eChapters

Introduction

At the very outset, the varied aspects which govern the agricultural scenario in India have been taken up. Basically, India is a land of diversity and Indian climate defies an easy generalization. It comprises a wide range of weather conditions prevailing across a large geographic scale existing in the midst of varied topography. A systematic analysis reveals that Indian climate can be partitioned into six major climatic subtypes, ranging from deserts in the west, to the alpine tundra and glaciers in the north, to humid tropical regions supporting rainforests in the southwest and the island territories. The landform pattern is also found to be widely varying over places. Interestingly, tIndian soils can be divided into six categories, namely, alluvial soils, regular soils, red soils, laterite soils, mountain soils as well as the desert soils. Being a populous country whose sixty percent of the population earns its livelihood on agro-based incomes, directly or indirectly, it is important to review the robustness of the system followed in the actual practice in the Indian scenario towards the process of raising crops which ultimately feed more than hundred crores population. The review reveals that the agricultural production and farm incomes in India are frequently affected by the natural disasters such as droughts, floods, cyclones, storms, landslides as well as the earthquakes, and, indeed, the susceptibility of Indian agriculture to these disasters is compounded by the outbreak of epidemics and man-made disasters such as fire, sale of spurious seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, price crashes etc. As a sequel, the farmers are severely affected through the loss of production of agricultural crops and consequently, the loss of farm income due to occurrence of such events, and it is no denying that the management of or coping with such factors remains beyond the control of the farmers.

Introduction

Programme for self-employment of the poor has been an important component of the anti-poverty programmes implemented through government initiatives in the rural areas in India. The Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) is the major ongoing programme for the self-employment of rural poor at present. The programme was started with effect from 01.04.1999 after restructuring of Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), and allied programmes namely Training of Rural Youth for Self Employment (TRYSEM), Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA), Supply of Toolkits in Rural Areas (SITRA) and Ganga Kalyan Yojna (GKY) and Million Well Scheme (MWS). Govt. of Orissa have launched ‘Mission Shakti’ programme in 2001 with an aim to have at least three lakh WSHGs by the end of 2008. By the end of March 2008, 3.73 lakh WSHGs have been formed under Mission Shakti (Annon, 2007-08). SGSY has contributed substantially in carrying forward the Mission Shakti activities in the state. A study was conducted by the Center for Management and Development, Thiruvananthapuram for concurrent evaluation of the implementation of the SGSY. It was established that the performance of SGSY in Assam, M.P., Orissa, West Bengal and Bihar was the lowest among the major states (Anon, 2002-03). SGSY is implemented in a very deterministic and top down manner, ignoring the participatory approach that is envisaged in the design. Good governance for poverty alleviation programme seems to be more of rhetoric than reality (Shylendra and Bhirdikar, 2005). The Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India has set guidelines for successful implementation of the scheme within the framework of targets under each head. As per the guidelines, all the states are directed to fulfill the targets. After 10 years of implementation of the scheme, an evaluation of the programme in district level and state level is in dire need. Hence, it is attempted to evaluate the physical and financial achievement of the SGSY programme operated at Orissa.

In India, the agricultural research and technology generation are supported in five agro-ecosystems, viz. irrigated agro-ecosystem, arid agro-ecosystem, rain-fed agro-ecosystem, coastal agro-ecosystem and hill & mountainous agro-ecosystem. Each system with its varied socio-economic and agricultural features, demands appropriate technologies to augment the productivity of various enterprises with sustainable development and economic returns. Unfortunately, the conventional development efforts, which often follow “top-down” approaches in planning and implementation, don’t address the constraints and developmental potentials of farm household systems in a comprehensive way. To overcome these shortcomings, reversal of approach, i.e. from “Top down” to “Bottom up” is recommended. This can be achieved through site-specific assessment and refinement of technologies with farmer’s participation where the farmers of different agro-ecosystems have right to plan, implement and own their developmental projects (Johnkutty et al., 2001).

Abstract

Beautiful Earth is the only planet of Solar system which supports life due to presence of water, air and favourable temperature. The surface atmosphere is warmed by absorption of solar ray due to green house effect, without which the average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere would have been –73^ºC and the ocean would have been frozen. Since the year 1850, when industrialization started in many countries, the concentration of different green house gases in the atmosphere have been increased remarkably (CO₂ – 34%, CH₄ – 145%, Fluorocarbons – 100%). Global warming, the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s near surface air and oceans, is caused mainly due to increase in air pollution, green house gas generation and deforestation. Human activities are found more responsible for rapid global warming in last 50 years. Deadly storms, unbearable heat waves, high day-night temperature, Ice sheet melting in polar regions, glaciers receding at alarming rate, frequent wild fires in forest, coastal areas inundation, drinking water shortage and desertification are the serious impacts of global warming. It is a great concern to the Policy Makers to stop human activities responsible for global warming without jeopardizing technological development of society. Global warming has triggered the complex chain reactions : Increase in surface temperature – reduction in the permafrost and tundra areas.

