In Himalayan region colored rice races are being cultivated since old age and these practices still continued. This study is focused on the nutritional value of pigmented rice land races grown in hilly regions of Uttarakhand as compare to white rice variety of tarai region. Eight local land races of pigmented rice from Thalisain (Pauri Garhwal: Elevation: 1695 meter), Ranikhet (Kumaun: Elevation: 1869 meter) and one commonly grown white rice variety Pant Dhan 14 from tarai region were taken for the present study. All these pigmented rice land races as well as white rice variety were assessed for anthocyanin, protein, dietary fiber and secondary metabolites viz, phenol, flavonoids along with antinutritional factor phytic acid. Significant amount of anthocyanin was found in pigmented rice grain (0.3 to 1.5 mg/100g) and was not found in Pant Dhan14. High albumin and globulin protein concentrations was found in all of the pigmented rice land races but two (G6 and K1) as compared to Pant Dhan14. High dietary fiber (1.5%-2%) and high phenols (10-20mg/g) and flavonoids (9-15mg/g) and low phytic acid (0.5 1.5mg/g) content was found in all pigmented rice land races of Uttarakhand as compare to Pant dhan-14(dietary fiber (0.5%), phenols(8mg/g), flavonoids (7mg/g), phytic acids(3.2mg/g)). All above studies suggest the nutritional superiority of pigmented rice local land races of Uttarakhand hilly regions as compare to white rice variety. Highlighting this superiority aims to encourage the consumption of pigmented rice for better dietary health, support its cultivation to preserve traditional practices and biodiversity, and enhance food security through diet diversification.
The present investigation deals in deciphering the biochemical analysis of two high yielding Indian mustard varieties, PDZ-1 and Kranti. The anti-nutritive and nutritive content in seeds of both these varieties was analyzed. The parameters revealing the anti-nutritive potential were deciphered as phytic acid, total glucosinolates and sinapine content. The methionine, tryptophan, β-carotene, total carbohydrate, fat, fiber, crude protein and oil were estimated as nutritive factors with proximate analysis. The results of experimentation revealed higher levels of all anti-nutritional factors in Kranti as compared to PDZ-1. Phytic acid (1.83±0.13), total glucosinolates (91.25±0.19) and sinapine content (2.38±0.16) were altogether higher in Kranti than PDZ-1 in which values were 1.02±0.08 for phytic acid, 14.22±0.21 for total glucosinolates and 1.34±0.06 for sinapine content. The nutritive contents were comparable in both the mustard varieties. However, PDZ-1 possessed higher values of oil (43.52±0.59) and crude protein (35.61±0.67) than Kranti, oil (37.29±0.78) and crude protein (29.93±0.45). An assessment of anti-oxidative potential, total phenols, ortho-dihydric phenols and total flavonoids was also done in this research investigation. Indian mustard is utilized in almost every household as oil for cooking purposes, extracted from its seeds. Besides their higher protein content, the seeds are not used in large proportions in diet due to the involvement of anti-nutritional factors. In future, more emphasis should be laid on lowering the content of the anti-nutritional factors so that the consumption of mustard seeds in diet could be enhanced for gaining the nutritional benefits
Biogas slurry (BGS), a nutrient-rich byproduct of anaerobic digestion, contains valuable enzymes like β glucosidase, essential for lignocellulosic biomass degradation. This study investigated the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of β-glucosidase extracted from BGS. The enzyme was purified through lyophilization and ammonium sulfate precipitation, resulting in an 8.3-fold increase in activity. Optimal enzyme activity was observed at 60°C and pH 7.0, with a Vmax of 4.207±0.07 mM/min, Km of 2.51±0.01 mM, and a catalytic efficiency (Kcat /Km) of 0.36±0.003 s/M. β-glucosidase exhibited high thermal and pH stability, retaining significant activity after prolonged exposure to high temperatures and varying pH levels. The activation energy (Ea) of 14.97±0.67 kJ/mol and a temperature coefficient (Q10) of 1.16±0.06, was indicating enzyme stability across a range of temperatures. These findings suggested that β-glucosidase from BGS could be a cost-effective and sustainable enzyme source for biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass and could be suitable for large-scale waste valorization.
