Introduction

A Glimpse Agriculture may be defined as an integrated system of techniques to control the growth and harvesting of animal and vegetables. It is an uncomplicated endeavor comprising of technical and practical processes that helps in the maintenance of the ecological balance and protects human resources; and most importantly it is a viable food production system. Human beings started practicing farming/cultivation some 10,000 years ago. Since then, agriculture as a practice and as a process have undergone substantial changes which have had consequential impact on human progress and lifestyle. Over the ages these developments in agriculture have radically transformed human ecology, society, organizations, demography and even art and religion and have to a certain extent determined the course of scientific progression. Early men gave up their hunter-gatherer lifestyle after they started cultivation of plants as well as domestication animals. Rapid developments were witnessed over the years though technology and crop enhancement options were not available during the successive periods. With the industrial revolution, the entire facet of agriculture changed. The development and easy availability of agricultural techniques led to increased agricultural productivity. The industrial revolution is thus immediately followed by the agricultural revolution across the world. Since then variety has been noticed leading to a boom in the agro products sector, thereby giving birth to innumerable companies, organizations, institutes and more. With the introduction of eco-friendly pesticides and fertilizers, crop yields increased to a remarkable level. The early 20th century witnessed the usage of synthetic nitrogen, along with mined rock phosphate, pesticides and mechanization including the synthesizing of ammonium nitrate. Rice, wheat, and corn were the main crops that gave the best yield, thus introducing the Green Revolution. Export of technologies, pesticides and fertilizers from the developed countries to the developing countries, further increased the yields in all regions almost equally. Organic farming, a concept introduced in the 1900s, that overused pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, stayed dormant for several decades. This was because the cultivation process damaged the long-term fertility of the soil. The European Union first certified organic food in 1991 and then began research, exploration, use of alternative technologies like integrated pest management and selective breeding. Today the markets of developed and also developing countries across the world are flooded with genetically modified food. Forms of Agriculture Depending upon the purpose for which food is produced and livestock is raised, agriculture can be divided into two groups. These two are:

Subsistence Agriculture: This form of agriculture can be definedas production of a certain amount of food that is enough to sustain the family producing food. The farmer engaged in such type of farming does not produce in order to sell the food to the market, but retains it for himself and his family. It is very rare to have surplus amount of produce in subsistence agriculture and therefore there is no scope for any commercial profit. Subsistence agriculture is practiced without buying any fertilizers. This type of agriculture can survive for a longer duration in those area where there is sparse population; but in densely populated areas, it can have serious repercussions in the form of damage to the environment and depletion of soil nutrients Commercial Agriculture: The practice of producing crops and raising livestock for the purpose of selling the end products in the market for gaining monetary benefits is termed as 'commercial agriculture'. It is defined as the production of those products and commodities that can be consumed by the end users through wholesale and retail distribution. Commercial agriculture includes raising of livestock but does not include crops that are grown solely for consumption within the household. Environmental Impact of Agriculture It has been observed that intensive farming can alter the natural environment leading to some major problems. Following are the ways by which agriculture can affect nature: Increasing area being brought under cultivation can have a negative impact on the wildlife and can completely reduce wildlife habitat Surplus use of fertilizers can pollute rivers and lakes It can hugely affect the flora and fauna There can be depletion of mineral in the soil Agriculture can also create bad odor from the agricultural wastes It can lead to soil erosion. Various Kinds of Agricultural Practices Farmers in India and around the world have now resorted to more advanced techniques in farming that can lessen the environmental degradation. The various forms of agricultural practices are:

Organic Agriculture: In this form of agriculture, one largely does away with synthetic or man made fertilizers and pesticides and adopts those techniques which are ecologically sustainable by using biological rocesses. This is done mainly to have a fertile soil and a healthy livestock Industrial Agriculture: It is defined as a modernized form of farming in which the

farmer uses the services of advanced machines and tractors instead of labour of humans and animals. The method of industrial agriculture is used mostly in the developed countries. The method of industrial agriculture comprise constant innovation in farming methods and agricultural machinery

Crop Agriculture: This involves meticulous cultivation of food, fiber, etc. It produces not just food but also products which are highly used in industries or medicines. Crop agriculture first came into existence during the Stone Age when hunters made a switch from hunting to a more sophisticated culture of species which were favored.

