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The story of postwar Greece holds invaluable lessons for many developing countries today. In 1947 Greece had just emerged from a decade of war and strife; its villagers were demoralized and fleeing rural life for the cities; and its farms were unable to produce adequate crops to feed its people. In less than forty years Greece has become a major ex

At present, more than 630 Krishi Vigyan Kendras(KVKs) working in India have been designed to have vocational training to the practicing farmers, extension personnel and rural youths as well as for all those who want to seek self-employment. The KVK as a grass root level institution has to meet this need, which is so vital for technical literacy and rapid transfer of technology. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra is an organization, which is concerned with social system having several groups of people like; specialists, administrators, technicians, farmers, extension workers, labourers and other beneficiaries. Each group has its own characteristics, attitudes, traditions, values and forms of behaviour. The people for whose benefits, the extension activities are designed may not be readily interested due to multiplicity of factors like; likeness, inhibitions, taboos, suspiciousness, reservations and prejudices. It is, therefore, expected that manager of the K V K should have enough understanding of such social aspects to get best results out of KVKs. The Programme Coordinators have to perform multifold roles of planner, organizer, director, communicator, controller, supervisor, coordinator, leader, human Relation maintainer and decision-maker. It was, therefore, felt necessary to examine existing extension management abilities of Programme Coordinators of the KVKs. For this, present study on extension management abilities of Programme Coordinators of KVK was undertaken with following objectives : 1. To study personal, job related, organizational and socio-psychological characteristics of the Programme Coordinators of KVKs. 2. To measure the managerial ability of Programme Coordinators of KVKs. 3. To find out the relationship between selected independent variables and managerial ability of the Programme Coordinators of KVKs. 4. To estimate the functional relationship between managerial ability and various independent variables. 5. To study the constraints faced by Programme Coordinators of KVKs in the management of different activities of KVKs and seek their suggestions. The present study was carried out in all the eight zones of India, where Krishi Vigyan Kendras are in operation in transfer of technology process.

Study conducted in Haryana, India.

Interaction of Symbols is a book for everyone engaged with icon design. It presents a theory of how icons work: symbols in an icon interact to evoke meaning. From this theory flow design principles and practices based on evidence from Design and other disciplines such as Psychology, Perception, and Cognition. The theory, principles, and practices impact how all symbol-based communications are conceived, designed, and applied.The book focuses on icons that elicit a concept without any previous training or use of language. Findings from twenty years'worth of empirical design research studies explore, illustrate, and support each principle, process, and recommendation. The book begins with a review of icon research from various fields before laying a conceptual foundation that grounds the theory of the book. After and elaborating on that theory are chapters that demonstrate how to Establish Contexts to Guide Comprehension, Glean Which Symbols to Draw, Learn How to Draw Understandable Symbols, Clarify Metaphor, and Use Icons to Decipher Icons in Icon Systems. Written and carefully designed for a broad audience, the book's scholarly level is elevated while the presentation is approachable. Scholar or professional can skim, scan, or dig, it's up to them.Heavily illustrated and supported with ample citations, it is not only a book for students and professionals within the field of communication design, but also for anyone who communicates with visual symbols, from healthcare professionals to software engineers, affecting all kinds of graphic communications from advertisements to assembly instructions.

The book titled Sustainable Production Technologies for Horticultural Crops is a distinctive and comprehensive resource that covers all aspects of horticulture. It compiles and organizes scattered information in an easily understandable format, complete with practical recommendations for stakeholders. The book is authored by renowned experts in their respective fields, who have contributed to its 24 chapters. These chapters address topics such as genetic resources, varietal wealth, crop improvement, plant health management, biotic and abiotic stress management, and value-addition of horticultural crops. Additionally, the book delves into general horticultural science. The book covers a wide range of horticultural crops, including fruits, vegetables, spices, and ornamental and plantation crops. Each chapter is well-illustrated with figures and tables and is cited with the latest references. The critical R&D gaps identified in different research areas are also addressed in each chapter. Sustainable Production Technologies for Horticultural Crops is a valuable resource for students, teachers, researchers, scientists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. It serves as a comprehensive reservoir of information that can be utilized by all stakeholders in the horticultural industry.

Jungle Seeds Sprout explores how ancient Guarani agriculture, emphasizing biocultural diversity, offers vital lessons for sustainable technology and food security. The book highlights the Guarani people's profound understanding of seed diversity and ecological balance, revealing how these practices, refined over centuries, can be augmented with modern technology to address contemporary environmental challenges. For example, the Guarani's traditional soil management techniques, when combined with data-driven analysis, show great promise in enhancing soil health and improving crop yields. This book uniquely integrates traditional indigenous knowledge with cutting-edge technology, offering a balanced perspective on sustainable development. It progresses by first introducing the Guarani culture and their farming practices, then examining specific technologies like drone-based monitoring and GPS-guided planting used to augment these practices. The final section synthesizes these findings, providing practical recommendations for implementing similar integrated approaches globally, making it a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners alike.

This book presents the European Common Agricultural Policy by tracing its crucial stages from its conception to the present days. It reconstructs the negotiating processes that have taken place at the political and institutional level over the years. At the same time, the book brings together the results of analyses made by agricultural policy scholars to propose solutions, and to evaluate the policies adopted and the results they produced. The book takes on a twofold objective: to understand how many of today's problems have roots whose branches extend back in time, and to draw, from the lessons of history, useful insights for endowing the European Union with an ambitious agricultural and rural development policy, suited to the challenges ahead.

This book addresses a range of water resources management issues, especially those that are relevant to the water quality in Libya. It covers topics such as the assessment and prediction of water quality, salt-water intrusion, treatment of wastewater for reuse, and desalination as an alternative source of water. It provides up-to-date information on the impact of climate change on water resources in Libya and summarize the latest results of several systematic investigations and assesses the occurrence and quality of surface and underground waters in the country to help decision-makers plan for sustainable development. The methods presented in this book can also be applied in other regions with similar climate conditions. This book will share the knowledge and experience of experts and scientists who apply high-quality findings and input from their research to issues concerning the management of water resources and their quality in Libya.

