eChapters

6.1 Introduction

The birth of modern conventional agriculture coincides with industrial revolution. The identification of N, P and K as critical factors in plant growth led to the manufacture of synthetic fertilizers. While chemical fertilizers and pesticides have existed since the 19th century, their use grew significantly in the early 20 century with the invention of Haber-Bosch method for synthesizing ammonia. The rapid farm mechanization, especially in the form of tractor and combine harvester coupled with science-driven innovative management methods and resources led to the efficiency of enabling outputs of high quality produce per unit area and time.

5.1 Introduction

Indian agriculture is now at crossroads. We have come a long way. Over the past five decades our strategies, policies and actions were guided by goals of ‘self sufficiency’ in foodgrain production with main focus on rice and wheat. Indian agriculture has been successful in achieving higher production of food grains to secure food security of the nation. While, the success for increasing food grain production has been achieved without major jump in the production and productivity of pulses in the country, this was accompanied by widespread problems of resource degradation, which now poses serious challenges to meet the demands of an increasing population and lifting our people above the poverty line.

4.1 Introduction

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major food security crop in South Asia, with 42% of the wheat in this region grown following rice (Oryza sativa L.) on 13.5 million hectares of land. Resource-conserving technologies offer considerable potential for improving the sustainability and productivity of wheat in the rice-wheat system of South Asia. These include raising input use efficiency, cutting costs, providing various environmental benefits, and ultimately improving farmer livelihoods and helping to reduce poverty.

3.1 Introduction

Rice is the main staple food for most of the world’s population and plays a key role to maintain food security of many countries. More than 90% of the rice production globally comes from Asia and also more than 90% of rice consumption is done in Asia (IRRI, 1997). In Asia, more than two billion people get almost 60-70 percent of their daily energy requirement from rice and its products (Yogeswari and Porpavai, 2018). As for India, since independence the country has witnessed a remarkable progress in rice production.

2.1 Introduction

Present day agriculture is facing more challenges like negative impacts of climate change, depletion of natural resources, increase of input costs etc. The major causes for steady decline in agricultural sustainability include intensive cultivation with conventional tillage practices, reduction of soil organic matter, soil loss by water and wind erosion, reduction in infiltration rate, formation of soil crust and continuous practice of mono-cropping. Over the years, soil and water resources are continuously overexploited leading to reduction in use efficiency of irrigation and energy.

1.1 Introduction

Broadcasting seed and harvesting meagre yields was a common method of ancient agriculture. High use of developed crop varieties, irrigation, chemical fertilizers, pesticides and farm mechanization is the main thrust of modern agriculture. Therefore, modern agriculture is an energy intensive farming system (Khan et al., 2010). Though modern technology based agriculture is achieving success to meet food demand of increasing global population, yet it creates many environmental issues such as loss of soil fertility, salinization and water scarcity.

Introduction

This chapter gives an account of a summary of the significant findings of the study, followed by tenability of hypotheses, suggestions, further areas of research in the related areas, and a conclusion. The present study investigated the Quality of Work Life (QWL) of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals working in Kerala’s eight prominent state universities. The data of the study were collected from the two hundred and sixty-six 266 regular qualified LIS professionals. 

This chapter presents the analysis and interpretation of data gathered through a structured questionnaire to conduct the current study. Data analysis and interpretation of data is the most significant part of the research report. It contains a detailed analysis of major results about the information for arriving at a valid conclusion. It helps to interpret the results of the study in a proper perspective. Based on the objectives and hypotheses formulated, the data was collected through a questionnaire. Likert’s scale was used to assess the opinions of the respondents. 

Introduction

Libraries are a center of information for the academic community of the universities in Kerala. It acts as a gateway to global knowledge. Libraries provide seamless access to the information that supports teaching, learning research, and extension. It also ensures fair access to knowledge in the academic community. The libraries fulfill the objectives of their parent organization. It caters to the educational needs of students, researchers, and faculty/Scientists of the universities for study, research, teaching, and extension activities.

Introduction

Quality of Work Life (QWL) is a popular concept among the organizations. Work is an essential part of everyday human life. Work influences the overall quality of life. Human resources are one of the main assets of any organization. Quality of work life (QWL) is one of the important subsystems of human resource management. There are economic, social, psychological and organizational aspects of work life. Many new subsystems are being added to human resource management with employees’ changing needs, culture, expectations, and work environment.

