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Hydrometeorological extremes are becoming a significant challenge under changing climate, particularly in regions with complex terrain and high environmental sensitivity. Among these extremes, localized intense rainfall events, known as cloudbursts, have gained attention due to their sudden occurrence and ability to trigger flash floods, landslides and widespread damage. This study examines cloudburst events in Northwest India, focusing on the Himalayan states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, along with their downstream impacts on adjoining plains. The northwestern Himalaya act as hotspots for cloudbursts due to moisture transport, atmospheric instability and orographic uplift. These events can cause rapid runoff, debris flows and severe impacts on settlements, infrastructure, agriculture and ecosystems. The article highlights cloudburst mechanisms, increasing vulnerability due to land-use changes, forecasting challenges and the role of advanced technologies such as Doppler Weather Radar, satellite observations and numerical models. It also emphasizes the emerging occurrence of cloudburst-like events and other abnormal weather phenomena in traditionally less vulnerable plains regions, driven by changing climatic conditions and evolving rainfall patterns. Thus, comprehensive understanding of changing precipitation patterns, improved prediction systems and climateadaptive management approaches are essential to minimize the impacts of future extreme rainfall events across Northwest India.

Digital detox refers to voluntary and time-bound reductions in the use of digital devices or selected digital activities. Complete disconnection, however, is neither practical nor necessary for many users, particularly where smartphones support education, work, public services and agricultural advisory. Evidence from digital-detox interventions remains mixed, although targeted restrictions on selected forms of use may improve attention and wellbeing under some conditions. The value of digital detox lies less in reducing total screen time than in restoring control over when, why and how digital technologies are used. This article discusses the available evidence, the relevance of digital well-being in India, implications for agricultural extension and a simple seven-day approach for reviewing everyday digital habits.

For two decades crop genomics has run on a single reference genome per species, one plant standing in for millions. Long-read sequencing has shown that this convenient assumption discards a large share of a crop's genetic variation. A pan-genome, the combined gene content of many individuals of a species, reveals that only a fraction of genes occurs in every plant while the rest come and go between varieties: in potato, just a quarter of 51,401 pangene clusters are present in all 45 accessions examined. These presence-absence and structural variants underlie disease resistance, stress tolerance, yield and quality traits, yet they are largely invisible to a single linear reference. Graph pan-genomes, which hold every version of a region in one searchable structure, recover much of this hidden variation; in tomato they raised the average estimated heritability of 20,323 traits from 0.33 to 0.41. This article explains what a pan-genome is, how a graph reference differs from a linear one, and what it offers plant breeders working on crops from rice to chickpea.

Plant gene expression is controlled by microRNAs (miRNAs), which are small, non-coding RNA molecules with a length of 20?22 nucleotides. They function by either inhibiting translation or cleaving messenger RNA (mRNA) to silence particular target genes after transcription. miRNAs function as fine-tuners of plant growth, development, flowering, root formation and reactions to the environment because they regulate numerous crucial genes. According to recent studies, miRNAs are crucial to plant improvement initiatives. They improve nutrient uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur); help crops withstand abiotic stresses like drought, salinity, heat and cold; offer resistance against diseases caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses; and enhance yield-related traits like grain number, plant architecture and flowering time. Improved crop varieties are currently being developed using miRNA-based techniques like overexpression, knockdown (STTM/MIM), CRISPR-based editing of MIR genes and miRNA markers. Using examples from significant miRNA families like miR156, miR159, miR396, miR399 and miR482, this article summarizes the contributions and uses of plant miRNAs in crop improvement while providing a straight forward explanation of their biogenesis and activities.

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a major ecological, economic and social challenge for communities living near forests and protected areas. Forest-fringe farmers are particularly vulnerable because their livelihoods depend on agriculture, livestock and natural resources, while wildlife frequently enters agricultural landscapes in search of food, water and shelter. Crop damage, livestock depredation, property damage and threats to human safety can cause considerable economic losses and influence farmers' knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and willingness to coexist with wildlife. Farmers also develop different coping strategies based on local experience, available resources and the wildlife species involved. Common measures include field guarding, fencing, trenches, lights, noise, changes in cropping patterns, early harvesting, collective protection. This review examines farmers' knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and coping strategies towards HWC in different regions of India, including Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. The reviewed studies indicate that the intensity and nature of HWC vary according to local ecological, socioeconomic and agricultural conditions. Effective conflict management requires improved awareness, community participation, preventive measures and stronger coordination between farmers and forest authorities.

