P.K. Joshi - Böcker

Agricultural Extension Reforms in South Asia: Status, Challenges, and Policy Options is based on agricultural extension reforms across five South Asian countries, reflecting past experiences, case studies and experiments. Beginning with an overview of historical trends and recent developments, the book then delves into country-wise reform trajectories and presents several cases testing the effectiveness of different types (public and private) and forms (nutrition extension, livestock extension) of extension systems. Further, the book provides a comprehensive overview of challenges and constraints faced in formulating and implementing reforms, tying the results into a concrete set of lessons and highlighting areas that require further research.

In addition, the book discusses how a major aspect of agricultural development is the productivity increase from the knowledge base of farmers, and how translating research results into a knowledge base for farmers requires designing and implementing well-functioning extension programs.

Presents the current challenges and solutions by region, and provides insights for application in global settings Provides key foundational information for the effective and efficient design of future intervention programs Includes workshops and presentations based on real-world research of specific aspects of extension systems and provision of advisory and consultation services to various governments

This book delves into the complex interplay between temperature regimes and rural landscapes, with a focused exploration of a small-scale river basin. It highlights the significance of microclimatic variations in rural areas, which are often overshadowed by urban heat studies.The book meticulously examines the factors contributing to temperature fluctuations in these landscapes, including land use patterns, water bodies, and vegetative cover, providing a wide-ranging understanding of how these elements interact within the broader climate system. It also addresses the challenges faced in monitoring and managing these temperature variations, particularly in the context of climate change. The book integrates field studies with advanced modeling techniques to offer insights into the impacts of temperature changes on agriculture, water resources, and rural livelihoods. The analysis extends to exploring adaptation strategies that can help mitigate adverse effects that ensure sustainable development in rural regions.This book is an essential resource for students, researchers, and professionals in environmental science, geography, agriculture, and rural development. It will also be invaluable to policymakers and planners looking to understand and address the unique climatic challenges faced by rural landscapes in a changing climate.

Cities are hubs of economic, innovative, and cultural activity and drivers of global progress, but their rapid expansion presents formidable challenges to the environment, infrastructure, and the well-being of their inhabitants. Consequently, the study of urban ecosystems has emerged as a crucial field that necessitates transcending disciplinary boundaries to address the relationships between natural and built environments that profoundly shape the lives of billions.Geospatial science, encompassing technologies such as GIS, remote sensing, satellite imagery, and GPS, offers indispensable tools for comprehending, managing, and thriving within urban environments. This book examines the pivotal role of geospatial science in monitoring urban landscapes and managing city-specific challenges. Rich with illustrations of fundamental concepts and case studies of urban ecosystems, with a notable emphasis on India, contributions highlight practical applications of geospatial tools in urban planning and climate change mitigation. As a collaborative, interdisciplinary endeavor from diverse contributors, this book serves as a repository of wide-ranging perspectives, theories, and methodologies, inspiring critical inquiry and innovative problem-solving.

This book examines the successful private, public and civil society models of agriculture value chains in India and addresses relevant challenges and opportunities to improve their efficiency and inclusiveness. It promotes the value-chain approach as a tool to improve access to finance for small holder farmers and discusses the possible structure of and regulatory framework for the ‘National Common Agricultural Market’— a term that featured in the Indian Finance Minister’s 2014–15 budget speech, and which is aimed towards standardizing and improving transparency in agricultural trade practices across states under a single licensing system. The book deliberates on the potential of developing innovative financial instruments into the value chain framework by supporting tripartite agreements between producers, lead firms and financial institutions. Its fourteen chapters are divided into three parts—Agriculture Value Chain Financing: Theoretical Framework, AgricultureValue Chain Financing in Cases of Select Commodities; and Institutional Framework for Agriculture Value Chain Financing. Since the concept of value chain financing is being considered as a future policy agenda, the book is of great interest to corporations dealing with agricultural inputs and outputs; commercial, regional, rural and cooperative banks; policy makers; academicians and NGOs.

This book examines the successful private, public and civil society models of agriculture value chains in India and addresses relevant challenges and opportunities to improve their efficiency and inclusiveness. It promotes the value-chain approach as a tool to improve access to finance for small holder farmers and discusses the possible structure of and regulatory framework for the ‘National Common Agricultural Market’— a term that featured in the Indian Finance Minister’s 2014–15 budget speech, and which is aimed towards standardizing and improving transparency in agricultural trade practices across states under a single licensing system. The book deliberates on the potential of developing innovative financial instruments into the value chain framework by supporting tripartite agreements between producers, lead firms and financial institutions. Its fourteen chapters are divided into three parts—Agriculture Value Chain Financing: Theoretical Framework, AgricultureValue Chain Financing in Cases of Select Commodities; and Institutional Framework for Agriculture Value Chain Financing. Since the concept of value chain financing is being considered as a future policy agenda, the book is of great interest to corporations dealing with agricultural inputs and outputs; commercial, regional, rural and cooperative banks; policy makers; academicians and NGOs.

This book addresses some key strategic questions related to agriculture in the context of major contemporary developments and emerging challenges in Nepal such as the changing role of agriculture with economic growth, structural transformation in reducing poverty, improving nutritional outcomes, and addressing the challenges of climate change. The book also suggests policy measures to improve the delivery of critical inputs and services and ensure the participation of marginal and smallholders in high-value chains. Further, it discusses how the new federal system and governance structure will affect the delivery of agricultural technology and services.   The book is divided into five parts. Part I discusses macro-issues in the agriculture sector, while Part II focuses on agricultural productivity growth and its main drivers. The third part explores diversification in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors by farmers and other rural people for livelihoodimprovement, while the fourth part deals with agricultural trade and marketing issues, highlighting policy implications and recommendations in the areas of immediate focus and further research. Lastly, Part V addresses institutions and governance issues, which are vital for agricultural development. In the final chapter, the editors summarize and synthesize the book’s main findings and develop a policy agenda for addressing the many challenges faced by the agriculture sector in Nepal, so as to make it more productive, competitive, sustainable, and inclusive. The book offers a rich source of analytical information on various aspects of agricultural development in Nepal and will be of immense value to policymakers, development partners, civil society, students, and those interested in the economic and agricultural development of not only Nepal, but also other developing countries.