<div style="text-align: justify;">Bihar is one of the poorest and most populous states in India. The share of employment in agriculture and allied activities is 68.9 percent in Bihar. This study is attempting to undertake a micro level analysis of collected data to assess the investment as well as return in Dairy activity carried out by Jeevika project in Muraul Block of Muzaffarpur District. Study revealed that calculated &lsquo;t&rsquo; value of investment (12.533) and return (19.589) was more than table&lsquo;t&rsquo; value (1.977) &nbsp;of investment and return respectively. Comparison among investment as well as return in Dairy activity practiced by the respondents, before and after joining the project through paired t-test, showed a significant difference hence providing positive effect on the life of project beneficiaries.</div>

Comparison among investment and return in dairy activity by beneficiaries of Jeevika project in Bihar state, India

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Gender roles in agricultural decision-making significantly influence resource allocation, productivity, and household welfare in rural communities. This study examined gender-specific roles in allocation and investment decisions among agricultural households in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. It aimed to understand the models of household decision-making and the socio-economic factors shaping these dynamics.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 60 agricultural households. Data were collected using well-structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, and means) and Multinomial Logistic Regression. The study identified household socio-economic attributes, types of decision-making models, gender roles in decision-making, and factors influencing model selection.<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>Findings revealed that women, particularly adult females, are largely excluded from critical agricultural production decisions, though they are involved in labor-related decisions. Additionally, membership in farmer organizations or social groups had a statistically significant (p&gt;0.01) and inverse relationship with the type of decision-making model adopted. The study recommends encouraging farmers to form and actively participate in cooperatives to improve their socio-economic standing and reduce dependence on government support for household and community development.</p>


<p>What Determines Gender Roles in the Allocation and Investment Decisions of Farm Households in Nigeria?</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">In this work, we are interested in studying the investment challenges of packaged reconstituted milk production in Southwest of Algeria. To reach this objective, we have calculated the cost price of two products (pasteurized milk and fermented milk) which present the main production line of the dairy factory of Bechar, to assess the profitability of the company. The cost price of milk was calculated from the general balance that shows all the movements of the accounts which we have established the table of counting results &lsquo;TCR&rsquo; corresponding to the different charges directly related to the milk manufacturing. The analysis of spending data showed that for this factory, the cost price of one liter of pasteurized milk was estimated at 27.06 DZD/L compared to fixed selling price at the dairy factory level (23.20 DZD/L), which reveals a deficit of -3.86 DZD/L (-16.63%), while produced fermented milk showed a profit of +14.65 DZD/L representing a margin of distribution equivalent to (+60.16%) of the cost price that was estimated at 24.35 DZD/L. This study provides a platform which can be used, not only, to define the ability of dairy factory to overcome competitive market challenges, but also the pre-requisite programs (PRP) installation challenges required to implement a quality system promoting the quality of milk and dairy products.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Investment challenges in milk sector (Case of a dairy factory in southwest of Algeria): Development prospects</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">This paper has provided insights on the returns to investment in groundnut research and sources of productivity in Gujarat state from 1990-91 to 2011-12. Two outputs and ten inputs have been used to construct total output, total input and total factor productivity index using Tornqvist Theil Index technique. Compound growth rates were worked out using semi-log trend equation. Although the area under groundnut decreased yet, the production and productivity increased significantly at the rate of 5.10 and 5.24 per cent per annum, respectively during the study period. The groundnut registered higher TFP growth of about 2.21 per cent per annum in last two and half decades resulting in annual decline of 0.27 per cent in real cost of production. The Investment on groundnut research generated 27.10 per cent IRR thus, found to be a highly paying proposition. The growth in TFP was remarkably increased in nineties largely contributed by the release of groundnut varieties viz., GG-2 in 1986, GG-20 and GG-12 in 1991, GG-13 in 1994. The government expenditure on research, extension education, irrigation infrastructure and rainfall generated significant returns. The steady growth in TFP needs to be maintained by enhancing the resources which have contributed to productivity. &nbsp;More public and private investments, in under developed regions of the state are needed to strengthen agricultural research and rural infrastructure. The sufficient procurement at MSP is essential to enhance farm income. &nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">The Key Factors to Augment Groundnut Farm Income in Gujarat: TFP Growth and Market Support</div>

