failure. It’s possible that certain plants adapted to multi-cropping over time disappeared as a result of the domestication process (Hirst 2016).

Since time immemorial India has been leader in respect to spice, area, production and consumption. India is known as ‘Land of spices. Out of 109 spices listed by the ISO, India produce as many as 63 owing to its varied agroclimatic regions. Almost all the state and union territory of the country grow one or the other spices. Spices are the sources of livelihood and employment for large number of people in the country. Seed spices are annual herbs, whose dried seeds or fruit are used as spices. Spices are the nature’s gift to mankind and since antiquity, spices have been considered indispensable in the culinary art, as they are used to flavour foods and beverages The important seed spices are coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek. ajwain, dill,, celery, anise, nigella and caraway. The other seed spices s are poppy seed, rai, yellow mustard, white mustard, parsley and sesame. In India, Rajasthan and Gujarat has emerged as “Seed spice bowl” and together contributes more than 80 percent of total seed spices.

Burgeoning population exerts pressure on limited precious natural resources for enhancing production of food, fodder and fuel. In order to meet out increasing demand for food, fruit, vegetables, oilseeds, fodder and timber wood for burgeoning population, it is necessary to utilize each unit of natural rsesource very efficiently. The productivity of the precious natural resources is to be enhanced per unit time per unit area by agronomic ally managing stresses soil and land ecosystem to harvest more benefit. The cropping system as well as intercropping system practised by using different trees, fruits, vegetables, crops are the very efficient enterprises for realising higher productivity of natural resources available with in specified ecosystem.

Worldwide, agriculture contributes a lot for mankind by providing food and feed for human beings and livestock, respectively. The countries where agriculture plays a vital role, it has enough importance in the economy of the country as well as gross domestic product (GDP).

Weeds are a serious menace and these reduce the quality and yield of crops substantially. Chemical as well as mechanical methods are being used to control the weeds. The weeding was traditionally done by “khurpa” up to mid 60s. This tool requires its operation in a sitting posture, which reduces the work rate. The use of long handled tools like “kasola” became popular because these allowed their operation in a standing posture, which increases the mobility and thus the work rate. Weeder is a mechanical device to remove the weeds (unwanted plants) from the cultivated crop. A wide variety of weeders are used in the countries, which may be categorized in three groups viz. manual weeder, animal or tractor drawn weeder and power weeder or self-propelled rotary weeder (Singh, 2007; Pandey et al., 1997; Pandey and Ganesan, 2005).

In the orchard, several cultural operations like weeding, mulching, etc. are very important. Similarly protection from fire is also essential. The points are discussed here.

Weed Management

The Luxuriant weed growth is a common sight in neglected old cashew gardens. Weeds are not only harmful by competing for the nutrients and moisture but also cause inconvenience to take up effective plant protection measures and harvesting of fallen nuts; thus resulting in loss of yield. Therefore, sanitation of cashew orchard is very essential, it also minimise the incidence of cashew stem and root borer (CSRB). Careful weeding-clearing the area within 2 m radius of the trunk is essential. Clearing of weed growth is to be carried out twice in a year. Weeds may compete for nutrients and moisture with cashew. The weeding cycles are generally confined to the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods to coincide with the fertilizer application.

Weeds should also be controlled between the rows. This can be done by inter-cropping with certain crops for 3/4 years before the tree canopies close in. In addition a legume can be grown to both control weeds and fix nitrogen for the trees. This improves the soil and makes the nutrient available.

Simple interest?

Simple interest can be simply defined as the interest that is paid only on the principal amount. Unlike compound interest, simple interest does not consider “interest on interest” concept and the value is obtained by multiplying the interest rate by the principal amount and the number of days that elapse between payments.

