eChapters

Agriculture is vital to the development of any nation, India being no exception. Development must include the youth and therefore the government seeks to encourage their participation in the agricultural sector. This effort seeks to change the negative perception the youth have of participation in agriculture as uneducated, unskilled, physical labourers with extremely low economic return. Modern agriculture is more than tilling the soil and animals. The sector today offers career opportunities in research, environment, financial management, engineering and other technical areas for the youth to explore. The introduction of the Youth in Agriculture is necessary and important to facilitate food and nutrition security for the sustainable development of the nation.

Introduction

Women perform two-thirds of the world’s work hours, yet are poor in resources and are poorly represented in positions of power. Most of the low-income women in developing countries are primarily employed in agriculture, but many literatures show that men have been the primary adopters and shapers of agricultural technologies. These inequalities are seen in all parts of the world. Without acknowledging gender inequalities, economic development and globalization cannot be achieved. Gender bias is a universal phenomenon and there are a number of issues that farm women face.

Importance of Gender Mainstreaming in Agriculture

Indian Women spend 354 minutes a day, compared to 36 minutes a day by men, on household activities including cooking and child care. In developing countries, nearly 75 - 80 percent of women are involved in agriculture. They face gender issues in land ownership, access to credit, market, technology, seed, water, information, education and other services. NSSO survey (2010) revealed that 40% of male farmers want to quit farming due to less profitability. Gradually, male farmers are migrating to earn from non-farming activities. In this situation, women have to look after household as well as farming activities.

1. Feminization of Agriculture

Almost all active women in rural India can be considered as ‘farmers’, in some sense – working as agricultural labourer, unpaid workers in the family farm enterprise, or combination of the two. Moreover, several farm activities traditionally carried out by men are also being undertaken by women as men are pulled away into higher paying employment. Thus rural India is witnessing a process which could be described as ‘feminization of agriculture’. The significantly high and growing population of female headed households has also highlighted women’s contribution to agriculture.

Abstract

Livestock remain a lifeline for many of the world’s poorest people. Cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens and other farm animals form part of the livelihood portfolios of an estimated 70 per cent of the world’s rural poor women and men. For many smallholder farmers, livestock are essentially four-legged bank accounts, allowing hundreds of millions of unbanked poor to build assets and to insure themselves against shocks such crop failures, accidents and illnesses. Such assets and insurance are particularly important to women, who remain the backbone of global smallholder agriculture and who are one of the best hopes for ensuring future global food security. Across the world’s varied livestock production systems, women are main actors in poultry, small ruminant and micro livestock production as well as in dairying including the processing and marketing of milk and milk products. But women are often still excluded from household decision-making processes, especially regarding the disposal of animals and animal products. This lack of female control over livestock assets and income impinges on family welfare as well as economic growth.

Key words: Economic growth, Livestock assets, Insurance, Women.

Chapter Overview

This chapter delves into the concept and application of gender mainstreaming within the context of animal husbandry and the livestock sector. Gender mainstreaming is a comprehensive strategy aimed at promoting gender equality by integrating a gender perspective into all aspects of policies, programs, and projects. It recognizes and addresses the distinct roles, needs, and contributions of women and men involved in animal husbandry. This chapter provides insights into why gender mainstreaming is essential in this sector and outlines practical approaches for its implementation.

Today, health promotion of the poor has emerged, worldwide, as a vital area for policy research and action. Healthcare is the responsibility of the constituent states and territories of India.

Food security: Gender dimensions

Standards have improved gradually over a period of years. But the burden of ill health is borne disproportionately by different population subgroups and people of lower socio-economic status, especially women, as they consistently experience poor health outcomes. Gender inequality leads to food insecurity and is also its leading cause. National food security is largely dependent on agricultural sector. The FAO articulates that food security is achieved when people at the individual, household, national, regional and global levels, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for a healthy and active life.

Rural women rarely own a control land and lack access to agricultural inputs, technology, training, extension services and marketing services. Despite being major contributors to agricultural production, they have little or no access to the means of production. They face restrictions in mobility due to social conditions, hence face a narrower range of labour markets than men including harsh working conditions and lower wage rates.

11.1 Introduction

Gendered Advancements utilize strategies of sex and intersectional investigation to form modern information. It looks to saddle the inventive control of this sort of examination for advancement and revelation. The agent's address is, do considering these components include important measurements to investigate? Do they take research in unused bearings? To reply to these questions, Gendered Developments creates down-to-earth strategies of sex, sexual orientation, and intersectional examination for researchers and gives case ponders as concrete outlines of how this sort of investigation leads to revelation and advancement.

Body Parts of Farm Animals

It is important to know about the various terms used to indicate different body parts of the animals so that whenever a description of the animal/body part is presented, one could specifically understand it. Some of the terms used to point out different body points of common livestock species have been shown in Figure 2.1.1-2.1.5. Terms which are more frequently used for different livestock species have been depicted in Table 2.1.1.

