eChapters

A

Acervulus (pl. Acervuli)—A saucer-shaped, spore-producing body of a fungus embedded in host tissue.

Actinomycetes—Filamentous bacteria that produce several antibiotics and give soil its earthy smell.

Active ingredient: In pesticides, the chemical responsible for the desired effect.

Aggressiveness: Virulent forms of pathogen cause differing degrees of symptom severity.

Alternate Host—One of two kinds of plants on which a parasitic fungus (e.g., rust) must develop to complete its life cycle.

Anamorph—Asexual stage of a fungus.

Antagonism: The counteraction between organisms or groups of organisms.

Plants, with the help of photosynthesis, convert simple molecules (like carbon dioxide and water) into more complex molecules (anabolism) through various chemical reactions. Animals synthesize more complex molecules (anabolism) from monomer units through multiple chemical reactions. Anabolism refers to a biosynthesis process involving the sequences of biochemical reactions by which complex molecules are formed in living cells from available monomer units. Anabolic processes include the biosynthesis of complex biomolecules like carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. The anabolic processes require energy from high-energy bond compounds like ATP.
The anabolic processes related to the biosynthesis of carbohydrates include
(1) Gluconeogenesis and
(2) Glycogenesis
11.1 Gluconeogenesis
Gluconeogenesis is the synthesis of new glucose molecules from noncarbohydrate molecules. The non-carbohydrate molecules that are used for gluconeogenesis are derived from glycolysis, lipolysis, and proteolysis. Examples are pyruvate, lactate, glycerol, and glucogenic amino acids. The liver and kidneys are the preferred organs for the gluconeogenesis process. It also occurs to some extent in the brain. Blood glucose levels are maintained at physiological concentrations through the process of gluconeogenesis in humans and ruminants. The blood glucose drops below normal levels during various conditions like fasting, starvation, pregnancy, lactation, fever, and low carbohydrate diets.

(Method of Froesch and Renold, 1956; Froesch et al., 1957)
Enzymatic with Glucose-oxidase / Peroxidase

Introduction

Glucose oxidase enzyme specific for the oxidation of glucose, was discovered in a fungus preparation by Müller in 1928. This enzyme is present in bacteria and in moulds such as (Pencillium notatum), which promotes the oxidation of glucose (b-ring form) to gluconic acid with the production of an equivalent amount of hydrogen peroxide. Normal values for whole blood glucose oxidase are 60 to 90 mg/100 ml. Results by the enzyme methods are lower than by the best “true  sugar” reduction methods largely because of their specificity, but inhibition of glucose oxidase by uric acid may be a contributory factor. In suspected cases of diabetes, values below 120 mg per 100 ml call for further investigation, for example, by glucose tolerance test. Due to the presence of glycolytic enzymes in red cells, blood must be collected into an antiglycolytic/anti-coagulant preservative, if there is to be a delay of more than 1 to 2 h. in processing or estimation. A fluoride/oxalate mixture, containing 2 mg of fluoride per ml of blood, is suitable and the glucose content will then remain unchanged for upto 3 days at 4ºC.

A glucose syrup is defined as ‘A purified and concentrated aqueous solution of nutritive saccharides derived from starch’, and having the following characteristics:

1. Dry matter of not less than 70%.
2. A dextrose equivalent (DE), expressed as d-glucose, of not less than 20% based on dry matter.
3. A sulphated ash content of not more than 1% on a dry basis.

Starch has a DE value of zero, whilst dextrose, the final end product of starch hydrolysis, has a DE value of 100. For the lay person, the term dextrose equivalent or DE can be regarded as an indication of how far the conversion process from starch to dextrose has gone. While technically DE is a measure of the total reducing sugars present in a glucose syrup.

Introduction

Wheat is the most important cereal crop to the human kind. It is the main source of energy and nutrition in human diet. Wheat is consumed in the form of large number of end products as chapati, bread, biscuit, cakes, pretzels, noodles and pasta products. Millions of people are involved in milling, baking and pasta products industry with huge turnover per annum. However, each end-use product of wheat has it’s own specific requirement for example basically hard wheats along with strong gluten and high protein content are used for bead making. Soft wheat with weak gluten and low protein content are required for biscuit making Souza et al. (1994). Durum (tetraploid) wheat is used for pasta products as macaroni, vermicelli and spheghatti and Dicoccum for therapeautic purposes. Often chemical improvers are used to improve the dough properties for these products. Most of these chemicals have been banned because of their toxic effects. Therefore, only alternative is to develop varieties suited to meet the requirements of these end-use products. This needs better understanding of molecular basis of grain quality to accelerate breeding for producing wheat varieties for each end-use product separately. Storage proteins are the major component of grain which determines end-product quality. In this chapter detailed structure, genetics and functionality of gluten proteins are described.

Glycogenesis helps to maintain blood glucose, as it is a primary source of energy for every cell. An inadequate supply of glucose to the body may lead to the failure of the vital organs. Glucose, when in excess, is synthesized into glycogen and stored (glycogenesis), mainly in the liver and muscles (including the uterus). It is also found in other tissues, such as the kidney, brain, heart, and adipose tissues. The stored liver glycogen is broken down (glycogenolysis) into blood glucose when needed. Still, the glycogen stored in muscle is broken down to glucose 1-phosphate and converted to blood glucose later. Either the synthesis or breakdown pathway is primarily active at a time in tissues. Glycogen synthesis and its breakdown are not reversible processes.
The percentage of glycogen stored in skeletal muscles is less ( 1% to 2%) than in the liver (10%). Still, the total quantity of glycogen is greater in muscles due to their greater mass than an animal’s total liver mass. Muscle mass, on average, ranges from 40 to 45 % of body weight for the most mature mammals.
Glycogen synthesis (glycogenesis) is an anabolic process forming a branched homopolysaccharide made of several chains of alpha D-glucose units linked by α-1,4 glycosidic bonds in a linear chain and nearly every ten glucose residues; the chain branches off via α-1,6 glycosidic linkages. The α-glycosidic bonds give rise to a helical polymer structure. The number of glucose units in a single glycogen molecule varies (1,700 to -600,000 units). The glycogen granules are formed on the glycogenin protein in the center, so it acts as a primer, and their number determines the total number of glycogen particles.