Introduction

Some historians of agriculture believe that it was women who first domesticated crop plants and there by initiated the art and science of farming. While men went out hunting in search of food, women started collecting seeds from the native flora and began cultivating those of interest from the point of view of food, feed, fodder, fiber and fuel. This view is strengthened by the fact that women have been traditionally seed selectors. Even today this tradition has continued in many parts of the developing world. Women have played and continue to play a pivotal role in the conservation of basic life support system such as land, water, flora and fauna. They have protected the health of the soil through organic recycling and promoted crop security through the maintenance of varietal diversity and genetic resistance. In many remote areas agriculture is largely in hands of women. Men tend use to go to towns and cities in search of salaried jobs for fulfillment of family income. Therefore, without total intellectual and physical participation of women, it will not be possible to popularize alternative systems of land management for shifting cultivation, arrest gene and soil erosion, and promote the care of the soil and the health of economic plants and farm animals. Women also tend to look at problems in their totality from the sowing of the crop to its ultimate utilization either as food, feed or raw material for industry. Since they are usually incharge of marketing, they generally possess a clear understanding of market preferences and prejudices. Therefore, for an economically and ecologically sustainable agriculture the involvement of women farmers and farm women (agriculture farmers with and without assets) in the process of modernization of farming practices and village industries is absolutely essential. Horticulture is a major part of Indian agriculture, natural foods of man, fruits and vegetables provide protective nutrients like vitamins and minerals besides, some high quality sugars, proteins, oils and fats. Although belated, their importance has now been recognized in India not only to provide the much needed balanced nutrition and gainful occupation to our populace but also to develop viable internal and export trade. Fruits like banana, mango and minors fruit like mahuva, chironji, rayan etc. vegetables like potato being energy rich are considered prominent food crops e.g. banana can produce as high as 37 million calories per hectare. Unfortunately the component of fruits and vegetables in Indian diet is hardly six percent which should be raised at least five times so that the per capita per day consumption becomes 85 g. fruits, 75 – 125 g. leafy vegetables 85 g. other vegetable and 85 g. roots and tubers. To achieve this present production of fruits and vegetables would need to be pushed up considerably by increasing production levels and the area under fruits and vegetables would need to be pushed up considerably by increasing production levels and the area under fruits and vegetables (Lata and Singh, 2010).

8.1 Introduction

Interferometric or phase modulated sensors have received special attention because these are much more sensitive than intensity modulated sensors and can be used over a much larger dynamic range. The sensors rely on the interferometric technique. Generally, the sensor employs a coherent light source such as a laser and two single mode optical fibers. Light is split and coupled into both the fibers. If the measurand perturbs the optical properties of one of the fibers relative to the other, a phase shift occurs. The change in phase can be measured very precisely. For the measurement a sophisticated electronic processing equipment is needed. Thus the interferometric sensors are expensive compare to intensity modulated sensors. There are four kinds of interferometer configurations: Mach-Zehnder, Michelson, Fabry-Perot and Sagnac interferometers. The Mach-Zehnder, Michelson and Sagnac interferometers are the two beam interferometers while in the case of Fabry-Perot interferometer multiple beam interference occurs. In this chapter we shall first describe interference phenomenon and then different kinds of fiber optic interferometers. In the end we shall describe a number of sensors based on interference phenomenon or phase modulation.

13.1 Internal and External Factors Affecting Small and Medium Enterprises

Margi Lévy and Philip Powell argued that growth is determined by a combination of the entrepreneur, strategy and the firm organization. The author also defined key influences on SMEs growth, internal factors that reveal how decisions and features effect the growth of a firm.

(a) Entrepreneurial influences

A firm’s growth is dependent on the managerial knowledge (Macpher son & Holt 2007, 172-192). Training is crucial for the productivity and quality as well as it influences the effectiveness, efficiency and motivation of the employees (Thassanabanjong et al., 2009). The SME owner has considerable personal influence over a firm’s strategies, tactics and operations to engage in decision process across the firm.

As a result, although a flat, informal organizational structure is likely to exist, decisions making tends to be quite centralized around the owner. The entrepreneurs’ personality and behavior are to be causal factors for or against growth - orientated achievement. It is characteristic of small business that power decision are centralized at the level of owner - manager, so his or her personality, skills, responsibilities, attitude and behavior will have decisive influence on business strategy. (Levy and Powell, 2005).

