eChapters

Introduction Extension programmes are strategically planned and implemented by an organization, typically a government department, with the majority of their funding originating from public sources. In the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of developmental initiatives, extension programmes play a pivotal role in fostering progress and transforming societies. These initiatives, designed to extend knowledge, skills, and resources to target communities, are instrumental in addressing pressing challenges and promoting positive change across various sectors. In order to justify the allocation of public funds and to measure effectiveness and sustainability of the programmes, it is imperative to conduct thorough and comprehensive monitoring and evaluations of their administration and impact at regular intervals.

Introduction Market led extension effectively delivers sufficient and high-quality information to farmers so they can make decisions about production and marketing that willmaximize their return on investment without endangering the needs of future generations. Farmers must improve from being producers or sellers in the home market areas to producers cum sellers in a large market to best reap the benefits of their products. This necessitates the transfer of new extension strategies involving a range from local market to export markets, subsistence to commercial agriculture, productivity to profitability, commodity-oriented to farming systemsoriented, mono-cropping to varieties of crops, and so forth. The extension agents’ attention must be diverted from production in some way. Reducing production costs, increasing product value, and enhancing marketability will assist the farming community in receiving high returns for the products.

Introduction Agricultural sector is the pillar of the Indian economy. It provides employment to around half of the workforce of the country and contributes around 18 per cent to the gross value added of the country. Small and marginal landholdings, constituting less than 2 hectares, make up a significant 85 percent of India’s farming community (Joshi, 2022). These small farmers encounter various challenges, including farm-specific and household transaction costs that limit their participation in input and product markets. With changing food preferences driven by income and population growth, there’s a growing need for small-farm commercialization to meet the rising demand for diversified, higher-quality diets (Chakraborty, 2020). To address the constraints faced by small farms, aggregation models have emerged as institutional interventions.

Introduction There is an emergence of a transformative paradigm of participatory approaches in various fields such as management, health care and education, community development, etc. Participatory approaches challenge the top-down approach used frequently for decision making (Narayanasamy, 2009). Participation is a dynamic process where two individuals exchange their ideas, thoughts, and knowledge for making proper decisions and solving the problems faced by local people. It is a process of empowering individuals that helps people make proper analysis, make their own decisions, and develop their confidence. It is successfully used in increasing self-help activities of local people and for proper implementation and evaluation of large scale projects. FAO has reported that through participatory programmes it is very easy to mobilise local knowledge for self-reliant development, reducing government assistance costs.

Introduction Terms total development of rural areas with the purpose of increasing the quality of life for rural people is referred to as rural development. It is a broad anddiverse concept that encourages the expansion of agricultural and allied activities, communities, cottage industries and crafts, community services and facilities, and total human resources in rural areas. As a strategy, rural development is the result of interactions between many physical, technological, economic, and societal elements. Its purpose is to improve the economic and social well-being of a particular rural demographic group. Rural development is a multifaceted concept that covers various aspects of development in order to improve rural people’s quality of life (Ilbery, 2008). Agriculture, village industries, crafts, community services, and rural human resource development all fall under this category.

Introduction The term ‘communication’ originates from the Latin word ‘Communis’, means the act of imparting, participating, and transmitting or the notion of making something common or sharing it among individuals. Communication encompasses the multifaceted process of sharing and exchanging ideas, emotions, information, and experiences between two or more individuals. It embodies the act of transmitting thoughts or expressions, serving as a vital conduit for the flow of knowledge and understanding. Essentially, it is aligning a sender and receiver for a specific message or series of messages. Leagans (1961) states that communication is the process by which two or more people exchange ideas, facts, feelings or impressions in ways that each gains a common understanding of the meaning, intent and use of messages. Effective communication is not just about issuing orders; it is about fostering comprehension (Suresh, 2003). It beyond imparting knowledge to enabling a profound understands (TNAU, 2012).

Introduction Market-led extension is a strategic approach aimed at providing farmers with valuable and high-quality information to enhance their decision-making processes in both production and marketing. This approach acknowledges the global nature of modern markets and encourages farmers to transition from being mere producers in local markets to becoming sellers in broader, potentially international markets. To make this shift successful, it is essential to equip extension workers, those who offer agricultural guidance, with the necessary skills and knowledge about market dynamics (Ahmad and Slathia, 2011). This involves a shift in their approach, moving from solely focusing on increasing productivity to emphasizing profitability. It also involves transitioning from subsistence farming to a more commercial orientation, from single-commodity farming to diversified crop production, and from local markets to global export markets.

