eChapters

Introduction

The state of Maharashtra now again reels under the scarcity of water. Geologically, major part of the state is covered by Deccan basaltic flows. This basaltic terrain, as such, has been labelled notorious as far as the availability of groundwater is concerned. Uncertain availability of groundwater in the terrain is due to heterogeneity in the nature of piles of basaltic flows which adversely affects the geohydrological characters of the rocks.

The area understudy is unfortunately, a part of basaltic terrain in which no storage structures like major dams or medium projects have been constructed across the existing rivers. Consequently, the irrigation in the area and domestic needs of the people solely depend on whatever water is available in the existing dug wells. The wells do not suffice the need of the people because the percolation of water in the wells is not adequate in major part.

Introduction

On 26^th December 2004, the Indian coastline experienced the most devastating tsunami in recorded history. The tsunami was triggered by an earthquake of magnitude Mw 9.3 at 3.316ºN, 95.854°E off the coast of Sumatra in the Indonesian Archipelago at 06:29 hrs making it the most powerful in the world in the last 40 years. In recent years increasing the vulnerability to natural disasters of developing countries is a major reason for concern. The potential loss of human lives and property due to natural hazards is very high in the urban areas of these countries. The Information obtained from conventional tsunami hazard maps does not always provide sufficient data for users .needs. The difficulty in presenting more significant information on tsunami hazard maps in conventional paper format is due to the limited available physical space of that format. Printing more information on such paper maps tends to confuse rather than provide more needed information to users. Furthermore, these kinds of maps provide little opportunity for users to ask for additional information, to determine the relationships between different kinds of information and important quantitative analyses. Furthermore, Tsunami hazards have important temporal attributes. Presenting these attributes on the map; e.g. the sequence of volcanic eruptions in a region or the frequency of tsumani in a particular area during a particular period of time is very difficult.

Introduction

The Rispana river is a order of stream forming a tributary of Ganga. Its watershed covers an area of approximately 53.6 Km in the northern part of Dehradun city lies between 78^º30’ to 78^º15⁰’ longitude and 30^º15’ to 30^º 30’ latitude in top sheet No is 1/3. The area is covered in IRS - IC Pan of 13 Jan 1998 and LISS-III of 7 March 1997.

The Doon Valley is enriched with numerous seasonal and perennial streams. Which forms the lifetime or the inhabitants . The Rispana river is the part of the Ganga system of Drainage of the valley. The river originates from the Mussoorie hills, which are full of natural springs. The droplets from the springs collect and form numerous streamlets and these streamlets are joined to be these and they form the famous Shekhar Falls (north of Shahanshai Ashram about 5 Km away). Then the Rispana flows along Rajpur road over the Doon Gravels and then river passes through the tiny hamlets Nalapani, Raipur, Chanderroad, Defence colony, Amwala, Tapowan, Dandadhoran Adohiwala, Dalanwala, Gujram, Ajabpur and finally its contribute the water to the suswa River which intern joins the Ganga.

Introduction

The Himalayan Moutains that is relatively a younger formation and geologically a very complex occupies most of the Arunachal Pradesh. The mountain terrain covers an area of about 86000 sq. km with elevation ranging from 400 to 6000 m above mean sea level (Satapathy and Dutta 1999). The wet tropical and sub-tropical climate which prevails in most part of the Arunachal Pradesh, there is usual phenomenon of erosion and land degradation by the action of water. It is estimated by the application of USLE for Arunachal Pradesh that the total amount of about 669.35 million tones of soil is eroded annually with an average rate of 90.7 tonnes /ha/year (Singh, 1999).

Arunachal Pradesh falls under upper Brahamaputra river system constituted by 10 major river basins. They are Tawang, Kameng, Dikrong, Subansiri, Siang, Sesseri, Dibang-Tellu, and Tirap-Tiso. In Arunachal Pradesh, Dikrong river is named after joining of two main rivers Pachin and Para . In the catchments of Dikrong river light textured unstable soils with the prevalent practice of Jhum Cultivation makes the entire catchments susceptible to erosion. In every monsoon the river Dilrong carries tremendous amount of silt, gravel, small boulder and causes flood in some parts of the catchments susceptible to erosion. Singh (1999) observed that loss rate through Dikrong River was 100.98 tones/ha/year. This indicates serious threat to soil resources and there is need for urgent treatment for sediment control in Dikrong river bash.

Introduction

Low and erratic precipitation, diurnal fluctuations in temperature and low humidity are the typical characteristics of deserts and their margins. Further, strong winds, sunny and very bright days and unpredictable periods of drought and famines are regular features. These lands are poor in fertility. Uninterrupted increase in human and animal pressures is violating carrying capacity of the natural resources, thus resultant is desertification.

Arid zones are described as a part of the drylands, and have the most severe edapho-climatic conditions. The major distinguishing feature for defining and for planning for the arid zone is the low rainfall (below 500 mm or Aridity Index <0.20) with more than 50% inter-annual variability. This makes a great difference in terms of the nature of the ecosystem, the socio-economic environment and the challenges for sustainability. High wind and solar regimes further increase the effect of rainfall variability and the whole complex makes a fragile ecosystem in which small disturbances may cause great loss to the sustainability, which are sometimes irreversible (Hou’erou, 1996). The hot arid zones of the world are economically and environmentally disadvantaged, with unique problems. The ecosystems of these zones are highly fragile with large risks that cause severe impediments to development programs. Of the total land area in the world, arid zones cover 18.8% and the hyper-arid zones account for 22.3% of the total arid zones (FAO, 1989).

Introduction

Desertification, which is considered a major threat in the drylands of the world, is not about advancing boundaries of the existing deserts, but about land degradation in the arid, semi-arid and the dry sub-humid regions, which together form the drylands (Anon., 1995). Secular variation in climate that has resulted in periodic expansion and contraction of the desert boundaries and regional-scale changes in vegetation condition (Tucker et al., 1991; Nemani et al., 2003; Hickler et al., 2005) is one of the drivers of desertification. Human activities constitute the other major driver. According to Geist and Lambin (2004) the prominent core variables that drive degradation are climatic, economic, institutional, national policies, population growth and remote influences.