Market competition has a larger affect for SMEs chance of survival and uncertainty is high as most of the smaller companies tend to have smaller share of the capital. This leads SMEs to have one or two major customers and are do not have big influence on prices. Larger companies with higher market share usually determine prices. (Levy & Powell, 2005).

Heat engines - A device which change heat received by fuel combustion into mechanical work is called a heat engine. It may be classified into two broad categories viz. are Internal and external combustion engines.[8]

Introduction to Internal Environment Analysis

Internal environment analysis is a critical component of strategic management that focuses on evaluating an organization's internal factors and resources. It involves assessing the internal strengths and weaknesses to gain insights into the organization's capabilities and competitive advantage. Here are some key points to highlight when discussing the introduction to internal environment analysis:

Internal environment analysis refers to the process of examining and evaluating an organization's internal factors, including its resources, capabilities, and core competencies. It helps identify strengths and weaknesses that can influence the organization's performance and competitiveness.

Purpose: The primary purpose of internal environment analysis is to understand the organization's internal dynamics and uncover key areas where it has a competitive advantage or faces challenges. It enables organizations to identify their core competencies and allocate resources effectively to achieve strategic goals.

Repairing fractures in small animal’s presence challenges to the veterinarians in their day to day service. These challenges include properly repairing fractures, each of which is unique, choosing the right fixation device, keeping an extensive inventory of costly instruments, and providing high standards of care for fracture repair. But fracture repair also gives veterinarians the opportunities to do something a little unusual in daily practice and to experience the immediate gratification of easing pain and promoting activity in injured animals.

Successful management of fractures mainly depends upon early diagnosis, type of fracture, timing of surgery and selection of proper method of fixation. The fixation of fractures can be achieved either by external or internal fixation methods. An ideal method of fracture fixation is one that can maintain early anatomical reduction, minimal soft tissue trauma, rigid stability and early motion of bone and joint. Restoring a fractured bone’s normal shape is important for return to function because it contributes to normal alignment of adjacent joint surfaces. Whereas, rigid stability of fracture fixation eliminates fragment movement and reduces pain. Soft tissue trauma adjacent to fractured bone should be minimum, which play a vital role in early vascularisation and prevents infection. Finally, early return to function maintains muscular tone of the limb allows normal weight mobility and joint nutrition and uses normal weight bearing forces to maintain bone density. These can be achieved with use of internal fixation devices.

Introduction

The characteristic features of a city are the result of the combination of various factors like topography, climate, history, economy, culture, etc. since these characteristics vary; every town/city is unique and has certain distinctive characteristics. These urban characteristics are, however, never static. They change both over time and space.

With the development of the economy, other factors like population growth, urbanization and improved technology have a combined effect on urban settlements, which grow bigger and more complex. The study of the internal structure of cities by urban geographers is a study of the structural and demographical variations (i.e., variations in building size, shape, height, function and social status) of urban settlement.

Theories on the Internal Structure of Cities

The internal structure of cities has attracted many generalizations in the form of theories. These theories have attempted to explain the city structure by examining cities at any location in a country largely from sociological viewpoint. The different theories on the internal structure of cities are the Concentric Zone theory of Burgess, Sector Theory of Hoyt, the Multiple Nuclei Theory of Ullman, the Social Area Analysis of Murdie and the Exploitative Model of William Bunge.

In previous sections we discussed about the validity and estimation of validity. Now the question is whether the reliable and valid measuring instrument is sufficient condition to ensure the reliable and valid results in actual experiments? What if the measuring instruments are perfectly reliable and valid but the experiment is conducted in less controlled conditions? Can we expect accurate predictions under such conditions? The answer is No.

