Background: Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) are economic entities owned by smallholders that amalgamate resources, enhance market access and offer technical and marketing services in India. They have significant potential for participation in the economic and social welfare of smallholders. However, empirical evidence from northeastern hill states, particularly Tripura, remains scarce. This case study examines the impact of FPOs on smallholder livelihood development in the fruits and vegetables supply chain of Tripura. Methods: A qualitative case study was used, including interviews with government officials (BDOs, ADOs, Directors) and primary data from 12 FPOs engaged in fruit and vegetable production. Collected information was analysed thematically. Result: Four major thematic constraints emerged: (1) infrastructure deficits - non-operational cold chains and non-contiguous farmland limiting cluster benefits; (2) financial exclusion - most farmers rely on Kisan Credit Cards with limited institutional credit access; (3) governance weaknesses – leadership and management skill gaps; and (4) social barriers - scepticism toward collective action and individualistic cultural norms. However, FPOs have partially reduced their dependence on intermediaries through joint marketing and increased bargaining power.
Finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] is an important crop of the Poaceae family and a staple food for millions of people in Asia and Africa. Originating in East Africa, it was later introduced to India, which is now one of its major producers. The crop is valued for its adaptability to marginal environments, drought tolerance, low-input cultivation and excellent storage ability. It is also recognized as a nutrient-rich cereal owing to its high calcium, dietary fiber, protein, essential amino acids, minerals and bioactive compounds. Information on the nutritional composition, genetic diversity and improvement of ragi has been generated through morphological, biochemical and molecular studies. DNA marker systems such as RAPD, SSR and ISSR, along with genomics-based approaches, have been employed to assess genetic variability, population structure and traits related to nutrition and stress tolerance. Studies have revealed considerable genetic diversity among ragi germplasm and significant variation in nutritional traits. The grain contains high levels of calcium, iron, dietary fiber, protein and bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. Molecular tools have facilitated the identification of superior genotypes and supported the development of nutritionally enhanced and stress-tolerant cultivars, emphasizing the crop’s importance for sustainable agriculture and food security.
Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) is a valuable tool in livestock breeding that helps improve desirable traits by using genetic markers linked to specific genes. Unlike traditional methods that rely on visible traits, MAS allows selection based on genetic makeup, making it more accurate and efficient. Introduced in the late 20th century, MAS has evolved significantly with the integration of genomic technologies, advanced statistical modelling and gene-editing techniques. The key advantage of MAS is that it enables early selection, even before an animal’s phenotype is fully expressed, thus speeding up the breeding process and improving genetic gain. MAS has been successfully applied in various livestock species, including cattle, pigs and poultry, to enhance production traits like growth rate, feed efficiency, milk yield and disease resistance. The future of MAS lies in its integration with advanced genomic technologies, enabling precise selection for complex traits across diverse species. Continued advancements in gene editing and data analytics will enhance breeding efficiency, sustainability and genetic improvement in animal populations. Therefore, this comprehensive review explores the journey of MAS, highlighting its historical significance, the technological tools used in marker development, key properties, advantages and limitations, practical applications and future prospects.
Background: Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers are essential for molecular breeding in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) compared to traditional development methods, which exhibit 30-70% marker failure rates. Moreover, no quantitative frameworks exist for predicting marker quality in this orphan legume crop. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop the first machine learning framework for automated SSR marker quality prediction in pigeonpea and identify key determinants of marker success. Methods: Fifteen predictive features were engineered features from 2,770 computationally designed pigeonpea SSR markers, including primer design parameters, compatibility metrics and SSR structural characteristics. Quality scores (0-100) integrated predicted amplification success, specificity and polymorphism likelihood. Three algorithms (Random forest, support vector regression, neural network) were trained using five-fold cross-validation. Result: Support Vector Regression (SVR) achieved the best performance (R² = 0.487, MAE = 2.341, CV R² = 0.441± 0.032). Feature importance analysis revealed primer compatibility as the dominant predictor (72.9% combined importance): melting temperature difference (25.2%), average melting temperature (23.0%) and primer length difference (17.8%). The framework enables prioritization of top 554 markers (20%), potentially reducing experimental validation costs by 40-60%. This study presents the first quantitative framework for SSR marker quality assessment in pigeonpea. The finding that primer pair compatibility accounts for 72.9% of predictive importance fundamentally shifts understanding from individual primer optimization to primer pair harmony. This validated framework provides scalable methodology for resource-limited breeding programs and is transferable to other orphan legume species.
