eChapters

Introduction

Soybean (Glycine max) is also known as the wonder bean or miracle bean or “golden grain” due to its diversified applicability. Soybean has an important place in world’s oilseed cultivation scenario, due to its high productivity, profitability and vital contribution towards maintaining soil fertility. The crop also has a prominent place as the world’s most important seed legume, which contributes 25% to the global vegetable oil production, about two thirds of the world’s protein concentrate for livestock feeding and is a valuable ingredient in formulated feeds for poultry and fish. The major soybean producing nations are United States, Brazil and Argentina. These three countries dominate in global production, accounting for 80% of the world’s soybean supply. Global production of soybean has grown at a CAGR of 2.78% from 215.69 million metric tons in 2004-05 to 283.79 million metric tons in 2013-14.

India stands 5^th in global production of soybean. In India, soybean cultivation started in early 1970s, but it has emerged as number one among oilseed crops covering around 11 m ha area with total production of around 11.5 m tons. At present, the average productivity of soybean is about 1.3 tons/ha and it can be easily doubled in near future. Production of soybean in India is dominated by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh which contribute 89% of the total production. Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat contribute the remaining 11% production.

About 85% of world’s soybeans are processed annually into soybean meal and oil. Approximately 98% of soybean meal is crushed and further processed into animal feed with the balance used to make soy flour and proteins. Of the oil fraction, 95% is consumed as edible oil; the rest is used for industrial products such as fatty acids, soaps and biodiesel.

Agroforestry is a collective name for land-use systems and technologies in which woody perennials including trees, shrubs, bamboos etc. are deliberately combined on the same land-management unit with herbaceous crops or animals either in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence. In agroforestry system there are both ecological and economic interactions amongst the different components (Lundgren and Raintree, 1982). The origin of agroforestry practices, i.e. growing trees with food crops and grasses, is believed to have been during Vedic era (Ancient period, 1000 B.C.), the agro-forestry as a science is introduced only recently. Agro-forestry is the science of designing and developing integrated, self-sustainable, land-management systems that involves the introduction and retention of woody components such as trees, shrubs, bamboos, canes and palms along with agricultural crops including pastures or animals, simultaneously or sequentially on the same unit of land and time, to satisfy the ecological as well as socio-economic needs of people. This practice of growing trees and arable crops together on the same piece of land is an age-old practice with the dry land farmers. Agroforestry results in multiple products, increases income, reduces runoff and soil loss, utilizes off-season rainfall and radiation and gives stability to dry land agriculture. Further it makes the future generation farmers to inherit not only the land of their predecessors, but also the wealth of standing biomass of trees.

National Forest Policy (1988) has set a goal that 33% of the country’s geographical area should be under forest and tree cover. Under Tenth Five Year Plan, the Government of India has set a target to increase the country’s forest cover up to 25%. According to the latest report of Forest Survey of India (2013), the forest cover in the country is 697,898 km², constituting 21.23% of its total geographical area. Out of this, dense forest constitutes 12.24 % and open forest 8.99 %. The only solution to achieve these targets is through the practice of agroforestry. Therefore, in the quest of optimising productivity, the multi-tier system came into existence.

The Indian arid zone is characterized by high temperature and low and variable precipitation which limit the scope for high crops productivity. However, these conditions greatly favour the development of high quality in a number of fruits such as date palm, ber, aonla, bael, pomegranate, kinnow, lasoda and in vegetables cucurbits, legumes and solanaceous crops, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants. The existing low productivity could be increased by following improved technologies and inputs. It is now realized that there is a limited scope for quantum jump in fruit and vegetable production in the traditional production areas. The amelioration of the extreme conditions is also considered vital for life support to the inhabitants of this area. The recent awareness regarding the potential of these ecologically fragile lands for production of quality produce has not only opened up scope for providing sustainability for the people of this region, but also for bringing in new areas to increase horticultural production. The area expansion and yield potential of arid horticultural crops has increased many folds because of development of new varieties and advancement in production techniques in arid region.

Since the 1960s, the world population has doubled from three to seven billion, and this trend will persist in the coming decades. Because of this rapid expansion, a massive increase in crop production is required to meet the food and energy demands of future generations. Potassium is the third important plant nutrient after nitrogen and phosphorous. It is seventh most abundant element in the lithosphere. Being chemically active metal, it is never found in its pure elemental state in nature. Potassium (K) plays a particularly crucial role in a number of physiological processes vital to growth, yield, quality, and stress resistance of all crops. The K content of Indian soils varies from less than 0.5–3.0%. The average total potassium content of those soils is 1.52% (Mengel and Kirkby 1987).

The role of mechanization has of late earned considerable significance in Indian agrarian sector following the unprecedented hike in labour cost, migration of agricultural labour to the urban localities for better remuneration and most importantly, the rising concern of rural youth today for more comfort as well as social dignity and status. Furthermore, mechanization has been extremely supportive to enhance the efficacy of the vital inputs to agriculture such as high yielding seeds, fertilizer, water, pesticides etc resulting in higher production and productivity. One more significant contribution of mechanization is timely completion of various operations with qualitative and quantitative competence apart from reduction in drudgery; thus motivates the farmer to dare for higher initial investments in anticipation of rich dividends over a period of time.

The major challenges to any developing society are poverty and economic deprivation of its ruralpopulation.Eradication of poverty, the focus of all developmental efforts has remained a very complicated and serious concern among developing countries. Poverty is abysmal rooted covering several interlocked aspects such as lack of asset, under employment, uncertain and relatively unproductive employment, low remuneration, economic vulnerability, illiteracy, social disadvantage etc.