No country is self-sufficient in plant genetic resources, and until recently this was thought to be sufficient to ensure the free flow of germplasm among nations. However, the concepts of ownership, sovereignty and intellectual property rights (IPR) have increasingly been invoked of late in discussions of how best to conserve and use plant genetic resources. This has resulted from the growing realization that germplasm has real economic value. At the same time, awareness has grown that the repercussions of overexploitation of natural resources, of the extinction of species and the disappearance of crop landraces, of environmental damage and of habitat destruction can be global, transcending national boundaries and short-term financial considerations (Anon. 1995). Therefore important international agreements/legislations on plant genetic resources management have been enacted from time to time. The important ones are as follows :

Introduction

International agricultural setup has appeared as it now taking all out consideration and agricultural heritage, crop voyage, crop classification and its significances. International cooperation has contended a big role in developing and strengthening the research system in Asian country. several developed countries like USA, UK, USSR, Canada, Australia, Japan, many European countries; Charitable establishments, etc.; altruist and Ford Foundations; varied International Agencies like FAO, UNDP, UNESCO, World Bank, etc.; and also the International Agricultural Research Centres below the consultatory cluster on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) System have contributed extensively to the explanation for agricultural RESEARCH in Asian country. Spectacular achievements in increasing the food production have raised the country’s image significantly, and also the bilateral arrangements have modified from the erstwhile donor-donee standing to relationship of equal partnership in research. The reciprocity and mutuality of interests with the less developed and in addition because the technologically advanced countries square measure the essence of international co-operation. The government has approved ICAR, motor-assisted by the board of directors of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), to enter into bilateral cooperative agreements with many countries and agencies. The mode of collaboration ordinarily follows the pattern of: (a) exchange of germ-plasm of plant and animal origin; (b) exchange of scientific and technical information; (c) visits of scientists and experts; (d) coaching of scientists; and (e) infrastructure development.

The 15 CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) Research Centers are independent, non-profit research organizations, conducting innovative research. Home to more than 8,000 scientists, researchers, technicians, and staff, CGIAR research works to create a better future for the world’s poor. Each Center has its own charter, board of trustees, director general, and staff. CGIAR Research Centers are responsible for hands-on research programmes and operations guided by policies and research directions set by the System Management Board.

Introduction

In all countries, food is governed by a complexity of laws and regulations, which set out the Government requirements to be met by food chain operators to ensure food safety and quality. Food laws and regulations also govern standards that ensure the safety, quality, composition and suitability of food for consumers. Food laws and regulations of any nation depends on whether a nation adopts International norms developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as well as the World Health Organization (WHO).

8.1. Food Laws

Food law means legislation that regulates the production, trade and handling of food. It covers the regulation of food control, food safety, quality and relevant aspects of food trade across the entire food chain, from the production to the consumer. Food laws protect the consumers against unsafe, adulterated and misbranded food and facilitate the movement of food across borders to sustain a fair trade.

Each nation administers its own laws, regulations and standards. It is also not static always and is constantly revised and updated in all nations. The food business operators (FBO) must obtain up-to-date information on any changes made in legislation, that are likely to affect the product standards. The regulations of all nations shall be obtained from their respective websites of the national ministries.

8.1.1. International Legislations

8.1.1.1. United States of America (USA)

In USA, the Food and Drug Act (1906) and the Federal Meat Inspection Act (1906) are the first federal food laws passed to protect American consumers. Later, Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (1938) regulated the meat and poultry products. At present, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), 2011 regulates all food products. https://www.fda.gov/food/guidance- regulation- food- and dietary- supplements/ food- safety- modernization- act- fsma. Manufacturers play important role in preventing food borne illness. The Act gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to oversee and enforce supply chains. The Act shifts the focus towards prevention of food borne illness and insists every FBO to register with the FDA.

The full form of ‘ISO’ is the International Organization for Standardization. ISO -QMS was founded in the year 1987. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland, operating in 162 plus countries.

• The ISO is an international standard-setting body that consists of the representatives from various national standards organizations.
• The ISO works on formulating the standards and guidelines for a variety of businesses and other purposes and publishes technical reports.
• The word ‘ISO’ is derived from the Latin term ‘isos’ which means ‘Equal for everyone’. It simply means that all the elements of the international std are equally applicable to all types of business.

Like in other crops, international research centres can contribute substantially towards solving the problems that limit ornamentals production because several research constraints are global in nature and need the research support by well staffed and adequately equipped research centres, which can make the work of national research programmes more efficient and accelerate the development of solutions. These international research centres can build a critical mass of scientists that is very important for effective research. It has almost established that successful research in individual crops has usually required the team efforts of specialists working in a range of disciplines like genetics, breeding, agronomy, physiology, pathology, entomology, economics, soils, statistics and chemistry, etc. These research centres are required to 1) Serve as catalyst for change 2) Collect, evaluate, maintain and utilize germplasm, 3) Generate and disseminate information 4) Provide training 5) Stimulate the formation of critical mass for research and 6) Assist national programmes achieving desired goals faster and more efficiently.

