eChapters

Abstract

The demand for the food for ever increasing population is always continuous, but the production is limited to specific seasons. Therefore the food grains have to be stored for sometimes. Grain is a living biological material and therefore storage structures should be suitably designed to protect them from the ravages of pests, rodents and micro-organisms. However, the storage losses account for a major portion which can be reduced to considerable extent if proper care is done. The faulty design, poor maintenance and limited knowledge of the farmers concerning storage technology have greatly added to the spoilage of the food grains during storage. Sometimes the foods if not properly stored may be edible but it may lose the essential vitamins and minerals, thus their nutritive value has been lost. There is a major requirement of a good storage structure. Various food grain storage structures (small and large scale) are described.

Introduction

The vast majority of climate change impacts and the overall impact of climate change on rice production are likely to be negative. Overwhelming scientific research and evidence have shown that the climate is ongoing. According to the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) report Climate Change: Impact on Agriculture and Costs of Adaptation forecasts there will be an increase in the net price of rice between 32 and 37% as a result of climate change by 2050. They also show that yield losses in rice could be between 10 and 15%. While there is still ongoing scientific exploration into climate change, IRRI recognizes two universal trends predicted by all climate change models viz., temperatures will increase, resulting in more heat stress and rising sea levels and there will be more frequent and severe climate extremes.

Transplantation refers to the implantation of a cell, tissue or organ from one site to another site in an individual or from one individual to another. It involves implanting of organs or grafting of tissues to repair defects and to stimulate regeneration.

5.1 Introduction

The application of chemical pesticides is crucial in horticultural production, but it is also one of the most hazardous agricultural operations. Overapplication can lead to significant environmental concerns. Spraying is vital for reducing harvest losses and improving productivity. According to Cho et al.,(2012), 30-35% of production damages can be prevented by reducing harmful insects and diseases through spraying. Plant protection is essential for ensuring yield quantity and quality. Effective pesticide use is crucial, as excessive application can lead to pests developing immunity, destruction of beneficial insects and natural pest enemies, and increased harmful insect populations. Excessive pesticide use also disrupts pollination, preventing fruit formation. The method of pesticide application is key to targeting the correct quantity and quality, reducing environmental contamination, and increasing sustainability (Abbas et al., 2020). Site-specific application rates in precision horticulture can decrease pesticide use. Only 30-40% of pesticides typically reach their targets, with most lost to the environment, contaminating workers and causing pollution. Protecting plants with chemicals aims to prevent infections and ensure healthy growth.

Spray drift can harm non-target plants and contaminate watercourses, posing a severe and costly problem for horticultural farmers using air-assisted variable sprayers (Seol et al., 2022). Spray drift refers to airborne spray droplets moving beyond the intended application area from aerial or ground-based methods. Studies have found that a significant portion of pesticides is lost to the air and ground, with up to 30-50% of the applied pesticides being lost through various means (Abbas et al., 2020). Modern trends emphasize the importance of sensors and precision agriculture for effective pesticide use. Understanding tree canopy physical features is crucial for effective spray application. This study focuses on recognizing and geometrically classifying canopies for adequate pesticide protection. Variable rate spraying targets only the canopy, enhancing pesticide application efficiency (Rathnayake et al., 2022). Electronic methods and innovative equipment reduce operational and environmental costs. Sensors tracking canopy characteristics and spacing ensure optimal use of inputs, promoting sustainability.

Introduction

Indian forests are being denuded at an appalling rate of 1.5 million ha per year but only a tenth of this is being renewed. This has resulted in the accelerated dwindling of forest resources to a meager level of 23.55 per cent of the total geographical area against the mandated requirement of 33 per cent. This low forest cover coupled with poor productivity (0.5 -0.7 m³ ha-1 yr^-1) in comparative global statistics (2.1 m³ ha-1 yr^-1) of Indian forest has ushered in a total mismatch between supply and demand of both domestic and industrial wood besides creating environmental de- stability and disequilibrium. The National Forest Policy of 1988 has resolved to phase out the supply of raw material to wood based industries and ultimately totally stopped the raw material supply from the forest (Anon., 1988). The policy also indicated that wood based industries have to become self reliance in meeting the raw material demand by establishing direct linkages with the farmers by providing lending facilitates and other input needs. This is going to pave the way for a strong industry-farmer nexus, with many farmers attracted towards tree husbandry due to assured marketability and income. As the activity gets intensified, location specific problems warranting solution are also found to be in the ascendancy.

1. Introduction

Conservation agriculture (CA) strategies and practices have been developed and promoted to reduce risk and improve natural resource conditions, as well as address the combination of low yields, production risks and poor natural resource conditions. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), CA is an approach to managing agro-ecosystems for improved and sustained productivity, increased profits and food security while preserving and enhancing the resource base and the environment. It is based on enhancing natural biological and ecological processes above and below ground. Interventions such as mechanical soil tillage are reduced to an absolute minimum, and the use of external inputs such as agrochemicals and nutrients of mineral or organic origin are applied at an optimum level and in a way and quantity that does not interfere with or disrupt biological processes (FAO, 2008). 