Introduction

Desertification is now accepted as a major environmental issue because of the fact that 69.5 percent area of the world’s dry lands and more than 1.2 billion people in over 110 countries living in this habitat are affected by various land degradation processes. During last 20 years, researchers have focused their discussion either on a condition or a cause or a set of processes to assess different paradigms of desertification. Several studies carried out in arid western part of Rajasthan (Singh et al., 1992, Kar, A. 1993b, Kar, 1995, Dregne, H.E. 2000, Kar et al.2007) show that wind erosion is still a major problem. Though, there are many instances of location specific problems like water erosion, salinity/ alkalinity and water logging, about 75% area in arid western Rajasthan is affected by wind erosion hazard of different intensities (SAC, 2007, Kar et al. 2009). Decreasing rainfall gradient from east to west and increasing wind strength in that direction are responsible for the spatial variability in sand reactivation pattern. Water erosion in the form of sheet, rill and gully erosion is a major problem in areas, where average annual rainfall exceeds 350 mm, the rainfall intensity is high and the topographic and soil characteristics favour high run-off. Destruction of vegetation cover and excessive ploughing of shallow soils, especially on the sloping lands, accelerate the problem.

Introduction

Drylands account for over 40% of the global land surface, or approximately 5.2 billion hectares (de Sherbinin, 2002). They provide home for more than 2 billion people or nearly 40% of the population of the world (White and Nackoney, 2003). Asia alone accounts for about 32% of the World’s drylands. Broadly defined by their modest water supply drylands have many regional names, such as semideserts, grasslands, savannas, steppes, and pampas. Dryland ecosystems are a vital part of the earth’s human and physical environments and play a major role in global biophysical processes. They provide much of the world’s grain and livestock, forming the habitat that supports many vegetable species, fruit trees and micro-organisms. With an exception of Australia and the United States, almost all drylands are situated in developing countries with populations living in extreme poverty. Populations of drylands are frequently some of the poorest in the world. Food security and water availability of these areas has always been unstable due to high variability in both rainfall amounts and intensities and the occurrence of prolonged periods of drought. The increasing pressures caused by the global climate change and massive land-use changes further increase human vulnerability in dry regions. The impacts of climate change in drylands are likely to lead to still larger populations being affected by water scarcity and the risk of declining food security and increase the risk of environmental migrations and violent conflicts caused by the decline of resources, which are important to sustain livelihoods (Barnett and Adger, 2007).

Abstract

This paper is the synthesis of researches of quaternary on the Chad lake basin, our field investigations, our previous palaeogeographic research underlined by the sédimentological analyses, ¹⁴C radiocarbon and thermoluninescence dating. The objective is to show that after the effects of geological fluctuation, paleoclimatic oscillations, the Chad lake basin experiences since historical times an increasingly drying up due to the combination of geographic factors such as its close position in the Sahara desert, centre of the climate dynamics and human activities. This situation frequently generates recurrent live conditions to which man has to face.

Abstract

Increased human activities such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing have resulted in rapid increase of green house gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. Atmospheric accumulation of the GHGs results into global warming and climate variability or change. Climate change due to enhanced greenhouse effect arising as a result of human activity is considered a major global environmental threat to mankind today. Perhaps nowhere in the globe are people more vulnerable to climate change than in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Most livelihoods in SSA are climate-sensitive due to over dependency on land and other natural resources and are thus perched on the brink of disaster due to climate change.

Climate change is now undoubtedly affecting millions of people across Africa and it actually threatens to wipe-out the past and current global efforts made to tackle poverty unless urgent and robust decisions and actions are taken. This is also a wake-up call for the world to adopt alternative development models that would ensure massive cuts in GHG emissions to avoid a potentially irreversible change. Scientists have warned that unless the global community, especially the developed countries, take genuine steps now to reduce their emissions; many more millions of people in the developing world will be negatively impacted by climate change.

We let you know that the type of people in a given region is closely linked to the kind of resources found in the concerned region; and which are necessary for human beings to survive.

In fact, more than 100 countries possess arid lands, where more than 40% of the global population lives. The soils of these regions present too much fragility and they are too degraded that they can’t allow people to survive.

Let’s emphasize that in Africa, two third of the total area are arid zones. Thus, for Africans, the type of their struggle for adaptation to the context of their land, illustrates their ingenious capacity to model their hostile surroundings and to leave marks of their cultures all over prehistory and history.

Social organizations in those arid areas are closely linked to modes of exploitation and valuation of resources (water and land). However, human productions in those areas are doubly menaced; on one side by the action of humans who exploit resources for their immediate needs, and on the other side, by climate adverse effects during long periods of drought. It means that climate change and violent meteorological phenomenon worsen circumstances. That leads to environmental degradation and biodiversity reduction; alarming deterioration of vital conditions; and intensification of poverty, both in rural and urban areas; particularly among women and young. Consequently, there are non durable (viable) agricultural practices, overexploitation, overgrazing, excessive and illegal forestry exploitation; destruction of forests and bushes by non-controlled fires, pillages and conflicts with weapons; reduction of vegetation, due to the scarcity of rain; of water in general and menaces of heaps of sands.

Abstract

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa with a dry tropical climate characterised by a short rainy season and a long dry season. The annual rainfall varied between 300mm in the northern part of the country to 1200mm in the meridian part. Since many years, the degradation of climatic conditions is observed. Therefore, the annual rainfalls of the 1971-1981 period were inferior to those of the precedent periods, and also the deterioration of the climatic conditions led the limits of some ishoteques “isohyète” to move southward, more than 50km farther. Furthermore, the decennial rainfalls since 1920 were subjected to a latitudinal displacement to the south. For example the ishoteque “isohyète” 500mm which were located at the North of the 15°N outside Burkina Faso during the years 1950-1960 moved gradually year by year and reached the 14°N during the years 1970-1980 inside Burkina Faso.

Abstract

The arid Kachchh district, located at the western most part of the Gujarat State in India, is known for its large extent of area under wetland habitat, which is represented by numerous seasonal water bodies and coastal habitats. Vast stretch of grasslands also available in the northern border of the district, the Banni (23⁰ 19’ to 23⁰ 52’ N; 68⁰ 56’ to 70⁰ 32’ E), which encompasses an area of 2,617 km². There are many depressions in Banni, locally known as Dhandh (shallow lakes). During monsoon, rainwater gets collected in these depressions and form shallow lakes. About 34 smaller and bigger size Dhandhs are present in the Banni. Banni communities are highly dependent on the Dhandhs for various purposes. Due to the erratic rainfall in arid Kachchh, Maldharis is highly unstable for livestock in search of fodder and water during drought years. During the normal rainfall years, livestock from neighboring talukas of Kachhh and even from other districts depends on this grassland and Dhandhs. During last decade, the Banni grasslands have seen serious environmental changes due to the invasion of an exotic plant Prosopis juliflora and increasing the salinity are the major issues of Dhandh degradation. Thus, the Banni is gradually losing its capacity to sustain human and livestock population.

Main objectives of the present paper is to examine the local perceptions of wetland and grassland change, socio-economic status, and factors that cause degradation of the wetland and vegetation resources in the Banni grassland.