Categories of Agro Products The various agro foods can be categorized as cereals, seeds, spices, fruits, dehydrated fruits, vegetables, dehydrated vegetables, dry fruits & nuts, edible oil, flowers, fertilizers, tea & coffee, oil crops, aromatic plants, herbs, essential oils, floral absolutes, coconut and coir products, potpourri, processed food & snacks, pickles $ condiments, pet-use products, milk & dairy products, meat & poultry food, marine food supplies, baby foods, animal fodder, etc. India is the second largest producer of food in the world. Whether it is canned food, processed food, food grains, dairy products, frozen food, fish, meat, poultry, the Indian agro industry has a huge potential, the significance and growth of which will never cease.

Agro Industry Scenario

An Introduction The agro industry is regarded as an extended arm of agriculture. The development of the agro industry can help stabilise and make agriculture more lucrative and create employment opportunities both at the production and marketing stages. The broad-based development of the agro-products industry will improve both the social and physical infrastructure of India. Since it would cause diversification and commercialization of agriculture, it will thus enhance the incomes of farmers and create food surpluses. The agro-industry mainly comprises of the post-harvest activities of processing and preserving agricultural products for intermediate or final consumption. It is a wellrecognized fact across the world, particularly in the context of industrial development, that the importance of agro-industries is relative to agriculture increases as economies develop. It should be emphasized that food is not just

produce. Food also encompasses a wide variety of processed products. It is in this sense that the agro-industry is an important and vital part of the manufacturing sector in developing countries and the means for building industrial capacities.

The agro Industry is broadly categorised in the following types: (i) Village Industries owned and run by rural households with very little capital investment and a high level of manual labour; products include pickles, papad, etc. (ii) Small scale industry characterized by medium investment and semi-automation; products include edible oil, rice mills, etc. (iii) Large scale industry involving large investment and a high level of automation; products include sugar, jute, cotton mills, etc. The development of agro-based industries commenced during pre-independence days. Cotton mills, sugar mills, jute mills were fostered in the corporate sector. During the post-Independence days, with a view to rendering more employment and using local resources, small scale and village industries were favored. The increasing environmental concerns will give further stimulus to agro based industries. Jute and cotton bags, which have begun to be replaced by plastic bags, have made a comeback. It is the right time to engage in mass production of low cost jute/cotton bags to replace plastic bags. The agro industry helps in processing agricultural products such as field crops, tree crops, livestock and fisheries and converting them to edible and other usable forms. The private sector is yet to actualize the full potential of the agro industry. The global market is mammoth for sugar, coffee, tea and processed foods such as sauce, jelly, honey, etc. The market for processed meat, spices and fruits is equally gigantic. Only with mass production coupled with modern technology and intensive marketing can the domestic market as well as the export market be exploited to the fullest extent. It is therefore imperative that food manufacturers understand changing consumer preferences, technology,With modernization, innovation and incorporation of latest trends and technology in the entire food chain as well as agro-production, the total production capacity of agro products in India and the world is likely to double by the next decade. India is the second largest producer of food in the world. Whether it is canned food, processed food, food grains, dairy products, frozen food, fish, meat, poultry, the Indian agro industry has a huge potential, the significance and growth of which will never cease. Sea fishing, aqua culture, milk and milk products, meat and poultry are some of the agro sectors that have shown marked growth over the years. linkages between members of the food supply chains and prevailing policies and business

environments to take advantage of the global market. Processed Food Segment The processing level of the agro industry may be at the primary, secondary or tertiary stage. In the case of hides and skins, India exports largely semi-processed items whereas in coffee/tea, the exports are mostly in secondary stage by way of fully processed bulk shipments without branding/packing. Exports at the tertiary stage mean branding and packaging the product that are ready for use by the consumer. A few years ago, companies struggled to sell packaged foods. But now it is much easier to break into the Indian market because of a younger population, higher incomes, new technologies and a growing middle class, estimated at 50 million households. An average Indian spends around 53 per cent of his/her income on food. The domestic market for processed foods is not only huge but is growing fast in tandem with the economy. It is estimated to be worth $90 billion. Processed Food Manufacturing companies are required to be persistent and must adapt products to the Indian cultural preferences. Many big companies like ITC, HLL, Nestle entered the Indian market a long time ago and have made a deep penetration in the market. From these success stories we can learn some lessons in order to capture the higher end of the local market and get a fair share of the export market. The model is structured around the following:* Large scale investment and adoption of the latest technologies * Intensive marketing efforts * Perhaps, a foreign tie-up can be beneficial * Brand name. The levels of processing and manufacturing can be classified into three groups, namely manual, mechanical and chemical or a combination thereof. In choosing the process, the main considerations are the nature of the raw materials, technology of processing, and packing. Other Segments Dairy product is another area where there is enormous potential. No doubt the country has made tremendous strides in the last 20 years in production and processing of milk and milk products. But the fact remains that only 15 per cent of all the milk produced is processed. Today, a large number of people suffer from diabetic or cardiac ailments and availability of fat free milk, fat free curd and sugar free food is poor. A simple product like soya milk is not produced in adequate quantity. Fish and shrimp have good export potential but there is an immense lack of cold storage and modern processing facilities. For instance fish production is around six million tonnes a year and the frozen storage capacity spread over 500 units is only

