In the context of agriculture—a sector undergoing rapid digital transformation—the advent of emerging technologies is profoundly redefining the interaction with natural resources, optimization of farm operations, and assurance of food quality. Advanced sensor-based systems for soil property assessment and geospatial mapping are significantly enhancing site-specific management by delivering high-resolution, real-time datasets critical for monitoring soil health and optimizing nutrient management strategies. The incorporation of machine learning algorithms in predicting soil erosion and agricultural drought represents a paradigm shift toward anticipatory environmental stewardship, utilizing extensive historical datasets and climatic indices to forecast land degradation dynamics with high precision. Furthermore, the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) integrated with methane sensing capabilities enables accurate quantification of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural systems, thereby supporting the development and implementation of climate-resilient, sustainability-oriented farming practices and policy interventions. Digital twin technology is transforming agricultural machinery performance by enabling real-time simulation and predictive diagnostics, thereby minimizing equipment downtime and significantly improving operational efficiency. Concurrently, the application of machine learning in the optimization of biofuel production processes is enhancing energy output and economic feasibility, contributing to the broader transition toward sustainable and renewable energy sources. Within the framework of smart agriculture, the integration of mechatronics-based systems facilitates highly precise intra row weed management, substantially decreasing dependence on chemical herbicides and fostering ecological sustainability. Additionally, the adoption of thermal imaging techniques for the non-invasive detection of faults in drip irrigation infrastructure exemplifies the potential of advanced diagnostic tools to improve water use efficiency and bolster the reliability of precision irrigation systems. The food industry is undergoing a profound technological renaissance, marked by the integration of advanced processing and assessment techniques aimed at improving product quality, nutritional value, and shelf life. The utilization of physical blowing agents in the extrusion of protein-enriched snacks exemplifies innovations in texture modification and nutritional enhancement, aligning with consumer preferences for health-oriented products. Simultaneously, the development and application of nanoemulsions in food packaging are advancing barrier properties, antimicrobial functionality, and controlled release mechanisms, thereby extending shelf life and ensuring food safety. Furthermore, cutting-edge, non-destructive analytical tools, such as laser-based technologies and terahertz imaging are being employed for high throughput, real-time food quality assessment. These technologies uphold rigorous safety and quality standards while preserving the structural and compositional integrity of food products, thus supporting the industry's shift toward clean label, safe, and functionally enriched offerings. Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled systems are increasingly pivotal in contemporary pest management strategies, exemplified by early detection technologies targeting red palm weevil infestations. These systems empower farmers with timely, data-driven interventions that significantly reduce crop losses and improve yield security. Concurrently, the integration of machine learning algorithms with conventional soil erosion estimation techniques is enhancing the precision, adaptability, and scalability of predictive models across heterogeneous landscapes. Technological advancements are also facilitating the quantification of long-term environmental changes, such as the effects of soil sealing on infiltration capacity—a critical determinant of groundwater recharge potential and flood mitigation efficacy. Collectively, these innovations underscore the interdisciplinary convergence of data science, robotics, materials engineering, environmental science, and agronomy. This integrated framework reflects a transformative shift in agricultural paradigms, enabling not only enhanced productivity and environmental stewardship but also greater resilience to climate variability and resource limitations. As the demarcation between traditional agricultural practices and cutting-edge technological solutions becomes increasingly indistinct, the sector is undergoing a profound redefinition—one that seeks to balance the imperatives of food security, economic viability, and ecological sustainability in an era of global change. This book encapsulates the dynamic trajectory of technological transformation within agriculture and food systems, presenting a comprehensive compilation of cutting-edge research, practical applications, and forward-looking perspectives. It is curated to serve as a valuable resource for researchers, innovators, practitioners, and policy-makers engaged in advancing the technological frontier of agriculture. By fostering the adoption of emerging tools and methodologies, this volume aims to facilitate the transition toward more intelligent, sustainable, and resilient agri-food systems. In doing so, it contributes to the global imperative of ensuring food security amid escalating environmental pressures and socio-economic challenges. Note: The information compiled in this volume has been gathered from a wide range of credible academic and scientific sources relevant to the topics addressed, and every effort has been made to cite and acknowledge these references appropriately. The intellectual property rights of the content in individual chapters remain with their respective authors. This book is intended solely for academic and research purposes, aiming to provide a comprehensive and accessible resource for scholars, researchers, and students. While care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the material presented, the editors and publisher bear no responsibility for any errors or omissions and welcome any suggestions for correction or improvement. The editors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of all authors, researchers, and institutions whose work has informed and enriched this publication.
Prof. (Er.) Anil Kumar Mishra has more than 30 years of illustrious career spanning since 1995-2024. He is having vast experience of working in the area of Natural Resources Management in different parts of the country including the NEH region. Prof. (Er.) Mishra has guided 8 M. Tech. and 6 Ph. D. research scholars in different areas of Soil Water Conservation Engineering/NRM. Prof. (Er.) Mishra has published extensively in the journals of National / International repute and also have authored 8 books. Currently Prof. (Er.) Mishra is providing guidance to a large number of students (B. Tech. /M. Tech. /Ph. D.) in Agricultural Engineering as Professor, Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi (India).
Dr. (Er.) P. K. Sahoo, FIE, FISAE is leading the Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-IARI New Delhi as Head since almost two and a half years. Dr. (Er.) Sahoo completed his graduation and master’s degrees in Agricultural Engineering from the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar and obtained his Doctorate in the area of specialization of Farm Power and Machinery from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Dr. (Er.) Sahoo has more than 5 Patents/ Technologies to his credit. Dr. Sahoo has guided several M. Tech. and Ph.D. scholars in the area of Farm Power and Machinery as well as Process and Food Engineering specializations of Agricultural Engineering. Dr. Sahoo is also the Secretary General of the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers, New Delhi.