The rural areas were found to be more prone to poverty, even if it exists in urban areas also. The rural poor are perpetuating poverty and are the victims of the “vicious cycle of poverty”. Fishing communities in the coastal belts all over the world are also not an exception to this. Poverty in fishing communities is very common and is characterized by high population density, poor living conditions, lack of proper education and poor access to education and health care. Due to poor attention paid by the state, the infrastructure support like roads, electricity, good drinking water, markets etc also are be poor. Though efforts for reducing fishing pressure is taken by Government, scope for alternative employment opportunities are less. Thus those sector that are in engaged inthe world’s most dangerous occupations, are considered on par with SC/ST communities as far as India is concerned. The loss of a boat, gear or an active fisherman in the family can be tragic and lead to total financial deprivation of the family. Hence poverty and vulnerability in fishing communities is widely known but poorly addressed issue. As in rural farming sector, dependence of fishing communities on private moneylenders continues in many areas, especially for meeting emergent requirements. For various reasons, credit to these sections of the population has not been institutionalized.

The emergence of microfinance as an alternative financial delivery mechanism was a response to the failure of past efforts by government and international agencies effectively to provide financial services to the poor. But while considering micro finance programmes for fisheries sector, there should be special considerations that are unique to fishing communities and need special consideration. Instead of random payment of loans to target sectors and populations, efforts were taken for setting up and building local institutions that cater for the poor. This resulted in the materialization of microfinance institutions (MFIs) that serve the rural poor. MFIs initially started providing microcredit but have now extended their services to savings, insurance etc.

1. Introduction
The environment and human health are seriously threatened by contaminants,both organic and inorganic, whose prevalence and persistence have beensteadily rising in recent years. In addition to propelling economic and scientificadvancement, the industrial revolutions of the 19th and 20th centuries have alsoled to widespread pollution (Wuana & Okieimen, 2011; Singh et al., 2013).Industrial activity has increased trace metal concentrations in the environment,with sediments acting as key sources and reservoirs for heavy metals. Thesemetals build up in soils and aquatic bodies as a result of scouring, erosion,rainfallleaching, wastewater discharge, and atmospheric deposition (AlonsoCastillo et al., 2013). Additionally, toxic contaminants like phenols, industrialeffluents, domestic wastewater, agricultural runoff, fly ash, fertilizers, andwaste from insecticides, pesticides, and pharmaceutical industries infiltratethe environment and food chain via mechanisms such as bioaccumulation,biomagnification, and bioconcentration (Arora & Bae, 2014; Azubuike et al.,2016).

Introduction

Natural resources, especially those of soil, water, plant and animal diversity, vegetation cover, renewable energy resources, climate, and ecosystem services are fundamental for the structure and function of agricultural systems and for social and environmental sustainability, in support of life on earth. Historically the path of global agricultural development has been narrowly focused on increased productivity rather than on a more holistic integration of natural resource management with food and nutritional security. A holistic, or system-oriented approach, is preferable because it can address the issues associated with the complexity of food and other production systems in different ecologies, locations and cultures. Modern agriculture largely depends on the use of fossil fuel-based inputs, such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and energy intensive farm machinery. While the applications of such high input technologies have undoubtedly increased production and labour efficiency. There is a growing concern over their adverse effect on soil productivity and environmental quality which is emerging to recognize that the farmer has a great social responsibility as a land owner than merely agribusiness considerations. Therefore, there is need to develop agricultural techniques that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially responsible. Sustainable agriculture in the context of development helps to achieve production efficiency, protect ecosystem functions, enhance resilience to climate change, ensure healthy communities, satisfies basic needs and ensures optimum use/conservation of natural resources. Organic/biodynamic farming is among the various types of sustainable agriculture. Traditionally these methods has been playing very vital role in the conservation of natural resources in terms of soil health sustenance, environmental protection, food safety, waste recycling, biodiversity conservation with an economically viable approach. The chapter discusses the role of organic/biodynamic agriculture in natural resource conservation.

Introduction

The green revolution technologies involving the greater use of synthetic agrochemicals with adoption of nutrient responsive, high yielding varieties of crops have boosted the production output. However, this increase in production has slowed down and in some cases there are indications of decline in growth of productivity and production. Environmental and health problems associated with agriculture. These questions have given rise to a process of serious thinking to safeguard the environment and the quality produce.

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.

Introduction

The Greek term "Sericos" is the source of the English word "sericulture". The words "Seri" and "Cos" in this word both refer to culture. Sericulture is the art of rearing the silkworms for the purpose of producing silk. An elastic protein of insect origin, silk is synthesized by the silk gland of the silkworm. Fibrion and sericin, two various types of proteins, constitute the fiber known as silk. Silk is most frequently produced by chins. Following China, India is the second-largest producer of silk. Furthermore, it is the world's largest consumers of silk. The major silk producing state in India is Karnataka. Tasar, Muga, Mulberry, Oak tasar, and Eri silk are all produced in India. One other commercial fabric of animal origin outside wool is silk, which is a gift from nature to humans.

7.1 INTRODUCTION

Production of temperate-zone fruits in subtropics may seem fanciful to be initiated, but it is a practice that has existed in localized regions for generations. Seedling peaches are grown in Venezuela, Northern Thailand, and Southern Mexico. No one knows precisely when these species were introduced, but local selection has produced cultivars adapted to areas with little or no chilling temperatures. Rest either does not occur or is sufficiently shallow to be broken by stress induced by defoliation or drought. Commercial cultivations of temperate-zone fruits are well-established in subtropical areas, where winter temperatures allow partial breaking of the rest period. In areas of Northern Mexico, Southern Africa, and Israel, for example, chemical treatments are regularly applied to supplement the effects of limited chilling. Because temperature declines with increasing elevations, many microclimates exist in the subtropics where temperate-zone fruits are not currently grown, but could be. Subtropical regions where temperate fruits are grown include the southern past of California (Mediterranean type), the low deserts of the Southwest USA (hot arid type), the Gulf Coast and most of Florida (humid type), the Southern Mediterranean and Northern Sahara, Northern India, Southeast China, the middle part of South America, and much of Australia. Similar potential climatic conditions are also available in subtropics of India.

