Curcuma longa, L. an important natural sources of yellow colour was successfully extracted with acetone, ethanol and propanol. The liquid colour was developed from concentrated oleoresin (50 mL) by addition of 10 mL of polysorbate. The resultant liquid colour was water-soluble. The powder colour was prepared by crystallisation of concentrated oleoresin. The best quality of crystals (dry) was formed with petroleum ether. The result of physico-chemical properties revealed that liquid colour was soluble in all water-based medium while crystallised colour was fat-soluble on heating. Both liquid and crystal colour retained >80% of their colour for 6 months. It was concluded that yellow colour in liquid and crystal form could be developed from turmeric with acceptable physico-chemical properties. Both colour can be used in food products and had good market potential.

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This research was carried out to estimate the genetic parameters of fifty wheat genotypes received from the Agriculture Botany Division, Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), Khumaltar, Lalitpur, in the winter season of 2014/2015 at Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Chitwan, Nepal. The experiment was performed in an alpha lattice design with two replications in five blocks in each replication and ten plots in each block. The analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the studied traits except spike length. This implies that, except for spike length, all other traits exhibited genetic variability. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was generally higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all characters. The difference between PCV and GCV was large in spike length followed by grain weight per spike, the number of grains per spike, grain yield, thousand-grain weight, and harvest index indicating that these traits are affected by the environment as well. Moderate to high heritability associated with a high genetic gain was observed for days to flag leaf appearance, panicle length, thousand-grain weight, grain yield, and harvest index indicating the involvement of additive gene action. Grain weight per spike, number of grains per spike, thousand-grain weight, biological yield, and harvest index were significantly correlated with grain yield indicating their important contribution to grain yield. WK 2525, WK 2437, and WK 2506 were three promising genotypes in terms of grain yield.

Traditionally, Indian farmers kept bovines, especially cattle, for draught purposes in agriculture and transportation with milk as an adjunct. However, with increasing farm mechanization and rising demand for milk, the bovine functions have shifted more towards dairying. While bovine population has been increasing, the chronic scarcity of feed and fodder reinforces the need for optimization of bovine population for sustainable growth of dairying. In this paper, using district-level data from 1997 to 2007, we show that this transformation from draught to dairying is underway in some parts of the country, and further using household-level data, we find that smallholders have contributed disproportionately more to this transformation. This transformation or intensification of dairying is demand-driven with urbanization having a strong positive influence on dairy development. On the supply-side, factors like farm mechanization, improved access to groundwater irrigation and crop diversification away from cereals, are associated with a shift in the bovine economy from draught to dairying.

Ginger is one of the high-value spices crops of Nepal possessing the huge potential of export to the global market. Among Nepal’s natural gifts are agricultural diversity and varied topography making the land suitable for ginger production. The main aim of this study was to scrutinize the current status of ginger production, annual growth rate, its import and export as well as prospects of the Nepali ginger. Fundamentally, secondary data were collected from authentic sources, and then were assembled in Microsoft Excel, and diagrams were generated. ArcGIS software was used to create the map. Findings revealed that the production of ginger is in an increasing trend with an average annual growth rate of 6.67%. Nepal contributed about 9.2% of the global ginger production, despite its small area. Ginger is exported primarily to India because of the lack of an internationally accredited testing laboratory. From this study, it can be concluded that Nepal has comparative advantages in growing ginger, which is noticeable with the geographical features and well-adapted local varieties. The trend of enormous growth in ginger production and its export indicates that ginger production and trade could be a potential enterprise contributing to the national economy. It is recommended to focus on enhancing ginger productivity by providing training and extension services to farmers, subsidies, establishing ginger processing units, easy and reliable certification within the country, and enhancing diplomatic relations for easy market accessibility for strengthening the ginger sub-sector.

No abstract

Commercial farmers in Chitwan are unaware of optimum spacing and fertilizer dose which limits the performance and yield of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. An experiment was conducted to assess the response of okra to different levels of nitrogen 60, 90 and 120kg.ha-1 and 30×30, 45×30 and 60×30cm2 spacing under plastic mulched condition in Bharatpur-16, Chitwan from March to May 2018, using Ramdomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. A hybrid variety of okra (Venus plus) mostly employed by farmers in Chitwan was used. Data were collected from ten randomly selected plants from the central rows in each plot and growth parameters were analyzed of various yield related parameters taken. The tallest plants were for 120kg.ha-1N and for the 30×30cm2 spacing. Pods from the interaction of 90kg.ha-1N for spaced at 45×30cm2 had the widest, the heaviest and the longest. Pods per plant were greatest for plants receiving 120kg.ha-1N spaced at 60×30cm2. Yield was best and cost:benefit (BC) ratio was most favorable for 90kg.Nha-1 treatment and for plants spaced at 45×30cm2. Overall data indicates that the nitrogen dose of 90kg.ha-1N with a spacing of 45× 30cm2 showed the most effective result statistically and economically.

OBJECTIVES: The Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables (FV) to eligible participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). However, redemption of FMNP benefits remains low. This qualitative study explores facilitators and barriers to produce access and FMNP redemption for caregivers of WIC-eligible children in Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted semistructured phone interviews with caregivers between August and December 2020 to understand experiences with produce access and programming preferences to increase benefit redemption and produce consumption. We used content analysis with constant comparison with code interviews inductively and identified emerging themes through an iterative process. RESULTS: Participants (n = 30) wanted their children to eat more produce but described barriers to produce access, including limited availability, higher cost, and limited time. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and WIC benefits improved the ability to purchase produce, but difficulties with electronic benefit transfer and pandemic-related office closures limited use of WIC benefits. Similarly, lack of convenient market locations and hours prohibited use of FMNP benefits. Caregivers described that an ideal food program would be delivery based, low cost, offer a variety of FV, and provide recipes and educational activities. CONCLUSIONS: WIC-eligible caregivers want their children to eat more produce; however, they face multiple barriers in redeeming their benefits to access fresh produce. Delivery-based, low-cost produce programs may lead to increased produce access as well as benefit use. Future study is needed on feasibility and acceptability of produce delivery options among WIC-eligible families.