Glycogen breakdown is known as glycogenolysis. This breakdown occurs in the cytoplasm of cells of the organs, wherein glycogen is stored. The end product of glycolysis is glucose in the liver, which is glucose-1-phosphate in skeletal muscles.
Glycogen is a polysaccharide synthesized from glucose monomers. Glycogen is stored in the cell instead of glucose because glucose requires more water, whereas glycogen can be stored with much less water. Most of the stored glycogen is in the liver (5% of body weight) and muscle (1 to 2 % of body weight). Muscle and liver glycogen undergo glycolysis for different purposes. Muscle glycogen provides energy for muscular activity, whereas liver glycogen helps to maintain the blood glucose level.
Glycogen contains many glucose residues (up to 120,000) linked by alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds, forming a straight chain. Glycogen has branches at alpha 1-6 glycosidic bonds at every ten glucose residues. At the reducing end, the carbon one of glucose is free, whereas it is not accessible in the case of non-reducing ends.

Glycolysis involves a series of reactions to extract energy from glucose to
release two molecules with three carbons called pyruvate. The process is not
dependent on oxygen but can occur under aerobic and anaerobic conditions,
releasing different end products. Under aerobic conditions, the pyruvate formed
is then oxidized in the mitochondria to CO2 and H2O. The energy released in
glycolysis is in the form of ATP (High Energy Bond). All the reaction steps
occur in the cytoplasm, as it is the extramitochondrial pathway. In anaerobic
conditions and the absence of mitochondria (RBC), the end product of
glycolysis is lactic acid.
The net reaction of Glycolysis (anaerobic) may be summarized as under
Glucose + 2ADP + 2Pi → 2 Lactate + 2ATP
7.1 Steps in EMP Cycle or Glycolytic Pathway
Table 7.1: Steps and enzymes of glycolysis or EMP cycle.

Glycosides are compounds containing a carbohydrate and a non carbohydrate residue in the same molecule. They are the complex polysaccharides which are chemically heterogeneous collection of substances, which have in common one property that the molecules are linked together and contain at least one sugar unit. The term glycoside represents a group of compound containing glucose and one or more basic or acidic organic compound in chemical combination. When the sugar other than glucose is present, it is called glycoside. Each sugar is linked through a glycosidic bond to either a non sugar component, aglycones, (aglycone or aglucone is the nonsugar molecule in glycosides).

Biotech crops or genetically modified (GM) crops or the transgenic crops are those crop plants into which certain genes have been introduced from unrelated sources beyond the boundary of sexual compatibility using techniques which bypass the normal sexual cycle. The transgenic production technology uses recombinant DNA technology where a recombinant DNA molecule is a vector into which the desired DNA fragment has been inserted to enable its cloning in an appropriate host. The recombinant DNA technology has opened up the flood gate of plant biotechnology to produce plants which are equipped with novel genes to produce products never heard of that a plant will do. Now transgenics in several crops have been commercialized globally. The importance and potential of GM crops can be realized from the fact that acreage under such crops at global level has reached to 189.8 million ha covering 24 countries in 2017. One can have a feel of this huge acreage under commercialized GM crops globally if it is compared with about total cultivated area of 143 million ha in India.

Over the last 30 years field of agricultural biotechnology has expanded rapidly due to greater understanding of DNA as the chemical double helix code from which genes are made. Genetic engineering is one of the modern biotechnology tools that are based on recombinant DNA technology. The term genetic engineering, often interchanged with terms such as gene technology, genetic modification, or gene manipulation, is used to describe the process by which the genetic makeup of an organism can be altered using “recombinant DNA technology.” This involves the use of laboratory tools and specific enzymes to cut out, insert, and alter pieces of DNA that contain one or more genes of interest. The ability to manipulate individual genes and to transfer genes between species that would not readily cross is what distinguishes genetic engineering from traditional plant breeding and opens up a huge opportunity to create crop plants equipped with desirable genes from the sources which cannot be sexually crossed. With conventional plant breeding, there is little or no guarantee of obtaining any particular gene combination from the millions of crosses generated. Undesirable genes can be transferred along with desirable genes or while one desirable gene is gained, another is lost because the genes of both parents are mixed together and re-assorted more or less randomly in the offspring. These are the major limitations of conventional crop breeding.

Transgenic varieties combine genes from totally unrelated species. For example, we can now transfer genes for salinity tolerance to rice from mangroves. The recombinant DNA technology is part of the evolution of genetics starting with the rediscovery of Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance in 1900. In the early part of the twentieth century, various techniques like irradiation, use of chemical mutagens and doubling of chromosomes through colchicine treatment were adopted to develop novel genetic combinations.  Today such gene transfer can be done with both precision and ease through recombinant DNA technology. Both molecular marker-assisted breeding and gene transfer now play a very important role in developing genetic combinations to meet the challenges rising from biotic (i.e., pest and diseases) and abiotic (i.e., drought, flood, sea level rise, etc.) stresses. They will gain further importance in the emerging era of climate change. Varieties developed by marker-assisted selection are also eligible for certification under the protocol for products produced through organic farming.

1. GMP

Good manufacturing practices and requirements of premises, plant and equipment for pharmaceutical products

To achieve the objectives listed below, each licensee shall evolve appropriate methodology, systems and procedures which shall be documented and maintained for inspection and reference; and the manufacturing premises shall be used exclusively for production of drugs and no other manufacturing activity shall be undertaken therein.