1. Introduction

As purveyors of ornamentation, inciters of attraction, symbols of inspiration and peace as well as repositories of beauty, flowers hold special roles worldwide. Flowers have always been associated with mankind since time immemorial because they were used in religious offerings and other social ceremonies. Today; floriculture has emerged as one of the most lucrative business profession and as a major diversification options in the agri-businessin many countries of the world due to higher income per unit area. Floriculture is also known as sunrise sector of agriculture because of its fast growing and increasing demand. In India, about 3,09,000 hectares across the country was used for floriculture and produced 23,88,000 metric tonnes (MT) of loose flowers. India is second largest flower producer after China.

Vegetables are short duration crops and provide more returns per unit area and time besides, they play a major role in balancing human diet, thus, helping in alleviating hunger and malnutrition (Annon., 2009). In the previous few years, India has attained quantum jump in vegetable production and present estimated vegetable production is around 162.9 mt in an area of about 9.4 mha (NHB, 2014), and holds second position at global level. But this level of vegetable production is insufficient to meet the recommended daily intake (~300 g per capita per day) for a huge population of the country. This is mainly due to lower average productivity (17.5 t/ha) of the nation. There are several crop diminishing factors such as soil borne- and foliar- diseases, insect-pests and nematodes as biotic factors, and soil or water salinity, alkalinity, metal toxicity and heat and moisture stress as abiotic factors, which greatly affect vegetable crops yield in almost all growing areas, especially in fragile arid and semi arid regions.

The testis is composed of up to 900-coiled seminiferous tubules, each averaging more than 0.5 meter long, in which the sperm are formed. The sperm than empty in to the epididymitis, another coiled tube about 6 meters long. The epididymis leads into the vas deferens, which enlarges in to the ampulla of the vas deferens immediately before the vas enters the body of the prostrate gland. A seminal vesicle, one located on each side of the prostrate, empties into the prostatic end of the ampulla, and the contents from both the ampulla and the seminal vesicle pass into an ejaculatory duct leading through the body of the prostrate gland to empty from the prostrate gland into the ejaculatory duct. Finally the urethra is the last connecting link from the testis to the exterior.

The prostrate gland secretes a thin, milky fluid that contains citrate ion, calcium, phosphate ion, a clotting enzyme, and a profibrinolysin. During emission, the capsule of the prostrate gland contracts simultaneously with the contractions of the vas deferens so that the thin, milky fluid of the prostrate glands adds further to the bulk of the semen. Slightly characteristic of the prostatic fluid may be quite important for successful fertilization of the ovum because the fluid of the vas deferens is relatively acidic owing to the presence of citric acid and metabolic end products of the sperm and consequently, helps to inhibit sperm fertility. The vaginal secretions of the female are acidic. Sperm do not become optimally motile until the pH of the surrounding fluids rises to about 6.5. Consequently, it is probable the prostatic fluid helps to neutralize the acidity of these other fluids after ejaculation and thus enhances the motility and fertility of the sperm.

Abstract

Floriculture is the fast emerging sector in horticulture sector and people are changing very fast from the traditional field crops to flowers because of high returns per unit of area and better price. The flowers are being used during all the occasions. Though the art of growing flowers is not new to India, large scale commercial cultivation and protected cultivation in polyhouses is relatively new in India. With the opening up of world market in the WTO regime, there is a free movement of floriculture products worldwide. India is having a better scope in future as there is a shift in trend towards tropical flowers and this can be gainfully exploited by countries like India with high amount of diversity in indigenous flora. The major flowers grown under protected cultivation are rose, chrysanthemum, gerbera, carnation and lilium. Even some of the flowers are location specific and made a dent on the state economy, the best examples are carnation in Himachal Pradesh and gerbera in Maharashtra. Now with market trend is changing and biotechnological tools must be exploited for the crop improvement to evolve novel varieties with desirable colour traits. The other major area of work is on protected cultivation of cut flowers which is coming up on a large scale and value addition in floriculture i.e. extraction of pigments, essential oils, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compounds have emerged as frontline avenues in floriculture. We have many challenges ahead like trained HRD, quality planting material, technical knowhow, limited choice of the varieties and products in the market to compete in global market.

The floriculture industry, at present, comprises of the cultivation and trade of cut and loose flowers, potted plants, foliage and bedding plants and dried flowers under open field as well as under protected environment conditions. Globally, more than 145 countries are involved in cultivation of floriculture crops. Though the art of growing flowers is not new to India, large scale commercial cultivation especially protected cultivation in poly houses is relatively new in India. Enormous genetic diversity, varied agroclimatic conditions and versatile human resources offers India a unique scope for diversification in to new avenues which were not explored to a greater extent. India also has a strong dry flower industry which contributes a major share to the overall trade. Other segments like fillers, potted plants, seeds and planting material turf grass industry and value added products also contribute a share in the overall growth of floriculture sector.

Cut flower production is a growing business in most Asian countries as the result of higher per capita income of people. Technology for production is well known and has been utilized to the maximum in many countries. As a consequence, cut flowers are commercially produced in larger quantities in these countries resulting in surpluses during normal periods of blooming, end result of which is a lower price for cut flowers. On the other hand, such prices are much higher during periods of needs such as certain special occasions, or off-season.

Indian floriculture industry is shifting from traditional flowers to cut flowers for export purpose. The liberalized economy has given an impetus to Indian entrepreneurs for establishing export oriented units (EOUs) under controlled climatic conditions.