Abstract

The toxic materials like arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, etc. present in Electronic wastes, in short e-wastes are a great threat to mankind since these contaminate soil, water and air of the surroundings. These E- wastes are mainly defective or obsolete parts of computers, audio-visual systems and electronic & electrical machineries used in the houses, offices and factories. These carcinogenic or hazardous toxic materials are root cause of damage of different parts of human body, untimely death as well as health disaster. Every year the manufacturers and assemblers produce around 1200 tons of electronic scraps in India. Collection of computer wastes from developed countries by greedy Indian business people for sorting out in India aggravates the environmental pollution. ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ are three important principles to be followed by one and all (Manufacturers, Distributors, Sellers, Buyers to Users) for proper scientific management of electronic wastes. Reverse osmosis, Electrolysis, Condensation, Electrolytic recovery, Filtration, Centrifugation, etc. are some of the important e-waste management technologies used to reclaim different toxic materials. Buyback policy should be made compulsory since Manufacturers can afford to build up infrastructure for reusing and recycling electronic wastes.  More and more use of bio-based plastics, toners, glues, inks will reduce the environmental pollution considerably and save the mankind from extinction.

Abstract

Solid waste, the creation of human being, is taken today the shape of a Demon to kill its creator by polluting breathing air, drinking water and essential food materials. It spreads different infectious killer diseases if not disposed off timely. Municipal authorities are spending lakhs of rupees to collect and transport solid wastes to dump-yard. Presence of both biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes together in dustbin makes the disposal problematic and Municipal workers handling solid wastes suffer injury and disease infections. Municipal authority can clear about 50 percent of solid wastes either by dumping in low lying areas or by burning in open places causing unwanted environmental pollutions. Incinerations with electric producing facility, pyrolysis, dumping in properly built concrete landfills, Pelletization are scientific techniques for solid waste management. But recycling as resource materials is the best economical approach. Since non-biodegradable wastes can be sold to scrap dwellers for further processing it offers income opportunity. Biodegradable wastes can be converted to good quality vermicompost, which is also a marketable product and fetch good income. Different activities during recycling of solid wastes offer employment opportunities to literate & illiterate, skilled & unskilled, male & female, young & old workers. The present ‘Treatment at the end of pipe’ approach is to be changed by ‘Treatment at source’ approach.

Abstract

Organic farming, the state - of - art technology of the present era in agricultural cultivation, is not new to India. Green revolution in last four decades of Twentieth Century made farmers more dependants on chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides for harvesting highest crop yield but side by side increased environmental pollution as well as health hazards and reduced soil productivity by increasing nutrient imbalance in soil. Indian farmers have almost forgotten their century old practice of preparation of compost from farm wastes and its use in next cultivation for getting pollution free healthy food materials. This articles deals with the problems of chemical farming in Indian context and their solution through organic farming.

Abstract

Abundant organic wastes come from agriculture sector. Earthworms offer an opportunity for beneficial disposal of this unwanted material by converting into vermi compost, a national wealth. It is rich in nutrients, enzymes, hormones and beneficial microbes but free from harmful chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms, hence improves crop productivity. Disposal through burning creates environment pollution and loss of valuable plant nutrients. Dumping creates unhygienic situation. Vermicomposting is quicker than other conventional composting techniques. In northeast India, Eisenia foetida and Perionyx excavatus were found equally efficient in vermi composting of agricultural wastes. Among different bio mass, vegetable wastes and soft weeds were converted to compost very quickly by using Perionyx excavatus within 1 to 2 months. Composting was found moderate (3 to 4.5 months) in crop residues and hardy weeds while slow (5 to 10 months) in case of dry tree leaves. When different wastes are mixed together it takes 3.5 to 4.5 months for complete composting. Composting can be accelerated by mixing the wastes with cellulolytic fungi such as Triichoderma viride, Trichurus spiralis, Paecilomyces fusiporus and Aspergillus awamori. Vermicompost prepared from wastes is a marketable product. It can bring prosperity in the villages by means of employment generation and good income. Awareness among people can be created through training.

Abstract

Northeast is famous for its rich bio-diversity and Himalayan scenic beauty. Society is mainly agricultural based but the crop productivity is low in comparison to all India average. Major reasons are lacking of a). Improved cultivation technology at village or at farmers level, b). Agricultural inputs like high yielding seeds, chemical fertilizers and pesticides due to poor infrastructural facility, c). Land tenure system, etc. The agro climatic condition is very suitable to grow different types of vegetables round the year. Hilly areas offer a scope to grow certain vegetables as off-season vegetables and earn a high price. Northeast soils need application of nutrients for improving its productivity. Century old Jhoom cultivation technique, high soil erosions in hilly areas and regular floods in plains also play a vital role in developing reluctance among farmers in using costly chemical fertilizers. Profuse growth of vegetations e.g. grasses; weeds, jungles, etc. are noticed due to regular rainfall throughout northeast. Peoples usually burn these during clearing their fields and backyards for cultivation. These can be converted to good quality compost using vermicomposting technique and added to field for cultivation of different crops substituting chemical fertilizers. Experiments on cabbage, cauliflower, French bean, okra, onion and tomato showed that yield increased considerably with the application of compost in field.

Abstract

Development of vermicomposting technology in India was started in seventies, but except some areas of South India it has not been popularized among common masses. This technology is labour intensive and needs attention to handle the tiny earthworms in a proper manner. Sincerity and dedication bring success while casual attitude ends up in financial loss. Lack of proper knowledge on suitable technique, unawareness about nutrient and hygienic standards of vermicompost, non availability of suitable earthworms, lack of marketing and training facility are some major problems in non-flourishing this technology in rural areas. But this technology being simple and easy to follow, is gradually becoming a boon to the low educated poor unemployed youths of the society for their economic development through generating income and creating self employment. Vermicompost, vermi-T and earthworms are marketable product. Government agencies and Non Government Organizations are trying to popularize this technology which has bright prospect to maintain health and hygiene of human to environment.