Introduction

Meat derived from animals are subjected to various contaminations from number of sources. The animal itself is a major contributor of both pathogenic and spoilage organisms. Further contamination may be introduced from water used, equipment used for product preparation, from the meat handlers and the surrounding environment. Microbiological problems such as food poisoning or spoilage may arise when the desired effect is not achieved and is usually due to errors in the handling or processing procedures. The detection and rapid correction of such errors and their future prevention is a major objective of any quality control system.

In traditional approach to meat and meat product quality control system, only the samples of the final product were analyzed by laboratory test to check for compliance with specifications. However, the responsibility for control of hazards rests with individuals involved in all stages from farm to ultimate consumer. And the control of hazards at each stages of food chain may be achieved by Hazard Analysis Critical control point (HACCP). Hazard analysis critical control point is an internationally recognized system that helps to ensure the manufacture of safe food products. HACCP is not a zero risk system but rather a system designated to minimize the risk of food safety hazards. HACCP concept is a systematic and rational approach Firstly by consideration of the hazards i.e., microorganisms or their toxins, that need to be controlled in a specific operation by structured hazard analysis and secondly on the identification of the most effective means of controlling the identified hazards. This system, by focusing attention on the factor that directly affects the microbiological safety and quality of meat foods, eliminates wasteful use of resources and superfluous consideration. As a consequence, the cost/benefit relationships are more favorable. The system is applicable at all levels of meat food chain from farm production through processing, transporting, merchandising and ultimate use in the meat food service establishment or at home. Ensuring food safety and quality is the responsibility of all links in the food chain. Now a day’s food consumers are very much health conscious and they want their food to be safe and of good quality. As meat being highly perishable and high risk food product, it is very much imperative on the part of meat and meat products producers and exporters to produce safe and quality meat to stand in the competitive world and further hygienic meat processing is important not only to provide safe and wholesome meat but to provide a good public image and to increase consumer demand.

31.1 Introduction
A fundamental element of quality assurance is good manufacturing practice (GMP), which ensures that goods are consistently produced and regulated according to the quality standards suitable for their intended application and as outlined by the marketing license. The primary objective of GMP is to mitigate risks in pharmaceutical manufacture, which may be categorised into two main types: erroneous labelling and cross-contamination/mix-ups. Primarily, manufacturers must guarantee that their goods are safe, effective, and of adequate quality; hence, risk assessment has become a crucial component of WHO quality assurance guidelines.
31.2 Implementation of HACCP
31.2.1 HACCP Preamble and Definitions Preamble
1. The introductory portion of this publication delineates the concepts of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system as endorsed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. This section provides broad recommendations for system application, recognising that implementation specifics may differ according to the food operation’s unique conditions.
2. The HACCP system, grounded in scientific principles and methodical methodology, identifies specific dangers and implements control measures to assure food safety. It functions as an instrument for hazard evaluation and the implementation of control systems aimed at prevention rather than predominantly on final product testing. The HACCP system is flexible, allowing for modifications in equipment design, processing methods, or technology innovations.
3. HACCP is relevant across the whole food chain, from initial production to ultimate consumption, and its use must be guided by scientific knowledge on dangers to human health. In addition to improving food safety, the use of HACCP can provide other substantial advantages. Furthermore, the use of HACCP systems can streamline regulatory inspections and enhance international trade by increasing confidence in food safety.

Goat anatomy

Understanding of the basic structure and functioning of goats is required to maintain the health and productivity of goats. Anatomy deals with the form and structure of the animal whereas physiology deals with the mechanism of body functions.

The skeleton of goat is made up of the vertebral column, ribs and skull, the limbs, and the joints. There are 7 neck (cervical) vertebrae, 13 chest (thoracic) vertebrae, 6 or 7 lumbar vertebrae, 4 pelvic (sacral) vertebrae and between 4 and 8 tail (coccygeal) vertebrae.The ribs are elongated, curved bones that form the ribcage, which is the skeleton of the thoracic cavity (chest). There are 13 pairs of ribs attached to each side of the thoracic vertebrae. Most of them are fixed i.e. they are joined to the sternum (breastbone) at the front of the chest but the last two pairs are not attached at the front and are called floating ribs.The skull includes all the bones of the head. It consists of a number of flat bones that form immovable joints, most of which disappear with age; and a lower jaw bone (mandible), which forms movable joints with the other parts of the skull.The limbs include forelegs (thoracic limbs) and hindlegs (pelvic limbs). The forelegs consist of shoulder,forearm and a lower limb made up of carpus,metacarpus and phalanges. The hind legs consist of pelvic girdle, thigh, and a lower limb made up of tarsus, metatarsus and phalanges.

The joints are where two or more bones of cartilages meet. There are two main kinds of joints.Fixed or immovable joints have no joint cavity and are united by fibrous tissue or cartilage. Many of these are temporary joints which become fixed as calcium accumulates in the flexible tissues and turns to bone (calcifies) with age. Examples are the joints in theskull, the joints of ribs to vertebrae, and the pelvic and mandibular symphyses (midline joints).Movable joints have a joint cavity surrounded by ajoint capsule. There are two opposing bone surfaces,which have smooth surfaces of very dense bone.

Movable joints have cartilages between the bones to reduce friction and absorb concussion. The inner lining of the joint capsule is the synovial layer, which produces synovial fluid (joint fluid). Examples include joints of the limbs, such as the shoulder and the hip, and the joint between the skull and the vertebral column.

In India, goats are known as “poor man's cow” because they are an important source of income for poor and landless people. They can be reared on cheaper resources easily than other livestock.

Goats come under the genus Capra have evolved from five wild species, including Capra hircus (which includes Bezoar), Capra ibex, Capra caucasica, Capra pyrenaica, and Capra falconeri. This evolutionary pattern contributes to their phenotypic diversity and adaptability to various environments. The chromosome profile of goats (specifically the Capra hircus species) reveals some interesting features which are as follows:

Chromosome Number
The modal chromosome number for goats is 60.
These chromosomes can be categorized into different types based on their centromere position:
Autosomes: These are either acrocentric or telocentric.
X Chromosome: It is acrocentric.
Y Chromosome: It is submetacentric.