The wide variation in the agro climatic conditions in India permit us to grow various types of tropical and subtropical plants and flowers. Though such plants grow successfully without cover, they fail to meet the export requirements of being seldom blemish free. High quality ornamental plants meant for export should be scientifically grown only in plastic, glass or fiberglass greenhouses, or at least under partial cover. Though initial investment is high in protected cultivation, the products in them will obtain far more attractive prices.

The beginning of protected cultivation in the country has paved the way for export of horticultural produce, especially of flowers to earn valuable foreign exchange. The technology also became handy for quality production of flowers and F₁ hybrid seeds for domestic and export markets. In view of the globalization of international market and tremendous boost that is being given for export of flowers, there has been a spurt in the demand for protected cultivation technology. Low-cost polyhouses are quite popular in the North-East and in the northern plains, flowers are being raised in polyhouses either for capturing the early markets or to improve the quality of seedlings. Several commercial floriculture ventures are coming up in Uttrakhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to meet the demands of both domestic and export markets. There has been a substantial increase in area under protected cultivation of different flower crops. Though there were initial hitches owing to the cost sharing, farmers of some states have taken maximum benefits of the existing schemes and adopted the technology. Protected cultivation technology is one of the most useful technology inputs which hold promise to transform Indian floriculture and bring in the “Colour Revolution”.

Nearly, 40 countries are involved in protected cultivation of flower and vegetable crops. New production centers are being added constantly, mostly from developing nations. Today, majority of production is from developing countries like Zimbabwe, Morocco, Kenya, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia and India. In developed world, USA has an area of about 6,000 ha under greenhouses which are mostly used for floriculture. The Netherland is traditional exporter of greenhouse grown flowers all over the world. Israel, the largest exporter of cut flowers, has wide range of crops under greenhouses. About 1,000 ha area is under protected cultivation. Approximately, 98% of flowers are grown under open field cultivation and hardly 2% under the greenhouse cultivation.

Introduction

In spite of considerable progress achieved during the last three decades in horticulture production in India, the average productivity of different horticultural crops is quite low as compared to the best yields at national and world level. This indicates the scope to enhance the yield in different horticultural crops by many fold along with its quality specially in vegetables. This is because of an appealing gap between potential yield and the actual yield of various vegetable crops. For many vegetable crops, the yields realized are even less than 50% of their potential yield. Some time the farmers who are growing their horticultural crops during main season are even not getting back their cost of production, but the prices of the same horticulture produce is very high during off season. Several biotic and abiotic stresses are the major factors for low productivity and poor quality in several horticultural crops under their open field cultivation during rainy and post rainy season more specifically in vegetables. The increasing demand of off-season and high quality vegetables in various markets of the big cities has calls the attention of the vegetable growers for diversification from traditional way of vegetable cultivation or from traditional agriculture.

India has made a considerable progress during the last three decades in horticulture production in India producing 300.6 million tonnes of horticultural produce from 24.85 million hectares in 2016-17. The average productivity of different horticultural crops is quite low as compared to the best yields at national and world level, indicating the scope to enhance the yield in different horticultural crops by many fold along with its quality specially in vegetables. Unlike vegetables, flower cultivation is growing at a very fast speed and registered a marked growth along with employment generation through protected cultivation. According to NHB (National Horticulture Board), during the year 2014-15 the area under floriculture production in India was 248.51 thousand hectares with a production of 1,658 thousand tonnes loose flowers and 484 thousand tonnes cut flowers. However, India’s total export of floriculture was Rs. 548.74 crores/ 82.05 USD Millions in 2016-17. This is because of an appealing gap between potential yield and the actual yield of various vegetable crops. In many vegetable crops, the yields realized are even less than 50 % of their potential yield. Due to fluctuating market prices and poor storage infrastructure available for horticultural crops, farmers are not able to get their production cost. Though, there are some crops, fetches high prices during off-season. Several biotic and abiotic stresses are major factors, responsible for low productivity and poor quality in several horticultural crops under their open field cultivation during rainy and post rainy season more specifically, in vegetables. The increasing demand of off-season and high quality vegetables in various markets of the big cities has drawn the attention of the vegetable growers for diversification from traditional system.

Abstract

Demand for horticultural commodities is increasing over a period of time. There is increasing pressure on available land for growing of such crops. The production of quality fruits, vegetables and other horticultural crops can be enhanced either by increasing productivity, use of improved cultivars/hybrids and effective production system, bringing additional land under horticultural crops or by promotion of protected cultivation which supports production in adverse climatic conditions and off seasons. Among horticultural crops, production of vegetables, flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants under protected condition is the best alternative to use the land and other resources more efficiently. Greenhouse cultivation is useful and is in practice in all kinds of climatic conditions, may it be severe and extreme cold (Canada and Russia), intolerant summer (Israel, UAE and Kuwait), excessive rains (Phillippines) and in moderate climate in several other countries. Nursery production of crops under protected conditions is highly economically viable.

The area under protected cultivation was only 0.23 per cent of the total area under horticultural crops in India in 2012. To boost up this, a number of varieties are bred for cultivation especially under polyhouse conditions. Greenhouse for vegetable production encompasses glasshouse, polyhouse, insect-proof net house, low tunnel polyhouse and zero energy polyhouse. Protected structures are of different kinds, viz. open-ventilated; closed polyhouse with fan and pad system; shade net house; sloped roof, rain shelter etc. Micro-irrigation has proved its efficacy in saving water, improving the yield and also is responsible for reducing diseases which develop in rather moist conditions. Protected structures appeared as the best means and are being used by many nursery growers for multiplication of healthy planting materials and are becoming popular especially in the hilly regions. Use of techniques like soilless culture, production of high value and low volume flowers and vegetables, hybrid seed of important vegetable crops and grafting of promising varieties on desirable root stocks can be made more efficiently under protected environment. Seed yield of many crops can be 3-4 times more under cover compared to their open field cultivation along with ensured quality.

