eChapters

INTRODUCTION

Water is one of the most important inputs essential for tree growth, development and fruit production. Fruit trees need it continuously during their life in optimum quantities. It profoundly influences photosynthesis, respiration, absorption, translocation and utilization of mineral nutrients, and cell division besides some other processes. Both its shortage and excess affect the growth and development of a plant directly and, consequently, its yield and quality. In India, however, rainfall is notoriously capricious, causing floods and droughts alternately. Its frequency distribution and amount are not in accordance with the needs of the particular fruit crops. Artificial water supplies through irrigation on one occasion, and the removal of excess water through drainage on another occasion, therefore, become imperative, if the fruit crops are to be raised successfully. Water management in India, thus, comprises irrigation or drainage or both, depending considerably on the environmental conditions, soil, crops and climate. Applying the proper amount of water at the right time is important for reducing costs and maximizing profits. It is essential, therefore, that there be a scientifically sound method for determining when to irrigate and how much water to apply for optimum crop response and efficient use of resources.

Abstract

Present water scarcity is one of the most important world issues, and according to climate change projections, it will be more severe in future. In several parts of the world, freshwater crisis is largely due to increasing water consumption and pollution by rapidly increasing population and aspirations for economic development, but, attributed by and large to the climate change.  Climate change is considered as one of the most serious challenges confronting the present world and is expected to impact hydrological processes such as precipitation, and evapo-transpiration.  Increasing human activity and industrialization have led to a broad range of physical, chemical, and biological pollutants entering water bodies and affecting human lives. The groundwater crisis is reaching an alarming stage in many parts of the country. The indiscriminate and every now and then excessive use of groundwater has led to questions concerning its sustainability.  The sustainability of groundwater utilization must be assessed from an interdisciplinary point of view, where hydrology, ecology, geomorphology, and climatology play a very vital role. Further, water management strategies ought to be specified keeping aquifer-scales in mind. 

Introduction

In the environment of dwindling water resources and contention of the other sectors, the share of water allocated to irrigation is likely to be decreased by 10 to 15 per cent in the next two decades. One of the ways of improving water scarcity is by enhancing its use efficiency or productivity. Water use efficiency (WUE) is a broad concept that can be defined in many ways. For farmers or farm irrigators, WUE is the yield of harvested crop produce achieved from the available water to the crop from irrigation, rainfall and soil water storage. Improving WUE in pomegranate will be required an increasing in pomegranate water productivity (i.e. an increasing marketable yield per unit of water used by plants and reduction in water losses from the root zone (Chopde and Gorantiwar, 1998; Chopde et al., 2001; Intrigoli et al., 2011). For comprehensive improvement of WUE, it is necessary to raise the following ratios to their maximum: stored soil water content/water received through rainfall and irrigation, transpiration/water consumption, biomass yield/transpiration, water consumption/soil water storage and economic benefit/biomass yield (Frederick, 1993).

Abstract

The effect of watershed management programme was studied with introduction of new crop-cultivars including six rainy season crops namely direct seeded rice (drilled rice), transplanted rice, arhar, groundnut, sesamum and maize and two winter season crops namely mustard and wheat. The crop demonstration programme were undertaken for consecutive four years during 1988 to 1991 to utilize different land situations and for effective use of created irrigation potential at a drought prone tract of West Bengal (India). The results of the crop demonstration revealed that with selection of crops and its suitable varieties, adopting improved agronomic practices including scientific management of fertilizers and irrigation water, plant protection measures, the productivity of both land and crops markedly increased. The crop production strategy on the basis of land capability classification changed the land use, cropping pattern and crop intensity in the watershed area.

Abstract

Watershed development and management programme appeared to an effective and integrated approach to manage all natural resources like land, water, vegetation, animal and human for sustainable benefit and maintaining balanced eco-system. The main principle of the programme is based on starting from its planning, making design outlay, formulation of technical works, execution and development of land along with creation of water resources developing a hydrological unit at downstream making a common drainage points for the purpose of sustainable development of agriculture. The present case study dealt with the integrated water resources management with specific guidelines to the farmers for clear understanding of installing small-scale irrigation system based on their own resources in accordance with actual land situations as well as judicious use of irrigation with adoption of water-saving technology for sustainable crop production through watershed approach. The work was carried out under National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Area (NWDPRA), one out of 21 watersheds was identified for development of rainfed agriculture with mobilization of all natural resources like soil-plant-water-animal-human to uplift socio-economic status of the farmers. 

Introduction

In many developing countries including India, agricultural sector is of vital importance to the economy and welfare of the inhabitants. Agriculture contributes to 14% of the Indian GDP and supports the livelihood of two-thirds of the population. Despite tremendous technological developments, vagaries of weather continue to plague the agriculture production. Any shortfall in agricultural production will have its cascading effect on the economy of the country. In recent times, climate change and variability are confounding the troubles already faced by Indian agriculture and the farming community. Loss in crop production and farm income due to unexpected weather hazards is beyond the carrying capacity of resource poor farmers of the country. With the growing commercialization of agriculture, the magnitude of crop loss due to unfavourable weather hazards is increasing leading to suicides of farmers. The State and National governments on their part are coming to rescue of farming community by implementing various relief measures like reduction or suspension of land revenue taxes, loan waiving, relief from calamity relief fund etc. Though these measures are helpful, farmers cannot expect them as a right and they put lot of burden on the country’s exchequer.