Identification

Quinacrine-mustard staining and fluorescence microscopy allow us to identify 28 out of 30 chromosome pairs in goats.

Goat is the 1st domesticated animal in the ancient age and has been considered to be the Poor Man’s Cow Goat’s meat is lean & has low fat and the demand for goat’s meat is increasing, with rising prices. Goats usually give birth to twins & triplets. Goat is a multi functional animal and plays a significant role in the economy and nutrition of landless, small and marginal farmers in the country. Goat rearing is an enterprise which has been practiced by a large section of population in rural areas. It can efficiently survive on available shrubs and trees in adverse harsh environment in low fertility lands where no other crop can be grown. In pastoral and agricultural subsistence societies in India, goats are kept as a source of additional income for their meat, hair fiber, and dairy, or as a pet. Goats are also used in ceremonial feastings and for the payment of social dues. According to FAO (2008) goat milk production in India were 4 million metric tons, Bangladesh 2.16 million metric tons and the Sudan 1.47 million metric tons over much of the world. Goats are among the main meat-producing animals in India, whose meat (chevon) is one of the choicest meats and has huge domestic demand (Shalander Kumar, 2007). Goat rearing is an enterprise which has been practiced by a large section of population in rural areas. Goats can efficiently survive on available shrubs and trees in adverse harsh environment in low fertility lands where no other crop can be grown. (Oberoi et al., 199I) reported that in variable cost, expenditure on labour was the major component of cost and was 81% under goat farming.

Abstract

From the vedic time itself goat is popularly known as a poor man’s cow in India. It has the proven potential to make significant contribution to the poor man’s economy thus livelihood with minimal requirement of care. It can be easily managed by women and children in spare time as it is small-sized animal. Other maintenance requirement like feeding, milking and care of goats do not require much equipment and hard work. Capital investment and feeding costs are also quite low. It not only supplies nutritious and easily digestible milk but goat meat has high demand and price in the market thus can act as regular source of additional income for poor and landless or marginal farmers. Also the role of women in goat keeping is very significant in the poor rural families and goat is the most important means through which rural women are able to contribute meaningfully to the cash needs for their family members. Thus, goat rearing can play very important role in balanced socio-economic development of the country as there is a close relationship between the status of women and the socioeconomic development of any country (Alam, 2001 and Ahmed, 2017).

Gujarat state blessed with rich goat genetic resources. Recognized goat breeds in the state are Kutchi, Surti, Zalawadi, Mehsanba and Gohilwadi which have been the integral component of small, marginal farmers, landless labourers and significantly contribute rural livelihood. These breeds excel in drought capacity, disease resistance and better adapted to harsh local climatic conditions under extensive production system. The population status and breeding tract of goat breeds are given in Table 1.

The goat genetic resources (AnGR) of state may be important assets for having the valuable adaptive traits that they have developed over long periods of time, such as:

Introduction

Uttarakhand has a mix of almost all domesticated species of livestock, very large in number and very low in productivity across the board. In economic terms they are a wealth indeed, low productivity not with standing, as the sector supports livelihoods of nearly 80 percent of the rural households in the state, at least in part in the majority of cases and in full in some (tribal and nomads exclusively living off livestock).

Livestock production in Uttarakhand is the endeavor of the small holder (marginal, small and landless) and takes place in millions of small and tiny holdings scattered across the state. The predominant farming system is mixed crop livestock farming, both in the plains as well as the hills, irrigated in the plains and rainfed in the hills.

Historical background of dairy goats

Small ruminants sector plays an important role in the national economy. This enterprise is associated with social and cultural fabric of millions of resource poor farmers. Small ruminant especially goats gain importance mainly on account of their short generation intervals, higher rates of prolificacy and the ease with which they can be marketed. They are very useful in semi-arid and arid zone where they can sustain themselves on sparse vegetation and esteemed climatic conditions.
 
There are four main breeds of dairy goats commonly found in Western Country, namely, Alpine, Nubians, Saanens and Toggenburgs. They are considered to be the best milking breeds of the world. All these four breeds have recently been introduced in India for improvement of milk quality of local goats. These breeds have been improved by selection, upgrading, and the wise use of pedigree records and registration over a period of more than half a century in Europe and North America.

Our nation happens to be the largest producer of goat milk globally and it is high time that we use this to our advantage. India happens to be one of the fastest growing economies of the world and the IMF projects our GDP is set to rise at a healthy rate of 5.9 % in 2023, the highest among all other economies.

Goat Production in Field Conditions

We are an agro-based nation with 70% of our population residing in rural areas. As we deliberate today on the best possible ways to facilitate natural goat farming, we have to remember that such traditional agrarian practices is the essence of our Indian ethos, from ancient times. Such wisdom has been passed on for generations and it is great to witness that the world is waking up to the benefits of the natural versus the synthetic be it in clothing or food or lifestyle in general.

Abstract

Goat farming was the important part from the economy point of the view; especially in the Mediterranean and Middle East region where goat is also called as “Cow of poor man”. Goat milk have unique compositional characteristics like, lower ethanol stability, higher content of short- and medium-chain fatty acids. It is a rich source of calcium, phosphorous, chlorine, and vitamins. It is highly digestible and has a mild laxative effect. Along with these, who are suffering from anemia, osteoporosis and malabsorption, they should consume Goat milk. Goat milk is a functional and nutraceutical property as it both nutritional and additional health benefit such as easily digestible, boost immunity and metabolism, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic to consumer this lead to increasing demand for goat milk and derived dairy products. Goat milk can be used to manufacture a wide variety of products, including fluid, fermented, frozen, acid coagulated, and dehydrated milk products.

