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Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) also known Anar in Hindi it is belonging to the Punicaceae family, it is grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Originated in Indo-Burma region Iran and is extensively cultivated in the Mediterranean region since ages (Sheikh and Manjula, 2009). Pomegranate is used as table purpose, making juice, jam, jelly and paste. The fruit peel, tree stem and leaves and root bark are good source of secondary metabolites such as tannins, dyes and alkaloids (Mirdehghan and Rahemi, 2007). The edible part of the fruit is the seeds having a fleshy covering and called arils.

India is major pomegranate producing country in the world. In India main pomegranate producing states are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujrat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. Maharashtra is leading state of pomegranate production in India. The prominent pockets where pomegranate cultivated area are concentrated are Solapur, Nashik, Sangli, Satara and ahemednagar districts of Western region of Maharashtra.

Indian total pomegranate crop covers 0.24 Mha and production is 2.87 MT in India (Anonymous 2017). The export of pomegranate from India is only 0.04 MT it is very low. Pomegranate is majorly exported to UAE (43%), Bangladesh (16%) and European Countries (14%) A few tons also go to Saudi Arabia, Russia, Thailand, Nepal, Kuwait etc.

Shrimp culture is slowly emerging as one of the major and fastest growing food production sector in the world. High demand in the international market encouraged many developing countries to grow shrimp in their coastal areas. Many countries including India earn sizable foreign exchanges by exporting both shrimp and frozen shrimp. International institutions like the World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) etc. have also encouraged production of shrimp that fetch huge returns on investment within a short period of time. Indigent coastal people in India have been farming fish for hundreds of years. The warm climate, accessibility to coast, saline water and relatively low wage rate provides a comparative advantage for shrimp cultivation. Commercial shrimp farming developed in India on account of the government’s policy to promote shrimp culture in view of its potential to utilise the vast saline tracts along the coastline and to provide employment opportunities to coastal rural population. After the liberalization, development of shrimp culture gained greater momentum in the country. Individual entrepreneurs were also encouraged to take up shrimp farming with both financial and technical support from the government.

‘Shrimp’ which is an aquatic organism inhabiting the sea, estuaries and backwaters remained the backbone of Indian marine products exports. Shrimp is a protein-rich food with universal taste. Shrimp farming is a short duration activity and therefore, provides quick return on investment. It also provides gainful employment opportunities to the rural poor in the remote coastal areas. The value of shrimp exported in 2011-12 from India was estimated at about Rs. 8175.26 crores (US$ 1741.20 million). According to an estimate made by MPEDA, one hectare of shrimp culture operation can provide direct employment to atleast two persons and can also generate indirect employment to the extent of 1100 man-days.

Shrimp culture has a long tradition in India that began with the tidal stocking of shrimp in paddy fields and lagoons and holding them until harvest. More intensive forms of shrimp farming developed rapidly during the 1990’s. As was the case in many other nations in Asia, the development of shrimp farming in India took place without planning and regulation. This resulted in a variety of environmental problems and social conflicts. Although India has benefited from rising foreign exchange earnings, the conflict of coastal communities with shrimp farming has prompted a heated debate over the relevance of aquaculture in coastal ecosystem. Questions have been raised on its sustainability in the long run and some people also accused that this culture has disturbed the social harmony and has raised the inequality level in the rural areas.

Perennial vegetables live/survive in field for several years and go on yielding vegetables without much care and attention. They are usually planted on the side of kitchen garden without much interference with tillage operations of other annual crops. Tender leaves, shoots, fruits or tubers of a number of perennial crops are used for vegetable purpose in different agro-climatic conditions. They may be trees or shrubs as in bread fruit, jack fruit, drumstick, etc. or bushes as in colocasia or trailing plants as in yams, chow-chow and ivy gourd.