one lakh tonnes. Another area is herbal medicine. It is being increasingly realized the world over that herbal drugs do not have any side effects. India has a good number of tried and tested herbal products in use and what is required is rigorous quality control, proper packaging and a brand name. The government and modern retailers are addressing these issues with new laws on packaging and labeling as well as greater investment in the supply chain. The Progress Ahead* With modernization, innovation and incorporation of latest trends and technology in the entire food chain as well as agro-production, the total production capacity of agro products in India and the world is likely to double by the next decade. India is the second largest producer of food in the world. Whether it is canned food, processed food, food grains, dairy products, frozen food, fish, meat, poultry, the Indian agro industry has a huge potential, the significance and growth of which will never cease. Sea fishing, aqua culture, milk and milk products, meat and poultry are some of the agro sectors that have shown marked growth over the years.

History
Origin of Agriculture The beginning of 'agro' or 'agriculture' marks the beginning of 'civilized' or 'sedentary' society. Climate change and increase in population during the Holocene Era (10,000 BC onwards) led to the evolution of agriculture. During the Bronze Age (9000 BC onwards), domestication of plants and animals transformed the profession of the early homo sapiens from hunting and gathering to selective hunting, herding and finally to settled agriculture. Eventually the agricultural practices enabled people to establish permanent settlements and expand urban based societies. Cultivation marks the transition from nomadic pre-historic societies to the settled neolithic lifestyle some time around 7000 BC. As per the modern definition of agriculture which would be" an aggregate of large scale intensive cultivation of land, mono-cropping, organized irrigation, and use of a specialized labor force", the title "inventors of agriculture" would go to the Sumerians, starting ca. 5,500 BC. Technological Evolution

Originally fields were cleared of weeds and prepared for planting by hand at great effort, using primitive hoes or digging sticks The invention of the scratch plow (also called 'plough') about 6,000 years ago was a great labor-saving device for humans - the beginning of systematic substitution of

other forms of energy, in this case animal power, for human muscles

The Muslim Farmers in North Africa and the Near East of the Medieval world are credited with inventions of extensive irrigation based on hydraulic and hydrostatic principles such as norias, water mills, water raising machines, dams and reservoirs The Renaissance saw the innovation of the three field system of crop rotation and wide spread usage of the moldboard plow The early phase of Industrial Revolution witnessed new agricultural practices like enclosure, mechanization, four-field crop rotation and selective breeding The science-driven innovations of 19th and 20th centuries led to the mechanization of the cultivation, i.e. the use of tractors.

Agriculture in India Agriculture in India, the preeminent sector of the economy, is the source of livelihood of almost two thirds of the workforce in the country. The contribution of agriculture and allied activities to India's economic growth in recent years has been no less significant than that of industry and services. The importance of agriculture to the country is best summed up by this statement: "If agriculture survives, India survives". Indian Agriculture--Water-Management Indian agricultural production in most parts of the country is closely related to skillful and wise watermanagement practices. Most of the agricultural practices in India confined to the few monsoon months. During the monsoon season, India is usually endowed with generous rainfall; although not infrequently, this bountiful monsoon turns into a terror, causing uncontrollable floods in parts of the country. In a matter of antithesis, every few years, the monsoon is erratic and deficient, leading to drought and the possibility of famine. This explains the inextricable link between Indian Agriculture and effective water-management practices known across different parts of India since the ancient times.