The aim of this chapter is to highlight the physical and chemical properties, nutritional and health benefit of Goat milk. Goat milk based some popular products are also discussed in order to provide some basic information regarding the value addition of Goat milk.

Synonyms : Variola capra

It is a malignant disease of goats characterized by high rise of body temperature and generalized pock lesions.

Distribution : Goat pox has been reported from all parts of the world. Various workers have reported the  outbreaks of the disease from different states of India. It is widely prevalent in W.B. and may attain epidemic proportion with mortality rate of 80% in kid and ~50% in adults.

India is home to rich animal resources; it is a source of sustainable livelihood and support during the subsistence crisis of farmers. As per the “First Revised Estimates of National Income, Consumption Expenditure and Capital Formation for 2020-21” released by National Statistical Office (NSO), MoSPI the Gross Value Added (GVA) of livestock sector is about Rs. 11,14,249 crores at current prices during FY 2020-21 which is about 30.87% of Agricultural and Allied Sector GVA and 6.17% of total GVA. At constant prices (2011-12), the GVA of livestock sector is about Rs. 6,17,117 crores during FY 2020-21 with a growth of 6.13% over previous financial year. It contributes about 3.9% to national GDP and 24.8% to agricultural GDP (At 2011-12 Prices) in 2013-14 (GoI 2022). According to the report Situational Assessment of Agricultural Households by the NSSO, a compounded annual income growth rate of 13.7% was observed between 2003 and 2013. Restructuring agriculture processes & policy interventions required to increase the income in real terms (ICFA, 2016). About 29% rural population in the country is below poverty line .Major source of livelihood of rural people is crops, however, it is largely restricted by uncertain and erratic precipitation and low input production system, compelling them for poverty and distress migration. Whereas, small ruminants possess an mechanism for coping up draught because of better adaptability and mobility as compared to crops and large ruminants. Livestock particularly sheep and goat rearing in India is closely interwoven with crop farming. Households cultivating less than 2.0 ha of land (marginal and small) are the main custodian and possess more than 76% goat and 70% of sheep population of the country respectively.

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.

Gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa), commonly called globe amaranth, globe flower or bachelor’s button, is an important loose and dry flower crop. Its spherical, long-lasting flower heads make it particularly valuable in the dry flower industry. The chapter describes its origin, distribution, genetics, botanical characteristics and important cultivars. Gomphrena is also notable for betalain pigments and its C4 photosynthetic pathway, which contributes to heat tolerance and moderate drought resistance. Production practices covered include climate and soil requirements, propagation, nursery management, land preparation, nutrient management, irrigation and intercultural operations. The chapter also addresses pest and disease management, harvesting for fresh and dried flowers, postharvest handling and yield.

ABSTRACT

Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Dairy Farming Practices (GDFPs) is the need of hours because of the several burgeoning issues like-climate change, low food quality etc. GDFPs concept was introduced in 2004 by International Dairy Federation/Food and Agriculture Organization (IDF/FAO) and it was later updated in 2011. GAPs ensure quality food produce that ultimately leads to better heath. Good Agricultural Practices for dairy farmers is about implementing sound practices on dairy farms – collectively called Good Dairy Farming Practices. These practices need to ensure that the milk and milk products produced are safe and suitable for their intended use, and also that the dairy farm enterprise is viable into the future, from the economic, social and environmental perspectives. Since, dairy farmers are in the practice of producing food for human consumption, they must have confidence in the production of safety and quality of the milk. Since the introduction of the concept in 2004, the importance is growing in various countries, and agencies including private, individual farm house or farmers etc. GAPs and GDFPs underpin the production of food and milk that satisfies the highest expectations of the food industry and consumers. Both of these practices are capable of bring good prices to the farmers at their door steps. But the real issues are that both the practices are labour intensive and requires extra care — so, here the concept of ‘family farming’ may come handy. Today, in Punjab and Haryana due to urbanization the land has become too costly and that’s way these days the whole attention of the farmers including their sons’ are on real estate and that is threat to our sustainable development. So, if we want to attract and retain youth in Agriculture then GAPs and GDFPs are panacea for that- as both have greater scope to fetch fair and remunerative prices of the agricultural produce and product.

The increasing awareness of the deleterious effects of indiscriminate use of artificial inputs in agriculture such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides hasled to the adoption of organic farming as an alternative method for conventional farming. Farmers are adopting organic farming due to the advantages like,

• It is self-sustaining and socially and ecologically superior over the conventional farming.
• It makes use of cost effective management practices involving the use of farm inputs produced within the farm.
• It is less expensive.
• It is environment friendly as there is no pollution of soil and water.
• It enriches the soil and the local ecology.
• The produce is free of contamination from chemical residues has better taste, flavour and nutritional value.
• Seeds have more vitality and are good for successive generations.
• Growing markets for safe food

Good Agricultural Practices

Guidelines for Good Agricultural Practices of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants is intended to apply to the growing and primary processing of all such plants traded and used in food, feed, pharmaceutical, flavouring and perfume industries. The main aim is to ensure that the raw material meets the demands of the consumer and maintains standards of the highest purity. Important aspects are that, these are produced hygienically, in order to reduce microbial load to a minimum, and are produced with care, so that the negative impacts affecting plant during cultivation, processing and storage can be minimised. The guidelines provide guidance for producers to reduce raw material contamination to the lowest level. This document can be used in bilateral relationship between the supplier and the customer and the products documentation is regarded confidentiall (EUROPAM).

During the latter part of the 20^th century, rapid economic development in most countries coupled with population growth propelled the inevitable demand for more food and manufactured goods. However, requirement of more food is placing unprecedented demands on agriculture and natural resources. Humans have made agriculture the dominant environmental threat by clearing forests, cultivating marginal lands, and intensifying farming in sensitive landscapes and watersheds. Most of the land use systems in the tropics are characterized by a rapid decline in productivity and high rates of soil and environmental degradation which need to be addressed in a proper way.