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Introduction

Adoption of green revolution technologies during 1960s led to increased productivity and elimination of acute foodgrain shortages in India. These technologies primarily involved growing of high-yielding dwarf varieties of rice and wheat, increased use of chemical fertilizers and other agrochemicals, and spread of irrigation facilities. This was also accompanied by other modern methods of cultivation, which included maximum tilling of land, virtually clean cultivation with complete removal of crop residues and other biomass from the field, fixed crop rotations mostly involving cereals, and elimination of fertility- restoring pulses and oilseed crops in the highly productive north-western plain zone of the country.

Introduction

“Conservation agriculture (CA) is a concept for resource-saving agricultural crop production that strives to achieve acceptable profits together with high and sustained production levels while concurrently conserving the environment” (FAO, 2007). Aspects of conservation that we normally deal are the management of soil, water, crop diversity, animals, storage of produce (seed, fertilizer, etc.), and maintenance of tools, implements, machinery, etc. Some of the important key principles of conservation agriculture are illustrated as (i) Tillage: practice of minimum mechanical soil disturbance which is essential to maintaining minerals within the soil, stopping erosion, and preventing water loss from occurring within the soil. (ii) Crop residues/Mulch: Managing the top soil to create a permanent organic soil cover for growth of organisms within the soil structure. (iii) Crop rotation: The practice of crop rotation with more than two crop species (iv) Economics: Secure farm level economic viability and stability. To achieve this will involve the development of innovation systems focused on the needs of farmers and will include multiple agents who will use their comparative advantages to adapt the principles of CA to the farmers’ various biophysical and socioeconomic conditions. Crop diversification could also be proved as remunerative.  (v) Environment protection:  The CA has a role to conserve the environment in terms of climate resilient agriculture and emission of green house gases (GHG).

7.1. INTRODUCTION

The cultivation of wheat (Triticum spp.) reaches far back into history. Wheat was one of the first domesticated food crops and for 8000 years has been the basic staple food of the major civilizations of Europe, West Asia and North Africa. Today, wheat is grown on more land area than any other commercial crop and continues to be the most important food grain source for humans. Its production leads all crops, including rice, maize and potatoes.

Wheat is special in several ways. It is grown on more than 240 million ha, larger than for any other crop, and world trade is greater than for all other crops combined. The raised bread loaf is possible because the wheat kernel contains gluten, an elastic form of protein that traps minute bubbles of carbon dioxide when fermentation occurs in leavened dough, causing the dough to rise (Hanson et al., 1982). It is the best of the cereal foods and provides more nourishment for humans than any other food source. Wheat is a major diet component because of the wheat plant’s agronomic adaptability, ease of grain storage and ease of converting grain into flour for making edible, palatable, interesting and satisfying foods.

Introduction

Desertification is affecting the livelihoods of millions of people, mainly poor in the dry lands, which occupy nearly 41% of the Earth’s land area and are the residence of more than 2 billion people of the world. In India, the western part of Rajasthan is mostly affected by desertification process dominated by wind erosion. Kar et al. (2009) reported that 15.2 mha land in western Rajasthan is affected by wind erosion out of total 22.96 mha area under desertification. A brief account on issues and priorities related to wind erosion processes in Thar desert was reported in Santra et al. (2006). Plenty of incident solar energy in the region makes the desert surface very hot especially during summer months. Wind speed also remains very high in the region for most of the time in a year. Therefore, the loss of top fertile soils through wind erosion process is very active in the region. Eroded dust particles during severe wind erosion events commonly known as dust storms not only create the soils poor but also pose several environmental threats through generating aerosols in atmosphere. 

Abstract

‘Women Empowerment’ has been now an important phrase of discussion for the social scientists. The concept of ‘Empowerment’ was firstly highlighted by the Political Scientists. Undoubtedly, effective utilization of human potentials and realization of knowledge about him/herself are believed to be the most critical capabilities of individuals. Probably this is the root of ‘Empowerment’. The term ‘Women Empowerment’ symbolizes women’s realization about their potentials. On the other hand, SHG approach intends to highlight towards unfolding the potentials of women through group approach, enabling them to help themselves by their own capacity. In spite of this, the condition of women SHGs is in doldrums. This might be quite difficult to generalize the whole scenario. The study is a modest endeavor to revisit women SHGs (developed by NGOs) of East Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand. Of the various factors attributed to tribal socio-economic lives of family based farmers, gender role is considered as the important factor. Tribal women in almost all walks of life are sharing responsibilities in domestic as well as economic sector.The study is based on Ex- post facto research design. The methods of data collection were quantitative and qualitative in nature and were aimed to seek answers to certain research questions. Participatory Rural Appraisal and FGD are being the dominant methods.

17.1. INTRODUCTION

Yam bean is one of the adaptable, low-maintenance, and nutritious food crop grown in moderate soil. It has many synonyms, in India it is known as Mishrikand (Hindi), Keshar or Ram-kaseru or Shankalu (Bengali). The root crops produced by legumes have long recognized as important and the FAO (1979) has recommended them as a source of human nutrition. The tuber is rich in starch (15-20%), 3-4% sugar, and have considerable amount of protein (2-3%). The harvested crop keeps well for months under ambient temperature. Kale (2006) observed relatively high iron contents in storage roots (up to 130 mg/kg of storage root dry matter). It can also be used for alcohol production.