Myiasis or flystrike is the infestation of live tissues of hosts by larvae of Dipteran flies. The flies responsible for this condition are referred to as blow flies or screw worm flies. This phenomena is distributed worldwide, especially in poor socio-economic regions of tropical and subtropical countries. The family calliphoridae (Diptera) is primarily known for its synanthropic, necrophagous and myiasis-causing species. Chrysomyia bezziana, the old world Screw worm fly, is the commonest calliphorid fly, the larvae of which is responsible for causing myiasis in livestock and poultry in India. The principal hosts of C. bezziana are large domesticated animals and native wildlife and occasionally humans. In animals, it causes morbidity and in extreme cases, death. C. bezziana, is one of the most important myiasis-causing flies that parasitize warm-blooded animals in the Eastern Hemisphere. These flies are also forensically significant. The review tries to put light on the overall impact of myiasis in livestock and poultry with an emphasis on the Indian scenario. Extensive review of literature was carried out with the help of websites viz. google scholar, academia.edu etc. and also hardcopy of various books as mentioned in the reference section were consulted. C. bezziana, is one of the most important myiasis-causing flies that parasitize warm-blooded animals in the eastern hemisphere. These flies are also forensically significant. The review tries to put light on the overall impact of myiasis in livestock and poultry with an emphasis on the Indian scenario.
The diseases of different female genital organs in companionanimals possibly will affect the health condition of the animal, fertility status, or even the life of the animal. There may be an aberrant reproductive cycle of dogs and cats if there is a lesion in the genital tract. The frequent reproductive disorders seen in companion animals are ovarian, uterine and vaginal in origin. The majority of the animals are suffering from ovarian diseases commonly cystic ovaries, ovarian remnant syndrome and ovarian tumors. Certain reproductive disorders viz., pyometra, cystic endometrial hyperplasia and metritis, might cause infertility in the bitch and queen as well as lead to the death of the animals, if not diagnosed and treated in the early hours. Vaginal, cervical prolapse and vaginal tumors are very frequent in bitches and rare in cats. The transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) is an exclusive tumor that mostly affected by the dogs. Pseudo-pregnancy is familiar in dogs but uncommon in cats.
Background: Raw milk is a highly nutritious food but also an excellent medium for microbial growth if hygienic handling and cold chain practices are inadequate. In informal dairy supply chains, contamination may occur during milking, storage, transportation and retail sale, posing food safety and public health risks. Standard plate count (SPC) and coliform count are widely used indicators of overall microbial load and sanitary quality of milk. This study assessed the bacteriological quality of raw milk from rural cattle farms and urban milk selling points in Kamrup District, Assam, India (26.22oN, 91.65oE) and compared the microbial status between rural and urban sources. Methods: A total of 450 raw milk samples were collected, including 225 samples from 75 rural cattle farms (three randomly selected cows per farm) and 225 samples from 75 urban milk selling points (three pooled milk samples per point). Each sample (50 mL) was collected aseptically in sterile, labelled containers and transported to the laboratory under maintained cold chain conditions. Samples were stored at 5oC and processed within 3-4 hours of collection. SPC and coliform counts were determined by pour plate technique using nutrient agar and Violet Red Bile Agar (VRBA), respectively. Colony counts were expressed as log cfu/mL. Rural and urban means were compared using Welch’s independent samples t-test in R (version 4.4.2), with p less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Result: Both rural and urban milk samples showed very high microbial loads. SPC ranged from 10.62-13.63 log cfu/mL in rural samples and 10.80-13.63 log cfu/mL in urban samples, while coliform counts ranged from 6.49-7.26 log cfu/mL (rural) and 6.49-7.24 log cfu/mL (urban). No statistically significant differences were observed between rural and urban sources for SPC (p = 0.9987) or coliform count (p = 0.9438). Overall microbial indicators substantially exceeded permissible limits, indicating poor hygienic quality of raw milk in the study area and underscoring the need for strengthened hygiene practices, monitoring and cold chain maintenance across the milk supply chain.