According to the history of the Indian agriculture water-management practices are known to have either been taken up by the state, or by local village communities since the earliest times. Regional rulers, or local representatives of the state were generally obliged to allocate a certain percentage of the agricultural taxes on building and managing water-storage, water-harvesting and/or water-diverting structures which facilitated a second crop, and provided water for drinking and other purposes in the long dry season. The British rule witnessed the destruction of century-old water management structures and a virtual wreckage of the knowledge systems and cultural traditions that had helped build and preserve these water-management techniques over the centuries in states such as Bihar, Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and others. Owing to this, during the colonial era, famines were frequent and famine commissions were abundant. The growth rate in food production during the 19001947 period was hardly 0.1 per cent. Most of the important institutional developments in agriculture emanated from the recommendations of famine commissions. The great Bengal Famine of 1942-43 provided the backdrop to Indias Independence. The stagnant performance of agriculture in India during the colonial period was turned into a sustained growth since 1947, with a stronger performance in India especially in terms of per-capita food production.
Indian Agriculture in Independent India

Early Years of Independence The early years of Independence witnessed accentuation on the development of infrastructure for scientific agriculture. The steps taken included the establishment of fertilizer and pesticide factories, construction of large multipurpose irrigationcum-power projects, organization

of community development and national extension programmes and, above all, the starting of agricultural universities as well as new agricultural research institutions across the length and breadth of the country. However, the growth in food production was inadequate to meet the consumption needs of the growing population which necessitated food imports. Green Revolution Policy makers and planners, in order to address the concerns about national independence, security, and political stability realized that self-sufficiency in food production was an absolute prerequisite. This perception led to a program of agricultural improvement called the Intensive Agriculture District Programme (IADP) and eventually to the Green Revolution. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) was set up. All these steps led to a quantum jump in the productivity and production of crops. White and Yellow Revolution The Green revolution generated a mood of self-confidence in our agricultural capability, which led to the next phase characterized by the Technology Mission. Under this approach, the focus was on conservation, cultivation, consumption, and commerce. An end-to-end approach was introduced involving attention to all links in the productionconsumption chain, owing to which progress was steady and sometimes striking as in the case of milk and egg production. Present Times Indian agriculture continues to face internal and external challenges. While monsoon dependence, fragmented land-holding, low level of input usage, antiquated agronomic practices, lack of technology application and poor rural infrastructure are some of the key internal constraints that deter a healthy growth, while subsidies and barriers have been distorting

international agricultural trade, rendering agri-exports from developing nations such as India uncompetitive. The objective of every policy initiative has been to make Indian agriculture globally competitive by investing it with the ability to produce globally acceptable quality at globally comparable cost.

Technology
Introduction Only with mass production being aided by modern technology and intensive marketing can the agriculturist exploit both the domestic market as well as the international market to the fullest extent. The volume of production depends not only on the capital investments and marketing strategies but also on the technical capacity used during the production and processing stage. In fact, technology has come to play a very significant role even in marketing these days. Technology is absolutely critical to the agro industry be it at the primary (production), secondary (processing) or tertiary (marketing and packaging) stage. Experts have always suggested that agricultural technology could play a vital role in addressing the issues and concerns relating to the conservation and management of rural resources. Technologies Plough (also 'plow') Ploughing is the first preparation for planting. The plough is primarily designed to prepare the ground for cultivation by turning it over, thus burying the weeds and loosening the earth. It is generally agreed by historians that the earliest implement used for cultivation was probably a crude pointed bent stick or tree branch which was used to stir the soil surface. In effect, a hand held hoe was used in which the user scratched at the earth to form a tilth where corn could be sown. Over a period of time, these hand held hoes soon developed into simple ploughs. These primitive ploughs were eventually pulled by animals like oxen, camels and even elephants. Animals enabled the land to be tilled more easily and faster; thus more food was produced. The credit for this innovation goes to the Egyptians. These ploughs had different modifications in different parts of the world. During the period from the 1820s to the 1840s, several innovations occurred in plough production. The Breaking Plough, or Prairie Breaker, was a heavy wooden plough plated with iron strips to reduce friction. Prairie ploughs were heavy, weighing at least 125 pounds and requiring from three to seven yoke of oxen.