Abstract

The balance between resources and population constitute the solid base for drawing the future map of sustainable development in the study area in all developmental sectors such as agriculture, industry, tourism, and commercial sectors. Geoenvironmental hazards such as erosion, sea level changes, sand dune encroachment, siltation of the navigation channel of the Damietta harbor, salinization of the soils, the negative effects of the protective structures and bad management of the coastal areas must be studied in details before making the future planning for any area. The main geomorphologic units in this area are: beaches, sand dunes, wetlands, urban areas, reclamation lands and lagoons.

The rate of erosion from 1984 to 2000 in the Rosetta beach is -117.6 m/yr, while it is -17.6 m/yr in the Damietta beach. On the other hand, the rate of erosion in the period from 1984 to 2005 is -104.6 m/yr and -11.4 m/yr in Rosetta and Damietta beaches, respectively. Since, Nile Delta is a typical wave dominated delta (Coleman et al., 1981) and Tide is a semi-diurnal microtidal regime with a maximum tidal range of 50 cm (UNESCO/UNDP, 1978), the erosion and accretion are very dangerous hazard in the area.

Due to the reclamation of vast areas of the coastal dunes, the lagoons and wetlands, the new reclaimed lands are added to the agricultural deltaic land. Thus, the coastal sand dunes, lagoons and wetlands are decreased. The main urban centers have expanded, and new urban centers (Damietta harbor, the New Damietta city and Mansoura city in near future) have been constructed at the expense of vast areas of lagoons, coastal dunes, and backshore flats. The siltation of the navigation canal of the Damietta harbor, salting of the soil (new and old) and sand dune encroachment are very important hazards in the study area. All the previous geoenvironmental hazards and others threaten the sustainable development in the study area.

Abstract

The area of study extends about 65 km from Gamasa City to Burg El-Burullus. The coastal sand dunes are very near to the shoreline in Baltim and El-Burg and far from the shoreline in Gamasa. It is narrow with relatively steep slope northward near Burg El-Burullus and Baltim, while it increases in width eastward to become wide with gentle slope near Gamasa. The coastal sand dunes are very mobile and move toward the agricultural lands, roads (international coastal road), resorts, and other developmental activities. The sand dunes in the study area are classified into two categories, the old fixed dunes and recent mobile dunes. The main directions of wind blow are N, W, and NW directions. It causes the movement of mobile dunes (Barchan and longitudinal). Several methods have been used for dune fixation like the tar spraying, wind fences and stones. Wind fences are not costly and nonpolluting if compared with stonewall and tar spraying, which prevent the land utilization for agricultural purposes.

Introduction

Thar Desert is unique both from floristic and climatic parameters. Biodiversity in this region survives on a very/ fragile ecosysytem under a highly hostile environment. Major area consists of dry undulating mass of loose sand, thus, leading to shifting sand dunes. The sandy plain is full of sand-hills with serve as low depressions where salt and soda are deposited after drying. The whole area is inhospitable and sterile. Trees are rather a few and far between (Bhandari, 2005).

The Thar Desert of western India is known for its rich and ancient culture system and traditions. The communities have long been part of the Thar Desert ecosystem and have evolved specific strategies to live in harmony with its hostile environment. Orans have remained mainstay in balancing this arid ecosystem. Man of this region has never been greedy as he is today. Orans were repositories of ancient system of gene pool conservation. But, there are unregulated encroachment on the marginal lands and over-exploitation of groundwater resources. Orans has been part and parcel of the lifestyle of the Thar Desert inhabitants. Orans are used to provide vital grazing land for livestock, water, minor forest produce, medicinal plants and green cover for the villages. They were worshipped as devbhumi. Orans preserve the endemic, endangered or threatened species, medicinal plants and wild variety of cultivars found.

Abstract

This chapter highlights the significance of irrigated desert agriculture as a prime cause of the settlement and welfare of nomads and the consequent reduction of conflicts over limited land resources. Um Jawaseer Desert Farm Project is located in Bayouda Desert, the Northern State about 200 km north of the capital Khartoum. The planning and management approaches of such irrigated projects were discussed with special emphasis on the participatory approach. In this respect the roles of the donor (NGO), traditional tribal institutions and the project beneficiaries were illustrated. The project beneficiaries were organized into the farmers, well and women committees. The environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the project were evaluated. The project maintained food security, improved nutritional status, hygiene, housing environment and assisted in the provision of primary education and basic health facilities. Cost/benefit analysis showed the high profitability of the project. Other positive impacts include conservation of the fragile environment and biodiversity and improvement of animal productivity. Consequently, the area which witnessed an out-migration, during the seventies and the eighties, due to drought and desertification is now experiencing incoming migration.

However, adaptation to the sedentary mode of life was a real challenge. The most striking benefits of the project was that of women training for the, involvement in the decision-making process and empowerment, since 20% of the land is allocated for women. In addition to that, problems like build up of salinity, sand encroachment, low organic matter content and increased susceptibility to some water-related diseases due to irrigation were tackled successfully.

Abstract

Indigenous water saving technologies in arid and semi-arid environment is a local traditional practice for effective use of the limited water supply. These technologies can be used as a base for future development that can be made on these technologies through incorporating the current industry tools. The importance of studying the indigenous knowledge and practices is that it can help to develop enhanced versions of these technologies, and to understand the ability of local communities to adopt the newly developed technology. In Sudan, several indigenous water saving approaches has been used by local societies at various scales. An insight for these technologies, their strength and weaknesses are given here. On “Haffir” (water ponds), Wadi control, and water diversion methods were used for a long time of history for water collection and conservation. At farm scale, terraces, mulching, intercropping, low tillage, fallow, low-water consumption crops and fast maturing crops are common indigenous water saving technologies. Traditional water storage in trees such as Baobab and water-melon is an indigenous proactive along the history in western Sudan to store rain water for long dry season.

Why Water Budget?

The reliability of water supply in desert regions is at risk due to a multitude of issues including low rainfall, low snow runoff, court-ordered water transfer restrictions and hence higher price of wholesale water. Agencies in desert regions understand the importance of improving water supply reliability, facilitating better water storage, adapting to changing climate patterns and reduced precipitation, improving Environment and Water Quality.

The Desert regions have always fought back the perpetual water scarcity with infrastructure designed around saving water and utilizing alternative water resources. Off late, not only new construction but also new policies and programs have added to their water conservation activities.

One such program attends to the fair distribution of water by tending to consumers who are price sensitive and hence use water without wasting it and by extra-charging those who do not know where to put a stop to their wasteful water use.