Abstract

Describes the genesis, organization and Internet representation of International Patent Classification (IPC). Provides the outline of seventh edition and useful URLs related to it.

Keywords: International Patent Classification, Patent Classification, Classification, Internet representation

Introduction

The International Patent Classification, commonly known as the IPC, is based on an international multi-lateral treaty administered by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This treaty is called the Strasbourg Agreement concerning the IPC, which was concluded in 1971 and came into force on October 7, 1975. The Agreement aimed to overcome the difficulties caused by using diverse national patent classification system. The common classification system defined by the Agreement is applied to patent and utility model documents. The Agreement is open to States party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

IPGRI founded in 1974 is the world’s largest international institute dedicated solely to the conservation and use of plant genetic resources. It is located at Rome in Italy. The institute is funded by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIR) which is an informal association of 45 public and private sector donors. CGIAR supports a network of 16 International Agricultural Research Centres. The Group was established in 1971. It is cosponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

There have been lots of international efforts to establish crop based research centres primarily in the developing/under-developed countries to carry out concerted breeding and plant genetic resources management activities pooling germplasm from all over the world and also engaging scientists from different countries to do breeding work on the certain mandate crops of the particular region using all kinds of germplasm and technologies with strong financial support from a central agency known as Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) for doing the stipulated work as per programme and deliver the products which can be used by different national plant breeding programmes either to use them directly as cultivars or to use them in their breeding programmes in various ways including parents in the crossing programme.

CGIaR (Consultative Group on International agricultural Research)

CGIAR System Organization headquartered in Montpellier, France is a global agricultural research partnership for a food secure future that was founded in the 1970s in response to the Green Revolution. There are presently 15 CGIAR agricultural research centres employing more than 8,500 researchers and support staff worldwide, with an annual budget of US$ 800 million.

CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. Its research is carried out by 15 CGIAR Research Centers in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector. The CGIAR Fund was established as a Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) in 2010. It was subsequently closed and replaced by a new FIF in 2017, following the CGIAR System governance reorganization.

I. FILL UPS

1. ISTA was founded in _____.
2. ISTA secretariat is located at _____.
3. _____ was founded with the aim to develop and publish standard procedures in the field of seed testing.
4. _____ is one of the leading international journals featuring papers and articles on seed quality and physiology published by ISTA.
5. The technical committees are made up of _____ number of members.

Founded in 1924, with the aim to develop and publish standard procedures in the field of seed testing, with member laboratories in over 70 countries world wide. ISTA membership is truly a global network. ISTA secretariat is located at Zurich, Switzerland.

1. VISION AND MISSION

ISTA members work together to achieve their vision of ‘Uniformity in seed quality evaluation worldwide’. The association produces Internationally agreed rules for seed sampling and testing, accredits laboratories, promotes research, provides International seed analysis certificates and training and disseminates knowledge in Seed Science and Technology. This facilitates seed trading Nationally and Internationally and also contributes to food security.

International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) are standards adopted by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), which is the governing body of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). The first International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) was adopted in 1993.

As of March 2021, there are 44 adopted ISPMs (ISPM 30 being revoked), 29 Diagnostic Protocols and 39 Phytosanitary Treatments. These international standards protect sustainable agriculture and enhance global food security, protect the environment, forests and biodiversity and facilitate economic and trade development. International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures are prepared by the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention as part of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s global programme of policy and technical assistance in plant quarantine. 

1. International trade contributes and increases the world _________

a) Population

b) Inflation

c) Economy

d) Trade Barriers

2. Free international trade maximizes world output through________.

a) Countries reducing various taxes imposed.

b) Countries specializing in production of goods they are best suited for.

c) Perfect competition between countries and other special regions

d) The diluting the international business laws & conditions between countries.

