eChapters

The Asia-Pacific region, home to a large proportion of the world’s agricultural producers and consumers, faces complex challenges: climate change, infrastructure gaps, market fragmentation, and inefficient supply chains that result in high post-harvest losses and limited farmer incomes. However, the region is witnessing rapid innovation across multiple fronts that promise to transform agri-food supply chains into more climate-resilient, transparent, inclusive, and efficient systems. These emerging opportunities align with regional sustainability goals and create pathways for economic growth and rural development. 7.1 Climate-Smart Infrastructure: Financing Low-Carbon and Resilient Agri Supply Chains Green Bonds for Solar Cold Rooms Vietnam’s Mekong Delta — a critical rice-producing region — is pioneering the issuance of green bonds to finance solar-powered cold rooms under the “One Million Hectares” low-carbon rice initiative

This chapter introduces emerging technologies that are transforming wool production, evaluation and processing. It examines artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, precision sheep farming, genomic selection, automated grading, robotic shearing, nanotechnology, enzyme-based processing and sustainable textile technologies. Digital traceability and blockchain-style systems are also considered. The chapter highlights the importance of validated datasets, objective measurement and responsible technology adoption and identifies opportunities for improving the quality and value of Indian wool while supporting sustainability and pastoral livelihoods.

1.    Coffee rust/Oriental leaf disease
        
2.    Black rot or Koleroga
        
3.    Die back or Anthracnose
        
4.    Damping off/Collar rot
        
5.    Berry blotch

Sapota [Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen, (Manilkara achras (Mill.) Fosber] is a member of the family sapotaceae. It is a fairly slow growing and long-lived tree. It is valued for its delicious fruit in India, while in Guatemala, south East Mexico, British Honduras, chickle is commercially produced which is the main ingredient in preparation of chewing gum. Chickle is extracted from trunk and unripe fruits of the tree as white latex exudate. Although synthetic gums are primarily used, countries like Mexico, Venezula and Guatemala still grow sapota for chickle.

It is native to South Mexico as well as North East Guatemala. Manilkara species is found in forests throughout tropical America, which was introduced long ago followed by West Indies, Bahamas, Bermuda and Southern part of Florida mainland. Early in colonial times, it was carried to Phillippines, and later distributed to Malaysia and other countries in the tropics (Purseglove, 1974). It is not known when it was first introduced to India. Commercial cultivation was first taken up in Maharashtra during 1898 (Cheema et al., 1954). Future of sapota appears to be promising, since attention in this crop is enthusiastic from growers and consumers in many countries. Sapota is grown on commercial basis in India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mexico and Venezuela.

India is one of the largest producers of sapota in the world. Major states growing this fruit crop are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Assam and Haryana. India’s production of sapota continues to grow up and there is an active research program in India with specific goals towards improving storage, transport and marketing strategies.

Aim

To design bench terrace

1. Components of bench terrace

The bench terrace essentially consists of the four components namely: riser, outlet channel, platform and shoulder bund

During last two decades significant advances have been made in diagnostic ultrasound .These advances have positively impacted on diagnostic imaging across all species of animals and have made ultrasound as an indispensable diagnostic modality in veterinary medicine. Since equines have been more a sport and pack animals, the ultrasound technique has long been utilized in the diagnosis of equine musculo-skeletal disorders. Recent years have witnessed its utility in the management of equine reproduction beside its use in the diagnosis of colic and other diseases.

On 17 October we visited the Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University (BIMS), THAILAND at 9 a.m. The institute is situated in Bangsean. BIMS is a marine research institute of Burapha University. They have 6 organizations: Marine Research Department, Marine Aquarium Department, Marine Museum Department, Academic Service Department, Office of the Director and Research Station.

They have shown us their Life Support System of Public Aquarium and coral propagation and conservation.

1) Public aquarium

We have seen the Life Support System of Public Aquarium i.e. Filtration System, which involves the complex systems and technologies used to maintain the health and well-being of marine life in public aquariums. This is crucial for keeping the animals and ecosystems on display healthy and sustainable. The display tank has having 10,00,000-liter capacity.