Protected cultivation technologies in Himalayan high altitudes of India for the welfare of the soldiers and the society are a landmark in cultivation of horticultural crops in non-conventional areas. The protected production system has the potential to contribute greatly for achieving high productivity and stability to production in the present scenario of climate change. Extension of growing/harvesting period including off season is another desirable feature associated with protected cultivation.

Abstract

Protected cultivation technology in black pepper and cardamom offers distinct advantages over conventional farming. Production of quality planting materials irrespective of the season was made possible. Such propagating materials can be well maintained under polyhouse, irrespective of the seasons and can be used judiciously for replanting/ gap filling. In this era of climate change, protected cultivation assumes significance. In black pepper and cardamom, rapid multiplication techniques of planting materials were made possible. A novel idea of growing pepper, different from conventional system as “bush” that can be grown under potted and field conditions were also developed. Nutrition and water management studies could be undertaken with precision. In cardamom, quality planting material production and high quality capsule production are made possible all throughout the year by the adoption of protected cultivation. For optimizing production, prescriptions of fertilizers, using DRIS norms were developed for black pepper and cardamom based on critical soil and foliar nutrient concentrations. Typical deficiency symptoms of major and micro nutrients on black pepper were characterized to rectify the deficiency. Technology for propagation and cultivation of bush pepper in pots, under protected cultivation was also developed and popularized. Technology for using organic manures, non edible oil cakes, biofertilizers towards production of high quality zero defect black pepper and cardamom was also developed and popularized.

Protected cultivation can be defined as a cropping technique wherein the micro-climate surrounding the plant is controlled partially or fully as per the requirement of the plant species during their growth period. This cropping technique is the most modern approach to grow different horticultural crops mainly, vegetable crops and flowers for enhancement of both productivity and product quality. This technology has spread extensively the world over in the last few decades. This technology involves the cultivation of different crops particularly, horticultural crops in a controlled environment wherein the environmental parameters like the temperature, humidity, light, soil, water, plant nutrition, etc. are manipulated for enhancement of production as well as product quality even during off-season which ensures additional return to the growers.

Growing population, rapid urbanization and changing climate have created a global challenge to meet the food and nutritional needs. In India, rapid urbanization is not only taking place in larger cities, but satellite towns are competing for food, water, transportation and above all adding to pollution of the environment. As warming of the climate gathers alarming pace, posing a danger to agriculture, greenhouse cultivation is the only answer to save crops of flowers and vegetables. The yield under polyhouse cultivation can be achieved to the level of 5-8 times as compared to open field cultivation.

PROTECTED STRUCTURES

Protected cultivation is unique and specialized form of agriculture. Protected or greenhouse cultivation of vegetables is one of the means for clean vegetable production in peri-urban areas. The protected cultivation facilitates year-round production of high- quality produce with minimum labour and irrigation water, and almost wards off pest problem. In peri-urban regions, where climate prevents or does not favour year-round production of crops in open field, vegetable production can be taken up in protected environment. Use of protected structure for cultivation of crops as a commercial venture is a recent phenomenon, especially in the tropical areas.

Protected cultivation is a specialized agricultural system in which a certain control of the soil–climate ecosystem is exercised modifying its conditions (soil, temperature, solar radiation, wind, humidity and air composition). Plants are cultivated by means of these techniques modifying their natural environment to prolong the harvesting period, alter the conventional cropping cycles, increase yields, improve product quality, stabilize production and provide products when open field cultivation is limited (Wittwer and Castilla, 1995). It is the most contemporary approach to produce mainly, horticultural crops qualitatively and quantitatively and has spread extensively the world over in the last few decades. Protected cultivation also known as controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is highly productive, conservative of water and land and also protective of the environment (Jensen, 2002). Protected cultivation is now becoming popular in Kerala experiencing humid tropical climate with the adoption of locally suitable green house technologies.

Protected cultivation has rapidly expanded in many regions across the globe as early as 1960, when plastics were introduced/used in agriculture and subsequently during 1970’s, when the rise in oil prices resulted in increase of energy costs. About 115 countries in the world are into greenhouse vegetable production commercially (Sabir and Singh, 2013). The world scenario shows the area under protected cultivation to be nearly 6,23,302 ha. while total estimated world greenhouse vegetable production area is 4,02,981 ha. Of the total world greenhouse vegetable area, soilless/hydroponic culture systems account for 95,000 ha (Hickman, 2011).

The advent of protected cultivation technology in India materialized during the early nineties, post globalization. In India, area under protected cultivation is presently around 25,000 ha while the greenhouse vegetable cultivation area is about 2,000 ha. Faced with constraints of land holdings, rapid urbanization, declining crop production, declining biodiversity and ever increasing population, demand for food, especially vegetables has increased manifold and protected cultivation has offered a new dimension to produce more in a limited area. Today Dutch protected cultivation is one of the most intensive farming systems in the world with high levels of output by using the latest technologies (Goncharova, 2004).

Abstract

Keeping in view the increasing demand of off-season and high value vegetables in several big cities of the country, there is an urgent need for diversification from the traditional agriculture by production of high value vegetable crops under different protected conditions for increasing their productivity and quality not only for getting high returns but in a Horti-Business / Veggie-business model. Nursery raising under protected cultivation is highly suitable for such Horti-business model or can be adopted as an agri entrepreneur business in major vegetable growing areas of the country by unemployed youths who are graduates in agriculture or post graduates in horticulture. Low cost protected technologies like plastic low tunnels or walk in tunnels, shade net houses can be used for off season vegetable cultivation for getting high returns. Similarly, insect proof net houses can be used on a large scale for safe vegetable cultivation by way of minimizing the use of pesticides in vegetable cultivation and virus free quality seed production in large number of vegetables in a horti-business model. Some of the technologies like low pressure drip irrigation and low cost nursery raising technology can also be replicated in other parts of the country even among the resource poor and tribal farmers.

