An experiment was conducted to find out the economic feasibility of Rice under organic
farming at the Organic Farm, ASPEE College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University,
Navsari, Gujarat, during the kharif season of 2021. The experimental design used was
Randomized Block Design with two factors i.e., forth levels of Soil application (S 1 : 100% RDN
through NADEP compost, S 2 : 80% RDN through NADEP compost along with Azospirillium and
PSB @ 2 l/ha each, S 3 : 60% RDN through NADEP compost along with Azospirillium and PSB
@ 2 l/ha each and S 4 : Ghan-jivamrut @ 500 kg/ha + Jivamrut @ 500 l/ha) and three levels of
Foliar application (F 0 : control, F 1 : Novel Organic liquid nutrient @ 1% and F 2 : Moringa leaf
extract @ 3%). From the total twelve treatments, the S 1 treatment resulted in significantly higher
growth attributes viz., plant height and no. of tillers/m 2 at 60 DAT, yield attributes viz., panicle
weight, grain weight/hill as well as grain yield (3749 kg/ha) and maximum gross returns (Rs.
96728/ha), net returns (Rs. 51793/ha). But it was statistically similar to the S 2 treatment. While
from foliar application the F 2 treatment recorded significantly higher growth attributes and yield
attributes viz., no. of productive tillers/m 2 at 60 harvest, no. of grains/panicle, panicle length,
grain and straw weight/hill as well as grain and straw yield (3312, 5665 kg/ha), but it was at par
with F 1 treatment. The F 2 treatment also recorded the highest gross returns (Rs. 87300/ha), net
returns (Rs. 44704/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.05). The findings of the study conclude that, to
achieve higher productivity and profitability with soil application of 100 percent RDN through
NADEP compost and foliar application of either 3 percent Moringa leaf extract or 1 percent
Novel organic liquid nutrient at 15, 30, and 45 days after transplanting in kharif rice var. GNR-7
can be carried out, as these treatments are economically feasible under organic farming.

The transition of Indian agriculture from animal-driven to machine-driven practices has
introduced various tools and implements aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing physical
labour. Ergonomics, the science of tailoring equipment and workstations to the capabilities and
limitations of the human body, plays an important role in reducing physical stress and health
risks associated with agricultural work, especially for female workers who face repetitive and
difficult tasks. This study explored the introduction and impact of ten drudgery-reducing farm
technologies for farm women. The primary goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of these
technologies in enhancing productivity and reducing physical labour through a capacity-building
training program. A capacity-building training program was conducted in Kaveliguda village,
targeting 50 farm women. The training focused on ten drudgery-reducing farm technologies,
which included sapling transplanters, improved sickles, long-handle weeders, Head load
managers, Seed placement tubes, Finger guards, Ring cutters, different types of Cotton harvest
bags, Knitted gloves, and Seed cum fertilizer bag. Pre and post-training evaluations were carried
out to assess changes in awareness and adoption rates. Socio-economic constraints, including
low income and limited contact with extension services, create significant barriers to training
participation and technology uptake. The pre- and post-training evaluations revealed significant increase in awareness of the
drudgery-reducing technologies. There was a moderate adoption rate of these technologies
among the participants. The findings underscore the importance of accessible training and
technology in enhancing productivity and occupational comfort for women in agriculture. By
emphasizing ergonomics and user-centered design principles, this study highlighted the
importance of active participation of women in the design process to ensure that the equipment
meets their specific needs and preferences. This participatory approach not only increased the
usefulness and acceptance of the equipment among women farmers but also created a sense of
ownership. Prioritizing ergonomics in tool design and implementation can create a more
equitable and sustainable agricultural sector that supports the health and empowerment of
women farmers.

International year of millets (IYOM) 2023 is a global campaign initiated to foster millets
value chain providing intuitive solution to global food security. The present study meant to
evaluate the exposure towards millets and perception on millet based products among post
graduate students having nutrition as one of the subjects from different colleges of Hyderabad
city (120 no.) through structured interview schedule. The study focused on concepts related
to awareness about millets, health benefits, consumption pattern and millet processing. As
part of survey, participants identified three major millets (bajra, ragi and jowar)
predominantly,70% identified IYOM year as 2023 correctly, 59% of the participants were
unable to list out traditional recipes based on millets, 89% had awareness about value added
products on millets, 75% started preferring millets in various food outlets, 68% regimented
millets in their regular diet and 94% believed millet good for diabetics. Regarding processing
of millets 81% of the participants reported flour milling as major processing component and
other methods they were not aware off. Millets has been a staple food for centuries, had more
health benefits other than good for diabetics, had more value addition options in millets other
than flour making are some of the revelations explicitly and precisely need to be conscious of
by these upcoming health professionals.