3. Domestic company limits it’s operations to ___________ political boundaries.

a) International

b) National

c) Transnational

d) Global

20.1. Introduction
• The exchange of goods and services (trade) among countries across national boundaries is called as international trade.
• No Country can be self-sufficient in producing all the goods and services required by it.
• Thus, Countries need to trade to obtain commodities, they cannot produce themselves or they can purchase elsewhere at a lower price.
• The act of selling domestically produced goods to international consumer is known as exportation. India Export Refined Petroleum, Jewellery, Rice, etc.
• The act of purchasing goods from foreigne country in order to sell them domestically is known as importation. India import Crude oil, Coal, Gold, Electronics item etc.
20.2. Why International Trade?
• Countries cannot domestically produced all the goods and services that each individual consumer wants and needs.
• Because each country has different factor of production (Land, Labour, and Capital).
• Each country is endowed with different combination of these factors and therefore each country is capable of producing different combination of goods and services.
• When domestic production is greater than domestic demand for a good, excess production is traded on the international market

7.1 INTRODUCTION

Web technology revolutionised information technology and GIS of no exception. Analysis of maps available in internet through remote personal computer is called as web GIS. The term web is GIS synonymous with the term internet GIS. Most of the software vendors in the field of GIS have developed their GIS compatible to internet. The advantage of internet GIS is no need to own a GIS software in the personal computer. Maps available in a web site can be analysed for GIS functions as one could do with GIS in standalone personal computer. Applications of web GIS is not limited. Most of the governmental agencies, business people and others put their data in their server and the data could be analysed spatially for the users requirement. Internet mapping is simple, cost effective and reach vast audience.

Internet GIS is useful in field like civil engineering, government organisations, forestry, environment, goescience, utility planning etc.

Till twentieth century information technology was restricted to European and American countries but entering in twenty first century witnessed passage of this technology with a vast speed in all other countries making a spectrum of changes in communication and transmission of knowledge that has altogether changed scenario of whole world. Earlier communication to international scientists was costly, time consuming while now its only a click away. So is of transmitting reprints of research papers – earlier they were dispatched by mail, now these reprints and other matters are available in soft copy and are attached with e-mail that is transmitted instantly.

The integration of Internet of Things technologies with artificial intelligence is creating increasingly connected and data-driven agricultural systems. This chapter examines how IoT and AI can support smart farming through continuous data collection, analysis and decision-making. It discusses technological infrastructure for advanced agriculture and improvements in field operations enabled by connected sensors and intelligent systems. Applications in precision farming, including orchard and vineyard management, are considered alongside emerging technologies and high-throughput phenotyping. IoT devices can provide information about environmental and crop conditions, while AI methods transform these data into useful management insights. The chapter concludes by examining future directions and research challenges associated with integrated smart farming systems.

The Internet of Things supports continuous monitoring of soil, crops, weather and other field conditions through distributed sensors and connected devices. This chapter proposes an edge-cloud architecture designed to address scalability, heterogeneous data, communication latency and energy requirements. Edge nodes conduct local processing and anomaly detection, while cloud platforms provide storage and run advanced machine-learning models. Applications include crop-status evaluation, irrigation scheduling, pest and disease detection and yield forecasting. Explainable artificial intelligence improves transparency by helping users understand model recommendations. The integrated architecture can reduce response time compared with conventional centralized systems and provides a foundation for scalable, efficient and responsive next-generation smart-farming operations.

Internet of Things (IoT) is networking of physical objects, devices, machines, systems etc to interconnect each other for exchanging data through standard internet protocols. The IoT is also termed as Machine-to-Machine (M-to-M) communication. The term ‘Things’ in IoT includes objects embedded with sensors, actuators, mobile phones, routers, hubs, computers, wearable’s and smart devices etc.