<p><strong>Background:</strong> The basic challenge every farmer in India faces is to increase profitability level and minimize the cost. For this, it is essential to know how the cost of cultivation and profitability is changing of crops over a period of time. The present study attempted to estimate the cost of cultivation, cost of production and returns of major pulse crops in the Rajasthan state. For workout the economics of pulses crop, secondary data was collected from 2000-01 to 2021-22 which is compiled from various sources and publications for profitability analysis of pulse crop.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> The study was conducted in Rajasthan state and analysis done for 22 years used the &ldquo;Cost of Cultivation of Principal Crops in Rajasthan&rdquo; by DES, New Delhi uses different cost concepts for estimating costs and returns. In the present study, the cost C<sub>2</sub> was considered for computing profitability. Cost C<sub>2</sub> in CCPC data covers all the variables and fixed costs.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong>&nbsp; The actual cost of production of gram crop increased from Rs. 1772.32 per quintal in TE 2003 to Rs. 3650.5 per quintal in TE 2021. Return per rupee invested increased from 2.52 to 3.01 during TE 2003 to TE 2021. Cost of production of urad crop had increased from Rs. 2520.63 per quintal in TE 2003 to Rs. 7385.45 per quintal in TE 2021. The return per rupee invested in cost A<sub>2</sub> had reduced from 2.14 in TE 2003 to 1.99 in TE 2021. Moong crop also showed increasing trend for cost of production from Rs. 2696.08 per quintal in TE 2003 to Rs. 7385.45 per quintal in TE 2021. Return for each rupee invested a increased from 2.10 in TE 2003 to 2.14 in TE 2021. Return per rupee invested was not profitable for the farmers for urad. Therefore, proper processing and procurement policy for these crops grown by the farmers should be implemented. Urad crop need more efficiently technological breakthrough to reduce cost of production and proper price incentive to pace with other pulses crops in the state.</p>


<p>Cost of Cultivation is Rising or Profitability Rising for Major Pulse Crop? A Case from Rajasthan, India</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Avena sativa L. (common oat) is the most important among the cultivated oat belongs to the Poaceae family and is known as Jai or Javi in Indian subcontinent. It is important winter forage in many parts of the world and is grown as multipurpose crop for grain, pasture, forage or as a rotation crop.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of Zinc Sulphate and Borax on growth, yield components, yield and economics of oats seed production in red and lateritic soil of West Bengal during <em>rabi</em> seasons of 2015-16 and 2016-17 at agricultural farm, Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design having two factors each with four levels (Zinc Sulphate with 0, 15, 20 and 25 kg/ha as well as Borax with 0, 5, 10 and 15 kg/ha).<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> Pooled data over two years of experiments showed that soil application with Zinc Sulphate and Borax at various levels significantly influenced growth attributes (dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and crop growth rate), yield components (no. of panicles/m<sup>2</sup>, no. of filled grains/panicle and test weight), yield (seed yield, straw yield and biological yield) and economics of oats seed production. With increasing levels of ZnSO<sub>4 </sub>application, highest number of panicles/m<sup>2</sup> (196.27), seed yield (3.00 t/ha), straw yield (6.94 t/ha) and biological yield (9.85 t/ha) were obtained at 25 kg/ha though these were at par with 20 kg ZnSO<sub>4 </sub>/ha. Higher number of filled grains/panicle (76.47), test weight (29.93 g), seed yield (2.95 t/ha), straw yield (6.70 t/ha) and biological yield (9.63 t/ha) were found with application of borax @ 10 kg/ha. The highest gross return, net return and return per rupee investment was achieved with application of ZnSO<sub>4 </sub>@ 20 kg/ha (₹ 1,17,257/ha, ₹ 68,997/ha and 2.65, respectively) which was significantly higher than both of 25 kg ZnSO<sub>4</sub>/ha (₹ 1,15,051/ha, ₹ 64,489/ha, and 2.52, respectively) and&nbsp; 15 kg ZnSO<sub>4</sub>/ha &nbsp;(₹ 1,05,198/ha, ₹ 59,240/ha and 2.44, respectively). Similarly, highest gross return, net return and return per rupee investment was obtained with application of borax @ 10 kg/ha (₹ 1,15,537/ha, ₹ 69,070/ha and 2.67, respectively). &nbsp;A significant interaction between Zinc Sulphate and borax was found towards seed yield, biological yield, gross return, net return and return per rupee investment in oats seed production.&nbsp; Use of ZnSO<sub>4</sub> at 20 kg/ha and borax at 10 kg/ha conjunctively achieved highest seed yield (3.28 t/ha), biological yield (10.81 t/ha), gross return (₹ 1, 27, 530/ha), net return (₹78,760/ha) and return per rupee investment (₹3.78) in oats seed production.</div>


