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In the present work an effort is also made to evaluate the optimum combination of machining factors by applying the unique combination of response surface methodology (RSM), Shannon's entropy weight measurement with VIKOR method. Experiments were conducted on Monel 400 alloy based on Taguchi L16 OA (orthogonal array) to evaluate the impact of machining parameters like voltage (V), discharge current (Ip), pulse on time (Ton) and pulse off time (Toff) on the process to obtain the desired response characteristics namely material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR) and Dimensional Deviation (DD). The Shannon's entropy weight measurement (SEWM) method have been proposed to assess the individual weightiness for all performance characteristic and by using VIKOR method the most optimal setting of machining parameters has been evaluated for improving productivity and minimizing the cost. The optimum setting of machining parameters found by the proposed method has of Ton 6µs, Ip 9amps, voltage 50V and Toff 3µs. The discharge current and pulse on time have the significant domination over the MRR, TWR and OC ensued by voltage and pulse off time. The application of VIKOR method for solving multi response optimization problem which would be helpful to the process engineers in selecting the most optimum parameter combination for making micro hole using Micro EDM has been systematically demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture has played an important role in the growth of the Indian economy. Water and electricity are essential inputs for agriculture today. India produces the third-largest amount of electricity in the world, behind China and the USA. As an incentive to increase production, most states provide free electricity to farmers. Free electricity has decreased groundwater levels and increased electricity consumption. The objective of this study was to find out the factors that influenced farmers to adopt a solar water-pumping system in Gujarat. The samples were randomly selected. This study examined the entire state of Gujarat. One hundred and fifty farmers who adopted solar water-pumping systems were interviewed, including 50 banana farmers, 50 cotton farmers and 50 groundnut farmers. Primary data were collected through an interview. The adoption of solar water-pumping systems by farmers was identified using factor analysis. SPSS software was used to analyse the data collected. In this study, only two factors contributed to the variance of 59.469%. The adoption of solar water pumps by farmers was influenced by government policy and economic benefits. An economic benefit variance of 33.20% was found, while a government policy variance was 26.27%. A solar water-pumping system has low initial costs, flexible credit policies motivate adoption, solar water-pumping systems can save electricity, and maintenance and repair costs are affordable. Government policy that includes solar water-pumping systems is motivated by awareness, subsidies for adoption and a fair price to sell energy surpluses. Farmers are recommended to adopt a solar water-pumping system in conjunction with a drip irrigation system to receive additional income. The successful scheme will be recommended to other states in India for implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backyard poultry is an age-old practice in India, particularly in rural areas, where households raise small groups of local chickens for family food. Though India's poultry industry has proliferated in the previous five decades, it has primarily been limited to the commercial poultry sector, which is concentrated in and around urban and semi-urban areas. This study aimed to determine the profitability of backyard poultry production of triple cross and indigenous chicken in the Middle Gujarat region. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 15 triple cross and 15 indigenous chicken farmers comprising 30 respondents in Kapadwanj Taluka of Kheda district in Middle Gujarat. The data were analyzed using profitability analysis and the Garret Ranking technique. Chicks up to the age of eight weeks killed by predators such as dogs and cats were the major constraint faced by the poultry farmers. The beneficiaries' second major constraint was a lack of knowledge about the scientific rearing of chickens. Labour cost was the highest of the total cost of production. Income from selling eggs followed by selling males for meat purposes were major contributors to income generation. Triple-cross chicken's net income per unit of 22 birds was Rs. 8617.12, while indigenous chicken's net income per unit was Rs. 6308.33. BC ratio of triple cross chicken (2.58) was higher than BC ratio of indigenous chicken (2.20). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]