Introduction

Definition of ‘urban’ areas varies from country to country. Consequently, it is difficult to provide a universally acceptable meaning of the term. The difficulty has been summarised by UN (1998) as follows: “because of national differences in the characteristics that distinguish urban from rural areas, the distinction between urban and rural population is not amenable to a single definition that would be applicable to all countries” (UN, 1998). In many cases the divide between a rural and an urban area is based on the minimum population, but the number varies widely between the countries, e.g., 200 in Iceland, 2000 in some countries of West Asia, 5000 in India, and 10000 in Italy! Despite this challenge, most towns and cities are historical phenomena and have their defined administrative boundaries for services and other purposes, including municipalities. These places straight away qualify as the urban centres.

In India, the word has been defined by the Census of India (2001) as: “(a) All statutory places with a municipality, corporation, cantonment board or notified town area committee, etc.; (b) A place satisfying the following three criteria simultaneously: (i) a minimum population of 5,000; (ii) at least 75 per cent of male working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits; and (iii) a density of population of at least 400 per sq. km (1,000 per sq. mile).” This definition was adopted for the 2011 Census.

Abstract

The UAE Space Reconnaissance Center (SRC) is accounted as a major national and regional source of up-to-date geospatial data, with direct reception of IKONOS, IRS and KOMPSAT satellite imagery as well as access to some other satellite and aerial imagery resources; an activity which covers the whole Middle East region. The main concern in monitoring the environment of UAE and surrounding countries is the desertification process, the monitoring of which requires careful watching of the sand movement and some other relevant features.

This paper throws light on the role of various types of satellite images in monitoring desertification, by utilization of IKONOS, IRS Pan and Landsat TM images covering part of Liwa and Alain areas, representing the two main dune regimes; Liwa and Manadir, which constitutes the northeastern edge of the Empty Quarter sand sea.

The availability of high resolution images makes it possible to detect the yearly or even seasonal sand movements, being controlled by the prevailing wind conditions and distance from the main sand source. The results clarify that movements of up to 25m was encountered at some small sand dunes and about 10m for larger sand dunes, towards the SSE and SSW in Liwa area. In Rimah area a movement of up to 30m was noticed at a small sand dune towards the ENE and about 12m shift in the hinge of a larger sand dune towards the NW. Temporary or permanent ? movement of thin sand sheets can reach 100’s of meters, was easily detected on Landsat images; ~ 25km NE of Alain city. The 5m panchromatic images, on the other hand, helped in tracing sand movements measured in few 10’s of meters, and interpretability of such images was enhanced by merging them with Landsat imagery.

Abstract

The Western Desert covers approximately 700,000 km², which is more than two-thirds of the total area of Egypt. This immense desert, to the west of the Nile, spans the area from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sudanese border. The Great Sand Sea lies within the desert’s plain and extends from Siwa Oasis to Jilf al Kabir plateau. Scarps and deep depressions exist in several parts of the Western Desert. Limited agricultural production, the presence of some natural resources, and permanent settlements are found in the western desert oases (Siwa, Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga), all of which have fresh groundwater. Siwa Oasis, close to the Libyan border, is isolated from the rest of Egypt but has sustained life since ancient times. The Siwa’s cliff-hung Temple of Amun was renowned for its oracles for more than 1,000 years. Herodotus and Alexander the Great visited the temple in the pre-Christian era. The Oasis is a natural depression about 23 meters below sea level. It covers an area of about 1050 km² (2,50,000 acres); of which only 87.95 km² (20,940 acres) are currently cultivated. The total numbers of inhabitants in Siwa were 21,482 in 2006. The main activity in Siwa oasis is agriculture which depends on the groundwater that outflows from about 1199 wells and springs giving a total annual discharge of about 255 million cubic meters from which, about 222 million cubic meters are lost due to evaporation and evapotranspiration, while the remainder goes to the natural lakes of Siwa Oasis. This has led to a continuous rise in the water table level and soil salinity.

Present research paper on land degradation processes relates to the improper management of water and land resources in Siwa Oasis, Egypt.

Abstract

Three seepage tests were carried out for an earth canal at Rawakeeb Research Station (RRS)-west of Omdurman and an average seepage rate of 3.4 m/day was obtained. This value suggests that irrigation canal at RRS should be lined. In addition to that preliminary economic evaluation showed that canal lining is imperative in RRS. A concrete slab form was well designed for lining of RRS canal. Precasting technique and construction technique provided the required water tightness. Economic evaluation was done for RRS canal to investigate the extent of occurrence of supposed advantages, and to estimate costs and benefits and rate of return to lining. The capital expenditure (C), net present worth (NPW) and benefit/cost ratio were found to be 2600.4, 1961.9 and 1.3 respectively which offers a good indicator to adopt the technique.

Abstract

Before 1960’s, UAE was a poor developing country and almost there were no real signs of civilization. During the 1970’s two important things happened: H. H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the president of UAE, and the other Emirates rulers united together and established the United Arab Emirates and considerable oil findings were discovered. The UAE Leadership has proved to have deep future vision; in three decades the country jumped from a relatively backward scattered emirates to a well developed and civilized country.

Development is very obvious : from tents and sandy tracks to tower buildings and highways, from desert to green belts of palm trees and vegetables in all parts of the country, and most important, education, healthcare and all other services became the best in the region. Urban development was so sharp; someone who left the place 10 years ago can hardly know his location and services in all sectors became the best at the international level. The oil money was properly invested in development.

UAE Air Force Space Reconnaissance, used satellite and aerial images for the past 20 years and successfully utilized images from various sources including aerial photographs, Russian satellites images, SPOT and Landsat

Abstract

The desert environment is one of the most challenging environments for human habitation. Inhabitants have to deal with climatic factors such as high temperature, sandstorms, flash floods and lack of water due to low rainfall. The people of Saudi Arabian desert had developed various traditional adaptation approaches such as living in tents, wearing head dresses, settling close to source of water, using camel for transportation, irrigation farming and traditional land management (hema). In recent times, modern technologies for air conditioning, transportation and housing have replaced the traditional adaptation methods especially in the cities. The modern technologies have reduced the challenges faced by the traditional society but has thrown up new challenges to sustainability. The new issues include urban flooding, depletion of underground water, high energy demand and consumption and loss of natural habitat to urbanization. This chapter reviews the traditional and the modern adaptation techniques in Saudi Arabia especially in the urban areas. It examines the implication of the changes for urban sustainability and explores different approaches for reducing the negative impacts. The chapter also dwells on the role of geospatial techniques in adapting to the desert environment.

