eChapters

Introduction 
Jatropha, a genus belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, comprises 175 species and has its origins in tropical America and Mexico, later spreading to the tropics and subtropics of Asia and Africa (Divakara et al., 2010). In Asian countries, India, China, and Myanmar account for more than 85% of Jatropha cultivation, while Africa and Latin American countries like Brazil and Mexico make up 12% and 2%, respectively. India stands as the largest cultivator of Jatropha (Kumar and Sharma, 2008). Historically, Jatropha has been utilized for various purposes, including storm protection, soil erosion control, firewood, hedges, and traditional medicines (Openshaw, 2000; Gubitz et al., 1999; Heller, 1996; Kaushik and Kaushik, 2011). The seed oil of Jatropha has also been used as lamp fuel, soap manufacturing ingredient, paints, and lubricant (Gubitz et al., 1999; Achten et al., 2007; Brittaine and Lutaladio, 2010). The characteristics of Jatropha seed oil closely resemble those of diesel (Pramanik, 2003; Foidl et al., 1996; Augustus et al., 2002), earning it the title of a biodiesel plant (Pandey et al., 2012). Jatropha thrives on diverse wastelands without requiring agricultural inputs like irrigation and fertilization and its seeds contain 40 to 60% oil content (Pandey et al., 2012; Achten et al., 2007). The plant’s easy propagation, rapid growth, drought tolerance, pest resistance, higher oil content compared to other oil crops, adaptation to a wide range of environmental conditions, short gestation period and optimal plant size and architecture which facilitate seed collection (Divakara et al., 2010), make it a promising crop for biofuel production (Abou Kheira and Atta, 2009; Fairless, 2007). The oil extracted from Jatropha curcas L. is primarily converted into biodiesel for use in diesel engines. The protein-rich cake resulting from oil extraction can be used as fish or animal feed after detoxification. Additionally, it serves as a biomass feedstock for electricity generation or biogas production and is a high-quality organic fertilizer (Gubitz et al., 1999). Crop improvement in Jatropha curcas L. focuses on enhancing its potential as a biodiesel feedstock by addressing challenges like low yield, variable oil content and narrow adaptability. Efforts in selection and breeding aim to identify highyielding genotypes with desirable traits such as high oil content, early maturity and resistance to pests and diseases. Hybridization and mutation breeding are used to introduce genetic diversity and develop improved varieties suited to diverse environmental conditions. Biotechnological approaches, including genetic engineering and marker-assisted selection are employed to accelerate

Jharkhand, a newly created (15 November, 2000) state having total geographical area 79.72 lakh hectares, net sown area 18.1 lakh hectares with cropping intensity 114%, is rich in natural resources such as minerals, coal, soil, water, forest cover (29.3%), biodiversity but deficient (50%) in food grain production because of meagre irrigation facilities (10% of cultivated area) in absence of perennial rivers. This state is primarily rainfed and crop production largely depends on monsoon. The south-west monsoon contributes nearly 85% of rain water. Accordingly, the success or failure of crop production is closely linked with the onset, progress and withdrawal of monsoon. Delay in onset, intermittent dry spell (1-3 weeks), early withdrawal of monsoon are also usually observed. Failure of rain has adverse impact on the reproductive phase of rainy season crops and thus on crop yield as well as establishment of winter season crops. Sometimes high rainfall (140 mm/day) coupled with light soil texture and undulating topo sequence provides congenial environment for soil erosion with runoff. This also offers opportunity for water harvesting. Infact, soil and water are the two basic natural resources which must be conserved and utilized efficiently on long term basis.

1. Introduction Plants have played a crucial role in fulfilling human needs for centuries, and among the vast array of plant species, Job’s Tear (Coixlacryma-jobi L), also known as adlay, coix, and Chinese pearl barley, holds significant potential as a crop in the Poaceae family. There are four main varieties of Job’s Tear, including C. lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen, C. lacryma-jobi var. Puellarum, C. lacryma-jobi var. lacryma-jobi, and C. lacryma-jobi var. Stenocarpa. The Indo-Maynmar region serves as the primary producing area for Job’s Tear millet, with other significant production countries being China, Japan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India (Laxmisha et al.,2022). The versatile crop has earned the status of a staple in many regions, not only ensuring food security but also improving the livelihoods of rural farmers. Beyond its nutritional significance, Job’s Tear has garnered recognition for its potential health benefits.

1.1 Introduction Millets are small-grained ancient cereal crops that were renowned as one of the oldest sources of nourishment in prehistoric times. They are believed to have been cultivated since 8000 BC. Apart from providing nutritious grains, these crops are well adapted to the marginal and dryland ecosystems due to their climatic resilience, biotic stress tolerance, and capacity to flourish in the wild. Among the millets, small millets make up a distinct subgroup and comprise of finger millet (Eleusine coracana), little millet (Panicum sumatrense), foxtail millet (Setaria italica), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum), barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) and brown top millet (Brachiaria ramosa L.) in India along with a few more cereals like teff, fonio, job’s tears and guinea millet in some other parts of the world. As fine cereals gained popularity after the 1960s, the acreage and significance of these crops began to decrease. In recent years the drastic climate change has made us to focus on underutilized crops.

