Modeling and Forecasting of Agricultural Commodity Production under Changing Climatic Condition: A Review

India is a country with an agrarian economy in which majority of its population rely on agriculture directly as their source of livelihoof. Climate has a very significant role in agricultural production. It predominantly influences growth of the crop, development of the crop and eventually crop yield. Climate also significantly influences the outbreak of disease and pest; it affects the requirement of water by the crop. Possible changes in weather factors, like precipitation, temperature and CO2 concentration are expected to have a significant impact on crop growth. If farmers are able to predict the weather activities and are aware of the effect of these activities on crop production, then it will be beneficial to them as a feasible plan can be devised synchronizing the crop production activities as per changes in the climatic conditions. In view of tackling the aforementioned problem, this article describes various statistical techniques that can play a crucial role in forecasting production of agricultural commodities changing climatic conditions.

Hermetic Storage Technology for Food Grains: New Beginning of Organic and Safe Storage for Farmers and Consumers: A Review

The moisture content of grains, oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration in storage environment affects the storage life of food grains. The moisture content affects on storability of food grains severely, hence the storage structures must be provided with sufficient protection from moisture exchange between grain and atmosphere. The insect and pests grows very fast in presence of oxygen and moisture in the storage environment. The humid climate provides favorable conditions to moulds and insects to grow in most of the food grains and oilseeds. The grains exposed to these favorable environment further not useful for human consumptions. Many harmful chemicals like aflatoxins are formed in oilseeds and cereals. The emerging hermatic storage is highly effective technology to prevent the spoilage of grains without use of any harmful fumigants and chemicals, hence it is popularly known as organic storage technology. In this technology the flow of oxygen and water from external environment is fully controlled by impermeable, triple layer hermatic plastic bags.

Azolla as a Green Fodder Feed Supplent of Cross Breed Cows in District- Sehore (M.P.)

Background: Azolla is a floating fern also known as duck weed is belongs to the family Salviniaceae. Azolla is a good source of protein and contains almost all essential amino acids and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese etc. Methods: In the present dairy business, the cost of milk production is increasing due to market based feed management and lack of green fodder. In the context of which, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, District- Sehore (M.P.) were conducted 20 no of trais in the field of farmers during 2014-15 and 2015-16. KVK, Sehore assessed the technology is Dry fodder 4 Kg/ Day/ Animal + Green Fodder @ 20 Kg/ Day/ Animal + 2 Kg Concentrate feed/Day/Animal for body maintenance alongwith additional 1 Kg Concentrate feed/Day/Animal in every 3 litre Milk yield + 50 gm mineral mixture/ Day/ Animal. Result: Under the assessed technology, farmers found 12.5 per cent milk enhancement in assessed technology 2 as compared to farmers practice (Assessed technology-1) and 26.04 per cent higher milk yield in assessed technology 3 as compared to farmers practice (Assessed technology-1) likewise 4.76 per cent enhance the fat per cent in assessed technology 2 as compared to farmers practice (Assessed technology-1) and 9.24 per cent enhance the fat per cent in assessed technology 3 as compared to farmers practice (Assessed technology-1).

Oats as a Functional Food

Oat (Avena sativa) belongs to the grass (Poaceae) family. It has been recognized as a healthful and nutritious cereal containing high concentration of soluble fiber compounds such as β-glucan, which are beneficial for digestive system and preventive against colon rectal cancer help to maintain an optimal weight due to high fiber content. It also contains antioxidants, vitamins, phenolic acids sterols and phytic acid which has essential role in our body functioning. The key cholesterol lowering ingredient in oats is soluble fiber. β-glucans, the most important cereal non-starch. β-glucan, is abundant in oat kernels and exhibits a high viscosity at relatively low concentrations. Viscosity is an important rheological property of β-glucan and is associated with beneficial physiologic responses that mediate appetite regulation. Oats were traditionally eaten as porridge with salt or sugar were added recent modern product innovation has created an array of oat products (Oat breads, oat cakes and oats milk etc.). Oats are used as an additive in Cereal breakfast, baked goods, oat milk and oat powder is incorporated in many Dairy products like (low-fat ice creams, yoghurts, cheese and other fermented drinks). It is stated that 3 g/day oat β-glucan reduced the total and LDL cholesterol by five to ten per cent.

