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Trichoderma is a genus of filamentous fungi widely recognized for its role as an effective and eco-friendly biocontrol agent in sustainable agriculture. Major species such as Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride, and Trichoderma longibrachiatum have been extensively studied and utilized for the management of various plant pathogens. The bio control potential of Trichoderma is attributed to multiple mechanisms including myco-parasitism, competition for nutrients space, produce of antifungal metabolites and induction of systemic resistance in plants. It produces enzymes such as chitinases, glucanases, and proteases that degrade the cell walls of pathogenic fungi. Additionally Trichoderma enhances plant growth by improving nutrient uptake producing plant growth-promoting substances and increasing tolerance to abiotic stresses. Unlike chemical pesticides Trichoderma based formulations are biodegradable, non-toxic, and safe for humans, animals, and beneficial organisms. Its application reduces environmental pollution and supports the development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. Due to its versatility sustainability and effectiveness Trichoderma has become an important component of modern agriculture aimed at reducing chemical inputs and promoting soil health.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), also known as linkage disequilibrium (LD) mapping, have emerged as a powerful approach for dissecting complex quantitative traits in crop plants. This method exploits historical recombination and natural genetic diversity to identify marker-trait associations with high resolution. Unlike traditional QTL mapping, GWAS utilizes diverse germplasm panels and high-density molecular markers to detect loci controlling agronomic, stress tolerance, and quality traits. The approach integrates precise phenotyping, genome-wide genotyping, population structure analysis, and statistical modeling to identify significant genomic regions. GWAS has contributed substantially to crop improvement through marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and exploitation of novel alleles from diverse germplasm. Despite challenges such as population stratification and limited detection of rare alleles, advancements in high-throughput sequencing and phenotyping technologies are enhancing its effectiveness. Future integration of genomic and phenomic datasets will further accelerate gene discovery and the development of climateresilient and high-yielding crop varieties.

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a key reform in India?s agricultural risk management system, providing insurance coverage against crop losses due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases. With low premium rates and wide coverage, the scheme aims to stabilize farmers? income, promote improved practices, and enhance food security. It has expanded significantly, covering millions of farmers and utilizing technologies such as digital platforms and direct benefit transfer for efficient implementation. Evidence indicate that PMFBY has helped reduce income variability and improve farmers? resilience to climate risks. However, issues like delays in claim settlement, declining participation in some regions, and limited farmer awareness continue to affect its performance. Strengthening coordination, transparency, and awareness is essential for improving its effectiveness.

Sorghum bicolor is an important cereal crop used for both grain and fodder. However, its productivity is greatly constrained by insect pests, with over 150 species recorded. Among which the sorghum shoot fly is one of the most destructive during the early crop stage. The pest attacks young seedlings and damages the central growing point, leading to the formation of ?dead heart? symptoms, which results in poor plant population and significant reduction in grain as well as fodder yield. Considering the economic importance of this pest, article presents a comprehensive information regarding its life cycle, ecology, damaging symptoms, alternate host plants, economic threshold levels, yield losses and management strategies, along with the major challenges and limitations associated with its control.

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), known as an ancient, drought-resistant grain, excels in marginal lands with short growth cycles of 60-90 days and low water needs (300-500 mm rainfall). Rich in protein (11-14g/100g), fiber, iron, and gluten-free properties, it supports nutrition amid climate challenges and India's Shree Anna promotion. The article highlights shoot fly (Atherigona spp.) as a key pest causing "dead heart" damage, recommending IPM strategies like timely sowing, neem biopesticides, and seed treatments for sustainable yields