Cutting only three inches into the soil, farmers could break eight acres a year. After a span of few years, ploughs containing a polished wrought iron moldboard and steel share were invented. Harrow After ploughing, other implements were used. The harrow was necessary to smoothen the soil in areas where the soil remained rough. It consists of a wooden or metal framework bearing metal disks, teeth, or sharp projecting points, called tines, which is dragged over plowed land to crush the clods of earth and level the soil. Harrows are also used to uproot weeds, aerate the soil, and cover seeds. In the beginning the harrows were as simple as a tree branch but the harrow became more sophisticated after the Industrial Revolution. By the 1790s, two distinct types of harrows were in use: the square and the triangle, or "A" frame. The square harrow was used on old fields that were free of large obstructions, while the triangular frame was used on freshly ploughed fields. These models had wooden frames with wood or iron teeth. In modern times, harrows are of varied types. Some are simply dragged behind a tractor or draft animal; some are suspended on wheels; many have levers to adjust the depth of the cut. Impact of the Industrial Revolution on Agriculture Industrial revolution brought about drastic changes in the farming process. Farmers discovered the crop rotation system that allowed them to forgo leaving up to half of the land unused or fallow between each planting. This phase witnessed the use of animal husbandry. The industrial revolution brought about an end to tedious handiwork and encouraged the invention and manufacture of other labor-saving farm implements and machinery. Few of the inventions include: Seed Driller Seed drill was an innovation that allowed seeds to be easily planted deep into the earth instead of on top where the majority were washed away or otherwise lost. The machine was pulled by horses and consisted of rotating drills or runners that planted seeds at a set depth. Horse Hoe It is horse-drawn machine which loosened the soil and killed weeds. Reaper The first reapers cut the standing grain and, with a revolving reel, sweeping it onto a platform from which it was raked off into piles by a man walking alongside. The reaper could thus harvest more grain than five men using the earlier cradles.

The reaper was eventually replaced by the selfpropelled combine, operated by one man, which cuts, gathers, threshes, and sacks the grain mechanically. The reaper was the first step in a transition from hand labor to the mechanized farming of today. Threshing Machines Prior to the threshing machines farmers used an implement called 'flail' to simply beat the grain with sticks or ropes to knock the seeds from the stalks. But this was a back-breaking work and was of low productivity. Threshing machines were designed for rapidly removing the husks from grain. With improvements in design and efficiency, threshing machines became progressively more common and the hand flail was gradually consigned to history. The machines could be driven by wind or water power, or by horses, but the steam powered thresher became the most familiar sight. They were eventually replaced in the middle decades of the twentieth century by the combine harvester which both harvests and threshes the crop in the field in a single operation. Tractor Tractor is a vehicle particularly crafted to exert traction at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery used in agriculture. The versatility of tractor is with respect to its attachments that it supports. The more the options for connecting attachments to the tractor, the higher is the cost. The most common tractor attachments include front end loaders, mowers, box blades, spreaders, tillers, plows, trailers and backhoes for plowing, tilling, disking, harrowing, planting, and similar tasks. Most tractor attachments are interchangeable so they can be used with different machines. The first tractors were steam-powered ploughing engines, followed by Gasoline Powered Tractors. Agricultural Machinery Index

Implements for clearing, breaking ground, etc. o Stump Pullers o Ploughs o Steam Ploughs o Gang Ploughs o Sulky-Ploughs o Clod-Crushers o Harrows o Rollers Implements for depositing Seed - Seed-Sowing Machines-Drills Implements for the Cultivation of the Plant -

Cultivators Implements for Gathering Crops o Mowers o Reapers o Lawn-Mowers o Potato-Digger o Hay-tedders o Horse hay-rakes o Hay-sweeps o Hay-loading machines o Horse hay-forks Implements for clearing, breaking Ground, etc. o Thrashing-Machine o Fanning-mills Miscellaneous implements applicable to various farm-uses o Feed-cutters o Corn-shellers o Cider-mills o Incubators o Cow-milker.

Irrigation Technology Water is undoubtedly the sine qua non for all irrigation activities, worldwide. Particularly in India, an unpredictable monsoon coupled with an increasing demand for food production (at the selfsustenance as well as commercial levels) has induced an imperative need for irrigation options other than those that are either extremely laborious and time consuming or simply too expensive for the small and marginal farmer. Electric and diesel pumps can be used to extract groundwater for irrigating any large acres of land; however, some cost effective technologies that are being availed by a major section of farmers are as follows:Treadle Pump It is a foot operated water lifting device that can irrigate small plots of land of small holders in regions that have higher water table (not deeper than 25 feet). A treadle pump is a low cost system, simple in design and easily manageable; it appropriately answers the irrigation need for the small farmers. Drip Irrigation Technology Drip irrigation is a water-saving technology which enables slow and regular application of water directly to the roots of the plants through a network of economically designed plastic pipes and low discharge emitters. It maximizes crop

productivity through increase in the crop yield and also the area for cultivation, and protects the environment through conserving soil, water and fertilizer resources, thus increasing the farmer income. Currently, this is being promoted by the Government of India in the form of kits in the water scarce regions in India. They are:

Drum Kit Bucket Kit Family Nutrition Kit Customised Systems

The impact of the use of these above mentioned irrigation technology can be summed up as follows:

Frees the farmer from the limitations of rain fed farming Raises the capacity of the farmer to grow crops in both winter and summer Leads to land augmentation - With the use of the above mentioned technologies the farmers can cultivate all the year round thus increasing their cropping intensity to 200-300% and never leave their land fallow Easy to use.

Biotechnology According to the United Nations Conventions on Biological Diversity, it is a "technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use". Today genetic engineering is used widely for the following purposes:

Improve yield from crops Reduced vulnerability of crops to environmental stresses Increased nutritional qualities of food crops Improved taste, texture or appearance of food Reduced dependence on fertilizers, pesticides and other agrochemicals Production of novel substances in crop plants. Information Technology In spite of successful research on new agricultural practices concerning crop cultivation, the majority of farmers is not getting upper-bound yield due to several reasons. One of the reasons is that expert/scientific advice regarding crop cultivation is not reaching farming community in a timely manner. There exists a wide information gap exists between the research level and practice. Indian farmers need timely expert advice to make them more productive and competitive. In India, the government is making an effort to bridge this information gap by exploiting advances in Information Technology (IT). This program enables the farmer to cultivate a crop with expertise, as that of an agricultural expert, by disseminating

both crop and location specific expert advice in a personalized and timely manner. The system assumes a great importance due to the trend of globalization, as it aims to provide expert advice which is crucial for the Indian farmer to harvest different kinds of crop varieties based on the demand in the world market.

Agro Associations
An Introduction There is an air of greater co-operation among farmers owing to which a number of agricultural associations are being born across the globe. The agro-associations and trade groups are usually public relations organizations founded and funded by corporations that operate in the agro industry. The primary goal is generally to promote the various segments of the industry through PR activities such as advertising, education, political donations, lobbying and publishing. Those involved in agriculture all over the world realize the need for people to step forth and provide a strong and educated voice to lead agriculture and bring the needs and issues of the agricultural industry to the forefront at the community, state, national and international level. A reasonable choice to provide this voice for agriculture and provide individuals who have the attitude, will and desire to participate in the leadership process are members of these organizations. These Associations and Organizations provide a platform to the agricultural and rural communities. Members encompass a wide range of disciplines. Together, they assemble a huge wealth of knowledge and practical experience. These members strive to formulate, establish, and promote voluntary academic, professional, and technical standards of relevance to the profession of Agriculture. Apart from procuring farming equipment and other material in bulk to avail of discounts, the associations are also exploring prospects for collective marketing of their produce both within the country and abroad. Given below is a fragmentary list of prominent agro associations operational at the international, national and state levels. Agro Organizations & Professional Societies at the International Level

Dairy Products Cheese Spread Condensed Milk Cheese Ice Cream and more>> Aromatic Plants Lemongrass Java Citronella Palmorosa Jamrosa and
more>>

Herbal Products Amla Powder Brahmi Shikakai Powder Bhring Raj and more>> Agricultural Machinery and Equipments Tractor Tractor Spares Leveling Blade Harrow and
more>>

Coconut and Coir Products Coconut Water Coir Products Fresh Coconut Coconut Milk and more>> Meat &

Tropical Agricultural Association (TAA) Biotechnology Industry Organization Asian Association for Agricultural Engineering (AAAE) World Sustainable Agriculture Association (WSAA) Agricultural Biotechnology Center Agricultural Biotechnology for Sustainable Productivity (ABSP) Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Consortium for International Crop Protection (CICP) Council for Agricultural Science and Technology European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease European Food Information Council European Initiative for Biotechnology Education FARM - Farm Animal Reform Movement Institute of Food Research (IFR) Institute of Food Science & Technology (UK) Institute of Food Technologists' International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) International Food Information Council (IFIC) International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) International Society for Ecology and Culture National Agricultural Biotechnology Council (NABC) Tree Fruit Research & Extension Center Media For Environment, Science, Health And Agriculture Association (MESHA) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) World Agricultural Information Centre (WAICENT) Portal AGRIS/CARIS - Centre of Information Management for International Agricultural Research World Food Summit International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) UN International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) World Food Programme.