The sugarcane crop was attacked by various insect pest mainly Pyrilla, whitefly, mealybug, ash weevil, grasshopper, early shoot borer, top shoot borer, and internode borer, attacked the sugarcane crop. Study on the population dynamics of these pests revealed that infestations began in the second fortnight of April 2022 and continued until harvesting. The second fortnight of June had the peak infestation of early shoot borer (26.67%), whereas the first fortnight of September showed the highest level of top shoot borer infestation (36.67%). The infestation of internode borer peaked (26.67%) during the second fortnight of December. The first fortnight of October and November observed the highest numbers of Pyrilla eggs, nymphs, and adults, with population densities of 3.03, 5.50, and 6.23/leaf, respectively. In the second fortnight of October, the highest number of whiteflies was observed at 2.03/three leaves. The study additionally examined at the relationship between weather parameters and insect infestations. A significant positive correlation was found between minimum temperature and early shoot borer infestations. Top shoot borer incidence was considerably positively correlated with both morning and afternoon relative humidity. The minimum and maximum temperatures were significantly negatively correlated with Pyrilla egg populations. The incidence of grasshoppers exhibited a positive correlation with maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and afternoon relative humidity, while mealybug and ash weevil infestations showed a substantial positive correlation with afternoon relative humidity.
Rice sheath blight, caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG1-1A, is a significant threat to rice cultivation, second only to rice blast. To evaluate its spatial distribution in Uttarakhand, a GIS-based survey was conducted across 13 districts during the Kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023. The surveys revealed distinct spatial patterns of disease incidence (DI) and percent disease index (PDI). The lowest DI and PDI were recorded in the hilly regions of Kumaon and Garhwal, while the highest values were observed in the plains of Kumaon, followed by the plains of Garhwal and the Bhabar regions of Kumaon. Among the districts, Udham Singh Nagar exhibited the maximum DI (64.49%) and PDI (46.60%), whereas Champawat recorded the lowest DI (6.53%) and PDI (2.25%). These findings highlight the role of GIS in identifying disease hotspots and informing targeted disease management strategies
Natural farming employs natural resources to grow crops and manage disease and pests for high-quality harvests. This study evaluates the efficacy of natural products viz. , Panchgavya, butter milk, cow dung, cow urine, ghee, mushroom extracts, spent mushroom substrate (SMS), and oils in vitro and in vivo against lentil wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lentis by recording the percentage mycelium inhibition, impact on disease incidence and crop yield. The most effective products were further studied for elicitation of systemic acquired resistance in subjected plants. The poisoned food technique revealed highest mycelium inhibition of the pathogen i.e., 90 percent with Badri cow urine and Panchgavya at the 20 percent concentration. Both products also performed with similar efficacy over lentil wilt disease under field conditions. The seed treatment with Panchgavya reduced disease incidence to 1.82 percent in field, followed by Badri cow urine (2.44%). Moreover, the treatments with Panchgavya and Badri cow urine exhibited highest yield of 16.22 q/ha and 13.79 q/ha, respectively, demonstrating positive impact on plant growth factors. Furthermore, defense related enzymes viz. , PAL, TP and Catalase were also found to be enhanced 48 hours post challenge inoculation in Badri cow urine and Panchgavya treated plants. Overall, the study presents promising sustainable options for lentil wilt management under natural farming systems, where no chemical options are available.
