Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Performance Evaluation and Economic Sustainability of the PAU Model Batch Type Paddy Straw Biogas Plant
No full textThis study evaluates the performance and economic viability of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Model Batch Type Paddy Straw Biogas Plant in rural India, addressing critical challenges in agricultural residue management and sustainable energy production. Data collected from two plants over four months showed an average daily biogas production of 1.46 to 3.13 m3 per day, with a total gas production of 284.8 m3 in a period of four months. Plant performance correlated moderately with ambient temperature. Economic analysis revealed annual savings of Rs. 47,600 through reduced LPG use and biogas slurry sales. The study concludes that the PAU Model is technically efficient and economically viable, offering a sustainable solution for paddy straw management and rural energy security. These findings have significant implications for policymakers and rural development practitioners in promoting sustainable agriculture and renewable energy adoption in developing regions
Bulb Yield and Economic Return of Onion (Allium cepa L.) as Influenced by the Application of Integrated Nutrient Management at Selekleka, Northwestern Zone of Tigray, North Ethiopia
No full textOnion is an important crop as a condiment and income generation for smallholder farmers in northwestern Zone of Tigray. However, Continuous use of inorganic fertilizers and inappropriate soil fertility management practices are among the major factors limiting onion productivity in the North Western Tigray. Therefore, a field experiment was undertaken in selekleka district from October 2015 to June 2016 to assess the effects of integrated nutrient management on bulb yield and economic return of onion (Allium cepa L.). The treatments consisted of combinations of two rates of farmyard manure (FYM) (10 and 20 t ha-1) and two rates of vermicompost (VC) (2.5 and 5 t ha-1) each combined with three rates of nitrogen (25, 50 and 75) of recommended N fertilizers, RDF. In addition, 100% RDF N (69 kg N ha-1), 100% (5 t ha-1) of VC, 100% (20 t ha-1) FYM and zero rates (unfertilized treatment) were used for comparison. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. (ANOVA) revealed that combined application of 5 t ha-1 VC+50% inorganic N fertilizers recorded the highest bulb yield (35.13 t ha-1) and economic return (246,354 Birr ha-1). On the other hand, the lowest bulb yield (18.48 t ha-1) and economic net return (143,018 Birr ha-1) were obtained from the control. It could, thus, be concluded that, based on the partial budget analysis and bulb yield result the application of 5 t ha-1 vermicompost and 50 % recommended inorganic nitrogen was the appropriate combination for better onion production and economic return in the study area
Price Spread, Marketing Efficiency and Postharvest Losses in Marketing of Selected kharif Vegetables in Palghar District of Maharashtra State, India
No full textVegetables play an important role both in the regional and national economy of the agricultural sector. These crops are generally of short duration. The post-harvest losses in kharif vegetables due to insufficient storage, packaging, transportation, and handling technologies for perishable crops, such as vegetables, lead to significant wastage. The present study was undertaken to estimate these losses at various stages and price spread of selected vegetables in study area. The study was conducted in Palghar district of Maharashtra, involving 90 farmers, 6 commission agents, 9 wholesalers and 30 retailers, that the study involves multiple groups of stakeholders (farmers, commission agents, wholesalers, and retailers), with specific numbers from each group. The sampling technique used in this case likely purposive sampling. The important kharif vegetables were identified for the detailed analysis. In of case brinjal the total postharvest losses were 12.62 kg/q. out of which maximum postharvest losses of brinjal vegetables was observed to be highest (4.62 kg/q), at retailer level followed by (3.2 kg/q) at wholesaler level and (1.65 kg/q) at commission agent level. Similarly in case of okra, postharvest losses in kharif season was estimated to 13.52 kg /q, out of which the retailers level postharvest losses was highest at (5.12 kg/q), followed by (3.78 kg /q) at wholesaler level, (2.87 kg /q) at farmer level and (1.75 kg/q) at commission agent level .Whereas for cowpea total postharvest losses was workout to 12.73 kg/q out of which 4.12 kg /q postharvest losses was