eChapters

13.1. Introduction

The Delphi technique is a systematic, interactive forecasting method that involves gathering expert opinions to make informed decisions, predict future trends, or address complex problems. The core idea behind this technique is to use the knowledge and insights of experts in a structured manner to produce well-informed and reliable outcomes. By combining expert judgment with iterative feedback, the Delphi method allows for deeper analysis, greater accuracy, and a better understanding of complex issues that cannot be easily solved through traditional data analysis or quantitative methods (Ismail and Taliep, 2023).

Originally designed for defence-related forecasting, the Delphi technique has since evolved into a versatile tool used across a wide range of fields, such as business, healthcare, education, public policy, environmental science, and social research. Its versatility stems from its ability to gather expert opinions in a manner that allows for rigorous analysis of complex issues, without the constraints of traditional group meetings or face-to-face discussions.

Introduction

Food security problem has multiple dimensions that range from ensuring the food supply at global, country and local levels to create its effective demand round the year. The ultimate goal of an effective food security policy is to provide individuals with adequate dietary requirements through availability and accessibility of food, which are necessary conditions for nutritional well being. The level of food security existing in a country, however is a complex interactions, operating at different levels from the macro to the micro level. The components of the system would include international trade and macro policies, the agricultural sector, the market economy, consumption pattern, the micro economy or household income, urban-rural differentiation and gender issues, etc.

Food insecurity is a complex issue having several dimensions such as, poverty, unemployment, famine, gender discrimination, inequity, starvation, food and nutritional practices, for human growth, natural calamities and so on. Poverty has been recognized globally both as a cause and consequence of food insecurity. In the mid 1980s, 72 per cent of the world’s poor and 66 per cent of the world’s extremely poor lived in the Asia-Pacific region. In this region, 272 million people would suffer from chronic malnutrition during the next decade i.e. in the year 2010. In Asia-Pacific region, India alone has 204 million undernourished people, which is quite alarming when compared with neighbouring countries like China, which has only 164 million undernourished people despite being much populous than India. World Health Organization (WHO) report (1998) points out that health expectancy is more important than life expectancy. The impact of poverty and malnutrition on health has widened the gap between the rich and the poor.

The word ‘Democracy’ is derived from the Greek roots ‘demos’ meaning the people and ‘kratos’ meaning authority i.e. in democracy, all authority originates from the people. Decentralisation means distribution of functions and powers from a central authority to regional and local authorities. Democratic Decentralisation in the present context means that the Government which has derived its authority from the people, redistributes it to some extent to the people, for decision and action at the local level. This is popularly known as PANCHAYATI RAJ in India. It was thought that Panchayati Raj would emerge as a system of democratic local self- Government, discharging developmental municipal and ultimately, regulatory functions.

Introduction

Agriculture is the back bone of Indian economy. About 18.8 percent (2021-22) of the national income originates from the agriculture sector. Approximately 60 percent of India’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture for livelihood. A large number of important industries like jute, textiles, edible oils, tobacco, sugar etc. receive the raw materials produced by agriculture sector. India occupies second position in the production of fruits and vegetables in the world after China (National Horticulture Database 2019 2020) It is grown almost in all the states of the country.

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) like all other Brassicaceae family crops has descended through introgression, mutation, human selection and adaptation from a single wild predecessor Brassica oleracea L. var. sylvestris which is still found growing in western and southern Europe and North Africa. The name cauliflower consists of two Latin words namely ‘caulis’ means cabbage and ‘floris’ means flower. It is grown throughout the country for its highly suppressed ‘prefloral fleshy apical meristem’ called “Curd” which is used as vegetable, soup and for pickling (Choudhury, 2006). Cauliflower is the pride of cole crops because of its good taste, flavour and nutritional value. It contains good amount of vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C and fair amount of proteins and fibers. The cauliflower is also a good source of minerals like Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Na, and S.

Introduction

Flowering plants (Angiosperms) are identified by their morphological characteristics like flower, fruit and seeds that help their taxonomic characterization into different species, genera, families and orders. The floral characters which are used for taxonomic characterization of plants include the type of inflorescences, perianth structure, floral symmetry, arrangement of floral leaves, type of androecium, stamens, gynoecium, carpel, ovule, etc. The type of fruit and seed also play important roles in taxonomic classification. In this chapter we will briefly discuss about various morphological features of flowering plants (in botanical terms) that are useful in taxonomy.