Temperate perennial vegetables are asparagus, rhubarb, artichoke and seakale. All the above crops have tuberous roots, rhizomes or corm. Above-ground portion may dry up during winter and again sprout during spring. Tuber crops like cassava, elephant foot yam, Colocasia (taro), Dioscorea (greater yam, lesser yam) etc. grown under tropical conditions are also perennials. But for cultivation purpose, they are replanted every year and are treated as annuals.

Introduction

The total geographical area for farming is 328.7 million hectares whereas, only 139.4 million hectares are a net sown area in India (NHB). India is known as an agricultural powerhouse where small and marginal farmers are at the centre of the Indian rural economy. States like Punjab and Haryana have 80% of the net sown area whereas, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Manipur have only 10% of the net sown area. With the population increasing every year, innovative farming method should be used to feed the large population, utilising vertical space to make the most limited space and time.

Clinical Symptoms

• White/brown cotton-like foci on the surface of the skin and/or gills

• Peritonitis

• Extensive haemorrhage • Necrosis

• Adhesions

Integrated water management, often known as IWM, is being more acknowledged as an essential component of environmentally responsible crop production in the horticulture industry. Horticultural crops, which include ornamentals, fruits, and vegetables, are very reliant on water in order to achieve their full potential in terms of development and yield. Nevertheless, techniques that are inefficient in terms of water management may result in the waste of water, the deterioration of soil, and contamination of the environment. Integrated Water Management (IWM) provides a comprehensive strategy for addressing these difficulties by using a variety of water management approaches, including irrigation scheduling, water saving devices, soil moisture monitoring, and conservation measures. The ideas and methods of integrated water management (IWM) in horticultural crops are investigated in this abstract, along with the advantages, problems, and possible solutions associated with IWM. IWM plays a critical role in assuring the long-term sustainability and productivity of horticultural crop production systems. It does this by maximizing the efficiency with which water is used, boosting crop resistance to water stress, and encouraging sustainable water resource management. The implementation of IWM methods has the potential to contribute to a more resilient, productive, and ecologically sustainable horticulture industry. This may be accomplished via cooperation between academics, farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

Introduction 
Education stands as a fundamental pillar in societal progress and individual development, serving as the cornerstone for a nation’s growth and prosperity. Within the realm of education, the nature of allocation and utilization of public expenditure represent a critical aspect that profoundly influences the quality, accessibility and inclusivity of educational opportunities. As nations navigate through economic, social and technological transformations, the strategic allocation of financial resources towards education emerges as a key determinant in shaping the educational landscape. Today, schools and students are dividing into a world where computers, tablets and the internet play a big role in how we learn. This is a new way of learning called digital education, a cornerstone of the modernization in today’s world. The imperative for digital education arises from the necessity to equip learners with the skills and competencies required to navigate an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world.Digital tools and technologies offer interactive and engaging learning experiences that cater to diverse learning styles and enable personalized learning systems dedicated to individual’s needs and preferences. Historically, the Northeastern regions had limited access to formal educationdue to its remote and geographically challenging terrain. Colonial rule in India introduced some educational institutions. After India gained independence in 1947, efforts were made to expand education in the region. Various government initiatives, policies and programs like the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) were implemented to enhance education in Northeast India, aimed to provide universal elementary education and improve secondary infrastructure. In recent years, there have been endeavors by both the central and state governments to bridge the educational gap The dawn of the internet era in the 1990s marked a pivotal moment, fostering an environment conducive to the integration of technology into education. Fast forward to the 21st century, the government initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, SWAYAM and National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) have proved to be crucial evidence in the significance of digitalization in education.