observed at retailer level, 3.65 kg /q losses at wholesaler level, 3.08 kg /q at farmer level and 1.88 kg /q postharvest losses at commission agent level. In study were identified channel-I (Producer-Commission agent-wholesaler-Retailer-Consumer), channel-II (Producer-Wholesaler-Retailer-Consumer) and channel-III(Producer-Consumer). For brinjal, the price spread was Rs. 2962.91 in Channel-I and Rs. 2634.72 in Channel II, with marketing efficiency of 1.01, 1.24, and 33.76 in Channels-I, II, and III, respectively. Channel-III exhibited the highest marketing efficiency, while Channel II had the lowest price spread. For okra, the price spread was Rs. 1939.70 in Channel-I and Rs. 1733.20 in Channel II, with marketing efficiency of 1.51, 1.85, and 28.84 in Channels-I, II, and III, respectively. Channel II demonstrated the highest marketing efficiency and lowest price spread. In the case of cowpea, the price spread was Rs. 4000 in Channel-I and Rs. 3260 in Channel-II, with marketing efficiency of 0.91, 1.76, and 29.76 in Channels -I, II, and III, respectively. Again, Channel III provided the highest efficiency, while Channel II had the lowest price spread. Channel-III emerged as the most efficient channel for all crops due to the direct sale to consumers, resulting in the highest marketing efficiency. Channel-II also showed better efficiency, especially in okra, while Channel-I consistently had the lowest efficiency across all crops
Effect of Methods of Establishment and Zinc Management on Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
No full textThe field experiment was conducted at Shradhay Bhagwati Singh Agriculture Research Farm (Hajipur), Chandra Bhanu Gupta Krishi Snatkottar Mahavidyalaya, B.K.T., Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) during Kharif (rainy) season in 2023-24. The treatment consisted of three methods of establishment (M1 – Direct seeding in lines after pre-irrigation, M2 -Broadcast of sprouted seed on puddled soil , M3 – System of Rice intensification (SRI) of (25 x 25cm) 12 days old seedling.) and five Zinc management practices (Zn0- Without zinc (control), Zn1- Zinc Sulphate ZnSo4@20kg ha-1 (Basal), Zn2- Foliar spray of [email protected]% at tillering and panicle initiation stage, Zn3- Seedling dipping in 2% ZnSO4+ 2 Foliar of [email protected]% at tillering and Panicle stage, Zn4- Seedling dipping in 2 % ZnSO4 solution+ Foliar spray of [email protected]% at tillering and panicle initiation stage) were tested in split-plot design with 3 replications. The Experimental site was silty loam having medium organic carbon (0.70%) and available nitrogen (270 kg ha-1), phosphorous (27 kg ha-1) and Potassium (262 kg ha1). All the growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, Zinc content and uptake of Zn into grains and straw, were increased significantly with SRI method (M3) followed by direct seeding in Lines after pre-irrigation (M2). Amongst zinc management, all the growth parameters and yield attributes of rice were maximum under Seedling dipping in 2% ZnSO4+ 2 Foliar of [email protected]% at tillering and panicle initiation stage, followed by Seedling dipping in 2 % ZnSO4 solution+ Foliar spray of [email protected]% at tillering and panicle initiation stage the maximum gross income of Rs 158938.18 ha-1 was accrued with (SRI method + T4) treatment combination. However, a combination of SRI method along with T3 treatment accrued the maximum net profit of Rs 107981.21 ha-1 and benefit: cost ratio of 2.08 which was followed by a combination of SRI method along with T4 with net income of Rs 107234.99 ha-1 and benefit cost ratio of 2.07
Effect of Different Micronutrients on the Growth of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) cv. Salem
No full textThe present investigation entitled “Performance of different micronutrients on the growth and yield of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) cv. Salem produced by pro tray method.” was conducted during the year 2023-2024 at AICRP, on Spices, Asond Block, Central Experimental Station, Wakavali, Dapoli, Dist- Ratnagiri (M.S.), India. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with nine treatment namely T1: Control (RDF: 200:50:150 kg NPK ha-1), T2: Foliar spray of ZnSO4@ 0.5%, T3: Foliar spray ZnSO4 @ 0.75%, T4: Foliar spray of Borax @ 0.2%, T5: Foliar spray of Borax @ 0.3%, T6: Foliar spray MnSO4 @ 0.25%, T7: Foliar spray of MnSO4 @ 0.5%, T8: Foliar spray of FeSO4 @ 0.3%, T9: Foliar spray of FeSO4@ 0.4% and each treatment was replicated three times. The observations were recorded at 30 days interval at 60, 90, 120 and 150 days after transplanting.