Introduction

Hippocrate, an ancient physician, a great thinker and also often referred as father of medicine, for the first time conceive the idea nearly 2,500 years ago that a disease is caused due to natural factors such as environmental factors, diet, and living habits. He advocated the secret of healthy living in healthy food in his famous quote “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. But unfortunately, this wisdom about food has faded with the time and we became dependent on synthetic medicines and drugs for even life style disorders. In the last century, research advancement in the field of food science and nutrition established food not only as a source of nutrition but also a source of active food components that aid specific functions and rejuvenated the Hippocrates concept. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, USA, daily diet of a person, plays a crucial role in 5 of 10 diseases which are the leading causes of death, such as diabetes (noninsulin dependent or type 2), stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD), specific type of cancer, and atherosclerosis. In the mid-1980s, term “functional food” was introduce in Japan and defined as food that contain active components either from plant or animal origin and provide physiological benefits in addition to the basic nutritional needs.

A tumor or neoplasm is an abnormal growth of the cells to form a lump or mass of transformed cells. This growth occurs due to loss of regulatory control of cell division. The majority of cells and organs have a balance between cell renewal and cell death. 

The importance of earthworms in agriculture and human health has been realized since prehistoric times. The famous Greek philosopher, Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) first described the importance of earthworm by calling them as “The intestines of the Earth”. The question, ‘How lime and charcoal from soil surface gets into lower layers?’ in the mind of Sir Charles Darwin (1809-1882 A.D.) ended up with the findings in 1837 that earthworms took those materials to lower layers and it played a significant role in formation of humified soil layer. He wrote in his book, “The formation of vegetable mould through the actions of worms” in 1881 that ‘The plough is one of the most ancient and most valuable of man’s inventions; but long before he existed the land was in fact regularly ploughed, and still continues to be thus ploughed by earthworms.

Introduction

Biopesticides are biological substances or plant-based products that are used for decreasing the number of pests in an ecosystem. These substances, which include natural enemies, microbial products, phytochemicals, and semiochemicals, are derived from plants and animals. Biopesticides use non toxic approaches to keep pests under control. They are widely recognised as low-risk items that are secure for both humans and the environment. It makes use of natural pest such as parasitoids, predators, nematodes, and semiochemicals as well as botanicals, microbiological pathogens like fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

Crowdsourcing is a concept that involves obtaining information, ideas, or services from a large group of people, often through an online platform. This approach has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly with the rise of social media, mobile devices, and other digital technologies. In the context of agriculture, crowdsourcing can be used to collect data on various aspects of farming, such as crop yields, soil conditions, and weather patterns. This data can be used to provide farmers with valuable insights and advice on best practices for farm management. One of the key benefits of crowdsourcing in agriculture is that it allows farmers to share knowledge and expertise with each other. By pooling their collective knowledge and experience, farmers can gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing their industry, and develop more effective strategies for overcoming them (Fig.7.1).
For example, a crowdsourcing platform might allow farmers to share data on crop yields and soil conditions. This data could then be used to create detailed maps of soil types and conditions, which could be used to provide farmers with advice on optimal planting and harvesting schedules.
Another example of crowdsourcing in agriculture is the use of mobile apps to collect data on weather patterns. By collecting data from a large number of

Abstract

Ladakh, comprising of Leh and Kargil district is truly described as a high altitude cold-arid desert region of J&K state, India, where local people grow barley (Hordeum vulgare) and prepare various food products out of it. The roasted barley flour, locally known as tsampa is one of them, which goes as ingredients in a variety of local dishes and beverages. It is eaten either in raw or in cooked form and the traditional method of tsampa preparation is through the Ran-tak (traditional water mill), for which efforts have been made to describe it in detail. Like other parts of the world, this remote area in the trans-Himalaya has also witnessed exchange with the outside industrial world which has brought with it many changes (both desirable and undesirable) and the traditional foods were also not left behind. One major cause for decline in the traditional tsampa preparation has been the availability of cheap subsidized produce from the lowland India, on the other hand the increase in information exchange with the outside world has also helped local people to realize the need and importance to conserve their own locally grown crops and integrate into the mainstream fooding system. However, tsampa prepared using the traditional method is still being preferred by the local inhabitants

Random workplace surveys in the UK have proven that the staff can get pretty steamed up over hot drinks. Nine years ago, London Underground staff, in fact, threatened to go on strike when kettles were introduced to replace tea urns. Their grouse: it will make them late for shifts. When the credit crunch dried up the free watering holes in many companies, a survey by uSwitchforbusiness.com in 2010 claimed that trouble was brewing. It warned: "Cutting out the free cuppas may add to the bottom line, but there may be a far greater price to be paid in staff morale." Tea or coffee - free or not - is the preferred poison at work.

