eChapters

Introduction

Water is a prominent element in the daily life of human beings as well as in agriculture. In better crop production, the quantity of water, but the quality of water is also important. With respect to the current scenario of water harvesting or water conservation there are some techniques adopted in Indian agricultural practices, such as the use of drip irrigation to minimise water surplus, rain fed agricultural practices, storing rain water in different storage components, using mulching (either natural or plastic), proper tillage practices, selecting crops which need less amount of water, using laser leveller for better water uses to encounter surplus water flow to the lower elevated portion of the field etc. Water conservation techniques and measures are directly related to the type of meteorological factors of specific watershed. For the arid and semi arid regions proper method of tillage practice improves water use while in conventional practices of farming consumes more than required water quantity. Some crops are water-intensive where the quantity of the available water is crucial. Sources of water can be ground water, rain water and irrigation water. In sustainable crop production, the right amount of water is necessary for the optimal physiological growth of specific crops. Although the availability of water depends upon the geographical location, for example in the Gangetic plains of India there is less need for water conservation agricultural purposes. On the other, in the region of Deccan Plateau of India, availability of water is comparatively lower than in the Gangetic plains. It is also important that water conservation techniques can be adopted irrespective of the geographical locations. Water is conserved in nature itself but the availability of water depends on the hydrological cycle. Therefore, conservation has become a trending topic. Water conservation can be improved through sustainable agricultural practices such as proper scheduling of irrigation, selection of crops based on sustainability, monitoring soil moisture content, maintaining records of crop growth and physio-chemical data, implementing effective drainage systems, intercropping operations and utilising recycled water for other purposes.

Introduction

Climate change has brought about unprecedented weather variability, disrupting established patterns and posing significant challenges to global agriculture. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports unequivocal evidence of increasing temperatures and altered precipitation patterns (IPCC, 2021). These changes impact crop production, water availability, and overall food security, necessitating innovative approaches to ensure sustainable agriculture in the face of evolving climatic conditions. To address these challenges, accurate crop yield forecasting becomes paramount. Reliable predictions empower farmers, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation, risk management, and adaptation strategies (Lobell et al., 2012; FAO, 2019). This chapter explores the intricate interplay between weather variability, climate change, and the development of effective crop yield forecasting models, offering a comprehensive perspective on how sustainable agriculture can be achieved in the midst of these dynamic environmental shifts.

A linear programming problem aims to maximize or minimize a linear function subject to the linear constraints. But in many cases, the objective function may not be linear or all/some of the constraints may not be linear or both the objective and the constraints may not be linear. Such an optimization problem is called a nonlinear programming problem (NLPP). In this chapter, we discuss about NLPP’s. Nonlinear programming is the process of solving an optimization problemdefined by a system of equalities and inequalities, collectively termed constraints, over a set of unknown real variables, along with an objective function to be maximized or minimized, where some of the constraints or the objective function are nonlinear. It is the sub-field of mathematical optimization that deals with problems that are not linear. A typical non-convex problem is that of optimizing transportation costs by selection from a set of transportation methods, one or more of which exhibit economies of scale, with various connectivity and capacity constraints. An example would be petroleum product transport given a selection or combination of pipeline, rail tanker, road tanker, river barge. Owing to economic batch size the cost functions may have discontinuities in addition to smooth changes. In experimental science, some simple data analysis (such as fitting a spectrum with a sum of peaks of known location and shape but unknown magnitude) can be done with linear methods, but in general these problems, also, are nonlinear.

Rice is grown in about 40 million hectares of land in India and nitrogen requirement for the crop is 60 lakh tonnes based on the present levels of consumption. Rice production has to be sustained and increased to provide staple diet to our increasing population. Blue green algae is a potentional biofertilizer in rice because of their capacity to meet both carbon and nitrogen requirement naturally from the air. They are microscopic algae which are collectively called phytoplankton produce basic organic matter forming the first link in food chain and alongwith replenish the oxygen content of atmosphere. Algae contain proteins, Vitamins, iodine, bromine and substances of antibiotic and stimulatory nature. The soil algae are divided into chlorophyta (green algae) cynophyta (blue green) bacillariophyta (diatoms) and xanthophyta (yellow-greens).

De (1939) suggested that fertility of rice fields is maintained due to the growth of blue-green algae. Different types of blue-green algae have been reported to colonize the rice fields. The cells such as heterocysts in Anabaena, Nostoc, Tolypothrix etc. which have capacity to fix atmospheric nitrogen under aerobic condition and unicellular and non- hetercoystous forms also fix atmospheric nitrogen under microaerophilic conditions.

Introduction

Given the interdependence of all ecosystem units and humans, education for supportable sustainable development (ESD) is a crucial educational tool. The Brundtland Report of 1987 also highlights a crucial element when it states that “everyone must have access to the basic necessities of life and the opportunity to realize their dreams of a better life for sustainable development.” In order to alter the prevailing beliefs and attitudes which people have about themselves, society, and the environment, ESD — which is mapped out on the three pillars of the economy, society, and environment—plays a crucial role. The core tenets of ESD are those that support sustainability, including social tolerance, gender equity, intergenerational equity, poverty reduction, and environmental preservation and renovation.