Poultry Food Egg Bacon Ham Pork and

more>>

Processed Food & Snacks Porridge Potato Wafer Processed Chicken Processed Seafood and
more>>

Pickles & Condiments Chilly Sauce Mayonnaise Soy Sauce Pickle and
more>>

Marine Food Supplies Dry Fish Dried Bechede-mer Fish Oyster and
more>>

Other Agro Products Natural Honey Jaggery Sugar Soya Meals and more>>

Agro Associations/Organizations at the National Level

All India Shrimp Hatcheries Association Cashew Export Promotion Council Fertilizer Association of India IDA - Indian Dairy Association IPCA - Pest Control Association of India Indian Bio Organic Tea - Organic tea producers association Indian Center for Aquaculture & Fisheries Trade - Aquaculture industry association Jute Manufacturers Development Council - National agency for promotion of Jute Agricultural Technology Marketing Agency (ATMA) National Centre for Jute Diversification - Jute production enhancement agency PMFAI - Indian Pesticides manufacturers & formulators association Association of Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health Indian Agro & Recycled Paper Mills Association (IARPMA) Ferretilizer Association of India Pesticides Association of India Pesticides Manufacturers & Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) Global Agro-Industries Forum (GAIF) Seed Association of India Indian Micro Fertilisers Manufacturers' Association of India Biodisel Association of India Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Marine products Export Development Authority Tea Board Coffee Board Cashew Export Promotion Council Coir Board Spices Board.

Agro Associations at Various State Levels in India BOOE - Oilseeds and Oils Exchange of Mumbai Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board Maharashtra Association For The Cultivation Of Science Marathawada Association of Small Scale Industries and Agriculture Calcutta Tea Traders Association Darjeeling Planters Association KERAFED - Federation of coconut farmers in Kerala Madurai Dairy - District cooperative milk producers union Debons Agro Association,Kolhapur,Maharashtra,I

ndia SIMA - Mills Association of South india New Age Fruit Growers' Association (NAFGA) in Hoshiarpur Abohar Fruit Growers' Association (AFGA).

Objective The above mentioned associations and organizations acknowledge the role which agriculture, in its widest sense, plays in the production of food and other raw materials. And they also apprehend the problems and accordingly formulate actions to achieve educational improvement, economic opportunity and social advancement and, thereby, to promote the national well-being. In their efforts, they recognize the need to eliminate poverty, and consider that one of the ways to do this is through raising productivity and moving subsistence farmers into commercial agriculture, through the development of rural agro-industrial commodity chains and the development and delivery of appropriate inputs. One of the primary goals of these organizations is to strengthen the profession of Agricultural by promoting information exchange, and improving communications. The importance of developing sustainable high output agricultural production systems which recognize the importance of conserving and improving the environment and biodiversity is also recognized.

Career Opportunities
An Introduction Why might a student wish to study agriculture? To begin with, it is a varied and interesting course; not only does it contain the basics of crop and animal science, but it also provides many of the complementary skills required to run a profitable agro enterprise in the world today. So one can expect to have the opportunity to study marketing, computer science, engineering, economics and finance as crucial elements of a course. Agriculture is an interesting career, with many outlets for graduates. Farming is the obvious choice,

but more than that it would help them to find their way into government departments of agriculture, with plenty of opportunity to take up a career on the commercial side.

Agricultural Science/Agronomy Agricultural science is an extensive subject combining several usually separate branches of learning or fields of expertise that includes the parts of exact, natural, economic and social sciences that are used in the practice and understanding of agriculture. Veterinary science, but not animal science, is often excluded from this definition. It would be more appropriate to call it agronomy dealing in research and development in relation to the study and improvement of the plant based agriculture. Research undertaken is targeted at the interface between social and environmental sciences. This interface is explored through the dynamics of agricultural sustainability. The main aim behind the research is to discover and promote effective, practical pathways to sustainable land use, food and fiber production, and food harvesting. This will be achieved through innovative bio-cultural and transdisciplinary research of social-ecological systems, and by training students, our future researchers, environmental managers and policy makers to the highest international standards. Educational Institutes In India for the Study of Agricultural Sciences/Agronomy India is a very large country, with 3,287,590 square kilometers of land mass. The climate varies considerably, from tropical rain forest conditions in the peninsular region, to cool temperate areas in the northern India. All major crops are associated with these climates, as well as with high rainfall, dry land and irrigated farming. There are extensive large scale enterprises for crops such as wheat, cotton and wool, as well as intensive production operations of meat, pigs, chicken and horticultural crops (as found in all other western consumer societies). In addition to producing for domestic consumption, India exports a significant quantity of agricultural commodity and specialty produce. Within the different states, there are slightly different emphases and teaching specializations. Career opportunities cover the whole spectrum of the agricultural industries from farmer to consumer, plough to plate. Agriculture is one of the lucrative industries in India and at the global level. The international trade in food and related agricultural products is enormous and increasing all the time.