Nomenclature of Plant

Nomenclature of plant is the formal and scientific naming of plants. It is related to but distinct from taxonomy for grouping and classifying plants and provide botanical name.

The scientific/botanical nomenclature started with Species Plantarum by Carolus Linnaeus in 1753. 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).

ICBN and ICN

International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, (ICBN) was adopted by the VIIth International Botanical Congress held in Stockholm, July1950. While the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) was adopted by the XVIIIth International Botanical Congress held in Melbourne, Australia in July 2011.

Commercial ice cream represents a highly diversified category influenced by formulation, processing technology, regulatory standards, consumer preferences, cost structures, and market positioning. This chapter explains the meaning and characteristics of commercial ice cream, with particular attention to the Indian regulatory and market context. It examines major commercial product types, their compositions, ingredient functions, and differences from artisanal products. The chapter also discusses contemporary market trends and changing consumer expectations, including premiumization and alternative formulations. Quality challenges such as ice crystal growth, sandiness, shrinkage, weak body, coating defects, and cold-chain failures are considered, providing readers with a practical understanding of commercial ice cream production and positioning.

Introduction

Low and erratic precipitation, diurnal fluctuations in temperature and low humidity are the typical characteristics of deserts and their margins. Further, strong winds, sunny and very bright days and unpredictable periods of drought and famines are regular features. These lands are poor in fertility. Uninterrupted increase in human and animal pressures is violating carrying capacity of the natural resources, thus resultant is desertification.

Arid zones are described as a part of the drylands, and have the most severe edapho-climatic conditions. The major distinguishing feature for defining and for planning for the arid zone is the low rainfall (below 500 mm or Aridity Index <0.20) with more than 50% inter-annual variability. This makes a great difference in terms of the nature of the ecosystem, the socio-economic environment and the challenges for sustainability. High wind and solar regimes further increase the effect of rainfall variability and the whole complex makes a fragile ecosystem in which small disturbances may cause great loss to the sustainability, which are sometimes irreversible (Hou’erou, 1996). The hot arid zones of the world are economically and environmentally disadvantaged, with unique problems. The ecosystems of these zones are highly fragile with large risks that cause severe impediments to development programs. Of the total land area in the world, arid zones cover 18.8% and the hyper-arid zones account for 22.3% of the total arid zones (FAO, 1989).

Abstract

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa with a dry tropical climate characterised by a short rainy season and a long dry season. The annual rainfall varied between 300mm in the northern part of the country to 1200mm in the meridian part. Since many years, the degradation of climatic conditions is observed. Therefore, the annual rainfalls of the 1971-1981 period were inferior to those of the precedent periods, and also the deterioration of the climatic conditions led the limits of some ishoteques “isohyète” to move southward, more than 50km farther. Furthermore, the decennial rainfalls since 1920 were subjected to a latitudinal displacement to the south. For example the ishoteque “isohyète” 500mm which were located at the North of the 15°N outside Burkina Faso during the years 1950-1960 moved gradually year by year and reached the 14°N during the years 1970-1980 inside Burkina Faso.

Introduction

Desertification is now accepted as a major environmental issue because of the fact that 69.5 percent area of the world’s dry lands and more than 1.2 billion people in over 110 countries living in this habitat are affected by various land degradation processes. During last 20 years, researchers have focused their discussion either on a condition or a cause or a set of processes to assess different paradigms of desertification. Several studies carried out in arid western part of Rajasthan (Singh et al., 1992, Kar, A. 1993b, Kar, 1995, Dregne, H.E. 2000, Kar et al.2007) show that wind erosion is still a major problem. Though, there are many instances of location specific problems like water erosion, salinity/ alkalinity and water logging, about 75% area in arid western Rajasthan is affected by wind erosion hazard of different intensities (SAC, 2007, Kar et al. 2009). Decreasing rainfall gradient from east to west and increasing wind strength in that direction are responsible for the spatial variability in sand reactivation pattern. Water erosion in the form of sheet, rill and gully erosion is a major problem in areas, where average annual rainfall exceeds 350 mm, the rainfall intensity is high and the topographic and soil characteristics favour high run-off. Destruction of vegetation cover and excessive ploughing of shallow soils, especially on the sloping lands, accelerate the problem.

