Present study was conducted at Central Research Station of BAIF Development Research Foundation, Urulikanchan, Pune during 2013 to 2015 with an objective to determining the nutritive values and keeping quality of legume blocks. Leaf meals were prepared from sun dried leaves and chaffed twigs of subabul (Leucaena&nbsp;leucocephala), desmanthus (Desmanthus vergatus), sesbania (Sesbania sesban) and lucerne (Medicago sativa). Five blocks were prepared by adding molasses, corn flour, mineral mixture and salt. Chemical composition such as dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), ether extract (EE), ash and silica content were determined according to standard analytical procedures. The chemical composition was more or less similar in fresh and stored legume blocks in all the recipes and did not vary much during storage. Further, no deterioration in colour, odour or texture was observed in storage, or any apparent contamination with mould. Among the five leguminous blocks, highest nutritive values in terms of CP, CF, EE, ash and silica were observed in sesbania legume block (22.17, 12.14, 3.52, 10.71 and 0.52%) followed by blocks of subabul (20.52, 10.61, 3.42, 10.72 and 0.81%) respectively. The cost of per kg production of leguminous block of subabul and sesbania was low as compared to lucerne blocks, which were Rs. 20, 21 and 29 correspondingly. All the goats offered legume blocks accepted them readily. All the blocks were offered to difeerent five goats for feeding and their acceptance and the intake was 100 per cent. &nbsp;Hence, the leguminous blocks prepared from sesbania and subabul leaf meal were selected as the best leguminous blocks as goat feed. 
&nbsp;

Leguminous blocks: Nutritional values and economics

Background: Telangana, known as India&rsquo;s seed hub, hosts around 400 seed companies, including multinationals. These companies leverage high processing capacities, extensive storage, strong research networks and a favourable climate for rice seed production, positioning the region as vital for agricultural advancement. Given the importance of rice seed business potential in Telangana, understanding the economic viability and institutional framework within the rice seed value chain is crucial for optimizing production, enhancing seed quality and maximizing stakeholder benefits. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: This study used different sets of data to examine the rice seed value chain in Telangana. Data were collected from 104 seed growers, 60 seed organizers, 10 company representatives and 10 seed distributors, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of value chain dynamics. Additionally, 30 focus group discussions provided qualitative insights into stakeholder roles and perceptions. The research highlighted the essential roles of public and private institutions in varietal development and seed quality, specifically analysing how contractual arrangements among stakeholder&rsquo;s impact yield outcomes and overall productivity. Furthermore, the cost and returns were analysed at each stakeholder level within the rice seed value chain. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Findings indicated that education, cooperative membership and technical assistance positively correlated with rice seed yield, while larger family sizes and excessive irrigation negatively impacted productivity. Seed growers incurred a production cost of ₹13,910 per tonne and received a gross price of ₹19,820 per tonne, resulting in a net benefit of ₹5,910 per tonne. Seed organizers earned ₹1,200 per tonne, while companies faced total costs of ₹31,520 per tonne, selling to cultivators at ₹35,000 per tonne for a net benefit of ₹3,480 per tonne. Overall, stakeholders in the rice seed chain received total benefits of ₹15,590 per tonne, with seed growers accruing the largest share (37.91%).

Economic Viability and Institutional Framework of the Rice Seed Value Chain in Telangana, India

Background: Soybeans constitute a vital protein resource for Indonesia&rsquo;s population. Indonesian agricultural scientists have developed multiple soybean cultivars to address the nation&rsquo;s protein security requirements. This investigation aims to evaluate the morphological traits, arthropod resistance and commercial potential of selected Indonesian soybean genotypes. 
 
Methods: The study was executed during 2023 in Laboratorium Tanah Maros, Maros Regency, employing a Randomized Complete Block Design incorporating 13 soybean cultivars as experimental treatments with three replications per treatment. 
 