Abstract

The increase in human population, their growing economic activities and more and more transport demands, on one side, have increased the requirement of automobile fuels more than ever before, but the political turmoil in Middle east oil producing countries, the quick declination in stock of fossil fuels, the high rise in petroleum prices and rapid increase in air pollution due to automobile emission, on the other side, have made people of both developed and developing countries to search some non-polluting renewable but commercially viable alternative automobile fuel as a national priority. Hydrogen based fuel cells and latest designed improved storage batteries are knocking the door to bring revolution in developing non-polluted electric drive vehicles for 21st century. Successful blending of bio-diesel with petro-diesel has shown promising results to give relief to the present generation for saving some petroleum for future generation, for reducing air pollution substantially and for generating employment opportunity for its rural masses.

What is Nanotechnology? Answers differ depending on who you ask, and their background. Broadly speaking however, nanotechnology is the act of purposefully manipulating matter at the atomic scale, otherwise known as the “nanoscale.” Coined as “nano-technology” in a 1974 paper by Norio Taniguchi at the University of Tokyo, and encompassing a multitude of rapidly emerging technologies, based upon the scaling down of existing technologies to the next level of precision and miniaturization. Taniguchi approached nanotechnology from the ‘top-down’ standpoint, from the viewpoint of a precision engineer.

Foresight Nanotech Institute Founder K. Eric Drexler introduced the term “nanotechnology” to the world in 1986, using it to describe a ‘bottom-up’ approach. Drexler approaches nanotechnology from the point-of-view of a physicist, and defines the term as “large-scale mechano synthesis based on positional control of chemically reactive molecules.” In the future,“ nanotechnology” will likely include building machines and mechanisms with nanoscale dimensions, referred to these days as Molecular Nanotechnology (MNT).

Nanomaterials are a field which takes a materials science-based approach to nanotechnology. It studies materials with morphological features on the nanoscale, and especially those which have special properties stemming from their nanoscale dimensions. Nanoscale is usually defined as smaller than a one tenth of a micrometer in at least one dimension, though this term is sometimes also used for materials smaller than one micrometer.

An aspect of nanotechnology is the vastly increased ratio of surface area to volume present in many nanoscale materials which makes possible new quantum mechanical effects, for example the “quantum size effect” where the electronic properties of solids are altered with great reductions in particle size. This effect does not come into play by going from macro to micro dimensions. However, it becomes pronounced when the nanometer size range is reached. A certain number of physical properties also alter with the change from macroscopic systems. Novel mechanical properties of nanomaterials are a subject of nanomechanics research. Catalytic activities also reveal new behaviour in the interaction with biomaterials.

A semiconductor is a material that has an electrical resistivity between that of a conductor and an insulator.

A semiconductor is a substance, usually a solid chemical element or compound that can conduct electricity under some conditions but not others, making it a good medium for the control of electrical current. Its conductance varies depending on the current or voltage applied to a control electrode, or on the intensity of irradiation by infrared (IR), visible light, ultraviolet (UV), or X rays.

An external electrical field changes a semiconductor’s resistivity. Devices made from semiconductor materials are the foundation of modern electronics, including radio, computers, telephones, and many other devices. Semiconductor devices include the transistor, solar cells, many kinds of diodes including the light–emitting diode, the silicon controlled rectifier, and digital and analog integrated circuits. Solar photovoltaic panels are large semiconductor devices that directly convert light energy into electrical energy. In a metallic conductor, current is carried by the flow of electrons. In semiconductors, current can be carried either by the flow of electrons or by the flow of positively–charged “holes” in the electron structure of the material.

Polymeric nanoparticles are nanoparticles which are prepared from polymers. The drug is dissolved, entrapped, encapsulated or attached to nanoparticles and depending upon the method of preparation, nanoparticles, nanospheres or nanocapsules can be obtained. Nanocapsules are vesicular systems in which the drug is confined to a cavity surrounded by a polymer membrane, while nanospheres are matrix systems in which the drug is physically and uniformly dispersed.

In recent years, biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention as potential drug delivery devices in view of their applications in drug targeting to particular organs/tissues, as carriers of DNA in gene therapy, and in their ability to deliver proteins, peptides and genes through oral route of administration.

In spite of development of various synthetic and semi synthetic polymers, natural polymers still enjoy their popularity in drug delivery, some of them are: gums (Eg. Acacia, Guar, etc.,) chitosan, gelatin, sodium alginate, and albumin. A range of materials have been employed to delivery of bioactive agents. A polymer used in controlled drug delivery formulation, must be chemically inert, non-toxic and free of leachable impurities. It must also have an appropriate physical structure, with minimal undesired aging, and be readily processable. Some of the polymeric materials are: cellulosics., poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(acrylic acid), polyacrylamide, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(methacrylic acid).