This edited book is an effort to compile the research advances in the field of soil science particularly relevant to Manipur an important North Eastern state of India. It comprises four sections having ten chapters contributed by research scholars who have worked at the ground level and generated first hand information about the different aspects of soil management in this extremely delicate region in terms of climate change challenges and demand for development of strategies to mitigate the deleterious impacts of intensive agriculture practices. It is a novel effort to compile first hand research efforts conducted in the field of soil science research in this region. Editors hope that this book shall be beneficial to all stakeholders in the field of soil science research.

Pulse is possibly the only crop on this planet that can cater to all the three primers of agricultural livelihoods, economy-ecology-technology, on a single go. It adds nitrogen to soil, protein to human body and income to wallet of farmers, both small and marginal, and people at large. To earn self reliance in pulse production, an array of initiatives has been triggered up to ensure both food and income security for the millions of rural people in India. The book offers deep insights to delve into and examine the technology socialization process of pulse crops and their a marketability level in terms of marketable surplus generated by the growers after meeting their household needs. A count of 150 pulse growing farmers have been interrogated and interacted with to estimate and interpret the cause, direction and level of socialization of pulse crop at the grass root reality, and thus, hard evidences, generated therewith from a new alluvial agro-ecological setting of India, have been extrapolated to a reference book for scholars and academia in agriculture and ecology across the planet

It is a comprehensive basic book on farm management and designed to introduce students to the key concepts on how to effectively manage a farm business. The book is written in a very simple form with the basic information needed to measure management performance, financial progress, and the financial condition of the farm business. It provides valuable insight on the impact of the pandemic on agriculture and the rural economy. This book would be an invaluable asset for the students, teachers and researchers associated with farm management.

The proliferation of energy, agricultural, water and food insecurity can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including advancements in technology that have facilitated the technical and economic utilization of energy and water resources, environmental degradation, climate anomalies, mounting pressure on water resources due to escalating demand, and surging energy requirements. These challenges have been addressed from multiple perspectives, ranging from Islamic social finance to large scale project finance. Large corporations are also involved in tackling the environmental impact of climate change or operating in water stressed regions. This book argues, however, that there is little value to be gained from this activity when sustainability initiatives and frameworks are not being measured.The book surveys Islamic finance and sustainability theories, setting the stage to detail the actual work of businesses, banks, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multilateral agencies addressing water, food and energy insecurity. It examines case studies, which cover diverse aspects of sustainability, mostly, in the context of fragile economic and ecological situations, and discusses practical cases from an Islamic perspective, in which local and regional problems are addressed. An important feature of the book is the description of how Islamic social finance builds pathways to scale for the mobilization of funds as well as the expansion of sustainable ventures. Further, the unique issues of carbon markets are explored from the perspective of Shariah compliance as well as managing adverse events. The cases present replicable, scalable solutions. These unique stories align theory to reality and sometimes, they highlight the shortfalls in the theory.The cases allow researchers, academics and policy makers an opportunity to examine the effectiveness of theories and policies opposite real-life experiences and also give business and NGO leaders clear examples to follow.

The book on dryland agriculture endeavors to acquaint readers with the unique characteristics of dry farming while delving into subjects such as drought management, soil and water management, crop production techniques, crops and cropping patterns, intercropping systems, suitable plant varieties, biodiversity, and climate-resilient practices to counter the challenges posed by climate change and dryland agriculture. The overriding objective of the book is to offer practical solutions to the challenges confronting dryland agriculture. The book targets the requirements of agricultural scientists, students, educators, extension workers, and knowledgeable farmers.

Canine Dermatopathology is a comprehensive resource for veterinarians, clinicians, students, and faculties that delves into the dermatological disorders in dogs. As dermatology constitutes a significant portion of daily caseloads in small animal practice, this book emerges as an invaluable tool in providing a logical and sequential approach to tackling the challenges presented by various skin conditions. The canine skin, being the largest organ with multifaceted functions, demands a nuanced understanding. This book recognizes the complexity of dermatological cases and emphasizes the importance of a structured diagnostic approach. In addition to addressing common health problems in pet animals, particularly dogs, the book explores a myriad of aetiologies, including ecto/endoparasitic infestations, contact allergens, physical causes, radiation, infectious causes (bacterial, viral, fungal infections), immunological causes, nutritional/metabolic disorders, and endocrine imbalances. It also emphasizes the prevalence of secondary infections and guides veterinarians in successfully managing dermatological cases. The book highlights the significance of specific tests, such as skin scrapings, fungal and bacterial culture, cytological evaluation, and skin biopsy. Cytology emerges as a highly efficient and valuable examination that facilitates rapid lesion evaluation and guides subsequent diagnostic steps. Histopathology, when coupled with clinical findings, leads to definitive diagnoses, especially in cases involving neoplastic nodules or conditions with poor responses to previous therapy. With a focus on cytology, gross morphology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry, the book equips veterinarians with the knowledge needed for accurate and early diagnosis and treatment of various skin conditions in dogs. It serves as both a ready reckoner and an educational tool for the readers.

The book investigates the intersection of agriculture and development in Africa and how it impacts rural industrialisation prospects. It provides a comprehensive view of the position of agriculture in African socio-economic activities and the agricultural sector's potential as the source for continental development and industrialisation prospects. Significant research has been done on African development with a focus placed on the problematic role played by slavery, colonialism and later by incompetent African leaders who failed to steer development of the type that delivers a progressive, sustained and sustainable transformation of lives and societies. There is limited focus on the possibility of agriculture being the potential basis of African development and the chance for industrialisation. This is a matter of concern, considering the dominance of agriculture as a livelihood and income source for many people on the continent. In contributing to the debate on development in Africa, this book aims to show how agriculture can serve as the basis for African development and industrialisation. This will be achieved by (i) providing a detailed historical description of the position of agriculture in African socio-economic activities, (ii) outlining the trajectory of African development with a focus on agriculture, innovation, and mechanisation, (iii) identifying challenges to the development of African agriculture, (iv) exploring the opportunities for agricultural development in Africa, and (v) providing practical and policy recommendations to improve African agriculture and make it the engine for development and industrialisation. Utilising a multidisciplinary approach which combines political economy, social policy, financial inclusion, and empowerment approaches, the book also shows how engagement of youth and women, digitalisation, and the provision of support (by public and private actors) can jump-start agriculture as the engine of African development and industrialisation. Taken together with this conscious effort to promote a multi-disciplinary discussion, the book is valuable reading for students, policymakers, and activists interested in emerging new directions in African development thinking and research.