Agriculture has changed radically since the end of World War II. Productivity of most crops has scaled to new levels because of the adoption of new technologies, machines, increased chemical inputs, and government policies. However, continuing agricultural production without harming the environment is a challenge, which must be tackled along with economic growth. Some of the environmental issues related to agriculture are top soil loss, groundwater contamination, air pollution, greenhouse gas emission, decline of family farms neglect of the working conditions of farm labourers, new threats to human health and safety by the spread of new pathogens, economic concentration in food and agricultural industries, and disintegration of rural communities (Brodt et al, 2011). This situation prompted world nations, political leaders, scientists and planners to pay more attention to the concept of sustainable development. As a concept, sustainability is concerned with the continuity of environmental economic, and social aspects of human society.

Introduction

With the major thrust of extension agencies now focused on production techniques, the market-led extension holds the key to the future. This assumes greater significance in the light of the new international trading regime under WTO as the export opportunities are now being opened-up to India, which may have direct implications on agro-enterprise development.

In the light of the above, the extension functionaries in India are presently ill-equipped to deal with such challenges. It appears now that the production of the agri-produce is going to be dictated by market requirements. In this age of WTO, the extension methodology also needs to work out for dissemination of good agricultural practices to the farmers based on internationally accepted standards. This recommendation has now been made in the 05th National Extension Education Congress held in 2009 jointly conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and CS Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (Proceedings of the 05th National Extension Education Congress, March 05-09, 2009, ICAR and CSAU, Kanpur). 

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The crop production is as old as human civilization, it is an art, science and business. In the world of ‘Fast Food,’ food safety is a watch word. To accomplish safety food to consumers and fair price to producers through appropriate market channels, the concept of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) has evolved in recent years. The stakeholders include governments, food processing and retailing industries, farmers, and consumers, who seek to meet specific objectives of food security, food quality, production efficiency, livelihoods and environmental benefits in both the medium and long term. GAP offers a means to help reach those objectives.

Agricultural practices in India remained virtually unchanged for over 2000 years till 1950-60. With technological advancement in medicine and improvement in health care services, population in India substantially increased in the post independence period. The result was that there was acute shortage of food during 1960s and India had to import massive quantities of wheat from USA to avert famine. Most of these food shipments were in the form of aid. It was then that Government of India realised the gravity of situation and invested heavily in agricultural research. Fortunately, during this period food research laboratories in the West developed hybrid varieties of seeds to suit various types of soil and climatic conditions. At the same time new types of fertilizers and pesticides were introduced which showed dramatic increase in the yield. The agricultural research laboratories in India were able to build on this research and provided extension services to adopt new agricultural techniques to farms in India. This led to dramatic improvement in agricultural production which was hailed as “Green Revolution”. Within two decades a country perennially deficient in food and subject to cyclic famines became a food surplus country in spite of the fact that there was a continuous rise in population which doubled in 30 years after independence. This trend continued into 1980’s when Government built huge buffer stocks of wheat and rice to meet the needs during lean production years.

However the momentum of Green Revolution could not be maintained and certain disturbing trends were noticed in 1990s. The growth rate in productivity declined from 2.99 per cent per annum to 1.21 per cent This was not because we had come to a technical plateau our yields of various products are still quite low as compared to those achieved by developed countries and even some of the developing countries.

GAP stands for “Good Agricultural Practices” which are used for production of safe agricultural produce which has zero microbial load on it and inside it. It is important for the producer to be acquainted with GAP.

Good Agricultural Practice of horticultural crops are intended to apply to the growing and processing of all produce as traded and used in the European Union. Hence, they apply to the production of all plant materials used in the food, feed and medicinal industries. They also apply to all methods of production including organic production in accordance with the European Union regulations.

The farmers involved in the cultivation of horticultural produce should ensure that the there is no damage to the existing wild life and the biodiversity in the farms which are maintained. It is advisable to regulate wild gathering by a specific guideline.

The main aim of GAP guidelines is to ensure that the produce meets the demand of the consumer and is of high quality standard.

It is therefore, important that they are produced hygienically, in order to reduce microbiological load to a minimum. They are produced with care, so that negative effect on plants in the course of cultivation, processing and storage is limited.

All participants in the production process are required to comply with these guidelines voluntarily and to develop practical measures to achieve it.

A key question facing agricultural scientists in the 21^st century is how to produce sufficient amounts of food, feed and farm income while protecting and improving environmental quality (Robertson and Swinton, 2005). Intensive soil tillage, mismanagement of land, water and fertilizers had severe negative economic, environmental and social consequences (Foley et al., 2011; Godfray and Garnett, 2014; Tilman et al., 2011). Presently depletion and / or degradation of natural resources (land, water, and biodiversity), decreasing farm profitability, low input use efficiency (fertilizer, water, energy, pesticides, and labor), environmental pollution (soil, water, air), climate change and scarcity of farm labour are threatening the sustainability of crop production systems.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) are vital components of traditional medicine, perfumery, and cosmetics. To ensure the quality and sustainability of these plants, it is essential to adopt Good Collection and Agricultural Practices (GCAP). GCAP encompasses a set of guidelines and practices that promote the responsible cultivation, collection, and harvesting of MAPs.
Principles of GCAP
Sustainability: Ensure that the cultivation and collection of MAPs are sustainable and do not harm the environment or deplete natural resources. Quality: Maintain the highest quality standards for MAPs, from cultivation to harvesting and processing.
Traceability: Ensure that MAPs are traceable from the farm to the consumer, to guarantee authenticity and quality.
Fair Trade: Promote fair trade practices, ensuring that farmers and collectors receive fair prices for their products.
Environmental Stewardship: Protect biodiversity, conserve water, and minimize waste and pollution.
Agricultural Practices
Soil Conservation: Implement soil conservation techniques, such as contour farming and mulching, to prevent soil erosion.

