eChapters

Introduction

Food habit of Indian people is mostly cereal based and depends on Rice, Wheat and Maize for their staple food. Although, there are thousands of indigenous plant species which are rich in nutrition and locally or regionally adapted and accepted but not included in the modern food systems. Presently, food security is largely dependent on a handful number of crops. Modern agricultural systems promote the cultivation of high-yielding crop species, with the intensification of a limited number of species.

Introduction
The Directorate of Extension Education, came into existence during 1967 under Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology. This directorate is engaged with various projects viz: University Extension Block Programme, Distance Education, Digital Extension, Information wing, Gender resource center, Educational Museum besides managing 31 KVKs in 28 districts of Odisha except Cuttack and Khordha district in which University Extension Block Programme and Farmers FIRST program is in operational. This directorate adopted several innovative extension approaches which made the OUAT KVKs unique in operational modalities and effective in delivering for the development of farming community in Odisha, some of the innovative approaches are: Development of KVK Action Plan, CoE on FPOs, R-E Linkage and Krushi Samrudhi helpline.
Development Process of Action Plan
Krishi Vigyan Kendras work as a knowledge resource center in agriculture and allied field for the district (Singh et al., 2012) where in, production and supply of critical technological products, both tangible and intangible is the major component other than having scientifically maintained demonstration units, crop cafeteria etc. Development of complete feasible action plan of KVKs requires sincere efforts in identifying the real problems on one hand and sourcing the frontline technologies on the other. The logical fitment of suitable technological options for testing, in addressing situation specific problems are also an important activity requiring our understanding of the major farming systems in the AES, micro-farming situations of different crops & commodities and our scientific orientation. For this OUAT adopts a uniform action planning process since last few years which involves different activities.
1. Identifying the problems
2. Prioritizing the problems
3. Analyzing the problems and finding root cause(s) of the prioritized problems.
4. Sourcing alternative technologies and listing possible solutions nearer to hit the root cause and address the problems.
5. Taking into consideration the follow up activities require to be undertaken for previous year OFTs and FLDs
6. Planning interventions including those for other extension activities, production of critical inputs etc.
7. Consolidation of interventions and finalization of action plan with respect to OFT, FLD, Capacity building, other extension activities or combination of these.

Introduction

Agricultural residues encompass the byproducts that arise from the cultivation and processing of unprocessed agricultural commodities, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy products, and crops. These residues are the leftover outputs that do not function as main products and may contain substances that have potential benefits for human use. However, their economic value is lower than the cost incurred for their collection, transportation, and processing for beneficial purposes. The composition of agricultural wastes varies depending on the specific agricultural activities and systems utilized, and they can exist in various forms, including liquids, slurries, or solids. Agro waste, which is another term for agricultural waste, encompasses a range of materials such as animal waste (including manure and animal carcasses), waste from food processing (where only 20% of maize is preserved and the remaining 80% is discarded), crop waste (including corn stalks, sugarcane bagasse, and discarded or imperfect fruits and vegetables), as well as hazardous and toxic agricultural waste (such as pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides). Although there is a scarcity of estimates regarding agricultural waste generation, it is widely recognized that they make a significant contribution to the overall waste volume in developed countries. The proliferation of agricultural production has inevitably caused a surge in the volumes of livestock waste, agricultural crop residues, and by-products from agro-industries. If developing countries persist in intensifying their agricultural systems, a substantial increase in global agricultural waste is foreseen. It is estimated that about 998 million tonnes of agricultural waste is produced yearly (Agamuthu, 2009). In any agricultural setting, the accumulation of organic wastes can constitute a significant portion, reaching up to 80 percent, of the overall solid waste generated. Specifically, the production of manure can contribute up to 5.27 kg per day for every 1000 kg of live weight, considering the wet weight basis.