This book explores the crucial transition from conventional to regenerative agricultural practices, focusing on the key drivers and indicators of soil health management. Regenerative agriculture is an approach that aims to restore and enhance soil health, focusing on practices that promote soil fertility, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience. The theme of the book captures the growing recognition of the urgent need for sustainable agricultural systems that prioritize soil health to address environmental challenges, improve food security, and ensure the long-term viability of agricultural practices. The book covers a wide range of topics related to soil health management in the transition from conventional to regenerative agriculture. It covers the principles and concepts of soil health, the challenges and limitations of conventional agriculture, the assessment of soil health using various indicators, and the importance of cover crops, crop rotation, conservation tillage, nutrient management, and water conservation practices. In addition, the book addresses the role of soil biodiversity, policy frameworks, and scaling up regenerative agriculture, providing practical strategies and case studies. The book provides farmers, policy makers, researchers, and students with the knowledge and tools to implement sustainable agricultural systems that prioritize soil health and promote the transition to regenerative practices.

This book is specifically designed for agricultural educators, extension professionals, policymakers, and anyone passionate about utilizing extension services to empower farming communities and promote sustainable agricultural development. We invite you to join us on this journey to transform agriculture and ensure a sustainable future.

This book delves into the transformative power of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in reshaping the landscape of sustainable development in one of the world's most vibrant regions. This edited volume explores the synergy between cutting-edge digital technologies and innovative financial strategies to drive responsible business practices that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).This book navigates the complex interplay between technological advancements, financial inclusion, corporate social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and ethical governance. It critically assesses how digital innovations—ranging from artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to green technologies and fintech—alongside novel financial instruments such as green bonds and impact investing, can address key concerns such as poverty alleviation, gender parity, and environmental sustainability. With a wide range of expert contributions, this volume offers useful insights and practical solutions to promote financial inclusion and encourage sustainable growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. It achieves this through a combination of empirical research, case studies, and policy analysis.This resource is crucial for policymakers, scholars, and development practitioners who are dedicated to advancing inclusive and sustainable development.

Smart Irrigation Tech explores how technology can combat water scarcity in agriculture, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. It highlights the importance of precision irrigation, which delivers water directly to crops based on their needs. This method, along with sensor technologies that monitor soil moisture and weather conditions, can significantly improve water use efficiency. The book emphasizes using data analytics and machine learning to optimize irrigation strategies, showcasing how these technologies offer a path to sustainable agriculture. The book argues that traditional irrigation often wastes water, leading to runoff and soil degradation. By integrating smart irrigation technologies, farmers can achieve better crop yields while minimizing environmental impact. Smart Irrigation Tech begins with an overview of global water scarcity and historical irrigation practices, then delves into precision irrigation technologies and sensor applications. It dedicates a section to data analytics and concludes with real-world case studies, demonstrating the practical benefits of smart irrigation in various agricultural settings.

Soil health is a state in which a soil fulfills its range of ecosystem functions appropriately in its environment. In simpler terms, the well-being of soil arises from favorable interactions among all its components, such as micro-biota, plants, and animals. The book Soil Health Management for Sustainable Development Goals primarily addresses the issue of soil management at the grassroots level. Soil fertility is the capacity of soil to sustain plant growth and optimize crop yield. This can be enhanced through the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers in the soil. As is widely recognized, the management of soil fertility is a prime concern for crop production and can be improved through the adoption of several sustainable management practices. Several techniques are suggested that enhance soil fertility and crop production while minimizing environmental impact. Soil fertility can be further improved by incorporating cover crops that add organic matter to the soil, leading to improved soil structure and promoting a healthy, fertile soil; by using green manure or growing legumes to fix nitrogen from the air through the process of biological nitrogen fixation by microbes. Healthy soils produce healthy crops that, in turn, nourish people and animals. Indeed, soil quality is directly linked to food quality and quantity. Soils supply essential nutrients, water, oxygen, and root support that our food-producing plants need to grow and thrive. The present book focuses on such global issues and offers possible solutions specifically related to UNSDG-17 goals. It also focuses on global strategies with possible solutions to manage sustainability.

This book focuses on the integration of IoT and AI techniques to generate greater data-driven solutions for the agriculture industry. It also focuses on computational intelligence (CI), machine learning, and AI techniques along with current applications, obstacles, and potential challenges and solutions for agricultural industries. These technologies have the potential to curtail resource wastage and contribute to addressing the challenges of feeding the expanding global population. This book acts as a resource to augment the reader's comprehension of the role of emerging IT technologies in the agricultural sector. This book also covers key technologies and techniques such as AI, ML, and IoT in the development of smart agriculture and provides information on various types of smart farming technology, platforms, and machine learning algorithms with case studies based on real-time problems.

This compendium presents comprehensive information on more than 25 important spice crops commercially grown in India and traded globally, apart from over 40 spices that have the potential to be popularized. In 70 chapters the book covers the achievements in research and development made in India for the past 75 years in various organizations including research institutes, agricultural universities and private sector laboratories. Spices are natural products of plant origin, used primarily for flavouring and seasoning or for adding pungency and flavour to foods and beverages. The flavour and fragrance of Indian spices had a magic spell on human culture since very ancient days. The importance of spices in Indian life and its contribution to the economy are substantial. India, as the world's leading producer of spices is also a significant stakeholder in spices export trade globally. Indian spices being sources of many high value compounds, are also gaining muchimportance for other diversified uses especially for their pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties. A wide variety of 52 spices are grown in India including black pepper, chillies, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic, onion, cumin, coriander, saffron and vanilla. This book complies a comprehensive, holistic review on the subject, written by the best experts in the field in India representing diverse agencies. This book is a single point reference book for all those involved in the research, study, teaching and use of spices in India and abroad.