Introduction

Desertification, which is considered a major threat in the drylands of the world, is not about advancing boundaries of the existing deserts, but about land degradation in the arid, semi-arid and the dry sub-humid regions, which together form the drylands (Anon., 1995). Secular variation in climate that has resulted in periodic expansion and contraction of the desert boundaries and regional-scale changes in vegetation condition (Tucker et al., 1991; Nemani et al., 2003; Hickler et al., 2005) is one of the drivers of desertification. Human activities constitute the other major driver. According to Geist and Lambin (2004) the prominent core variables that drive degradation are climatic, economic, institutional, national policies, population growth and remote influences.

We let you know that the type of people in a given region is closely linked to the kind of resources found in the concerned region; and which are necessary for human beings to survive.

In fact, more than 100 countries possess arid lands, where more than 40% of the global population lives. The soils of these regions present too much fragility and they are too degraded that they can’t allow people to survive.

Let’s emphasize that in Africa, two third of the total area are arid zones. Thus, for Africans, the type of their struggle for adaptation to the context of their land, illustrates their ingenious capacity to model their hostile surroundings and to leave marks of their cultures all over prehistory and history.

Social organizations in those arid areas are closely linked to modes of exploitation and valuation of resources (water and land). However, human productions in those areas are doubly menaced; on one side by the action of humans who exploit resources for their immediate needs, and on the other side, by climate adverse effects during long periods of drought. It means that climate change and violent meteorological phenomenon worsen circumstances. That leads to environmental degradation and biodiversity reduction; alarming deterioration of vital conditions; and intensification of poverty, both in rural and urban areas; particularly among women and young. Consequently, there are non durable (viable) agricultural practices, overexploitation, overgrazing, excessive and illegal forestry exploitation; destruction of forests and bushes by non-controlled fires, pillages and conflicts with weapons; reduction of vegetation, due to the scarcity of rain; of water in general and menaces of heaps of sands.

Design and Construction of a greenhouse involves five distinctly different aspects viz. (a) Basic form or type, (b) structure/designs, (c) covering materials and its fixing, (d) foundation and constructional detail, and (e) crop-support, irrigation and drainage planning.

All the above aspects are interlinked. To have a clear idea, these individual aspects are discussed separately.

4.1. Basic Forms of Greenhouse

Before considering anything about construction, one should finalize the form of construction. There are different forms of greenhouses for different climatic and crop situations. These types of structures are planned according to the requirement of farmer/promoter and obviously according to the purpose. Now we will describe, in brief, some of the important form or type of greenhouses.

4.1.1. Greenhouse covered with transparent and impervious material

These structures are covered with water/rain impermeable transparent materials which allow necessary solar radiation for optimal growth of plants. Simultaneously it protects crops from temperature-fluctuation, rain, wind, and creates a favourable situation in respect of CO₂ and humidity. This covering is also used to prevent the re-radiation of heat energy and conserve the heat generated in daytime to raise night temperature inside.

Introduction

Agriculture is the most important sector of Indian Economy. The agriculture sector accounts for 18 per cent of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) and provides employment to 50 per cent of the countries workforce. India has emerged as the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. Formerly agriculture was more dependent on nature and all the operations were carried out manually, however new technologies have been developed to increase the production and productivity of crops (Rangbhal, 2018).

1. Context

Women play a critical role in agriculture, and agriculture continues to remain the major livelihood strategy for women as well as millions of small, marginal and poor farming households in India. Despite this, farm women lack access to extension services as extension programmes rarely identify women as an integral client. Farm women and men have differential needs for knowledge, information, technology and skills as often they are involved in different activities spread over time and cropping seasons. Besides these, men and women farmers have differential access to assets, information, markets, credits, and other services that are necessary for using new knowledge, technologies and skills. Ignoring women while delivering services and technologies creates a gap as many of the agricultural operations are performed by women only.

It is estimated that if women had the same access to productive resources as men, they could increase yields on their farms by 20-30 per cent (FAO, 2011). Yields on plots managed by women are lower than those managed by men, as they do not have the same access to inputs. If they did, their yields would go up, they would produce more, and overall agricultural production would increase. It isn’t merely about enhancing productivity but also about being fair and equitable. Women are a significant part of the agricultural workforce and they deserve to be consulted prior to formulation of agricultural development plans and policies. SDG 5 on Gender Equality “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” is closely aligned to this aspect. Moreover, enhanced access to services can help women grow more food, have more say in the family, and could potentially lead to more income and food in women’s hands-leading to better food security and nutrition for the entire family as they are the major caregivers in the family.

