Background: Growing uncertainties in farm-related endeavours have prompted concerns about the sustainability of farming communities, leading occupational diversification. Farmers were quite perceptive about the advantages of diversification yet they still fail to derive the benefits of it at the optimum extent in the form of the addition to the existing earning levels. That is why, this context pre-requisites of assessing the existing levels of occupational diversification and to determine the issues that ceasing the progress of farmers in the ventures of diversification.&nbsp; 
 
Methods:&nbsp;The study was conducted in Khordha district of Odisha state under ex-post facto research design. A sample of 240 farmers was undertaken from eight villages through multi-stage random sampling procedure. Data collection conducted by personal interview with the use of pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. Simpson&rsquo;s index of diversification for assessing occupational diversification along with Henry Garrett&rsquo;s ranking for grading the constraints faced by farmers were employed in the study.&nbsp;

Result:&nbsp;Majority (47.50%) of the farmers expressed moderate level in terms of extent of occupational diversification. The top ranked constraints under each dimension found to be- shortage of storage facilities (74.77) and marketing facilities (71.34) under infrastructural; absence of innovative technologies (73.55) and lack of market forecasting (70.11) under promotional; lack of proper education (72.23) and less experience on new ventures (70.79) under social; shortage of own resources (69.33) and rising fuel prices (65.33) under economic; erratic rainfall (70.77) and natural disturbances like floods, cyclones, etc. (64.46) under miscellaneous dimension. Therefore, the investigation recommends that the focusing on the solution-oriented approach towards the above-mentioned constraints for augmenting occupational diversification.

Navigating Challenges: Exploring Challenges to Occupational Diversification Amongst the Farmers in Odisha

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Perception is the way something is regarded/understood. It is mainly created by two factors; one is physiological and another is psychological characteristics of the human being. Thus, perception is not only physiological process that is what one sees with the eyes it is a much more complex process involving psychological process too, by which any person selectively assimilates and gives meaning to the stimuli in the environment. It is subjective process, thatis why different people perceive the same stimuli in different manner. The current study aimed to study the factors affecting perception of farm families towards farming as an occupation. 
Methods: The present study was conducted to ascertain the factors affecting perception of farm families towards farming as an occupation. The results are based on the perspective of different researchers.&nbsp; 
Result: There were six major factorsidentified namely economic, socio-cultural, physical, personal, psychological and push and pull factors affecting perception. The economic factors comprised of variables like income, cost of agricultural production and vicious cycle of debt and loan in farming and socio-cultural factors had variables like professional and social status of farming along with family influence affecting children occupational choice. Personal factors consisted of personal interest and satisfaction of farmers derived from farming while physical factors included hard work and lack of resources along with hazardous working conditions in farming. Stress prevalentamong farmers and satisfaction of farmers either with farming income or its status and risk associated with farming as a profession were studied under psychological factors. Push and pull factors comprised the reasons of farm families attracting towards urban areas for achieving better employment avenues and higher social status and prestige associated with other occupations.</div>

Factors Affecting Perception of Farm Families Towards Farming as an Occupation

<div>A pot culture study was undertaken to determine the synergistic effect of bacteriocinogenic Rhizobium spp. (N8, S1, S6 and S13 isolated from mungbean fields) with Indicator Rhizobium spp. (mungbean biofertilizer) in terms of nodulation, plant growth traits and grain yield in mungbean (SML 668). Dual inoculation of bacteriocinogenic Rhizobium isolates N8 with indicator strain (indicator+N8) resulted significant increase in number of nodules (24.3 nn/plant), nodule index (1.36), nodule dry weight (23.4 mg/plant), dry weight of shoot (0.79 g/plant), dry weight of root (1.65 g/plant), chlorophyll content (1.34 mg/g of leaves), leghemoglobin content (3.43 mg/g of nodules), number of pods (15.9 /plant), number of seeds (13.8 /pods), seed set percent (86.73%), plant height (96 cm), yield (1.69 g/plant), nitrogen content of grains (4.02%) as compared to indicator strain alone. Nodule occupancy was assessed by comparing the total viable count of nodule microbiota, which demonstrated the domination of bacteriocin producers. Bacteriocinogenic Rhizobium N8 strain can be explored as potent bio-fertilizers along with indicator Rhizobium spp. in mungbean.</div>

Nodule Occupancy Behaviour of Bacteriocinogenic Rhizobium spp. in Mungbean (Vigna radiata)

<div>Background: The dairy sector is not only a source of sustainable livelihood but is also an appropriate means of socio-economic development. The present study was conducted with the aim of studying the socio-economic status of dairy farmers in the Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Information was sought from the selected respondents (616 farmers) on basis of the interview schedule using a pre-tested questionnaire regarding their family type, size and composition, literacy level, livelihood status, occupation, housing and land holding status and livestock inventory. The study period encompassed 2013 to 2017. 
 