Background: Haryana, India, is a major foodgrain producing state since the Green Revolution, faces growing challenges of land and water degradation. Intensive rice-wheat cropping patterns have resulted in groundwater depletion, waterlogging, salinity, alkalinity and declining soil health. Despite these concerns, limited research has comprehensively examined the temporal dynamics of land use and agricultural instability in the region. The present study aimed to analyze land use changes and instability in Haryana’s agricultural landscape from 2002 to 2022. The study utilized secondary data from Statistical Abstract of Haryana and land use statistics (Ministry of Agriculture). Methods: Analytical techniques such as compound annual growth rate (CAGR) analysis and cuddy-della valle instability index (CDVI) were employed to assess trends and volatility across different land categories. Result: Findings revealed critical paradox: while India demonstrated marginal forest expansion (0.10% CAGR) and moderate intensification, Haryana experienced alarming environmental degradation with forest cover declining sharply (-7.30% CAGR) and barren lands surging (22.00% CAGR). Agricultural intensification was evident through 2.60% CAGR in area sown multiple times, yet offset by rising instability in culturable wasteland (CDVI: 32.97%) and non-agricultural land use (CDVI: 40.05%). These findings underscore urgent need for sustainable land management and policy interventions to balance agricultural productivity with environmental conservation in Haryana.
Background: Agriculture impacts the economy and society globally. However, it also contributes to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emission significantly. It poses challenges to sustainability amidst growing population and rising food demands. Thus, to understand the factors affecting agriculture GHG emission plays an important role in designing effective mitigation strategies. Methods: This study analyzes the drivers of agriculture GHG emission for top emitters across the World from 1992 to 2022 by disintegrating the emission into agriculture emission intensity effect, agriculture structure effect, productivity effect, mechanization effect and the labor effect. Also, to assess and track the pattern of sustainability across countries over the period of time, a sustainability index (SI) was constructed. Result: The results showed that the sustainability index for India increased till 2013-15 and decreased thereafter. For rest of the top emitters, it increased throughout indicating unsustainability. The absolute changes in emission were driven by agricultural emission intensity effect, structure effect, productivity effect, mechanization effect and labor effect.
Ensuring food security continues to be a major global challenge, driven by rapid population growth, climate change, declining natural resources and socio-economic disparities that affect sustainable food production and access. Recent reports suggest that over 733 million people suffered from undernourishment in 2023, highlighting the urgent requirement for resilient and sustainable agri-food systems. This review evaluates crop yield optimization and post-harvest loss reduction as two complementary strategies for strengthening food security at global and national levels, with particular reference to India. It examines recent developments in sustainable agronomic practices, improved crop genotypes, precision agriculture, integrated nutrient and water management, diversified farming systems and climate-resilient technologies that enhance productivity while maintaining ecological balance. The review also examines the magnitude and underlying causes of post-harvest losses, while highlighting improved storage, processing and distribution strategies that can increase food availability and affordability. A systems-based approach integrating technological innovation, sustainable resource management and policy support is essential for long-term food and nutritional security.