Millets or nutri-cereals are the ancient grains which have now regained the interest of the scientific community as the super grains. These exhibit excellent nutritional and technobiofunctional profile apart from exhibiting tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The millets are gluten free and show high in vitro protein digestibility, resistant starch content, antioxidant and prebiotic potential providing health benefits for all age groups ranging from paediatrics to geriatrics. The presence of certain anti-nutritional factors can lower the bioavailability of proteins and minerals. Processing enhances the nutritional and functional properties by increasing the antioxidant content and lowering the antinutrients. Different value added products can be prepared by incorporating millets thereby enhancing the nutritional and functional attributes. It is necessary to bring millets into regular consumption by the food industry in the interest of nutritionally and health-conscious consumer.

1. Introduction Millets, also known as “smart crops” or “miracle grains,” are a group of small-seeded, hardy cereal crops that have been cultivated for millennia. They are used as a staple food in many of the countries particularly located in arid and semi-arid regions. Millets have been overshadowed for quite a long time by commonly consumed cereals like wheat, rice, and maize. Nevertheless, they have made a remarkable comeback in our cuisines owing to the growing awareness and recognition of the numerous benefits at individual and environmental level. These small, drought-resistant grains play a pivotal role in addressing some of the most pressing global issues like food security, malnutrition and climate change.

1. Introduction Millets are the Nutri-cereals belonging to the Poaceae family and are classified into two major categories: major and minor, depending on their size and nutritional composition. Most millet crops are indigenous to India and are referred to as “nutri-cereals” since they contain most of the nutrients needed for the body to function properly. Millets such as Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), and Finger Millet (Ragi) are the millets that come under the category of major millets. In contrast, the minor millets category includes Foxtail Millet (Kakun), Proso Millet (Cheena), Kodo Millet, Barnyard Millet (Sanwa), Little Millet (Kutki), Brown top millet including two pseudo millet that includes Buckwheat (Kuttu) and Amaranth (Chaulai) (Saini et al., 2021).

1. Introduction Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), a cereal grain belongs to the grass family (Poaceae), within the subfamily (Panicoidea) and in the tribe (Andropogoneae) (H.J. et al., 2005). It is grown throughout the world in regions with warmer summers and with daytime temperatures often exceeding 90°F (Rai et al., 1999).After wheat, maize, rice, and barley, it is the fifth most significant and nutritious millet in terms of volume. While many varieties of millets are exclusively cultivated for human consumption, sorghum is widely farmed for – food and feed for humans and animals respectively (Awika, 2011). For millions of people in Africa and Asia, sorghum is commonly consumed as a staple.. In West Africa, sorghum is known as dawa, guinea corn, and sorgho while in Sudan, it is referred as durra; in Ethiopia,Eritrea and East Africa, mtama; in southern Africa, kaffircorn, mabele, or amabele; and in the Indian subcontinent, jowar, jonna, cholam, or jola.(Bantilan et al., 2004).

1. Introduction Millets, one of the earliest foods consumed by humans, may have been the first cereal grain utilised in domestic cookery. It belongs to the Graminae grass family. The name “millet” describes a number of little-seeded grasses (annual) that are classified into five genera: Setaria, Panicum, Pennisetum, Paspalum, and Echinocloa in the tribe Paniceae, and one genus: Eleusine in the tribe Chlorideae (Pushpavalli, 2015). India ranks first in the production of millets followed by Niger and China (FAO, 2020). Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) serves as food, fuel, and fodder on a global scale. Since, it contributes up to 75% of all grain output in East Africa and several regions of India; it plays a significant role in indigenous diets. After rice and wheat, pearl millet is the third most significant crop farmed in India. Ninety percent of the country’s land is used for cultivating pearl millet, with Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana being the main states.

1. Introduction Millets have gained popularity as staple foods worldwide, particularly in regions with hot and humid climates. These crops are often cultivated in marginal areas where major grains struggle to yield significant harvests (Thapliyal and Singh, 2015). One such millet is finger millet (Eleusine coracana), native to Ethiopia, and widely grown in Africa and India, where it is known by various names, including ragi and mandua (Table 1). In many developing countries, finger millet serves as a staple for a substantial portion of the population, especially those belonging to lower economic strata, providing essential nutrients (Chandra et al., 2016).

1. Introduction Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum (L.) belongs to the grass family Paniceae. It is a perennial cropthat grows in summer each year as late-seeded summer crop (Figure 1). Its origin can be traced back to at least 2000 B.C. when it was said to be grown in the Central European regions. Proso millet plant thrives in dry areas such as Africa, Central Russia, Manchuria, Middle East and Northern India and North America’s Great Plains. Proso millet was introduced to Canada in the 17th century and used sparingly as a feed crop in the early 1900s (Rajasekaran and Francis, 2021). This is a low-demand crop and is utilised in organic farming systems across Europe and as an intercrop in the United States. Its shallow root system and resistance to atrazine residue make it a great intercrop between two crops that need a lot of water and pesticides. The last crop’s stubbles entrap more heat into the soil which promotes faster and earlier growth of millet. Hence, it can help to evade summer drought and achieve continual crop rotation (Kalinova and Moudry, 2006). It is an erect herbaceous annual crop with a lot of tillering. Its plant can reach a height of 45-100 centimetres. The stem is thin, with prominently enlarged nodes. The roots are thin and fibrous.