​Labrador Retriever a Perfect Apartment Dog- A Review

Dogs are considered to be the most loyal companion of Mankind since ages. They are considered to be the decedents of wolfs. They hold their decent from antient extinct species of wolfs and recently available grey wolfs. Owing to its loyalty and affectionate nature they are the first domesticated animal in man’s world for 15000 years ago. Firstly, they were used by hunters during the time of hunting and were used as to gather the hunts, as in those days’ agriculture was not in practice. This long relationship between human and dogs made them quite loyal and adaptable to human needs. They can eat anything which a man can provide to them and happily accommodates with Human. There are large number of dogs breed which is available in various countries having their own individual traits. They vary in their shape, size, colours, behaviour and their sensory capabilities. Some of dogs are calm and some are aggressive in nature, due to which their utility changes, as they perform many roles for mankind, such as hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and the military, companionship, therapy and aiding disabled people. This relationship with mankind has earned them a title “Man’s best friend”. There are many popular dog breeds in India such as 1) Beagles 2) German Shepherd 3) Great Dane, 4) Labrador Retriever, 5) Boxer, 6) Rottweiller, 7) Pug, 8) Golden Retriever, 9) Cocker Spaniel 10) Dachshund etc.

A Study on Morphological Growth and Development of Swiss Albino Mice, Wistar Rat and Dunkin Hartley Guinea Pigs

Background: Baseline information on the morphological development of laboratory animals is very scanty. Hence the present study was undertaken to understand the morphological development of experimental animals. Methods: An experiment was conducted at Biogen animal facility, Bangalore in the year 2018 to study the morphological changes with regard to growth and developmental parameters in Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats and body weight in guinea pigs. Ten Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats in advanced pregnancy of similar age groups and comparable litter sizes in the previous kindlings were selected for the experiment, where as five guinea pigs males and females each were selected with same age group. During the study period, litter weight and size at birth and at weaning, time of initiation and completion (full growth of hair) of hair growth, time of opening of eyes and ears recorded in Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats whereas body weight at birth, 3rd day, 6th day, 9th day, 12th day and 15th were recorded in Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs. Result: The results of Swiss albino mice indicated that the average litter weight (grams) and litter size at birth ranged from 1.39 and 7.50 respectively. The average time taken from initiation and full growth of hair covering on body was 7.50 to 15.30 days. Eyes and ears opened at 7.90 and 8.20 days respectively. Average weight of male and female recorded at weaning (25 days) 19.38 and 15.12 respectively and the litter size at the weaning was 9.70 whereas, livability percent was recorded 87.81 at the end of the trial. The results of Wistar rats indicated that the average litter weight (grams) and litter size at birth ranged from 5.07 and 11 respectively. The average time taken from initiation to full growth of hair covering on body was 9 to 16.20 days. Eyes and ears opened at 12.20 days, average weight (grams) of male and female recorded at weaning (25 days) 78.03 and 63.09 respectively. The litter size at the weaning was 9.70. The livability percent was recorded 88.02 at the end of the trial. The results of Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs indicated that the average body weight (grams) of female at birth, 3rd day, 6th day, 9th day, 12th day, 15th (Weaning period) ranged from 94.88, 109.34, 123.94, 139.74, 152.14 and 166.66, respectively. On the other hand, average body weight (grams) of male at birth, 3rd day, 6th day, 9th day, 12th day, 15th (Weaning period) ranged from 145.38, 155.42, 170.50, 185.54, 200.64 and 215.7, respectively.