The Rio Declaration, which outlines 27 sustainability principles, makes this claim. As they support the development which is related to education and reorient current education to promote sustainability, these principles can assist governments, society, and educational institutions in routinely classifying information, principles, skills, and values. Globally, education which is related to sustainable development, or ESD, is widely regarded for its substantial contribution to improving livelihoods and advancing society’s transition to sustainability. Although opinions on the viability of sustainable development vary, it is generally agreed that moving toward a sustainable future requires increasing public awareness, education, and training. Notwithstanding the difficulties in defining sustainability, it is evident that many social behaviours— such as those involving pollution, inefficient energy use, water conservation, and other issues—are not sustainable.

Introduction

A vision of the industrial landscape of the future that emphasises safeguarding society and the environment has lately surfaced as the “Industry 5.0” idea. People collaborating with robotics and intelligent machines are referred to as “Industry 5.0.” By utilising cutting-edge technologies like big data, Internet of Things (IoT) and robots can help people operate more efficiently and quickly. The Industry 4.0 pillars of efficiency and automation are given a more human touch through this. It aims to combine the inventiveness and problem solving abilities of human employees with the powers of mechanisation and artificial intelligence, ultimately producing a more productive and adaptable production environment. This paradigm shift emphasises the value of human decision-making and intervention in the industrial context while addressing the drawbacks of complete automation. By fusing the strengths of both robots and humans, Industry 5.0, which is still in its early stages, has the potential to revolutionise several industries. In 1987, the United Nations Commission defined sustainability as addressing the requirements of the present without compromising the capacity of people in the future to address their issues. Sustainability is essential in Industry 5.0, the next stage of industrial development characterised by growing digitization and automation. Within this paradigm, sustainable practices reduce resource consumption, trash, and emission levels, leading to more effective utilisation of resources like materials and energy. Industry 5.0’s commitment to sustainability reduces waste, carbon dioxide emissions, and environmental impacts. Utilising green technologies and eco-friendly practices helps reduce environmental impact

Introduction

No revolution occurs without disruption. Its effects break down traditions, behavior, relationships, ways of thinking, and methods of education. (Barreiro, 2021) throughout history, from the hunter-gatherer era to the present day humanity has experienced multiple industrial revolutions impacting both social and economic domains. The latest industrial revolution, which has ushered in digital transformation and enhanced productivity at reduced costs, introduces a new lifestyle distinct from our traditional daily routines. It also aims to foster a more sustainable overall environment. (Javaid et al., 2022).

The rise of Industry 4.0 is fueled by both rapid technological advancements and various social and economic factors. Central technologies propelling Industry 4.0 include wearable, augmented reality, simulation, autonomous vehicles and robots, additive manufacturing, distributed ledger systems like block chain, big data analytic, mobile computing, and cloud computing. These technologies influence and facilitate the development of new and innovative business models. (Industry 4.0 Implications for Higher Education Institutions 2019)

The advent of Industry 4.0, characterized by the integration of advanced technologies has revolutionized various sectors, including higher education. As these technologies reshape industries, they also redefine educational paradigms, creating a more interconnected, efficient, and personalized learning environment. This transformation, known as Education 4.0, responds to the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution by preparing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital and automated world.

Concept: It’s a natural process that modifies the cytology, physiology, biochemistry, and physical characteristics of seeds. These modifications lower viability and ultimately result in the seed’s death. A decline in the proportion of germination indicates degradation, and weak seedlings are produced by seeds that do germinate. The factors that impact the ability of seed to be stored include the seed’s quality at the time of storage, its pre-storage history (environmental factors during pre- and post-harvest stages), its moisture content or ambient relative humidity, the temperature of the storage environment, the amount of time the seed is stored, and biotic agents. Seed will inevitably get damaged when being stored (Balesevic-Tubic et al., 2005). The quality of the seed at the time of storage, its pre-storage history (environmental factors during pre and post-harvest stages), its moisture content or ambient relative humidity, the temperature of the storage environment, the length of time the seed is stored, and biotic agents are factors that affect the seed’s ability to be stored. Different physical changes can happen to seed during storage because of factors like temperature, moisture content, and length of storage. The viability and vigor of the seeds may be impacted by these modifications.

Concept: Reduction of seed moisture content to the acceptable levels for enhancement of storability and longevity is known as seed drying.

The moisture content of seed is negatively related to its storability. As the moisture content of seed increases, its storability decreases. Adequate drying of seed prolongs viability for reasonably long periods without cold storage. The process of drying begins with physiological maturity till storage/packaging of seeds to avoid deterioration. The seed is hygroscopic in nature therefore it adjusts its moisture content in equilibrium to the existing environment.

Seed Drying

Seed drying is the process in which an environment with low humidity is created to remove moisture from the seed up to the desired level without any damage to its viability and physical appearance. This seed is stored at low moisture content under the low relative humidity to enhance its longevity. The initiation of seed moisture content and the desired level are what dictate the amount of the drying process, and these elements are determined by the following

• Type of seed: This will consider the longevity behaviour, seed content, and seed structure (i.e., how well the species stores energy).