Introduction

Agriculture is vital to the Indian economy in terms of job creation, with nearly half of the Indian population relying on agriculture and related activities for a living. A large proportion of the population, particularly in rural areas, is illiterate. The rural population, which is illiterate and ignorant, is unable to cope with the complexities of agricultural technology management. As a result, vocational training and technology dissemination are few viable options for increasing production efficiency and achieving rapid and sustainable agricultural development. The State of Odisha derives more than a quarter of its revenue from agriculture. More than 40% of the people in the state of Odisha depend on farming as their primary source of income and way of life, making up more than 53% of the state’s workforce. whereas agricultural technology has developed into a logical extension of the traditions, conventions, knowledge, and skills that date back to the early days of human civilization and have continued to evolve over time. It was not just agriculture that produced food or other biological means; rather, it essentially presented a wide range of traditional values to make it abundantly evident that “TECHNOLOGY and TECHNIQUE” are the cultural means to satisfy the biological as well as social demand for life. To provide the necessary acceleration to the agricultural development, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme was launched during 2005-06 in order to enrich farmer’s skills, knowledge and competency several developmental programmes/projects, in agriculture and allied sectors. In the state Odisha, a district level autonomous institute has taken the main responsibility of all technology dissemination activities at district level for development of farmers and farm women through its bottom –up approach. During 2010 the reforms made in ATMA project and farm persons were given due importance to its multifarious activities like training, demonstration, information support, input supply, market-oriented facilities, linking credit and exposure visit etc. These multi-purpose activities provide ample opportunities for the farm communities and makes the resources accessible for them. Additionally, ATMA served as a link between individuals in need and those with the means necessary for undergoing rapid technological change. It is also critical to evaluate various stakeholders of ATMA in order to enhance both its organisational and functional approach. This includes various parameters such as efficiency of skilled professionals of ATMA, availability of resources and feedback from farmer beneficiaries among other factors.

Introduction

Agriculture has historically been the primary source of income in India. It has the potential to alleviate poverty, increase income, and enhances food security for 80% of both the world’s poor and people who reside in rural areas primarily work in agriculture. One of the most effective strategies to eradicate extreme poverty, increase shared prosperity, and feed an estimated 9.7 billion people by 2050 is agricultural development. Compared to other modes, the agro - based sector’s progress is two to four times more successful in enhancing the earnings of the poorest people (www.worldbank.org).

Nearly 5 billion hectares, or 38% of the world’s land surface, is used for agriculture. Around one of this is devoted for farming, and the remaining two thirds are pastures and meadows for grazing animals. Over 10% of cropland is assigned to permanent crops like cocoa plantations, oil palm plantations, and fruit tree orchards. Yet another 21% of land is primed for irrigation, a crucial agricultural land management technique.

Introduction

Goat farming plays a significant role in supporting rural livelihoods, contributing to food security, and generating income through milk, meat, and fiber production. However, achieving sustainable goat productivity requires scientific management, wherein, nutrition is a critical factor that makes profound effect on overall performance and production. With increasing global demand for goat-derived products, optimizing nutritional strategies has become essential to improve both production efficiency and sustainability. Globally, the sector is shifting from subsistence-oriented backyard farming to more commercialized systems, driven by increasing demand for goat meat and dairy products. India, which ranks first in goat population with 148.88 million goats (DADF, 2019), is experiencing rapid changes as goat farming evolves from a low-input livelihood strategy into a thriving commercial industry (Ramachandran et al., 2019).This transformation is not only economic but also ecological. Goats are known for their remarkable adaptability to harsh environments and climate variability, which makes them crucial in ensuring food security under changing environmental conditions. Their ability to utilize marginal lands and convert low-quality forages into meat, milk, and fiber allows them to thrive in regions unsuitable for other livestock . Shifting towards semi-intensive and intensive systems, farmers can utilize better breeding, nutrition, and healthcare practices to meet growing market demands.

The term food processing covers an enormous field from simple boiling to the use of irradiation to predict the consequences on the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables. Generally, the food processing methods can be categorized as in intentional processing method (milling, peeling, washing trimming etc.), inevitable processing method (blanching, sterilizing, cooking, shredding, and drying) and accidental (inept processing or system). The nutritional losses associated with fruits and vegetable processing with different processing techniques and conditions employed. For example, the heavily processed products are although safe for human consumption but allied with reduced nutritive value. In this regard access to safe and nutritious food is considered as a basic right of humans as it is one of the ways to prevent various ailments by building better health and enforcing immunity. Escalating help awareness has guided the processes to opt for minimal processing food in recent years.
Food commodities subjected to minimal processing are capturing the market Suring to widespread concept that they might help in meeting the current requirement of vital nutrients. Development of minimally processed commodities especially fruits and vegetables have augmented at both retail and consumer levels during last years. Various organisations WHO, FAO, USDA boost up the utilization of minimally processed perishable commodities including vegetables and fruits to lessen the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Changes occurring in the eating habits have been quoted due to high anxiety for on time availability of these minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Sales of fresh cut fruits and vegetables continue to burgeon and food industries are persistently expanding primary because of consumers’ trend of health realization.