Microalgae as an emerging multipurpose biological resource can be used in sectors including aquaculture, food, feed, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels. It is able to synthesize a variety of active substances, such as proteins and lipids. Further, various techniques for mass culture are available, and hence, it is an attractive option for large scale production. Good biomass production is possible by choosing suitable cultivation conditions and systems of culture according to characteristics of the species and target application. Equally important are the downstream steps of biomass harvesting and drying that impact the quality, cost, and usability of the final products.

The Valmiki Tiger Reserve is the only tiger reserve in the state of Bihar, and it is the green heart of Bihar; located in the Terai arc landscape of North India, which supports diverse flora and fauna. The reserve consists of Sal forests that are very dense, grasslands, wetlands and riverine habitats. It is considered as home to the Royal Bengal Tiger as well as many other species, and its ecosystem provides important services for climate, air, soil and water. It has numerous values beyond ecology supports scientific research, environmental education, eco-tourism and local people?s livelihood. The long-term conservation of the state?s heart zone sustained environmental health and sustainable development through the flora and fauna.

Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Coleb. (Indian frankincense or Salai) is a valuable medicinal and aromatic tree species of the family Burseraceae, widely distributed in the dry deciduous forests of India. The species is renowned for its gum resin, essential oils and diverse therapeutic properties, particularly in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for treating inflammatory disorders, arthritis, respiratory ailments, gastrointestinal diseases and skin conditions. Besides its medicinal importance, the resin is utilized in the production of incense, varnishes, turpentine and pharmaceutical products. Despite its economic and ecological significance, B. serrata faces threats from poor natural regeneration, habitat degradation, climate change and unsustainable resin extraction. Sustainable harvesting, improved propagation, genetic conservation and effective management strategies are essential for its long-term conservation and utilization.

Toxicity is often associated with inherently dangerous or synthetic substances, while familiar foods, herbs, medicines, and household ingredients are generally perceived as safe. However, the fundamental principle of toxicology is that the effect of any substance largely depends on its dose. This article explores the concept that ?the dose makes the poison? through several everyday examples, including water, salt, caffeine, spices, herbs, tea, garlic, lemon juice, and bananas. It highlights how substances that may provide nutritional or beneficial effects at appropriate levels can produce adverse effects when consumed excessively or inappropriately. The article also examines common misconceptions surrounding natural products, vitamins, herbal and Ayurvedic preparations, medicines, and traditional home remedies, emphasizing that natural origin does not inherently guarantee safety. Particular attention is given to the growing influence of health-related misinformation on social media and the tendency to follow unverified recommendations. By connecting fundamental toxicological principles with familiar experiences, this article aims to promote greater awareness of dose-dependent toxicity and encourage rational, informed, and responsible consumption of everyday substances.

Cobia (Rachycentron canadum), commonly known as black kingfish, lemon fish or ling, is a fast-growing, warm-water pelagic finfish that has emerged as one of the most promising candidate species for marine cage culture. Prized for its firm, pinkish-white flesh and high market demand, cobia combines rapid growth, a favourable feed conversion ratio, adaptability to captive breeding, and suitability for offshore cage farming (Abdul-Nazar et al., 2019). Globally, China and Taiwan dominate production, while in India the first successful captive breeding and seed production was achieved in 2010 by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Mandapam Regional Centre (Gopakumar et al., 2011). This article presents an overview of the biology, habitat and distribution of cobia, followed by a systematic account of its culture practices, spanning broodstock development, induced spawning, larval rearing, nursery and grow-out phases, harvesting, and the major disease and management challenges faced in cage aquaculture. The discussion underscores cobia's potential to strengthen and diversify India's mariculture sector, while highlighting the biosecurity and site-selection challenges that must be addressed for sustainable expansion.

Lisianthus is an elegant, high-value speciality cut flower of the Gentianaceae family, valued for its rose-like blooms, diverse colours, strong stems, multiple buds and excellent vase life. Native to the southern United States, northern Mexico and the Caribbean, it has gained global importance through advances in breeding, protected cultivation and postharvest management. Precise control of temperature, light, irrigation, nutrition and humidity enables premium-quality stem production. Rising demand from weddings, luxury bouquets, hotels, events and premium flower markets offers promising opportunities for Lisianthus cultivation in India. With scientific crop management, quality planting material and efficient market linkages, holds strong potential as a profitable speciality cut flower crop.