Introduction

Indian agriculture began by 9000 BCE as an after effect of earlier agriculture of plants, and conduct of crops and animals. Settled activity once again followed with accessories and techniques accepting developed for agricultural heritage system. Previously, double monsoons led to two harvests accepting reaped in one year alike various countries. Indian online inscription once again able the prime via complete trading networks and adopted crops were at variance in India. Plants and animals are advised basal to their adjustment by the Indian that came to be admired and venerated. The boilerplate ages are of saying irrigation channels adeptness a new affiliated of accord in India and Indian crops affecting the economies of added regions of the world. Land and water management systems were developed with an aim of accouterment accordant growth and crop productivity. Despite some stagnation during the afterwards strike era the Republic of India was able to beforehand a complete agricultural programme. In India, there are about 110 crore of farmers engage i.e. two-third of complete workforce, contributes to 26 per cent of the GDP and about one-sixth of the complete address earnings. India associated a repulsive agricultural system at the time of expertise growing at a ritual quantity in advance of 0.3 per cent in the earlier bisected of the stand for the century. Perplexing building up of lateral population pressure provided by agricultural scientists and harder plan put in by the farmers due to the planned Government agricultural policies. Indian agriculture has able to provide a service in advance an amount of 2.7 per cent in the procession expertise in the following era. The beforehand in food particle accession was a lot of arresting at about 3.7 per cent compared to population before of 2.2 per cent during the decade of 1980’s. Unfortunately, it slowed down in 1990s to 1.8 per cent, lower than the population earlier by 2 per cent. Further, rural agriculture across too, the development has been admit in accession and prosperity of crops in several regions. All said and done, overriding the three-fold in advance at population by a four time admission in food stuff succession from the earlier 5 year plan to the change about of the period by all agencies an admirable achievement. The key macro indicator of borough expertise in agriculture comprised in advance jump in food succession from budgetary provision of rupees 50.8 crore in 1950-51 to 212 crore in 2000-2001. It is annual budget up to date that 92 per cent of the entrance in achievement has been technology-led. Thanks to the agricultural scientists for developing location based technologies and animate off to the Indian farmers for their activity to ideas, activity to acclimatize and as able to accepting of new and bigger authentic knowledge.

History of jute in India: In Mahabharata times the mention has been made regarding Jute garments as pattagam (patta produced) for jute fibre products and kitajam (insect produced) for silk products. In Ain-e-Akbari, there is mention of sack cloth made from jute, in Rangapur district.

Kale (Brassica oleracea L. convar. acephala (DC.) Alef.) is a representative of cole group of vegetables and cool-season cooking green somewhat similar to collard and non heading cabbage that has gained recent widespread attention due to its health-promoting, sulfur-containing phytonutrients. Kale is grown for its large foliage which is mainly used as leafy vegetable. This leafy vegetable is helpful in reducing the chances of cancer if taken regularly. Among the vegetable crops, kale is the richest source of carotenoids which is the precursor of vitamin-A. Besides, it also contains good amount of different minerals essential for human diet. There are several varieties of kale, all of which differ in taste, texture and appearance.

In Karnataka, pulses are being cultivated in an area of about 20 lakh ha (about 17% of cultivated area) and the important pulse crops of the state are pigeonpea, chickpea, greengram and blackgram (Table 1).  In addition, horsegram and field bean (Dalichos lab) need a special mention, as they occupy a unique position among pulse crops especially in Southern Karnataka. However, major pulses like pigeonpea chickpea, greengram and blackgram are confined to few districts in Northern Karnataka, although some area is distributed throughout the state. Compared to the average productivity of nation (560 kg/ ha), the Karnataka state productivity is low (505 kg/ha). In spite of the best efforts, the progress made in improving the overall production as well as productivity of these pulse crops is not significant as compared to the cereals.

The total area under pulses in Kerala during 2008-09 was 3943 ha with a production of 2982 tonnes. The average yield per hectare is 756 kg. Cowpea, greengram, black gram and red gram are the important pulse crops traditionally grown in Kerala. Nearly 75% of area under pulses cultivation is occupied by cowpea. The remaining 25 per cent of area under this group of crops in the State is shared mainly by greengram, black gram and red gram. Among these, red gram is mainly confined to the Palakkad district and the crop season extends over kharif and rabi together. The other pulses are cultivated in all the districts of the State. Bengal gram is totally imported and there is little scope for its development in Kerala.

Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an integrated approach to managing landscapes—cropland, livestock, forests, and fisheries—to address the interlinked challenges of food security, climate change adaptation, and mitigation [FAO, 2023]. In the context of the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) Member Countries, which span diverse agro- ecological and socio-economic landscapes across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, CSA emerges as a pivotal strategy for fostering climate- resilient rural development [CIRDAP, 2023]. These countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Vietnam, and others, face significant climate vulnerabilities such as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise [IPCC, 2022]. CSA offers a framework to enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with the region's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and rural livelihoods improvement [UN, 2023]. The contribution of agricultural GHG emissions

The capacity of soil to function as a vital living system, within ecosystem and land use boundaries, to sustain plant and animal production, maintain or 

enhance water and air quality, and promote plant and animal health (Doran and

Zeiss, 2000). A healthy soil may function is as follows:

• Sustain biological activity, diversity, and productivity

• Regulate, store of nutrients and cycle water and, decompose organic

matter

• Filtering and buffering, degrading, mineralizing, immobilizing, and

detoxifying organic and inorganic materials

• Inactivate toxic compounds, suppress pathogens, protect water quality,

and enhance catchment soil health.

Originating in the New World tropics, peppers have become ubiquitous culinary essential now grown not only in warm climates but in temperate areas as well. They include both sweet and hot chilli varieties. Botanically chilli belongs to the genus Capsicum. The North East region has its own unique combination of living species, habitats and ecosystems, which together make up its diversity rich resource. While speaking strictly about plant diversity, two regions of the country are termed as hot spots. These are – Western Ghats and the North Eastern hill regions. The King’s chilli is an inter-specific hybrid cultivated in the Nagaland and Assam region of northeastern India and parts of neighboring Bangladesh. In 2007, Guinness World Records certified the Bhut Jolokia as the world’s hottest chili pepper, 400 times hotter than Tabasco sauce. From time immemorial, traditionally the Bhut jolokia is been cultivated and consumed by the local people in North eastern states like Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. A good amount of genetic variability exists in the landraces of the crop in respect of Pod size, shape, and colour etc.

In recent years, the King’s chilli (Bhut jolokia) is gaining importance in the scientific community as it was reported as the hottest chilli. Though Bhoot jolokia or Naga chilli was cultivated from time immemorial, but nobody really bothered to compare its heat with other record setters. The field of King’s chilli is still in a growing stage and it components and their beneficial uses are still to be exploited fully. Very little research towards the scientific cultivation of this potential crop was accomplished in recent years and until now no standard scientific package of practice is available for the cultivation of the crop.

There is tremendous scope for utilizing the available genetic variability of the crop in a well-planned plant breeding programme for further development of elite genotypes in this crop. Development of proper and efficient post harvest mechanism and also of different value added products of King’s chilli shall generate a great potential for earning revenue in the national as well as international markets.

8.1. Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

Credit scheme introduced in August 1998 by Indian Banks.

Prepared by NABARD on recommendations of R.V.Gupta committee to provide term loans and agricultural needs.

KCC holders are covered under personal accident insurance up to Rs.50,000 for death and permanent disability and up to Rs.25,000 for other risk.

Premium is borne by both bank and borrower in a 2:1 ratio.

Validity period is five years with an option to extend for up to three more years.

Nitrogen, a key component of organic materials like proteins, is analyzed using the Kjeldahl method, which is the global standard for determining protein content in various substances, including human and animal foods, fertilizers, wastewater, and fossil fuels. The Kjeldahl method involves three main steps:

A. Digestion

B. Distillation

C. Titration

Nitrogen, making up 1-4% of a plant’s dry weight, is vital for synthesizing chlorophyll, proteins, and other key compounds. Plants with high nitrogen levels turn dark green due to increased chlorophyll. Understanding nitrogen content in plant tissues is crucial for diagnosing deficiencies or toxicity and for effective nutrient management to improve crop production.

Determining the nitrogen content in plants is crucial for understanding plant nutrition, assessing the efficiency of fertilizer use, and making informed decisions in agricultural practices. Various methods can be used to determine nitrogen in plant tissues, with the most common ones being the Kjeldahl method, the Dumas method, and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS).

SYNOPSIS

We lag in nutritional awareness. The therapeutic values of plant foods, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices and other foods like dairy products, fluids and meats are to be brought to light. The values of important nutrients, may lead to the basis for nutritional education lacking at present. There is need to bring awareness and add to the knowledge of the younger generation. A food is something that provides nutrients. Nutrients are substances that provide: energy for activity, growth, and all functions of the body such as breathing, digesting food, and keeping warm; materials for the growth and repair of the body, and for keeping the immune system healthy.

In this chapter we will look at the Expert system which can guide and assist an individual once it is provided with the enough Knowledge to do so. Here we will discuss about expert system and its architecture with proper steps of making an expert system in any field by several tools which are available to do so. For expert systems the most important is Knowledge Engineering which is the collection of Knowledge from an expert and Engineering it in such a form that a machine could understand it.