<p>Assessing the Impact of Zinc and Boron Supplementation on Oats Grown under Red and Lateritic Soil of West Bengal</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">This study is on development of programming problems for optimal allocation of agricultural land to different crops with special reference to Andhra Pradesh State. The prime objective of this study is to provide the management planning to farm people for optimal utilization of agricultural land resources with the objective of maximizing the revenue. &nbsp;Three programming problems were formulated for the objectives of optimal crop area scheduling with (i) simple LPP, (ii) single goal programming and (iii) multiple goals programming with crop wise goals. Data from the agricultural farmers of AP were collected for ten crops cultivated with nine different methods of farming. While formulating the models, we have considered the issues of &nbsp;revenue per kg, total yield of the crop, minimum support price per kg, market competitive price per kg, break even revenue, break even cost ( in thousand rupees), minimum investment, &nbsp;maximum investment, available area for each crop, crop wise arbitrary target value and cost in rupees, etc. Investment for different types of expenditures like ploughing, seeds per kg, plantation, labour, fertilizers, water, rent, picking charges, storage per quintal, etc are considered. The activity ended with exploring the decision variables of finding the optimal land allocation for each crop.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Optimal Land Allocation Programming Problems for Agricultural Revenue Maximization in Andhra Pradesh</div>

<p><strong>Background: </strong>The study entitled &ldquo;Potential of Enhanced Probiotic as Dietary Supplement for Growing-finishing Pigs&rdquo; was conducted at Agriculture Instructional, Research and Production Units, Apayao State College, conner campus. This study aimed to evaluate its potential as dietary supplement for growing-finishing pigs in terms of body weight, gain in weight, average daily gain (ADG), Feed Consumption and Feed Conversion Ratio and the Return on Investment (ROI). Probiotic are live microorganisms that when it is used in right amount, it improved health, digestibility and fast nutrient absorption towards significant growth performance and feed efficiency. Commercial probiotics which are evidently available in the market and easily procured by raisers. However, its price is so high and revealed its increasing expenditures that cause low net income. With that, a cheapest probiotic; safe both human and the animals, decreasing production expenses. and environmental-friendly was formulated. Hence, the study was conducted to see the potential of enhanced probiotic (Provet) as dietary supplement for growing-finishing pigs<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods: </strong>The study was laid out using the completely randomized designed (CRD). The least significance difference (LSD) was used for the comparison of means, if the result is significant. The treatments as basis of comparison were Treatment 1- Control (No Probiotic), Treatment 2. Commercial Probiotic, Treatment 3. 20 ml of Enhanced Formulated Probiotic (EFP), Treatment 4. 30ml of Enhanced Formulated Probiotic (EFP).<br />
<br />
<strong>Result: </strong>Highly significant (P&lt;0.01) result were observed on the growth parameters of growing-finishing pigs such as body weight, gain in weight and the average daily gain (ADG) wherein, pigs treated with 20 ml EFP took advantaged compared with the pigs in control treatment and of the pigs treated with commercial probiotic. With the body weight advantage of animals treated with 20 ml EFP, the return on investment (ROI) revealed significant advantage compare with the pigs in the other treatments. It is therefore concluded, that the 20 ml EFP showed potential as dietary supplement on the growth parameters of growing-finishing pigs, its utilization significantly affecting the return on investment and safe to use for animal consumption. Therefore, it is recommended to use the 20 ml enhanced formulated probiotic and best to mixed with feeds and be utilized by pigs in the morning. Further recommended to conduct a verification trial on the efficacy of 20 ml enhanced formulated probiotic in same age of pig to finally confirm its significant impact to the growth and income of raising growing-finishing pigs. Furthermore, study on the use of enhanced formulated probiotic be also conducted for early and post weaning piglets and gestating sow.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