The crop is very hardy, resistant to common insect pests and diseases. Most important is that the crop is not grazed neither by goats nor cows. The crop grows well in hot-humid environment and requires long, warm frost-free growing season. A moist, light textural soil is preferred for production of tuberous roots. As a legume crop, it can be grown without nitrogen fertilizer. Under good growing condition its root nodules habour symbiotic colonies of nitrogen-fixing bacteria- Rhizobium spp. (Nielsen et al., 1998b). A season crop of yam beans can release as much as 53 tons of usable nitrogen per acre into the soil. Mycorrhyzae also associated with the crop, thus facilitating phosphorus uptake. Thus, yam bean is highly suited to the needs of small farmers, and from both an ecological and a socioeconomic perspective

Introduction 
Heterocyclic chemistry is advancing rapidly, driven by its diverse applications and crucial role in drug discovery (Kabir & Uzzaman, 2022; Vala et al., 2022). Among various heterocycles, nitrogen and oxygen-containing compounds such as pyrazoles, thiazoles, and triazoles are especially notable for their potent biological activities (Li Petri et al., 2020). These compounds play a key role in addressing diseases caused by microbes, resistant strains, and genetic mutations. Advances in synthetic methods have enabled the development of vast heterocyclic libraries essential for drug screening. Remarkably, heterocyclic frameworks account for nearly 75% of modern low molecular-weight drugs, highlighting their significance in medicinal chemistry (“Thematic Issue ‘Heterocyclic Compounds in Medicinal Chemistry, 2020). Within this context, 1,2,3-triazole has gained significant attention due to its exceptional stability under oxidative, reductive, and hydrolytic conditions, as well as its efficient and regioselective synthesis (Vaishnani et al., 2024). Its unique structural features such as lipophilicity, polarity, rigidity, and favorable pharmacological properties along with strong binding affinity to biomolecular targets, make it an indispensable scaffold in bioactive heterocycles (Devasia et al., 2022). Moreover, 1,2,3-triazole has been used as a bioisostere in medicinal chemistry, aiding the development of pharmaceutical drugs. 1,2,3-Triazoles display a wide array of therapeutic activities, including antiepileptic (Pålhagen et al., 2001), anti-platelet (Campos et al., 2009), anti-microbial (Baddam et al., 2024; El Malah et al., 2020; Mendapara et al., 2024), anti-viral (Farghaly et al., 2024; Gadali et al., 2024; Sabt et al., 2024), anti-inflammatory (Ambala et al., 2024; Awasthi et al., 2024; Qi et al., 2024), anti-cancer (Belay et al., 2024; Bimoussa et al., 2024; Duan et al., 2024; Meenakshy et al., 2024), anti-leishmanial (Molaei et al., 2024; Rodrigues Gazolla et al., 2024), antiplasmodial (A. Yadav et al., 2024; J. Yadav & Kaushik, 2024), anti-alzheimer (Shareghi-Boroujeni et al., 2024), and anti-HIV (Alvarez et al., 1994; Feng et al., 2021; Lazrek et al., 2001) effects. They also act as enzyme inhibitors (Dhameja et al., 2022; El-Naggar et al., 2024; G. Kumar et al., 2024; A. Singh et al., 2024; M. Singh et al., 2024), and anti-convulsants, and protect against snake venom (Ornellas et al., 2024; Simas Pereira Junior et al., 2024). Notably, approved drugs containing 1,2,3-triazole include tazobactam (ß-lactamase inhibitor), cefatrizine (anti-bacterial), and rufinamide (anti-convulsant) (Figure 1).

Abstract

The Car Nicobar Island is one of the several islands in Indian Ocean which was severally damaged by the Great tsunami on 26 December 2004. The great tsunami event caused massive devastation, in the form of loss of life and property in south and south East Asia. The objectives of the study are to assess the changes in the coastal features of the Car Nicobar Island using various indicators such as the tsunami height, run- up elevation, water flow direction, erosion, sand deposition and coastal subsidence. Andaman &Nicobar Islands are the summit of the submarine mountain range lying along the great tectonic suture zone extending from Eastern Himalaya to Sumatra and Lesser Sunda via Myanmar border and Arakan hills. The IRS P-6 satellite data has been found to be very useful in the present tsunami assessment studies. The digital analysis of the satellite data was done using the image processing software (ERDAS IMAGINE 8.4) and DTM to quantify the tsunami height (15 m), run up elevation (2-19 m), inundation (295-1203 m) and coastal responses. The settlements and coconut plantations have been severely damaged in the island, which were assessed using GIS analysis of the pre and post-tsunami satellite data.

Keywords: Tsunami, Wave Height, Run-up Elevation, Inundation, Coastal Responses, Remote Sensing, GIS.

Two-dimensional nanomaterials have expanded the possibilities for designing advanced green composites with tailored multifunctional properties. This chapter focuses on MXenes and nanosilicates, including laponite, montmorillonite, and halloysite, as important alternatives and complements to graphene-based nanomaterials. Their integration into green composite matrices can influence mechanical strength, thermal stability, barrier characteristics, surface functionality, and other performance parameters. The chapter examines the development of advanced green composites based on these nanomaterials and considers their potential for sustainable material design. Particular attention is given to the relationship between nanoscale structure, matrix interaction, and composite performance, highlighting opportunities for multifunctional and environmentally responsible material systems.

Aim: Perform an experiment to determine the parameters of a three-phase induction machine.

As the circuit modal of an induction motor is similar to that of a transformer, the parameter of the modal can be obtained by no-load test and blocked rotor test.

No-load test

In this test, the motor is to run at no-load at rated voltage and frequency. The applied voltage and current and power input is measured. Power input at no load (Po ) provides only the losses that are rotational losses.

Aim: Study of 3 point and 4-point starter.

Theory

A 3-point starter in simple words is a device that helps in the starting and running of a shunt field or compound excited dc motor. Now the question is why these types of dc motors requires the assistance of the starter in the f irst case. The only explanation to that is given by the presence of back emf Eb , which plays a critical role in governing the operation of the motor. The back emf, develops as the motor armature starts to rotate in presence of the magnetic field, by generating action and counters the supply voltage. This also essentially means that the back emf at the starting is zero, and develops gradually as the motor gathers speed.