INTRODUCTION

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the major food crops whichrecorded total globalproduction of 388.1million metrictonnes(mt) in 2017-18. Out of the major staple food crops, potato production (388.1mt) is exceeded only by maize (1077.98 mt), wheat (761.88 mt) and rice (494.88 mt) (FAOSTAT, 2017). According to the three years (2012-2014)averages,globally, India ranks 3^rdin area and 2^ndin terms of production nextto China. Thenutritional quality, high productivity and acquiescence for inclusion in intensive cropping systems of this shortduration crop reflects its great potentialin modern agriculture to feed theexponentiallyrisingpopulationin the developingcountries. But, theintensive cultivation of potato crops urges increased use of fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals leading to high input costs with plateauingyields. Blanket dose of fertilizers as well as imbalance use of nutrientsnot only increases the cost of farm inputs but also degrades soil condition and causes severe environment pollution. Indiscriminate use of insecticide as well as fungicide is verycommon in potato crop which contaminate the environment and deteriorate product quality. Therefore, the chemical inputs need to be optimised based on actual requirement of the crops for sustainable crop production. Furthermore, potato production is associated witha high tillagepractices, number of tillage operation would depend on soiltype, previous crop etc.

Barbarea vulgaris var. taurica (DC) Hook. f. & Anders. (syn. Barbarea vulgaris R. Br.) (Brassicaceae): [W]. A herb of damp soils inhabiting water bodies. Flowers yellow. Leaves used for healing of frost bites.

Introduction

The Myrtaceae family includes the guava (Psidium guajava L.), a significant fruit crop in India (Nakasone and Paull, 1998). It was originated from Mexico or Central America and later spread to Asia, Africa and Europe. Some of the guava cultivars, which are used to produce seeds-free fruits, are triploid (2n=3x=33) while some are diploid (2n=22). It is primarily grown in tropical and subtropical nations including India, China, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Indonesia, and Thailand. The nutritionally rich, vitamin and mineral-rich guava is referred to as the “poor man’s apple”.

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

Introduction

Very few countries have experienced rapid economic growth without agricultural growth either preceding or accompanying it. Agricultural growth is a catalyst for broad based economic development in most of the low-income countries. Over the last few decades, the share of agriculture in GDP has steadily declined in India from over 19.7 per cent in the 1970-7 to 5.7 per cent in 2009-10. In contrast, the share of industry and services has increased to 26.4 and 55.1 per cent respectively due to greater focus on these sectors. But, agriculture still remains the backbone of Indian economy as nearly as 58 per cent of the rural population depends upon agriculture and allied activities for livelihood. The National Agricultural Development Policy (NADP) of India envisages a growth rate of 4 per cent per annum in the agriculture sector so as to achieve a target of over 300 million tonnes of food grain production by the year 2020. (Survey of Indian Agriculture, 2007).

Wool is a natural fiber and considered as renewable, sustainable and environmental friendly. It is capable to keep the body warm and can be utilized as casual bears and also in formal bears and provide comfort to the human body in both of the active and passive situations. So to maintain a standard quality of wool for fabric development it is utmost important to test the wool fiber for certain qualities. Testing of wool fiber is also important to retain the unique physical and chemical properties of wool which makes this fiber versatile. Fiber quality is in real sense is a set of characteristics and defects in the fleece; both inherited and acquired, which influence its end use. The term quality testing includes a process of critical examination of material to draw the information’s related to qualitative or quantitative aspects of wool fibers. There are number of standard test procedures are in prevalence but most commonly followed test procedures for wool are American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), British standards, Indian Standard Institution (ISI) or International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO) etc.

Introduction

Arunachal Pradesh is the largest hill state of North Eastern Himalayan Region having the total geographical area of 83,743 Sq Km, stretching between 26o28’ to 29o28’ N latitude and 91^º35’ to 97^º27’ E longitude and is endowed with a unique geo-physiography. Topographically, Arunachal Pradesh is generally a hilly region, with entire state lies on the mighty Himalayan and Patkoi ranges. The elevation of the hills ranges from 60 meters to over 7000 meters. Mt. Kangto (7090 m), Mt. Nyegi Kangsang (7050 m) and Mt. Gorichen (6488 m) are three highest peaks of Arunachal Pradesh. The Himalayan mountain system divides the state mainly into five river valleys: the Kameng, the Subansiri, the Siang, the Lohit and the Tirap. These rivers, along with innumerable rivulets traversing through innumerable hill systems treading through the rugged terrains, steep hills, valleys and ultimately drain down to from two major river systems and valleys of the region__ the Brahmaputra and the Barak. The state has rich biological as well as cultural diversity.