Bottle gourd, Lagenaria siceraria under the family Cucurbitaceae (Chromosome No: 2n = 2× = 22) is commonly grown vegetable crop of India, Africa, Central America and other warmer regions of the world. Tender fruits are widely used as cooked vegetables in a number of ways. Bottle gourd is a good source of vitamin C and zinc that may offer several skin benefits. It also contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Its dietary fibre enhances gastro-intestinal health and promotes bowel movements and prevents constipation.
Origin, domestication and adaptation in India
It is the only crop known to have been cultivated in pre-Columbian times in both the Old and New World. Bottle gourd is indigenous to the tropical Africa. It has
bihemispheric distribution in Africa, the old world and America, the new World. Its utilization by man is about 16,000 years in the Old World and 12,000 years in the New World. It was independently domesticated in the two hemispheres. It was one of the world’s first cultivated plants grown not primarily for food, but for the use of hardshelled fruit as containers. The apparent wild plant produces thinner-walled fruit that, when dried, would not endure the rigors of use on long journeys as a water container. Today’s bottle gourd may owe it’s tough, waterproof wall to selection pressures over its long history of domestication. The bottle gourd was theorized to have drifted across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to South America.

Introduction to Open Source Audio Editing Software
The field of audio editing has seen remarkable advancements, driven by opensource software that democratizes access to high-quality audio production tools. Unlike proprietary software, open-source audio editors are freely available, and they allow users to access, modify, and enhance the source code to suit specific needs. Open-source tools are popular among audio engineers, musicians, content creators, and educators for their cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and ability to operate across multiple platforms.
This chapter explores popular open-source software options for audio editing, their features, advantages, limitations, and how they compare with proprietary solutions. Additionally, we discuss the technical principles underpinning audio editing, such as waveform editing, multi-track capabilities, effects processing, and export functionalities.
1. Fundamentals of Audio Editing
Before delving into specific open-source tools, it is essential to understand the core features required for audio editing:
• Waveform Editing: Displaying audio signals as waveforms allows for precise editing, such as trimming, splitting, and moving audio segments.
• Multi-track Editing: This feature enables the layering of audio tracks to create complex compositions, mix music, or align voiceovers with background tracks.
• Effects and Processing: Basic effects include equalization (EQ), reverb, compression, and normalization, which are essential for refiningthe audio quality.
• Export Options: A variety of export formats (MP3, WAV, FLAC, etc.) are needed for different purposes, from high-fidelity production to compressed web formats.

Ruminants, including cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats are highly efficient at digesting fibrous plant materials, thanks to their specialized stomach anatomy comprising the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. However, these animals are also susceptible to the accumulation of toxic minerals in the rumen or rumino-reticulum, which can significantly affect their health, productivity, and survival. This chapter delves into toxic minerals, their sources, mechanisms of toxicity, clinical manifestations, and potential mitigation strategies.
The rumen and reticulum, as integral parts of a ruminant’s digestive system, are central to the efficient fermentation and digestion of fibrous feeds. However, these chambers are also vulnerable to toxic minerals from environmental, dietary, and water sources. Toxic minerals can disrupt the rumen ecosystem, impair digestion, and negatively impact animal health. The rumen and reticulum serve as fermentation chambers, hosting billions of microbes that break down complex carbohydrates, synthesize volatile fattyacids (VFAs), and produce microbial proteins essential for ruminant health. 
However, toxic minerals can interfere with this delicate balance, leading to reduced microbial efficiency, impaired digestion, and systemic toxicity.  Toxic minerals are naturally occurring or anthropogenically introducedelements that become harmful when consumed in excessive quantities. Toxic minerals, also known as heavy metals or trace mineral contaminants, are naturally occurring elements that can become hazardous when their concentrations exceed the physiological tolerance of ruminants. The following are some of the most problematic toxic minerals for ruminants:
Lead (Pb)
Arsenic (As)
Cadmium (Cd)
Mercury (Hg)
Fluorine (F)