1. Introduction Millets, including foxtail millet (Setaria italica), are gaining popularity as “smart foods” due to their numerous benefits for the planet, consumers, and farmers (Anitha et al., 2021). Foxtail millet, classified as a major millet, belongs to the genus Setaria in the Poaceae family. It has a rich history, with archaeological remains dating back 7400-7935 years in northern China and cultivation in Europe around 4000 years ago (Lu et al., 2009). Foxtail millet is currently cultivated in 26 countries and stands as the secondhighest cultivated millet globally. It is a relatively short plant, growing up to 2-5 feet tall, and demonstrates high resistance to various stresses, both biotic and abiotic(Sharma and Niranjan, 2018). The crop’s short generation cycle of 5-8 weeks from planting to flowering, followed by 8-15 weeks to attain seed maturity, allows for harvesting within 75-90 days after plantation. Foxtail millet produces hundreds of seeds per inflorescence (Li et al., 2020).

1. Introduction Millet is a heterogeneous group of small-seeded cereal crops classified based on their morphology as major millet and minor millet. Little millet (Panicum sumatrense) are small millets generally categorized as minor millet cereal crops. It is a self-pollinated crop that belongs to the family Poaceae and subfamily Panicoideae with a chromosome number of 2n=36 (Nandini and Bhat, 2019). It is a traditional cereal grain crop widely produced in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Western Myanmar. Little millet is widely cultivated in the tribal belt of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu in India for food and feed (Ganapathy, 2017). Indigenously, it is commonly known as samai (Tamil), kutki (Hindi), savior same (Kannada), chama (Malayalam) (Table 1).

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) is a resilient and ancient cereal crop native to the Indian subcontinent. Its cultivation dates back to ancient times, with references found in historical texts such as the Brihad Sanhita. This millet species exhibits remarkable adaptability to various agroclimatic conditions, making it well-suited for cultivation across different regions. Kodo millet thrives in a range of soil types, particularly well-drained and sandy soils, which contribute to its successful growth and yield. In terms of nutritional composition, kodo millet stands out as a significant source of protein, dietary fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Its bioactive components contribute to potential health benefits, including aiding in diabetes management, improving cardiovascular health, and providing essential nutrients. The processing of kodo millet involves various techniques such as puffing, roasting, milling, and fermentation, each influencing its nutritional profile and culinary applications.

1. Introduction Millets are the oldest crops known to mankind. They are mostly cultivated for human consumption however; some are also used as animal fodder. Barnyard millet Echinochloa frumentacea is a multi-purpose crop belonging to the kingdom plantae, order-poales, family-poaceae, subfamily-panicoideae, genus-Echinochloa & species-E. frumentacea. It was domesticated about 4,000 years ago with two main species: Echinochloa esculenta (Japanese barnyard millet) and Echinochloa frumentacea (Indian barnyard millet). The former species is mainly grown in Japan, Korea, and northeastern China, while the latter is grown in Pakistan, India, and Nepal. In India, barnyard millet is grown in the Himalayan region from the north to the Deccan plateau in the south and is popularly known as jhangora or sawan millet.

Browntop millet (Urochloaramosa) is a warm-season crop that produces seeds that are heavier than other millet varieties. This crop is cultivated in several types of soils and climates. Browntop millet is an introduced grass that originated in Southeast Asia. It is grown in Africa, western Asia, Arabia, China, and Australia. It was introduced to the United States from India in 1915. It is also useful for controlling erosion, producing hay, feeding wild animals, and producing grain for human use. In addition, it is also utilized as a crop for wild animal food. In dry and semi-arid regions, millets constitute the main food supply. Although India is the main producer of millet, output and use have fallen. Browntop millets are nutrient-dense. Browntop millet is a miracle crop for arid and rainfed areas. Nearly all of the necessary nutrients are found in browntop millets.

1. Introduction Plants have played a crucial role in fulfilling human needs for centuries, and among the vast array of plant species, Job’s Tear (Coixlacryma-jobi L), also known as adlay, coix, and Chinese pearl barley, holds significant potential as a crop in the Poaceae family. There are four main varieties of Job’s Tear, including C. lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen, C. lacryma-jobi var. Puellarum, C. lacryma-jobi var. lacryma-jobi, and C. lacryma-jobi var. Stenocarpa. The Indo-Maynmar region serves as the primary producing area for Job’s Tear millet, with other significant production countries being China, Japan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India (Laxmisha et al.,2022). The versatile crop has earned the status of a staple in many regions, not only ensuring food security but also improving the livelihoods of rural farmers. Beyond its nutritional significance, Job’s Tear has garnered recognition for its potential health benefits.

