B.R. Nahata Smriti Sansthan Agricultural Extension Journal (AEXTJ)

Agriculture-Nutritious Foods: Impact of Climate Change (Temperature and Precipitation)

Sazzala Jeevananda Reddy — 2024-03-15

Climate change is not global warming; it is only one component of climate change as defined by WMO/IPCC/UNFCCC. The two main climatic parameters that play vital role in agriculture production are temperature and precipitation. Temperature presents high seasonal and annual variations, which form irregular variations part under natural variability of climate change. Since, around the past two decades groups are polluting agriculture research under the disguise of global warming which is insignificant when compared to seasonal and annual variations. Agriculture is adopted to such vagaries. Countries like USA and Australia moving past to renewable energy but country like India, second most populous after China contributing to around 50% of thermal power production similar to USA; and USA and India contributing to around 25% of the nuclear and hydropower, respectively. The modern agriculture system from 1960, new seeds are tailored to chemical inputs and now genetically modified (GM) seeds entered India. In such scenarios, reports say that, the two major crops, namely, rice and wheat that are distributed under Public Distribution System (PDS). Reports also say that the strength and nutrition quality are reduced by 45% by now and will be reducing to 100% by 2040. According to FAO around 30% of what is produced is going as waste; but it is more than 40% for India excluding illegal exports; PDS rice entering black market. Another important factor is crops/vegetables/animals grow under polluted water: Needed experiences, best practices, and scalable solutions for the integration of biodiversity into agriculture. There are three systems according to technology. They are: Traditional Agriculture Technology-Traditional seeds under traditional organic inputs including Animal Husbandry in Agriculture system; Green Revolution Technology-Modern Seeds are tailored to chemical inputs under irrigation excluding animal husbandry in Agriculture System; GM Technology--Genetically modified seeds tailored to chemical inputs and irrigation excluding animal husbandry in Agriculture System; Moisture is the limiting factor for crop growth and production in tropical warm regions wherein most of the developing countries are located. Moisture availability varies with space and time in association with the natural variability in rainfall and snowfall that forms the principal component of the climate change. Droughts and floods are part of it. That is moisture availability varies with country to country, region to region within the country, and station to station within a region. This plays an important role in production during these two periods and are discussed. In addition, two issues related agri-foods and nutrients are discussed.

Effect of different Grass Species on Soil Loss, and Runoff at Assosa, Benishangul Gumuz, Ethiopia

Obsa Adugna — 2024-03-15

Land degradation is a severe environmental problem across sub-Saharan Africa, and Ethiopia is among the most affected countries. This study aimed to know the potential of different grasses for soil and water conservation. Three different grasses were used to evaluate their potential for conserving the soil and water on the farmland, with three replications each for 2 consecutive years. Vetiver, Desho, and elephant grass had deposited 10 and 7 ton/he of soil relative to a plot without any grass control. Furthermore, they had increased the soil water by 22.6% as compared to a plot without any grass. Thus, the study revealed the best potential of Vetiver, and Desho grass to conserve both the soil and water. Therefore, the study revealed the best and most promising potential for treating degraded land with biological measures.

Synthesis of Activated Carbon from Adonidia merrillii Seeds

Ololade Moses Olatunji — 2024-03-15

This research paper presents a novel approach to the production of activated carbon (AC) utilizing Adonidia merrillii seeds, a readily available biomass resource. The study outlines the step-by-step process of activation, including preparation, activation, and characterization of the resulting AC. The ACs were prepared by carbonization method which was then followed by activation of carbonized A. merrillii seeds. ZnCl2 was used as the activating agent at an impregnation ratio of 1:10 wt/vol. Physicochemical properties, such as surface area, pore size distribution, and adsorption capacity, were extensively analyzed. From the XRF analysis, the elemental composition of merit of the AC is potassium chloride known as sylvite, 0.435; calcium oxide also known as lime, 2.850; chloroapatite, 2.850; silicon dioxide, also known as quartz, 1.669; and y-anhydrite, 1.405. The X-ray diffraction analysis conducted on the AC showed that sylvite had the highest percentage of 25%, Lime, 22.5%, chloroapatite, 17.3%, quartz, 19.3%, and anhydrite with the least percentage of 15.6%. The results demonstrate the potential of A. merrillii seeds as a sustainable precursor for producing AC with desirable properties for various applications.

Impact of Training in Mushroom Production Technology on Knowledge and Adoption among Women in Hilly Regions: Insights from the Farmer First Project in Uttarakhand

Arpita Sharma Kandpal — 2024-03-15

The present study aims to assess the impact of the training program on the change in knowledge and adoption level of mushroom cultivators of mid hills of Uttarakhand. ICAR-funded Farmer FIRST program operated by GBPUA&T, Pantnagar, is supporting mushroom cultivation and processing as an enterprise to double the farmers’ income through enhancing their livelihood opportunities. Dogra and Suryatala villages of Nainital district were selected under the Farmer FIRST program to be promoted as “Mushroom Village.” The present study was conducted to see the impact of its training program on mushroom production technology for hill women. It was found that the majority of beneficiaries had a higher level of knowledge compared to non-beneficiaries across various aspects of mushroom cultivation. Regarding the adoption of mushroom production technology, beneficiaries exhibited a higher rate of adoption across various practices compared to non-beneficiaries.