Amaranth and Date Flavoured Milk

Background: This project is aimed at developing a milk-based beverage combining the nutrient properties of milk, amaranth and dates. Inclusion of amaranth and dates in flavoured milk could provide product diversification and benefits to the health-conscious consumers. The objective of the present study was to develop a procedure for manufacture of an amaranth date flavoured milk (ADFM) using amaranth and date. Methods: To select the level of fat in milk, four batches of ADFM were prepared from milks containing different levels of milk fat viz. F1 (4.5%), F2 (3.0%), F3 (1.5%) and F4 (0.1%). To carry out their optimization in the final product formulation, the data was analysed using response surface methodology (RSM) using an advanced statistical software program named design expert (Version 8.0.3) was employed. Result: On the basis of overall acceptability score, ADFM prepared from milk containing fat at 3.0% fat was preferred the most. From amongst different types and levels of stabilizing salts it was found that addition of 0.15% sodium citrate prevented coagulation during sterilization. The levels of roasted amaranth flour (% w/w of milk), date extract (% w/w of milk) and sugar (% w/w of milk) for preparation of ADFM was optimized using RSM with CCRD using three independent variables. The suggested solution from RSM analysis for ADFM was: level of roasted amaranth flour: 1.61 % w/w of milk, level of date extract: 5.16% w/w of milk and sugar: 6.0% w/w of milk. The developed product has 20.83% total solid, 2.77% fat, 3.07% protein, 14.15% carbohydrate, and 0.84% ash. Results of the study revealed that an acceptable quality ADFM can be manufactured by incorporating roasted amaranth and date.

​Nanofertilizers for Enhancing Nutrient use Efficiency and Crop Productivity in Vegetable Crops of Gujarat

Background: India is a second largest producer of vegetables after China. Fruits and vegetables are essential parts of our diets and vegetables recommended highest by ICMR. Therefore, the vegetables require extra emphasis to improve production and productivity of it to feed the second largest population in the world. Methods: Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd. (IFFCO) has introduced its nanotechnology-based products i.e., Nano-N, Nano-Zn and Nano-Cu for initial testing on 11 important vegetable crops grown during winter season in Gujarat with 5 treatment combinations. Result: We tested 5 treatment combinations among which treatment T5 i.e., 50% farmer fertilizer practices plus 1 spray of Nano-N, 1 spray of Nano-Zn and 1 spray of Nano-Cu give 5.34% higher return then all there treatments in all crops. Which conclude that application of nano-fertilizers through foliar spray significantly increase crop yield over control or without application of nano-fertilzer due to its higher Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE). So it was recommended to use farmers fertilizers practices (FFP) 50% N, 1 spray of Nano-N, 1 spray of Nano-Zn and 1 spray of Nano-Cu to get more economic yield.

Effect of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) Germplasms on the Morphological Characters under Terai Conditions of Uttarakhand

The present study was carried out to find out the effects of the different Germplasms of Jackfruit on its Morphological characters under the Terai Conditions of Uttarakhand. The experiment was conducted in Plot No.6, HRC, Patharchatta at GBPUA and T, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. In this experiment a screening of 10 Germplasms of Jackfruit widely found around the Terai areas of Uttarakhand was done through a Randomized Block design consisting of 10 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments being the 10 Germplasms labelled from 1 to 10 planted in rows. It was observed in the study that regarding the morphological characters Jackfruit Germplasm-6 and Jackfruit Germplasm-8 were found to be of short stature, with a spreading habit. Further, it can be concluded that there was significant variation in morphological character of various germplasm of Jackfruit. Among the various germplasm; Jackfruit Germplasm-6 and Jackfruit Germplasm-8 were found to be superior as compared to others in dwarfness, spreading and yield.

Economic Analysis of Integrated Farming Systems in Uttar Kannada District of Karnataka

Background: The present study was conducted in Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka as a project on integrated farming systems was implemented in this district by University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during the year 2013-15. It was considered for study in master’s research. Methods: Under the study three taluks viz., Sirsi, Mundagod and Bhatkala were selected with an overall objective of identifying and analyzing and the economics of integrated farming systems. The relevant data collected from primary sources through personal interview method were analyzed by tabular and production function techniques. Four main integrated farming systems followed by majority of the farmers in the study area are selected for study, viz., Integrated Farming System-I,II,III,IV. Result: The study revealed that the total cost under Integrated Farming Systems-III was highest with Rs. 129023, while it was Rs. 115388, Rs.115266 and Rs. 97434 respectively in Integrated Farming Systems-I,II and IV. net farm returns was highest under Integrated Farming Systems-I which was Rs. 86351. In all the different integrated farming systems, the labour and seed cost had significant influence on gross returns. The seed and feed were underutilized, fertilizer, FYM and land were over utilized.