Principle

Good documentation constitutes an essential part of the quality assurance system. Clearly written documentation prevents errors from spoken communication and permits tracing of batch history. Specifications, Manufacturing Formulae and instructions, procedures, and records must be free from errors and available in writing. The legibility of documents is of paramount importance.

General

Specifications describe in detail the requirements with which the products or materials used or obtained during manufacture have to conform. They serve as a basis for quality evaluation. Manufacturing Formulae, Processing and Packaging Instructions state all the starting materials used and lay down all processing and packaging operations.

Procedures give directions for performing certain operations e.g. cleaning, clothing, environmental control, sampling, testing, and equipment operations.

Records provide a history of each batch of product, including its distribution, and also of all other relevant circumstances pertinent for the quality of the final product.

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.

In recent years the terms "governance" and "good governance" are being used frequently in development literature. The concept of good governance is related to all branches of social sciences, especially, to political science, public administration, and economics. The term governance has become synonymous to sound development management. The concept of "governance" not new, it is as old as government itself. The term governance has become synonymous to sound development management. In recent times the concept of Good Governance first emerged in the mid-1980s as governability with the emphasis on adherence to the rule of law.

• General considerations

 • Purpose

 • Scope

 • Five pillars of GLP

 • Good laboratory practice principles

• Test facility organization and personnel

 • Quality assurance programme

 • Facilities

 • Apparatus, materials and reagents

 • Test systems

 • Test and reference items

 • Standard operating procedures

 • Performance of the study

1. Introduction:- Ensuring Quality and Success in Assisted Reproductive
Technology through Good Laboratory Practices Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in animals has become an increasingly vital set of techniques with wide-ranging applications across agriculture, wildlife conservation, and biomedical research. These technologies, encompassing procedures such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo transfer, and cryopreservation of gametes and embryos, offer solutions to infertility, enable genetic improvement in livestock, and play a crucial role in preserving endangered species. As the application of ART expands throughout the globe, the need for stringent quality control and standardization becomes paramount to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of outcomes. Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) represent a well-established quality system that provides a framework for the organizational processes and conditions under which non-clinical studies are planned, performed, monitored, recorded, reported, and archived. Originally developed to ensure the integrity of safety data for pharmaceuticals and other regulated products, the fundamental principles of GLP are highly relevant to the field of animal ART. This report aims to explore the application of GLP in ART and to thoroughly investigate its contribution to achieving successful outcomes in various ART procedures and across different animal species. By examining the core principles of GLP and their practical implementation in animal ART laboratories, this analysis will highlight the critical role of standardized practices in enhancing the reliability, ethical conduct, and overall success of animal reproductive technologies.
2. Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) in Reference to ART
Good Laboratory Practices are broadly defined as a quality system that governs the organization and conditions under which non-clinical health and environmental safety studies are planned, performed, monitored, recorded, reported, and archived. This system is designed to ensure the quality and

Introduction
Defining GLP: Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) are a comprehensive set of quality system principles designed to ensure the reliability, reproducibility, and integrity of non-clinical health and environmental safety studies. These principles establish a framework for planning, performing, monitoring, recording, reporting, and archiving studies. Adherence to GLP is crucial for generating data that can be trusted and utilized for regulatory submissions and scientific advancements.
Purpose of GLP
• To ensure the quality and integrity of non-clinical and clinical laboratory studies.
• To provide assurance that data submitted to regulatory authorities is truly reliable.
• To standardize procedures and practices in non-clinical and clinical studies.
Scope of GLP
• Primarily applies to non-clinical health and environmental safety studies.
• These studies often support applications for research or marketing permits for regulated products (e.g., pharmaceuticals, pesticides, food additives).
Key Elements of GLP
• Organizational structure and personnel responsibilities.
• Standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Introduction 
Toxicological studies play a crucial role in assessing the safety and potential hazards of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and environmental pollutants. To ensure the reliability, consistency, and integrity of such studies, the concept of GLP has been established. GLP is a set of principles that govern the planning, execution, monitoring, recording, and reporting of laboratory experiments, particularly those related to safety assessments. The primary objective of GLP in toxicological studies is to ensure that the data generated is of high quality, reproducible, and acceptable to regulatory agencies worldwide. This is essential for evaluating the potential risks associated with exposure to various substances, aiding in the development of safer drugs, chemicals, and consumer products. Compliance with GLP guidelines minimizes errors, prevents fraudulent practices, and enhances transparency in research, ultimately contributing to public health and environmental safety. The assessment of potential hazards posed by chemical, pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and other substances to human health and the environment lies at the heart of toxicological studies. These investigations, conducted in non-clinical settings, provide crucial data that informs regulatory decisions, guides product development, and ultimately safeguards public well-being. The consequences of inaccurate or unreliable toxicological data can be far-reaching, potentially leading to the approval of unsafe products or the unwarranted restriction of beneficial ones. Recognizing the critical importance of the integrity of these studies, the concept of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) has emerged as a cornerstone, establishing a robust framework for their planning, conduct, monitoring, recording, reporting, and archiving