Result: Morphological characterization revealed cotyledon pigmentation distributed as white (47.62%), green (23.80%), yellow (19.06%) and purple (9.52%). Maximum foliar trichome dimensions occurred in Grobogan (30.93 mm), peak leaf trichome density was documented in Devon-2 (71.00 units), greatest pod trichome length was recorded in Detap-1 (46.07 mm), while highest pod trichome abundance was observed in Derap-1 (300.00) and Dega-1 (247.60). Minimal foliar injury from Oxya servile infestation was documented in Grobogan (6.89%) and lowest damage from Plucia inclusia attacks occurred in Grobogan (4.69%). Pod deterioration caused by Riptortus linearis showed minimum levels in Dena-2 (3.64%), Devon-2 (3.56%), Grobogan (3.91%) and Detap-1 (3.88%). Superior grain productivity was achieved by Dena-2 (3.78 t ha-1), Derap-1 (3.13 t ha-1) and Devon-2 (3.31 t ha-1), whereas minimal yields were recorded in Anjasmoro (1.93 t ha-1). Cultivars demonstrating optimal commercial value include Derap-1, Devon-2 and Dena-2, attributed to their elevated productivity (3.13-3.78 t ha-1) combined with substantial seed dimensions.

Characteristics of Several Soybean Varieties (Glycine max L.) and Their Response to Grasshoppers Oxya servile and Pod Suckers Riptortus linearis Pests and Their Economic Value

<div>Background: Rainfed lowland rice crops are grown only once a year in the rainy season. In general, the fields are left fallowed after harvest of rice in the dry season. Cassava a drought tolerant-crop has the potential to grow the following rice. One of the methods to sustain production is through the application of beneficial microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and foliar bio-extracted fertilizer.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Cassava was planted in the dry season (December-June). Nutrient management treatments included; 1) application of chemical fertilizer as recommendation rate (CFR), 2) application of CFR combined with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), 3) application of 80% of CFR combined with PGPR and 4) application of CFR combined with bio-extracted pig manure (BPM) which laid out in randomized complete block design. 
 
Result: Interaction between CFR and PGPR gave the maximum storage root yield of 23.1 t ha-1 without significant differences with the application of CFR alone (20.3 t ha-1). Such treatment also provides higher net income than those of the other treatments in the present experiment.</div>

Effect of Nutrient Management on Root Yield and Economic Value of Cassava Grown after Rice under Rainfed Conditions

<div>The study examines the effect of economic and agricultural diversification on economic growth in Nigeria. The objectives were to determine the effect of government agricultural spending on Nigeria&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product. Data were collected from secondary sourced using the time series data which was extracted from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) annual Statistical Bulletin for the period and The Nigeria Bureau of Statistic annual reports. Data were analyzed using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach or Bound Test Method. The findings revealed that Government agricultural expenditure does not have a significant effect on Gross Domestic Product. The investigation suggested that the government at all level should increase their budgetary allocations for agriculture and also develop a functional agricultural long-term blueprint to improve the sector.</div>

<div>Effect of Economic and Agricultural Diversification on the Economic Growth in Nigeria</div>