Chili (Capsicum annuum var. annuum L.), a crucial Solanaceae crop with significant
economic value in India, faces a major threat from leaf curl disease, particularly during the
kharif season, which can result in total crop loss. A novel genotype was developed through a
cross between 9639 and ACS 01-04, followed by a single backcross to ACS 01-04, using the
pedigree selection method to enhance green fruit yield and leaf curl tolerance. This variety
achieved an average yield of 148.96 q/ha, surpassing controls GVC 111, GAVC 112, GVC
121, and CA 283 by 12.09%, 27.63%, 36.89%, and 64.72%, respectively. The cultivar
exhibits a dense canopy, weak anthocyanin pigmentation at nodes, moderate stem
pubescence, and medium green leaves. The fruit, characterized by its medium color, smooth
surface, high gloss, absence of curvature, and minimal pericarp sinuation, also has a weak
pedicel attachment at the mature unripe stage. The ACS 13-24 line shows higher ascorbic
acid (16.37 mg/100g), total soluble sugars (3.78%), and reducing sugars (0.50%) compared to
controls GVC 111 and GAVC 112. Anand Tej demonstrates reduced leaf curl disease
incidence relative to controls GAVC 112 and JCA 283 and exhibits lower fruit damage from
borers and minimal thrips infestation at the Anand location. DNA fingerprinting using SSR
markers (P459: CaBR82 and P468: CaBR107) confirmed the genetic distinctiveness of ACS
13-24 against reference varieties GVC-101, GVC-111, GAVC-112, and Kashi Anmol. This
cultivar is highly suitable for cultivation in central Gujarat, combining high yield potential,
leaf curl disease tolerance, and an appealing phenotype.

Bihar is leading in mushroom production at the national level with a total production of 33500 ton.
This off-farm agro-enterprise is gaining popularity owing to its wider acceptability amongst
growers and consumers as well. Since times, training for farmers has been accepted as a crucial
component of capacity building. To improve the effectiveness of online training programme has
become a greater challenge for us.This article uses the Kirkpatrick evaluation model to measure the
effectiveness of online training programs received by heterogeneous farmer respondents for
mushroom farming. The study is based on four levels —Reaction, learning, behaviour and result.
The reasons for receiving training and barriers to receiving training are being highlighted and
computed with responses directly received from the trainees. Based on the original findings, a
result-oriented modified training evaluation model “FUNNEL Model” has been designed for
enhancing the training efficiency at the farmer level. The proposed model is based on specific
determinants. Application of such a model while designing online training programmes will
definitely improve the performance of trainers and trainees as well and innovation in digital
agriculture catalyzing growth in agriculture and allied sectors can be realized.

India's agriculture is continuously shifting from using automated power to manual labour. This
much-needed shift lowers the costs associated with caring for animals and hiring labour, which
directly boosts crop output, eliminates drudgery, and facilitates crop-related operations within a
time-bound framework. The study was undertaken in Madhya Pradesh and Telangana States.
Two erstwhile districts namely Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda districts in Telangana state and
Tikamgarh and Guna districts in Madhya Pradesh were selected for the study. Based on the
findings of the study including the constraints and suggestions the strategy has been developed
for each CHC Model. For the effective functioning of Custom Hiring Centers the Government,
Extension officials, CHC personnel should work cooperatively with truth and equal justice and
without bias and political inference. The government should improve the easy accessibility of
farm machinery and road/transport facilities in the locality for easy and timely movement of
machinery. The government should develop an ICT App named “CHC App” and ensure all the
operating CHCs available in it for easy and timely availability of CHC machinery to farmers.
Entrepreneurs should make availability of more frequently used machinery in CHC. Machines
with low demand should be replaced by machines with high demand. FPO staff should conduct
awareness programs to farmers about new implements. This is a unique and pioneering study of
its kind, in which an attempt was made to investigate the custom hiring centre models.   The
results of the study are useful helpful for all the stakeholders in modifying their strategies for
effective functioning of CHCs.