Introduction

It has been proved that libraries play a crucial role in education. Libraries have been collecting, preserving, and organizing knowledge since time immemorial. In the age of virtual information, libraries have been reinventing themselves as accessible and engaging learning spaces. Libraries existed in India during the ancient and medieval periods. The library is the primary requirement of the university. University libraries have a paramount role in developing university education in the country. The present chapter highlights the historical development of libraries, committees, and commissions on university libraries in India.

Introduction

This chapter reviews literature related to the current study on Quality of Work Life (QWL). Scrutiny of the available literature is of great value in gaining insight into the research problem. It is beneficial for strengthening the research problem. As there are fewer studies on QWL in the university libraries in Kerala, the works reported in other places were also reviewed. Hence, the available studies related to the topic are exhaustively reviewed. The review covers studies on the subject made at the regional, national, and international levels.

Introduction

Human beings are the most critical components of an organization. The organization’s survival has improved all the facets contributing to its success. In a competitive world, human resources are sine qua non in an organization. Quality of work life (QWL) is critical for deciding organizational employee- related outcomes. Human resource management has a unique role in any organization. Organizational goals in an organization are achieved through planning, organization, staffing, direction, coordination, and control. 

HCI is the study of how people interact with computers, especially as it relates to technology design. User-centered design, UI and UX are combined with HCI to provide intuitive technology and products.

Human-computer interaction (HCI) is the field of study that focuses on optimizing how users and computers interact by designing interactive computer interfaces that satisfy users' needs. It is a multidisciplinary subject covering computer science, behavioral sciences, cognitive science, ergonomics, psychology, and design principles. HCI focuses on designing, implementing and evaluating interactive interfaces that enhance user experience using computing devices.

In the broadest sense, a network is any interconnected group of people or things capable of sharing meaningful information with one another. In a technology context, the network is usually short for "computer network" or "data network" and implies that computers are the things sharing meaningful information. At a conceptual level, all data networks consist of nodes, which refers to any computer or digital device using the network and links, the physical connections (either wired or wireless) that carry messages between nodes.

Management of information system

A management information system (MIS) is an information system used for decision-making, coordination, control, analysis, and visualization of information in an organization. The study of management information systems involves people, processes and technology in an organizational context. MIS professionals help firms realize maximum benefit from investment in personnel, equipment and business processes. MIS is a people-oriented field with an emphasis on service through technology. MIS is a system that aids management in making, carrying out, and controlling decisions.

Data refers to any collection of facts, observations, measurements, or values that are typically numerical, but can also be qualitative. It's raw material that can be processed and organized to provide context, relevance, and meaning. In its raw form, data may not carry any specific meaning and might appear as a series of numbers, text, symbols, or images.

Types of Data

• Quantitative Data: Numerical data that can be measured and expressed with numbers (e.g., height, weight, temperature).

Artificial intelligence is founded on the idea that human intelligence may be described in such a way that a computer can simply imitate it and carry out tasks ranging from simple to sophisticated. Artificial intelligence is assisting several agricultural sectors in increasing output and efficiency. In every industry, AI technologies are assisting in overcoming traditional hurdles.

AI intervention in agriculture is assisting farmers in increasing their farming efficiency while reducing harmful environmental impacts. The agriculture business has embraced AI with open arms in order to improve overall results. The way food is produced is changing as a result of artificial intelligence. Incorporating AI technology into agriculture aids in the control and management of any unwelcome natural occurrence.

Multimedia refers to the integration of various forms of media, including text, audio, video, graphics, and animations, to convey information or entertainment. It's a powerful tool used in various fields due to its ability to engage multiple senses simultaneously.

Aspects of Multimedia

• Text: Written content forms the basis of multimedia, providing information, context, and explanations.
• Audio: Sound elements, such as music, narration, or sound effects, enhance the overall experience, making content more engaging and informative.

e-Learning

It is the concept of learning which is conducted via electronic media. This is usually via the Internet but can also be offline with a CD-Rom or DVD. Examples of e-Learning in icar: e krishi siksha, e-agri diksha web education channel of icar and virtual classroom of icar.

Advantages

• It promotes active and independent learning
• An efficient way of delivering courses as the resources are available from anywhere and at any time
• Students can interact with their peers from all around the world through group discussions and private chats
• The studying material can be accessed an unlimited number of times.