<div>Background: The negative energy balance around calving and in early lactation is the major cause of increased incidence of postpartum metabolic disorders, reduced milk production and impaired reproductive performance. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of rumen protected choline, fat supplementation and Vit-E and selenium&nbsp; injections on plasma endocrine profile, postpartum productivity, fertility and economics in transitional Gir cows.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Forty advanced pregnant multiprous Gir cows of an organized farm were randomly distributed into five equal groups (T1 to T5; n=8 each) and were fed and managed individually from 30 days prepartum till 60 days postpartum. Cows in T1 (control) group were fed basal diet, while cows in treatment groups received basal diet + supplementation of rumen protected choline-RPC @ 45 g/d/cow (T2), rumen protected fat-RPF @ 80 g/d/cow from -30 to +15 days peripartum and then @ 10 g/kg milk yield (T3), RPC and RPF in combination @ as above (T4) and&nbsp; Inj. E-Care Se(R) 10 ml i/m (Vit-E 500 mg and Se 15 mg) on days -30, -15, 0, +15, +30 and +45 peripartum (T5) along with blood samples for estimation of plasma levels of insulin, IGF1, PGFM, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and cortisol. The puerperal events and fertility parameters were recorded till 10 months postpartum.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The fortnightly plasma P4 concentration decreased, while E2, PGFM and cortisol increased gradually and significantly (P&lt;0.01) from 30 days prepartum to day of calving and thereafter P4, E2 and cortisol remained basal or very low, while PGFM decreased till 45-60 days postpartum, overall and in all groups. The treatment effect was significant (P&lt;0.01) only for E2 and PGFM, with higher values of E2 in T3 and T4 groups and of PGFM in T1 and T2 than in T5 group. The insulin and IGF1 concentrations fluctuated insignificantly during prepartum phase with significantly lowest values till 15 and 30 days postpartum and thereafter only IGF1 increased significantly by day 60 postpartum. The treatment effect was also significant at some intervals with overall highest values of both the metabolic hormones in T1 followed by T5 and T2 than T3 and T4 groups. The uterine involution was significantly earlier in all treatment groups than in control. The first heat postpartum (days) was significantly earlier in group T5 (33.6&plusmn;3.4), delayed in group T1 (63.5&plusmn;9.5) and intermediate in Group T2 to T4. The conception rates postpartum were 50.0, 75.0, 62.5, 75.0 and 87.5% in groups T1 to T5, respectively, with significantly reduced service period (days) in T5 (96.3&plusmn;14.6), followed by T2 (137.3&plusmn;11.2), than T1, T3 and T4 groups (187 to 214 days). The overall net returns over feed cost of milk yield and reduced service period in T2, T3, T4 and T5 groups over control T1 were Rs. +15898, +6150, +7165 and +24060, respectively. The findings reflected the beneficial and economic role of RPF alone or in combination with RPC and of Se + Vit E supplementation on peripartum endocrine profile and improved postpartum fertility in Gir cows.</div>

Peripartum Supplementation of Rumen Protected Choline and Fat and Se+Vit E in Gir Cows Economically Improves Endocrine Profile and Reproductive Performance

The aim of the present study was to find out the effect of heat stress amelioration on body weight changes, dry matter intake, milk yield and economics in lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes during hot-dry (HD; April to Mid June) and hot-humid (HH; Mid June to August) seasons under tropical climate. Forty two Nili-Ravi lactating buffaloes were uniformly divided into two groups of twenty one in each considering their lactation number, stage of lactation, body weight, dam&rsquo;s milk yield and milk yield in current lactation. The control (T0) group buffaloes were kept in separate shed without any nutrient supplementation and modification in microclimate and management. The treatment (T1) group was supplemented with niacin, yeast, edible oil in feed and provided curtains and mist fans in the shed, and altered feeding time, frequency and type of ration. The overall mean body weights in control and treatment group buffaloes were noted to be 517.4 kg and 523.4 kg, respectively. Under HD and HH seasons, mean body weights at different fortnights in treatment group buffaloes were 515.6 kg and 531.1 kg, respectively. In control group, the respective values were 512 kg and 522.7 kg. Although the body weights were higher in treatment than control group, there were no statistically significant differences between two experimental groups. The overall mean daily total dry matter intake (TDMI), dry matter intake through concentrate (CDMI), &nbsp;dry matter intake through dry fodder (DFDMI) and dry matter intake through green fodder (GFDMI) were noted to be 13.04, 4.21, 1.02, 7.92, 14.13, 4.24, 1.17 and 8.65 kg in control and treatment group buffaloes, respectively. Under both seasons, treatment group buffaloes consumed more dry matter than control group throughout the experimental period. The values were also differed significantly (ranged from P&lt;0.05 to P&lt;0.0001) between two groups. &nbsp;The overall mean values of fortnightly total milk production were 103.2 kg in control group and 121.5 kg in treatment group. Throughout the period, treatment group buffaloes produced more milk than control. Milk production was also significantly (P&lt;0.0001) differed between control and treatment groups under two seasons. The daily average additional input cost per buffalo was maximum 22/- and additional income per buffalo was minimum &nbsp;35/-. Therefore, the net profit was around 13/- per buffalo per day. The input: output ratio was calculated to be 1:1.59. It can be concluded that the use of such types of housing, nutritional and management interventions in the form of one package not only helps to maintain body weight but also increases dry matter intake and favours economic milk production in lactating buffaloes through reducing heat stress during hot-dry and hot-humid seasons in tropical climate.&nbsp;

