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This article examines the challenges faced by farmer producer organizations (FPOs) in South India and proposes strategies to improve their long-term viability. FPOs are voluntary associations of farmers aimed at improving agricultural production and achieving sustainable development. The challenges include a lack of managerial competency, limited ongoing support from promoting institutions, and inadequate technical infrastructure. The article suggests that consistent capacity-building programs for FPO members and improved support from promoting institutions can enhance the longevity and performance of FPOs. Additionally, a document of references and citations related to FPOs in India is provided, which can be useful for library patrons conducting research on this topic. [Extracted from the article]

The concept of rāga in Carnatic music is based on an ordered set of notes in an octave. Historically rāgas are broadly classified into two sets, namely Janaka (root/parent) and Janya (derived/offspring) rāgas. Every janya rāga is derived from a unique parent. We examine this classification critically and attempt to provide a quantitative basis for such a classification by defining a 'distance' between rāgas. The shortest identifies the parentage. Each rāga is defined by a pitch histogram vector in a 12-dimensional space. To achieve consensus, different distance metrics are used in the multi-dimensional space. Using a standard data set (refer to section 4.4), we carry out the distance analysis using entire compositions, which we subsequently fine-tune using only the parts of compositions that contain all the features of the rāga. We also perform an independent analysis for comparing the motif sequences in rāgas. We find that while the conventional method (refer to section 3) is fairly robust, there are exceptions, especially with pentatonic rāgas, and that these exceptions are actively debated in the public domain. Since quantitative methods find it difficult to achieve consensus, we conclude that while a rāga belongs to a family, it does not necessarily belong to a unique parent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aims to co-create a "priority action roadmap for women's economic empowerment" based on women's top priorities to charting recovery directions. Doing so contributes to the growing body of knowledge on COVID-19 literature in at least four areas: assessing COVID-19 impacts on women entrepreneurs; mapping these impacts with four interdependent women's entrepreneurial ecosystem components; innovating a co-creation methodology based on remote participatory research; and providing a replicable model to perform action-oriented research in the context of COVID-19 impacts. Design/methodology/approach: A co-creation methodology is proposed, combining systems-thinking and remote participatory research to engage women entrepreneurs and institutional stakeholders to prioritize impact, response actions and recovery needs in the wake of COVID-19. A ranking exercise using the analytic hierarchy process was used to derive ranking and assess user inputs' consistency. Findings: The study exemplifies the integration of participatory methods and mathematical tool to engage stakeholders in prioritizing recovery work. PARWEE action items ranked by entrepreneurs and vetted by institutional stakeholders cover: access to finances, capacity building, health care, public and private partnership, marketing opportunities and formation of active advocacy groups to voice out women entrepreneurs' needs to institutional stakeholders. Results show a slight difference in the ranking of priority actions between experience owners and fresh starters. Originality/value: This study innovated a new co-creation methodology for remotely engaging stakeholders of the women's entrepreneurial ecosystem, which is grounded in evidence and provides a replicable model for performing action-oriented research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spices attract tremendous attention in the management of viral infections. However, scientific validation is vital to recommend spices as nutraceuticals or functional foods. In the present work, we have selected three spices based on Ayurvedic knowledge and developed a nutraceutical for immunomodulation. Trikatu, a blend of ginger, black pepper, and long pepper, is used in the Indian Ayurvedic system, along with many herbs, for various ailments. We formulated a "Trikatu syrup" (TS) using these three spices and palmyra palm neera. Carbon clearance assay, neutrophil adhesion test, and sheep red blood cell (SRBC)‐induced delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction was performed to investigate the immunomodulatory potential of TS in Wistar Albino rats. The rats fed with TS showed a dose‐dependent increase in footpad thickness compared to control rats, suggesting cell‐mediated immunity. The major bioactive piperine in TS was isolated and quantified. Practical applications: Spices are consumed worldwide as a flavor enhancer in food. Besides, spices have an array of bioactive molecules with a multitude of health benefits. In the backdrop of COVID‐19, immunomodulation and antiviral properties of spices are discussed widely. The present study is intended to explore the potential of three selected spices (ginger, black pepper, and long pepper) beyond its application in typical food preparations. The syrup formulated in this study by using these three spices improved cell‐mediated immunity in Wistar Albino rats. The study warrants further validation studies of the formulated product for providing indisputable claims for the immunomodulation properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]