Introduction

Indian agriculture is in a phase of transition from subsistence to high-tech agribusiness. This has ushered in an era where entrepreneurship is viewed as a strategic intervention in rural development. As a result, promotion of rural enterprises has gained great significance as an instrument for improved farm earnings, employment and women empowerment. It implies development of agriculture through farm diversification, value addition and development of agro-processing industries that provides autonomy, independence and reduced need for social support to the farmers. Improved farm-industry linkages along with great export potential will be added advantages. In this development scenario, agriculture, specifically high value horticultural crops like fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, plantation crops, medicinal and aromatic plants among others that ensure maximum returns to the growers with multiple scopes for value addition hold great promise. In fact, horticultural crops become a necessary condition for improving the living standards of farmers and ensuring nutritional security of the nation. The concept of nutritional security goes beyond food security to include adequate availability of micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals in addition to calorie and protein needs of the people supplied through food grains. Therefore, the spectacular increase in food grain production and a reasonable overall agricultural performance has failed to eradicate malnutrition as can be inferred from Table 1. It indicates that the Global Hunger Index (GHI), a more comprehensive tool used to measure and track hunger, ranks India (97 out of 118 developing countries) in the category of serious hunger behind Bangladesh (90/118). More disturbing are the rates of growing malnutrition among Indian households. As such, nutritional security becomes a more relevant indicator of food security as we move up the development ladder

Introduction

Entrepreneurship is regarded as one of the most important factors that contribute to economic development of a country. The current epoch of development is marked by structural changes in developing economies to create new opportunities of entrepreneurship. This is largely made possible by liberal policy interventions that foster enhancement of enterprises of all hues. Unlike previously, in every country, an entrepreneur is looked upon as an invaluable contributor to economic growth and development. This is more important in developing economies, as ‘entrepreneurship development’ has multiplier effects as it invariably fulfils other important pre requisites of development, viz. innovation, technological development, new institutions and human resource development. To put it in other words, without enterprise and entrepreneurs, there would be little innovation, little productivity growth, and few new jobs. This is more relevant in the agricultural sector since the emphasis has now shifted from mere enhancement of productivity to value chain management, through a process of extensive entrepreneurship development. More so, this has been identified as a strategy for sustaining the livelihood options of small farmers who have found it difficult to thrive the perils of price fluctuations, increasing cost of production and several other uncertainties that have plagued the farm sector.

Introduction

The establishment and nurturing of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) is a vital input in creating dynamic market economies in the economic and social development of transition countries. Globalization has created a new world order in which entrepreneurship and systematic innovation play important roles by offering competitive advantage for much needed sustainability of SME’s. To keep up the momentum, the development process of innovative ideas into products require alignment with the changing business paradigms, market dynamics and prevailing economic scenario.

The concept of business incubation dates back to 1950s and was more of providing a real estate facility to the small scale units to tide over the early years’ resource deficiencies. These are called the first generation incubators, which were first established in United States. Later on, the idea of business incubation diffused over different countries, and by the mid of 80s the incubators started providing services like business supports, accelerating the learning curve, including knowledge based services. These are termed as second generation incubators. The third generation of incubators provides the additional facility of networking also to the incubated companies. The importance of networking led to the establishment of virtual incubators or networked incubators, where physical infrastructure has less sanctity. Business accelerators appeared in the mid 2000s, and by now the concept of business incubation is spread all over the world. There exist almost 9000 business incubators in the world.

Introduction

Fruits and vegetables are very important in a balanced diet. India has become the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables. Though, the production of fruits and vegetables make us believe in our strength for self-sufficiency, a significant qualitative and quantitative loss occurs in the produce from harvest till consumption. For self sufficiency and also for processing, export and to meet additional requirements, a lot of emphasis need to be given to reduce post harvest losses besides increasing production and productivity of fruits and vegetables. Though, processing plays an important role in conservation and effective utilisation of these perishable commodities, only less than three per cent of total production of fruits and vegetables are processed in India. The new industrial policy has placed this sector in the list of high priority areas.

Fruit and vegetable processing industry in the country is in a nascent and primitive stage. Number of establishments in the organized sector is less compared with several developed and developing nations. The technologies adopted for processing, preservation and value addition in medium, small and tiny industries are primitive and outdated. Processing of fruits and vegetables into various products using proper cost effective technology is a viable tool for improving economic status of farmers as well as our country. Fruit and vegetable preservation methods are broadly classified as (i) Physical methods: This includes removal of heat, addition of heat, removal of water and irradiation, (ii) Chemical methods: like salting or brining, addition of sugar and heating and by addition of chemical preservatives, (iii) Fermentation and (iv) Judicious combination of one or more of the above methods for synergistic effect.

Introduction

Banana plants are monocotyledonous, perennial and important crop in the tropical and sub tropical world regions. Traded plantain (Musa paradisiaca AAB) and other cooking bananas (Musa ABB) are almost entirely derived from AA-BB hybridization of M. acuminata (AA) and M. balbisiana (BB). Plantain and cooking bananas are very similar to unripe dessert bananas (M. cavendish AAA) in exterior appearance, although often larger. Main difference in the former is the starchy flesh rather than sweet and they are used unripe and require cooking. Dessert bananas are consumed usually as ripe fruits; whereas ripe and unripe plantain fruits are usually consumed boiled or fried. Large numbers of cultivars totalling about 70 are grown in different parts of the country. Some of the popular cultivars are Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Poovan, Nyali Poovan (Elakki Bale or Ney Poovan) Rasthali, Virupakshi, Monthan, Karpooravallli, Nendran or Rajeli. (www.pnbkrishi.com)

Commercial cultivation of Nendran has picked up rapidly in Tamil Nadu in the recent past. Nendran bunch has 5-6 hands weighing about 12-15 kg. Fruits have a distinct neck with thick green skin turning buff yellow on ripening. Fruits remain as starchy even on ripening. Keeping banana as a whole fruit for long time is not feasible due to its poor shelf life. The processed products from banana are also very limited at present and there is a good market potential for banana products such as banana figs, banana powder, banana jam, banana jelly and beverage (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry).

Introduction

Mango (Mangifera indica Linn.) is one of the most nutritious tropical fruits, native to Southern Asia and especially Eastern India. Mango belongs to Anacardiaceae family and it was disseminated all over the world in the beginning of sixteenth century, and there are currently around thousand known varieties of mango. It is the dominant tropical fruit variety produced worldwide, followed by pineapple, papaya and avocado, all of which are considered as major tropical fruits. Global production of mango in 2015-16 was estimated to be about 44 million tons, accounting for nearly 50% of world tropical fruit production.