1. Introduction Fonio (Digitaria exilis), also known as acha, hungry millets, and fundi in various regions, is a minor and underutilized millet with exceptionally small size (H. Sartelet et al., 1996; Bello et al., 2020). This ancient crop native to West Africa is considered one of the oldest cultivated millets for ensuring food security. Figure 1 illustrates the components and structure of fonio millets. In recent times, fonio millet has garnered increased attention due to its remarkable nutritional and functional properties (Zhu, 2020). Being gluten-free, it is rich in nutrients such as carbohydrates, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals (Fe, Cl, K, Mg) as well as essential sulphur-containing amino acids like methionine and cysteine, which also possess phenolic properties (Barikmo et al., 2004; Zhu, 2020).

. Introduction Millets, once considered as humble and forgotten grains, have made a remarkable comeback owing to their numerous health benefits, sustainability, and resilience in diverse agroclimatic conditions. Millet consumption is gaining momentum globally and thus it becomes imperative to establish clear and comprehensive standards for these grains. The chapter gives an insight into the reasons why millet standards are necessary, the challenges associated with implementing such standards and advocacy for a concerted effort to promote these nutritious grains as staples in our diets.

Millets have immense potential of providing nutritional security worldwide and play a pivotal role in food and nutrition economy. The nutritional aspects of millets are comparatively superior from the widely consumed cereals across the globe. With the presence of various essential macro nutrients millets are also enriched with the goodness of micro nutrients as minerals, vitamins and possess various bioactive compounds that portray several health benefits. The nutritional attributes of the millets are accompanied with several antinutritional factors such as tannins, phytates, saponins, trypsin and amylase inhibitors etc. that limit the bioavailability of the essential nutrients and minerals in these wonder grains upon consumption.

1. Introduction Ayurvedic texts like Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, have described millets as the staple food useful in managing diabetes mellitus (Sachan Kumar, 2004). Based on the experience of eating these millets for time immemorial, there exists also a strong traditional knowledge about health benefits associated with them. For example, as per an adage in the state of Karnataka, India: “Those who eat rice will grow as a light weight; their body being just like that of a bird; those who eat Jowar will become as strong as a wolf but those who eat Ragi (millets) will be the strongest of them all, plus they would be free from illness (‘nirogi’ in Sanskrit)”! Certain studies from literature refer nutraceutical character of millets, especially, Kodo and Kutki, which in our opinion should help mankind in eradicating malnutrition and hunger while ensuring sustainable supply of food.

1. Introduction The chapter aims to bring out the potential benefits of radiation processing technology for value-addition of millets. How the radiation processing technology can be exploited for making millets as a popular staple food would be the central theme. The key focus is to establish if irradiation (the term generally used for radiation processing of any material) can be employed for making millets for different purposes relevant to farmers and consumers. In order to understand and prove, we would list out the challenges involved in developing the market for millets. The key points that need to be considered for this go-to-market strategy for millets are : a) Millet grains have a long shelf-life, much better than the popular grains e.g., rice and wheat, consumed worldwide, but millet flour shelf life is significantly much shorter.

1. Introduction According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, 780 million of the estimated 792.5 million malnourished people globally are in countries that are developing. Despite expanded agricultural production, “hidden hunger,” which is often caused by a shortage of vital micronutrients in daily meals, affects around 2 billion people worldwide. Majority of the population is relying on plant-based diets which are critical for sustaining nutritional security and are the primary source of nutrients required for optimal growth and development. Most of these diets are found deficit in major nutrients such as proteins, iron, calcium and Vitamin B12.However, a considerable number of Asian and African populations suffer from nutritional inadequacies as a result of consuming plant-based diets (Tripathi et al., 2019). Earlier, the main concern of farming systems was crop productivity and yield. However, there has been a shift in emphasis toward human health and well-being.

Aquaculture production is promptly increasing all over the world. To increase the demand and for best management practices, we required additional technological innovations in various fisheries and aquaculture fields such as breeding, feeds, disease management, etc. The study of epigenetics provides a new way to comprehend ecofriendly-induced epigenetic markers linked to economically relevant features, disease resistance, and other qualities, allowing for the establishment of more suitable breeding conditions in aquaculture. CH Waddington invented the term “epigenetics” in 1942 to define the “study of the interactions between genes and their products that bring the phenotype into being,” which establishes the relationship between DNA segment and phenotype (Waddingto, 1942). Epigenetics is defined as processes or events that influence gene activity inheritance without relying on variations in DNA base sequences.

