Central Agricultural University

About: Central Agricultural University is a education organization based out in Imphal, Manipur, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Agriculture. The organization has 1116 authors who have published 1157 publications receiving 9217 citations.

Estimating Production Efficiency in Rice Cultivation of Bihar: An Economic Approach

Abstract: Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has been widely used in measuring agricultural production efficiency. The present paper is to investigate the technical, allocative and cost or economic efficiencies of rice farms in Bihar. The farm level data used in the analysis was taken from cost of cultivation scheme, Government of India running in the state from 45 tehsils of Bihar. Rice is a staple food and consumed by large population of the state, nation and world level. The technical efficiency, allocative efficiencies of most of the farms were found to be 62% separately for each. Accordingly the degree of cost efficiency was estimated to be only 38.8%. Although, TE and AE being only 62%, farmers are still inefficient to achieve up to the optimal level of output. Given the available technology, farmers may reduce the paddy production cost by 61.2% to produce given level of output at least cost. Tobit analysis was carried out to assess the factors influencing efficiencies revealed that lack of education and quality seeds, and irrigation machinery were found to impact the efficiencies. Government and other policy making agencies have to formulate policies favourable to transform agriculture sector profitable which can attract the educated youth towards agriculture as profession. There is ample opportunities to minimize the cost of paddy production using a given level of technology coupled with proper and timey application of inputs, right combination of inputs with input and output prices to produce a given level of output at least cost. Besides assured supply of good quality seed, irrigation facilities, dissemination of new farming technologies, better education system and financial assistance, marketing infrastructures should be arranged timely so as to enhance the income of rural masses, and to reduce the poverty from the rural areas of the state in general and nation in particular.

Effect of PGRs combination on pre-harvest fruit drop of Khasi mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco.)

Abstract: The synthetic auxin like 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T and NAA were investigated on ten (10) years old tree to study the effect of different combinations of PGR on pre-harvest fruit drop at Bodak village under East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India during the year 2014-2015. Result showed maximum fruit retention in T6 Urea 1% + 2, 4- @ 15ppm (45.4%) followed by T5 NAA@5ppm + 2,4-D@10ppm (44.3%) resulting significantly increased the total number of fruits in (T6) (244.3 fruits / tree) followed by T5 (241.6 fruits/tree) as compared to control (17.3% fruit retention and 181 fruits/ tree) Hence, the combination of recommended dose of fertilizer i.e. 400:400:900g NPK/plant/year along with Urea 1% + 2, 4- @ 15ppm foliar spraying thrice during April, July and September can be used to control the fruit drop in Khasi mandarin.

Current development, application and constraints of biopesticides in plant disease management

Abstract: Biopesticides are the compounds that can manage agricultural diseases without harming natural ecosystem. Since past many years till today pests control in crop production is largely dependent on synthetic pesticides which have worsen the environment as well as many pesticide resistant reports in crops have been emerged. Biopesticides certainly offer a better way to manage plant diseases and environment simultaneously. Biopesticides have tremendous potential to replace or reduce synthetic pesticides usage and cost incurred in them. In general, biopesticides for plant disease management includes exploitation of natural organisms, and product derived from them, biocontrol formulations, essential oils, botanical extracts and also nano biopesticides. Biopesticides require regulatory guidelines and approval system as in case of synthetic pesticides with necessary modifications. This chapter will discuss biopesticides used in current agriculture, their applications, registered biopesticides in India and their regulatory systems. Biopesticides indeed a potential tool as a significant part of integrated pest management (IPM). Application of biopesticides and their use also impose certain challenges such as research for potential biopesticides, production cost and their risk assessment on animal and human; these are also discussed in the current chapter.

Prevalence of Plasmodium relictum in four common bird species in India

Abstract: The increasing emergence of wildlife diseases with the possibility to ecological threats as well as domestic animals and human health has prompted the importance of understanding disease dy...

Spices Obtained from Forest and Other Resources

Abstract: Since the last few decades, there has been a steady increase in area, production and demand for spices across the world. India, Bangladesh, Turkey, China and Pakistan are the major spice-growing countries. The prime objective of this chapter is to highlight the importance of forest spices, their production and trading and challenges in spice cultivation along with food and health aspects of spices. As India is the leading spice-producing country, it is also famously named as ‘The Land of Spices’. India being the largest producer and exporter of spices accounts to produce 7.07 million tons of spices from 3.52 million hectare area during 2015–2016. Spices have significant importance in cooking and as herbal medication all over the world. Among all the crops, spices like cinnamon, peppermint, turmeric, holy basil and cayenne pepper have gained a proficient reputation for their most natural and authentic means to infuse flavour in food and also to impart inevitable health benefits to the body. Use of garlic has shown a positive response in the reduction of cholesterol by about 10–15%. Due to the contribution of spices in medicinal and health benefits, acceptance and export of seed spices from India have grown significantly in the global market. There is also tremendous scope for seed spices to harvest not only in the domestic but also in the global market in forthcoming years.