Continuous use of chemical fertilizers in intensive mono cropping system has led to
reduction in crop yield and has adverse effect on soil health. Organic agriculture addresses
the concerns about the deteriorating soil health by adopting various cropping systems which
complement each other meanwhile maintaining the good health of the soil. Intercropping
aims to get increased total productivity per unit time, besides equitable and judicious
utilization of land resources and farming inputs including labour, insurance against failure of
one or the other crops could be achieved. Hence, a field experiment was conducted at
research farm, Department of Agronomy, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth,
(Maharashtra) during Kharif 2018-19 to find out the ressponse of organic integrated nutrient
modules on yield and economics of pigeonpea based intercropping systems. The experiment
was laid out in Strip Plot Design (SrPD) with three replications. The four main plot factors
consist of sole pigeonpea, pigeonpea + soybean, pigeonpea + foxtail millet, and pigeonpea +
cotton and was taken up with three sub plot factors i.e. integrated organic nutrient modules
(OINM) viz., 100% FYM (Farm Yard Manure) + vermicompost, 75% farm yard manure +
vermicompost + 25% neem cake, and control (No manure). Yield, economics and system
profitability were calculated and the results shows that, the highest seed yield
(1043.6 kg ha -1 ), stalk yield (3241.7 kg ha -1 ), gross monetary returns (1,32,756 Rs. ha -1 ), net
monetary returns (96,163 Rs. ha -1 ), benefit-cost ratio (3.60) and system profitability (Rs. 263
ha -1 day -1 ) was recorded in pigeonpea + soyabean-based intercropping system, and among the
organically integrated nutrient modules, 75% farm yard manure + vermicompost + 25% neem
cake recorded the similar trend. Hence, application of 75% farm yard manure +
vermicompost + 25% neem cake is an economically viable method for optimizing the yield in
pigeonpea based intercropping systems.

The powdery mildew disease of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is caused by
Erysiphe polygoni DC. It has become a serious and widespread problem in most of the region
of India, including Rajasthan. In vivo experiment was conducted for three seasons (2017-18
to 2019-20) to investigate the efficacy of six new molecules, Azoxystrobin 23% SC (0.1%),
Propineb 70% WP (0.2%), Tebuconazole 25.9% EC (0.1%), Sulphur 80% WP (0.2%),
Hexaconazole 5% SC (0.1%), Propiconazole 25% EC (0.1 %) along with control against
coriander powdery mildew on the popular variety RCr-728. Each new generation fungicides
were applied twice at 15-day intervals on coriander crop and data on disease intensity and
yield were taken 10 days after the last spray. All the new molecule was found effective and
minimized the disease severity and increased the yield significantly over the control. New
molecules fungicides hexaconazole 5% SC (0.1%) was found effective in diminishing the
disease (15.27%) and increasing seed yield (15.88 q ha -1 ) compared to 72.06 % disease
severity and 11.37 q ha -1 seed yield in the untreated control. The benefit-cost ratio of
hexaconazole 5% SC was highest (4.75). The effect of treatments on volatile oil content (%)
and test weight was found non-significant.

The present study aimed to evaluate the acaricidal activity of TANUVAS
nanomethiconenanomedicine, polyherbal spray, and deltamethrin in cross-bred dairy
cattle. This study was conducted at Naraikinaru and Pillipakuttai villages in Namakkal
district. A total of 20 animals were randomly distributed in 4 groups, with 5 animals in each
group. Group 1 was taken as control (C), Group II was treated with TANUVAS
nanomethiconenanomedicine, Group III was treated with polyherbal spray, and Group IV was
treated with deltamethrin. All the selected animals were heavily infested with ticks (6-7
ticks/square inch) at the beginning of the experiment. The number of ticks in the select area (3
inches x 3 inches) was counted during pre-treatment (0 days) and post-treatment (7, 14, 21,
28, and 35 days) periods. The efficacy of all treatments was calculated. There was a complete
disappearance of ticks from the animal sprayed with TANUVAS nanomethicone and
deltamethrin after 3 days of treatment and reinfestation did not occur up to the 28th day and
the 14th day in TANUVAS nanomethicone and deltamethrin respectively. Further, the tick
population was significantly (P<0.01) decreased in polyherbal spray up to the 14th day after
treatment and significantly (P<0.01) increased from the 21st day. The results of this study
revealed that TANUVAS nanomethicone nanomedicine gives a longer period of protection
and effectively controls tick infestation in cross-bred dairy cattle.

Livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets, and activities required as the means of living. A
livelihood is considered secure when it can cope up with and recover from stress or shocks and
maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets. Interpreting farmer’s attitude towards Livelihood
security could be measured through attitude scale construction. In the current research study,
efforts were directed towards the development and standardization of a scale to measure the
livelihood security of the farmers in different agro-climatic zones of Telangana state. As a result,
a highly reliable and valid scale was developed. Likert-type scale was developed with statements
preparation and validation through juries’ method and relevancy score method. The scale was
pretested in a non-sample area. Item analysis of 64 statements reduced to 22attitude statements in
the final scale with accepted "t" values. The reliability test showed that the scale was reliable
through Cronbach alpha value of 0.79 and the split-half reliability full test value was 0.82 after
Spearman-Brown correction. The scale was found to be valid through content validity and a
known group method test. The scale was administered to a sample of 120 farmers with a point
continuum response. The farmers were categorized into five classes viz., least favorable, less
favorable, favorable, highly favorable and very highly favorable attitudes. Measuring attitudes
through a standardized scale of stakeholders facilitates future strategy and decision making by
policy makers. It can be further validated in meeting future challenges of Sustainable Livelihood
security.