Agroforestry is a sustainable and multifunctional land-use system that integrates trees, crops, and livestock to enhance ecological stability, economic productivity, and social wellbeing. This article provides a comprehensive overview of agroforestry, highlighting its major systems, ecological functions, and socio-economic benefits. Agroforestry systems, including agrisilvicultural, silvopastoral, and agrisilvopastoral models, are designed to optimize resource use efficiency while mimicking natural ecosystems. The study emphasizes the critical role of agroforestry in improving soil fertility, conserving biodiversity, regulating microclimate, and sequestering carbon, thereby contributing significantly to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Furthermore, agroforestry enhances livelihood security by diversifying income sources, generating employment, and reducing risks associated with market and climatic uncertainties. The paper also discusses the relevance of agroforestry in the Indian context, including traditional practices and policy initiatives such as the National Agroforestry Policy (2014). Despite its numerous advantages, challenges such as policy constraints, lack of awareness, market limitations, and technical issues hinder its widespread adoption. The article concludes by underscoring the future potential of agroforestry in achieving sustainable development goals through technological innovations, supportive policies, and increased research efforts.

The women are the backbone of agricultural workforce but worldwide their contribution has been unpaid. Women of landless labour and marginal farm families are the poorest, bearing a heavy burden of work in cultivation of crops along with all household tasks. Identifying gender issues and testing available farm technology for women perspective aimed at improving the status of women in term of increasing employment and enhancing income levels. Most of the farm families in Odisha belong to marginal farmers and landless agricultural labours. Assessment of technology in women perspective is being one of the thrust areas of ICAR-CIWA, were focussed under one SCSP programme in villages i.e. Kantabania, Lokapal and Chhotijodi village, Kanas of Puri district of Odisha. Keeping the problems and needs of the farm women in view gender friendly technologies like backward poultry farming mushroom cultivation, homestead nutritional garden, Custom Hiring Centre (sewing machine), vermi composting, drudgery reducing small tools and impediments, were tested among 100 farm women clientele of 10 SHG. The detail techno-economic assessment of these interventions found that a backyard poultry unit of 30 birds can generate on an average of net profit Rs.25,500/- in a year. Mushroom cultivation can generate an avg. of Rs 16000- 17500/- per 100 of bed in one month. From homestead nutrition garden farm women can get 7.0 kg vegetable per sqm. From sewing of bags and dresses the group earn Rs.40,000 per month at CHC. From 5 vermicompost bed women produce 8 q of manure in 6 months. Use of small and implements like Improves sickle, garden hoe, cultivar, hand hoe, automatic battery-operated sprayer, axe bill hook increased work efficiency, reduces drudgery and alternatively increases the productivity of farm women.

Sh. Suram Singh, S/o Sh. Pola Singh, village-Bassan is an Adopted Seed Rearer (ASR) having 6.25 acres of land and cultivating wheat and maize, along with dairy farming. He is a very enthusiastic ASR with immense interest in bivoltine seed rearing and always strives to enhance his seed rearing capacity. For this purpose, he remains in close contact with the Incharge of CSB-SSPC, Udhampur. He has expressed that this activity has significantly enhanced his financial stability. Apart from sericulture, he also earns his livelihood through traditional farming practices such as agriculture and animal husbandry, which provide additional support to his family?s income.

Bees are essential contributors to pollination processes in agricultural and horticultural ecosystems, directly affecting crop productivity, produce quality, and overall ecosystem health. This article provides a broad review of bee pollination, focusing on bee diversity, basic taxonomy, key identification features, and their distribution across farmland, horticultural fields, forests, and grassland habitats. Both India and other regions of the world support a wide range of bee species, underlining their ecological value and economic relevance. Scientific studies clearly demonstrate that pollination by bees leads to noticeable improvements in yield and quality in important crops such as mustard, sunflower, cotton, tomato, apple, pumpkin, and various vegetable seed crops. Bee pollination should therefore be recognized as a vital ecological input rather than an incidental or cost-free service, as it supports sustainable farming systems, food security, and ecological balance. At the same time, the growing use of chemical pesticides, especially neonicotinoids and pyrethroids, has emerged as a major threat to bee populations, negatively influencing their foraging activity, colony strength, and long-term survival. Protecting both managed and wild bees is essential to ensure stable crop production and the sustainability of agro-ecosystems.