eChapters

Natural farming in India is witnessing growing acceptance, driven by concerns over environmental sustainability, soil health, and human well-being. To accelerate this transition away from chemical-intensive practices, both central and state governments, along with NGOs, have initiated comprehensive support systems that include policy frameworks, training, financial aid, and market facilitation.
A cornerstone of India’s natural farming policy is the Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP), launched under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). This centrally sponsored scheme empowers states to implement natural farming by offering financial and technical assistance. States like Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra have led in adopting cluster-based natural farming models with large-scale training and demonstration programs.
Farmer training is central to adoption. Institutions such as Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), agricultural universities, and NGOs conduct extensive workshops on techniques like Jeevamrit, mulching, intercropping, and water conservation. Learning is made accessible through practical exposure, model farms, and local-language manuals, supported by digital tools like mobile advisories and community radio.
Support mechanisms include input subsidies for cow-based formulations, certification under Jaivik Bharat, and marketing linkages. Farmer Producer, Organizations (FPOs) facilitate input procurement, processing, and branding, while digital platforms improve market access and price realization.

Introduction

Agriculture stands as the primary pillar of the global economy and serves as the cornerstone for food and nutritional security, yet it generates substantial amounts of waste. This agricultural waste, including food processing waste, crop residues, animal waste, and agricultural chemicals, amounts to approximately 998 million tons annually worldwide. In India alone, around 500 million tons of crop residue are produced yearly, with a significant portion utilized for fodder and fuel, while a surplus of 140 million tons remains, with approximately 92 million tons being burned annually. However, there has been a historical oversight in efficiently harnessing this energy within the agricultural sector (Sinha et al., 2021). Agricultural waste management is a critical issue in India, given the country’s vast agricultural sector and the substantial amount of waste it generates. Effective management of agri-waste not only mitigates environmental pollution but also contributes to sustainable agricultural practices and economic development through resource recovery and energy production (Gupta et al., 1998). The Indian government, recognizing the significance of this challenge, has developed a comprehensive policy framework and regulatory mechanisms to address agri-waste management. These policies aim to promote the efficient utilization of agricultural residues, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance soil health through the recycling of organic waste. The current chapter explores various India’s policy framework and regulatory landscape in agri-waste management, highlighting the strategies, challenges, and opportunities within this crucial sector.

Policy plays a critical role in shaping the future of agricultural sciences. It determines the resources allocated to research, the inclusivity of publishing practices, and the extent of global collaboration (Fig. 15.1).
This chapter outlines actionable policy recommendations to support equitable publishing, strengthen research infrastructure, and encourage global partnerships. Furthermore, it delves into the importance of fostering interdisciplinary research and emphasizes why agricultural sciences need to continue gaining momentum in the face of global challenges.
15.1. Equitable Publishing Practices
Access to academic publishing remains a significant challenge for researchers in developing countries. High article processing charges (APCs) for open-access journals often exclude underfunded institutions and individual researchers. Policy interventions are essential to create a more equitable publishing ecosystem.
15.1.1. Subsidies for Open Access Publishing
Governments and funding agencies should subsidize APCs for researchers from low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). For instance, the Plan S initiative-backed by organizations like the European Science Foundation—aims to make all publicly funded research open access (Plan S, 2018).

Drought, a sporadic yet impactful event, presents a significant challenge to agricultural systems and economies globally. A notable observation in this context is the tendency of policymakers to readily claim success for their governance during years of favorable weather, while conversely attributing agricultural failures in drought years primarily to natural causes. This inclination often masks an underlying lack of consistent focus and investment in proactive drought-proofing measures. This international comparison examines the contrasting approaches to drought management between developed and developing nations, highlighting how this lack of focus, coupled with varying capacities and resources, shapes their respective policy responses. Understanding these disparities is crucial for fostering more effective and equitable drought resilience measures worldwide, moving beyond the simplistic attribution of agricultural successes to policy and failures solely to weather