Pre-Treatment Before Sowing

The natural conditions necessary for seeds to germinate are increased by pre sowing seed treatment. Many plants and trees’ seeds require a specific amount of time to mature in their immature portions and to overcome dormancy, which is the absence of certain elements that impede germination, so that the seeds can sprout. Depending on the type of seed, different environmental factors promote different levels of germination. For example, some seeds need to be kept in a very damp, cold environment, while others need to be kept in a dry, hot environment. Different techniques are employed to support seed survival and speed up germination, depending on the size of the lot, the species, the local conditions, and the availability of pertinent tools and facilities. Many species’ seeds don’t germinate successfully unless they are exposed to specific circumstances. Dormancy is the state in which seeds do not germinate unless certain circumstances are met. Conditions in the natural world could include being near fire or being eaten by animals.

1. Introduction

Agriculture has always been greatly dependent on climate patterns and variations, and is considered to be particularly at risk to the influences of climate change (James et al., 2014). Climate change is manifest in the form of reduction in rainfall and drought experienced in the last decade, pushing the agrarian community into real distress (MSSRF, 2020). To reduce the adverse impact of climate change on agriculture, adaptation is considered a crucial component of any policy response related with agriculture and climate change (Deressa et al., 2009). Adaptation to climate change involves changes in agricultural management practices in response to changes in climate conditions (Akinnagbe and Irohibe, 2014). Having knowledge about climatic adaptation practices by the farming communities would make them better equipped to deal with climate change related challenges (Mwazi&Ndokosho, 2011). Though smallholder cultivators are one of the most vulnerable groups to climate change, efforts to support their adaptation strategies are hindered by the lack of information on how they are experiencing and responding to climate change (Harvey et al., 2018). Senapati (2019) argues that farm households with access to weather-related information and extension agency contact have lesser level of vulnerability to climate change and enhanced adaptive capacity. Kavi Kumar (2009) contends the need to have region specific adaptation measures in farming as the key to address challenges of climate change.

1. Introduction

Biochar, produced from pyrolytic decomposition of lignocellulosic biomass, is a solid hard product and a unique green material for soil amendments. Its use has been identified in Amazon fertility as ancient indigenous practice. Through ‘pyrolysis’ (heating without oxygen) process (‘pyro’ which means caused by heat whereas ‘lysis’ means dis-integration), there are three types of yields we get: a solid product (biochar), a gaseous product (syngas/ synthesis gas), and a liquid (bio-oil). The solid item, biochar, is applied for soil amendments. It can be used in agricultural, industrial, and environmental as a functional material. Solid char, a common pyrolytic outcome is charcoal, typically used to designate the solid char product that is ignited for fuel, whereas “biochar” designates the unique solid char purposively used as a soil amendment agent. On the other hand, the gaseous and liquid counterparts of pyrolysis have commercial applications like green energy, feedstock raw materials, and precursors (Fig.1).

Introduction

Despite recent significant increases in global food production Sustainable development goal- “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture” seems unachievable. Globally, 1 in 9 people are undernourished, the vast majority of whom live in developing countries. Under nutrition causes wasting or severe wasting of 52 million children worldwide. It contributes to nearly half (45%) of deaths in children under five – 3.1 million children per.Today, the majority of the world’s hungry people—nearly 870 million—live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Climate change impacts on food security and livelihoods are already alarming and affecting millions of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (FAO, 2016).

In view of today’s 795 million hungry and the additional 2 billion people expected by 2050, there is an urgent need for a change of global food and agriculture systems in order to sustainably increase food production (UN, 2016). This will exert intense pressure on agro-ecosystems that are already overburdened, particularly in developing countries as most of those increases in production have to occur in this part of the world. The environmental impacts of satisfying this increased food demand will be further aggravated by climate change. With increased frequency and severity of droughts, extreme heat conditions and over dependence on rainfed agriculture, there is a growing agricultural productivity crisis, dwindling household food availability and the economic prosperity of countries whose national economies are dependent on agriculture. Considering that climate change impacts are felt differently within regions, context-specific adaptation measures are required to reduce risks and build adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers (Altieri, M.Aet al.2017).

Introduction

Creativity and innovation are planned alternatives that an entrepreneur can use to promote his business. Business is a creative process. Success in business today requires constant innovation. Creating new solutions to problems, and the ability to create new products or services for a changing market, is part of intellectual capital. They also provide a company or business organization with a competitive advantage. Creativity is the basis of creativity. It is a process and skill that can be developed and managed throughout the organization.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the different types of creativity and Innovation

• Explain the process of creativity and phases of innovation

Creativity Definition

Creativity has different meanings. Many researchers have said that creativity is the generation of new ideas that include a creative process or a new solution to a problem and the original resolution of problems. It can also be said that the installation of the innovative solution is easy.