1. Introduction
Water is the most essential resource for life, supporting the survival of allliving beings, including humans, and playing a crucial role in food productionand economic progress. Currently, many cities around theworld are facingsignificant water shortages. About 40 % of global food production dependson irrigation, and countless industrial operations rely heavily on water. Theavailability and quality of water, whether surface or groundwater, have amajor impact on environmental health, economic development, and societagrowth. Human activities like urban expansion, population increase, industrialoutput, and climate shifts are causing a decline in water quality. As nationsdevelop, industrial activities increasingly lead to the pollution of watersources, resulting in negative consequences such as widespread disease and
diminished beauty of water bodies. This pollution is a significant threat toboth the planet and its inhabitants. Higher temperatures are interfering with themetabolic processes of aquatic life, while changes in water pH create unstableconditions. Additionally, increased cloudiness in water reduces oxygen levels,affecting deep-water species and contributing to health issues for both animalsand humans. Polluted water also hinders growth and development in allliving organisms Haldar et al., 2015 and Arif et al., 2020. A study conductedby Halder et al. (2015) highlighted severe health challenges faced bylocalcommunities due to pollution in the Turag River, Dhaka, caused by thedischarge of untreated wastewater into the river. It was revealed that elevatedpH levels in the water, resulting from the use ofcaustic chemicals such assoda ash and caustic soda in industrial processes, were associated with skinirritation and sores. Dietary exposure to polluted crops and fish was found
to contribute to stomach ailments, including gastric ulcers. Concerns wereraised about potential groundwater contamination through the infiltration ofindustrial waste. Microbial contamination was identified as a likely cause ofdiarrhoea and dysentery. The use of river water for bathing and laundry wasobserved to facilitate the spread of waterborne diseases. Outbreaks of yellow
fever, cholera, dengue, malaria, and other epidemics were noted as prevalent inthe area. Respiratory problems and foul odours were attributed to air pollutioncaused by industrial discharge. Maternal and child health in riverbank slumsfound to be vulnerable, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions to addressthese public health concerns.Wastewater produced by industries, agriculture,and domestic activities contains high levels of nutrients, heavy metals, andchemicals, which harm the environment by polluting land, air, and water,

Introduction

Agricultural biodiversity must be an integrated part of climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. Climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation should complement each other (FAO, 2007, 2008). Climate affects vectors, pathogens, hosts and host-pathogen interactions from the level of cellular defence to that of the habitat. Hoberg et al. (2008) provide an overview of predicted responses of complex host-pathogen systems to climate change. Climate change may affect the spatial distribution of disease outbreaks, and their timing and intensity (Epstein 2001). Outbreaks of African horse sickness, peste des petits ruminants, Rift Valley fever, bluetongue virus, facial eczema and anthrax are triggered by specific weather conditions and changes in seasonal rainfall profiles.

Abstract: Trees are known to reduce growth and yield of crops under their canopy in agroforestry systems through competitive interaction. This chapter describes the mechanism of competitive interaction between Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) De Wit in an alley cropping system. To know the mechanism of competitive interaction in agroforestry, three competition situations are created: crop + Leucaena shrub neighbour, crop + L. hedge neighbour and sole crop. In this study competitive interaction is studied in an alley cropping system having two alley width sizes i.e. 4m and 8m. Sunlight at ground, soil organic C and total N are measured in all the competition treatments at different distances from shrub and hedge neighbors. Sunlight is not reduced in crop + hedge treatment like that in sole crop treatment. Sunlight is reduced in crop + shrub treatment (36 to 82%), being the highest in 4m alley and the lowest in 8m alley size. Soil organic C is high but total N is low in crop + hedge and crop + shrub neighbour than in sole crop treatment. Comparing the two competitive treatments (crop + hedge and crop + shrub neighbour) it is observed that growth rate (42 to 55%) and crop yield (71 to 72%) are reduced greater due to aboveground than belowground competition. Belowground competition is 3.6 times greater in 4m than in 8m alley, suggesting that spacing is an important factor, which regulates tree/crop competition so does the crop yield reduction in an agroforestry system.