The seed production method in cross-pollinated crops is planned in a way that allows for the retention of excellent seed quality and genetic purity in species where pollination is by either wind, insects, or other vectors. The specialized production method is applied to lessen unnecessary cross-pollination and retain desirable characteristics because these crops are subject to extensive genetic blending. Isolated distances are applied to prevent contamination from other crops in nearby fields. Generally, the technology for seed production of cross-pollinated crops uses genetic, agronomic, and climatic principles to offer optimal and genetically stable seeds to support agricultural productivity and improved plant development.

Home gardens are sustainable agroforestry systems that integrate trees, crops, and sometimes livestock to enhance household livelihood and environmental sustainability. However, they are vulnerable to threats such as stray animals, soil erosion, strong winds, and unauthorized access. Live fences provide a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution by protecting home gardens while offering multiple benefits, including timber, fuelwood, fodder, biodiversity conservation, soil and water conservation, and carbon sequestration. This article discusses the importance, benefits, limitations, and establishment of live fences and highlights suitable plant species for different land-use systems. Adoption of live fencing can significantly improve the productivity, resilience, and sustainability of home gardens.

Globalization refers to the interconnectedness of countries in terms of trade, technology, food, and all social aspects. Globalization has become a boon in many aspects at the same time it is creating much nuisance in terms of human health and plant health and is causing major differences in national income. Globalization is leading to the unintentional introduction of many plant diseases, which is causing major loss in the field as well as postharvest conditions. The government of India has enacted many laws to control such unintentional introduction of plant diseases, pests, and weeds. Citizens should follow these regulations to avoid the unintentional introduction of such species that are harmful to Indian crops.

Integrated farming systems have become one of the promising areas of agricultural development, increasing farm productiveness and profitability. Over the years, the issues of land fragmentation, climate change, rising input costs, and volatile prices have necessitated the need for farmers to adopt multiple cropping agricultural systems that are more profitable. Integrated livestock systems have been characterized by combined farm enterprises where interactions between elements take place, resulting in the synergistic use of resources and recycling. Integrated livestock systems offer tremendous potential for recycling farm nutrients, conserving resources, and sustaining farm income. This paper discusses the concept, importance, components, economic and environmental benefits, and role in climate resilience and food security of diversification into integrated livestock systems with reference to the available literature.

India is among the world's largest producers and consumers of fruits and vegetables, yet pesticide residue contamination in these commodities remains a significant and under addressed challenge to food safety, public health and export competitiveness. This article examines the current status of pesticide residues in Indian horticultural produce, drawing on national food safety surveillance data, export rejection records and published residue monitoring studies. High-risk commodities including okra, brinjal, chilli, tomato, grapes and leafy vegetables consistently show maximum residue limit (MRL) violations in monitoring surveys, with organophosphates, pyrethroids and carbamates among the most frequently detected classes above permissible levels. The article discusses the human health implications of acute and chronic pesticide exposure, with particular concern for children, farm workers and populations in high-intensity pesticide-use regions. It evaluates the regulatory framework governing pesticide use and residue standards in India, encompassing the roles of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Key drivers of persistent MRL violations, including pre-harvest interval (PHI) non-compliance, pesticide overdosing, extension failures and market incentives for cosmetically perfect produce are analysed. The article further outlines evidence-based solutions including integrated pest management (IPM), Good Horticulture Practices (GHP), Bharat GAP certification, residue testing at packhouse level and targeted farmer education. The article concludes that reducing pesticide residues in Indian produce demands a coordinated response from farmers, regulators, markets and consumers, and that the tools to achieve safe, residue-compliant horticulture are already available what is needed is the institutional will and financial commitment to deploy them at scale.

Climate change is gradually affecting livestock health, productivity, and reproductive efficiency through rising temperatures, altered rainfall, droughts, floods, and other environmental stresses. Heat stress adversely affects both female and male reproduction by disrupting hormonal balance, estrus expression, ovarian function, embryo development, spermatogenesis, and semen quality. Buffalo bulls are particularly vulnerable because their spermatozoa are highly susceptible to oxidative damage caused by increased reactive oxygen species. These reproductive losses can compromise sustainable livestock production and food security. Effective adaptation measures include genetic selection for heat tolerance, provision of shade and cooling systems, nutritional management, antioxidant supplementation, and reproductive interventions such as hormonal synchronization and fixed-time artificial insemination. Integrating these approaches can improve thermotolerance, reproductive performance, and climate resilience in livestock production systems.