1. _____________ is a fertilize ovule consisting of intact embryo stored food and seed coat, which is viable and has got the capacity to germinate. (Seed)
2. The content of other than seeds such as straw, soil particles, small stones and seeds of other species is called_____________. (Inert material)
3. Initial seed obtained from the selected individual plants of a particular variety or parental line, used to produce breeder seed and forms the basis of the total seed production chain is_____________ seed. (Nucleus)
4. The loss of weight of a sample when it is dried due to decrease in_____________. (Moisture)
5. A specified quantity of seed, physically identifiable in respect of which an international analysis certificate may be issued is called_____________. (Seed lot)
6. The blowers are used for_____________. (Purity of seeds)
7. A type of seed that is not certified but the labelling is done to indicate the quality or standard in a truthful manner is called_____________ seed. (Truthfully labelled seed)
8. The reagent used for biochemical test for determining seed viability is_____________. (Tetrazolium chloride or Bromide)
9. The food material contained in_____________that nourishes the embryo during its development. (Endosperm)

Introduction

The main goal of plant breeding is to increase crop yield and the second goal is to improve quality, develop light- and heat-insensitive varieties, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, simultaneous maturation, and water and nutrient use. Efficiency, elimination of toxins, and cultivation of different product groups allow to achieve high agricultural yields and sustainable development. Better understanding and development of genetics has increased the efficiency of plant breeding to achieve desired goals in agricultural crops. Effective and efficient use of molecular markers in crop improvement programs increases selection efficiency and productivity and accelerates the growth cycle to create new varieties with good results. Marker assisted selection (MAS) is a technique that uses markers (morphological, biochemical, or DNA/RNA variation-based markers) to indirectly select for traits of interest (e.g., productivity, disease, genetic determinants resistance, abiotic stress tolerance and/or quality). This process is used in plant and animal breeding. The rapid development of biotechnology has allowed breeders to develop better selections to replace traditional selections based on phenotypic pedigree.

Fisheries are capture fisheries, which involve catching wild fish from natural bodies of water, and culture fisheries, also known as aquaculture, include raising fish in controlled environments. Aquaculture offers a promising avenue for meeting the growing demand for seafood. Besides, capturing fisheries has been a traditional seafood source for centuries. Some of the aquaculture's advantages are increased food production (i.e., producing over half of all seafood consumed globally) and improved food security, particularly in developing nations where protein deficiency and malnutrition pose significant challenges. While fisheries face overfishing, habitat destruction, and by-catch, aquaculture contends with environmental impacts, disease management, and feed sustainability. Nevertheless, both sectors present promising solutions: fisheries through sustainable management, technological advancements, marine protected areas, aquaculture through increased food production, reduced environmental impact, economic benefits, and sustainable feed sources. By addressing these challenges and embracing these opportunities, fisheries and aquaculture can contribute to a more sustainable and food-secure future. Therefore, the future of seafood production will likely involve a combination of aquaculture and capture fisheries, each playing a complementary role by addressing their respective challenges and embracing opportunities for improvement. Aquaculture and capture fisheries can work together to ensure a sustainable seafood supply for a growing global population.

Aquaculture is now the food production industry with the greatest rate of growth in the world due to its continued enormous output expansion. However, the sector's sustainability is in jeopardy because of the anticipated impacts of climate change, which are both a present and a future reality. In addition to the numerous stresses that fish stocks currently face-such as overfishing, habitat loss, pollution, disturbances, and invasive species climate change is an extra one. It is necessary to include other anthropogenic forces when assessing the effects of climate change. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events can have significant consequences, such as storms that destroy property or flood freshwater fields. Different physiological impacts and pressures will alter the growth and development of fish and shellfish, thereby making them more vulnerable to infections and illnesses. In this research, we examine how climate change may affect aquaculture productivity and how that may affect the sustainability of the industry. There has been discussion on several aspects of a changing climate, including increasing temperatures, sea level rise, illnesses and toxic algal blooms, altered rainfall patterns, the unpredictability of outside input sources, altered sea surface salinity, and extreme weather events.

This innovation introduces a system aimed at enhancing the nutritional quality of fried fish through the integration of artificial intelligence. This system consists of three fundamental elements: a microcontroller, a stainless steel probe featuring a temperature sensor, and an oil-level detection sensor. Additionally, it includes a mobile application powered by artificial intelligence, facilitating the evaluation of the polyunsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acid ratio and the index of atherogenicity profile of fried fish. The data collected by the microcontroller undergo thorough processing using an artificial neural network model, along with meta-heuristic optimization techniques such as genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization (PSO). This processing led to the determination of the PUFA/ SFA and IA profiles of fried fish. Upon alignment of the derived data with the predetermined ideal PUFA/SFA and IA values stored in the application database, the application transmits this information to the system, triggering an alert through the integration of a buzzer within the device.

Rural development is greatly aided by aquaculture funding, which improves rural people's standards of living and promotes sustainable economic growth. By analyzing its effects on job possibilities, food security, income production, and poverty reduction, this study investigates the role of aquaculture finance in rural development. It addresses several funding sources and tools used in aquaculture, such as grants, microloans, investment plans, and microfinance, emphasizing the success of these financial tools in helping small-scale rural farmers and business owners. This study also discusses market linkages, risk management, regulatory frameworks, credit availability, and other issues related to aquaculture finance. Legislators, financial institutions, and other stakeholders can create plans to optimize the socioeconomic advantages of aquaculture while fostering inclusive growth by comprehending the relationship between financing for aquaculture and rural development.