Introduction According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the world population increase from 7.7 to 9.7 billion by 2050; therefore, a growing demand for seafood and the production gap is anticipated due to stagnating fish supply from capture fisheries. The production gap may be curtailed by intensification of aquaculture practices rather than horizontal expansion. Intensive farming practices such as cage and pen culture in open water have gained significant attention and are related to the efficient utilization of untapped potential water bodies and of existing resources.

Introduction The impact of COVID-19 on the fisheries and food industries of vary, and the situation is rapidly evolving. Fisheries products that are highly dependent on international trade suffered quite early in the development of the pandemic from the restrictions and closures of global markets, whereas fresh fish and shellfish supply chains were severely impacted by the closure of the food service sectors (e.g. hotels, restaurants and catering facilities, including school and work canteens). Although COVID-19 does not fish, the fisheries sector is still have indirect impact in the pandemic caused changing consumer demands, market access or logistical problems related to transportation and border restrictions (Purkait et al., 2020). This will in turn have a damaging the effect on fisheries and aquaculture farmers in livelihoods, as well as on their food security of the populations that rely heavily of the fish for protein and essential micronutrients. The processing sector also faced closures due to reduced/lost consumer demand. This has had a significant impact, especially on women, who form the majority of the workforce in the post-harvest sector (Avtar et al., 2021).

Introduction Rapid increase in world population in last few decades has challenged the food producing sector (Agriculture, poultry, dairying and aquaculture) massively to meet the global food demand. The population is expected to be 9.9 billion by 2050 which means the food producing sector have to increase production by 60% further more than the current production (FAO, 2020). According to FAO (2016) approximately 17% animal protein and 7% total protein consumed by humans were provided by fish. Accordingly, per capita fish consumption was gradually increasing worldwide at 1.5% rate annually from 9.0 kg in 1961 to 20.5 kg in 2017 (FAO, 2018; Fajardo et al., 2022). Aquaculture which accounts for 47% of total fish production is expected to overtake capture fisheries by 2024 and reach 52% by 2029 (FAO, 2020).

Introduction A few decades back, no one would ever consider the potential danger posed by an ocean overrun with jellyfish? But many researchers around the world assure us that we can turn that danger into an asset with the help of scientific ideas and careful management. Gelatinous zooplankton like jellyfish are thought to have existed millions of years before the dinosaurs did. There are cases where these emotionless, mindless, bloodless organisms kill an adult human (Wilson, 1947). Despite being an annoyance, they could greatly benefit human society in many ways. The unfortunate truth is that even though they have 500 million years of history, they still appear to be an untapped opportunity. Jellyfish are not only edible, but also extremely nutritious due to their low calorie, fat, and protein/collagen content. Jellyfish are known for their refined taste, which can lean toward the salty side. The texture is more of a factor; it's not as gelatinous as one might think, falling somewhere between a summer squash and a glass noodle. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report published in 2019, human activities have had an impact on virtually all marine organisms, including corals, oysters, and other marine organisms. However, jellyfish are more resistant to the acidic effects of the world's oceans. This does not necessarily imply that these organisms are highly immune, but they are doing better than average. There are about hundred known venomous jellyfish species out of an estimated 10,000 worldwide.

Intoduction Cybertaxonomy is an abbreviation for "cyber-enabled taxonomy." It shares the traditional goals of taxonomy: to explore, discover, characterize, name, and classify species; to study their phylogenetic relationships; and to map their ecological associations and geographic distributions. To improve the speed with which we can help in providing taxonomic products and information, there is undoubtedly a requirement to move taxonomic endeavour into the digital era. Currently, the rate at which we record and maintain morphological information that enables species discovery is the primary constraint on taxonomic productivity (Lasalle, et al., 2009). Cybertaxonomy is one attempt to accomplish this complex goal. Cybertaxonomy employs a collection of electronic tools to assist and equip the science of taxonomy in accelerating species invention and the implementation of taxonomic expertise in biodiversity investigation.Cybertaxomy can yield results more quickly and efficiently than ever before thanks to adoption of digital technologies and cybertaxonomy.

Introduction The fish is an important source of protein as it constitute about 17 of the total animal protein (SOFIA, 2018) and the rising demand for fish has led to unsustainable exploitation of marine and inland water resources and fishstocks are getting overexploited, due to which the output from capture fisheries is uncertain. This has put difficulty for the management of our open water resources. It is now urgent to develop a management strategy for conservation of natural resources for future generation as our responsibility. Hilborn and Walters (1992) define stocks are arbitrary groups of fish large enough to be essentially self-reproducing, with members of each group having similar life history characteristics. Stock is defined as "a part of a fish population usually with a particular migration pattern, specific spawning grounds, and subject to a distinct fishery" by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas. Understanding the importance of delineating the stocks and their boundaries which have become an essential part of fishery management and conservation.