Trends in aquaculture and fisheries

Global fisheries have made rapid strides in recent years by establishing its strong hold over increasing food supply, generating job opportunities, raising nutritional level and earning foreign exchanges. These benefits become more important when placed in the context of current challenges in food production, nutritional security, social transitions and growing climate uncertainties. Fish and fishery products are the most traded food commodities in the world accounting for 1% of world merchandise trade in value terms representing more than 9% of total agricultural exports all over world (FAO, 2014). About 38% of the global fish production enters international trade in various forms and shapes, generating an export earning of nearly US$148.1billion with a record import at US$140.6 billion during 2014. Mostly the developing countries that account for over 60% of global fish catch, which has continued to expand at an average annual rate of 8.8% (FAO, 2009 & 2012) and play a major role in the global trade of fish and fish products contributing around 50% of fishery exports in value terms and more than 60% in quantity terms supplied by them (World Bank, 2011). At the same time, demand for fish products are likely to rise as a result of rising populations that are expected to reach 9.3 billion by 2050. Developing countries have a positive trade balance due to their increasing involvement in global fisheries trade. Developing country like India may have higher proportion of population growth but its impressive economic growth over the past two decades has resulted in steady increase in per capita income in real terms that in turn increases the purchasing power of people resulting in increasing demand for food to feed & ensure nutritional security of the population. As a result of which it brought inconsistency in fish consumption pattern across the coastal, marine and hill region.

Introduction 
The agriculture scenario has evolved considerably over the years. In the present context, consumers need diverse, safe and nutritious food which calls for a major reorganisation of the agricultural value chains to support transformation from the traditional production-oriented supply chains to demand-based approaches. Trade liberalization has further intensified competition by exposing farmers to both domestic and international markets, compelling them to meet elevated standards in terms of product quality and pricing. Therefore, the primary focus should be on enhancing technical expertise, managerial capabilities and access to timely information to enable smallholder farmers not only to strengthen their livelihoods but also enhance their marketing skills amid the fast-evolving global economic landscape. Access to true information is equally essential for addressing growing challenges related to natural resource degradation and climate change. Extension in Indian context, play a vital role in bridging the knowledge gap between research institutions and farmers by providing a range of advisory amenities and facilitate expertise application, transmission and management in the farmer’s fields. Perhaps, agricultural extension is the only service at the ground-level that can provide essential knowledge, guidance, information as well as assistance to the farmers and the stakeholders. There has been extensive range of transformation and inventiveness in agricultural extension services in India; however, the exposure and access to information which were disseminated to marginal and underprivileged farmers are uneven and patchy. Likewise, in real situation a huge gap existed between the technology developed/released and the technology disseminated/adopted. A study by NSSO (National Sample Survey Organisation), 2014, highlighted that the almost 59 per cent of the farm families refrained from any assistance from either government or private extension services. In the country, 40.6 per cent households received extension assistance while, only 11 per cent of the services came from physical government machineries. At present hardly onethird of the technology developed at the research organizations has reached the farming community and the statistics of adoption/application of such technology at field level is even less than that. Practical application of many of our recommended agricultural technologies in the field is very much difficult either because of the complex nature of the technology or inputs so prescribed are not readily available in nearby areas. Moreover, most of the extension machineries tend to work in isolation from each other. The production-oriented strategy which was the sole focus of earlier extension services, needs to be expanded to market-led strategy to deal with the novel

Introduction
Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU),
Bidar started in the year 2005 exclusively for the development of education and learning; conduct of research and extension education and transfer of rural oriented technologies in the areas of Veterinary, Animal, Dairy and Fisheries Sciences in Karnataka. The logo of the University is inscribed with the slogan “Farmers Friendly and Rural Oriented”, which emphasizes the importance given to betterment of farming community. The mission of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Bidar, is to strive hard and provide leadership in teaching, research and extension education services related to Veterinary and Animal sciences, Dairy sciences, Fisheries and other allied sciences. The University endeavor is to keep pace with new frontiers of science and contemporary developments to be socially and technically relevant. In this context, KVAFSU is strongly committed in absorbing newer paradigms and using them to develop excellent human resource, innovative technologies and their dissemination so as to serve the livestock and fishery farming community of the state and the country. Various extension educational activities are undertaken by the university at various levels, viz., Extension Education, Extension Research, Extension Work and Extension Service. Collaborative activities are being planned and implemented in association with various stakeholders like Farmers, Farmers’ organizations, Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Karnataka Milk Federation, etc. Besides conducting routine extension activities like trainings, demonstrations, animal health camps, field trips, field tours, campaigns, livestock shows etc., KVAFSU has come out with some innovative approaches in extension education. Which are presented in this book chapter. Extension activities are undertaken mainly under two categories, i.e. university / college activities and collaborative / sponsored activities.
I. Innovative Extension Approaches Under University / College Activities Organization of Radio Series for Farming Community Radio remains an effective medium for disseminating veterinary knowledge, especially in rural areas. KVAFSU collaborates with radio stations to
• Broadcast expert talks on Veterinary and Animal Husbandry topics. More than 150 expert talks from Veterinary college Hassan, entitled as Gokulavani series, Kukkutavani series, Hainnu Honnu series I, II, II are broadcasted through AIR Hassan. Presently, Hainnu Honnu series IV is being executed with another 50 series of expert talks and skits as well.