Goats sustain millions of small, marginal and landless households in India, yet farm performance stays well below what the same animals achieve under better management. This article argues that the binding constraint is the production system rather than the goat. It discusses ten field-level bottlenecks (feed scarcity, kid mortality, disease, parasitism, unplanned breeding, poor housing, heat stress, absent records, weak markets and limited value addition) and the affordable, science-based corrections for each, together with the emerging tools of precision goat farming.

Farmers have sprayed rice fields by hand for generations, and for good reason: it is costeffective and does not need much equipment. But walking through standing water with a knapsack sprayer strapped to your back is slow work, and once the canopy thickens up, getting even coverage becomes a significant challenge. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are changing that picture. UAV carries its own spray tank, follows a route the operator sets in advance, and releases a fine mist over the crop without anyone needing to set foot in the mud. Get the flight height, speed, nozzle choice, spray volume and weather right, and the deposition and pest control can be genuinely impressive, all while cutting down on labour and the physical toll of walking through a dense crop. However, a drone is not a wholesale substitute for the sprayer already in the shed. Cost is steep at the outset, pilots need real training, rules vary by region, batteries run out faster than anyone would like, wind complicates things, and dense lower canopies can still hide pests from an aerial spray pattern. Where this technology is headed next is toward smarter operators, better spray hardware, and drones working alongside sensors and decision-support tools rather than standing in as a stand-alone fix.

The Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way agricultural financial system through providing data driven insight for taking important financial decision by the service providers. These data along with the traditional physical records are then used by the lenders for examine and assessing the creditworthiness, repayment ability, claim settlement process of the farmers. AI can shift agricultural financial risk management from a reactive approach, to a proactive approach based on early detection, prediction and timely intervention. The current article examines how AI is utilising by the companies in order to improve access to finance.

Kokum (Garcinia indica) is an indigenous fruit of the Konkan region whose seed kernel yields kokum butter, a valuable yet underutilised plant fat. Its unique fatty-acid profile and desirable melting and structuring properties make it a promising ingredient for vegan butter and other plant-based foods. This article highlights its nutritional and functional properties, traditional and modern extraction techniques, reasons for its underutilisation, and emerging opportunities in sustainable vegan food formulations.

Agriculture is undergoing a radical paradigm shift as Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies-including autonomous robotics, multi-spectral drones, IoT sensor networks, and fintech platforms-replace physical force with digital precision and data-driven management. Historically, agricultural systems relied on human and animal muscle power, creating a structural gender gap that disadvantaged women due to a physical brawn bias, lack of land title collateral, and exclusion from extension services. This paper examines how modern Ag-Tech acts as a technological equalizer, neutralizing physical labor constraints, automating heavy field operations, and enabling remote analytical farm management. Beyond field operations, digital connectivity, mobile banking, and e-commerce networks bypass traditional land ownership barriers and intermediary market exploitation, allowing women to secure capital and trade directly. However, unlocking these full equity benefits requires proactive policy measures to bridge the emerging digital gender divide in rural smartphone ownership and digital literacy. Ultimately, shifting agricultural operations from ?muscle to motherboard? transforms female producers from under-resourced manual laborers into high-efficiency enterprise managers, boosting global crop yields by 20% to 30% and strengthening global food security.

Bacterial diseases, which affect the health, production efficiency, and economic sustainability of aquaculture, are becoming an increasing problem. Meanwhile, the widespread use and misuse of antimicrobial agents have also been responsible for the spread and emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, highlighting the need to find safer and more effective ways to manage diseases. Bacteriophages are viruses that target bacterial cells and are being studied more and more for biological approaches. There are many anti-phage defence mechanisms in bacteria, which can prevent phage adsorption, inhibit genome injection, degrade phage nucleic acids, and end infected cells before productive phage replication. In response, bacteriophages are constantly developing defenses such as production of depolymerase, nucleic acid modification and anti-CRISPR mechanisms, as well as diversification of receptors to which they bind. Bacteriophages, in turn, are constantly evolving defenses, such as the ability to produce depolymerases, to modify nucleic acids, and to provide anti-CRISPR mechanisms, while they are evolving the ability to bind to different receptors. This co-evolution is an ?arms race' that affects the dynamics of bacterial populations, the diversity of phages, and the success of phage therapy interventions. This article discusses the phases of the evolutionary arms race between bacteria and phages, their application to aquaculture disease management, and the potential of phages for sustainable management of aquatic animal diseases.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that spreads through water contaminated by the urine of infected animals, especially rodents. In India, cases surge every monsoon season as heavy rains, flooding, and poor drainage create ideal conditions for the bacteria to survive and spread. This article explains how leptospirosis spreads, why it is closely linked to the monsoon, who is most at risk, and what can be done to prevent and control outbreaks.

