Indian Journal of Agriculture Business

Agricultural diversification is an important mechanism for the economic growth of country. In order to meet the challenges of a globalized market in agriculture as well as the growing and changing needs of the increasing population, many countries have undertaken crop diversification to enhance the productivity and to cultivate high value crop with positive outcomes. Countries are gradually diversifying their crop sector in favour of high value commodities, especially fruits, vegetables and spices. Indian agriculture has been diversifying during the last two decades towards High Value Commodities (HVCs) i.e., fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, and fish products. Diversification in agriculture is “developing a large number crop of enterprises mix in favour of high value as well as more remunerative crops”. Agricultural diversification ensures stability in the farm incomes by minimizing risk because low return from one crop is compensated by high returns from other “it can only happen when eggs are not all in one basket” (Heady, 1968). This paper deals with status of agriculture and diversification index across districts of J&K based on NSSO data. For agriculture status average, percentage is calculated. Comparison is made among the districts of J &K. For the purpose of diversification index, different indices like Simpson and Herfindhal were calculated. Based on the indices value division is made among the districts and categorized as highly, medium and low level of diversification, whereas the results of both the indices are somehow constant.

The present study was aimed to screen the presence of gastrointestinal endoparasites in Murrah buffaloes calves reared in the Buffalo Research Station (BRS), Venkatarammannagudem of Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 44 dung samples were collected during the month of January 2021, from calves of different age groups ranging from 15 days to one year. Microscopic screening of the dung samples revealed presence of Buxtonella sulcata cysts and trophozoite forms in higher number and few helminthic infections of Toxocara vitulorum and Strongyle eggs. An overall incidence of the gastrointestinal parasites was found to be 43.18%, among which the incidence of Buxtonella sulcata was higher (36.36%) when compared to other endoparasites (6.81%). From the above study, it could be summarised that Buxtonella sulcata is a common inhabitant of gastrointestinal tract of buffaloes and responsible for diarrhoea in association with other helminths or mixed infections.

Livestock and poultry sector very important segment of Indian agriculture supporting not only the livelihood of more than seventy five percent population of the rural area especially marginal, small & landless farmers of India, but it is also the important source of income generation. Animals and poultry provide nutrient-rich food products viz. milk, wool, egg, meat etc) draft power, dungs & droppings as organic manure for improving the soil fertility and domestic fuel, hides & skin as well as their byproducts also as a regular source of income generation for rural households. The share of livestock in agricultural GDP is about 25 percent while the growth of livestock sector is very fast and it increases continuously in every year. The annual growth rate of livestock population in terms of livestock wealth is approximate six percent per annum, while the growth of poultry sector is about 10-12% per annum. Livestock keeping and poultry farming are the best insurance for the farmers against the various natural calamities like drought, famine, flood and other natural disaster or calamities. The scientific and economical interventions initiated by our livestock owner get maximum benefit in terms of valuable income as well as livestock and poultry products. The animal’s products like milk, wool, egg, meat etc and their various slaughter by products (ABPs), such as processed animal proteins, fats, whey, buttermilk, and egg shell, feather meal, bone meal etc represent a potentially valuable resource for feeding livestock and poultry as well as the additional source of income generation for sustaining the life. Proper and judicious utilization of animal products as well as its various slaughter by-product has direct impact on the national economy and hygienic & sanitary of country as well as for enhancement of farmer income, good health and improving socio economic condition of the farmers leads to livelihood security of farming community. Utilization of crop residues, non conventional feed resources adopting crop sequencing, crop rotation and integrated farming systems with availability of lush green pastures or fodders throughout the year leads to reduce the feeding cost of animal rearing and environmental safety. The Veterinarians plays a very key role to maintain global health, economics of nation with the help of livestock wealth and their valuable various animal products and its byproducts. In last one decades there has been tremendous work for creating awareness and increasing interest among the people for proper and judicious utilization of the various milk products with value addition and animal byproduct of the dairy, meat and skin industry along with dung & urine for preparation of valuable product such as Panchgavya, Jeevamrit and Gaumutra ark etc for betterment of