eChapters

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.