Rapid urban growth is changing how humans interact with animals and the environment. Recent studies show that cities and their edges can concentrate pathogens that jump from animals to people, especially in soils, parks, and transition zones between wild and built areas. This article explains how urbanisation can increase zoonotic disease risk and how a One Health approach can help cities grow safely.

The growing environmental concerns associated with the petroleum-based plastics has increased the interest in sustainable bioplastics. Bioplastics has potential to reduce the dependence on fossil resources, lower the emissions of greenhouse gases, and mitigate the plastic pollution. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the classification, properties, and degradation pathways of bioplastics, along with their applications in food packaging, agriculture, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors. This article highlights the need for ?safe-by-design? bioplastics, materials engineered from the start to support a truly circular bioeconomy.

Climate change, declining soil fertility, water scarcity and malnutrition are interconnected challenges confronting modern agriculture. Millet-based agroforestry systems offer a promising nature-based approach that can address these challenges simultaneously by combining nutrient-dense, climate-resilient cereal crops with trees. Millets are characterized by short duration, relatively low water requirements and tolerance to heat and moisture stress. Their cultivation can contribute to climate-change mitigation through biomass production, carbon fixation, root-derived carbon inputs and the return of crop residues to the soil. When integrated with trees, these benefits are strengthened because carbon is stored in both above- and below-ground biomass and in soil organic carbon pools. Agroforestry systems can also improve nutrient cycling, reduce erosion and enhance soil biological activity. From a nutritional perspective, millets are rich sources of dietary fibre, minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids and bioactive compounds, making them valuable for dietary diversification and nutritional security. Thus, millet-based agroforestry represents more than an alternative cropping system: it is a strategy for building resilient farms, healthier diets and more sustainable soils.

Plant tissue culture is an important biotechnology for rapid multiplication, production of disease-free planting material and improvement and conservation of crop plants. The process involves in vitro culture of plant cells, tissues or organs on suitable nutrient media and provides powerful techniques like micropropagation, somatic embryogenesis, embryo rescue, haploid production and in vitro selection for crop improvement. Plant tissue culture has been increasingly used for the regeneration of plants difficult to propagate by seed and for facilitating rapid multiplication schemes. Further, plant tissue culture techniques can be employed to support modern biotechnological approaches like genetic transformation and genome editing. Thus, despite challenges posed by contamination, browning and genotype specificity, tissue culture has great potential to supplement traditional breeding methods for the development of improved varieties with higher yield, disease resistance and climatic adaptation.

The increasing occurrence of bacterial diseases in freshwater aquaculture has become a major concern due to the substantial economic losses affecting the fisheries sector. Bacteriocin-producing probiotics have emerged as a promising approach for reducing fish mortality and disease incidence, as they are generally regarded as safe and produce fewer side effects compared to conventional treatments. In aquaculture, it is crucial to understand the mode of action by which bacteriocins are effective against pathogens in order to utilize them as a biopesticide, particularly as a prophylactic biopesticide. Antibiotics, chemotherapy and vaccination are usually the techniques used, but they may have negative effects on cultured organisms and the aquatic environment and are not often used in field conditions. These bacteriocins are environmentally friendly alternative to chemical treatment in the freshwater aquaculture industry for bacterial disease management if properly up used. Bacteriocins and their modes of action against the major pathogens of the aquaculture industry are emphasized.