“Small is beautiful”, today we know that small is not only beautiful but also powerful. With the range of applications that nanoparticles find in varied fields of engineering and science, nanoparticles seem a promising option when compared to the conventional materials used. Nanoparticles are particles that have at least one dimension in less than 100nm range. They have a high surface to volume ratio and thus mass transfer and heat transfer properties are better than bulk materials. Recently; core/shell nanoparticles are finding widespread application. There is a class of core/shell nanoparticle that has its entire constituent in the nanometer range. Core/shell nanoparticles are nanostructures that have core made of a material coated with another material. They are in the size range of 20nm-200nm. Also, composite structures with these core/shell particles embedded in a matrix material are in use. The necessity to shift to core/shell nanoparticles is the improvement in the properties. Taking into consideration the size of the nanoparticles, the shell material can be chosen such that the agglomeration of particle can be prevented. This implies that the monodispersity of the particles can be improved. The core/shell structure enhances the thermal and chemical stability of the nanoparticles, improves solubility, makes them less cytotoxic and allows conjugation of other molecules to these particles. The shell can also prevent the oxidation of the core material. “When a core nanoparticle is coated with a polymeric layer or an inorganic layer like silicabecausethe polymeric orinorganiclayerwould endow the hybrid structure with an additional function/property on top of the function/property of the core hence synergistically emerged functions can be envisioned”.

A fullerene is any molecule composed entirely of carbon, in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube. Spherical fullerenes are also called buckyballs, and cylindrical ones are called carbon nanotubes or buckytubes. Fullerenes are similar in structure to graphite, which is composed of stacked graphene sheets of linked hexagonal rings; but they may also contain pentagonal (or sometimes heptagonal) rings.

The first fullerene to be discovered, and the family’s namesake, was buckminsterfullerene C₆₀, made in 1985 by Robert Curl, Harold Kroto and Richard Smalley. The name was homage to Richard Buckminster Fuller, whose geodesic domesit resembles. Fullereneshave since been found to occur (if rarely) in nature.

The discovery of fullerenes greatly expandedthe numberof known carbon allotropes, which until recently were limited to graphite, diamond, and amorphous carbon such as soot and charcoal. Buckyballs and buckytubes have been the subject of intense research, both for their unique chemistry and for their technological applications, especially in materials science, electronics, and nanotechnology.

There aremany different points of view aboutthe nanotechnology. These differences start with the definition of nanotechnology. Some define it as any activity that involves manipulating materials between one nanometer and 100 nanometers. However the original definition of nanotechnology involved building machines at the molecular scale and involves the manipulation of materials on an atomic (about two-tenths of a nanometer) scale.

The debate continues with varying opinions about exactly what nanotechnology can achieve. Some researchers believe nanotechnology can be used to significantly extend the human lifespan or produce replicator-like devices that can create almost anything from simple raw materials. Others see nanotechnology only as a tool to help us do what we do now, but faster or better.

The third major area of debate concerns the timeframe of nanotechnology-related advances. Will nanotechnology have a significant impact on our day-to-day lives in a decade or two, or will many of these promised advances take considerably longer to become realities?

Finally, all the opinions about what nanotechnology can help us achieve echo with ethical challenges. If nanotechnology helps us to increase ourlifespans orproduce manufactured goodsfrom inexpensive raw materials, what is the moral imperative about making such technology available to all? Is there sufficient understanding or regulation of nanotech based materials to minimize possible harm to us or ourenvironment? Only timewill tell how nanotechnology will affect our lives.

Atoms and molecules are the essential building blocks of every object. The manner in which things are constructed with these basic units is vitally important to understand their properties and their reciprocal interactions. An efficient control of the synthetic pathways is essential during the preparation of nanobuilding blocks with different sizes and shapes that can lead to the creation of new devices and technologies with improved performances. Traditionally nanoparticles were produced only by physical and chemical methods. Some of the commonly used physical and chemical methods are ion sputtering, solvothermal synthesis, reduction and sol gel technique

Basically there are two approaches for nanoparticle synthesis namely the Bottom up approach and the Top down approach. In the Top down approach, scientists try to formulate nanoparticles using larger ones to direct their assembly. The Bottom up approach is a process that builds towards larger and more complex systems by starting at the molecular level and maintaining precise control of molecular structure.

These two different methods highlight the organization level of nanosystems as the crossing point hanging between the worlds of molecular objects and bulk materials.

The top-down approach has been advanced by Richard Feynman in his often-cited 1959 lecture stating that “there is plenty of room at the bottom” and it is ideal for obtaining structures with long-range order and for making connections with macroscopic world. Conversely, the bottom-up approach was pioneered by Jean-Marie Lehn (revealing that “there is plenty of room at the top”) and it is best suited for assembly and establishing short-range order at the nanoscale. The integration of the two techniques is expected to provide, atleast in principle, thewidest combination of tools for nanofabrication.

It is classified asbottom-up manufacturing which involves building up of the atomor molecular constituents asagainstthetop methodwhich involves making smaller and smaller structures through etching from the bulk material as exemplified by the semiconductor industry.

Chemical synthesis is spontaneous organization of molecules into stable, structurally well-defined aggregates at the nanometer length scale. Chemical synthesis is largely an art form (i.e., theory often does not quantitatively predict how to make new materials from molecules).Yet, chemical synthesis can be quite powerful (e.g., proteins and complex organic molecules can be made from simple reagents) Semiconductor nanocrystals have been synthesized via “natural self-assembly” in two steps:

1.Capped cluster molecule forms spontaneously from molecular reagents in solution

2.Cluster molecules crystallize out of solution

Nanoparticles synthesis is done by two major routes, which include classical synthesis and green synthesis. The green synthesis techniques generally utilize relatively non-toxic chemicals non-toxic solvents, biological extracts and systems. Biological methods are considered safe and ecologically sound forthe nanomaterial fabrication asan alternative to conventional physical and chemical methods

Nanoparticles

Gold, silver, and copper have been used mostly for the synthesis of stable dispersions of nanoparticles, which are useful in areas of photography, catalysis, biological labeling, photonics, optoelectronics and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection

The need for biosynthesis of nanoparticles rose as the physical and chemical processes were costly. So in the search of cheaper pathways for nanoparticle synthesis, scientists used microorganisms and then plant extracts for synthesis. Nature has devised various processes for the synthesis of nano- and micro- length scaled inorganic materials which have contributed tothedevelopment of relatively newandlargely unexplored area of research based on the biosynthesis of nanomaterials.