Sex

Sex is the biological make-up of male and female human beings. It is biological difference between men and women. Sex is universal, permeant, Biological. John money draw the distinction between the biological differences and behavioural characteristics that differentiates male and Female. First person used Gender opposite to sex. Founder of Gender Identity clinic at John Hopkins University in the Baltimore in US in 1966.

Gender

First used by anna Oakley. It is neutral term, dynamic, change over time and place. It is a socially constructed roles and responsibilities assigned to men and women in a given society. It refers to socio-cultural differences between males and females. Gender determines what is expected, allowed and valued in a woman / man in different contexts. In simple words, gender refers to the set of relationships between men and women at a particular point of time in a given society

Gender Blindness

It is the failure to recognize that gender as an essential determinant of social outcomes impacting projects and policies. Gender-blind policy ignores the different situation, roles, needs and interests of women, men, girls and boys.

Introduction

Women perform two-thirds of the world’s work hours, yet are poor in resources and are poorly represented in positions of power. Most of the low-income women in developing countries are primarily employed in agriculture, but many literatures show that men have been the primary adopters and shapers of agricultural technologies. These inequalities are seen in all parts of the world. Without acknowledging gender inequalities, economic development and globalization cannot be achieved. Gender bias is a universal phenomenon and there are a number of issues that farm women face.

Importance of Gender Mainstreaming in Agriculture

Indian Women spend 354 minutes a day, compared to 36 minutes a day by men, on household activities including cooking and child care. In developing countries, nearly 75 - 80 percent of women are involved in agriculture. They face gender issues in land ownership, access to credit, market, technology, seed, water, information, education and other services. NSSO survey (2010) revealed that 40% of male farmers want to quit farming due to less profitability. Gradually, male farmers are migrating to earn from non-farming activities. In this situation, women have to look after household as well as farming activities.

Introduction

‘Health is wealth’ is a common saying. Every individual should take care of his physical and mental health. During work performance, if an activity leads to any health problem it is referred to as an occupational health hazard, which needs urgent attention. In agriculture, occupational health problems sometimes amount to incurable diseases/disorders.

Meaning of Occupational Health Hazards

Occupational hazard is something that causes harm to a working person, in terms of injury or ill health, damage to property, workplace environment, or a combination of both. In India, farm women contribute as farmers, agricultural workers, and entrepreneurs. As per the 2012 census data, women’s share was 55%, which is projected to be 65% by 2025. They are the backbone of the agricultural rural economy but still are one of the most vulnerable groups. Though nowadays, mechanization is gaining importance due to various reasons, it has yet not reached farm women, who are still not recognized as ‘farmers’, and the machinery is designed to suit the men’s folk. The role of women in farming operations like transplanting, harvesting, post-harvest management, and packaging, which are drudgery-prone, are on the increase. Considering these facts, the tools’ designers should give due thought when designing agricultural tools and equipment, to address farm women’s drudgery.

Women empowerment refers to the process of enabling women to increase their control over their lives, resources, and decision-making power. It involves promoting gender equality, challenging gender stereotypes, and addressing the social, economic, and political barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential.

The Government of India declared 2001 as the ‘Year of Women’s Empowerment and the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women came into force from 2001. The policy approaches that were underlined in this policy concerned gender equality. The policy proposed that the legal system be made responsive and gender sensitive to women’s needs. It stated that women should be economically and socially empowered through focused efforts.

Women Empowerment has Several Dimensions

1. Economic Empowerment: Access to education, employment, credit, and other economic resources.

2. Political Empowerment: Participation in decision-making processes, leadership positions, and political representation.

3. Social Empowerment: Challenging gender stereotypes, promoting gender equality, and addressing social norms that limit women’s potential.

4. Legal Empowerment: Access to justice, legal rights, and protection from discrimination and violence.

5. Psychological Empowerment: Building self-esteem, confidence, and self-reliance.

In India, several institutions are working towards women’s empowerment and gender equality. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal agency responsible for promoting women’s rights and empowerment. The National Commission for Women (NCW) is another statutory body that works to protect and promote women’s rights. Additionally, there are various autonomous organizations such as the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), and the Women’s Technology Park (WTP) that provide training and support to women entrepreneurs. Furthermore, there are numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC), and the YWCA of India that work towards women’s empowerment and gender equality. These institutions provide a range of services including education, healthcare, legal aid, and economic empowerment programs to support women’s development and well-being.

Market information

As defined by Philip Kotler, Marketing information system is continuing & interacting structure of people, equipment & procedure designed to gather, sort, analyze, evaluate, distribute pertinent, timely and accurate information for use by marketing decision makers, to improve their marketing planning, execution and control.