1. Introduction: Setting the Stage for GLP in Artificial Insemination
Artificial Insemination (AI) stands as a cornerstone technology in modern animal agriculture, playing a pivotal role in the genetic enhancement of livestock across a diverse range of species. This technique, particularly prevalent in cattle and swine, allows for the widespread dissemination of superior genetic traits from carefully selected sires, leading to significant improvements in productivity, such as increased milk yield in dairy cattle and enhanced growth rates in beef cattle. Beyond genetic advancement, AI offers considerable advantages in disease management by mitigating the risks associated with natural mating, thereby controlling the transmission of reproductive tract infections. Furthermore, AI provides economic benefits to livestock producers by reducing the need to maintain live bulls, which require substantial resources, and by offering access to a broader spectrum of genetics than would be feasible through natural service alone. The application of AI is not limited to traditional livestock; it is increasingly employed in the breeding of horses and smaller ruminants, as well as in the management of pet populations, indicating its growing importance in animal reproduction across various sectors. The expanding scope of AI underscores the necessity for robust quality control measures to ensure its efficacy and safety across different animal species and production systems. The success of any AI program is intrinsically linked to the quality of the semen used, making the operational standards of AI laboratories paramount. Optimal conception rates rely on semen with high viability, motility, and morphological integrity, which can be compromised by inadequate handling and unsanitary 130 Concepts of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) conditions during collection, processing, storage, and insemination. Poor semen management can lead to reduced fertility and the potential spread of diseases, thereby undermining the benefits of AI. To ensure consistent and successful outcomes, standardized procedures throughout the AI process are essential, providing a framework for optimizing techniques and minimizing the risk of errors. In this context, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) emerges as a critical quality paradigm. Defined as a managerial quality control system, GLP encompasses the organizational processes and the conditions under which non-clinical health and environmental safety studies are planned, performed, monitored, recorded, archived, and reported. While traditionally applied to the safety testing of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, the core principles of GLP, with their emphasis on systematic processes, controlled conditions, and rigorous data management, hold significant relevance for ensuring the quality and reliability of operations within animal AI laboratories. The genesis of GLP regulations in response to concerns about the integrity and consistency of scientific data further underscores its fundamental importance in any laboratory setting where the trustworthiness of results is paramount. This report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the GLP paradigm within the context of animal AI laboratories. Its objectives include defining GLP and its core principles, investigating the specific application of these principles in the various stages of animal AI, exploring the benefits and challenges associated with GLP implementation, reviewing relevant regulatory guidelines and standards across different regions, analyzing the impact of GLP adherence on AI techniques and outcomes, identifying effective data representation strategies, comparing the operational differences between GLP and non-GLP compliant laboratories, and discussing emerging trends and future perspectives on the role of GLP in advancing the field.

While collecting and processing semen the following points needs to be considered:

1.    Good quality Artificial Vagina (AV) should be used for semen collection. Strict hygiene should be maintained while collecting semen.

2.    Highly scientific and flawless collection technique should be used for semen collection.   

3.    Neat semen should be maintained at close to body temperature.

4.    Semen should not come in contact with any contaminant such as lubricant, dust, infection etc. in the collection yard or in any stage of semen processing.

5.    Direct exposure of semen to sunlight or cool white fluorescent light should be avoided as it may cause chromosomal damage.

6.    Enclose all cool white light sources e.g. laminar flow hood, cold room etc. in gold or orange sleeves that absorb ultraviolet and low wavelength visible light (< 475 to 500 nm).

Introduction

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L., Family: Palmaceae) also known as Khajoor, Kharek is an ancient important fruit tree of semi-arid and arid regions of the world. It grows well under poor desertic soils due to its hardy plant characteristics and deep root system. It is also one of the most suitable fruit trees to grow under saline irrigation conditions. It is well known fact that date palm has its feet in the water and its head in sun. It requires dry hot climate for growth, development and maturity of fruits. In arid region, crop production is a risky preposition where date palm cultivation contributes in achieving food security, high nutritive value food, crop diversification, desertification control, income generation and foreign exchange earnings. It can be grown at such places where adequate irrigation facility is available besides dry hot climatic conditions (Chandra et al., 1992; Singh and Dhandar, 2007).

Introduction

Cultivation under house are framed or inflated structures covered with plastic material or glass in which crops can be grown under partially controlled environment.  This technology was well adapted in Europe and USA by the end of the nineteenth century. Presently, China, Netherland, Israel, Canada, Spain and Japan are the leading countries. Other countries where this technology is being widely used are India, Egypt and some Arab countries. Under protected structures are suitable for growing a variety of vegetables, fruits and flowers. Year-round cultivation even under extreme climatic conditions is possible.

Introduction

Novel Corona Virus 2019 (COVID 19) has impacted the human race very badly than any other disease in twenty first century. Almost every country on this planet was affected by this virus. The condition is more severe in developed countries.

So when it All Started?

There were reports that the medical professionals of Wuhan in China informed the government that there is some mysterious pneumonia like disease which is spreading very fast and affected the doctors and other paramedical staff who are attending the patients. When the situation became serious it was declared as outbreak of epidemic and first case of COVID 19 was declared in Wuhan China on 31st December 2019. Wuhan is one of the main business centres of china and there was regular movement of domestic and international visitors to that place. Till the problem was identified and communicated to other agencies, the spread of virus was already there in other parts of china and world specially Europe and USA.

World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID 19 as pandemic on 11 February 2020. Countries like USA criticized WHO for delay in identifying the disease and declaring it a pandemic.The damage was already done due to its spread in other countries. In India first reported case of COVID 19 was on 30th January at Kerala. However, considering the possible danger of this disease, Indian Government took primitive measure to contain the spread of Virus and announced Nationwide Lockdown 1.0 on 23rdMarch 2020. Similarly, Lockdown 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 were announced on 14 April, 3rd May and 17th may respectively.

1. Agroecology & System of Rice Intensification (SRI) — Lao PDR, Nepal Agroecology emphasizes sustainable farming that works in harmony with ecosystems, reducing reliance on chemical inputs and improving biodiversity. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a flagship agroecological method that optimizes plant spacing, soil aeration, water management, and timing of inputs to boost rice yields sustainably. • Impact on Yields and Resource Use: In Lao PDR and Nepal, adoption of SRI has led to rice yield increases between 15% and 25%, outperforming conventional transplanting methods without increasing input costs significantly (FAO, 2021). This yield boost directly translates to higher food availability and incomes for smallholder farmers. Importantly, SRI reduces water use by about 30%, addressing water scarcity challenges faced in rainfed and drought-prone areas (IRRI, 2020). This efficiency stems from alternate wetting and drying practices rather than continuous flooding, improving