Mango is the most important fruit of India and is known as “King of fruits”. Mango is cultivated in 2,312 thousand ha and the production is around 15.03 million tons, contributing 40.48% of the total world production. Main mango producing states in India are Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Total export of mangoes from India is 59.22 thousand tons, valuing Rs. 162.92 crores during 2015-16. India exports mango to over 40 countries worldwide. Major importing countries during 2015-16 were UAE, Bangladesh, UK, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain. Important mango varieties are Dashehari, Langra, Mallika, Amrapali, Bombay Green, Banganapalli, Totapuri, Neelam etc.

Introduction

Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) is cultivated commercially in the tropics and parts of the subtropics of the world. It is greatly appreciated by consumers due to its pleasant sweet taste and flavour in addition to its nutritional and health promoting properties. Varieties differ greatly in both taste and shape. Each variety also has local types. Kew/Giant Kew variety is a leading commercial variety. Fruits are big sized (1.5-2.0 kg), oblong and tapering slightly towards the crown. Fruits with broad and shallow eyes become yellow when fully ripe. Flesh is light yellow, almost fibreless and very juicy. Queen fruits are rich yellow in colour, weighing 0.9-1.3 kg each. Flesh is deep golden yellow, less juicy than Kew, crisp textured, sweet with pleasant aroma and flavour. Baby-pineapples are mostly less than 500 g (Singh, 2016).

Pineapple fruits are consumed fresh. However, because of the unique structure of the fruit and the presence of very active protease, fruit does not find extensive use as a table fruit and hence is mostly processed into a number of products. Many types of value added products are obtained from pineapples which have got good domestic and international market. Proper processing and value addition will not only help to provide wide varieties of products to the market, but also help to reduce the losses of pineapple and will provide additional income to farmers.

Introduction

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is valued as one of the most important commercial horticultural crops in India, belonging to the family Anacardiaceae and widely grown in tropical areas. The name Anacardium refers to the shape of the fruit, which looks like an inverted heart (ana means “upwards” and - cardium means “heart”). It is native to Brazil, introduced to India by Portuguese for afforestation and soil conservation and now grown widely in the traditional and non-traditional regions of our country. Cashew is well adapted to warm humid climatic conditions. It is restricted to altitudes below 700 m, where temperature does not fall below 20°C for prolonged periods.

India is the second largest producer, processor as well as consumer of cashew. Yet, nearly 50% of the requirement of cashew processing industries is met through import. As against the processing requirement of approximately 20 lakh MT per annum, the domestic production of raw cashew nut is only about 9 lakh MT per annum. Major cashew producing states in India are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa, West Bengal and interior tracts of Chasttisgarh, A & N islands, Gujarat, Jharkand and North Eastern regions. Though, there is limited scope for expansion of cashew producing area there is scope to increase income through cashew based commercial enterprises.

Introduction

Modern agricultural systems that promote cultivation of a very limited number of crop species have relegated indigenous crops to the status of neglected and underutilised crop species. This has caused a decline in crop diversity in agricultural systems across the world and current research efforts have identified these underutilised crops as having potential to reduce food and nutrition insecurity. This is because of their adaptability to low input agricultural systems and better nutritional composition. Underutilised crops are otherwise known as undervalued or neglected or development opportunity crops (DOCs) (Kahane et al., 2013). They are already cultivated, but underutilised regionally or globally giving relatively low global production and market value. These underutilised crop species have also been described as “minor”, “orphan”, “promising” and “little-used”. Many of these traditional crops grown for food, fiber, fodder, oil and as sources of traditional medicine play a major role in the subsistence of local communities. With good adaptation to often marginal lands, they constitute an important part of the local diet of communities providing valuable nutritional components, which are often lacking in staple crops. Global Facilitation Unit (GFU) for Underutilised species define underutilised crops as, those plant species with under-exploited potential for contributing to food security, health (nutritional/ medicinal), income generation and environmental services.

Introduction
Cocoa, Theobroma cacao L. popularly known as ‘Food of Gods’, the original source of chocolate, is indigenous to tropical humid forests on the lower eastern equatorial slopes of the Andes in South America. Cocoa spread to all over the tropical regions of the world from 18^th century onwards and is now grown in 58 countries covering 6.9 million ha worldwide, producing 4 million tons of cocoa. Cocoa is an important agricultural commodity and the key raw material in chocolate manufacture. Unlike large, industrialized crops, 80 to 90% of cocoa comes from small, family-run farms, with approximately five to six million cocoa farmers worldwide. Total production has increased by 13% from 4.3 million metric tons in 2008 to 4.8 million metric tons in 2012. This represents an average year-over-year production increase of 3.1%. This rate of increase may slow in the coming years, as cocoa trees are sensitive to changing weather patterns. Periods of drought and of excessive rain or wind can negatively impact the yield, and will continue to fluctuate as climate change intensifies. Most of the world’s cocoa is produced in West Africa (70%) followed by Asia and Oceania (15.6%) and Latin America (14.1%). World leaders in cocoa bean production are Ivory Coast, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Brazil, Ecuador, The Dominican Republic, and Malaysia, supplying 90% of the world production.

Introduction

Spices are high value export oriented crops extensively used for flavouring food and beverages, medicines, cosmetics, perfumery etc. Spices constitute a significant and indispensable segment of culinary art and essentially add flavour, colour and taste to food preparations. Farm level processing operations are important for value addition and product diversification of spices. It is essential that various operations like washing, threshing, blanching, drying, cleaning, grading, storing and packaging ensure proper conservation of the basic qualities like aroma, flavour, pungency, colour etc. Each of these operations enhances the quality of the produce and the value of the spice.

India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices in the world. India produces more than 65 spices in different varieties out of the 109 spices listed by International Standards Organisation (ISO). India produces around 5.8 million tons of spices annually (2012-13), of this about 10% of the total produce is exported to over 150 countries. The USA, Europe, Australia, Japan, the Middle East and Oceanic countries are the major importers of Indian spices. Estimated world trade in spices is 1.05 million tons valued at 2750 million US $, out of which India has a significant share of 48% in quantity and 43% in value.