Introduction The Chilika lagoon situated in the eastern coast of India within 85º05' and 85º38' east longitude and 19º54' North latitude near Bay of Bengal and one of the biggest estuarine-style brackish water lagoon in Asia and the greatest migratory waterfowl wintering area on the Indian subcontinent (Suresh et al., 2018). In the monsoon & summer time, the lagoon's size varies between 1165 and 906 sq. km. The total catchment area of the lagoon is 4,406 sq km, of which 32% is made up of the Mahanadi delta and 68% is western catchment (Bengtsson et al., 2012). The lake has a distinctive combination of freshwater, brackish, and marine ecosystems with estuary characteristics. In 1981, Chilika Lake was chosen as the India's first "Ramsar site" and it considered as one of the biodiversity hotspots of the nation (Kumar et al., 2012). The lake is very productive and has abundant fisheries resources. Over 0.15 million fishermen live around the lagoon and rely on its productive fishing grounds for their livelihood (Suresh et al., 2018). The lake area is home to certain uncommon, endangered and IUCN threatened species.

Background The Enormous diversity of our planet harbors individuals of the sexually reproducing population that are unique and non-identical in nature. This unique nature is the source of this vast diversity. Taxonomy is critical for identification and classification. The oldest of the scientific disciplines, taxonomy, isdescribed as the theory and practice of classifying organisms (Mayr, 1982; Mayr and Ashlock, 1991). Taxonomy is a branch of systematics that deals with the idea and practice of classifying and describing diversity (Nelson, 2006). According to the global estimates of species (Mora et al., 2011; Costello et al., 2013), 1.2-1.5 million species are considered to be described and valid to date (Costello et al., 2013; Mora et al., 2011; Zhang et al., 2011). The enormous and intriguing variation among the species, as well as anatomical differences between species, developmental stages, and geographical ranges, make identification difficult. Rapid documenting of biodiversity should be a top priority before it is lost. This necessitates quick and accurate taxonomic expertise as well as enhanced identification methods, paving the way for the emergence of Integrative taxonomy (Dayrat, 2005), which combines all available data, whether morphological, behavioral, ecological, or molecular.

Background The Gulf of Mannar is one of the world’s richest marine biodiversity areas, as well as the first biosphere reserve in the region. The EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) of this region is around 15,000 square kilometres, with commercial fishing taking place in about 5,500 square kilometres (Arnold John M. 2017). Throughout the year, both mechanised trawlers and non-mechanized vessels fish in this area (Arnold John M 2001). Crustaceans are the most key members of the benthic organism strata and have a higher nutritional value for humans, and a large number of tiny species contribute to the complexity and sustainability of tropical ecosystems. (Hendrickx 1995). The Brachyuran crab is one of them, and it dominates many estuary regions where salinity and temperatures can vary substantially on a daily basis. (Ng et al. 2008). There are around seven hundred genera and five thousand to ten thousand species of brachyuran crabs in the globe.

Introduction Salmonella is a gram-negative, rod shaped bacteria, facultative anaerobe and non-spore forming. Motile by peritrichous flagella, except S. Gallinarum & S. Pullorum. Salmonella is a genus consists two species called S. enterica and S. bongori and six subspecies viz., enterica I, salamae II, arizonae IIIa, diarizonae IIIb, houtenae IV, indica VI and bongori V. the sub species were categorized into serotypes based on serological characters like somatic (O) - lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the external surface of the bacterial outer membrane, flagellin (H) – globular protein peritrichous flagella and capsular (Vi) – polysaccharide - O acetylated α 1-4, linked N- acetyl galactosaminuronic acids occurs only in S. Typhi, S. Paratyphi and S. Dublin. Salmonella plays an important role in affecting the safety of foods as it survives in a wider range of environmental conditions (Finn et al., 2013). Seafood are often contaminated with Salmonella (Duran and Marshall, 2005) and their presence causes negative impact on seafood export. During 2020-21, India exported 1.15 MMT of seafood worth US$ 5.96 billion mainly to the USA, China and EU, which are the major importers of Indian seafood (MPEDA, 2022).

