Informatics Publishing Limited

Manoj P. Samuel ¹, S. Senthilvel ², A. C. Mathew ³

Affiliations
1 ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Barapani-793 103, Meghalaya, IN
2 Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, IN
3 Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod-671 124, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Rain water harvesting, irrespective of the technology used, essentially means harvesting and storing water in days of abundance, for use in lean days. It has been construed as the most sustainable method for managing water scarcity situations, incorporating all type of water demands. Though rainwater is considered as a contamination free source, human activities particularly in the industrial and agricultural sectors pollute this pure form of water. The quality of various forms of rainwater, viz. direct rainfall, rooftop water and stormwater were assessed by analysing various physico-chemical parameters. The physico-chemical characteristics of stormwater were further subjected to statistical and correlation analyses. The results showed that the direct rainwater samples collected were pure and safe as drinking water. The surface stormwater runoff samples collected from the study location, which is mainly an urban and industrialised catchment, contained undesirable amount of sediment load and other chemical parameters; most of them are not within safe limits for drinking and irrigation use. The electrical conductivity and sediment concentration in samples collected from roofs were slightly above the desirable limit for drinking purpose. The mean, standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) of various physico-chemical parameters of stormwater were computed and compared. Similarly correlation coefficients were worked out to find out the relationship amongst physico-chemical characteristics of the water samples and a large number of significant correlations were obtained.

Keywords

Rainwater Harvesting, Water Quality Assessment, Roofwater, Stormwater.

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K. Kareemulla ¹, R. Venkattakumar ¹, Manoj P. Samuel ¹

Affiliations
1 National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, IN

Abstract

Sustainability of agriculture is a matter of concern for various stakeholders. The challenges encountered by Indian agriculture are due to agro-climatic/environmental, social and economic dimensions. The sustainability strength comes due to vibrancy of these dimensions. In order to understand the regional and temporal dynamics of these dimensions, a state-level analysis of sustainability was made for two time-periods. The sustainability index estimation was based on the human development index methodology. Data for two time-periods, i.e. 2001 and 2011 were used to estimate the indices. The results revealed that in general, sustainability did not deteriorate over the reference period, although some states gained and some others lost in terms of change in the level of sustainability.

Keywords

Agricultural Sustainability, Human Development Index, Sustainability Index, State-Level Analysis.

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Manoj P. Samuel ¹, R. Kalpana Sastry ², Sai Pavani ²

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, CIFT Junction, Matsyapuri, P.O Kochi – 682029, IN
2 National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad – 500030, IN

Abstract

Standardized tools for valuation of agricultural technologies developed in National Agricultural Research System of India are featured in this study with a generalised framework. A valuation pyramid with several levels of qualitative and quantitative approaches was designed. The new framework was articulated by a case study on production of Chitin & Chitosan from crustacean waste, a technology of Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi. The value of the novel technology was calculated using various methods, customized for the specific domain. With few suppositions at every level of the process flow, the value worth of the technology was calculated using different methods. This system attempts to deliver a valuation practice which is suitable for most of the technologies coming up in the public agricultural research system.

Keywords

Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Agricultural Research System, Reproduction Cost Method, Replacement Cost Method, Competitive Advantage Valuation, IP Valuation Methods, Valuation Pyramid, Chitosan Technology, Net Present Values, Discounted Cash Flow, Surrogate Measures, Monte Carlo Method, OPT Black Scholes, Technology Life Cycle, IP Management.

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A. Suresh ¹, Manoj P. Samuel ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi 682 029, IN

Abstract

In the context of climate change, micro-irrigation (MI; drip and sprinkler systems) has the potential to address problemslike water scarcity and emission of greenhouse gases fromagriculture. The central and state governments promote MI through heavy subsidies, but without much considera-tion to supply-side factors like water harvesting, socio-economic factors, including affordability of upfront capital cost and agronomic factors like extant farming system. Despite heavy investments, MI coverage is less than 15% ofthe potential. This article contextualizes MI development in India and proposes alternative policies to achieve the twin objectives of water harvesting and its efficient usage. They include developing affordable systems,small farm orientation of technology, popula-rizing MI in canal commands, prioritization and water budgeting, harnessing circular economy in water usage, and developing institutional mechanisms. MI has the potential to serve both as an adaptation and mitigation strategy against climate change.

Keywords

Climate Change, Micro-Irrigation, Water Harvesting, Greenhouse Gases, Water-use Efficiency.

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