There is a wide range of career opportunities and challenges for the next generation of graduates from universities and colleges which specialize in the agricultural and land-based industries. To meet the various challenges of this highly dynamic industry, highly qualified and motivated professionals, armed with modern marketing, business and communication skills are essential. However, those with more traditional agricultural and land management training will also be required to back them up. The various institutes of excellence under Government of India are offering education and training for the agricultural, land, food business, equine and property industries. These are recognized globally for the quality of itsr graduates who have benefited from their World Class education experience. The following institutes are all geared up to prepare students to deal with changing requirements of the agro industry: Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat Assam Agricultural University, Assam Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal Birsa Agricultural University, Jharkhand Central Agricultural University, Manipur Chandra Shekar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Uttar Pradesh Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Haryana CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Himachal Pradesh Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Univ of Horticulture & Forestry, Himachal Pradesh Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Uttaranchal Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Chhattisgarh Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh Junagadh Agricultural University, Gujarat Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala Maharana Pratap Univ. of Agriculture & Technology, Rajasthan Maharashtra Animal Science & Fishery University, Maharashtra Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra Marathwada Agricultural University, Maharashtra Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Uttar Pradesh Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat Orissa Univ. of Agriculture & Technology, Orissa Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab Rajasthan Agricultural University, Rajasthan Rajendra Agricultural University, Bihar Sardarkrushinagar-Dantiwada Agricultural University, Gujarat Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Univ. of Agriculture & Technology, Uttar Pradesh Sher-E-Kashmir Univ of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu & Kashmir Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Science University, Tamil Nadu University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore University of Agricultural Sciences, Karnataka UP Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwa Vidhyalaya evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan, Uttar Pradesh Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, West Bengal Guru Angad Dev University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Punjab

Courses are strongly science based, giving the agricultural graduate the knowledge and experience required to think constructively, both within and outside their specific area of learning. Course content is extensive, with the opportunity to follow mainstreams like forestry, horticulture, agriculture or natural resource management, etc. These are offered in a stimulating and unique learning environment for study, that both develops and encourages the students to achieve their future dreams. Few Educational Institutes Abroad* Agriculture in India is sophisticated and diverse as anywhere in the world. That is not to say that there is nothing to learn from outside. Indian agricultural scientists are to be found everywhere in the world, both learning and teaching. This indicates the needs to go beyond the borders for higher studies or better understanding of the agriculture as it is practiced all over the globe. A student have a wide range of choices, some which are as follows:

United Nations Environment Programme Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Nova Scotia Agricultural College Australian Institute of Agricultural Science & Technology.

In order to foster the development of academic and interdisciplinary research activities in the field of agriculture, of the various Government/Association/University funded scholarship and fellowship programmes are being rendered to the students.
Agro-based industries play a vital role in the development of India's rural economy, which has been receiving increasing attention from the central as well as state government, in view of its importance to the national reconstruction. The economic prosperity of a developing country like India depends largely on the development of agro-based industries which in turn leads to the creation of forward and backward linkages of the development process on large scale by making mutual complementary of agriculture and industries.

The study of essentially empirical in nature and attempts to make an economic-analysis of agro based industries in India and Karnataka in general and Hyderabad Karnataka region in particular for the post liberalization period, i.e., from 1990-91 to 2004-05. The book deals with the operational conditions of agro-based industries. Agro-based industrial units are very much varies in their size, cost structure, scale of production, pattern of financing and problems faced. The difference is inter-industry as well as intra-industry. The study has been undertaken to examine industrial units and their specific problem individually so that functioning of agro-based industries is better understood. The study would make a definite contribution to the existing knowledge of the subject, and is useful not only to general readers but also to scholars who intend to do further research.