A field study was conducted at the N.E. Borlaug Crop Research Center of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, to investigate the heat unit (GDD) requirements of wheat varieties under different dates of sowing and various irrigation levels in Tarai region of Uttarakhand. The experiment was laid out in Split Split Plot Design, with two dates of sowing viz. , D1 (1st December) and D2 (15th December), three irrigation levels I1 (IW/CPE ratio 1.0), I2 (IW/CPE ratio 0.8) and I3 (IW/CPE ratio 0.6) and two varieties V1 (UP 2855) and V2 (PBW 502). Studies showed that GDD needed to reach different phenological stages varies between the two sowing dates. Late-sown crops required more GDD for the booting (623.47) and milking stages (1065.08), while early-sown crops needed more GDD overall (1434.18). Irrigation levels affected GDD, with the lowest at emergence and the highest at maturity under irrigation level I1. Variety V1 (UP 2855) outperformed variety V2 (PBW 502) in GDD requirements across most stages.
The importance of precise crop yield forecasts cannot be overstated, as they serve as a critical input for policy formulation and implementation related to crop procurement, distribution, price structure, and import/export decisions. Our objective is to develop a reliable forecasting model that can inform evidence-based decision-making for policymakers and stakeholders. A 21-year dataset was split into training (17 years) and testing (4 years) subsets. Weather indices were developed using weekly data, in accordance with the method outlined by Agrawal et al. (1983). This study explored three multivariate models for predicting maize yields based on weather variables: SMLR (Stepwise Multiple Linear Regression), PCA (Principal Component Analysis) and DFA (Discriminant Function Analysis). The performance of the model was assessed using two primary metrics: Adjusted R-squared (adj. R²), which indicates the proportion of variance explained by the model, and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), which measures the average magnitude of prediction errors. On the basis of adj R2 (89.98 %) and RMSE (218.54 Kg/ha), the DFA-SMLR model performed best for maize yield prediction compared to SMLR and PCA-SMLR models in the studied region.
Bhotiya tribe is a group of ethno-linguistic people typically living in the Trans-Himalayan region. The tribe is generally inhabited in three major districts of Uttarakhand namely Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Uttarkashi. These tribal people live in close proximity with nature and therefore their food and other resources are derived from nature and local forests, thus explaining their dependency on nature. The food they consume, the dietary and cooking practices they follow are typical to them which are also eco-friendly and sustainable. Therefore, attempt was made to study their indigenous food and beverages and document their preparation and cooking methods. The research was exclusively conducted among 50 bhotiya women aged between 18-50 years residing in village Ghorpatta of Munsyari tehsil in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. A total of 14 food and beverage items were reported in the study. It was also found that some of the recipes used ingredients which were used as medicine by the tribe in curing various illnesses. These indigenously prepared food items also ensure food security and improved nutrition therefore, the study is an attempt to document these indigenous cooking methods which are eco-friendly and sustainable.
The present study was a venture for the quality evaluation of Maize flour mixes for its flat chapati called “Roti”. Findings of the survey revealed that all the subjects consumed blended flour Roti but the type of grain selected and proportion used varied. Blended flour was developed for most commonly consumed grains i.e. , Maize (M) with bengalgram (B) in the proportion of 3:2 and with Bengalgram and Barley (BY) 3:1:1. After several repetitions of different proportions by preparing Roti, its acceptability was judged (scores > 6.5) by panel of judges using nine point hedonic scale. A preparation of blended flour roti was standardized for its carbohydrate content (40g/serve), serving size, cooking time, cooked weight and water required for preparing the dough. Developed composite flour provided 70-77 per cent of energy from carbohydrate and were the good sources of fibre (2.10-3 g%). Protein quality of the composite flour was better than the plain flour (Protein quality -7,11& 11 NDP cal% respectively). Developed flour was stored in 1 kg capacity flour bags at room temperature for a period of three months. Shelf life parameters revealed that free fatty acids and peroxides were in the safe limits. Acceptability of roti remained same for M and its blends. Nutritional status of the subjects revealed that majority (43%) of them were in the category of overweight and obesity, waist hip ratio confirmed the abdominal obesity (> 0.85) in the females. Glucose tolerance test was conducted with 40g glucose and test recipe i.e., blended flour Roti with chutney on selected subjects as GTT manner to determine the Glycemic index (GI) of blended flours. GI was lower for blended flours than the plain flour. Blend of Maize with Bengalgram and Barley were the best as their GI was lowest. The acceptability of M + B composite flour was for longer duration upto 3 months and its GI was also lowest, therefore, for commercial purpose this blend was recommended.