Weeds are one of the most serious biotic constraints to rice production. In India, where rice serves as staple crop, weed can cause yield losses anywhere from half to nearly four-fifths through competition for nutrients, water, and light. Integrated Weed Management (IWM) offers a way around this problem by combining several approaches at once: prevention, cultural methods, mechanical tools, careful chemical application, and biological controls, all working together to keep weed populations under the threshold where they'd cause real economic damage. This layered approach also cuts down on how much farmers need to rely on herbicides, labour, and inputs that strain both budgets and the environment, while slowing the pace at which weeds develop resistance. For smallholder farmers working lowland rice systems, this framework offers a realistic, low-input route toward better and more consistent yields. This article highlights and recommends adaptive, site-specific combinations to combat evolving weed challenges in modern rice agriculture.

Agriculture and nature conservation are deeply interconnected because agricultural productivity depends heavily on healthy ecosystems and biodiversity. However, modern intensive agricultural practices have resulted in habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, water pollution and climate change. In response to these challenges, researchers and policymakers have increasingly emphasized the integration of conservation principles into agricultural systems. This review paper examines the relationship between agriculture and nature conservation by synthesizing findings from fifteen major research papers and review articles related to agroecology, conservation agriculture, agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, climate resilience, and farmer participation. The review highlights the role of farmers as custodians of natural resources and discusses how sustainable agricultural practices contribute to environmental protection while maintaining food security and rural livelihoods. The paper also evaluates challenges such as economic limitations, policy barriers, lack of awareness and climate uncertainty that hinder the adoption of conservation-oriented farming. The recommendations are proposed to strengthen the integration of conservation and agriculture through policy reforms, financial incentives, farmer education, and community participation. The findings indicate that sustainable farming systems can support biodiversity conservation, improve ecosystem services, and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.

The recent breakthrough discovery with the suggested hypothesis of Dark Oxygen Production (DOP) led by Andrew Sweetman at the Scottish Association for Marine Science, United Kingdom in 2024 has sparked a debate amongst many science enthusiasts and specialists, leading to many critiques and arguments. Like every coin has two sides, this ?new? mechanism of dark oxygen production also unfolds at two fronts-one of exciting possibilities and other of careful skepticism. The new discovery has raised serious doubts or concerns about their observations. This article presents these observations about dark oxygen production.

Animal husbandry is one of the most feminized sectors of Indian agriculture and serves as a major source of livelihood, nutrition, and income for rural households. Women play a pivotal role across the livestock value chain, particularly in dairy farming, goat and sheep rearing, backyard poultry, and piggery. Women contribute substantially to livestock feeding, fodder collection, shed cleaning, animal healthcare, milking, processing, and marketing. Despite their significant contribution, they continue to face structural constraints related to ownership of productive assets, institutional credit, veterinary and extension services, improved technologies, markets, and decision-making. This paper examines the emerging role of women-led Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Women?s Dairy Cooperative Societies (WDCS), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and gender-responsive government programmes in strengthening women?s participation in livestock-based enterprises. Women-led FPOs and cooperatives facilitate collective procurement, aggregation, processing, value addition, marketing, technical support, and access to institutional finance. Initiatives such as DAYNRLM, National Livestock Mission, Rashtriya Gokul Mission, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Kisan Credit Card, and Nandini Sahakar, along with interventions by ICAR-CIWA, have expanded opportunities for women?s entrepreneurship and leadership. The convergence of SHGs, FPOs, cooperatives, community-based extension systems, and digital technologies is creating new pathways for women-led livestock enterprises. Strengthening asset ownership, financial and digital inclusion, leadership, climate-smart practices, women-friendly technologies, insurance, incubation, and market linkages will be critical. A coordinated gender-responsive institutional ecosystem is essential to transform women into recognized livestock entrepreneurs, producers, and decision-makers, thereby promoting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth of India?s animal husbandry sector.

Women constitute a significant proportion of the agricultural workforce and contribute extensively to crop production, livestock management and household food security. Despite their active involvement in farming activities, their participation in key agricultural decisions remains limited. Decision-making power is an important indicator of empowerment as it influences resource allocation, technology adoption, productivity and household welfare. However, factors such as limited land ownership, restricted access to credit and extension services, low educational attainment and prevailing socio-cultural norms continue to constrain women's role in agricultural decision-making. The study emphasizes that improving women's access to productive resources, information and institutional support can enhance agricultural productivity, promote gender equality and contribute to sustainable rural development.