India is endowed with diverse agro- climatic conditions which facilitate to cultivate various horticultural crops all through the year in one part of the country or others, but the quality of fruits under open field conditions particularly in high value crops (vegetables & flowers) by and large fall short of domestic and international markets standards. Some time there no guarantee of consistent production of from open cultivation, as the crop is exposed to number of environmental factors that changes frequently. Hence it is imperative to increase the productivity and quality of produce to meet the demand of quality conscious consumers. A break through in production technology that integrates market driven quality parameters with the production system simultaneously ensuring a vertical growth is warranted. In this context, most important technology is the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) i.e. Protected Cultivated Technology (PCTs) such as greenhouse, net house, glasshouse and low tunnel. “Protected cultivation” means modification of plant environment to achieve optimum plant growth avoiding the harmful effect of climatic factors.

Introduction

Protected cultivation practices can be defined as a cropping technique where in the micro environment surrounding the plant body is controlled partially or fully as per plant need during their period of growth to maximize the yield and resource saving. Protected structures can play important role to minimize the impact of temperature fluctuation, over/under precipitation, fluctuating sun shine hour and infestation of disease and pest. The controlled environment can be utilized for growing early season /off-season vegetables and high value vegetables. This may become relevant to those farmers having small land holding who would be benefitted by a technology, which helps them to grow more crops each year and save them from adverse situation. Vegetable crops are very sensitive to climatic vagaries and sudden rise in temperature as well as irregular precipitation at any phase of crop growth can affect the normal growth, flowering, pollination, fruit development and subsequently decreased the crop yield. Apart from that high input cost and higher labor wages make vegetable cultivation less profitable under open field condition. Again, in the present scenario, more people are demanding early season/off-season vegetables and high value vegetables at higher price which are not possible to grow under open field situation.

Present status in world: In world, China has the largest area (2,760 thousand hectares) under greenhouse cultivation followed by Korea having 57.44 thousand hectares (Nair and Barche, 2014). The advent of protected cultivation technology in India materialized during the early nineties, post globalization.

India: India is the second largest producers of vegetable in the world, however as per medical council of India, the production is much less than the requirement if balanced diet are to be provided to every individual. The advent of protected cultivation technology in India materialized during the early nineties, post globalization. In India, the area under protected cultivation faced with constraints of land holdings, rapid urbanization, declining crop production, declining biodiversity and ever increasing population, demand for food, especially vegetables has increased manifold and protected cultivation has offered a new dimension to produce more in a limited area. Today Dutch protected cultivation is one of the most intensive farming systems in the world with high levels of output by using the latest technologies.

Introduction

Alstroemeria also known as the lily of the Incas, Peruvian lily or Inca lily, has been grown mainly as a cut flower crop. Recently, it has become popular as a garden flower and also as a potted flowering plant. The plants produce beautiful large inflorescence in many different colours viz. lavender, orange, yellow to dark yellow, white, pink, red, purple and bi-colors. Flowers are characterized by black dots at the base of the petals and throats. The cut flowers have a long post harvest life, up-to two weeks. These valuable characteristics have made Alstroemeria one of the top cut flowers at the Dutch Flower Auction Centers. The plants produce high yield and possess an ever blooming habit after flower initiation has occurred but in general most cultivars flower best during spring and early summer. The straight, un-branched shoots emerge from underground rhizomes which also produce enlarged storage roots. It is gaining popularity in Indian flower market due to long stem flowers and prolonged vase life. Recently flower growers have shown great interest about its production as a cut flower crop.

Abstract

Agricultural produce, such as vegetables, flowers and some fruits capture higher market price if they can be produced ahead or later than the main crop season. The demand of such unseasonal products is particularly high in the fashionable markets of big cities. Good quality of the product is, however, an essential requirement to realise this price advantage. Modern technologies can pave the way to take the full advantage of high price realisation. Growing crops under protected covers is being popularised and the application of various approaches of greenhouse technology can further extend this advantage because it offers greater control over the production environment and timing of crops. There has been a consistent increase in area under greenhouse cultivation nationally and is turning out to be a useful technology for resource efficient agriculture. The types of greenhouse structures range from hi-tech climate controlled systems to very elementary trenches or solar greenhouses used in high altitude cold desert regions of the Himalayas. Greenhouse vegetable production on a commercial scale is a capital and labour intensive production system and requires proper planning for sustainable production. Higher yield, efficient resource use, earliness, off-season availability and superior quality is the hallmark of greenhouse grown vegetables. Greenhouse vegetable production can be done from very basic soil based planting to fully automated hydroponic or soilless systems. This production system requires specialised crops and cultivars which should meet the demand of high value markets.

Protected Cultivation

Protected cultivation (PC) may be defined as the “modification of the natural environment to achieve optimum plant growth” (Singh, 2005). Modifications can be made to both the aerial and root environments to increase crop yields, extend the growing season and permit plant growth during periods of the year not commonly used to grow open field crops. PC may also indicate comprehensive systems of ‘Controlled Environmental Agriculture’ in which all the aspects of natural environment are modified for maximum plant growth and economic return.