It is the job of collecting, interpreting and disseminating large variety of data which are needed for the smooth operation of marketing processes. In many countries Government agencies undertake this function and sometimes organisations such as chambers of commerce, board of traders etc. perform this function. The Directorate of Economics and Statistics and concerned state marketing departments collect data regarding a) quantity of various products produced in different areas, b) quantities of products held in storage, c) arrivals in various markets, d) prices prevailing in local, regional, national and international markets. The informative data so collected is disseminated through radio, television, news papers, weekly and monthly bulletins. Daily prices are published in most of the news papers. The informative marketing data is also collected through sales executives and from those personnel who are specially appointed as specialists by various trading firms.

Government role in marketing of milk

Ever since independence the dairy sector in India has been regulated. The government projects and programmes in place for enhancing dairy development include subsidies for developing infrastructure for milk processing and testing. The Clean Milk Production Programme is a centrally sponsored scheme that is being implemented by the State Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries with several objectives: i) the creation and strengthening of necessary infrastructure for the production of quality milk and milk products at the farm level up to the points of consumption; ii) improvement of milking techniques; and iii) training to enhance awareness on the importance of hygienic milk production. Several other rural development initiatives support dairying, such as through the District Rural Development Agency and women’s self help groups. An area of government support that has not been capitalized on so far is the investment in promoting the nutritional aspects of milk, particularly pasteurized milk versus loose milk.

Entrepreneur is a person who takes the responsibility of initiating and establishing an enterprise or an organisation under conditions of uncertainty.

Some of the essential qualities of entrepreneurs are as follows

1. Creativity
2. Passion
3. Motivation
4. Product or service knowledge
5. Ability to network
6. Self-confidence
7. Optimism
8. Vision
9. Goal mindset
10. Risk-taking
11. Persuasiveness
12. Decision-making
13. Tenacity
14. Money management
15. Adaptability

Introduction

The process of setting up a business is preceded by the decision to choose entrepreneurship as a career and identification of promising business ideas upon a careful examination of the entrepreneurial opportunities. Generation of ideas is not enough; the business ideas must stand the scrutiny from techno economic, financial and legal perspectives. That is, after the initial screening of the ideas that do not seem promising prima facie, you should conduct an in-depth examination of the chosen three-four before settling for the one where you would like to exert your time, money and energies. You should prepare a business plan that will serve as the road map for effective venturing, whether you may require institutional funding (in which case it is necessary to do so) or not. Setting up of new business enterprises is a very challenging task; you are likely to encounter many problems en route. It’s advisable to be aware of these problems.

Introduction

Revolutionary makeovers have happened in the fisheries, from traditional f ishing practices to the FAD and so on. However the introduction of trawlers had made a huge impact on the marine ecosystem. As trawling is made for catching the bottom dwelling shrimps, but one of the untargeted catch in trawling is Squid. As the squids gained an important role in the export market, the demand for the squids is being increasing inevitably. In response specialised fishing practices called Squid Jigging directly targeting squid resource in parallel minimised the harm on other Marine resources. The frozen and dried squids are extensively exported from the India since 1973and now it ranked fourth in terms of quantity and economic value (CMFRI). In the year 2020-22 The total f ish production of India was about 162.48 lakh tonnes in which the marine and inland sectors contributed about 41.27 and 121.21 lakh tonnes respectively (Handbook of fisheries statistics, 2022), In That the bulk of the squid landing comes from the west coast (0.28 lakh tonnes) from landed, which mostly dominated by Karnataka and from the east coast (0.12 lakh tonnes) the catch is dominated by Tamilnadu followed by Odisha. Even though a considerable amount of squid catch is obtained as the by-catch from the trawl nets, but the primary catch comes from squid jigging.

Introduction

The population pressure, economic expansion, and dietary changes have all led to the rise in demand for foods with animal origin. On the other hand, the fishing industry has a lot of opportunity to close the supply and demand imbalance. The average global per capita consumption has climbed to 20.3 kg, with Asia accounting for about 91.6% of the world's supply of aquaculture fish. Most of this fish is consumed domestically (FAO, 2022). India produced 14.16 million tonnes of fish in 2019-20. Across the region, per capita consumption varies significantly ranging from 63 kg/year in the case of Japan (Delgado et al. 2003) to only 5-6 kg/year in India where only one-third of the population are f ish-eaters (Dey et al. 2005). As you know fish consumption rate is increasing day by day because it contains high protein, Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids {Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)} which is expected to have huge health benefits. Although the supply and demand for different species vary, the Indian major carp (IMC) predominates in satisfying the nation's demand for fish. With a diverse population of around 1.3 billion to feed, knowledge of demand and supply is necessary especially in fisheries sector. Since, fish is a perishable commodity its supplying is a tough task to accomplish. Before studying the demand and supply firstly we have to focus on what is ‘Need’ and ‘Want’.