The results obtained from the present experiment revealed that application of RDF + Foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.75 % showed overall best results in growth characters at 150 Days after transplanting like Plant height (81.97 cm), leaf length (56.11 cm), leaf width (16.56cm), number of leaves (15.56) and number of tillers (3.5). Thus, from the results obtained, it can be concluded that application of RDF + Foliar Spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.75 % was the most effective for maximizing the growth parameters of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) under Konkan agro- climatic conditions
Sources and Levels of Zinc Fertilization on Soil Zinc Availability and Zinc Uptake by Small Onion (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum)
No full textOnion, the King of vegetable is one among the oldest cultivated vegetables. The quality and yield of crops are affected by micronutrient deficiencies in soil. Micronutrients which enhance the efficiency of macronutrients are equally important for the growth of a crop. Indian soils are deficient in zinc by an average deficiency of about 50 % at present. It is revealed that the presence of zinc has direct effect on yield and growth parameters of aggregatum onion. To study the Zn uptake and Zn availability to onion, different levels and sources of Zinc was evaluated in a pot culture experiment with onion var. CO(On) 5 in a soil with andy clay loam in texture, non-calcareous and deficient in soil available Zn with 16 treatments comprising different sources of Zn (ZnSO4, Zn-EDTA and Zn citrate) and levels of Zn (1,2.5,5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 kg Zn ha-1 for ZnSO4 and 0.1,0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 kg Zn ha-1 for Zn-EDTA and Zn citrate). Significantly highest plant Zn at bulb initiation and harvest stages was observed with ZnSO4 application 10 kg Zn ha-1 followed by Zn-EDTA @ 1 kg Zn ha-1and both were comparable. Uptake of Zn by onion was significantly higher with Zn-EDTA @ 1 kg Zn ha-1 and it was comparable with ZnSO4 @ 10 kg Zn ha-1and Zn-EDTA @ 0.75 kg Zn ha-1. Regarding the Zn content and uptake by onion at the same level of 1 kg Zn ha-1, it was observed that Zn-EDTA performed better than Zn citrate and ZnSO4. The soil available Zn at bulb initiation and harvest stages was the highest with the application of ZnSO4 @ 10 kg Zn ha-1 followed by ZnSO4 @ 7.5 kg Zn ha-1and ZnSO4 @ 5 kg Zn ha-1. With the application of same level of Zn at 1 kg Zn ha-1, Zn-EDTA showed significantly higher soil available Zn which was on par with Zn citrate. From the results obtained, it can be inferred that Zn fertilization had a significant influence on Zn content, Zn uptake and soil available Zn by onion. The performance of 1 kg Zn ha-1 as Zn-EDTA and 10 kg Zn ha-1 as ZnSO4 in improving the Zn uptake of onion was comparable. Hence, it can be concluded that application of either Zn-EDTA @ 1 kg Zn ha-1 or ZnSO4 @ 10 kg Zn ha-1 can be recommended for obtaining higher growth and Zn uptake of onion
Advancing India\u27s Agroforestry Potential: Leveraging Technology and Community Approaches for Sustainable Development
No full textAgroforestry, a sustainable land management practice integrating trees with crops and livestock, holds immense potential for climate change mitigation and enhancing rural livelihoods in India. This article explores the synergy between advanced Remote Sensing (RS) technologies, such as vegetation indices like NDVI, and participatory approaches involving Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), cooperatives, and other farmer collectives. These combined interventions enable efficient monitoring and large-scale Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) activities, ensuring carbon finance benefits. By leveraging technology and collaboration, agroforestry can significantly contribute to India\u27s carbon neutrality goals, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable income generation for farmers
A Comprehensive Mapping of the Coconut Value Chain Actors in Western Tamil Nadu, India