Heat stress amelioration measures in lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes: Effect on body weight changes, dry matter intake, milk production and economics

<div style="text-align: justify;">Economics of pulse production is still in its infancy, even though literature on the subject has grown in tandem with the volume of business and attention received by the export-import culture, consumed and traded amount. With a distinct shift in the trend of chickpea production within India and obtained high yield productivity, new constraints have cropped up in the productivity sector of chickpea. In spite of these constraints, innovations in chickpea production have come up; for example, low input livelihood pulse based agriculture systems, sustainable and ecological agriculture, etc. in many parts of the world. These have a definite bearing on the long-run payoffs from small-scale agriculture. Moreover, Chickpea production in tropical countries has been found to be economically viable as a farm diversification strategy and as an independent commercial activity, turning our attention on bio-economic modelling. Cross-price effects of chickpea based agriculture products, effects of trade and non-trade barriers on these products, potential conflicts between the development of chickpea production for export and agriculture for subsistence consumption are the other serious concerns that need to be addressed. With the ever-increasing demand for varietal items based on chickpea in the international market, more research on demand-elasticities and its analysis would be appropriate, especially in the Indian context for the evaluation of the current status and prediction of future scenario of chickpea production. Evaluation of the prevalent chickpea based agriculture technologies can be strengthened by specific farm technical-efficiency studies, which is another area that demands attention in the chickpea economics research. To address such leads and lags, global pulse economists in the country need to take up these challenges by having real time field exposure to different segments of chickpea production.</div>

Global research paradigms in chickpea economics: An approach with Indian scenario

<div>Background: In this study, it was aimed to compare Hungarian vetch and oats mixed at different ratios not only in terms of silage quality but also in terms of their economic efficiency. &ldquo;Anadolu Pembesi&rdquo; Hungarian vetch variety and &ldquo;Albatros&rdquo; oat variety were used as plant material in the experiment.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Research was carried out during the winter of 2020-2021 on a farmer field in the Kızıltepe district of Mardin province (Turkiye). In the study, 100% Hungarian vetch, 100% oat, 70% Hungarian vetch + 30% oat, 60% Hungarian vetch + 40% oat, 50% Hungarian vetch + 50% oat, 30% Hungarian vetch + 70% oat silages were tested. Besides silage quality, input-cost analysis and comparison in terms of economic efficiency were also made in the study. 
 
Result: Ph value, dry matter, crude protein ratio, acid detergent insoluble fiber, neutral detergent insoluble fiber, digestible dry matter, dry matter consumption, relative feed value and lactic acid ratio varied between 3.88-4.11; 25.02-29.24%; 12.17-19.64%; 31.34-40.24%; 45.27-55.14%; 57.55-64.49%; 2.18-2.65%; 97.15-132.58 and 1.82%-2.38%, respectively. When all the features are evaulated together, 70% Hungarian vetch + 30% oat silage mixture was recommended due to high crude protein ratio, high relative feed value and lactic acid ratio in between low acid detergent insoluble fiber and neutral detergent insoluble fiber ratios. On the other hand, 50% HVS + 50% OS and 60% HVS + 40% OS mixtures stand out as balanced options in terms of both economic gain and quality. This ratio represents the economic optimum point in roughage production and offers an important alternative in the creation of sustainable feed resources.</div>

Silage Quality and Economic Efficiency Analysis of Hungarian Vetch (Vicia pannonica Crantz) and Oats (Avena sativa L.) Mixed at Different Ratios

<div style="text-align: justify;">Turmeric is the major spice crop in India. This paper attempts to estimate the cost and economic returns of turmeric cultivation among various size categories (marginal, small, semi medium, medium and large), of farmers in Erode district of Tamil Nadu, which is one of the major turmeric growing region in India. The results of the study showed that of all the size categories, the economic returns realized by large farmers were comparatively higher..Besides ensuring reasonable price to the farmers, the study suggested for value addition, like boiling, drying and grading of rhizomes in order to achieve maximum returns in turmeric cultivation.</div>