The most commonly used technique has been discussed and we have tried to generalize the type of particle that can be synthesized by each of these methods. Though it is not a rule that is applicable to all cases but it can be applied to most cases.

Polymerization Radical Polymerization

The polymerization could be a free radical polymerization or an atom transfer radical polymerization. The process of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is better than the free radical polymerization as control of molecular weight and size of the particle can be achieved. The coating of polymer on silica nanoparticles is generally done by ATRP. The surface of the silica particle is modified with a suitable initiator.

Techniques have been developed to produce nanotubes in sizeable quantities, including arc discharge, laser ablation, high pressure carbon monoxide (HiPCO),andchemicalvapor deposition (CVD).Mostof these processes take place in vacuum or with process gases. CVD growth of CNTs can occur in vacuum or at atmospheric pressure. Large quantities of nanotubes can be synthesized by these methods; advances incatalysis and continuous growthprocessesare making CNTs more commercially viable.

1. Mechanical Properties of Nanomaterials

Scientific challenges in nanoscience and nanotechnology include the development of nanomaterials with novel mechanical properties. The need for scratch, mar and/or abrasion resistance is well established in various markets, including fingernail polishes, flooring, plastic glazing, headlamp covers and other automotive parts, transportation windows and optical lenses, where clear scratch-resistant coatings are used. Because the nanosize, many of their mechanical properties of the materials is modified, among others, hardness and elastic modulus, fracture toughness, scratch resistance, fatigue strength, and hardness. Energy dissipation, mechanical coupling within arrays of components, and mechanical nonlinearities are influenced by structuring components at the nanometer scale. This includes also the interpretation of unusual mechanical behavior (e.g., strengths approaching the theoretical limit) and the exploration of new ways to integrate diverse classes of mechanically functional materials on the nano-size.

Strength

Carbon nanotubes are the strongest and stiffest materials yet discovered in terms of tensile strength and elastic modulus respectively. This strength results from the covalent sp² bonds formed between the individual carbon atoms. In 2000, a multi-walled carbon nanotube was tested to have a tensile strength of 63 gigapascals (GPa). (This, for illustration, translates into the ability to endure tension of 6300 kg on a cable with cross-section of 1 mm².) Since carbon nanotubes have a low density for a solid of 1.3 to 1.4 g·cm”³, its specific strength of up to 48,000 kN·m·kg”¹ is the best of known materials, compared to high-carbon steel’s 154 kN·m·kg”¹. Under excessive tensile strain, the tubes will undergo plastic deformation, which means the deformation is permanent. This deformation begins at strains of approximately 5% and can increase the maximum strain the tubes undergo before fracture by releasing strain energy.

Nanoparticle characterization is necessary to establish understanding and control of nanoparticle synthesis and applications. Characterization is done by using a variety of different techniques, mainly drawn from materials science. Common techniques are electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF),ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and dual polarisation interferometry.

Whilst the theory has been known for over a century (see Robert Brown), the technologyfor Nanoparticle trackinganalysis (NTA) allows direct tracking of the Brownian motion and thismethodtherefore allows the sizing of individual nanoparticles in solution.

X-ray scattering techniquesarea family of non-destructive analytical techniques which reveal information about the crystallographic structure, chemical composition, and physical properties of materials and thin films. These techniques are based on observing the scattered intensity of an X-ray beam hitting a sample as a function of incident and scattered angle, polarization, and wavelength or energy.

Electron Microscope

An electron microscope is a type of microscope that uses a particle beamof electronstoilluminate a specimen and createa highly-magnified image. Electron microscopes have much greater resolving power than light microscopes that use electromagnetic radiation and can obtain much higher magnifications of up to 1 million times, while the best light microscopes are limited to magnifications of 1000 times. Both electron and light microscopes have resolution limitations, imposed by the wavelength of the radiation they use. The greater resolution and magnification of the electron microscope is because the de Broglie wavelength of an electron is much smallerthan that of a photon of visible light.

The electron microscope uses electrostatic and electromagnetic lenses in forming the image by controlling the electron beam to focus it at a specific plane relative to the specimen. This manner is similar to how a light microscope uses glass lenses to focus light on or through a specimen to form an image.

A Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a type of electron microscope that images a sample by scanning it with a high-energy beam of electrons in a raster scan pattern. The electrons interact with the atoms that make up the sample producing signals that contain information about the sample’s surface topography, composition, and other properties such as electrical conductivity.

The types of signals produced by an SEM include secondary electrons, back-scattered electrons (BSE), characteristic X-rays, light (cathodoluminescence), specimen current and transmitted electrons. Secondary electron detectors are common in all SEMs, but it is rare that a singlemachine would havedetectors for allpossiblesignals. The signals result from interactions of the electron beam with atoms at or near the surface of the sample. In the most common or standard detection mode, secondary electron imaging or SEI, the SEM can produce very high-resolution images of a sample surface, revealing details less than 1 nm in size. Due to the very narrow electron beam, SEM micrographs have a large depth of field yielding a characteristic three dimensional appearance useful for understanding the surface structure of a sample.