Introduction

In India the economy is based on rural and agrarian and decline with land holding area poses a serious challenge to the sustainability and profitability of farming. In view of the decline in per capita availability of land from 0.5 ha in 1950-51 to 0.15 ha by the turn of the century and a projected further decline to less than 0.1 ha by 2020, it is imperative to develop strategies and innovate new agricultural technologies that enable adequate employment and income generation, especially for small and marginal farmers who constitute more than 80% of the farming community. The crop and cropping system based perspective of research needs to make way for farming systems based research conducted in a holistic manner for the sound management of available resources by small farmers (Jha, 2003). Under the gradual shrinking of land holdings, it is necessary to integrate land based enterprises like fishery, poultry, duckery, apiary, field and horticultural crops, etc. within the bio-physical and socio-economic environment of the farmers to make farming more profitable and dependable (Behera et al., 2004). No single farm enterprise is likely to be able to sustain the small and marginal farmers without resorting to integrated farming systems (IFS) for the generation of adequate income and gainful employment year-round (Mahapatra, 1992; 1994). Farming systems approach, therefore, is a valuable approach to address the problems of sustainable economic growth for the farming communities in India.

Introduction

The food processing industry ranks fifth in size in the country and employs 16 lakh workers which is 19% of the country’s industrial labour. It accounts for 14% of the total industrial output with 18% of industrial GDP and 6.3% of countries GDP. So, food processing plays a vital role in India’s prosperity. The Food Processing Industry sector in India is one of the largest sector in terms of production, consumption, export and growth prospects. Food processing industry broadly comprises primary processing category and the other categories embracing the secondary, tertiary and further stages of downstream processing. Primary food processing is a major industry with lakhs of rice-mills/ hullers, flour mills, pulse mills and oil-seed mills. There are several thousands of bakeries, traditional food units and fruit/vegetable/spice processing units in the unorganized sector. In the organized sector, there are over 820 flour mills, 418 fish processing units, 6600 fruit/vegetable processing units and 171 meat processing units. Indian processing industries has installed capacity of 21 lakh tones; however these industries actually processed 9.8 lakh tones of the produce. So the total capacity utilization of industries is <30%. There are 70% units in home/cottage/ small scale sector and 30% units in large scale sector with capacity of 250 tonnes per annum and 30 tonnes/hr, respectively. Large scale contributes 70% of the production. The principal crops and commodities which constitute the primary base for the food processing industry and considered important sub-sectors in food processing industries are illustrated in Fig. 1.

Introduction

The managemment of pests and diseases in agriculture is challenging for farmers. Antibiotics and chemical pesticides are commonly used in traditional methods, which can be harmful to human health, the environment, and the long-term sustainability of agricultural practices. This article explores innovative approaches to pest and disease management in agriculture that are changing the game (Lykogianni et al., 2021). Techniques for controlling diseases and pests in field crops are necessary to keep agricultural systems healthy and productive. Farmers and agricultural professionals can prevent, monitor, and control pests and diseases that can significantly affect crop yields in a variety of ways. These administrators are practicing strategies to find a balance between restricting the use of chemical inputs, promoting sustainable agriculture, and maintaining financial viability.