No full textThe coconut industry in Western Tamil Nadu, India, epitomizes the intricate interplay of actors and activities within the agricultural value chain. Despite India\u27s prominent stature as the leading coconut producer globally, challenges persist, including price disparities and limited value addition. This study investigates the coconut value chain in Western Tamil Nadu, mapping its actors and activities to elucidate opportunities for enhancing efficiency and sustainability. Employing a multi-stage sampling technique, data were collected from 300 coconut farmers and various stakeholders. Six value chains were identified, encompassing domestic, processing, and export markets. Primary actors, including farmers, harvest contractors, commission agents, wholesalers, retailers, processors, farmer producer companies (FPCs), and exporters, were analyzed in terms of their roles and activities. Results highlight the significance of value chain mapping in understanding market dynamics and optimizing resource allocation. Channel III, facilitated by FPCs, emerged as a promising avenue for reducing costs and enhancing market efficiency. This study emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making and strategic interventions for fostering a sustainable and vibrant coconut industry in Western Tamil Nadu and beyond
Front-line Demonstration: An Effective Communication Approach for Dissemination of Sustainable Rice Production Technology
No full textDuring four consecutive Kharif seasons in the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, front-line demonstrations were carried out in farmer\u27s fields by the College of Agriculture, Waraseoni (Balaghat), Madhya Pradesh in the agroclimatic zone of the Chhattisgarh plains to assess the performance of rice Hybrids / varieties JRH-5, JRH-19, JR-81 and JRB-1 (developed by Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University, Jabalpur) under irrigated ecosystem. Front-line demonstrations, or FLDs, were carried out using a scientific package of rice technology practices. The yield and economic data of the plots that were on display were examined, evaluated, and examined with farmer practices (MTU-1010). With only an average of Rs. 2625/ha as an additional input cost in demonstrations using enhanced production technologies in FLDs, the mean grain yield increased by 23.80% over current farmer practices.Extension gap (10.48 q/ha), Technology gap (10.26 q/h) and the technology index is 15.79%. It is concluded that wide gap existed in potential and demonstration yield in high yielding rice varieties due to technology and extension gap in Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh.By conductingfront line demonstrations of proven technologies, yield potential of rice can be increased to a greatextent. This will substantially increase the income as well as the livelihood of the farming community
Understanding Soil Quality Dynamics for Improving Rice Yield in Farmer’s Field
No full textA roving survey was conducted during Kharif 2023 to assess the constraints in rice crop production of district Kaithal, Haryana. A total of 20 soil samples from the surveyed sites were collected in triplicate for further analysis. The pH(1:2) and EC(1:2) and OC of the surveyed sites ranged from 7.84 to 8.98, 0.19 to 0.66 dS/m and 0.44 to 0.67% respectively. The surveyed soils were non saline in nature. Most of the surveyed sites (around 70%) were found medium in organic carbon status. Soil available nitrogen ranged from 145.36-194.13 kg N/ha, available phosphorus 11.54-19.27 kg P/ha and available potassium 323.2-398 kg K2O/ha in the surveyed sites. The grain yield of rice varieties ranged from 2.85-8.85 t/ha whereas the straw yield of rice varieties ranged from 5.0-12.0 t/ha. The commonly grown rice varieties in scented group were PB 1121, PB 1509, PB 1718, PB 1847 and CSR 30 while the common high yielding non-scented variety and hybrid was PR114 and Vnr 2222, respectively. The constraints include low available nitrogen status of soils, high pH and sodicity at some sites, improper and untimely urea (N fertilizer) application. No farmer was applying organic fertilizers