The pesticides-one amongst the most important inputs in the crop production contributed a lot to minimize the losses to crop yield. In India, on an average, 33 % of crop loss occurs due to pests and disease and runs to an estimated Rs 1.40000 crore. Pesticide is an essential in the farmers struggle to protect their crops. Pesticides consumption in India reported to 288g/ha is very low compared to global average of 900g/ha. Excessive, irrational and indiscriminate use of these pesticides causes many negative consequences, mainly the famous 3 R viz; Resistance, Resurgence and Residue aspects.

6.1. Principles of farm finance

6.1.1. Five Cs’

INTRODUCTION
Tractors and power tillers have revolutionized modern agriculture, enabling farmers to perform heavy-duty tasks with greater efficiency and precision. These machines have become indispensable tools for planting, harvesting, and tilling, contributing significantly to increased productivity in the agricultural sector. However, despite their immense benefits, tractors and power tillers present substantial safety risks if not operated correctly. The complexity of these machines and the environment in which they operate—often rugged and challenging—can lead to dangerous situations that pose a risk not only to the operator but also to those working nearby.
The safety concerns associated with tractors and power tillers stem from various factors, including the large size and weight of these machines, their powerful engines, and the high-speed operations they are capable of. The potential hazards include rollovers, being caught in moving parts, and accidents involving attachments or implements. Rollover accidents are particularly common and represent one of the most serious risks, with fatal outcomes often resulting from improper handling of the tractor, poor terrain conditions, or lack of proper safety features. In addition to mechanical risks, there are environmental factors such as visibility issues, rough terrain, and unpredictable weather conditions that further complicate the safe operation of tractors and power tillers. It is critical to remember that even experienced operators can fall victim to accidents if they become complacent or ignore basic safety protocols.
This chapter on Safety Rules aims to equip tractor and power tiller operators with the essential knowledge and practices to ensure safe operation. By adhering to established safety guidelines, farmers can protect themselves, their workers

Constantly emerging and reemerging vaccine-preventable infectious diseases recently around the globe challenged the health infrastructure and has been a critical concern for the medical fraternity. There are 21 other neglected tropical diseases, as classified and recently updated by the World Health Organisation, many of which are seemingly vaccine-preventable. The unprecedented scenario that the world encountered during the recent COVID-19 pandemic was also a ‘silver lining in the dark cloud’ for primarily the vaccinologists. The scientific world witnessed stupendous developments in vaccine development. One such instance was the cutting-edge mRNA vaccine development platform. Once a vaccine is successfully designed, the next step is scaling it up in a milieu that is conducive for its mass production. There are numerous ways to achieve it, from biological system (animal models like the chick embryo, mouse cell-lines, suspension-cultured tobacco cells) to the non-biological (bioreactor) settings. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the intricacies in vaccine development, from designing to large-scale manufacturing (mass production). It delves into key scientific guiding principles behind developing and formulating vaccines, adopting both the traditional and emerging bioprocessing and bioseparation engineering and technology. It also explores the technical and management challenges faced before and during scaling up, including maintaining product efficacy, ensuring high quality for human administration, and navigating regulatory landscapes, among others. The chapter offers a holistic understanding of bioprocessing continuum, to educate and inform the research (academia) and development (bioindustry) community for more promising and effective strategies in the future to optimise vaccine production, thus contributing to the global public healthcare initiatives.

Introduction

The rapid growth and socio-economic upliftment of a developing country are directly related to the intensity of industrial growth of that country (Bastian et al., 2019; Kniivila, n.d). The emergence of new enterprises is the main source of a healthy and growing industrial ecosystem. They represent 99% of businesses in developing countries and account for two-thirds of employment creation (Secretary-General and UNCTAD, 2022). Enterprises hence create employment, drive inclusive growth, promote innovation, and improve socio cultural conditions along with addressing sustainable development goals- No poverty(SDG-1), Industry, innovation and infrastructure(SDG-9), Reduce inequality(SDG-10)of the UN’s 2030 agenda (Forbes, 2022; Secretary-General and UNCTAD, 2022). Their innovative outputs in the form of goods and services, address local as well as global requirements of the customer market and bring them on the path of sustainability (Szopik-Depczynska et al.,2018; Rivera et al.,2020). The entrepreneurs have a long vision of success, engaging their primary activities with No poverty (SDG-1), Zero hunger(SDG-2), Gender equality(SDGs-5), Decent work and economic growth(SDG-8), Industry, innovation and infrastructure(SDG-9), Reduce inequality(SDG-10), Responsible consumption and production(SDG-12), Climate action(SDG-13), Partnership for goals(SDG-17) and addressing challenges of society and the environment in return for optimal economic profit (Alagpuria,2021; Lammers et al.,2022; Secretary-General and UNCTAD,2022; Vig,2021; Del-Aguila Arcentales et al.,2022; Sadiq et al.,2022).