Consumers are increasingly turning to alternatives to cow’s milk due to health concerns such as lactose intolerance, cow’s milk allergies, calorie control, high cholesterol, and a growing preference for vegan diets. This study aimed to develop a plant-based milk substitute using a blend of red rice milk, groundnut milk, and ragi milk, with mango pulp added for flavour. The formulation consisted of 50% red rice (Jyothi), 40% groundnut milk, and 10% ragi milk to approximate the composition of cow’s milk. Mango pulp was added in varying amounts (10%-30%), and sensory evaluation using a nine-point hedonic scale determined the optimal formulation. The blend containing 70% plant-based milk and 30% mango pulp received the highest score of 8.30 for overall acceptability. Nutritional analysis of the selected formulation showed it contained 69.98 kcals of energy, 6.54 g carbohydrates, 5.78 g protein, 2.3 g fat, 4.10 g starch, 94.2% moisture, pH 4.28, and TSS 10°Brix. Microbial analysis indicated no bacterial, fungal, or yeast growth during storage. This plant-based milk offers a promising alternative for those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies, as well as a flavourful, nutritious option for children with digestive issues related to dairy products
Banana (cv. Musa - AAA group) is one of the most widely utilised fruits in the tropical and subtropical region. This study evaluates the acceptance on addition of banana pulp and osmo dehydrated bits as a natural value-added flavour in ice cream. For the standardisation of banana incorporated ice creams, the banana variety “Grand naine” was utilised in the study and was added in the form of pulp (T1 - T6) and osmodehydrated bits (T7 - T12) to the ice cream at varying concentrations 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 per cent level. Plain ice cream without the addition of pulp or bits (T0 ) served as control. For the preparation of ice cream, all the ingredients along with stabilisers, were mixed and pasteurised at 85ºC for 1 min. This mix was allowed to cool to which pasteurised cream was added and then homogenised. The homogenised mix was kept for ripening at 4°C for 24 hours, after which the banana pulp/banana bits were added in various concentrations and the ice cream was hardened in freezer. All the treatments underwent organoleptic evaluation and the results showed that the treatment T1 (5% banana pulp) and treatment T7 (5% banana bits) were the best combinations with a total mean score of 8.59 and 8.53 respectively. The overall acceptability of banana pulp-based ice cream and banana bits incorporated ice creams were 8.71 and 8.77 by the third month of storage respectively on nine-point hedonic scale. The proximate analysis of selected ice creams showed moisture (59.63% and 59.79%), protein (4.08% and 3.91%), fat (4.39% and 3.99) acidity (0.16%) for both the ice creams, pH (6.55 and 6.54) and TSS (40.21ºB and 40.37ºB). The production cost of prepared banana pulp and banana bits incorporated ice creams were Rs. 45.00/ 100g and Rs. 56/ 100g respectively. Hence, the study showed that banana are highly suitable for preparing ice cream and could be judiciously utilised as a healthy dessert.