Introduction Surimi and surimi based seafoods are traditional products of Japan and occupy an important position in the dietary culture of the country. Today, the largest producers of surimi are the United States, Japan and Thailand. Surimi is also manufactured in China, Vietnam and Malaysia. The process of makingsurimi originated in Southeast Asia and was further developed in Japan in the 16th century. Surimi is a product of Japanese origin, derived from a traditional Japanese way of using and preserving fresh fish. The word ‘surimi’ comes from the Japanese words ‘suru’ meaning ‘to process’ and ‘mash/mi’ meaning ‘meat’. Technically, surimi is the stabilized myofibrillar protein which is obtained by mechanically deboned fish flesh, which is washed, mixed with cryoprotectants, and stored frozen. Washing not only removes fat and undesirable matters such as blood, pigments and odoriferous substances but also increases the concentration of myofibrillar protein. A fish-based product serving the raw material for preparation of analog of seafoods like crab, lobster, scallop & other shellfish.

Introduction PCR is an important molecular tool used widely in different applied research fields such as Infectious disease diagnosis, clinical medicine development and gene cloning etc., (Fang et al., 2008). Among different amplification methods, PCR was the first to be developed and has been the method of choice for its simplicity, easier methodology, extensively validated standard operating procedure and availability of reagents and equipment’s. However, it also has a good number of limitations such as advanced equipment, high cost, sensitivity to certain classes of contaminants and inhibitors requirement of thermal cycling etc. (Fakruddin, 2011). These limitations of PCR allowed to develop the alternative methods such as loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) (Notomi et al., 2000), nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) (Compton, 1991), self?sustained sequence replication (3SR) (Guatelli et al., 1990), rolling circle amplification (RCA) (Lizardi et al., 1998) etc., most of these techniques are isothermal that don’t require thermal cycler. These methods have many advantages over PCR in terms of speed, cost, scale or portability.

Introduction The increase in population has led to the demand for good quality food. Consumer food demand is a key factor in the development of many agricultural and food policy and high-quality food products with longer shelf lives is increasing all the time. Over recent years, Packaging has revolutionised the marketing and delivery of food goods, especially fishery products. The introduction of modern packaging technology and innovative packaging material processes paved the way for convenience products. In 2018, the value of fish and fish products exported was USD 164 billion because of improved chilling, packaging, and transportation technology has resulted in increased commerce in live, fresh, and chilled fish, which accounted for around 10% of global fish trade and 78% of the total amount shipped was for human consumption (Sofia 2020). When both fish and terrestrial meat exports for human consumption are considered, fish exports have been larger in value terms since 2016. (51% versus 49%). Furthermore, increased utilisation of fisheries and aquaculture products minimises loss and waste, which can assist reduce strain on fisheries resources and support sector sustainability.

Climate Change - An overview The most studied topic in recent years was climate change, due to its increasing importance. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle or due to anthropogenic activities, since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. The process of raising the earth’s temperature is known as global warming. Climate change is one result of global warming in different places on the planet. Many people think that climate change means only global warming or an increase in temperatures. But the rise in the temperature is only the beginning of the story. Because in the Earth system everything is connected to one another, changes in one area or in one aspect of the system can influence changes in other areas. The consequences of climate change include flooding, intense droughts, water scarcity, wildfires, rising sea levels, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms and declining biodiversity. Adapting to climate change consequences protects people, businesses, livelihoods, infrastructure and natural ecosystems. It covers current impacts and those likely in the future.

Introduction Technology is the application of knowledge and/or equipment in undertaking and accomplishing certain activity. Fisheries technology is a systematically organized knowledge and materials applicable to production problems to help to boost the present level of fish productivity and or extend the existing range of production. Fisheries technologies are wide range of importance; Technological innovation in aquaculture is leading an evolution in aquaculture practices, thereby reducing losses and increasing efficiency. Technology in aquaculture affects many areas of fishery, such as seed production, feed production and management, pest and diseases management, production, harvesting, marketing, processing, etc. Induced breeding technology in Indian Major Carps transformed the growth of aquaculture sector from traditional to intensive aquaculture practices and led to success of modern aquaculture industry. Mechanization in fishing increased the harvest with less time and minimal human drudgery. Fish processing technologies improved product shelf-life, reduced fish loss and added value to the products.

Introduction Hokersar wetland (34°06’ N latitude, 74°05’ E longitude), a Ramsar site and a protected wildlife reserve is located in the northwest Himalayan bio geographic province of Kashmir, back of the snow-draped Pir Panchal. The wetland shelters about two million migratory water-fowl during winter that migrate from Siberia and the Central Asian region. The wetland is fed by two inlet streams Doodhganga (from east) and Sukhnag Nalla (from west). It is the only site in Kashmir with remaining reed beds and serves as a migration route for specifically 68 waterfowl species from Siberia, China, Central Asia,and Northern Europe, including the Large Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Little Cormorant, Common Shelduck, Tufted Duck, and endangered White-eyed Pochard (Ramsar, 2021).