Introduction

Famous French postmodern philosopher Jean Baudrillard commented on information once. “Information can tell us everything. It has all the answers. But they are answers to questions we have not asked, and which doubtless don’t even arise.” This seemingly paradox observation fits contemporary Internet age perfectly. Internet is a vast repository of information of all kinds and is bursting on its seams. The seeker needs to search with monumental grit and determination to have a full handle on the range of information available for any particular search. A search string for GIS returns more than 1185000 results, in a mere 0.26 seconds. Recommending a comprehensive resource list is not possible as new material gets continually added by way of additions and updates. However for a beginner the list given below will be handy. The flip side is GIS has innumerable resources and a broad range of content. Software vendors, organizations, individuals, universities and companies have provided a wealth of information. The readers are exhorted to make use of the materials to improve their understanding of the subject.

The Internet is a worldwide network of networks connecting millions of users, spread across continents, exchanging thousands of gigabytes of information, accessing numerous databases that cover everything from cooking to astronomy, all relatively inexpensively. The Internet offers virtually unlimited amounts of information related to animal medicine and provides all the tools to access it. ‘www’ is probably the most famous three letters of the last century, signifying a series of servers that are interconnected with each other through hypertext transfer protocol or ‘http’. A significant part of the credit for increasing the popularity of the Internet belongs to the World Wide Web. It is always better to use evaluated web resources as the quality of websites is a problem in cyberspace.

ABSTRACT
  
The present study was conducted with 100 internet users in Lahowal CIC and Barbaruah CIC in Dibrugarh district of Assam to critically analyze the various aspects of internet utilization pattern. Results showed that majority (66%) of the respondents were between 18 to 26 years of age and were students (50%). Education qualification of majority of the respondents (32%) was above seventh standard and below graduation and seventy per cent were above graduation and below post graduation and also undergone training in computer.

11.1 Concept of Internet

The internet is not a computer network. It is a network of networks, linking computer to computers. Each runs software to provide access and view information.

In other words, internet is the connection of two or more networks so that a computer on one network can communicate with a computer on another network. The communication between two computers takes place such that the user does not have to worry about the technology used by the networks. The router, also called gateway, acts as an interface between two networks. The internet covers the entire globe and includes large, international networks as well as many smaller, local area networks (LANs). A user can access data, graphics, sound, software, text and people through a variety of services and tools for communication and data exchange. To get, provide and compile information, internet is the cheapest and fastest medium. Some of the popular tools and services available for communication and data exchange are as follows:

Interpersonal Behavior is the study of one’s own perception, knowledge, attitude & motivation and how these affect one’s behavior to the self & with others. It is characterized mainly by 3 factors. A. Communication skill (Knowledge / literacy / intelligence, Listening skill, Verbal skill and Active listening/feedback). B. Emotional intelligence (Self-awareness and Emotional maturity) C. Social skill (Good eye contact, Body language and Empathy/ understanding & assimilating ability). For Understanding Interpersonal Behaviors, Behavioral scientists recommend the use of Johari Window & Transactional Analysis (TA).

Johari Window is a psychological too created by Joseph Luft& Harry Ingham in 1955 in USA.. It helps people to understand their better interpersonal relations & communication. The Johari Window model is also referred to as a ‘disclosure/feedback model of self-awareness’, and by some people an ‘information processing tool’. The Johari Window actually represents information - feelings, experience, views, attitudes, skills, intentions, motivation, etc - within or about a person - in relation to their group, from four perspectives. Johari window four quadrants: 1. what is known by the person about him/herself and is also known by others - open area, open self, free area, free self, or ‘the arena’. 2. what is unknown by the person about him/herself but which others know - blind area, blind self, or ‘blind spot‘. 3. what the person knows about him/herself that others do not know - hidden area, hidden self, avoided area, avoided self or ‘facade‘. 4. What is unknown by the person about him/herself and is also unknown by others - unknown area or unknown self.

Interpersonal communication verbally non-verbally symbolic, disclosive, transitional, and multifunctional and that it can be either intentional or unintentional.

Patton and Giffin (1974) suggest that interpersonal communication is really no different from other forms of communication with the exception that it occurs only a face to face setting.

Stewart and Angelo (1975) suggest that communication becomes interpersonal when people are comfortable in sharing rather than prediction or influencing.