The ever-growing impact of global climatic change on agriculture is becoming more evident each day, with a continual rise in earth’s temperatures altering precipitation patterns, particularly affecting the monsoon season. These changing conditions pose significant threats to agricultural production, impacting fisheries, livestock farms and agribusiness infrastructure, thereby contributing to food insecurity and malnutrition. Due to climate change, India, a major producer of key crops such as wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane and maize, is witnessing adverse effects on its agriculture. Despite the formidable challenges posed by climate change, agriculture holds significant promise as a key solution. This potential can be realized through concerted efforts aimed at reducing emissions and implementing widespread strategies for both mitigation and adaptation. Adopting optimal management practices, encompassing techniques like organic farming, agroforestry, irrigation planning, efficient manure management and rainwater harvesting, is pivotal in this endeavor. This paper endeavors to conduct a thorough review encompassing pertinent literature, articles, documents and reports and assess the impacts of climate change on agriculture. With a specific focus on elucidating the ramifications of climate change on agricultural production in India, the study seeks to highlight prevailing risks while delving into avenues for mitigation. Ultimately, the aim is to underscore the critical importance of embracing resilient agricultural methods to safeguard household food security amidst the challenges posed by climate change.
Background: Cleanliness and sanitation are vital for public health, environmental sustainability and social well-being. In India, initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission have improved sanitation infrastructure; however, sustained behavioral change remains a challenge. Educational institutions play a crucialrole in shaping students’ attitudes and practices regarding cleanliness, yet evidence linking attitudes to actual participation, particularly at agricultural universities, is limited. Methods: The study was conducted at Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (SDAU), Gujarat, using a descriptive research design during 2021-22 to 2023-24. A total of 310 undergraduate and postgraduate students were selected through proportionate random sampling. Data were collected using a standardized Attitude Scale Towards Cleanliness and a structured participation questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis were performed using SPSS. Result: Most students exhibited a moderately favorable attitude toward cleanliness and a medium level of participation. Strong agreement was observed on health, hygiene and social responsibility, while limited clarity existed regarding technical sanitation aspects. Participation was higher in organized campus activities, whereas sustained behavioral practices showed lower involvement. Socio-personal variables such as age, family type and faculty affiliation showed weak to moderate associations with attitude and participation. The findings reveal an attitude-participation gap, indicating that awareness alone does not ensure sustained cleanliness practices. Strengthening experiential learning, institutional support and student-led initiatives can enhance long-term engagement and support national sanitation goals and relevant sustainable development goals.
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a climate-resilient cereal cultivated widely in semi-arid regions where nitrogen losses from conventional urea limit productivity and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). This review synthesizes recent advances in nano urea and urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) as innovative nitrogen sources for sustainable pearl millet production. A systematic analysis of published literature was conducted to evaluate their mechanisms of action, agronomic performance, environmental implications and economic feasibility. Nano Urea enhances foliar nitrogen absorption and reduces soil-based nitrogen losses, while UAN supplies nitrogen in multiple chemical forms, providing both immediate and sustained availability. Evidence suggests that partial substitution strategies improve NUE, reduce environmental risks and maintain yield stability under dryland conditions. However, long-term ecological assessments and millet-specific dosage optimization remain research priorities. Integrated nitrogen management combining soil and foliar approaches appears most promising for sustainable pearl millet systems.
Antibiotics are a class of drugs used to treat bacterial infections. The use of antibiotics in poultry farming is a widespread practice aimed at improving bird health, preventing infections and promoting growth and productivity. However, the excessive and unregulated use of antibiotics in the poultry industry has become a major public health concern due to the increasing risk of antibiotic resistance. The use of antibiotic free strategies is a useful practice aimed at improving poultry health, productivity and welfare of birds by minimizing and eliminating use of antibiotics. These approaches include the use of probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, synbiotics, feed enzymes, vitamins and minerals, vaccines, antimicrobial peptides, phytobiotics and immunomodulators as alternatives to conventional antibiotics.