Introduction Fishermen of Gulf of Mannar coast were largely depending on traditional fishing gears, and they were mainly exploiting the coastal fishery resources before 1960’s. After the introduction of trawl gears and mechanized fishing boats during 1960’s fishermen were more comfortable with plenty of fish catch, especially the high-valued demersal shrimps. The fishing effort was also increased at a tremendous pace in this region with the addition of stern trawlers. Due to this increment in the fishing effort, the fishery resources and their life-supporting systems such as coral reefs and sea grass beds are seriouslydisturbed.

Introduction NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) are organisations with professional staff that work to lessen human suffering and advance developing nations. The number of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in India is close to 3.4 million, and they work in a range of sectors, from disaster relief to advocacy for underserved and neglected groups. It is a nonprofit organisation that operates without interference from any governmental body. It is taskoriented and organised by people with common interests in a local, national, or international setting. It performs a variety of services and charitable tasks. Particularly, some are structured around particular concerns, such as health, the environment, or human rights. These make up a sizeable portion of civil society and bring about quick social change. They have developed into a vital and vocal platform for civil society participation in public affairs (Desai, 2014.).

Introduction Organ-On-a-Chip (OOC) is a developing trans-disciplinary technique that shares similarities with tissue engineering and lab-on-a-chip technologies. It has benefited from recent advancements in microtechnology (particularly microfluidics), cell biology, physiology, and tissue engineering and is motivated by the need for reliable, low-cost in vitro drug screening models. It can be characterized as a microfluidic-based perfusion device that facilitates an invitro cell (co-)culture and tries to reproduce certain structure(s), function(s), and important elements of human or animal metabolism of a particular tissue or organ in healthy and pathological physiology. Important features of live organs are such as extracellular microenvironments, spatiotemporal cell-cell interactions, and physiologically important tissue microarchitecture.

Introduction Shrimp farming is a lucrative sector in the food production industry. According to SOFIA (2020), 9.4 million tonnes of crustaceans were produced in 2020 worldwide, with 4.96 million tonnes coming from Penaeus vannamei. India is one of the largest global producer and exporter of farmed shrimp. In India, shrimp production increased significantly after introducing Pacific white leg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, in 2009. Among the cultured shrimp species, Penaeus vannamei is the leading species under culture in India, with an estimated production of 7.12 lakh tonnes (MPEDA, 2020). Intensification of culture and diversification of species provoke the incidence of diseases making diseases the major constraint in aquaculture, leading to tremendous losses. Shrimp diseases are of viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic origin.

Introduction A genome marker or a genetic marker is words commonly used to refer to a marker, which is identical to the term “marker.” Genes, genetic variants, or random sequences can all be represented by markers. Markers act as milestones or signposts while creating DNA and genomic maps. Markers are DNA sequences that are frequently identified by their position in a genome. The transmission of traits or the risk of sickness within families can be tracked using markers. It is essential to the continued existence of the species and boosts an organism’s ability to adjust environmental conditions. In conjunction with other evolutionary forces like genetic drift and selection, genetic diversity inside an individual evolves, leading to divergence at the population/ communities, species, as well as higher order taxonomic levels (Askari et al., 2013). Numerous fields, including evolutionary research, resources management and conservation, and genomic improvement programmes, can benefit from the conclusion derived from genetic variety data (Liu and Cordes, 2004).

Introduction Fish oil is the major source of essential Fatty acids (EFA) for humans. Generally, Fish requires three long-chain highly unsaturated Fatty acids (HUFA) for their normal growth and development including reproduction like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6) (Sargent et al. 1993a, 1995, 1997). Like the terrestrial mammals, DHA, EPA, and ARA are all involved in maintaining the cell membrane structure and function of fish but majorly EPA and DHA are considered. Moreover, the EPA and DHA are the major currency as fatty acid for the synthesis of phospholipids, Prostaglandins, and energy etc. However, the biosynthesis of EFA in fish changes in accordance with the relative bioconversion capacity of the PUFA (Linoleic acid and α-Linolenic acid) as shown in figure 01.

Introduction The ecological stability and food web of intertidal environments are significantly influenced by macroalgae. The majority of marine organisms, including macroalgae, coral reefs, sponges, and the organisms that they are associated with, are well known for producing secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds, which increase their value in a variety of industries, including food, neutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and others. Among them, seaweeds play a vital role in promoting health by offering a variety of phytochemicals with antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and antiviral action (Ngo et al. 2012). Worldwide, there have been more than 20,000 macroalgal species identified. In South Asian nations including China, Japan, and Korea, it has been used as sea vegetables. India now has 841 macroalgal species identified,including 434, 191, and 216 species of red algae, brown algae, and green algae, respectively (Oza and Zaidi, 2001).