The current systems of journal rating and evaluation have long been criticized for their emphasis on narrow metrics, such as the journal impact factor (JIF), which often fail to reflect the broader contributions of academic work. Despite their widespread use, these systems frequently reinforce inequities within academia, marginalize underrepresented voices, and fail to prioritize the societal impacts of research (Fig. 13.1).
This chapter consolidates recommendations for reforming journal rating systems, emphasizing fairness, inclusivity, and societal impact. Drawing on existing literature and expert recommendations, we outline a comprehensive framework for designing a rating system that balances academic rigor with accessibility and relevance.
13.1. Revising Evaluation Metrics
The reliance on metrics such as JIF has perpetuated a cycle of prioritizing high-citation fields and well resourced institutions. Garfield (2006), the founder of the JIF, himself noted that it was never intended to serve as the singular measure of research quality, yet its dominance in academia persists. Critics argue that the JIF favors fields with inherently higher citation rates, sidelining disciplines such as the humanities, social sciences, and regional studies (Moher et al., 2018). Moreover, the JIF incentivizes salacious or sensational findings that attract citations, often at the expense of methodological rigor (Brembs et al., 2013). To address these issues, scholars have proposed alternative evaluation metrics that prioritize broader dimensions of impact. For example, the Leiden Manifesto (Hicks et al., 2015) outlines ten principles for responsible research evaluation,

Introduction

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) play a vital role in the rapidly developing field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. CNTs, discovered by Ijima in 1991, are another allotrope form of carbon with a cylindrical graphite structure (Iijima, 1991). They exhibit excellent mechanical, electronic, thermal, optical and chemical properties, which have revolutionised the state of the art in nanotechnology (Arora and Sharma, 2014). CNTs have been categorised into single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), double walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) and multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs).

1. Introduction

The scientific naming of plants is called botanical nomenclature. Although, nomenclature is included in taxonomy, but it distinctly differs from taxonomy. Plant taxonomy is concerned with grouping and classifying plants, however, the botanical nomenclature provides names for the results of this process. Names are a means of reference to all living and non-living things. The common names of pants and animals vary from place to place and language to language. But, scientific names of plants and animals are universal. For uniformity and consistency, the scientific names are given to plants according to certain internationally accepted rules provided in International Code of Nomenclature. It was Linnaeus who for the first time proposed some rules for generic names of plants in his Fundamenta Botanica, 1736 and Critica Botanica, 1737. However, the first proper set of rules of plant nomenclature was drafted by A. P. de Candolle and passed by the International Botanical Congress at Paris in 1867. The present Botanical nomenclature is governed by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), which replaces the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) in 2012.

Botanical nomenclature has a long history, going back to the period when Latin was the scientific language throughout Europe, and perhaps further back to Theophrastus. The starting point for modern botanical nomenclature is Linnaeus’ Species Plantarum (1753). In the nineteenth century it became increasingly clear that there was a need for rules to govern scientific nomenclature and initiatives were taken to produce a body of laws. These rules were published in successively more sophisticated editions after every six years. The most recent is the Melbourne Code, adopted in 2012.

All formal botanical names are governed by the ICN, and within the limits set by that code there is another set of rules, the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP). The latter Code applies to plant cultivars that have been deliberately altered or selected by humans and require separate recognition

Introduction

The development of any region is reflected in its quantum of energy consumption. With a view to keeping the pace we have to grow our energy resources at a rate that commensurate to sustainable development. There is already shortage of electricity, reflected in power cuts notwithstanding enhancement of electricity production of several folds in the country. The problem is more severe in context with rural areas in India where some 70% of population live and have agriculture as the main occupation. Although statistically few thousand villages are yet to be electrified, the availability of regular supply in far off places has been a problem and the farmers are unable to derive benefits of electricity. The fast depleting kerosene is used for lighting and diesel oil for running agricultural machinery including pumps. In addition people burn firewood, agricultural waste and cow dung cake for cooking food causing irreparable damage to the ecosystem. According to Lester Brown there will be plenty of food to eat but no fuel to cook. The burning of cow dung deprives farmers the use of potential source of organic manure. Further, due to shortage of energy resources, farmers are unable to process the agricultural products to enable them to accrue more benefits. The situation is still worse in arid region where bio mass is scarce and there is no hydro electricity. In addition, farmers are unable to generate additional income due to lack of energy resources to run appropriate device in cottage industries. In this context, solar energy utilization has a tremendous potential for providing needful energy to the farmers for domestic, agricultural and allied applications leading to a sustainable development.

1. Introduction
Early childhood (0-6 years) is the most important period in a child’s life; it is during this period that the foundations for the child’s cognitive, social, emotional, physical and mental development are laid. As a result, the Ministry of Women and Child Development implemented several programs aimed at the welfare, development and protection of children and pregnant women. One such program is The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program, which began on October 2, 1975. In India, ICDS is the most important government intervention for reducing maternal and child malnutrition and it has grown to become the world’s largest program of its kind. The ICDS aims to provide an integrated package of early childhood services in order to lay a solid foundation for the development of the nation’s human resources. The ICDS scheme is intended to be both preventive and developmental in nature. ICDS gives hope to millions of vulnerable women and children by assisting and supporting them during times of food insecurity and rapid growth. Because of its nationwide coverage, this program has all of the necessary structures in place and provides nutritional safety for the most vulnerable and poorest of the poor. This is a one-of-a-kind program with no counterpart anywhere in the world, in terms of scope and coverage.
Objectives of the ICDS Program
The following are the objectives of the ICDS scheme:
1. To improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age group of 0-6 years
2. To lay the foundations for the proper psychological physical and social development of the child
3. To reduce mortality morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout
4. To achieve an effective coordination of policy and implementation among the various departments working for the promotion of child development
5. To enhance the capability of the mother and the nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.

10.1 Introduction

The following plants have been worked out in the laboratory of Prof. N. Raaman: Cynodon dactylon, Artemisia pallens, Leptadenia reticulata, Clausena dentata, Tylophora indica, Aristolochia bracteolata, A. indica, Cissus quadrangularis, Hypericum mysorense. and Solanum trilobatum. Out of some of the data of these plants have been included in the previous chapters. In this chapter, compound isolation (CD1) from Clausena dentata (worked by Dr. R. Kamaraj) and characterization of the compound are given in detail.