Medicinal herbs and trees are some of the most trusted sources of traditional cures for most common diseases, even in the present day. The onset of COVID- 19 has increased the popularity of medicinal and herbal plants as well as their products over modern medicines in several instances. There is a considerable gap between demand and supply as most of these plants are not conventionally cultivated and are collected from forests. Most of the knowledge of the identification and utilization of medicinal and herbal plants is orally passed on from one generation to another and only occasionally documented.Propagation to Pharmacopeia: Modern Approaches in Medicinal Plants explores various aspects of medicinal and herbal plants, including cultivation, biotechnological aspects, diversity, bioprospecting, sustainable utilization of medicinal plants, extension, ethnobotany/ modern and traditional uses, and conservation of medicinal plants. This book will serve the purpose of providing scientific information about medicinal plants and herbal plants, their uses, biotechnological aspects, chemical profiling, and conservation.Features: A systematic overview of trees and herbs with medicinal importance Outline of medicinal plants, formulations, and herbal medicines effective to treat SARS-CoV-2 Strategies for ameliorated production, extraction, and quantification of plant secondary metabolites Approaches for propagation, genetic transformation, and conservation of medicinal plant germplasms This book serves as a resource of helpful information for academicians, biotechnologists, foresters, agriculture practitioners, researchers, as well as those in industries manufacturing herbal drugs, nutraceuticals, and supplementary products. From this book, readers will gain extensive knowledge of widely used medicinal and herbal plants and a perspective on how they can be cultivated, commercialized, and sustainably utilized for the benefit of human health.

This book aims to focus on the current state of knowledge and scientific advances about the complex and intertwined issues of regenerative farming as a transformative solution for offsetting the disastrous climate effects of burning fossil fuels and impairments of natural resource bases. Regenerative agriculture advocates no-till practices, planting cover crops, integrating livestock and crop production, improving animal welfare practices, improving the social and economic well-being of communities, sequestering carbon, improving soil health, and increasing yields and profit with a positive impact on food access or food safety regardless of farm size.This book examines the innovations that will equip agriculture to cope with the competing challenges of addressing food and nutrition security, improving livelihoods, combatting climate change, and sustainably managing natural resources. The scope of this book extends to agricultural scientists, students, consultants, site owners, industrial stakeholders, regulators, and policymakers.

This book highlights the development of cotton sector and its related issues, in Ethiopia. The book is a comprehensive collection of detailed chapters ranging from agricultural aspects of cotton, its value chain, and economics. It provides an overview of the cotton sector development and the challenges faced in the growth and extension of cotton production and research in three separate sections i.e., cotton agriculture, cotton fibre technology and cross-cutting issues in the cotton sector. In the first part of the book, agricultural aspects of cotton fibre production such as, cotton agronomy, genetics and breeding, biotechnology, mechanized production, crop harvesting management are discussed in detail. This is followed by chapters concerned to a comprehensive knowledge on cotton fibre demand and supply in Ethiopia, ginning technology and industries, cotton quality testing and grading, quality requirements for spinning, cotton fabric production, chemical processing aspects and therole of cotton fabrics in the Ethiopian fashion industry. The final section of the book deals with chapters on the cotton seed production techniques, cotton research and promotion, challenges in quality cotton production, cotton value chain and economics and sustainable cotton production. This book is a valuable resource for all those concerned with cotton biology and agriculture, production and extension, research and development, fashion industry, research and academia. ​

This book is an analytical compendium of Cameroon's economic development policies, from 1960 to 2006. It opens with the country's colonial economic experiences and proceeds with an analysis of its initial economic development guidelines in the early 1960s, fundamentally based on development planning and planned liberalism, executed through Five Years Development Plans. Cameroon's early development emphasis was on industrialisation, later deduced to be too costly and slow in spurring growth. Agriculture was thus endorsed in the early 1970s, as a primary strategy to boost real development in the country. It was in this backdrop that precepts like the green revolution, self-reliance development, food self-sufficiency and others were adopted. The book rounds off with the different measures implemented by the Cameroon government, Bretton Woods institutions and others, to restore and sustain the country's economy during and after the economic crisis. It argues that while the principles underlying Cameroon's economic development were resilient, they fell short of expected outcomes.

Are You a Model? explores the model as architectural tool and practice. The volume approaches architectural models not as categorical objects but through questions such as: What determines a model's functions and agencies? When in the design process does it unfold its power and when has it served its purpose? Based on nine overarching questions, the book brings together interdisciplinary voices from architecture, art history as well as architectural and curatorial practice, and software engineering. 31 contributions interweave perspectives from various disciplines and geographies, and reveal surprising affinities rather than seeking conclusive answers. Models are thus not classified according to time of origin, genre, or material, but rather understood as an epistemologically diverse practice.

Presently, there is significant research focused on the use of probiotics and prebiotics in fish and shellfish. These applications have shown various benefits, including improved health, growth performance, feed utilization, disease resistance, gastric morphology, enzyme activities, carcass composition, larval survival, and gene expression. Moreover, prebiotics and probiotics have the potential to mitigate stress responses, reduce malformations, and regulate blood cholesterol levels in aquatic animals. The book highlights the potential advantages of stimulating the inherent immune system, both locally and systemically. Several aquaculture production species, such as European sea bass, Salmonids, gilthead sea bream, African catfish, channel catfish, carp, tilapia, and shrimp, have demonstrated enhanced disease resistance against relevant pathogens, likely due to microbial modulation. This book explores the gut microbiota of aquatic creatures, studying methods and potential uses of probiotics and prebiotics in aquaculture. Controlling gut content significantly impacts the health, growth, and quality of farmed fish and crustaceans. The book covers the science behind using probiotics and prebiotics to improve overall well-being, growth rates, and feed utilization. It is a valuable resource for academics, researchers, and aquaculture specialists, providing insights into gut microbiota and its importance for fish health and performance.