Paddy is one of the important grains and staple food in Kerala. The diverse agro-climatic conditions prevailing in the state support wetland paddy cultivation. Significant societal developments put pressure on the land and gradually paved the way for the shifts in land use, resulting in a decline in paddy area. The present study was carried out to investigate the growth performance and instability in area, production and productivity of paddy across districts in Kerala using the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) and Instability Index based on secondary time series data collected from the official website of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Kerala from 1985-86 to 2022-23. Bai-Perron test identified a structural break in area and production during 2007-08 and productivity during 2008-09, which could be attributed to the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008. The compound annual growth rate for area and production was negative, but the productivity was positive. During the overall study period, the highest instability index was reported in the paddy area compared to production and productivity. Rapid population growth, expansion of habitation on valuable land, industrialisation, urbanisation, conversion of paddy fields for non-agricultural uses, and increasing factor costs paved the way for diminishing paddy lands. It is the need of the hour to implement appropriate policy measures to reduce the exacerbating effects of these factors and revive paddy production in the state
Indian agriculture has made good progress, especially in the case of wheat and rice in irrigated areas. However, performance has not been so good in terms of oilseeds and pulses. Therefore, to achieve self-sufficiency, a focus needs to be placed on crop groups like oilseeds and pulses other than cereals. The present study, therefore, focuses on the scenario of oilseeds and pulses in India, as well as their trend and growth in terms of area, production, and productivity over the years. The time series data on the area, production and productivity of total oilseeds and pulses grown in the country was collected from secondary sources like the Department of Agriculture, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, website of India stat, etc. The time period for the present study was taken from 1970-71 to 2022-23. The time period was further divided into four parts viz., 1970-71 to 1987 88, 1988-89 to 2005-06, 2006-07 to 2022-23 and the overall time period from 1970-71 to 2022-23. To examine the temporal performance of oilseed and pules in the country in terms of area, production and productivity, the compound annual growth rate was estimated using the exponential growth function.
Under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) funded Farmer FIRST Programme, large-scale farmer participatory field demonstrations on green gram variety (MH 421) were organized at three adopted villages i.e., Gurana, Bure and Dubetta in Hisar district, situated in semi-arid region of Western Haryana during three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020 to evaluate the economic feasibility of technology transfer and adoption in green gram. The results of the study revealed a notable enhancement in the average yield of the demonstrated plot with an increase of 16.33 per cent compared to that of the farmers’ plots for green gram crops. The average yield of demonstration plots showed significant increases of 16.91 per cent, 12.10 per cent, and 20.33 per cent in the years 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. The extension gap measured 1.37 q/ha, 1.08 q/ha, and 1.50 q/ha while the technology gap amounted to 2.53 q/ha, 2.00 q/ha, and 3.00 q/ha during consecutive years, respectively. Over the span of these three years, the yield increment observed in demonstration plots translating to additional income compared to check plots totaled ₹5105/ha, ₹ 4184/ha, and ₹ 6479/ha, respectively with corresponding B:C ratios of 2.51, 2.69 and 2.27. The high cost of inputs, lack of government support and non-availability of credit in time were the primary constraints faced by green gram growers in adopting recommended production technologies. Hence, the study recommends that a multi-pronged strategy be implemented which includes enhancing green gram production through horizontal and vertical expansion and productivity improvements through better adoption of improved technology.
In agricultural economy, livestock sector plays primary and budding role to provide livelihood for the large part of poor people in the world and fairly contributes to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. The study examined the status of production and consumption of meat in different countries of Central Asia region from 2000 to 2017. Descriptive statistics like average, percentage, etc. were used. In all the countries, of Central Asia region meat production has increased from 15 per cent in Kyrgyzstan to 274 per cent in Tajikistan during this period on account of increase in the number of major animals and poultry birds. In Central Asian countries, except Kyrgyzstan, meat consumption increased by higher percentage than that of in the region as a whole (93.44 per cent), and in Asia (58.59 per cent) in all the countries, in the year 2017 over the year 2000. Per capita consumption of meat was highest (185.75 gram/day) in Kazakhstan while the lowest level (45.45 gram/day) was observed in Tajikistan during 2017. The highest increase of 86.88 percent was found in Tajikistan while, the lowest increase in per capita consumption was found in Kyrgyzstan is less than 1 percent.