Introduction

Environment pollution is a burning topic of the day. Air, water and soil are being polluted alike. Soil being a “universal sink” bears the greatest burden of environmental pollution. It is getting polluted in a number of ways. There is importance in controlling the soil pollution in order to preserve the soil fertility and increase the productivity. Pollution may be defined as an undesirable change in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of air, water and soil which affect human life, lives of other useful living plants and animals, industrial progress, living conditions and cultural resources. A pollutant is something which harmfully interferes with health, comfort and environment of the people. Most pollutants are introduced in the environment by waste, accidental discharge, sewage or else. They are by-products or residues from the production of something useful. Due to this our valuable natural resources like air, water and soil are getting polluted. The basis of agriculture is Soil. All crops for human food and animal feed depend upon it. We are losing this important natural resource by the accelerated erosion to some extent. In addition to this the huge quantities of man-made waste products, sludge and other product from new waste treatment plants, and even polluted water are also causing or leading to soil pollution. In order to preserve the fertility and the productivity of the soil.

ABSORPTION (of light): A process by which light is taken-up by another material. Examples include soot consisting of tiny black particles, which absorb all visible light; and nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant mostly from diesel and gasoline engines, that absorbs blue light resulting in air with a brown tint.

Refers to induced chromosome manipulation

Aneuploidy-One or few chromosomes extra or missing from 2n.

Autoploidy-Genomes identical with each other.

7.1. Introduction

The integrated farming system (IFS) is becoming increasingly important for effective farm resource management in order to increase farm productivity, reduce environmental degradation, improve the quality of life for resource-poor farmers, and ensure sustainability. Integration happens when one production sub-system's outputs (typically by-products) are used as inputs in another within the farm unit (Radhammani et al., 2003; Lightfoot and Minnick, 1991). IFS are a mixed farming system made up of at least two distinct but logically linked components of crop and animal enterprises. The integrated farming system is effective in reducing risk, increasing productivity and revenues, and improving the use of organic waste and agricultural leftovers.

HUMAN POPULATION GROWTH

The evolution of man took place about one million years ago in response to changes in the physical environment. We learnt gradually to adapt different modes of life to varying environments and migrated different parts of the world. Human activities have had their impact on the environment, which was depending on the number of people living in  the area and  their level  of economic development. Per capita consumption of food, energy and other resources in developed countries is larger and its impact on the environment is much greater than equal number of persons living in developing countries in Africa or Asia. Therefore, the distribution of population needs to be examined in detail.

Pulses are the major source of lysine richprotein, which is supplementaryto cereal based proteins (metheonine).Leguminous speciesproducing edible seeds occupy prominent place in Indian dietary habits. They are, even today, a primary sourceof protein forthe majority of population in the country. Avariety of pulse crops such as peas, lentils, urad, tur, moong, yellow peas, chickenpea,pigeonpea andbeans aregrown underdifferent agro-climatic conditions, and India is recognized globally as a major player contributing toabout25 percentoftheworld’sproduction.Thepresent demand forpulsesin the countryis estimated to be about 15 milliontonnes, while the productionhovers around 12 to 14 million tones. The post harvest losses in the legumes take place at farm as well as in storage as reported by DMI (2002) are detailed in Table 1, 2 and 3.

The stages through which the commodity passes from harvest till consumption are considered as post harvest stages. Post harvest management is one important component of agriculture and is the key to make more food and nutrition available to people. In integrated farming system, varieties of foods are produced. However, if they are not stored properly and/or processed, there may be both quantitative and qualitative losses. The produce may be attacked by different extraneous organisms including microorganisms, birds, rodents, etc. These spoilage agents may impair the quality of food, degrade the nutritional value and even make the food unfit for consumption. Besides, value addition of the food produce is another area where the overall profitability of the farming system can be improved. Thus proper management of post harvest operations and value addition are very important.