With our world torn by climate change, deforestation, land degradation, hunger, malnutrition, poverty, loss of wildlife habitat, zoonotic pandemics, illegal migration and social injustice, this book seeks to find a practical and pragmatic way forwards. Based on the author's extensive experience of tropical agriculture and forestry around the world, as well as his combination of practical and academic agricultural qualifications, the second edition of Living with the Trees of Life presents a unique and positive perspective on resolving these big global issues. It aims to identify principles, strategies, techniques, and skills to find a path through the maze of options for sustainable living in the tropics and subtropics. The book specifically draws heavily on a single case study which involved working to resolve the failure of tropical and subtropical agriculture to feed, sustain and support the needs of rural communities. To address the'big picture'facing society, the work identified the traditionally important indigenous trees of tropical ecosystems - the trees of life - as a missing component of farming systems. These trees are keystones of the natural environment. Their products and critical ecological and social services have been overlooked by modern agriculture and should be recognized as the natural capital of the environment providing the very many day-to-day needs of local people. Many of today's big problems can be traced back to the breakdown of the natural, social and human capital of farming systems. Hence, a focus on restoring the natural capital also has important benefits for the livelihoods of the rural population, as well as for the productivity of the agroecosystem. However, the real potential is to go much further and to build new natural capital in the form of new socially-modified tree crops producing a very wide range of food, medicinal and other non-food products for new local business enterprises. This then restores the degraded social and human capital and starts to create new physical and financial capitals much needed for employment and economic development. There is, however, a missing 6th capital - the political and social will to change the way we manage our world by re-booting tropical agriculture and putting the needs of local people at the forefront of farming systems. Drawing on the technologies from across the spectrum of current conventional approaches to agricultural production, Living with the Trees of Life seeks to promote the adoption of a new way ahead - described as Land Maxing - that also increases the returns on past investments in agriculture. The target readership of this book is a wide and diverse array of people engaged in advocating and/or adopting ways to address the issues affecting our divided and dysfunctional world, before it is too late. Written in an accessible and engaging style, this book tells the story of how a new area of crop science has emerged across the tropics to create highly nutritious crops which can enhance food security and start to address the big issues facing humanity. Thus, this book is a vital read for academics, policy makers, and the environmentally and socially aware public alike.

This Print On Demand book will be sent within 3 weeks (metropolitan France) and in a separate package if you order another paperback book.Cet ouvrage en impression à la demande sera envoyé sous 3 semaines environ (France métropolitaine) et dans un colis séparé en cas de commande avec un autre livre papier.We, as humans, are currently facing urgent socio-ecological challenges (climate change, demographic increase, booming inequalities, etc.). These challenges are reinforced by systems of financial control at the international level, extractive natural resources strategies, lack of effective democracies, the surge in conflicts and wars, etc.This book is based on the assumption that these challenges cannot be faced without the enhanced participation of all stakeholders—from citizens to policy-makers—in the decisions that affect our social-ecological systems. This means that stakeholders must no longer simply be informed, but acquire the capacities to decide, act and adapt autonomously. In this sense, participation must be transformative. This book argues that this transformation needs to be accompanied by approaches, methods and concrete feedbacks. Therefore, this book aims to give an account of a diversity of practices and methods used to involve the various stakeholders, including the public, in transformative decision-making towards socio-ecological sustainability. It answers questions such as: How to engineer a participatory process? How can facilitators acquire the skills needed to facilitate such a process? How can role-playing games support decision and change? How to design territorial development plans with thousands of citizens? What digital platform can be designed to support participatory policy making? How can the impact of a participatory process be monitored and evaluated? What is the role of experts in these processes?

The lives of women in rural India cannot be visualized without agriculture and allied activities. As per census 2011 figures, four out of five women workers in rural India work as agriculture workers, as owner cultivators or as wage workers.This research monograph is about women farmers—women who are engaged primarily in the cultivation of vegetables and fruits and predominantly belong to small and marginal land holdings households. It is the outcome of a baseline survey done in the year 2010-11 in three districts of Uttar Pradesh as part of an action intervention project. Based on the survey findings, it discusses the structural and other factors that promote and perpetuate gender inequality and prevent women from realizing their full potential as farmers; presents the struggles, positive experiences and practices; explores possible interventions at different levels for different stakeholders; and suggests a framework keeping the women's agency/empowerment at center stage while simultaneously enhancing their wellbeing.

Transforming Poor Economies expertly proposes effective strategies for the development of agriculture and industry within lower income countries in Africa and Asia using insightful case studies to illustrate key findings.Kei Otsuka focuses on how to achieve the first and second Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using detailed analysis of how agriculture and industry have developed to eradicate poverty and hunger. Otsuka demonstrates that ultimately success is driven by technological and managerial innovation based on learning from abroad, and investment in human capital so that major decision-makers such as farmers and enterprise managers can facilitate innovation. Otsuka further argues that the use of welfare programs to support the livelihoods of these countries are unlikely to have transformative impacts and that agricultural and industrial development results in proven poverty reduction.Scholars of economics and development will find the book's case studies both invaluable and informative. Practitioners and policymakers in development assistance and planning, particularly in Africa and Asia, will also find this an excellent resource for future planning.

This book explores the crucial transition from conventional to regenerative agriculture practices, focusing on the key drivers and indicators of soil health management. It provides knowledge to implement sustainable agricultural systems that prioritize soil health and foster the transition toward regenerative practices. This book delves into the principles and concepts of soil health, the challenges and limitations of conventional agriculture, the assessment of soil health through various indicators, and the importance of cover crops, crop rotation, conservation tillage, nutrient management, and water conservation practices. It also addresses the role of soil biodiversity, policy frameworks, and scaling up regenerative agriculture, providing practical strategies and case studies. The target audience for this book ranges from students and researchers to policymakers and large-scale farmers. Farmers will benefit from the practical insights and strategies presented, and policymakers and agricultural organizations can gain valuable knowledge on the drivers and policy frameworks supporting sustainable agriculture and soil health management. This book explores the crucial transition from conventional to regenerative agriculture practices, focusing on the key drivers and indicators of soil health management. It provides knowledge to implement sustainable agricultural systems that prioritize soil health and foster the transition toward regenerative practices. This book delves into the principles and concepts of soil health, the challenges and limitations of conventional agriculture, the assessment of soil health through various indicators, and the importance of cover crops, crop rotation, conservation tillage, nutrient management, and water conservation practices. It also addresses the role of soil biodiversity, policy frameworks, and scaling up regenerative agriculture, providing practical strategies and case studies. The target audience for this book ranges from students and researchers to policymakers and large-scale farmers. Farmers will benefit from the practical insights and strategies presented, and policymakers and agricultural organizations can gain valuable knowledge on the drivers and policy frameworks supporting sustainable agriculture and soil health management.