10.2 Preparation of extracts from Clausena dentata

The dry powder of stem bark (2.5 kg) was first soaked, at room temperature, in hexane (1:4 w/v) for 24 h. The extract was suction filtered using Whatmann filter paper. This is repeated for two more days and similar extracts were pooled together and concentrated at 40°C under reduced pressure using Buchi R - 153 Rotavapor. The residual plant material was extracted successively with chloroform and methanol in the same manner as followed for hexane. All the concentrates were subjected to column chromatography to isolate the active principles.

The following plants have been worked out in the laboratory of Prof. N. Raaman: Cynodon dactylon, Artemisia pallens, Leptadenia reticulata, Clausena dentata, Tylophora indica, Aristolochia bracteolata, A. indica, Cissus quadrangularis, Hypericum mysorense. and Solanum trilobatum. Out of some of the data of these plants have been included in the previous chapters. In this chapter, compound isolation (CD1) from Clausena dentata (worked by Dr. R. Kamaraj) and characterization of the compound are given in detail.

It is now a fait accompli that for enhancement of the economic condition of the farmers, just growing of the variety of crops is not sufficient. Along with the crop husbandry, it is the need of the time that farmers must integrate other enterprises with traditional crop production practices. Integration of various farm enterprises in a farm ensures growth and stability in overall productivity and profitability. It also ensures recycling of residues, optimization of resources, reduction of risk and generation of employment. Various enterprises that could be included in farming system are agronomical crops, vegetables, fruits, flower cultivation, dairy, poultry, fishery, goat keeping, piggery, sericulture, mushroom cultivation, agro forestry, bee keeping, silviculture, agro-based industries and food processing. A judicious mix of enterprises complementary to crops and suited to the given farm situations and farmer’s preference would bring overall prosperity.
 
The Integrated Farming System (IFS)  is a complex inter-related matrix of soil, plant, animals, implements, power, labour, capital and other inputs controlled in part by farm families and influenced by varying degrees of political, economic, institutional and social forces that operate at many levels. Under farming system, the farm is viewed in a holistic manner. Farmers are subjected to many socio-economic, bio-physical, institutional, administrative and technological constraints. Integrated farming system conceptually is a set of elements or components that are inter-related with each other and which are interact among themselves.

Table 6.1: Descriptive Statistics of Variable with respect to Minimum, Maximum, Range, Mean, Standard Deviation of Values, Variance, and Coefficient of Variance

Result: Table 6.1 presents the distribution of 24 independent variables (x₁-x₂₄) and 8 independent variables (y₁-y₈) in terms of their range, mean, standard deviation and co-efficient of variance.

Revelation: The distribution pattern of variable, age, depicts that the minimum age of the respondents is 25 and maximum is 80. The mean age is 49.830 with S.D 13.954. The Coefficient of variance (CV) is 28.003 per cent which indicates that the distribution pattern of the variable is highly consistent.

The distribution pattern of variable, education, depicts that the minimum education of the respondents is 0(illiterate) and maximum is 12 (12th standard). The mean education is 7.650 with S.D 3.043. The Coefficient of variance (CV) is 39.778 per cent which indicates that the distribution pattern of the variable is fairly consistent.

The distribution pattern of variable, no. of enterprise, depicts that the minimum number of respondents is 2 and maximum is 9. The mean no. of enterprise is 3.820 with S.D 1.388. The Coefficient of variance (CV) is 36.338 per cent which indicates that the distribution pattern of the variable is fairly consistent.

Introduction

Agriculture is one of the most important sector of the Indian economy Indian agriculture sector accounts for 18 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides employment to 50 per cent of its workforce India is the world’s largest producer of wheat, rice, pulses and spices product and second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world The food grains production for the year 2019-2020 (291 95 million tonnes) as compared to the previous year 2018-2019 (285 21 million tonnes) was higher by 6 74 million tonnes (Anonymous, 2020).

Currently, India is Asia’s largest pesticide manufacturer, and ranks twelfth in the world for pesticide use (Abhilash and Singh, 2009) Conventional agricultural practices have a major impact on the environment Some of the issues related to agriculture are climate change, soil depletion, deforestation, pollution, irrigation problems and waste Excessive use of fertilizers such as urea, nitrogen and pesticides has affected air, water, and soil quality 

Accurate crop-yield forecasting supports food-security planning, resource allocation and farm decision-making. Yield is influenced by interacting factors such as weather, soil, irrigation, fertilizer and pesticide use, making reliable prediction challenging. This chapter presents an algorithmic framework using historical agricultural and environmental data. It covers cleaning, missing-value treatment, categorical encoding, normalization and feature extraction. Decision Tree, Gradient Boosting, AdaBoost and XGBoost regression models are evaluated individually and combined through soft voting. Performance is measured using standard prediction-error metrics. The case study demonstrates that ensemble modelling can improve accuracy and robustness, helping farmers and planners optimize inputs, anticipate production and strengthen agricultural productivity.

Introduction

Traditionally, diagnosing diseases in aquatic animals has involved identifying the infectious agent directly using molecular methods like in situ hybridization or PCR or culture-based methods. Rarely is serological testing used to diagnose f ish. Serological tests have been widely utilized in surveillance programs for terrestrial animals to confirm suspected cases, establish absence of infection or progress toward eradication, estimate infection prevalence, certify individual animals prior to import or export, and show the effectiveness of vaccination.