Increasing consciousness about environmental and coupled health hazards with agrochemical usage in farming and resultant consumers’ preference to safe and chemical-free food are the major factors that lead to the interest in eco-friendly forms of farming in the world. Organic agriculture is one such broad spectrum of production methods in consonance with conservation agriculture that are supportive of the environment and is now practiced in not less than 130 countries to the tune of 30.4 mha in 0.7 million organic farms. In India, about 1.02 mha area is reported to be under organic farming (certified area and area under conversion) with nearly 0.5 lakh certified organic farms. It is believed that adoption of ecologically sustainable farming practices can provide twin benefits of reversing the declining trends in crop productivity and protecting the environment. The demand for organic food is showing an increasing trend with an average growth rate of 20-25% per annum.

1. INTRODUCTION

Nursery management is the backbone of fruit industry. The nurseries will have to play vital role in planned work for increasing the area under orchard. They are indeed the hub on which the success of an orchard depends. It provides continuous supply of healthy and certified planting material. So, one should give utmost attention while raising fruit plants.

The fruit plants are the foundation on which an orchard is built. If the plants are reliable and of guaranted performance, they will be high yielding and will produce quality fruits. There are many nurserymen in several fruit belts of the country who multiply thousands of fruit plants vegetatively for sale. It is desirable to raise only reliable, true-to-type, disease resistant and vigorous and precocious plants in order to have success in the fruit development programme in the country. At present there are several research stations and progeny- cum-demonstration orchards, Govt nurseries and also private registered nurseries engaged in the propagation of fruit plants.

Stone fruits like peaches, plums, apricots, almonds and cherries liked by one and all throughout the world for its colour, taste and nutritional value and grown in all part of the temperate zone and lower hill area of the country. The common procedure to raise nursery trees is to grow rootstocks from seeds or cuttings and then to bud known suitable varieties upon them. The stone fruits do not come true- to-type when raised from seed and therefore, nursery plants are generally raised through vegetative methods of propagation either on their own roots by cuttings or layering techniques or on the roots of other plants (rootstocks) by budding and grafting techniques. Rootstocks play an important role in quality fruit production. The stone fruits are generally propagated on rootstocks rather than on their own roots to have an advantage of rootstocks, like growth control, precocity, cropping and resistance to insect-pest and diseases.

3.1 INTRODUCTION

Today’s technological advancement has reached a level where a farmer can have access to information and tools to manage mechanized field operations. They can now measure, evaluate and deal variability within field (e.g. soil fertility, water availability and yield) that was known to exist previously but was not manageable, to his advantage. The ability to handle the variation in productivity in the field and maximize financial return, reduce waste and minimize impact on environment has always been objective of an enterprising farmer in horticultural sector, especially those who advocate sound horticultural practices. Since precision farming proposes to prescribe strategic farm management decision in the field operations to help to serve this purpose through mechanization, sensing and communication technology, automate data collection, documentation and utilization of this information. Such an approach in horticultural production management gives rise to what is now termed as precision horticulture, soil specific crop management (SSCM), spatially variable crop production (SVCP), smart farming (SF) etc.

1. The average dry yield of gymnema is
   1. 2 – 3 kg/plant
   2. 5 – 6 kg/plant
   3. 20 – 25 kg/plant
   4. 10 – 12 kg/plant
2. Isabgol will be ready for harvest in
   1. 80 – 90 days
   2. 60 – 70days
   3. 140 – 150 days
   4. 110 – 130 days
3. The liquorice uprooting in the month of
   1. November – December
   2. February – March
   3. August – September
   4. June – July

Introduction The primary mission of extension services is to facilitate desirable changes in human behaviour through educational means. These changes can encompass various aspects, including knowledge, skills, attitudes, understanding, goals,actions, and confidence. Effective communication is the cornerstone of an extension worker’s role. Their responsibility extends beyond merely informing farmers about improved practices; they are tasked with ensuring that the results of research and field trials are practically applied by farmers. Nevertheless, extension workers often encounter perplexing questions in their line of work.