The Johari Window Concept of Interpersonal Communication (Luft, 1963-1970)

Interpersonal communication is the means by which we expand our Quadrant I. As Luft suggest, some people may get along fine with other people without in sight or awareness but such lack of awareness inhibits our communication effectiveness and impede our personal growth.

Characteristics of Interpersonal Communication

i. In interpersonal communication, both the generator and attributor of meaning must be present.

ii. In case of interpersonal communication, the face to face interaction between people who are consistently aware of each other.

iii. Each person in interpersonal communication assumes roles as both sender and receiver of message. iv. Interpersonal communication cannot transport without the presence and awareness of parties involved.

Interpretation of Drainage Patterns Through Aerial Photographs

Aerial photographs can provide a useful tool for interpreting the drainage patterns of a landscape. Drainage patterns are formed by the natural movement of water across the land and the way in which it flows from high to low areas, creating channels and streams that eventually converge into larger rivers and bodies of water. Different types of drainage patterns can be identified through aerial photographs, which can help to understand the underlying geology and topography of the landscape.

Here are some of the different drainage patterns that can be identified through aerial photographs:

1. Dendritic pattern

This pattern resembles the branches of a tree and is the most common type of drainage pattern. It occurs in areas where the underlying rock or soil is uniform and has no preferred direction of erosion. The streams converge into larger rivers, which may flow in a particular direction.

Effective disease surveillance and interpretation of laboratory reports are essential for maintaining fish health and ensuring early disease detection and response. This involves systematically collecting, analyzing, and interpreting health-related data. It includes tracking known pathogens, identifying new or exotic agents, and assessing both the host population and surrounding environment. A structured framework—comprising hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk management—is key to reducing the impact of disease outbreaks.
Laboratory techniques such as PCR, ELISA, histopathology, and microbial cultures provide critical insights into the type, presence, and intensity of infections. However, their usefulness hinges on accurate interpretation. Understanding diagnostic metrics—like Ct values in PCR tests, lesion characteristics from histopathology, or bacterial counts from cultures—is crucial. Farmers, fishery officers, and aquatic health experts need training to relate lab results to visible symptoms, environmental conditions, and farm history for informed decisionmaking.
In India, institutions such as ICAR, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), and various state fisheries departments are increasingly prioritizing disease surveillance. Surveillance can be passive (reporting observed outbreaks) or active (regular testing regardless of visible symptoms). These efforts help detect early warning signs, monitor trends, identify hotspots, and support regional or national disease control plans.

Rock

A rock is a solid, naturally occurring substance composed of minerals or mineraloids. It is typically formed through geological processes, such as cooling and solidification of molten lava or magma, or by the deposition and compaction of sediment over time. Rocks are classified into three main types based on their origin: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

Igneous rocks: Formed from the cooling and solidification of molten lava or magma. Examples include granite, basalt, and obsidian.

Sedimentary rocks: Formed from the accumulation and compaction of sediment, such as sand, mud, or organic matter, over long periods. Examples include sandstone, limestone, and shale.

Metamorphic rocks: Formed from the transformation of existing rocks under high temperature and pressure conditions. They undergo changes in mineral composition, texture, and structure. Examples include marble, slate, and gneiss.

Rocks serve as the building blocks of the Earth's crust and are an essential part of the geological processes that shape the planet. They can provide valuable information about Earth's history, including the formation of mountains, the movement of continents, and the presence of ancient life forms. Rocks are also used in various practical applications, such as construction, road building, and the production of minerals and resources.

Structural landforms are landforms that are created due to the underlying geological structures of the earth's crust. These structures can include folds, faults, and other features that have been formed due to the tectonic forces that have shaped the earth's surface over millions of years.

Examples of structural landforms include mountain ranges, plateaus, and rift valleys. Mountain ranges are formed due to the upliftment of the earth's crust along a fault line or due to the folding of the earth's crust. Plateaus are flat-topped landforms that are formed due to the upliftment of a large area of the earth's crust. Rift valleys are formed due to the stretching and pulling apart of the earth's crust along a fault line.

Denudational landforms, on the other hand, are landforms that are created due to the process of erosion and weathering. These landforms are formed due to the gradual wearing down of the earth's surface by natural forces such as wind, water, and ice.