Principle of Integrated Pests and Disease Management (IPDM)

• Suppression and Prevention: The elimination and prevention of pests are the first tenets of IPM. IPM aims to prevent a single pest from dominating a cropping system or causing damage, not eliminate all pests (Barzman et al., 2015). Three distinct sub-principles are combined in this principle: crop rotation and management, ecology, and a multi-pest strategy in combination The papers in this Special Issue discuss each of these guiding principles. A genuine illustration of the mix of strategies and multi-pest approaches is crafted by Poggi et al. (2021), who discussed ways to control wireworms in field crops. A risk assessment based on the production context (such as crop, climate, soil characteristics, and landscape) and monitoring of adult and/or larval populations should be the first steps in any new agro-ecological strategy.

Introduction 
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad is one of the premier agriculture Universities in India has made its remarkable journey in the field of Teaching/ Research / Extension since its inception, UAS, Dharwad has got six Krishi Vigyan Kendras sponsored by Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Which have adopted various outreach methodologies for the farming community. Apart from conventional methods of technology transfer i.e., technologies in pipeline (farm trails) conducted in farmers fields for their acceptance, front line demonstration, on farm testing, PRA, diagnostic field visits etc. KVKs have employed various techniques making use of ICT which have proved to be effective in enhancing the productivity of farms (Medhi et al., 2017), reaching farmers quickly and effectively. The present paper is a compilation of innovative methodologies adopted by KVKs under UAS Dharwad during last five years. As it is mandate for all the KVKs to prepare action plan before the onset of every year during March-April, vigorous exercises are done by KVKs to prioritize the problems faced by farmers in the particular district. These problems are planned to tackle the location specific technologies developed in that zone. If the technologies under FLD banner are not available in particular technologies developed elsewhere in NARS are borrowed and tested for both its sustainability under that agro-ecological system. During this process of prioritizing the problems, implementation and monitoring, KVK adopt various methods given as discussed below.

Objectives
• To explore creative and interactive techniques for effective vocabulary expansion.
• To enhance understanding and retention of new words through contextbased learning.
• To encourage the use of digital tools and apps for engaging vocabulary building.
• To promote collaborative learning strategies for vocabulary enhancement
• To develop critical thinking by applying new vocabulary in diverse contexts.
Contextual Learning
One of the most effective ways to learn new words is through contextual learning. This involves understanding words through the context in which they are used, rather than learning definitions in isolation.
Steps to Implement Contextual Learning
• Reading Widely: Expose yourself to a variety of texts (books, articles, blogs) to encounter new words in different contexts.
• Word Journals: Maintain a journal of new words with examples of how they are used in sentences.
• Context Clues: When encountering an unfamiliar word, try to deduce its meaning based on the surrounding words and context before looking it up.

Abstract

Access to reliable and affordable irrigation is one of the most important enablers to increase agricultural productivity and income for farmers. An innovative Manual Axis Tracking Solar Pump model and its utility in providing affordable irrigation has been discussed in this paper. The proposed Manual Axis Tracking Solar Pump can increase output on an average 8%-12% more than fixed panel and is much cheaper than automated tracking. This paper deliberates upon the technical features that make the Manual Axis Tracking Solar Pump an advantage over its nearest competitor, the diesel pump. Government of India has already introduced various subsidy-based solar pump schemes and most of them are not popular because of low discharge issue. The low discharge issue can be solved by this proposed optimum tilt-based Manual Tracking Solar Pump, whose sustainable market penetration is suggested through various strategies in the paper, supported by case studies. The proposed entrepreneurship model not only opens a new era of agricultural business but also helps to reduce the GHG emissions.

Probiotic Fermented food products
 
An individual requires adequate nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to maintain diet. There has been an explosion of the consumer interest in the role of enhancing the health by some specific foods or physiologically active food components, so called functional foods (Hasler, 1998). The concept of functional foods evolved in the year 1990 in Japan.

Abstract

Today more than 70% of energy is generated by coal-based thermal power plants. Indian coal contains about 40% ash, these power plants generate enormous amounts of fly ash, which is dumped in the nearby areas. This creates not only economy constraints but also imposes serious environmental problems, which are the potential hazards to the ecosystem. However, recent attempts in India and abroad are being made for biological association of fly ash e.g. in soil improvement, in wasteland management and also as a source of essential plant nutrients for nutrient deficient soil in terrestrial eco-system and agro-ecosystem. Fly ash has been found to have manifold advantages in agriculture especially in modification of soil texture and bulk density, in optimization of soil pH, in improvement of water holding capacity of soil, in the improvement of yield as a micronutrient supplement to soil and in creation of conducive condition for better plant growth. In this article utilization of fly ash along with VAM fungi and other microbes especially nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilizers in removing the constraints of salt affected soils has been discussed.