Introduction

Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.), a perennial horticultural crop, is a symbol of national and international integration involving more than 93 producing countries and more than 140 consuming countries. It is eulogised as ‘Kalpavriksha’- the ‘tree of heaven’ as each and every part of the palm is useful to mankind in one way or other. There are countless uses of this coconut palm. It is bestowed with multiple benefits like health, wealth and shelter to mankind. It is also denoted as “heavenly tree”, “tree of abundance” and “nature’s supermarket”. India is the largest producer of coconut followed by Indonesia and Philippines. In India, Tamil Nadu ranks first in production followed by Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. These states account for more than 90 per cent of the area and production of coconut in India. However, it is also cultivated with varying success in other states like Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Orissa, Tripura, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

Introduction

Coconut is a versatile crop with several uses to mankind. Apart from the main product, the by-products obtained from the coconut crop have many alternative uses, thus, adding to the total value of the crop (Popenoe, 1969). A tremendous scope exists for use of coconut in a variety of non-food products. The development of cottage industries to produce such products is recommended to increase income of coconut growers. For historical reasons, cultivation of coconut and value addition of non-food products from coconut have taken deep roots in the state of Kerala. The rapid expansion of coconut cultivation in non-traditional areas increased the production of coconut and the industry has also developed gradually in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. Among the non-food products of coconut, charcoal, activated carbon, and shell powder and coir or coconut fibre assume commercial importance. Other parts of the palm especially coconut wood and leaves are recently gaining attention.

Introduction

In an era of liberalization of world trade where there is a continuous inflow and outflow of goods into and from a country, the need for developing competitiveness to sustain in global markets is extremely important. Technological progress and scientific advancements go hand in hand for the economic growth of a country and the Global Competitiveness index (GCI) which was revised in 2006 includes several factors such as institutions, infrastructure, health, primary and higher education, business sophistication, innovation, training etc. of nations to categorize them on the basis of competitiveness (Baig, 2006). Successful entrepreneurship development is a primary driver for the sustainable economic progress of any nation. The term ‘entrepreneurship’ has been defined by Cole (1968) as ‘“Entrepreneurship is the purposeful activities of an individual or a group of associated individuals undertaken to initiate, maintain or organize a profit oriented business unit for the production or distribution of economic goods and services”. An entrepreneur is an enthusiastic individual committed to bring change in the society through the successful implementation of innovative ideas. However, bringing together a package of resources by an entrepreneur for effective transformation into a profitable venture may require inputs from several institutions such as research and development sectors, financing organizations, and training and education providers. The role of R & D institutions in providing innovative technologies having commercial value and the requisite capacity building for prospective entrepreneurs is of prime significance. In this context, ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi is a premier research organization dedicated to the research and development of tropical tuber crops and has developed a plethora of technologies for the processing and value addition of tuber crops.

Introduction

India is one of the major producers and exporters of honey. Diversity of bee flora and varied agro-climatic conditions in the country offers enormous potential for the development and growth of apiculture. Honey is a supersaturated sugary material produced mainly by honey bees from the sweet substances of plants (floral or extra-floral nectaries) or insect. Honey bee forager (field bee/worker honey bee) collects the nectar and converts the same into honey by a process of regurgitation and evaporation and stores in the honey comb. The sweetness of the honey is largely by monosaccharide viz., fructose and glucose. Honey is either monofloral or polyfloral as it is collected by the bees. The physical properties of the harvested honey depend upon the source from it is derived, water content, temperature, proportion of the simple sugars present and the method of processing. At low temperature (below 17°C), honey gets crystallized. Honey is also hygroscopic, capable of absorbing water from the atmosphere. India produces approx. 65,000 mt of honey per year (Kejariwal, 2015).

Introduction

Mushrooms are fleshy spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, produced above ground on soil or on their food sources. Total number of useful fungi having edible and medicinal values is over 2,300 species. Like green plants, they do not contain chlorophyll and as a result cannot manufacture their own food. In this respect, they are like animals because; they feed themselves by digesting other organic matter. They are a large heterogeneous group having various shapes, size, appearance and edibility.

The use of mushrooms as food is very old. People harvested mushrooms from the wild for thousands of years for food and medicine. The Egyptians regarded mushrooms as food for pharaohs. The Greeks and Romans described them as food for God and served only on festive occasions. The first professional growers of mushrooms were the Chinese. China is the major producer and consumer of both edible and medicinal mushrooms. As early as 1313, a document was published which described the cultivation method for Shiitake on wood logs. Even older is the cultivation of the wood ear mushroom (Auricularia spp) of which sources indicates that it was cultivated from the year 600 A.D. onwards. The white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, was domesticated in France.

Introduction

Food safety and quality is the most important issue in the global food supply chain. Quality and safety of fresh as well as processed foods have an important role in the export of these commodities. Increasingly stringent food safety and agricultural health standards in industrialized countries pose major challenges for developing countries to establish in the international markets for high-value food products, such as fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, nuts and spices. Yet, in many cases, such standards have played a positive role, providing the catalyst and incentives for the modernization of export supply and regulatory systems and the adoption of safer and more sustainable production and processing practices. This has created an increased need for updated research and development to demonstrate and provide adequate evidences for their ability to identify and control food safety hazards, and deal specifically with food quality and safety.

Food quality is an increasingly important factor in the production and marketing of biological products. Consumers are becoming more discerning as their affluence increases, and hence the food industry/suppliers of products must meet these demands if they are to maintain or increase market share. The term ‘quality’ is one of the most defined terms used in food industry today. Quality may be defined as ‘the totality of features and characteristics of a product that bear on its ability to satisfy a given need’. The first part, ‘the totality of features and characteristics of a product…..’ concerns objective factors related to the product. The second part, ‘…… to satisfy a given need’, concerns subjective factors related to user or consumer of goods.

Introduction

Traditionally, Indian economy was characterised as an agrarian economy for the reasons that majority of the population were dependant on agriculture and allied activities and more than fifty per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was derived from agricultural sector. However, paradoxically, despite a drastic decline in the share of agricultural sector to GDP wherein it declined from 56.5 per cent in 1950-51 to 15.11 per cent in 2016-17 (Statisticstimes.com) Indian economy is still characterised as an agrarian economy. But, it would not be inappropriate to state that Indian agricultural sector is at crossroads, or it would be rather safe to comment that for any further advancement of the agricultural sector, value addition is imperative. During the post independence period, the sector had witnessed commendable progress attributing to a shift from an undesirable situation of ‘ship to mouth’ to ‘farm to mouth’. It is obvious that as a result of various programmes, projects and schemes tailored for development of agricultural sector, India had attained self sufficiency in food crops and other agricultural/horticultural products. However, the darker side is that the Indian peasants are still deprived of a remunerative price for their products as well as a respected status in the society which in turn is arresting further advancement and progress of the sector. Thus, it could be concluded that future of agricultural sector in India vests on the adoption of appropriate marketing strategies, supply chain management and value addition initiatives for the prosperity of our farming community in specific and agricultural sector in general. It is in this backdrop, the NITI Aayog has proposed various reforms in India’s agriculture sector, including liberal contract farming, direct purchase from farmers by private players, direct sale by farmers to consumers, and single trader license, among other measures, in order to double rural income in the next five years. Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, has been conducting various consultations and seeking suggestions from numerous stakeholders in agriculture sector, in order to devise a strategy to double the income of farmers by 2022.