Dr. (Er.) Adarsh Kumar is a Principal Scientist at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, specializing in Ergonomics, Farm Machinery, and Power. He holds an M.Sc. from IIT, Kharagpur and a Ph.D. from IIT, Delhi. His research focuses on enhancing the efficiency, safety, and ergonomics of agricultural machinery, particularly for livestock and rural applications. He holds multiple patents in the field of farm machinery and livestock equipment, along with innovations like safety devices and manual load-carrying tools. Dr. Kumar has received several prestigious awards, including the IARI Best Teacher Award (2016), and the Annual Safety Award by NIFS, USA (2003). With multiple high-impact publications (NAAS rating 6 and above) to his credit, Dr. Kumar continues to make significant contributions to agricultural mechanization and rural safety systems.
Dr. Sangeeta Chopra is a Principal Scientist at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. She holds degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Roorkee and IIT, Kharagpur, and a Ph.D. in Energy Science and Technology from Punjab Agricultural University. With over 20 years of research experience in ICAR, her expertise lies in post-harvest technologies, including solar-refrigerated evaporatively cooled storage and ohmic heating in food processing. She has also conducted research on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for fresh food packaging at Michigan State University, USA. A recipient of the Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowship, she worked on improving cool room design using f inite element analysis. Dr. Chopra has received two USAID grants to develop affordable, renewable energy-based storage solutions for smallholder farmers. Her innovation, the Farm Sunfridge, is highlighted at www.coolsunproject.com. She holds one patent and has published 25 national and international research papers.
Er. Shivam Chaubey completed his B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering from PDKV, Akola in 2019, and his M.Tech in Agricultural Engineering (Soil and water conservation Engineering from IARI-ICAR, New Delhi in 2021. He secured 9th All India Rank in the ICAR-SRF exam. He is a lifetime member of the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers & Soil Conservation Society of India. Currently, He is pursuing his Ph.D. in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, by qualifying SRF conducted by AICE-SRF-2022 (PGS) exam conducted by National Testing Agency and having awarded for ICAR Junior/Senior Research Fellowship [ICAR JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) Agency. He has also qualified GATE in 2019 and ASRB NET 2023.
Er. Abhishek Pandey received his B.Tech. degree in Agricultural Engineering from Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, in 2020, and his M.Tech. in Agricultural Engineering with a specialization in Farm Machinery and Power Engineering from Junagadh Agricultural University, Gujarat, in 2022. He was awarded the University Vice-Chancellor’s Gold Medal for academic excellence during his under-graduate studies. He is a lifetime member of the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers. He secured 32th All India Rank in the ICAR-SRF exam. He has also qualified ASRB-NET (2023). Currently, he is pursuing his Ph.D. in Farm Machinery and Power Engineering at ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, as an IARI Fellow, having qualified through the AICE-SRF (PGS) 2022 examination conducted by the National Testing Agency.
1 Soil Properties Assessment and Mapping Based on Sensor Technologies ............................................................................................1 Abhishek Pandey, P.K. Sahoo and T.K. Khura
2 Application of Machine Learning in Soil Erosion Prediction ...............35 Shivam Chaubey, A.K. Mishra and D.K. Singh
3 UAV Based Assessment of Methane Emissions in Agriculture ............63 Sripriyanka S. Nalla, R.A. Parray and P.K. Sahoo Machine Learning Based Process Optimization and Properties
4 Prediction for Sustainable Biofuel Production .....................................83 Shaik Nasreen and R.A. Parray and P.K. Sahoo Digital Twin Technology for Real-Time Monitoring and
5 Prediction of Operational Parameters in Combine Harvesters ...........115 Gaddamwar Rohit Bhojyareddy, P.K. Sahoo and Adarsh Kumar Physical Blowing Agents in Extrusion Cooking of
6 Protein Enriched Snacks .....................................................................137 Wagh Muktabai Dinesh, A.K. TV and P.K. Sahoo
7 Mechatronics Based Precise Intra-Row Weed Management ..............149 Shubham Chaudhary, T.K. Khura and P.K. Sahoo Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Agricultural Drought
8 Using Global Climatic Indices ...........................................................167 Bharath G., Murtaza Hasan and D.K. Singh
9 Nanoemulsions in Food Packaging .....................................................191 Poornima K.R., Sangeeta Chopra and P.K. Sahoo
10 Thermal Imagery for Identification of Drip Irrigation System Malfunctions .......................................................................................211 Pooja Sakthi Rama S., D.K. Singh and M. Hasan
11 Food Quality and Safety Assessment Based on Laser Innovations ....227 Juhi Ranjan, S. Chopra and P.K. Sahoo
12 IoT – Based Integrated System for Early Detection of Red Palm Weevil in Palm Trees ..........................................................253 Uday Kiran M., S.D. Lande and P.K. Sahoo
13 Terahertz Technology in Food Applications .......................................275 Ajay Kumar, S. Chopra and S.D. Lande
14 Impacts of Soil Sealing on Infiltration Rate ........................................295 Rima Das, A.K. Mishra and D.K. Singh
15 Integration of Traditional Methods of Soil Erosion Estimation Methods with Machine Learning ......................................309 Gauri U. Bhagole, A.K. Mishra and D.K. Singh
16 Automated Aquaponics for Sustainable Food Production ..................331 Mahesh R., Shivam Chaubey, Abhishek Pandey and Hasan M.
17 Phycoremediation: A Green Approach to Environmental Protection and Long-term Remediation ..............................................361 Mahesh R., Shivam Chaubey, Abhishek Pandey and D.K. Singh