Infrared spectroscopy (IRspectroscopy) is the spectros copy that deals with the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, that is light with a longer wavelength and lower frequency than visible light. It covers a range of techniques, mostly based on absorption spectroscopy. As with all spectroscopic techniques, it can be used to identifyand study chemicals. A common laboratory instrument that uses this technique is a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer.

The infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is usually divided into three regions; the near-, mid- and far- infrared, named for their relation to the visible spectrum. The higher energy near-IR, approximately 14000–4000 cm^–1 (0.8–2.5 μm wavelength) can excite overtone orharmonic vibrations. Themid-infrared, approximately 4000– 400 cm^–1 (2.5–25 μm) may be used to study the fundamental vibrations and associated rotational-vibrational structure. The far-infrared, approximately 400–10 cm^–1 (25–1000 μm), lying adjacent to the microwave region, has low energy and may be used for rotational spectroscopy. The names and classifications of these sub regions are conventions, and are only loosely based on the relative molecular or electromagnetic properties.

Infrared spectroscopy exploits the fact that molecules absorb specific frequencies that are characteristic of their structure. These absorptions are resonant frequencies, i.e. the frequency of the absorbed radiation matches the frequency of the bond or group that vibrates. The energies are determined by the shape of the molecular potential energy surfaces, the masses of the atoms, and the associated vibronic coupling.

Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionizethe agricultural andfood industry with newtools forthemoleculartreatmentof diseases, rapid disease detection, enhancing the ability of plants to absorb nutrients etc. Smart sensors and smart delivery systems will help the agricultural industry combat viruses and other crop pathogens. In the near futurenanostructured catalysts will beavailable which will increase the efficiency of pesticides and herbicides, allowing lower doses to be used. Nanotechnology will also protect the environment indirectly through the use of alternative (renewable) energy supplies, and filters or catalysts to reduce pollution and clean-up existing pollutants.

Nanomedicine is the medical application of nanotechnology. The approaches to nanomedicine range from the medical use of nanomaterials, to nanoelectronic biosensors, and even possible future applications of molecular nanotechnology. Current problems for nanomedicine involve understanding the issues related to toxicity and environmental impact of nanoscale materials.

Nanomedicine research is receiving funding from the US National Institute of Health. Of note is the funding in 2005 of a five-year plan to set up four nanomedicine centers. In April 2006, the journal Nature Materials estimated that130 nanotech-based drugsanddeliverysystems were being developed worldwide.

The impact of nanotechnology in the food industry has become more apparent over the last few years with the organization of various conferences dedicated to the topic, initiation of consortia for better and safefood, along with increased coveragein themedia. Several companies which were hesitant about revealing their research programmes in nanofood, have now gone public announcing plans to improve existing products and develop new ones to maintain market dominance. The typesof application include:smartpackaging, on demand preservatives, and interactive foods. Building on the concept of “on-demand” food, the idea of interactive food is to allow consumers to modify food depending on their own nutritional needs or tastes. The concept is that thousands of nanocapsules containing flavour or colour enhancers, or added nutritional elements (such as vitamins), would remain dormant in the food and only be released when triggered by the consumer.24 Most of the food giants including Nestle, Kraft, Heinz, and Unilever supportspecific research programmes tocapturea share of the nanofood market in the next decade.

The definition of nanofood is that nanotechnology techniques or tools are used during cultivation, production, processing, or packaging of the food. It does not mean atomically modified foodor foodproduced by nanomachines. Although there are ambitious thoughts of creating molecularfood using nanomachines, this is unrealistic in the foreseeable future. Instead nanotechnologists are moreoptimisticabout thepotential to changethe existing systemof food processingand to ensure the safety of food products, creating a healthy food culture. They are also hopeful of enhancing the nutritional quality of food through selected additives and improvements to the way the body digests and absorbs food. Although some of these goals are further away, the food packaging industry already incorporates nanotechnology in products.

Nanosensors are any biological, chemical, or sugery sensory points used to convey information about nanoparticles to the macroscopic world. Their use mainly include various medicinal purposes and as gateways to building other nanoproducts, such as computer chips that work at the nanoscaleand nanorobots. Presently, there are several ways proposed to make nanosensors, including Top-down and bottom-up design, top-downlithography, bottom-upassembly, and molecular self-assembly.

Predicted applications

Medicinal uses of nanosensors mainly revolve aroundthe potential of nanosensors to accurately identify particular cells or places in the body in need. By measuring changes in volume, concentration, displacement and velocity, gravitational,electrical, and magneticforces, pressure, or temperature of cells in a body, nanosensors may be able to distinguish between and recognize certain cells, most notably those of cancer, at the molecular level in order to deliver medicine or monitor development to specific places in the body. In addition, they may be able to detect macroscopic variations from outside the body and communicate these changes to other nanoproducts working within the body.

Over the past few decades, the fields of science and engineering have been seeking to develop new and improved types of energy technologies that havethe capability of improvinglifeall over the world. In order to make the next leap forward from the current generation of technology, scientists and engineers have been developing Energy Applications of Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology, a new field in science, is any technology that contains components smaller than 100 nanometers. For scale, a single virus particle is about 100 nanometers in width.