Abstract

With the growing awareness on the benefits of organically cultivated food, biofertilization and biocontrol by plant-associated bacteria are being used as alternatives to chemical fertilizers and conventional control methods. It therefore becomes essential to continue surveying different agroecological niches to identify plant growth promoting bacteria suitable for each microenvironment. Species belonging to the genus Enterobacter are versatile colonizers of numerous environmental niches. Several species and strains from this genus have also been routinely recovered from the rhizosphere of crops such as rice, canola, cucumber, banana, potato, corn, tomato and cotton. These isolates have been studied and shown to have beneficial effects on plant growth and protective action against phytopathogens.

Punjab, known as the “breadbasket of India,” relies heavily on livestock, particularly cattle and buffalo, for its agricultural prosperity. These animals play a crucial role in the region’s dairy industry, contributing significantly to milk production and rural livelihoods. However, like all livestock, cattle and buffalo in Punjab are susceptible to a range of diseases that can impact their health, productivity, and overall well-being. Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and prevention. This article explores some of the most common diseases affecting cattle and buffalo in Punjab, along with the diagnostic procedures used to detect and manage these health issues, ensuring the sustainability and growth of the dairy sector.

Hydatidosis

Hydatidosis is a zoonotic disease caused by metacestode stages of parasite Echinococcus granulosus and is recognized as a major public health problem worldwide. This tapeworm is found in small intestine of the canid (definitive host) where it produce proglottids containing eggs. Upon shedding through faeces the later are ingested by the cattle, buffaloes and other intermediate hosts including man. These hatch in their intestine and the oncosphere invade circulatory system and lodge in various organs (liver, lung, brain etc.) where they develop into large thick walled unilocular cavity called hydatid cyst, which expands and can reach very large size and buds hundreds and thousands of protoscoleces endogenously. In a survey on hydatid cysts, a prevalence rate of around 5% has been recorded in more than 4000 meat samples of different animals in Punjab.

Introduction

Agriculture has always been. India’s most important economic sector. To improve this agriculture betterment, it needs principally two important sectors, one is public sector and another one is private sector. In India, generally, Ministry of agriculture and co-operation, State department of agriculture, State agricultural universities, ICAR and its transfer of technology projects are the major public extension service providers

The contribution of public extension in attaining self-reliance in food production is very well recognized. But in this changing time of globalization, public extension alone is not sufficient to address the multi-faceted problems faced by farmers. Also the performance of public sector extension is under scrutiny. Rivera et al (2000) reported that the public extension system is now seen as outdated, top-down, paternalistic, inflexible, subject to bureaucratic inefficiencies and therefore unable to cope with the dynamic demands of modern agriculture.

Introduction

Canine epilepsy, a prevalent neurological disorder, significantly impacts the quality of life for both dogs and their owners. Traditional anticonvulsant therapies often yield inconsistent outcomes, necessitating the exploration of alternative treatments such as homeopathy [1][2]. Homeopathy’s individualized approach aligns with the principles of unicism, focusing on holistic care tailored to each patient’s unique symptom profile [3]. However, the subjective nature of remedy selection and response assessment poses challenges for practitioners.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) offers a promising avenue to address these challenges [4]. Predictive models can analyze complex datasets to uncover patterns that guide remedy selection and treatment strategies. This study evaluates the comparative performance of Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and XGBoost in predicting treatment outcomes for canine epilepsy managed with homeopathic remedies.

1. Introduction

Library enhances socioeconomic development by creating a knowledgeable society, empowering marginalized people, and promoting economic activity, skill learning, cultural identity enrichment, and decision-making participation. These services are supported by infrastructure, ICT, media. Libraries are responsible for knowledge, acquisition, management, fostering mutual relationships between librarians, the publics, and stakeholders. Its role as a storehouse of resources worldwide, including acquiring, organizing, preserving, storing, and making information available. Public libraries are important for public infrastructure, community health, and supporting social development goals. The contributions of the various types of libraries are discussed below:

1.1. National Library

A country's reference library is called its national library. It is the resource that all kinds of libraries utilize since it has a collection of all books published by Academic Library nationals in every subject area, as well as writings about the nation written by both nationals and non-citizens and by people in need of materials made in the nation. As a result, it is responsible for maintaining the country's cultural legacy and making the national bibliography available each year.

Adipiso genital syndrome is otherwise known as Adiposo genital dystrophy or Frolichs syndrome. It occurs because if disorder of Hypothalamus. It is manifested by a union of obesity, under developed genitals and hormonal imbalances. It essentially influences hidden and adolescents, even though cases in adults have been reported. The causes of adipose genital syndrome include tumors, trauma and I infections The symptoms of adipose genital dystrophy are obesity, delayed or incomplete puberty, under developed or incomplete puberty. Under developed genitals and hormonal imbalances. Diagnosis is based on medical history, physical examination , laboratory tests and imaging studies namely ( MRI ) of the brain. Treatment is dependent upon hormone replacement therapy, diet as well as life style modifications and monitoring as well as supportive care. Finally it is concluded that Adiposo genital syndrome is a rare disease manifested by obesity. Under developed genitals and hormonal imbalances, leading to the dysfunction of the Hypothalamus.

Fruits are an essential component of a human’s healthy diet. Fruits are used as a supplement to primary foods. When compared to grains, many fruits have far greater nutritional potential. The common fig is one of the most important and widely consumed fruits (Ficus carica).