Background: Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a crucial pulse crop globally, valued for its nutritious seeds but significantly affected by Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lentis. Traditional management often relies on synthetic fungicides, which can harm the environment. This study explores the potential of organic defense inducers viz; salicylic acid (SA), benzothiadiazole (BTH) and chitosan (Cs) in managing Fusarium wilt sustainably. Methods: The effects of these inducers were tested at concentrations of 100 ppm, 500 ppm and 1000 ppm on lentil plants, focusing on defense enzyme activity, disease incidence and yield. Result: Results showed that the application of these inducers significantly reduced disease incidence and increased yield under field conditions. Notably, enzyme activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (PO) and catalase increased substantially. PAL, PPO and PO showing a 10 to 12-fold increase 24 hours post-inoculation and Catalase, 48 hours after inoculation. The most effective inducer found was SA at a concentration of 1000ppm followed by BTH and Chitosan. These findings suggested that organic defense inducers effectively enhance the resistance of lentil plants to Fusarium wilt by promoting systemic acquired resistance (SAR), offering a sustainable approach to crop protection and improved yields.
With the rapid advancement of digital technology, excessive screen time has emerged as a pervasive issue, significantly impacting individuals’ health, relationships, productivity and overall development. While moderate and mindful use of digital devices can enhance well-being, excessive screen engagement is associated with numerous negative mental health outcomes, such as psychological distress, decreased emotional stability and a heightened risk of depression and anxiety. Issues often arise when digital usage becomes impulsive, compulsive, or addictive, disrupting critical aspects of mental and physical health, including sleep patterns, physical activity and emotional resilience. Although digital communication offers convenience, it frequently lacks the emotional richness of face-to-face interactions, contributing to feelings of isolation and disconnection. Excessive consumption of online content, especially via social media, exacerbates negative self-comparisons, fosters unrealistic expectations and distorts perceptions of reality. Adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable due to their developmental need for genuine social connections and greater exposure to digital environments. Research indicated that adolescent girls and young women are more prone than their male counterparts to extensive social media use, face increased risks of cyber bullying and experience significant mental health challenges. These trends correlate with recent epidemiological findings, which highlighted that young females are especially susceptible to elevated symptoms of depression, self-harming behaviors and suicidal thoughts. Addressing the adverse effects of excessive screen time involved strategies such as parenting interventions, public health campaigns and school policies that regulate screen use. Encouraging young people to monitor and moderate their screen time is crucial for raising awareness of their usage habits and their impacts.
Background: The present study was conducted during kharif-2022 (June to September) to assess the graft compatibility of two capsicum hybrids with different chilli rootstocks and their effects on growth, yield and quality. Methods: The experiment was carried out in FRBD with 16 treatments, including seven rootstocks and two scions, replicated thrice in greenhouse. Result: Graft success rate varied between 82.67% and 96.67%, with the highest rate observed in commercial capsicum hybrid-1grafted on CRS-2 and commercial capsicum hybrid-2 on CRS-1. Among all combinations, commercial capsicum hybrid-2 grafted on CRS-7 showed superior performance in plant height (103.47cm), pericarp thickness (0.53mm), number of branches (10.13) and earliness in flowering (22.33 days). It also recorded the highest fruit yield per plant (3.43 kg), per plot (34.33 kg) and per hectare (54.74 t/ha). The lowest yield was recorded in non-grafted commercial capsicum hybrid-1 (2.41 kg/plant, 38.39 t/ha). No significant differences were found in TSS content across grafts. However, commercial capsicum hybrid-1 grafted on CRS-6 had the highest titratable acidity (0.17%). The findings confirmed that grafting positively influences growth and yield in capsicum, with commercial capsicum hybrid-2 grafted on CRS-7 emerging as the most promising combination.