Introduction

Complex mixtures of synthetic and/ or natural ingredients are used to create f lavors through flavors and aromas. These ingredients can either be mixtures, like vanilla bean extract, or single substances, like benzyl acetate, depending on the application to enhance the flavor of (processed) food products. The introduction of the first synthetic flavor and scent chemicals, Vannillin and Coumarin, in 1868 marked a significant milestone in the food industry's ability to create flavors artificially.

The Ramayana written by sage Valmiki is one of the great epics of the Sanskrit language. It is most religiously regarded and popular book in Hinduism. The book is believed to be complied between 300 B.C.E. – 200 AD. However, the original story could be as old 500 B.C.E. (Goldman, 1984). There are many other versions of the epic in various regional languages found in India and South Asia (Raghunathan, 1981; Arya,1998; Dutt, 2004; Mukherjee, 2015; Sharma and Arya, 2022).

As per literature references, the name ‘Ramanaya’ is composed of two words, ‘Rama’ and ‘Aya?a’. Rama, the name of the main character of the Epic, has two contextual meanings. In the Atharvaveda, it means 'dark’, dark-coloured, ‘black' and is related to the word ‘ratri’ (night) which means 'darkness of night'. The other meaning, which can be found in the Mahabharata, is 'pleasing’, pleasant, charming, lovely, beautiful. The word ‘Ayana’ means travel or journey. Thus, Ramaya?a means ‘Rama's Journey’ from his kingdom to various places, forests during his life time (Anonymous, 1960; Tulsidas, 1966; Murthy, 2003; Kishore, 2007; Rajagopalachari, 2013).

Ramayana contains over 24,000 couplet verses, in its full form, which are divided into following seven ‘Ka??as’ (booklets) - Balaka??a, Ayodhyaka??a, Ara?yaka??a, Ki?kindhaka??a, Sundaraka??a, Yuddhaka??a, Uttaraka??a and about 500 sargas (chapters). It is regarded as one of the longest epic poems written in history (Keshavadas, 1988; Debroy, 2017; Gupta, 2021).

morally right man in the world? Narada replied that such a man is Rama, son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. Valmiki wanted to know more about Rama and proceeded to take bath when he saw two birds in playful mood and was happy. Suddenly, a hunter hiding in the bush shot one of the two birds. Valmiki became painful and chanted some dialogues in curse which ultimately created a new form of sloka. This was the beginning of the main narrative (Goldman, 1984; Sachithanantham, 2004).

Agricultural extension services play a pivotal role in facilitating better management of produce by providing farmers with knowledge, resources, and support to improve their agricultural practices. These services act as a bridge between agricultural research and farmers, disseminating information on innovative techniques, technologies, and best practices tailored to local conditions. Through workshops, training sessions, field demonstrations, and one-on-one consultations, extension agents empower farmers to adopt sustainable production methods, optimize inputs, and enhance crop yields while minimizing environmental impact. By promoting efficient post-harvest handling, storage, and marketing strategies, extension services help farmers reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality, and access lucrative markets. Additionally, extension programs often incorporate valuable information on crop rotation, integrated pest management, soil conservation, and water management practices, enabling farmers to make informed decisions for long-term agricultural sustainability. Ultimately, agricultural extension services serve as catalysts for innovation, productivity, and resilience in the agricultural sector, contributing to food security, economic development, and rural livelihoods.

Introduction
The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases is a practice that spans centuries. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using herbal remedies for treating fungal infections in livestock and animals. Fungal infections, caused by pathogenic fungi such as Aspergillus, Candida, Dermatophytes, and Mucor, can lead to significant health issues in animals, affecting both domestic and wild species. These infections often manifest as skin diseases, respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal problems, and systemic infections, and can even lead to death if left untreated. While antifungal drugs are commonly used to manage these infections, concerns about drug resistance, toxicity, and sustainability have encouraged the exploration of alternative therapeutic options, particularly herbal medicine.
This chapter explores the potential of medicinal plants used as antifungal agents in livestock and animals, highlighting their efficacy, safety, and practical applications.