This chapter introduces genetic principles used to improve wool production and quality. It examines heritable traits including fibre diameter, clean fleece weight, staple length, staple strength, diameter variability and freedom from faults. Selection differential, response to selection, selection indices and crossbreeding strategies are discussed. The chapter also introduces objective measurement, genomic selection, reproductive technologies and electronic recording systems as modern tools for accelerating genetic improvement and producing more valuable and uniform fleeces.

6.1 World Trade Organization (WTO) and Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
6.1.1 Introduction
The globalization of trade and the rapid advancement in innovation—particularly in biotechnology—have necessitated the harmonization of intellectual property rights (IPR) across nations. The World Trade Organization (WTO), established in 1995, is the apex multilateral body that regulates international trade among member states. Within its legal framework, the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) plays a foundational role in setting minimum standards for IPR protection and aligning national laws with global trade norms.
In the realm of biotechnology, TRIPS has profound implications on patentability of life forms, technology transfer, public health, biodiversity, and traditional knowledge.
6.1.2 World Trade Organization (WTO): An Overview
• Established: January 1, 1995
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Membership: 164 members (as of 2024), including India
• Primary Objectives:
• Facilitate free and fair global trade
• Administer trade agreements
• Resolve trade disputes
• Monitor national trade policies
• Promote cooperation with other international organizations (e.g., WIPO, WHO)

Introduction

Globalization, as defined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), refers to the increasing economic interdependence among nations, characterized by rising volumes and diversity of cross-border transactions in goods and services, international capital flows, and the more rapid dissemination of technology worldwide.

Key Characteristics of Globalization

1. Expansion opportunities for businesses globally.

2. Elimination of distinctions between domestic and international markets.

3. Freedom to buy and sell products and services across any country.

4. Production and distribution facilities are established based on economic feasibility at optimal locations worldwide, rather than national priorities.

5. Product planning and development are influenced by global market conditions.

6. Sourcing raw materials from across the globe to maximize efficiency.

7. Global strategies, organizational structures, cultures, and management practices.

8. Viewing the world as a unified market.

VIVEK M. PATIL

Antivirus software : Programs specifically designed to detect and disable viruses and other harmful software that can invade the computer system and damage it.

Applications/Application software : Programs designed to perform a specific function directly for the user or for another application program, using the services of the computer’s operating system and other supporting programs. eg. word processors, spreadsheet programs, database programs; image editing programs etc.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) : The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning (the acquisition of information and rules for using the information), reasoning (using the rules to reach approximate or definite conclusions), and self-correction.

Aspect ratio : The ratio of the number of horizontal dots (pixels) to the number of vertical dots on the computer screen.

Backup : A method of copying one of more files/folders from a hard drive on the computer to other external storage devices like a CD/DVD, external hard drive, flash drive etc. so as to have an additional copy of the data in case the original is damaged/lost.

Bandwidth : In computer networks, bandwidth is often used as a synonym for data transfer rate - the amount of data that can be carried from one point to another in a given time period (usually a second). This kind of bandwidth is usually expressed in bits per second (bps).

This chapter introduces the specialized terminology used throughout wool production, evaluation, processing and trade. It provides an alphabetically organized glossary covering technical terms associated with fibres, fleece preparation, grading, processing, textile manufacture and wool commerce. The glossary is designed to improve technical communication and examination preparation by giving readers precise definitions of commonly used terms. Cross-referencing with relevant chapters further helps readers connect terminology with the underlying scientific and technological concepts.

Origin and Domestication of Goat

Goat is a cloven-hoofed, hollow-horned ruminant which is comparatively smaller in size and belongs to class Mammalia, order Artiodactyla, family Bovidae and genus either Capra (2N=60) or Hemitragus/tahrs (2N=48). The distinction between these two genera was previously based on horn structure but the distinction has been confirmed genetically. The domestic goat (Capra hircus/Capra aegagrus hircus) belongs to the genus Capra and has possibly developed from five wild ancestors. On the basis of available information, it is most likely that bezoar is the main ancestor of most domestic goats. However, there is slight likelihood that Markhor has been involved in the parentage of some of the Indian goat breeds.

Evolutionary biology indicates that domestication of goats started during Neolithic age and it was perhaps the first ruminant and first animal after dog to be domesticated by the man around 9000-7000 BC. Domestication was associated with three of the oldest civilizations namely- (i) the Nile in northeast Africa, (ii) the Tigris-Euphrates in west Asia, and (iii) the Indus in the Indian subcontinent. Archaeologists indicate that the goat was first domesticated in the “Fertile Crescent” (landmass which extends between the Black and Caspian seas along the coast of Palestine and forms arc like a quarter moon towards the Persian Gulf) of the eastern Mediterranean. Since their domestication, goats remained associated with variety of functions in various aspects of human life including food, employment, economics, folklore and religion.

