This book serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating the intricacies of modern agriculture, offering a wealth of knowledge and insights aimed at fostering sustainability and resilience in farming practices. From precision agriculture to biotechnology, each chapter delves into key aspects of agricultural innovation, providing practical strategies for optimizing crop management, enhancing soil health, and adapting to changing environmental conditions. Through a holistic approach that encompasses soil-centric practices, integrated pest management, and climate-smart agriculture, farmers are empowered to cultivate resilient agro-ecosystems that thrive in the face of uncertainty. At the core of this exploration lies the concept of precision agriculture, which revolutionizes crop management by leveraging technology and data to optimize resource use and maximize yields. Through the integration of satellite imagery, soil sensors, and advanced analytics, farmers gain unprecedented insights into crop behaviour, allowing for informed decision-making and targeted interventions. Meanwhile, biotechnology emerges as a powerful tool for engineering crop traits that promote sustainability, from drought tolerance to pest resistance. By harnessing the potential of genetic modification and gene editing, farmers can cultivate crops that are better adapted to their environment while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. Furthermore, the book emphasizes the importance of soil health management as a foundational pillar of sustainable agriculture. By adopting practices that enhance soil fertility, promote microbial diversity, and mitigate erosion, farmers can ensure the long-term productivity and resilience of their land. This holistic approach extends beyond the field, encompassing post-harvest technologies, organic farming practices, remote sensing applications, and water management innovations. Together, these strategies offer a roadmap for cultivating a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future, where farmers can thrive in harmony with the environment while meeting the challenges of a changing world.
Dr. Poulami Sil serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Biochemistry and Crop Physiology at Centurion University of Technology and Management, located in Odisha. She earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural Biochemistry from Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya. With four years of teaching experience in the discipline, Dr. Sil has demonstrated expertise in her field. She contributed significantly to the field by characterizing and submitting all six Sequenced Genes (AV1, AV2, AC1, AC2, AC3, and AC4) of Begomovirus responsible for Leaf Curl in Chilli in North Bengal to the NCBI database. Dr. Sil’s professional engagement extends to her active participation in numerous International and National seminars/ conferences, Faculty/Capacity Development Programs, and Training Programs. Her research contributions are evident through several published papers in reputed national journals, book chapters, popular articles, and other extension publications.
Dr. Punnam Chhetri, is an Assistant Professor at Department of Agronomy and Agroforestry, MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management. With Ph.D. in Agronomy from Naini Agriculture Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P., she boasts 5 years of teaching experience and has been recognized as the ‘Best Young Researcher’ by Udyaniki Krishi Anusandhan Samiti, Lucknow, India. She has pursuits extended to numerous International/National seminars, conferences, and training programs. Her extensive publication record includes research papers in esteemed journals, book chapters, editorial roles, popular articles, and contributions to agronomy literature.
Mr. Sitabhra Majumder is working as a Ph.D. Scholar in the Department of Agronomy, Centurion University of Technology and Management, located in Paralakhemundi, Odisha. With a passion for academic exchange, Sitabhra has actively participated in numerous International and National Conferences, where he has contributed significantly to the discourse on agronomic sciences. His thirst for knowledge extends beyond conventional boundaries, as evidenced by his participation in various skill courses, workshops, faculty development initiatives, and training programmes, all aimed at honing his expertise and fostering intellectual growth. He has in his credit several research papers published in reputed journals, book chapters, review articles and other publications.
Dr. Santosh D.T. is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Engineering, School of Agriculture and Bio Engineering, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha. He earned his Ph.D. in December 2019 from the Agricultural and Food Engineering Department at IIT, Kharagpur under the supervision of Professor K N Tiwari. He worked as a Research Associate at Precision Farming Development Centre, IIT, Kharagpur for a decade (2010-2020), which was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. His area of research is micro-irrigation, greenhouse technology, protected cultivation techniques, and hydroponics. He has a number of publications in National and International peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, he has four years of industrial experience as a marketing professional at TAFE Tractor, GEA Farm Technologies, and HDFC Bank.
1. Precision Agriculture: Optimizing Crop Management Strategies............................................................................................... 1 Punnam Chhetri, Shruti Grace George and Prateek Kumar
2. Biotechnology in Agriculture: Engineering Crop Traits for Sustainability ............................................................................... 17 Poulami Sil, Punnam Chhetri and Shashidhara N.
3. Soil Health Management: Enhancing Nutrient Retention and Soil Fertility ................................................................................ 37 Anamika Sinha, Debopam Sarkar and Bishnuprasad Dash
4. Climate-Smart Agriculture: Adapting to Changing Environmental Conditions............................................................... 57 Swati Suman, Poulami Sil and Akash Laxman Ambhure
5. Integrated Pest Management: Sustainable Approaches to Pest Control........................................................................................ 75 Bandana Rani Barik, Punnam Chhetri and B. Selectstar Marwein
6. Crop Physiology and Breeding: Improving Resilience and Adaptation.................................................................................. 93 Shashidhara N., Dhanalakshmi T.N. and Santosh D.T.
7. Post-Harvest Technologies: Enhancing Shelf Life and Quality .............................................................................................. 111 Santosh D.T. and Syed Mazar Ali
8. Agronomic Practices for Organic Farming: Balancing Ecology and Productivity............................................................... 131 Sonia Panigrahi
9. Remote Sensing Applications in Agriculture: Monitoring and Decision Support ..................................................................... 151 B. Selectstar Marwein and Punnam Chhetri
10. Water Management in Agriculture: Innovations for Efficient Irrigation ........................................................................... 169 Sumit Ray and Sitabhra Majumder