An important subfield of nanotechnology related to energy is nanofabrication. Nanofabrication is the process of designing and creating devices on the nanoscale. Creating devices smaller than 100 nanometers opens many doors for the development of new ways to capture, store, and transfer energy. The inherent level of control that nanofabrication could give scientists and engineers would be critical in providing the capability of solving many of the problems that the world is facing today related to the current generation of energy technologies.

People in the fields of science and engineering have already begun developing ways of utilizing nanotechnology for the development of consumer products. Benefits already observed from the design of these products are an increased efficiency of lighting and heating, increased electrical storage capacity, and a decrease in the amount of pollution from the use of energy. Benefits such as these make the investment of capital in the research and development of nanotechnology a top priority.

The societal implications of nanotechnology are the potential benefits and challenges that the introduction of novelnanotechnological devices and materials may hold for society and human interaction. The term is sometimes expanded to also include nanotechnology’s health and environmental implications, but this article will only consider the social and political implications of nanotechnology.

As nanotechnology is an emerging field andmostof its applications are still speculative, there is much debate about what positive and negative effects that nanotechnology might have.

Beyond the toxicity risks to human health and the environment which are associated with first-generation nanomaterials, nanotechnology has broader societal implications and poses broader social challenges. Social scientistshave suggestedthatnanotechnology’s social issues should be understood and assessed not simply as “downstream” risks or impacts. Rather, the challenges should be factored into “upstream” research and decision making in order to ensure technology development that meets social objectives.

Nanotoxicology is the study of the toxicity of nanomaterials. Because of quantum size effects and large surface area, nanomaterials have unique properties compared with their larger counterparts

Nanotoxicology is that branch of bionanoscience, which deals with the study and application of toxicity of nanomaterials. The nanomaterials, even when they are made of inert elements like gold, become very active at a nanometer range. Nanotoxicological studies are intended to determine whether and to what extent these may pose a threat to the environment and to human beings. For instance, Diesel nanoparticles have been found to damage the cardiovascular system in a mouse model.

Human health and safety

Calls for tighter regulation of nanotechnology have occurred alongside a growing debate related to the human health and safety risks associated with nanotechnology. The Royal Society identifies the potential for nanoparticles to penetrate the skin, and recommend that the use of nanoparticles in cosmetics be conditional upon a favorable assessment by the relevant European Commission safety advisory committee. Andrew Maynard also reports that ‘certain nanoparticles may move easily into sensitive lung tissues after inhalation, and cause damage that can lead to chronic breathing problems’.

Nanotechnology, which deals with understanding and control of matter at dimension of roughly 100 nm and below, has a cross sectoral application and an interdisciplinary orientation. At this scale, the physical, chemical and biological properties of materials differ from the properties of individual atoms and molecules or bulk matter, which enable novel applications. Nanotechnology research and development is directed towards understanding and creating improved materials, devices and systems that exploit these properties as they are discovered and characterized

There are many applications of nanotechnology such as in the area of medicine, chemistry and environment, energy, agriculture, information and communication, heavy industry and consumer goods. The alleged potential of this technology has garnered the attention of both developed and developing countries across the globe. The US National Science Foundation (NSF) has listed it as one of six priority areas; it is one of the themesin the EU Framework Program for Research and Technological Development in Europe; and it has been the focus of research in countries worldwide.

“Educational Technology is the application of scientific knowledge about learning and the conditions of learning to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching and training. In the absence of scientifically established principles, educational technology implements techniques of empirical testing to improve learning situation”.

National Centre for Programmed Learning, UK
“Educational Technology is a complex, integrated process involving people. procedures, ideas, devices and organization for analyzing problems and devising. implementing, evaluating, and managing solutions to those problems, involved in all aspects of learning”.

Association for Educational Communications and technology (AECT), 1977
The most recent definition of the field (which uses the term, instructional technology) has been published by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). It defines Instructional Technology as “the theory and practice of design,

The word administration is derived from Latin word Ad + Minister means “to care for” or look after people / to manage affairs.

Why Study Management Theory
Theories are perspectives with which people make sense of their world experiences. A theory is a coherent group of assumptions put forth to explain the relationship between two or more observable facts.
    i.    Theories provide a stable focus for understanding what we experience. A theory provides criteria for determining what is relevant.
    ii.    Theories enable us to communicate efficiently and thus move into more and more complex relationships with other people.
    iii.    Theories make it possible indeed, challenge us-to keep learning about our world.

STUDIES ON HUMAN RELATIONS
Introduction

A human relation is frequently used as a general term to describe the ways in which managers’ interact with their employees. A number of things were happening in United States in the 1920s and 1930s, organizations were growing in size and in their dependence upon technology. Social groups were breaking down. The combination of all these factors with the growing dissatisfaction with paced, mechanized, highly standardized work led to changes in two major directions. Management science developed as a technical discipline, concerned with the establishment of efficiency models of managerial and organizational behaviour. The other perspective was initiated by the work of Human Relation scientists. They are discussed in detail here.

Introduction to Research

Research is an inseparable part of human knowledge. Its role in human life is as precious as that of salt in a vegetable. The life would lose its taste without research exactly in the same manner as a vegetable without salt. The modern academics just cannot stand and meet the aspirations of a matured society, if it does not provide for research and investigation. “The obvious function of research is to add new knowledge to the existing store. but its power for cleansing our minds of clinches and removing the rubbish of inapplicable theory is equally notable. Scientific research is a cumulative process. It is also a projective process, especially in the social sciences. Understanding can be (advanced) not only by gains in knowledge but also by discarding outworn assumptions”.