Study was conducted to examine the socioeconomic status of the farmers and the comparative economics of organic and inorganic farming and to find out the constraints faced by farmers in adoption of organic farming. A total number of 60 farmers selected. Out of these 30 farmers selected for each category using random sampling technique. Total cost of cultivation in paddy, maize and finger millet in organic was Rs. 47564/ha, Rs. 38932/ha and Rs. 39792/ha in case of inorganic farms Rs. 49999/ha., Rs. 40546/ha and Rs. 41919/ha respectively. The net returns in organic farms were more in all crops paddy, maize and finger millet as compared with inorganic farms. In case of maize higher returns were found Rs. 60094/ha from organic and Rs. 55619/ha from inorganic and in case of finger millet Rs. 36611/ha from organic and Rs. 30061/ha from inorganic and lower in case of paddy Rs. 25348 /ha from organic and Rs. 20899 /ha from inorganic farms respectively. The return over per rupee investment in maize crop was higher 2.54 in organic and 2.37 in inorganic than paddy and finger millet on the study area. It was observed that most of the farmers expressed the problems regarding lack of knowledge of organic production technology, requirement of long period to get positive response from the ecosystem, lack of specialized markets for organic produce, initial yield loss and lack of knowledge about certification process, uncertainty of irrigation water and small land holding or land in patches.
TThis study investigates the impact of four biomass materials—pine cone, paddy straw, coconut shell and pine needle on the yield and quality of activated biochar. Biomass was characterized for composition, proximate and ultimate properties. The chemical activation process was performed using phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) under varying conditions of activation time (20, 40 and 60 minutes), temperature (400°C, 450°C and 500°C), and impregnation ratio (1:1.25, 1:1.5 and 1:1.75). Results showed that coconut shell produced the highest biochar yield, ranging from 65.23% to 48.77%, followed by pine needle (47.39% 57.81%) and pine cone (52.75%–45.23%). Paddy straw exhibited the lowest yield, from 39.6% to 33.72%. Biomass with higher carbon content and lignin, such as coconut shell, produced higher biochar yields, while materials with lower lignin, like pine cone and paddy straw, had lower yields. Longer activation times and higher temperatures reduced biochar yield by promoting volatile production. Surface area and porosity analysis indicated that coconut shell and pine needle biochar had the highest surface areas, beneficial for adsorption. The study demonstrates that phosphoric acid activation is an effective, cost-efficient method for producing biochar with desirable properties for environmental applications like water treatment, soil amendment and air purification
The Cryogenic treatment is an old technique for material enhancement; however, it has become a popular method. It is an optional and one-time permanent treatment process that involves exposing materials to extremely low temperatures at -196 °C and has piqued interest because of its potential to greatly improve mechanical properties and is a well-established technique for material enhancement; however, its recent popularity stems from its potential to significantly improve mechanical properties. This study investigated the effect of cryogenic treatment on aluminium alloy 6101, focusing on enhancing its mechanical and microstructural properties for potential structural applications. The fabricated samples were cooled to approximately -196 °C and then spontaneously heated to ambient temperature. Compression tests were conducted on both the treated and untreated samples to evaluate the changes in yield strength, ultimate compressive strength, and ductility. Optical microscopy was employed to analyse the grain structure, dislocation density, and precipitate distribution. The results demonstrated that the cryogenic treatment led to a notable increase in the compressive strength, although the ductility decreased. The microstructural analysis revealed a finer grain structure, which contributed to the improved load-bearing capacity of the material. These findings highlight the potential of cryogenically treated aluminium alloy 6101 for applications that require superior compressive strength and structural integrity.
The electrostatic technology used in agriculture has unique approach to protect the crop from various harmful insects, pest and airborne spores with no negative impact on crop, human health and ecosystem. Three manually hand operated low-cost electrostatic insect sweepers were developed and tested for its bio-efficacy to control whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci (Genn.)) and jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida)) in cotton (Gossypium spp.) crop. The wire mesh of the insect sweepers is made up of aluminium and stainless steel having good electrical conductivity, which is further connected to electrostatic based generator. This generator helps in the formation of a low resistance path, thereby results in arcing through the body of the insects. The wire mesh periphery is shielded with a poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) insulator. As soon an insect come in touch or pass through the screen mesh, a high voltage produces an electrostatic force without discharging of the spark, which further electrocuted insect’s body. Maximum whiteflies reduction of electrostatic insect sweeper is found to be 62.21-% followed by 31.76-% & 20.35-% by in B, C and A respectively after one day of experiment. The highest jassid reduction was found to be 80.42 % for the insect sweeper ‘B’ followed by insect sweeper ‘C’ and ‘A’ which were reduced to be 54.28 and 34.62 %, respectively. Observations reveal that, the percent reduction of whiteflies and jassid by the insect sweeper ‘B’ was observed significantly higher than the insect sweeper ‘A’ and ‘C’. From this, it was found that the electrostatic hand sweeper was quite efficient and can be utilized as a conservation technique to safeguard the crops against the whitefly for sustainable future agriculture.