Introduction

One of the pioneering fields of AI study is Expert Systems (ES). It is proposed by researchers in the computer science department of Stanford University. An expert system is a computer system which emulates a human expert’s decision-making skills. Expert systems are developed by reasoning through information structures, representing laws, rather than through traditional procedural code, in order to overcome complex problems.

Expert Programs use professional expertise systematically to address human expert problems. An expert is an individual with experience in a specific field. The expert has expertise or special credentials which most people do not learn or care about. An expert can solve or solve problems more effectively than people can solve. Expert System actually emulates all these qualities of expert and solve the problem in a better way and fast.

Today, Expert System (ES) is used in the fields of finance, research, engineering, technology, medicine and many others where there is a well-defined problem area. The fundamental principle is that an expert method should also define the steps to illustrate why a problem can be solved. Unless an individual can justify his reasoning for Expert System.

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) is a resilient and ancient cereal crop native to the Indian subcontinent. Its cultivation dates back to ancient times, with references found in historical texts such as the Brihad Sanhita. This millet species exhibits remarkable adaptability to various agroclimatic conditions, making it well-suited for cultivation across different regions. Kodo millet thrives in a range of soil types, particularly well-drained and sandy soils, which contribute to its successful growth and yield. In terms of nutritional composition, kodo millet stands out as a significant source of protein, dietary fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Its bioactive components contribute to potential health benefits, including aiding in diabetes management, improving cardiovascular health, and providing essential nutrients. The processing of kodo millet involves various techniques such as puffing, roasting, milling, and fermentation, each influencing its nutritional profile and culinary applications.

1.1 Introduction Millets are one of the world’s earliest food grains, arguably the first cereal grain utilized for household uses. It has been a cherished crop in India for ages and constitutes a staple food for over one-third of the world’s population. Recently ICAR has designated millets as “Shree Anna”. Several types of small-seeded cereals are grouped together as small millets. These crops offer a reliable and affordable harvest from the regions where the primary cereals fail to produce a sustainable yield. Small millets are insignificant in terms of food production, but they are vital as staple foods in their particular ecosystems. Small millets are more than just finger millet (Eleusine coracana) and include kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.), little millet (Panicum sumatrense), foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentaceae). The rest of the two small millets namely, fonio millet (Digitaria exilis) and teff (Eragrostis tef) are of local significance in Africa. Small millets have a high nutritional value, but also their demand has deteriorated due to a lack of standard processing techniques to compete with fine cereals. Small millets have a huge potential to satisfy our nutritional needs, therefore we must push ourselves and make efforts to enhance its utilization by incorporating them into our daily diet.

Introduction

In geographical location, the observations taken in proximity tend to be more alike than observations made at points that are far apart-that is, the values tend to be correlated. An area of study that takes this sort of spatial consideration into account is called geostatistics. A primary motivation for sampling is to make meaningful estimates of values at nearby positions in space and time. When values are assumed independent, the best estimate for an unmeasured point will be the mean. However, for correlated values nearby values are estimated by interpolation. The simplest interpolation scheme is a nearest neighbor estimate for which the unknown values are based on the closest measured location. Inverse distance is another sort of interpolation technique where weights are estimated based on the inverse distance squared. Kriging is a geostatistical interpolation technique that considers both the distance and the degree of variation between known data points when estimating values in unknown areas.

It makes the best use of existing knowledge by taking account of the way that a property varies in space through the variogram model. In its original formulation a kriged estimate at a place was simply a linear sum or weighted average of the data in its neighbourhood. Weights are based on the distance between the measured points, the prediction locations, and the overall spatial arrangement among the measured points. Since then kriging has been elaborated to tackle increasingly complex problems in mining, petroleum engineering, pollution control and abatement, and public health. The term is now generic, embracing several distinct kinds of kriging, both linear and non-linear.

In this era of information and communication, in a country like India where more than 75% of population live in rural areas, radio is the cheapest medium available in almost all families for entertainment and education.

A community radio (CR), in essence is a type of radio service that caters to the interests of a certain area, broadcasting material that is popular to a local audience but is overlooked by more powerful broadcast groups. It is usually established by the efforts of a specific community, operated by the community and for the community’s welfare. Radio can play an effective role in promoting social change.  Community radio station is one that is operated in the community, for the community, about the community and by the community.  It can play a very important role in bringing about social change. It covers all developmental and rights based issues, and can help to sustain the diversity of the local cultures and languages. It is an effort towards bottom-up approach to address specific requirements or rural Indian population. An attempt has been made to know the profile characteristics of krishi community radio listening farm women, awareness of farm women about FM krishi community radio and to study the usefulness of krishi community radio programmes as perceived by farm women.