Translucent Post-Larval Disease (TPD) is an emerging bacterial disease that poses a significant threat to the hatchery production of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). The disease mainly affects early post-larval stages (PL2?PL7) and is characterized by a translucent body, pale hepatopancreas, empty gut, reduced feeding, and rapid mortality. Virulent strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus carrying the aerolysin toxin gene are considered the primary causative agents, while Baishivirus has also been implicated in some outbreaks. Although no confirmed large-scale outbreaks have been reported in India, the risk of disease introduction necessitates continuous surveillance and strong hatchery biosecurity. Early diagnosis using molecular techniques and the adoption of preventive management practices are essential for minimizing disease outbreaks and ensuring sustainable shrimp seed production.

The expansion of human activities beyond low Earth orbit will require sustainable approaches to food production and life-support, particularly for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars. Astrobotany and space agriculture provide a foundation for developing plant-based systems capable of producing fresh food while contributing to atmospheric regeneration, water recycling, and crew well-being. This article reviews the biological and technological challenges associated with cultivating plants beyond Earth, with particular emphasis on microgravity, partial gravity, ionising radiation, altered atmospheric conditions, restricted root-zone environments, and plant?microbe interactions. It further examines the progression of plant research from early orbital experiments to advanced cultivation platforms such as NASA?s Veggie system and Advanced Plant Habitat aboard the International Space Station. Key approaches for extraterrestrial crop production, including hydroponics, aeroponics, substrate-based cultivation, precision LED lighting, and closed-loop resource recycling, are discussed. The selection of suitable crops is also considered in relation to growth duration, nutritional value, biomass productivity, resource-use efficiency, and space constraints. Beyond food production, plants have potential roles within bioregenerative life-support systems through carbon dioxide fixation, oxygen generation, and water recycling, although current systems remain insufficient to replace conventional life-support technologies completely. The article also highlights how technologies developed for space cultivation, including controlled-environment agriculture, sensor-based monitoring, resource-efficient hydroponics, and precision lighting, can contribute to sustainable agriculture on Earth. Future lunar and Martian cultivation will depend on advances in automation, radiation protection, microbial management, resource recycling, and reliable multi-crop production. Thus, space agriculture represents not only a pathway toward sustainable human exploration beyond Earth but also an important research frontier for developing resilient, resource-efficient agricultural systems on our home planet.

Phospholipids are fascinating natural compounds that occur in many foods, including milk, dairy products, eggs, meat, seafood, and plant-based foods. Although they are present in relatively small amounts, their importance extends far beyond their quantity. Dairy phospholipids, particularly those associated with the milk fat globule membrane, possess unique nutritional and functional properties and are attracting increasing attention for their potential roles in brain health, gut health, lipid metabolism, and overall well-being. They also act as natural emulsifiers, making them valuable ingredients for developing innovative and functional foods. This article explores the major dietary sources of phospholipids, with special emphasis on dairy sources, their key health benefits, and their growing applications in the food and health sectors. Understanding these naturally occurring ?hidden treasures? of milk can open new avenues for their sustainable utilization and value addition. Dairy phospholipids represent a promising link between nature, nutrition, and the future of functional foods.

Millets were described as a diverse group of small-grained cereal grasses belonging to the family Poaceae and were classified into major and minor categories based on grain size. Millets were commonly referred to as coarse grains and were believed to be among the earliest crops domesticated by humans. Recently, the incorporation of millets into food products has gained attention. However, for incorporation of millets in food products, it is vital to understand the starches of millets, their characteristics and how they influence the product quality. Based upon these starch characteristics, one can choose the right millet starch for a particular application. These aspect of millet starches are discussed in this article.

Soil acidification is a pervasive and progressive form of land degradation that constrains agricultural productivity worldwide. It results from natural pedogenic processes together with anthropogenic drivers such as nitrogen fertilization, legume cultivation, and acid deposition. This article synthesizes current understanding of the chemical mechanisms of soil acidification, its consequences for crop production and ecosystem health, and the amendment technologies now supported by global and Indian evidence for its mitigation.

Rapid urbanization has replaced natural landscapes with concrete infrastructure, leading to reduced green cover, higher temperatures, air pollution and biodiversity loss. The Miyawaki method has emerged as an effective urban greening approach by establishing dense, native mini-forests that replicate natural ecosystems. Unlike conventional tree planting, it promotes rapid growth and develops self-sustaining forests within a few years. These microforests mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and enhance biodiversity by providing habitat for birds, butterflies and beneficial insects. In addition to ecological restoration, they create valuable green spaces that improve community well-being and contribute to the development of healthier, more sustainable and climate-resilient cities.