Introduction
 
Livestock sector plays an important role in Indian economy and is an important sub sector of India agriculture the contribution of livestock to gross domestic product was 4.7% in 2004-05 with 27% share in agriculture and allied sector. Milk production in India reaching a level of 91 million tones in 2004-05. It is estimated that in milk production 58% of milk was contributed by buffaloes with average lactation milk about 1300 kg. Some of the buffaloes produce as high as 4000 kg but their number is limited. India with 185 million cattle and approximately 98 million buffaloes possesses 20% of the world bovine and 14% of the cattle population. Buffalo population in the country has been increasing at a steady wait with slight increase in productivity. Highest increase in the past five years was observed in Haryana (25.1% ), followed by Uttar Pradesh (20.6%), Madhaya Pradesh (13.9%), Gujrat (13.6%), Uttaranchal (12.2%), Andhra Pradesh (10%) and Rajasthan (6.6%). Productivity per animal is very low mainly due to low genetic potential for milk production, near absence of the genetic improvement programmes, poor plan of nutrition and health measures. 

Garden Rakes

1.For use with moving debris.

2.Aids in the cleaning process.

3.Proper use is with two hands.

The introduction of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, the development of intensive cereal–cereal rotations (rice–wheat, rice–rice, hybrid maize–wheat), application of high doses of N (above 100 kg N ha^–1 to each crop) without adequate P and K application, increased use of high-analysis fertilizer (urea and diammonium phosphate in place of ammonium sulphate and superphosphate) and ignoring the application of organic manures led to heavy depletion of P, K, S, Zn and other plant nutrients, which led to wide-spread de?ciencies of P, S and Zn in Indian soils. These de?ciencies of nutrients led to focus on integrated nutrient management.

A business plan is a document that summarises a company’s operational and financial goals. It is a road map to success for a business, with detailed plans and budgets outlining how the goals will be met. A business plan outlines how a company will achieve its objectives. A business plan is an essential first step for anyone starting a business. These concrete milestones will aid in tracking the company’s success (or lack thereof). There are various business plans for various purposes, and the best business plans are living documents that respond as quickly as possible to real-world factors.

A good business plan adheres to widely accepted guidelines in terms of both form and content. A business plan is divided into three sections:

• The first is the business concept, in which you discuss the industry, your business structure, your specific product or service, and your plans for success.

Botanically fruits are ripened ovary. It is a plant part that may or may not be purely derived from ovary of the flowers may be fleshy or pulpy in character, often juicy, predominantly sweet. With somewhat acidic taste, fragrance, aromatic flavours, fruits are generally not consumed during principal part of meals. Whereas vegetable is plant part which is less sweet, generally non acidic and consumed either cooked or raw during the principal part of our main meals. Vegetables may be fruit, root, stem flower, or leaf part of a plant or their modification.
Fruits and vegetables are valued in in human diet as an important source of protective nutrients like Minerals and vitamins. Apart from their nutritive value they add variety to the diet and improve acceptability of meal due to presence of different shades of colours, flavours, and texture. However, the major role in food preservation is played by their moisture content. For the same reason they are classified as
1. Perishable: Those which deteriorate quickly after harvesting such as tomatoes, mangoes, papaya, peaches, plums, juicy fruits and vegetables. They have high degree of moisture content and are highly susceptible to spoilage.
2. Semi perishable: These have less moisture content as compared to perishable one’s example 30 carrots, peace, green beans, apple etc. These foods are containing certain natural inhibitors to spoilage.

Introduction
In recent years, video editing has transformed with the rise of mobile apps, making high-quality video production accessible to anyone with a smartphone. The portability of smartphones and the power of mobile editing apps empower users to create, edit, and share videos from anywhere. This chapter explores the fundamentals of video editing on mobile devices, the range of available apps, their capabilities, best practices, and specific examples.
1. Advantages of Mobile Video Editing
1.1 Portability and Accessibility
Smartphones eliminate the need for complex and often expensive computerbased setups. Users can now shoot, edit, and publish videos directly from their device, making the process faster and more convenient.
1.2 Cost-Effectiveness
Most video editing apps on smartphones are either free or offer affordable  subscriptions. This makes high-quality video production accessible to hobbyists, freelancers, and small businesses without the overhead of expensive editing software and hardware.
1.3 Instant Sharing Capabilities
Smartphones make it easy to share videos directly from the app to social media platforms, cloud storage, or messaging applications, facilitating instant engagement.