Introduction 
Sustainable development is one of the most important concepts in a business organization. In order to satisfy all the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own requirements, sustainable development is a comprehensive strategy to growth. In order to build a stable and equitable future, it incorporates social inclusion, economic progress, and environmental conservation. The “three pillars” or “three dimensions” of sustainability—economic, social, and environmental—are frequently used to frame the idea of sustainable development. The North East Indian state of Assam’s cultural and economical legacy has an intricate connection to the long and prosperous past of the Assam Silk Industry. From the very ancient times, the production of silk from silkworm and weaving into beautiful garments can be seen in this part of the region.Evidence indicates that the cultivation of silk and weaving were well established in the region by the first millennium BCE, incorporating thousands of years to the cultural heritage of silk weaving in Assam.The indigenous communities of Assam, particularly the Bodo-Kacharis, have been identified for spreading sericulture to the area. Assam produces three types of silk, namely Muga Silk which is also termed as Golden Muga, Pat Silk and Eri or Endi Silk. Also known as the “Golden Silk”, Muga Silk is unique only to Assam and hugely popular because of its natural sheen which increases with each wash. The silk is produced by a special silkworm Antheraea assamensiswhich is endemic to Assam. The town of Sualkuchi, in the Kamrup district of Assam, India, is home to the well-known traditional silk-weaving industry. Sualkuchi, dubbed the “Manchester of Assam,” is well-known for its superior silk goods, especially those crafted from Assamese-only Muga, Eri, and Pat silk(Ghosh, 2021; (Rajesh et al., 2020) The Assam Silk is considered as one of the finest in regional, national and international market because of its superior quality, bright colors and attractive designs. It has a good amount of potential to boost the economic development of Assam. Despite having such importance, it has been observed that the silk industry is facing a lot of problems which is causing a major setback in its growth. The Silk Industry of Assam is highly unorganized because there are less or no educated laborers which results in shortage of agricultural laborers ultimately leading to production shortage. The Assam silk industry, known for producing exquisite silk varieties like Muga, Eri, and Pat silk, faces several marketing challenges that hinder its growth and global competitiveness. Despite being geographically unique particularly Muga Silk, its brand identity is not widely recognized in outside the market. Its reach is restricted to premium and high-end fashion markets due to this lack of worldwide awareness. The majority of Assam’s silk output is limited to local and regional markets. The industry’s minimal web presence and inadequate marketing infrastructure make it difficult for it to penetrate larger domestic and international markets. Silk from Assam is not sufficiently promoted in international forums. There are government initiatives; however, there is a lack of consistency and broad audience reach in marketing activities. In marketplaces where there is competition, this causes the silk to be less visible.Producing Assam silk, particularly Muga silk, requires a lot of work and money. The final product’s high cost of manufacture restricts its customer base to a premium market niche. This lowers total sales and narrows the target market.

Introduction The method of drying is expressed as applying heat under controlled conditions to remove the water or moisture from foods to get a dry product with low moisture content. The primary commitment of drying is to extend the shelf-life of foods by diminishing their water activity. Due to low water activity, microorganisms which cause food spoilage and decay and many of the enzymes which promote undesired changes in the chemical composition of the food are unable to grow, multiply or function. The need for drying in the food industry is increasing day by day, and Novel dehydration techniques are being invented for a more efficient drying process, less energy-consuming, and preserve the product characteristics and nutritional profile. Further, the drying technology is critical for moisture removal from food and non-food materials. Small scale farmers use this food preservation method as an indigenous method and the food processing industry as modern technology. Dried products have numerous benefits compared to raw products, including an extended shelf-life and reduced packaging, storage, handling, and transportation costs. However, drying is a highly energy-intensive food processing operation.

Abstract

For achieving compatibility with the fast changing business environment and economic scenario at national and international level; instead of making more amendments in the Indian Companies Act 1956, it has been replaced with a new Companies Act 2013 which is effective from 1st April, 2014. Many changes have been made in the new Act and many new concepts have also been introduced, such as One Person Company, dormant company, corporate social responsibility, chief executive officer, stakeholders relationship committee, merger with foreign company etc. In this paper, an effort has been made for presenting a section-wise brief summary of some major changes in the Companies Act 2013 as compared to 1956 Act and its impact on corporate world.

Communication, as a fundamental aspect of human existence, has evolved significantly over time. Initially, it was primarily visual and verbal, but with the development of written scripts and digital technologies, these too became integral components of human interaction. Language has always been inherently complex, with individuals from different cultural backgrounds and belief systems encoding and decoding messages in diverse ways. This process involves giving meaning to and deriving meaning from various forms of communication.

Moreover, the medium through which communication occurs often imposes its own structural rules or "grammar." For instance, messages conveyed through audiovisual media or computer-mediated communication are often organized differently than those in traditional written or spoken forms. These structural differences can lead to variations in meaning depending on the context in which the communication takes place.

Introduction and Applications of 1,2-Azoles
Interest in the chemistry of 1,2-azoles has grown significantly over the last ten years, mostly due to the discovery of intriguing features shown by a large number of 1,2-azoles derivatives. 1,2-azoles, which are five-membered heterocycles with nearby nitrogen and heteroatoms (X = N, O, S), are highly prized in organic synthesis by using heterocyclic substituents that contain nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen, the five-membered ring system’s biological activity and bioavailability can be improved. Functionalized pyrazoles, isoxazoles, and isothiazoles are found in a large number of naturally occurring and synthetically produced medicinally relevant molecules (Chakroborty et al., 2013, Preeti et al., 2018). Numerous biological actions are exhibited by these molecules (Pathak et al., 2012, Yan et al., 2007, Ruan et al., 2012, Katritzky et al., 2001, Shaw et al., 2012, Waldo et al., 2007, Uramaru et al., 2010, Cutri et al., 2004). A few examples of molecules with this structural pattern are shown in Figure 1. Table 1 lists the uses of 1,2-azoles in medications, agrochemistry, natural products, and pharmaceuticals.