This book is a comprehensive resource that handles the issues of sustainable agriculture and natural resource management, aligned with the United Nations'Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The book is organized into five sections, Understanding the Problem, Data Collection and Cleaning, Exploratory Data Analysis and Visualization, Model Building, and Model Deployment. Each section covers a critical aspect of data science in this context and addresses specific SDGs 2—zero hunger, 6—clean water and sanitation, 12—responsible consumption and production, 13—climate action, and 15—Life on land. The organized sections are arranged to seamlessly follow the data science pipeline and provide practical guidance from problem understanding to its model deployment and stakeholder management. The book is useful for researchers, students, practitioners, and policymakers.

An unanswered question on the making of Pedagogy of the Oppressed is when, where and how this book was written, edited, and published. The Preface of the original Portuguese handwritten manuscript is dated in Chile by 1967. Some scholars imply that the manuscript was finished sometime in March or April 1969. By then, Freire had left Chile and three of his books had been published by the Institute of Research and Training in Agrarian Reform, ICIRA. Freire himself had already committed the English translation, from the original Portuguese manuscript with Herder & Herder in New York, together with the Spanish translation published by Tierra Nueva in Uruguay. This book explores the ways in which Freire's time and work in Chile proved to be decisive in the making of Pedagogy of the Oppressed, widely considered one of the most important books on critical pedagogy and adult learning and education in the twentieth century. The scope is confined to Paulo Freire's years of political exile in Chile, from late November 1964 to mid-April 1969. It builds upon evidence provided by scholarly research to answer four questions. What did Paulo Freire do during his years of exile in Chile. In which institutional contexts did he develop his pedagogical methods and political ideas? How was his literacy training method and participatory research approach shared throughout Latin America and the rest of the world? To what extent did his exile in Chile influence a paradigm shift in literacy training and adult education?

Corporations are increasingly dedicated to implementing more robust climate change practices in an era characterized by natural resource constraints, socio-environmental challenges, and mounting climate change pressures. This book provides a timely exploration of theoretical and empirical perspectives on global climate governance and corporate eco-innovation activities. It illustrates how corporations are actively addressing climate change by enhancing their climate governance systems and integrating eco-innovation into their operations, significantly impacting financial decision-making, policies, performance, risk management, and other crucial indicators. In this context, eco-innovation represents a corporation's ability to reduce environmental costs and burdens for its customers. It plays a vital role in helping firms improve energy and environmental efficiency, mitigate energy consumption, reduce carbon emissions, and minimize ecological harm during and after production. Additionally, eco-innovation can create new market opportunities by enhancing existing environmental technologies. Furthermore, the shift from conventional corporate governance to a heightened focus on corporate climate governance mechanisms, such as the establishment of ecological committees, the implementation of cli-mate incentives for managers and executives, and the publication of sustainability or climate change reports, proves to be an effective strategy for motivating firms to become more dedicated to environmental protection and eco-innovation initiatives.

This volume presents insights on the challenges of digital communication and participation in agricultural and rural development. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that digital technology and mediated participation is more important and essential in managing ongoing communication for development projects than ever before. However, it has also underscored the various challenges and gaps in knowledge with digital participatory practices, including the further exclusion of marginalized groups and those with limited access to digital technology. The book considers how the concept of participation has been transformed by the realities of the pandemic, reflecting on essential principles and practical considerations of communication for development and social change, particularly in the context of global agriculture and food security, the well-being of rural communities, and evolving environmental challenges, such as climate change. In gathering these insights, this volume highlights lessons for the future of participatory development in communication for development and social change processes. This volume will be of great interest to students and scholars of agricultural and rural development, communication for development, digital communication, and sustainable development more broadly.

This edited volume covers all major topics related to agri-food transformation towards sustainability in this era of climate change. The topics cover field crops, horticultural crops, livestock sector, nutritional aspects, application of latest field-based technologies, and agriculture related policies and institutions.Some of the key topics are: Innovations for Reconfiguring Food Systems; Transforming High-value Food Commodities; Demand-Supply of Agri-food Commodities; Balancing Human Demand and Ecological Sustainability; International Partnership for Transformation of Agri-Food Systems; Transforming Animal Health and Aquatic Food Systems for Food Security; Climate Resilient Agriculture; Addressing Nutritional Security through Natural Resource Management; Water Harvesting and Improving Water Productivity; Combating Micronutrient Deficiencies; Plant Genetic Resources for Food Security and Nutrition; Genome Editing for Crop Improvement; and Biosafety and Socioeconomic Considerations.Written by experts, this book serves in exchanging and sharing the latest research findings, ideas and experiences on all aspects of agri-food systems to enable the formulation of the ways forward to transform our agri-food system to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations by 2030. The target audience include academicians, researchers, students, farmers, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and others.

This book provides a comprehensive explanation of rainfed farming, dryland agriculture, and watershed management concepts. Despite utilizing all available water resources for irrigation, approximately half of the cultivated land will still rely on rainfall. With limited scope for expanding cultivated areas, meeting future food demands becomes an immense challenge. It is within this context that the significance of dryland agriculture emerges.Indian agriculture relies heavily on the monsoon, making water crucial for sustainable development. Unequal distribution of the global average rainfall (about 1000 mm) contributes to disparities in agriculture and socio-economic conditions. Around 70% of India's agriculture depends on rainfall, producing nearly 44% of the food and supporting 40% of the human and 60% of the livestock population. Even with full irrigation potential, half of cultivated land still relies on rain. Approximately 30% of the country is prone to drought and waterscarcity, posing challenges for rainfed agriculture. Inefficient water use affects other inputs, emphasizing the need for resource management and indigenous systems.This book serves as a valuable resource for farmers, students, and scholars by providing guidance on various aspects of rainfed agriculture, dryland farming, and watershed resource management techniques. It aims to optimize the use of irrigation water and foster sustainable agricultural development. Additionally, it caters to the needs of graduate and postgraduate students studying agriculture, offering specific insights relevant to their designated course on rainfed agriculture and watershed management.

The book “Textbook on Fundamental of Extension Education” has certainly been a selection by the time itself, not by the choice of the author. The book has accommodated all possible innovative aspects of the basic concept of extension education with its rural developmental aspects followed by different rural-social, communication and entrepreneurial aspects of classical contents. The book has been written for the entry level of UG students in full compliance to the basic Extension Educational aspects as per ICAR 5th Dean Committee recommended Under Graduate syllabus, as delineated by the ICAR, New Delhi. The characterization being. The present book is spread over in five chapters, which covers fundamental of extension education, rural development, rural sociology and educational psychology, communication skills and personality development and entrepreneurship development and business management. I hope the book will be welcome by a galaxy of scholars and professionals and keep generating valuable feedback in reconstructing it in due course of time.