<p>Potential of Enhanced Formulated Probiotic (Provet) as Dietary Supplement for Growing-finishing Pigs</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Vegetable cultivation is an awesome business in India, however it is difficult to judge how they are safe for human consumption as farmers spray large amount of&nbsp; pesticides which not only increases the cost of cultivation but also leaves residual toxicity in&nbsp; vegetables. To address these challenges, protected cultivation technology i.e., poly&nbsp;&nbsp; house, shade net, micro tunnel etc., have been globally accepted in horticultural sector and there is a scope for economic viability of tomato and capsicum under shade net for profitable agriculture. The present study was conducted during 2016-17 to analyse the economic viability of vegetable production under protected cultivation the Kolar, Malur and Mulbagal taluks of&nbsp; Kolar district of Karnataka by involving 80 vegetable growers. The viability of investment in the Shade net for cultivation of capsicum and tomato were analyzed by using project analysis parameters such as Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Payback Period (PBP).The Cash flow analysis was calculated based on estimated expenditure and returns for both capsicum and tomato crops&nbsp; over the 15 years for analyzing the economic viability. The study highlighted that Investment on shade net for capsicum (BCR=1.69:1) cultivation is more profitable than tomato (BCR=1.48:1). The fixed costs for cultivation of both the crops capsicum and tomato under shade net were found to be same. The labour cost for capsicum (Rs.59, 493) cultivation was nearly equal to tomato (Rs.59, 181) cultivation under shade net in an one acre area. The variation in gross income and net income of both the crops was mainly due to stable price in market for capsicum as compared to tomato. Finally concluded that capsicum crop is more economical than tomato under shade net which create pathway for continues profitability as well as sustainability of agriculture.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Techno-Economic Analysis of Vegetable Production under&nbsp;Protected Cultivation in Kolar district of Karnataka</div>

<div><strong>Background:</strong> Over the centuries many revolutions have happened, lot of innovations took place, several discoveries changed the way the world would have been, these may be credited to discovery of paper, compass, steel, steam engine, anti-biotics, lenses, transistors, electricity, or computer. Civilizations have evolved but, in every era, agriculture played a major role in fueling the prosperity of the nation and establishing its growth. Agriculture in India provides livelihood to almost about 60% of India&rsquo;s population. Percentage contribution of agriculture and allied sectors in gross value added for India at present prices stood at 17.8% in 2020. Investment through consumer in India should grow in 2021, post losses due to COVID-19 contraction. Food sector in India is set for huge growth owing to its immense potential for diversity and value addition. Food processing sectors contributes approximately 32% of total market share, supposedly one of biggest sectors and stands fifth in terms of production, consumption, export and expected growth.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> Farming as a sector is a vulnerable investment owing to dependency on diversified geographical locations, environmental conditions and pest attacks, it is of prime importance to devise technological assisted methods to monitor and provide early remedial actions for the damage and infections to the crop. Work proposed is an effort to increase the yield a farmer would otherwise have; system implements the recommender system assisted by sensor data and weather conditions prevailing to suggest ideal crops to be sown for the region. Model acquires data: moisture content, rainfall estimated, NPK content of soil, temperature conditions and Ph value of the soil in addition to climatic conditions of the region for recommending the suitable crop.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> Model proposed estimated the required parameters employing calibrated sensors from a maize farm and climatic conditions from government weather prediction platform, crop gave us a small window of six months from June to November to conduct the experiment, site selected was at Safedabad, Lucknow (U.P.) and classification was achieved through random forest algorithm trained on labeled dataset which achieved an accuracy of 96%, the testing data when fed to the model gave output with an accuracy of 93%.</div>


Comparison among investment and return in dairy activity by beneficiaries of Jeevika project in Bihar state, India

What Determines Gender Roles in the Allocation and Investment Decisions of Farm Households in Nigeria?

Investment challenges in milk sector (Case of a dairy factory in southwest of Algeria): Development prospects

The Key Factors to Augment Groundnut Farm Income in Gujarat: TFP Growth and Market Support

Cost of Cultivation is Rising or Profitability Rising for Major Pulse Crop? A Case from Rajasthan, India

Assessing the Impact of Zinc and Boron Supplementation on Oats Grown under Red and Lateritic Soil of West Bengal

Optimal Land Allocation Programming Problems for Agricultural Revenue Maximization in Andhra Pradesh

Potential of Enhanced Formulated Probiotic (Provet) as Dietary Supplement for Growing-finishing Pigs

Techno-Economic Analysis of Vegetable Production under Protected Cultivation in Kolar district of Karnataka

Expert Recommender System for Mapping Optimum Crop Type