Introduction

Seafood demand has grown over the years due to its numerous nutritional advantages, acting as a primary contributor to global nutritional security, and the industry supports the livelihood of several million people. Persistent growth in demand for animal protein keeps the fisheries and aquaculture an important role. The average annual seafood demand growth across countries varies between 6 % and 7.5% (Kidane et al., 2021). Hence, Increased fish production, increased the per-capita fish consumption of the respective country (Garlock et al., 2022). Global average fish consumption has increased from 9.9 kg in 1961 to 20.5 kg in 2019 (FAO, 2022). The coastal countries of Iceland and Maldives are leading in per capita fish consumption with 92 kg and 85 kg respectively. While, landlocked countries such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Tajikistan are the least in per capita fish consumption with less than 1 kg of fish per annum. The leading fish producers China (39 kg) and India (6.8 kg) positioned 7th and 15th place respectively in 2019 (World Economic Forum, 2022). India plays a significant role in export as like production with a global share of 5.2 % after Norway (10.4 %) and China (8.6 %). Shrimp is the primary commodity of export in India’s seafood basket with a share of 25 % of the World’s shrimp export next to Ecuador (44 %) during 2021-22. Frozen f ish is the second largest exportable item of India’s seafood export which contributed 22 % in quantity and 8.6 % in earnings next to frozen shrimp with 41 % in quantity and 67 % in export earnings. Followed by frozen cuttlefish & squid and dried items had an export share of 9 % and 5 % respectively during 2022-23 (MPEDA, 2023). Shrimp farming in India is also extending from 1.17 lakh hectares during 2010-11 to 1.67 lakh hectares during 2020-21 in India with production of 1.3 lakh tons to 8.4 lakh tons of shrimps respectively to meet the trade advantage.

Introduction

Business planning is required to meet the expectations of the future of any business and to meet the expected or unexpected obstacles that the future may hold. In the absence of a proper business plan, any business tends to fail. Not many are aware of the importance of preparing a good business plan. A good plan not only helps in planning as per the expected outcomes, but it also aids in seeking the right funds and bringing favourable investment into the business. However, the question remains: how to prepare an effective business plan. To aid in business planning, many use a Business Model Canvas. A Business Model Canvas or BMC (Figure 1), is a tool that represents different organisational components briefly in a very creative way. These components create the value of any organisation. The BMC is a strategy tool that also analyses the business situation of an existing business. There are nine components of a BMC, which are also referred to as the building blocks of an organisation. These are customer segments, Proposition, Channels, Customer Relationships, Key Resources, Key Activities, Key Partners, Cost Structure, and Revenue Structure. If BMC is prepared well, there are good chances that the Business plan will be developed well, which reduces the chances of failure in business. At the same time, it helps the business sail through the competitive environment smoothly and stay sustainable in the long run (Johnson, 2020).

Introduction

The smooth functioning of an organisation depends on its financial resources. For a newly established venture, it is important to accurately predict its financial requirements for the purpose of raising funds and assessing the profitability of the proposal. While the major investment in an organisation could be for short term and long-term purposes, there are multiple sources from which these funds could be raised. The conventional sources mainly include commercial banks and other financial institutions; non-conventional sources include lease financing, angel investors, venture capitalist firms, factoring, and bill discounting.

Finance is the basic requirement for the smooth functioning of any organisation. Finance is required to meet the short-term and long-term requirements of a f irm. While the short-term fund is required to meet day-to-day expenses, long term funds are required for the acquisition of long-term or fixed assets that would yield benefits in the future, financing the permanent part of working capital, and for the growth and expansion of a business.

The quantum of both finances depends upon the nature and size of the business’s organisation, and the sources from which one acquires these funds also have a multi-dimensional range.

Introduction

Agribusiness refers to the industry that deals with farming and the selling of agricultural products, including the cultivation of crops, their processing, and their distribution to retailers. Producing and distributing crops, agrichemicals, fodder, breeding, farm equipment, seed supply, raw and processed commodities of food and fibre, warehousing, transporting, packing, marketing, retailing, soil testing, and testing for nutrient deficiencies are all part of the agribusiness industry.

It's important for an excellent brand name to provide a solid basis on which a company can grow. Companies need to identify who they are trying to sell to. Will people have no trouble pronouncing it? The tongue shouldn't have to work too hard to say it. Can you pronounce the name easily? Your brand name needs to be audible to consumers. Have you tested the name's spelling ability?

Choosing what aspect of agriculture or agribusiness you want to enter is the f irst step. So, you can't make a call like this until you have a firm grasp on your company's long-term goals, operational strategy, and financial situation. You can still enter the market if you aren't an expert in the equipment, products, grains, soil, seeds, or plants involved; nevertheless, you should go in with your eyes wide open, a well-thought-out business plan, and a competent team.

Introduction

In the past, when television sets entered almost every household and there was a set of TV channels that broadcasted news, daily soaps, songs, etc., a channel named "Discovery" entered the market and soon became very popular among all age groups due to the scientific documentaries that it broadcasted and soon enough took over the market. It's obvious to the eyes that they created something unique, innovative, and possessing utility. The success behind the TV channel was that it tapped the uncontested market and hence had no other channel of its kind to compete with. They created a new niche, and based on this, they generated huge profits, success, and popularity. This strategy is very famous today in the name of the “Blue Ocean Strategy” introduced by Kim and Mauborgne (2005). The same strategy has immense potential in alleviating the agripreneurial ventures wherein the greater homogeneity of the products brings in an issue of increased competition. Hence, being creative and innovative on the part of entrepreneurs can open greater avenues for new products in the market, wherein the new product may benefit from the uncontesting environment in the market.