Introduction
 
Developments in innovative food packaging technologies have evolved in response to the need for protection of the food product containing bioactive component from both external and internal environments and in response to consumer expectations for health claims, convenience and product safety. Consumers around the world are willing to pay extra for guaranteed product freshness delivered by the type of packaging. Many new packaging developments have focused on extending the shelf life of the product and on delivering a higher quality product to the consumer. These developments would not be possible without significant advances in the materials used in packaging and the incorporation of various types of sensors into food packaging. This chapter outlines the innovative packaing solutions in the production of functional food.

Plant disease causes losses estimated for 20-40 per cent of global crop. Climate change has a very complex effect on plant-pathogen interactions, since environmental conditions affect the whole disease triangle: they modify plant susceptibility, the biological cycles of parasites and pathogens, and hostpathogen physiology and interactions. Innovative plant protection strategies in horticultural crops encompass a wide range of techniques and approaches aimed at safeguarding plants from pests, diseases, and environmental stresses in a sustainable and effective manner. These strategies are essential for ensuring the productivity, quality, and resilience of horticultural crops while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and human health.

Climate change, including increased temperature, CO levels, acid rain, and tropospheric O 3 2 , stresses plants and lowers their pathogen response. While higher CO 2 reduces stomata density, acid rain and O weaken cuticle protection, aiding pathogen entry.

Introduction

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is the apex body for co-coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country with more than hundred and above ICAR libraries and fifty six state agricultural universities libraries spread across the country this is one of the largest national agricultural library network in the in the country under consortium of e-Resources in Agriculture. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has contributed a lot towards strengthening of Agricultural Libraries via modern Information Technological (IT) tools. ICAR has sanctioned so many projects under National Agricultural Technology Project and National Agricultural Innovative Projects i.e e-Granth, CeRA, Krishiprabha, Krishikosh Agricat etc. for strengthening and development of agricultural libraries. These are useful to manage knowledge explosion and helpful in libraries to providing information effectively to the end user of society.

1. Introduction
Aquaculture has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors of food production worldwide, driven by the increasing demand for fish and seafood as essential sources of protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients. As wild fisheries face overexploitation and environmental degradation, aquaculture is seen as a solution to meet the growing global need for seafood. However, the sustainability of aquaculture itself is under scrutiny due to its reliance on traditional feed ingredients, particularly fishmeal and fish oil derived from wild-caught fish. Fishmeal has long been considered an ideal protein source for aquafeeds because of its excellent amino acid profile, high digestibility, and essential fatty acid content. Yet, the continued use of fishmeal places immense pressure on wild fish stocks, particularly small pelagic species that are harvested specifically for fishmeal production.
The overexploitation of these fish stocks raises significant ecological concerns, threatening marine biodiversity and destabilizing food webs. The reliance on fishmeal is also economically challenging, as fluctuating supply and increasing demand have led to rising costs and price volatility. Moreover, as the aquaculture industry continues to expand, the demand for fishmeal will surpass the sustainable supply, exacerbating these environmental and economic issues. In response to these challenges, researchers and industry stakeholders have been actively seeking sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to fishmeal. These innovative protein sources are not only essential for reducing the environmental impact of aquaculture but also for ensuring the long-term viability of the industry. The development of alternative protein sources must consider several factors, including their nutritional composition, availability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental footprint.

Agriculture constitutes the primary source of income in rural India. Rural women play a pivotal role in various agricultural practices, encompassing activities such as planting, harvesting, and post-harvesting operations. Additionally, their responsibilities extend to producing agricultural crops, tending to animals, processing and preparing food, engaging in wage labor within agricultural or other rural enterprises, collecting fuel and water, participating in trade and marketing, caring for family members, and maintaining their homes (Klasen and Lamanna, 2009).

The engagement of rural women in agriculture is extensive and multifaceted, covering a wide range of activities that are vital for household sustenance and community welfare. These activities are essential not only for economic stability but also for food security and overall rural development.