Result: It was observed that 75.32% dairy farmers lived in nuclear families whereas the remaining 24.68% had joint families. Based on size, 22.89, 56.49 and 20.62% farmers had small, medium and large families respectively. Average nuclear and joint family was observed to have 5.07&plusmn;0.07 and 12.40&plusmn;0.40 members respectively. On an average, family comprised of 2.18&plusmn;0.05 adult males, 2.32&plusmn;0.05 adult females, 1.16&plusmn;0.05 &plusmn; male children and 0.95&plusmn;0.06 female children. The overall literacy rate of the family was 66.20&plusmn;1.04%. Dairy farming was the main occupation of 30.19% of the surveyed farmers while it was subsidiary for the remaining. Out of the total farmers surveyed, 62.66% had land while 37.34% farmers were landless. Livestock other than cattle kept by these dairy farmers included sheep, goat, poultry, horses, rabbits and buffaloes. The shift in literacy level from low level of family heads to medium level of overall family members and 100% schooling of children indicates improvement in social status of dairy farmers through various generations.</div>

Socio-economic Status of Dairy Farmers in the Srinagar District of Jammu and Kashmir

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: It is now proven by the rural women that they not only play a key role in the dairy farming but also have a significant role in the socio-economic development in India. Milk production in India is mainly concentrated on marginal and small farm size group in rural areas as a subsidiary occupation to agriculture sector. In addition to this, there are a number of organized dairy farms under the cooperatives milk producers&rsquo; union. In this country, the low genetic potential of the animals results in the high cost and low milk production. Methods: The present field-based survey work was carried out during the agricultural year 2017-18, by adopting purposive stratified simple random technique and data was collected with the help of pre-tested schedule from 80 rural dairy women respondents of eight villages from two blocks of Firozabad district to ascertain the determination of cost of milk production and contribution of rural women in dairying sector. Result: The profit margin can be increased by decreasing the cost of production. The contribution of household women in the net income of the farms was 55.39 and 55.01 percent in case of marginal and small farm, while the total of 274.08 mandays employment generated on the farms through the adoption of dairying activity. The present work will be a complementary contribution of dairy sector.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Contribution of Rural Women in Dairy Income</div>

<div>Background: Dairy farming is one of the oldest and well established subsidiary occupation and most widely adopted by all over farming community of Punjab state. Every farmer, if wish to start any entrepreneurship along with agriculture-First Think upon Dairy Farming. The latest training, new techniques and research work help in making this business work better. There is a need for substantial increase in the current yield of green fodder to provide complete and good quality feed to the animals. The current study aimed to study the effect of fly ash and phosphorous on the growth and fodder and grain yields of dual purpose oats.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Field experiments were conducted at Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda to study the effect of different levels of fly ash and phosphorous on growth and productivity of oats during rabi seasons in 2018-19 and 2019-20. The trial was laid out in split plot design with three levels of fly ash (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1) in main plot and four phosphorous levels (0, 10, 20 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) in sub plot, replicated thrice. 
 
Result: Fly ash @ 10 t ha-1 recorded highest plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index, number of effective tillers/m row length, number of seeds/spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and biological yield than control and 5 t ha-1. The per cent increase of grain yield in fly ash @ 10 t ha-1 was 8.69 and 18.11 over 5 t fly ash ha-1 and control, respectively. Phosphorous @ 40 kg P2O5 ha-1&nbsp;resulted in higher growth characters, yield attributing characters and productivity of oats. Phosphorous @ 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 (21.35 q ha-1) and 20 kg P2O5 ha-1 (20.87 q ha-1) treatments produced statistically similar grain yield of oats. Phosphorous @ 20 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded 20.29 and 23.05% higher grain yield than 0 kg P2O5 ha-1, respectively. Application of P2O5 @ 40 kg ha-1 along with application of fly ash @ 5 and 10 t ha-1 produced statistically similar fodder yield of oats. The highest grain yield (22.97 q ha-1) was recorded in plots treated with the application of P2O5 @ 40 kg ha-1 along with the application of fly ash @ 10 t ha-1 and it was statistically at par with 20 kg P2O5 ha-1 and application of fly ash @ 10 t ha-1. The highest grain yield (22.97 q ha-1) was recorded in plots applied with P2O5 @ 40 kg ha-1 along with fly ash @ 10 t ha-1 and it was statistically at par with 20 kg P2O5 ha-1 and fly ash @ 10 t ha-1.</div>

Growth and Productivity of Oats (Avena sativa L.) as Influenced by Fly Ash and Phosphorous Levels in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Background: Understanding demographic influences on consumer perception is essential for effectively positioning dairy products in competitive markets. This study examines how key demographic variables, particularly age, gender and occupation, shape consumer perceptions of milk products, including taste, healthfulness, accessibility and packaging. The research addresses existing gaps in empirical evidence on demographic-based consumer behavior within the Coimbatore district dairy sector. 
 