The present study evaluates microbial contamination in panipuri, a popular street food in Uttarakhand, India. A total of 2,250 samples from various sources, including water, masala, utensils, and hands, were analyzed for contamination by Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus spp. Results revealed significant microbial presence, with 16.04% of samples testing positive for E. coli, 11.20% for Salmonella, and 13.38% for Staphylococcus. The findings highlight the need for improved hygiene practices to mitigate health risks associated with street foods. Significant regional variations in contamination were observed, with Rudrapur showing the highest positivity rates. The study highlights the urgent need for improved hygiene practices, clean water supplies, and antimicrobial resistance monitoring to ensure food safety and mitigate public health risks.
A study was conducted to estimate economic contribution of small-scale duck (15 Pati ducks under backyard system) farming towards rural livelihood in two flood prone districts of Assam. Two development blocks viz. , Jonai and South Salmara were selected from Dhemaji and Dhubri district respectively for the study. A total of six villages (three from each development block) were selected purposively to conduct the study. Altogether 120 small-scale duck farmers (20 from each village) were selected on the basis of their experience and who had kept minimum of 15 ducks in their household under backyard system. The study revealed that the total capital expenditure incurred was INR 10,133.00 included fixed cost of INR 1,000.00 and variable cost of INR 9,133.00. Among the variable costs, labour costs were the largest component, accounting for 56.20% of the total variable cost followed by feed cost (29.83%) of the total variable cost. The cost of ducklings, at INR 750.00 (8.21%), and medicines and vaccines at INR 300.00 (3.28%) were relatively small. The income breakdown revealed 50.26% revenue generated from the sale of eggs, followed by sale of spent ducks and drakes (26.18%) and sale of surplus drakes (23.56%). The study also indicated that rearing 15 ducks could generate 34.22 man-days of employment over the 18-month period among rural farmwomen. Further the benefit-cost ratio of 1.56 was recorded by rearing of 15 ducks under backyard system, indicated substantial returns for each rupee spent. Therefore, small-scale duck farming has the potential to boost rural livelihoods, ensure food security, and empower women, making it a sustainable and low-cost option for flood prone areas of Assam.
Agriculture is pivotal to India’s economy, providing livelihood to a significant proportion of the population. In Uttarakhand, particularly the Kumaon region, agripreneurship is emerging as a vital mechanism to enhance agricultural productivity and income generation. Agripreneurs bridge traditional farming practices with innovative entrepreneurial approaches, adopting modern marketing techniques to expand market reach and value addition. This study aims to investigate the entrepreneurial marketing practices among agripreneurs in Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand. The specific objectives include analyzing the socio-economic, psychological, and communication profiles of agripreneurs, evaluating their marketing strategies, and identifying constraints in marketing their products and services. The research involved 157 agripreneurs selected through simple random sampling from four blocks: Rudrapur, Bazpur, Sitarganj, and Khatima. Data was collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, and correlation analysis. Findings revealed that a majority (60.5%) of agripreneurs were middle-aged, and 68.78% had marginal landholdings. Most respondents exhibited medium levels of information-seeking behavior (68.79%), innovativeness (58.6%), and decision-making ability (66.88%). Agripreneurs faced challenges such as limited market access, inadequate marketing infrastructure, and low awareness of advanced marketing techniques. Addressing these challenges requires targeted interventions, including capacity-building programs, improved market linkages, and financial support. This study highlights the potential of entrepreneurial marketing to transform agriculture in the Kumaon region, enhancing rural livelihoods and contributing to sustainable economic development.