Importance of post harvest management and value addition

It has been estimated that about 10% of the food grains and about 30-40% of the fruits and vegetables are lost every year in a country like India due to improper post harvest management and lack of value addition. New avenues to increase food production are being explored to meet the demand of growing population of the country. However, prevention of post harvest losses is one basic step that can be taken up to make more food available for the people. In addition, proper post harvest management and food processing can help in the following aspects.

Optimal quality organic produce that combines the desired textural properties, sensory shelf-life, and nutritional content results from the careful implementation of recommended production inputs and practices, careful handling at harvest, and appropriate postharvest handling and storage. This section will focus on an overview of general postharvest handling considerations unique to the marketing of registered or certified organic produce.

Maturity index for fruits and vegetables

The principles dictating at which stage of maturity a fruit or vegetable should be harvested are crucial to its subsequent storage and marketable life and quality. Post-harvest physiologists distinguish three stages in the life span of fruits and vegetables: maturation, ripening and senescence. Maturation is indicative of the fruit being ready for harvest. At this point, the edible part of the fruit or vegetable is fully developed in size, although it may not be ready for immediate consumption. Ripening follows or overlaps maturation, rendering the produce edible, as indicated by taste. Senescence is the last stage, characterized by natural degradation of the fruit or vegetable, as in loss of texture, flavour, etc. (senescence ends at the death of the tissue of the fruit). Some typical maturity indexes are described in following sections.

Introduction

India produces 77.51 million tones of fruits of which only 10-20% are processed and rest are used as fresh (Singh 2010).  The post harvest losses are estimated to be in the order of 20-40%.  In terms of value it exceeds Rs.2000/- crores annually (Chadha 1989).  Processing of fruits under arid conditions is all the more important due to non-availability of fresh produce throughout the year in rural areas.  However, the area and production under arid fruits are increasing day by day in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat.  As a result seasonal glut has started in the local market and growers are not able to get the remunerative prices of their produce. In our country over 70% of the Indian population resides in village and are engaged mainly in farming and related activities besides their exclusive involvement in domestic work. Keeping above points in view, Agro-based technology should be developed for rural masses to create gainful employment by increasing the productivity through value added processed from arid fruits.

Pulses are one of the highly consumed eatables due to their palatability and nutritious quality. They are essential components of food as sources of protein to vast vegetarian population. Being a cheap source of proteins, pulses also play an important role in nutritional security of the nation. Pulses also provide green pods for vegetables and nutritious fodder for cattle because of their rich essential amino acid lysine content. Dry pulses are converted to dal and used by majority of people. Since majority of Indians are vegetarians, they depend largely on grain legumes (pulses) for their dietary protein.

The stages through which the commodity passes from harvest till we consume that are considered as post harvest stages. Post harvest management is an important component of agriculture and is the key to make more food and nutrition available to people. This is very important when it is estimated that almost about 10% of the food grains are lost every year in a country like India due to improper post harvest management and lack of value addition (Pal and Dash, 2012).

India produce a wide range of tropical, subtropical and temperate horticultural crops at different places by virtue of its varietals agro- climate conditions. The total annual production of fruits and vegetables is around 135.5 million tones, fruits being 48 million tones and vegetables around 87.5 million tones. India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetable in the world. They are major sources of important valuable vitamins and minerals. Being highly perishable, fruits and vegetables can be preserved and processed either at farm level or at cottage scale/home scale during market glut season or extra seasonal produce from kitchen garden for later use. Farmers and entrepreneurs can set up their own processing units by adopting simple, low cost innovative processing technologies which will save post harvest losses of these perishable crops and also give good returns to grower and better earning to processor/ entrepreneurs.