Methods: Primary data were collected from 47 consumers in Coimbatore District using a structured questionnaire. The responses were analyzed using cross-tabulation and chi-square tests to determine the presence and strength of associations between demographic factors and selected product attributes. Age, gender and occupation were considered as primary demographic variables. 
 
Result: The analysis revealed a significant association between age and taste preference. This indicates that age plays a critical role in shaping consumers&rsquo; milk product choices. Younger adults emerged as a dominant consumer segment with distinct taste expectations, highlighting the need for age-focused product strategies. While gender and occupation did not show strong statistical associations with most product characteristics, marginal patterns were observed in perceived availability and health-related attributes, suggesting areas for future research. Overall, the findings reinforce the importance of demographic profiling for developing consumer-driven dairy product formulations and targeted marketing strategies in the Coimbatore district. 
&nbsp;

An Empirical Study on Demographic Influences on Consumer Perception of Milk Products in Coimbatore District

<div style="text-align: justify;">India has the second largest population of the tribal population in the world. &ldquo;Gujjars&rdquo; tribes of H.P. still stick to their ancestral profession of buffalo rearing and selling of milk and milk products. Animal husbandry and dairying (AHD) signifies as the major occupation of &ldquo;Gujjars&rdquo; tribe and contribute to food, economic, environmental, institutional, health, educational, social, infrastructural, nutritional security and thus in total to the livelihood security of tribes. Even the poorest of the poor tribes often have livestock that can help them along a pathway out of poverty. Dairy animals like cattle, buffaloes and goat are important species of livestock production systems of the tribes which contribute significantly to the rural economy. This study emphasized the analysis of participation of tribal &ldquo;Gujjar&rdquo; farmers in animal husbandry occupation. The study was conducted in Una district of Himachal Pradesh. Data were collected from 80 randomly selected &ldquo;Gujjar&rdquo; farmers from two villages of Amb block and two villages of Gagret block using structured interview schedule. The participation was observed more in the aspects related to milking, feeding, health care and management, breeding and buffalo rearing.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Participation of Tribal &ldquo;Gujjar&rdquo; Farmers in Animal Husbandry and Dairying&nbsp;in Una, Himachal Pradesh</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Online purchase has a very important role to play in creating consistent demand for farmers&rsquo; products and linking them directly to final consumers. Preferences of consumers are the most important driver of online purchases that prosper the linkage between farmers and the final consumers and these preferences are vastly influenced by consumers&rsquo; socio-economic characteristics. The current study was conducted to analyse the influence of socio-economic factors on the online purchase of food products in Bangalore city.&nbsp; 
Methods: Individual cross-sectional data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire from 105 consumers of randomly selected areas of Bangalore city namely, Sahakarnagar, Judicial Layout, Yelahanka, Canara bank layout, Mahadevapura, Sanjaynagar and Jayanagar. Binary logistic regression was applied as the research method to examine the influence of socio-economic characteristics like gender, age, occupation, education, number of family members with income and income (as predictor variables) towards the online purchase of food products (as dependent&nbsp; variable).&nbsp; 
Result: Results indicated that age (negatively), number of family members earning income and monthly income (positively) significantly influenced the online purchase of food products. Other variables like education, gender (in favour of men) and occupation also influenced (positively) the outcome variable but, statistically were not significant.</div>

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Consumers Online Purchase Behavior of Food Products in Bangalore City

Background: The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus L.), is a human-commensal bird species, belonging to the order Passeriformes. The rapid changes in our lifestyle resulted in the decrease of this bird population during the past four decades. Among the various causes viz., lack of food resources, pollution pressure, indiscriminate usage of pesticides etc. Habitat loss is found to be one of the main threats for their rapid decline. Installation of artificial nest boxes was found to be the best alternatives for raising the bird population. 
 
Methods: Jangareddigudem of West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India, was chosen as the study area. The nest boxes were designed by incorporating certain modifications to the basic model specified by British Trust of Ornithology. Installation of the nest boxes was initiated from an area with moderate food resources, located towards south-west edge of the town and was expanded in to other areas in a latitudinal wise towards north and south directions. Data was collected on a regular basis to study the occupancy of the nest boxes by the house sparrows. 
 
Result: The model designed was proved to be protective from predators and also well accepted by the public. Out of 570 nests that were installed in the study area, 550 nests were occupied and being used for breeding, that comes to around 97.6% occupancy indicating the suitability and protectiveness of this model. The sparrow population in the study area has been increased with a count of sparrows from few to 300+ sparrows at each roosting site (two roosting sites) by the end of 2020 by utilizing the nest boxes.&nbsp;