An experiment is a systematic process or activity which leads to collection of information on certain objects to give an answer to the objectives of the researcher.

The experiment in which certain absolute values like average, correlation coefficient, median, mode, etc are worked out to describe the population is known as absolute experiment.

The experiment in which the effects of different objects under consideration are compared is known as comparative experiment.

The variable whose change we wish to study is called as Response variable. For example- yield, mortality rate of insects etc.

The variable whose effect on the response variable we wish to study is termed as Factor. For example - variety, fertilizer, insecticide etc.

Here factor is the independent variable and response variable is the dependent variable.

The various levels of a factor whose effect on the response variable we wish to study are known as Treatment.

14.1 Introduction

Eggs are an essential food for humans due to the high nutritional quality and quantity that they contain. Eggs are one of the most consumed foods all over the world because of its nutritious profile, range of uses, and relatively inexpensive cost as a food source. Intakes of total lipids, cholesterol, and saturated fatty acids in human diets can be attributed, in part, to the consumption of animal products. Due to the high amounts of cholesterol (about 200-300 mg/100 g) and saturated fat (approximately 3 g/100 g), eggs have been considered to be contentious foods by several health organisations and nutritional experts.

Abstract

Designer foods are known by various names like medical foods, fortified foods, nutritional foods, nutraceutical foods, pharma foods etc. These foods are nutritious, maintain health and prevent diseases. Such foods must possess characteristics like modified composition; limit the presence of certain potentially harmful components and include certain desirable ingredients either naturally or by intentional addition. The term designer food emerged some years ago to describe foods tailored to specific concentration and proportion of nutrients that are important to health. These are designed and produced by using different approaches. The term ‘designer foods’ is subjected to change based on nutritional labelling regulations, new developments, consumer perceptions and expectations. Grain improvement through biotechnology emphasizes crop upgrading with a specific challenge to manipulate the endosperm composition in order to improve its intrinsic properties for diet and health. Breeding fruits with higher bioactive compounds for disease resistance and improved composition have stimulated interest in the nutraceutical and processing aspects of the fruits Nutritive and genetic interventions to alter milk composition for specific health and processing opportunities are gaining importance in dairy biotechnology. Designer eggs having modified fat provide choices with different nutritional benefits. The options suggested for designer meat and meat products are through production practices, post-harvest procedures and reformulation techniques. All these features of designer foods will be presented with suitable examples.

Every homemaker spends a chunk of her time in the kitchen. Kitchen is the most functional part of the house. It needs to be carefully designed. Kitchen ergonomics comes into play to make the kitchen a comfortable place to work. Kitchen ergonomics is all about minimizing the movements and stress we have to go through while cooking. While designing your kitchen you need to keep in mind the heights of various surfaces, distances and placement of items to make your space functional, efficient and enable effortless cooking.

Video titles play a critical role in grabbing viewers’ attention and establishing the tone and theme of the video. Adobe Photoshop, known for its robust text and graphic design capabilities, is an ideal tool for creating custom, professional video titles. In this chapter, we will explore the basics of title design, step-bystep instructions for using Photoshop to design titles, and tips to make text visually appealing and engaging for video content.
Introduction to Video Title Design
Video titles are the first visual cue that sets the audience’s expectations. An effective title is visually appealing, represents the video’s theme, and provides essential information, like the video’s name or segment titles. Adobe Photoshop allows designers to combine typography, graphics, and special effects, creating dynamic title sequences that draw viewers in.
Key Elements of Effective Title Design
• Font Choice: Selecting a font that suits the video’s theme is crucial. Serif fonts often suggest a formal tone, while sans-serif fonts are more modern and clean.

The field of talent management continues to mature from agri-business to extension service, but it is also being impeded both by the scale of debates taking place. The field continues to agree that talent management “adds value” to the organisation such as extension system. To understand the development scenarios of strategic talent management, we need a “theory of value” to understand the elements of talent management which are the most valuable for business-led extension service (BLESS) effectiveness. “Theory of Value” is a generic term which encompasses all the theories within economics that although explain the exchange value (or) price of goods and services. Alternatively, “Value of Theory” encompasses a range of approaches in extension system to understand how, why, and to what degree humans should value things, whether the thing is person, idea, object, (or) anything else for effective functioning of strategic business-led extension service to sustain its clients system.