Introduction

Protected cultivation or greenhouse cultivation is the most common technique to grow vegetable crops qualitatively and quantitatively, and has spread widely all over the world in recent decades. Greenhouse agriculture is also known as environmentally controlled planting. The technology involves the cultivation of vegetable crops in a regulated environment in which factors such as tem perature, soil, light, humidity, irrigation, fertilizers, etc. are controlled in order to achieve optimum production and ensure a steady supply even in off-season conditions. In India, the total area under protected cultivation or green house is currently approximately 25 000 ha whereas the protected vegetable area is approximately 2000 ha which has been challenged by land ownership limita tions, decreasing crop production, rapid urbanization, ever increasing popu lation and decreasing biodiversity. Food demand, especially vegetables, has increased growing of different crop varieties as protected crops, or greenhouse has opened up a new dimension to extra production within a limited crop area.

Abstract
India faces a shortfall of 10 million tonnes in vegetable production against a demand of 135 million tonnes, exacerbated by extreme temperatures (5-48°C) that hinder year-round cultivation. Protected cultivation, including greenhouses, polyhouses, and shade nets, offers a solution by enabling off-season vegetable production, enhancing yield, quality, and input efficiency. In regions like Bundelkhand, where agriculture dominates the economy, low-cost protected structures have shown promise in cultivating high-value crops like tomatoes and capsicum, despite challenges such as farmer unawareness, limited capital, and poor infrastructure. Government initiatives, like those by Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, promote low-cost protected cultivation through training and infrastructure development, fostering agripreneurship and improving rural livelihoods by increasing yields and market prices.
Keywords: Protected Cultivation, Vegetable Production, Agripreneurship, Greenhouse Technology, Bundelkhand, Food Security, High-Value Crops, Low- Cost Structures, Rural Development, Input Efficiency

Greenhouse

It is constructed by plastic, polythene, and fibreglass material having temperature control and ample light availability needed for propagating plants by seed, cutting and grafting.

Types of greenhouse

1. Based on shape and style: The commonly followed types of greenhouse based on shape are lean–to, even span, uneven span, ridge and furrow, saw tooth and quonset greenhouse.

Lean–to type greenhouse:

• It is limited to single or double–row plant benches with a total width of 7–12 feet.
• It is typically facing south side. It should face the best direction for adequate sun exposure.
• This design makes the best use of sunlight and minimizes the requirement of roof supports.
  • It has the disadvantages: limited space, limited light, limited ventilation and temperature control.

Introduction

India is a land of diverse agro climatic zones and each of these zones offer a great potential for cultivation of wide range of crops across all seasons. Vegetables form major and important part of our dietary requirements, which are widely grown in the rural and peri-urban areas. Hi-tech horticulture including protected cultivation of high value and exotic vegetables has been on the increase, targeting high end domestic and export market. Of late, due to the population pressure, fragmentation of land holdings and urbanization has led to decline in cultivable area, more so in urban and peri-urban areas. Production of vegetables under protected cultivation system results in effective use of the land resources, besides being able to increase the production of quality vegetables both for the export and domestic markets by offsetting biotic and abiotic stresses to a great extent that otherwise is prevalent in open cultivation. Under protected cultivation, vegetables are widely grown due to higher productivity and economic feasibility.

2.1 Introduction

The great impact of increase in population as well as rapid economic growth has given us cause for concern about the future situation of the earth in recent years. Desertification as well as deforestation is continuously changing the landscape. Irrigated areas are being damaged by salinization. The effect to increase arable lands cannot match with the speed of these deteriorating processes. Weather is also being changed gradually by urbanization. In the new millennium, the challenges in the agricultural sector are very different from those met in the previous decades. The enormous pressure to produce more food from less land with shrinking natural resources is a tough task for the farmers. This calls for special effort to manage the key input without eroding the ecological assets and sound knowledge base to sustain agricultural productivity and profitability.

The maximum crop response depends on the level of the balanced environmental parameters. The natural environment and input availability may not be optimum for a given crop. The environmental factors which affect plant growth includes air temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide concentration soil temperature and moisture content to the soil. The micro-climate can be artificially controlled by means of plastic covering structure like greenhouse. The plastic covered greenhouse is the only mechanism, which transmits the useful wavelengths of the light spectrum for photosynthetic activity. Further, it also reduces the air movement, which is of great importance for the plant growth and often used to control the spread of plant diseases.

As far as plant propagation is concerned sunlight provides the primary energy for photosynthesis, the food chain and all human nutrition. The expansion of crop and flower production in various types of greenhouse during the recent years has enabled the growth of agricultural products throughout the year. An agricultural greenhouse consists of frames of metallic or wooden structure covered with a transparent material preferably plastic which provide a suitable environment for the intensive production of various crops. A greenhouse is essentially an enclosed structure, which traps the short wavelength solar radiation and convert and finally stores the long wavelength thermal radiation to create a favorable microclimate for higher productivity. Open field agricultural farming has no control on the environmental parameters such as sunlight, air composition and temperature that influence the plant escalation. Hence, a large number of winter vegetables, flowers and other horticultural crops have to be transported from distant places. Future greenhouse systems in moderate climates will have to be energy efficient. Greenhouses will have decreased transmission for long-wave length radiation and increased transmission for short-wave-radiation compared with common shelters.

Greenhouses are frames or inflated structures covered with a transparent or translucent material in which crops can be grown under partially controlled or totally controlled conditions of atleast. It is large enough to permit persons to work within, to carry out cultural operations. Greenhouse cultivation as well as other modes of controlled environment cultivation has been evolved to create favourable microclimate, for the crop production all through the year or during off season, when the produce is highly priced and remunerative. Green house is a broader term of protected structures which includes different types of structures according to the need. Green houses vary in size and complexity from small home or hobby structures to large commercial units, from solar green house to sophisticated environment controlled ones.