Participatory technology development (PTD) is an approach to learning and innovation that is used in international development as part of projects and programmes relating to sustainable agriculture. The approach involves collaboration between researchers and farmers in the analysis of agricultural problems and testing of alternative farming practices.

Origins of participatory technology development

The origins of Participatory Technology Development can be found in a number of approaches, concepts and techniques that became popular in the 1970s and 1980s:

Farming systems research and extension, an approach that introduced social-ecomomic issues into organisations previously dominated by biological and chemical scientists. FSR/E also promoted the idea on ‘on-farm’ trials:

Appropriate technology, a concept that recognises the importance of matching the design of technology to the resources and culture of the user.

AGRI BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Agribusiness is a generic term. It includes food production, farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing marketing and retail sales. John. H. Davis of Harvard University first used the term Agribusiness in 1955. Prospects of agri-business India (McKinsey and Confederations of Indian Industry 1997)    
Food industry offers one of the largest opportunities in India today
By 2005 - 07, the food industry will grow three fold to reach us 70 $ billion, and increases in forthcoming year. India can be the world Largest Food Factory
   
India’s food production today is equal to that of USA, second to China
Value added foods will grow faster rates ($30 to $60) million.
Growing the food industry will raise agricultural yields, increases income and create employment and economic development.

Extension Reform Strategies Global Perspective

In an effort to respond to the new paradigm, countries worldwide have adopted a variety of institutional reforms. These reforms are either market-oriented or non-market-oriented (Smith 1997). This distinction, provides an imperfect but hopefully useful framework for considering these reforms as individual, non-overlapping constructs. Following the discussion of Figure 3, a dynamic view of extension institutional reforms is presented in Figure 4 which suggests possible interconnections among the various constructs. Inferences drawn from the two Figures will shape the discussion in the final section.

The recent adoption by FAO and the World Bank of a fundamental vision and guiding principles for developing agricultural knowledge systems forms the focus of this section. This vision and these principles are reviewed in relation to the plethora of the ongoing agricultural and rural extension reforms.

Contract Farming

Contract farming is defined as a system for the production and supply of agricultural/horticultural produce under forward contracts between producers/suppliers and buyers. The essence of such an arrangement is the commitment of the producer/ seller to provide an agricultural commodity of a certain type, at a time and a price, and in the quantity required by a known and committed buyer.

Contract Farming Ventures in India: A Few Successful Cases

The Government of India’s National Agriculture Policy envisages that “Private sector participation will be promoted through contract farming and land leasing arrangements to allow accelerated technology transfer, capital inflow and assured market for crop production, especially of oilseeds, cotton and horticultural crops”.
Farming is an age-old means of livelihood for millions of Indians. However, there have been few systems/models in which farmers are assured of a market for their 

In most countries, extension systems have now been operating for some time and problems within them will often require a refinement of the existing system rather than design of a new system from scratch.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide extension managers with a simple approach in analysing common extension problems. In most cases, suggestions are given for possible actions to consider in investigating the causes of the problem further and ultimately in overcoming it. However the primary purpose of the chapter is not ‘to give solutions to all known problems’ but to assist the extension manager in analysing problems to find their root cause (or causes). The chapter is designed to be simple and easy to use, and thus cannot do justice to the complexity of all the problems and situations faced by extension personnel.

Many different approaches might be used to organise this process and information. The chapter has tried in all cases to begin with noticeable problems and by analysing these through an hierarchy or problem tree, help users to analyse and reach their own conclusions as to the best solution.

The concept of entrepreneurship has a wide range of meanings. On one extreme, an entrepreneur is a person of very high aptitude who pioneers change, possessing characteristics found in only a very small fraction of the population. On the other extreme of definitions, anyone who wants to work for himself or herself is considered to be an entrepreneur. The word entrepreneur originates from the French word, entreprendre, which means “to undertake.” In a business context, it means to start a business. The Merriarn-Webster Dictionary presents the definition of an entrepreneur as one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise.

Many research studies have contributed to the literature on characteristics of entrepreneurs. Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter’s definition of entrepreneurship placed an emphasis on innovation, such as new products, new production methods, new markets and new forms of organization. Wealth is created when such innovation results in new demand. From this viewpoint, one can define the function of the entrepreneur as one of combining various input factors in an innovative manner to generate value to the customer with the hope that this value will exceed the cost of the input factors, thus generating superior returns that result in the creation of wealth. From an economist’s point of view, an entrepreneur is one who brings resources, labour, materials and other assets into combinations that make their value greater than before.

Skills and knowledge are the driving forces of economic growth and social development of any country. India is moving progressively towards becoming a ‘Knowledge economy’ it becomes increasingly important that the focus is made on advancement of skills and these skills have to be relevant to the emerging economic environment. In old economy, skill development largely meant development of shop floor or manual skills. In new or knowledge economy the skill sets can range from professional, conceptual, managerial, operational behavioral to interpersonal skills and inter-domain skills. In the 21^st century as science progresses towards a better understanding of the miniscule, that is, genes, nano-particles, bits and bytes and neurons, knowledge domains and skill domains also multiply and become more and more complex. Micro enterprise development is one of the strategies seen to bring about pro-poor economic growth.