Introduction

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is the largest edible fruit in the world. It is a seasonal fruit found in almost all the humid tropical regions of the world. It is very popular all over India and is believed to be of Indian origin. Flesh of jackfruit is starchy and fibrous and is a source of dietary fiber. Varieties are distinguished according to characteristics of the fruit’s flesh. In Kerala, two varieties of jackfruit predominate: varikka and koozha. Varikka has a slightly hard inner flesh when ripe, while the inner flesh of ripe koozha fruit is very soft and almost dissolving. Strong aroma of the fruit accounts popularity of its processed products. Each year, approximately 30-50% of the total harvested fruit is spoiled because of lack of post-harvest processing in India

Jackfruit has more protein, calcium, thiamine, riboflavin and carotene than banana. Edible bulbs of ripe jackfruit are consumed for their fine taste and pleasant aroma. The fibre content helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time as well as binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon. Fresh fruit has small amounts of carotenoid and flavonoid pigments such as ß carotene, xanthin, lutein and cryptoxanthin-ß. Together, these compounds play vital roles in antioxidant and vision functions.

Introduction

World’s population is continuously on the rise, triggering the demand for food. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO, 2011) observed that 70% increase in food production will be needed to sustain the globe’s population by 2050. Though, increase in agricultural production and productivity is said to be the panacea to solve food security issues, the greatest challenge that need to be addressed is the inefficiencies in the supply chain; instigated by insufficient storage capacities and perishability of food products. Food preservation and processing is highlighted in this context, as it serves to conserve/improve the quality and reduce food loss due to wastage as well as add nutritional security.

Introduction

It is common that after a rocket start, entrepreneur’s lack the motivation to scale up business and eventually fails to succeed in the market. There are many factors that may lead to such failures or even success stories, the most important being the entrepreneurial skills and traits that enable business to sustain in the competitive world.

What makes an entrepreneur competent in running a business? According to Fisher and Koch (2008), ‘Entrepreneurs are born; the advantage that they derive by birth being the natural advantage. However, we have changed our mindset now-a-days, that it is possible to nurture (make) an entrepreneur; the connotation points out that, right kind of education and training can inspire people with capacities to become motivated to be an entrepreneur.

In this chapter, our focus will be on identifying the entrepreneurial capacities in oneself, after reviewing the essential characteristics and traits that an entrepreneur should possess. Also we try to put forward a framework for entrepreneurship, fitting into the canvas of a food based entrepreneur.

Introduction

Compared to the previous decades, the scope and power of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in agriculture and biotechnology has grown substantially and their international reach has expanded. The IP regime has set up the stage for healthy competition among research centres and industries for developing and seeking novel technologies. However, compared to developed countries, once the technology is created, not much attention is paid in the developing nations on their commercial, policy, environmental, ethical and societal implications. Hence, better techniques are needed for their management, to create policy and educate professionals to commercialize and govern them. Due to the critical role of technology in a competitive environment, strategic technology management is important for farmers and agri-enterprises too. The translation of nascent technologies into new products/ services and their commercialization requires some amount of hand-holding, mentoring and incubation support.

Introduction

The food processing industry is a sunrise sector and contributes around 14% of Gross Domestic Product, 13% of India’s exports and 6% of total industrial investment. The Indian food retail market is expected to reach Rs 61 lakh crore by 2020 and the food processing industry accounts for 32% of the country’s total food market. This is considered as one of the largest industries in India and is ranked fifth in terms of production, consumption, export and expected growth.

The drift towards urbanisation and busier way of life, pave path to tremendous bounce in the food market. Nowadays consumer’s approach to being fit is not about going to gym, but also consulting dietitians and adopting an adjusted eating routine. Consumer’s behaviour concerning food consumption has undergone significant changes as a result of the increased awareness about different value added food products, brands, and cuisines, and also their greater willingness to experiment and ability to pay. It leads to the concept of food security in to nutritional security. Companies are offering a wider range of products to the consumers as a result of their investments into product innovation, research and development. At present, various value added products with versatile colour, shape, ingredients etc are available in worldwide market. Among this, some food items like processed fruits and vegetables and dairy products have witnessed a momentous growth in export also. Recent surveys indicated that for companies manufacturing processed foods and beverages, rise in the obesity rate is a great challenge. Hence, efforts were made to develop commercially viable, new process protocols to design healthy products from underutilised food commodities.

Introduction

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food of over half the world’s people and is grown on approximately 146 million hectares, more than 10 per cent of total available land. Ninety seven per cent of the world’s rice is grown by less developed countries, mostly in Asia. Post harvest losses are considered to be contributed by storage alone, and not much attention was paid to losses occurring during harvesting, transport, threshing, drying, milling and pre-milling treatments. Quantitative loss of food grains was the main concern of the producers and the consumers. Qualitative losses at various stages were not fully recognized, but systematic studies by different organizations revealed that these losses are enormous and should be prevented. These losses cumulatively could be as high as 40 per cent and are normally accompanied by loss of quality also. Quality loss of products can take place at all stages but more particularly during drying or curing of harvested crops, storage, and milling and pre-milling treatments. Post-harvest attention is essential if the grains of higher production are to be fully exploited. Also the quality loss occurring in food grains can be extremely serious if the farming community is not aware of them.

Introduction

Rice is the major staple food for more than 70 percent of the Indian population. India cultivates more than 4,000 varieties and hybrids of rice to cater to varied consumer preferences. A portion of the total cultivated rice is also used for processed products like snacks, savouries and bakery items. India was the largest exporter of rice in 2015-16 followed by Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan. Rice production forecast is higher at 105 MMT in 2016/17 compared to 2015/16 production of 103 MMT (India Grain and Feed Annual, 2016). Rice milling is the oldest and the leading agro processing industry of the country. Paddy grain is milled either in raw condition or after parboiling, mostly by single hullers of which over 82,000 are registered in the country. Further, over the years, there has been a steady growth of improved rice mills in the country. Most of these have capacities ranging from 2 tons /hr to 10 tons/ hour. At present, it has a turnover of more than 25,500 crore per annum. It processes about 85 million tons of paddy per year and provides staple food grain and other valuable products required by over 60% of the population. Though, rice milling is a wide spread business undertaken in India, commercializing value added products is now gaining customer attraction paving way to merge milling and value addition under a single roof. The desirability of the working population to get foods, particularly rice based products in RTE and RTC forms has thrown a positive approach to new and emerging entrepreneurs to take up a venture in commencing rice based food processing industry.