There is increasing scrutiny of the safety, environmental and social impact of food production. However, the complexity of modern agri-food supply chains has significantly complicated the process of setting and enforcing appropriate standards. The thematic scope of standards has also expanded from its original focus on safety and quality to cover social responsibility and ethical trading, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, biodiversity loss and nature-related risks.Finally, the range of stakeholders involved in setting and monitoring standards governing agri-food supply chains has proliferated, from official national, regional and international bodies to non-government organisations (NGOs), the food industry itself and now the investment sector concerned to ensure their clients meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.Improving standards and certification in agri-food supply chains: Ensuring safety, sustainability and social responsibility comprehensively addresses the challenges raised by this complex picture and features contributions from leading international experts from the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the Rainforest Alliance. The book discusses how to reconcile the roles of different stakeholders in standard setting, how changes in governance and technology can improve accountability, as well as the different ways of enhancing good agricultural practices (GAP) to meet new ways of producing food.The book also discusses the challenges and solutions in achieving effective standards promoting more socially responsible production and how best to address emerging practices to improve environmental sustainability such as regenerative agriculture.

Complete and practical guidance on using biodegradable feedstocks for biodiesel production Feedstocks for Sustainable Biodiesel Production: Characterization, Selection, and Optimization helps readers understand the advantages, challenges, and potential of different biodegradable feedstock options that can be used in biodiesel production, covering methods of feedstock sourcing extraction, environmental concerns, cost-benefit aspects, practical applications, and more. Specific biodegradable feedstocks covered in this text include chrysobalamus icaco, cussonia bateri, elaeis guineensis, waste cooking oils, moringa oleifera, jatropha curcas, chlorophyceae (unicellular green algae), fucus vesiculosus (micro algae), afzelia africana, cucurbita pepo, hura crepitans, cuyperus esculentus, colocynthus vulgaris, and others. This book explores topics such as: Key characteristics of biodiesel, using biodiesel as an alternative to petroleum diesel, and a review of the latest industry standards, practices, and trends Basis of the selection of specific (including nonedible) feedstocks for different applications and the addition of new, innovative feedstocks in recent years Specific sustainability benefits of nonedible feedstocks, which can be grown on abandoned land where they do not compete with food crops Government policies aimed at finding fossil fuel alternatives which will increase biodegradable feedstock adoption Experimental and predictive modeling of biodiesel produced from novel feedstocks using computational intelligence techniques Providing both core foundational knowledge on the subject as well as insight on how to practically transition away from fossil fuels, this book is an essential reference for engineering professionals with a specific interest in biodiesel production, sustainability, renewable energy, and environmental conservation.

This book offers a comprehensive perspective of herbal medicine phytochemistry and explores the application of plant extracts as bioactive compounds in disease prevention and treatment in modern or traditional medicine. The book starts with an introduction to the history and value of herbal medicine, followed by 3 parts covering the main phytochemical components and metabolites in herbal medicine, different uses and practices in herbal medicine, including a region-wise analysis of methods and practices and an overview of regulations and policies for herbal medicinal practitioners, and the advances and challenges in quality assessment of herbal medicine. Plants generally have the tendency to bioaccumulate trace metals from the environment and they are easily contaminated by microorganisms from water sources and poor hygiene practices of the herbalist. Quality assessment and assurance is, thus, a pertinent challenge in herbal medicine practice (i.e., in remedy formulation and application), and this book offers an authoritative perspective on this topic, covering aspects such as quality control strategies, preparation techniques, chemical quantification in phytomedicine, and the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies. Moreover, in this book, readers will find valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in the field, and a critical review of the application of medicinal plants to treat cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory neurological and reproductive diseases. Particular attention is given to the advances and trends in the field, and readers will learn about the latest biotechnological approaches, the use of nanotechnology in herbal medicine, metabolomic analysis of medicinal plants, big data application in herbal medicine, and the value of herbal medicine towards sustainability. Given its breadth, this book is aimed at researchers, academics, practitioners and professionals working in the fields of natural, life, health, clinical, and biomedical sciences, and interested in herbal remedies, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, human nutrition and dietetics, plant biology, and biotechnology/microbiology.

The present book proposes a collection of different international scientific contributions coming from professionals and researchers working the topic of argumentation and reasoning in various fields of psychology and education. The interconnections of these scientific investigations provide, on the one hand, a perspective on reasoning as a social activity, and, on the other hand, contribute to contextualize the relationship with argumentation under the lenses of psychological studies. The volume offers the space for a dialogue among different scholars, to learn from their complementarity and enrich our understanding of argumentation and reasoning in psychology. The different chapters highlight how argumentation and reasoning are strictly context-dependent activities through the presentations of studies based on a plurality of methodologies and approaches dealing with different contexts and cultures. In the first section, a series of contributions present some relevant theoretical and empirical elements highlighting the pertinence of looking at argumentation and reasoning through different and complementary psychological perspectives. In the second section, a series of contributions dealing with educational and non-educational settings of activity are proposed through the analysis of situations of argumentation and reasoning with children and adults in various cultural and organizational contexts. All together, these contributions offer precious insights toward a more integrated view of the psychology of argumentation and reasoning, although similarities and differences remain fundamental in their essence.

In the agricultural industry, factors such as environmental degradation, resource constraints, and climate change have left traditional agricultural practices inadequate in meeting the growing global food demand. Simultaneously, the marketing landscape is evolving rapidly due to technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and the rise of online platforms. Both agriculture and marketing are faced with the critical task of adapting and embracing sustainability in this ever-changing environment. Sustainable Practices for Agriculture and Marketing Convergence offers a comprehensive solution to these pressing issues. This book is a practical blueprint for transforming the agricultural industry and revitalizing marketing strategies in the name of sustainability. At its core, the book aims to highlight the monumental significance of sustainable agriculture in mitigating the long-standing environmental impacts of conventional farming methods. It does so by presenting real-world case studies and best practices, inspiring and motivating the widespread adoption of sustainable agriculture. The book goes beyond theory however, providing a platform for scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and students to explore the intersection of sustainable agriculture and marketing. By uniting diverse perspectives from various disciplines, it fosters a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within these realms. The book also offers potential solutions and insights into the future directions of sustainable agriculture and marketing convergence. Sustainable Practices for Agriculture and Marketing Convergence is an invaluable resource, providing knowledge, inspiration, and a call to action for those seeking to contribute to the transformation of agriculture and marketing practices toward a more sustainable future.