Background: The devastating soil-borne chickpea disease known as collar rot, which is caused by Sclerotium rolfsii, results in significant yield losses globally, especially in Uttar Pradesh, India, where seedling mortality can range from 55% to 95%. Numerous environmental conditions, like as soil type, pH and sowing time, affect the frequency and severity of collar rot. Developing successful management strategies requires an understanding of the connection between these factors and the onset of disease. Methods: The study was carried out under controlled net-house circumstances throughout the 2022 rabi season (October-March). Four soil types typical of the Bundelkhand region (red, black, light brown and yellow) were tested. Chickpea plants were cultivated in these soils with variable pH values and two sowing dates (15-Nov and 15-Dec). Collar rot disease incidence and plant growth indicators such as shoot and root length were monitored throughout the growing season. Several chickpea cultivars, including L550, were assessed for sensitivity to collar rot. Result: The findings revealed that yellow soil had the lowest collar rot incidence (36.66%) and greatly increased plant growth, with an average shoot length of 38.24 cm and root length of 24.22 cm. In contrast, dark soil had the highest disease incidence (66.02%) and the lowest plant growth. Sowing timing had a significant impact on disease occurrence, with early sowing (15-Nov) having a greater incidence (21.37%) than late sowing (15-Dec) (11.19%). L550 was determined to be the most vulnerable to collar rot of all the cultivars studied. These findings emphasize the need of using optimal soil types and sowing timings to effectively minimize collar rot.
Background: The investigation was conducted to study the effect of various agronomic factors viz., geometry and fertility levels on growth dynamics and yield of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), often referred to as superfood and also called “the mother grain”. Methods: The investigation was conducted in kharif 2022, with genotype “EC507742” at mid-hill region of Uttarakhand, India comprising of two factors viz., geometry (S): S1- 20 cm × 10 cm, S2- 30 cm × 10 cm and S3- 40 cm × 10 cm as main plots and fertility levels (F): F1- Control, F2- 75% NPKS, F3- 100% NPKS and F4- 125% NPKS as sub plots with total of 12 treatment combinations that were evaluated in split plot design with three replications and analysed using OPSTAT with figures from SAS (proc glm). Result: The 30 cm × 10 cm spacing was found effective in field conditions compared to other crop geometries, indicating to be more suited for quinoa cultivation under 100% NPKS fertilizer application which produced best growth dynamics, yield characteristics and yield for quinoa. The interaction between the 30 cm × 10 cm spacing and 100% NPKS fertilizer was significant in recording the highest growth dynamics and yield. Analysis indicates that quinoa responds very well to fertilizer dose of 100% NPKS at an optimum spacing of 30 cm × 10 cm.
Background: The horticulture sector in India faces a significant challenge due to the high perishability of produce, resulting in substantial losses in quantity, quality and producer returns. To mitigate these challenges, the India International Horticulture Market (IIHM) has been established in Sonipat, Haryana, as a world-class facility capable of managing large volumes of produce from auction to processing and market distribution while maintaining quality standards. IIHM will serve 17 states and provide dynamic business opportunities. The study primarily focuses on exploring business opportunities and their financial viability within the IIHM framework. Methods: The study was structured around two primary objectives: (i) to study and analyse various revenue generation streams for the fruits and vegetables wholesale market and (ii) to identify parameters for different revenue models and prepare a business model for each combination. Data collection involved brainstorming sessions with officials from the fruits and vegetable wholesale market, analysis of detailed project reports (including the Rungis Market) and a study of Asia’s largest wholesale spice market in Delhi. Seventeen distinct revenue generation streams were identified, which were examined under four principal revenue models: renting, outright sales, revenue sharing and collaboration. Simple mathematical and statistical tools were employed for data analysis. Calculations for the rental model were performed using input information, such as area and rate per square metre, provided by the National Council of State Agriculture Marketing Boards, applying a 1.5% annual growth rate after an initial two-year gestation period. Rates for outright sales, revenue sharing and collaboration models were determined by aiming to surpass the income generated through the rental model. Result: The rental model emerged as the most financially viable among the seventeen streams, while the success of outright sales, revenue sharing and collaboration was contingent on pricing structures and partnership levels. Financial projections over 12 years demonstrated significant revenue potential, exemplified by Shops and Sheds under the rental model generating Rs. 9,61,87,50,000. The findings emphasise the necessity of incorporating growth rates into lease models to ensure long-term profitability.