Abstract
All the technologies are applied from harvesting of fruits to its final consumption is called as post harvest technology. Development of processing industry takes care of surplus produce as well as of those fruits that are of lower quality. With the development of processing industry citrus fruits can be utilized for the production of wide range of commercial products. The large variability in physico-chemical characteristics of citrus fruits provides an opportunity to select desirable types for commercial exploitation. In India citrus fruit is available in large quantity that can be processed in to different processed products very easily. The fresh citrus fruits are not consumed in large quantity as fresh fruit due to high acidic in taste. The post-harvest technology including value addition would provide opportunity for commercial exploitation of the citrus fruits and leads to the marketing and processing in to quality products.
Keywords: Post harvest technology, Processing, Physiological disorders, Squash, Cardial, Marmalade

Abstract
With over one-third of global food lost post-harvest, reducing these losses is critical for food security, resource conservation, and improving farmers' livelihoods, particularly for rice, a staple for 65% of India's population. India, the second-largest rice producer, faces significant post-harvest losses (up to 9% for paddy) due to outdated drying, milling, and storage practices. Effective postharvest management, including timely harvesting at 20-22% moisture content, mechanized threshing, and advanced drying techniques like solar bubble dryers, can minimize losses and enhance grain quality. Innovations such as hermetic storage bags and rubber roller milling further reduce losses and improve market value. These practices open avenues for agripreneurship through custom hiring of machinery and value-added products like rice bran oil and ready-made mixes, fostering rural economic growth and sustainable food systems.
Keywords: Post-Harvest Management, Rice Production, Food Security, Agripreneurship, Post-Harvest Losses, Mechanization, Value Addition, Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development, Food Quality

Post-harvest management of agricultural crops is a critical aspect of the food supply chain, encompassing a range of activities aimed at preserving the quality and extending the shelf life of harvested produce. The abstract on post-harvest management highlights its significance in ensuring food security, reducing post-harvest losses, and enhancing economic viability for farmers. It emphasizes the multifaceted nature of post-harvest management, which involves handling, storage, processing, and distribution of agricultural crops. The abstract may also touch upon key challenges faced in post-harvest management, such as inadequate storage facilities, pest infestations, and market access constraints. Overall, the abstract provides a concise overview of the importance and complexity of post-harvest management in sustaining agriculture and meeting the nutritional needs of populations globally.

Post-harvest management of horticultural crops is a critical aspect of agriculture aimed at preserving the quality, freshness, and nutritional value of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants from the time of harvest until consumption. This abstract highlights the importance of effective post harvest management practices in minimizing losses, ensuring food security, and maximizing economic value in the horticultural sector. It emphasizes the diverse range of challenges faced, including perishability, susceptibility to physical damage, and vulnerability to pests and diseases. The abstract also underscores the significance of infrastructure development, technological innovation, and capacity building in addressing these challenges and improving post-harvest handling, storage, and distribution systems. Overall, the abstract provides a concise overview of the importance and complexities of post-harvest management in horticulture, laying the foundation for further research and action in this critical area of agriculture.

Introduction

The post-harvest and marketing system comprised of a series of interconnected activities which starts after the harvesting process and continues until the distribution of food products to the consumers. An effective post-harvest system makes sure that the food product reaches the customer in a short time without sacrificing volume, quality, and safety of the food product (Gardas et al., 2018). Increasing population growth in the last few centuries and the requirements from industrialization forces the need for sustainable food production and better food processing technologies. There is a requirement of balance between sustainable food production practices, a healthy environment, and a healthy population due to the rapid changes in the climate and population. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), there will be a requirement of a 70% increase in food production in 2050 due to the growing population across the world (FAO, 2017).

The challenges such as improper land use, decrease in biodiversity, aquatic eutrophication by over-fertilization, global warming, water shortages due to improper irrigation etc. imposed awareness among the stakeholders to bring more efficient approaches in agricultural and food production practices. This brings the idea of terms such as recyclable and eco-friendly packaging, buy local, whole foods, free-from, and fair-trade (Boye and Arcand, 2013). Recent trends in climate and changes in the environment may pose challenges to achieve the required food production in the future. In addition to the steps taken for increasing food production, the steps to reduce food loss are important. In 2011, it was calculated that 11.3 billion tonnes of food was wasted in a year, which is almost one- third of the total food production (FAO, 2011).