Introduction

Recently the terms “governance” and “good governance” are being increasingly used in development literature. Bad governance is being increasingly regarded as one of the root causes of all evil within our societies. Major donors and international financial institutions are increasingly basing their aid and loans on the condition that reforms that ensure “good governance” are undertaken.

Good governance is an essential complement to sound economic policies. Efficient and accountable management by the public sector and a predictable and transparent policy framework are critical to the efficiency of markets and governments, and hence to economic development. Good governance, for the World Bank, is synonymous with sound development management The Bank’s experience has shown that the programs and projects it helps finance may be technically sound, but fail to deliver anticipated results for reasons connected to the quality of government action. Legal reforms, however urgent, may come to naught if the new laws are not enforced consistently or there are severe delays in implementation. Efforts to develop privatized production and encourage market-led growth may not succeed unless investors face dear rules and institutions that reduce uncertainty about future government action.

Government role in marketing of milk

Ever since independence the dairy sector in India has been regulated. The government projects and programmes in place for enhancing dairy development include subsidies for developing infrastructure for milk processing and testing. The Clean Milk Production Programme is a centrally sponsored scheme that is being implemented by the State Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries with several objectives: i) the creation and strengthening of necessary infrastructure for the production of quality milk and milk products at the farm level up to the points of consumption; ii) improvement of milking techniques; and iii) training to enhance awareness on the importance of hygienic milk production. Several other rural development initiatives support dairying, such as through the District Rural Development Agency and women’s self help groups. An area of government support that has not been capitalized on so far is the investment in promoting the nutritional aspects of milk, particularly pasteurized milk versus loose milk.

Introduction

Government initiatives aimed at supporting small-scale enterprises and fostering women’s entrepreneurship are crucial for driving economic development, job creation, and social empowerment. Small-scale enterprises, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), play a vital role in the economy by contributing to employment, innovation, and poverty reduction. Similarly, women entrepreneurship offers significant potential for promoting inclusive growth, tapping into underutilized talent, and advancing gender equality in business leadership.

Small-scale enterprises often face challenges like limited access to funding, poor infrastructure, regulatory barriers, and market limitations. Women entrepreneurs, on the other hand, encounter additional obstacles such as socio cultural norms, limited access to resources, and gender biases in the business world. To address these issues, governments globally have introduced policies and initiatives aimed at supporting small enterprises and encouraging women’s participation in entrepreneurship.

Introduction

Small and medium-sized industrial units, or small scale industrial (SSI) units, are generally referred to as SMEs, according to the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The MSMED Act of 2006, which was updated in 2020, serves as the foundation for the definition of SMEs in India.

• Micro manufacturing and services units: Up to Rs. 1 crore in investments and up to Rs. 5 crore in revenue.

• Small manufacturing and services units: Up to Rs. 10 crore in investments and up to Rs. 50 crore in revenue.

• Medium manufacturing and services units: Up to Rs. 50 crore in investments and up to Rs. 250 crore in revenue.

Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute the backbone of the global economy. SMEs not only provide major contributions to national GDPs, but they also play an important role in job creation, innovation, and regional development. In India, SMEs account for about 30% of the country’s GDP and employ over 110 million people, making them an important part of the economic structure.(FICCI,2023).

This chapter introduces grading and standardization as mechanisms for converting biological variation in eggs into defined commercial specifications. It examines grade factors, quality classes, egg sizing and weight classification, and Indian standards including AGMARK and BIS. International approaches such as Codex, USDA and EU frameworks are compared. The chapter also describes automated grading equipment, candling, packing systems and packaging requirements. Particular attention is given to Indian egg-marketing channels, price behaviour, cold-chain requirements and consumer perception.

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, any issue related to “information and communication technologies in agriculture (ICTs)” is extremely interesting and it belongs to the modern subject-matters of the agricultural economics science. Unambiguously the above phrase is the buzz remark for the agricultural extension scientists considering that the process of communication is fundamental to extension, training and passing on information. Thus, learning processes, dissemination of innovations and social change cannot be explained without reference to communication (Albrecht et al., 1989).

An efficient communication strategy, especially when combined with a wide range of available ICTs, utilises the advantages of both personal and impersonal media communication. This can be achieved by building up, promoting and using communication networks and modern technologies. Under the term “network” we understand the complex of communication channels which ensure that all members of the target group receive the message more than once, both from various personal contacts and media. This calls for the use of existing communication relationships, the dissemination of information by multipliers and influential individuals and a range of media which are appropriate to the type of information and for reaching the target groups. As well thought out, communicative approach can partly compensate for the often lamented shortage of advisers provided that one is in a position to communicate a message in various ways, to evaluate feedback and then to take action accordingly.