In the field of global agricultural development, the unequal recognition and acknowledgment of women's indispensable role in shaping the sector has become a pressing concern. While women have long been the backbone of agricultural progress, their multifaceted contributions often remain overlooked, hindering the pursuit of sustainable and equitable solutions in an ever-evolving world. As we confront the pressing need for inclusivity and resilience in agriculture, it becomes important to examine and celebrate the transformative influence of women. Impact of Women in Food and Agricultural Development serves as an illuminating exploration, delving into the uncharted roles that women play, from tilling the soil to navigating complex supply chains, and championing sustainable practices. It is a compelling response to the urgent call for recognizing and addressing the challenges faced by women in this crucial sector. Impact of Women in Food and Agricultural Development endeavors to shed light on the challenges women face, the triumphs they achieve, and the profound changes they instigate within the agricultural sector. Drawing on a rich tapestry of stories, data, and expert insights, this book seeks to provide a deep understanding of how women contribute to and are impacted by global agricultural development. As we navigate an era marked by climate uncertainties, technological advancements, and the urgent need for sustainable practices, understanding the dynamic role of women in agriculture is not just an academic pursuit but a crucial step towards building a more resilient and equitable future. Through the lens of this book, we embark on a journey that illuminates the untold stories of women who, against various odds, have become catalysts for change, shaping the present and future of food and agricultural development. The primary objective of this book is to address this issue by providing a comprehensive exploration of the pivotal roles women play in shaping and influencing the global landscape of agriculture. By addressing a broad spectrum of readers, including Researchers and Academics, Policymakers and Advocacy Groups, Practitioners and Professionals, NGOs and Development Organizations, Educational Institutions, the General Public, and International Organizations, the book aspires to create a collective understanding of the significance of women in food and agricultural development. Through the recommended topics spanning Historical Perspectives to Sustainable Agriculture, Supply Chain and Market Access to Resilience and Climate Change, Impact of Women in Food and Agricultural Development offers a holistic view of the impact of women in food and agricultural development, inspiring action towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

Plant Pathology is a valuable, much-needed resource in plant pathological science. In a world where agriculture sustains life, the battle against crop diseases is paramount. This book is a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing disease threats. Plant Pathology dives into the intricate world of plant diseases. Authored by leading experts in the field, this book offers a comprehensive overview of plant pathology, covering everything from the fundamentals of disease development to advanced management strategies.Explore the fascinating mechanisms behind pathogen invasion and host response, unraveling the complex interactions that dictate disease outcomes. Delve into the diverse array of pathogens—from fungi and bacteria to viruses and nematodes—that wreak havoc on crops worldwide. This book doesn't stop at diagnosis but equips readers with the knowledge and tools to combat these threats effectively. The latest cutting-edge techniques in disease management, from cultural practices and biological control to the latest developments in genetic resistance, and chemical intervention are described.Important FeaturesThis book encompasses comprehensive coverage of the most essential topics including: A comprehensive exploration of crop diseases, authored by leading experts Fundamental concepts of disease development and advanced management strategies Insights into pathogen invasion and host response mechanisms, spanning fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes The latest techniques in disease management, including cultural practices, biological control, and genetic resistance Practical recommendations and case studies This book equips researchers, plant pathology degree students, and farmers with the knowledge to safeguard crops, enhance yields, and ensure food security.

This is an open access book.Finance and trade are the keys to the world's continued economic and social development. Studying finance and trade can help us better understand how the world works. In addition, business management is crucial for an enterprise and a country's sustainable development. The conference mainly focused on research fields such as finance, trade, and business management.The 2023 International Conference on Finance, Trade, and Business Management（FTBM2023）will be held on September 22-24, 2023 by ZOOM. The purpose of the conference is to provide a chance for experts and scholars engaged in finance, trade, and business management-related research to exchange scientific research results and cutting-edge technologies, understand academic development trends, broaden research ideas, strengthen academic research and discussions, and promote cooperation in the industrialization of academic achievements.We sincerely invite experts, scholars, business people, and other relevant people from universities and scientific research institutions at home and abroad to attend the conference!

The history of Tennessee is full of dramatic episodes and colorful characters that give the Volunteer State a major place in the American saga. From the bloody battle of Shiloh in 1862 to the Dayton'monkey trial'of 1925 to the assassination of Martin Luther King in Memphis in 1968, Tennessee has been the locale for many of America's most important events. This new book presents a synthesis of Tennessee history from earliest times to the present. Striking a balance of social, economic, and political perspectives, it moves from frontier times to early statehood, antebellum society through the Civil War to Reconstruction, then establishes Tennessee's place in the New South and in modern times. Full coverage is devoted to the Civil Rights era and to events in the later years of this century, including environmental issues. The text deals honestly with slavery and segregation and also corrects shortcomings of previous works by placing the state's history in the context of national issues and events within the South. The authors introduce readers to famous personages like Andrew Jackson and Austin Peay, often using quotations to give them voice. They also tell stories of ordinary people and their lives to show how they are an integral part of history. Sidebars throughout the text highlight stories of particular interest, and reading lists at the end of chapters further enhance the text's utility. Tennesseans and Their History was written for students needing a basic introduction to state history and to general readers looking for a lively introduction to Tennessee's past. Written to be entertaining as well as instructive, it makes the state's history relevant to a new generation of Tennesseans. The Authors: Paul H. Bergerson is professor of history at the University of Tennessee and the editor of The Papers of Andrew Johnson. Stephen V. Ash is associate professor of history at the University of Tennessee and author of Middle Tennessee Transformed, 1860-1870: War and Peace in the Upper South. Jeanette Keith is associate professor of history at Bloomsburg University and the author of Country People in the New South: Tennessee's Upper Cumberland.