Introduction

Agri-entrepreneurship stands as a vital driver of socio-economic upliftment within society, offering a range of benefits that span from poverty reduction to rural development. In economies, where agriculture remains a cornerstone (Welter, 2011), fostering entrepreneurship in this sector can lead to substantial improvements in livelihoods, income generation, and overall economic growth (Watson, 2013). With support from relevant statistics and references, this article discusses the importance of agri-entrepreneurship.

Economic Growth and Job Creation: Agri-entrepreneurship contributes significantly to economic growth. According to the World Bank, agriculture employs over 25% of the world's labour force and accounts for a substantial portion of GDP in many developing countries. Encouraging agri-entrepreneurs to innovate and invest can lead to the creation of diverse agricultural enterprises, generating employment opportunities both on and off the farm. This, in turn, reduces unemployment rates and drives local economic development (Stam, 2016; Welter & Gartner, 2016).

Poverty Alleviation: Rural poverty remains a significant challenge in many developing nations, where a substantial portion of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods. Agri-entrepreneurship empowers individuals to break free from subsistence farming and embrace value-added activities. By fostering innovation, diversification, and access to markets, agri entrepreneurship enables farmers to increase their income and improve their quality of life (Shane, 2007). According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), smallholder farmers, when equipped with entrepreneurial skills, are better positioned to escape poverty cycles.

Introduction

According to the “Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies (MACS) Act” of 1995 or as a “Farmers Producer Corporation” (FPC) under the “Companies Act” of 2013, a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) is often a society or company made up of farmers who are actual producers of a specific crop or commodities. Depending on the demands of the producers and the demand potential to adopt a value chain approach to boost farmers' and producers' economic and social benefits, these organisations are established at the cluster, block, district, or state level. The Indian government, state governments, development organisations, and central institutions have recently placed a greater emphasis on farmer-producer firms. Many of the nations’ Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been aiding in the development of cooperatives and farmer-producer organisations.

Steps in formulation of FPOs

1. Preliminary Assessment and Need Identification

• Identify the group of farmers interested in forming an FPO.

• Conduct a preliminary assessment of the needs, resources, and aspirations of the farmers in the target area.

• Determine the type of products or crops that the FPO will focus on.

Introduction

With the growing population, increase in demand, and per capita income, tremendous pressure is put on the supply side, pushing them to rely on unsustainable practices to meet this existing and future demand. Compromising on sustainability has not only been responsible for climate change but also other negative environmental externalities. The modern agricultural corporate structure known as agribusiness, which can introduce sustainable and innovative technology into the agricultural sector, would pave the way for achieving all the sustainability dimensions, viz., social, economic, and environmental. With this expanding agribusiness sector, farmers can create a win-win alliance that maintains environmental harmony and financial success. There seems to be a huge scope to achieve sustainability goals well in advance by exploring the pathways with the help of the agri-business sector.

As the global population continues to grow, there will be an ever-increasing demand placed on the agricultural industry to provide more food as well as other raw materials. It is anticipated that farmers will need to produce 70% more food than is currently cultivated to feed up to 10 billion people by the year 2055 (Alexandratos & Bruinsma, 2012). However, the situation is aggravated due to shrinking cultivated areas, depletion of natural resources, higher production costs, fewer farmers, and climatic changes. We are in the middle of a perfect storm of social, economic, and environmental pressures on the food supply around the world. Along with the increasing production and productivity, it has to be taken care of that the natural resources and environment are not exploited indiscriminately. Agriculture is both a threat to climate change and a possible way to stop it. Therefore, sustainability in agriculture is the only way forward. This commitment rests not only with the governments but with all the players in the agricultural supply chain. A holistic approach that concurrently tackles issues of environmental integrity, social equality, and economic prosperity is what we mean when we talk about sustainability. Over the course of the previous few decades, its significance to businesses operating in virtually all fields has grown substantially.

Introduction Insects are the largest group of individuals in the phylum Arthropoda. They are the most dominant species on earth, as they originated 480 million years ago. Insects account for damage to agriculture produced through pest incidence; they also render benefits through pollination services, reduction in pest population as natural enemies, and various other services. Utilisation of beneficial insects like silkworms, honeybees, and lac insects for their products was well known to Indian people way back. In the current chapter, opportunities for the utilisation of some of these beneficial insects for emerging businesses are discussed.

Insect farming

By 2050, there will be a 60% increase in the global need for proteins, driven by the unrelenting growth of the human population. What is very disturbing is that present protein manufacturing uses very unsustainable methods, in addition to this exponential increase. The ecosystem is under a lot of stress from traditional farming practices, which also contribute to the loss of already depleted wild fish species and water supplies. By 2050, there will be 10 billion people on the planet, and to feed them sustainably, new farming options such as insect farming will be necessary. Due to their rapid rates of reproduction and high protein content, insects are extremely simple to produce (Igini, 2022).