1. Which type of vegetable is often grown in shade net house?

a) Tomato

c) Radish

b) Lettuce

 d) Cucumber

2. What is the primary advantage of greenhouse cultivation for vegetable production?

a) Increased exposure to natural elements

 b) Protection from pests and diseases

 c) Lower cost of production

 d) Reduced need for irrigation

Protected cultivation provides controlled or modified growing environments that enable horticultural crops to be produced beyond their normal climatic limitations. This chapter covers greenhouses, polyhouses, shade nets, insect-proof structures, tunnels, and other protected systems. It explains environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, light, ventilation, carbon dioxide, irrigation, and fertigation. Protected cultivation can improve productivity, quality, resource-use efficiency, and production timing while reducing exposure to adverse weather and certain pests. The chapter also discusses crop selection, substrate culture, automation, and integrated management. Proper environmental control and economic planning are essential because protected systems involve higher initial investment but can generate high returns through quality produce and extended market opportunities.

Due to increase in population, rapid urbanization, industrialization and shrinking land holdings, there is tremendous pressure on availability of land resources for agriculture, which results in decreased arable land area year after year. The huge gap between present production and future requirements necessitates intensive vegetable production and availability at affordable prices. Vegetable production can be enhanced either by increasing productivity, use of improved cultivars and ago-techniques, bringing additional land under vegetable crops or by promotion of protected cultivation. By adopting protected cultivation, year round availability of quality produces both for domestic use and export can be assured.

Several biotic and abiotic stresses are the major factors responsible for low productivity and poor quality in large number of vegetable crops under open field cultivation more specifically during rainy and post rainy season. The increasing demand of off-season and high quality vegetables in various markets of the big cities had call the attention of the vegetable growers for diversification from traditional ways of vegetable cultivation to modern methods of vegetables cultivation in an agri-business entrepreneurial models. Under the new era of FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in retail these kinds of models are having high potential for betterment of the farmers opting for quality and offseason vegetable cultivation through protected cultivation. Protected cultivation structures are useful for combating both biotic and abiotic stresses that limits the productivity and quality of vegetable crops. This requires careful planning, attention and details about timing of production and moreover, harvest time to coincide with high market prices, choice of varieties adopted to the off season environments, and able to produce economical yields of high quality produce etc.

Introduction

Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use are critical for maintaining the health and well-being of the Earth and all its inhabitants. Biodiversity provides essential ecosystem services, resources, and cultural values, and is under threat from various human activities. Conservation and sustainable use are necessary for preserving biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future, and require the participation and collaboration of all stakeholders.

The protection and restoration of biodiversity are complex challenges that require a multidisciplinary approach and a commitment to sustainability. This includes addressing the underlying drivers of biodiversity loss, promoting sustainable land-use practices, protecting ecosystems and wildlife, and engaging in education and awareness-raising activities. By working together to conserve and sustainably use of biodiversity, we can ensure a healthy planet for future generations.

Introduction

Since 2001, India’s human beings population has crossed 1000 million, which is presently 1361 million and will became more than 1462 million during 2025. Such a large population of human beings can be fed and clothed only if we make the best use of the country’s land and water resources. While water is replenishable natural resource. Contrary to this, the land is a non-renewable and irreplaceable resource. It, therefore, becomes an imperative to think of about the main problems of protecting/preserving and managing the land resources f irst of all and thereafter managing the water resources. Such an approach will, infant, prove a solution of both of these resources. It is because if the land of the country is looked after properly, the problem of water management would be automatically tackled (Singh, 2007)

Out of the total land area of India, about 329 million hectares (m ha) as many as175 m ha suffer from degradation, caused for the most part by the soil erosion, water logging, soil salinity and sodicity as well as acidity. This denotes that on an average at least two out of every 3 acres (1.2 ha) of land is in poor condition. It is also known that at least half of the sick land i.e., one third of the total is almost completely unproductive. Another one third is partially productive and it is only the remaining one third is in good health.

Productivity measures, such as rate of growth or reproduction have traditionally been used as indicators of biological functioning. If this is regarded as closely related to animal welfare, then high productivity should be evidence for a high state of welfare. In some cases, selection for production has pushed animals to the point where basic biological functioning and body maintenance is compromised. Therefore, Production measures are always misused.  Productivity of the group is a different measure than productivity of the individual. Such group overall is performing poorly but that productivity from a few outstanding individuals makes average productivity look high. Similarly specific individuals who are performing very poorly may be overlooked if average group performance is high. Although commercial organized dairy farms are very limited, but welfare issues are always there in both small and large farm. Some of the important issues in the organized farms are discussed below.

Performing animal means any animal which is used at, or for the purpose of any entertainment to which the public are admitted through sale of tickets. Thousands of wild animals are used worldwide to perform demeaning and unnatural tricks to entertain the public (circuses, side-shows, within zoos, and in advertising, film and television). 
There are number of welfare issues related to performing animals which involves animal fighting, shows, (among domestic animals) or entertaining wild animals.

Pig production is concentrated mainly in the North-eastern corner of the country and consists primarily of backyard and informal sector producers. Though pig population is only 2% of all the livestock animals, Pork production in India  represents 7% of the country’s total meat production. This value is highest compared to any other species of meat animals.

1 Broilers

The broilers are also called young meat chickens; generally attend a body weight of 2 kg at 35-38 days of age with a feed conversion of 1.5-1.8. This improvement in growth is equivalent to reduction of market age by one day per year. This fast growth is possible due to intense feeding good quality feed & growth promoters in less space. However, this type of rearing has challenges many welfare issues in broiler farming.

Sheep and goat rearing in India continues to be traditional even today. This sector is primarily in the hands of poor, landless or small and marginal farmers who raise their animals on natural vegetation, stubbles and supplement tree lopping. The productivity of sheep in India is relatively low with an average body weight gain of 20 to 50 g/day. The major causes for the low productivity are inadequate grazing resources, tropical heat and disease incidences and a lack of awareness about improved management practices.