Risk of Financing Agriculture in the North-Eastern Hill Region of India with Special Reference to Meghalaya

The study pertains to the economic issues of risk and uncertainties associated with financing hill agriculture from the twin angles of risk of farmers to utilize the credit and of bankers to disburse the agricultural loan. The issues discussed are: first, why the financial institutions are reluctant to lend agricultural advances? Second, whether the farm income or rate of return on equity and non-equity capital is sufficient to repay the loan? Third, what are the major sources and the magnitude of risks and uncertainties associated with hill farming? Fourth, nature of agricultural marketing situation and how it affects the farm income in this region and finally, the possibilities have been explored, where and how the agricultural lending can be stepped up with positive economic return? The study has revealed that agricultural farming in north-east region of India is severely constrained by high risk and uncertainty arising out from various factors. Under the prevailing condition the expectation of a steady and assured income from agriculture is quite limited; hence, the hill farming fails to attract considerable private investment. The prevailing risk and uncertainty situation compels them to operate at low-input and low-output subsistence farming with low volume of marketable surplus. It has been found that the financial institutions face difficulty in financing the hill agriculture in view of low repayment performance and increasing non-performing assets for agricultural loan. Also, the absence/poor performance of crop insurance scheme (presently only Meghalaya and Sikkim are implementing the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme) increases the risk of hill farming considerably. Non-availability of reliable agricultural database (time series as well as cross section) on area, production and yield, cost of cultivation has been found the major impediments for implementing the crop insurance scheme efficiently. The agricultural situation in this region is highly heterogeneous; variability is extremely high even within a few kilometres of area. It has been suggested that suitable methodologies followed by a wide database be developed to estimate the yield and cost of production of horticultural crops which will help policymakers to formulate right policy to protect the interest of farmers as well as smooth functioning of all stakeholders — entrepreneurs, private investors, bankers and crop insurance implementing agencies.Agricultural and Food Policy,

Nm23-H1 can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in B cells

Nm23-H1 is a well-known tumor metastasis suppressor, which functions as a nucleoside-diphosphate kinase converting nucleoside diphosphates to nucleoside triphosphates with an expense of ATP. It regulates a variety of cellular activities, including proliferation, development, migration and differentiation known to be modulated by a series of complex signaling pathway. Few studies have addressed the mechanistic action of Nm23-H1 in the context of these cellular processes. To determine the downstream pathways modulated by Nm23-H1, we expressed Nm23-H1 in a Burkitt lymphoma derived B-cell line BJAB and performed pathway specific microarray analysis. The genes with significant changes in expression patterns were clustered in groups which are responsible for regulating cell cycle, p53 activities and apoptosis. We found a general reduction of cell cycle regulatory proteins including cyclins and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (anti proliferation), and upregulation of apoptotic genes which included caspase 3, 9 and Bcl-x. Nm23-H1 was also found to upregulate p53 and downregulate p21 expression. A number of these genes were validated by real time PCR and results from promoter assays indicated that Nm23-H1 expression downregulated cyclin D1 in a dose responsive manner. Further, we show that Nm23-H1 forms a complex with the cellular transcription factor AP1 to modulate cyclin D1 expression levels. BJAB cells expressing Nm23-H1 showed reduced proliferation rate and were susceptible to increased apoptosis which may in part be due to a direct interaction between Nm23-H1 and p53. These results suggest that Nm23-H1 may have a role in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis in human B-cells

Agricultural and empowerment pathways from land ownership to women's nutrition in India.

Land size is an important equity concern for the design of 'nutrition-sensitive' agricultural interventions. We unpack some of the pathways between land and nutrition using a cross-sectional baseline survey data set of 4,480 women from 148 clusters from the 'Upscaling Participatory Action and Videos for Agriculture and Nutrition' trial in Keonjhar district in Odisha, India. Variables used are household ln-land size owned (exposure) and maternal dietary diversity score out of 10 food groups and body mass index (BMI; kg/m2 ) (outcomes); and mediators investigated are production diversity score, value of agricultural production, and indicators for women's empowerment (decision-making in agriculture, group participation, work-free time and land ownership). We assessed mediation using a non-parametric potential outcomes framework method. Land size positively affects maternal dietary diversity scores [β 0.047; 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.011, 0.082)] but not BMI. Production diversity, but not value of production, accounts for 17.6% of total effect mediated. We observe suppression of the effect of land size on BMI, with no evidence of a direct effect for either of the agricultural mediators but indirect effects of β -0.031 [95% CI (-0.048, -0.017)] through production diversity and β -0.047 [95% CI (-0.075, -0.021)] through value of production. An increase in land size positively affects women's decision-making, which in turn negatively affects maternal BMI. The positive effect of work-free time on maternal BMI is suppressed by the negative effect of household land size on work-free time. Agriculture interventions must consider land quality, women's decision-making and implications for women's workload in their design

Economic evaluation of nutrition-sensitive agricultural interventions to increase maternal and child dietary diversity and nutritional status in rural Odisha, India

BACKGROUND: Economic evaluations of nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) interventions are scarce, limiting assessment of their potential affordability and scalability. OBJECTIVE: We conducted cost-consequence analyses of three participatory video-based interventions of fortnightly women's group meetings using: 1) NSA videos; 2) NSA and nutrition-specific videos; or 3) NSA videos with a nutrition-specific Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) cycle. METHODS: Interventions were tested in a 32-month, four-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial, UPAVAN, in Keonjhar district, Odisha, India. Impacts were evaluated in children aged 0-23 months and their mothers. We estimated program costs using data collected prospectively from expenditure records of implementing and technical partners, and societal costs using expenditure assessment of households with a child aged 0-23 months and key informant interviews. Costs were adjusted for inflation, discounted, and converted to 2019 US${\$}$. RESULTS: Total program costs of each intervention ranged from US${\$}$272,121 to US${\$}$386,907. Program costs per pregnant woman or mother of a child aged 0-23 months were US${\$}$62 for NSA videos, US${\$}$84 for NSA and nutrition-specific videos, and US${\$}$78 for NSA videos with PLA (societal costs: US${\$}$125, US${\$}$143, and US${\$}$122 respectively). Substantial shares of total costs constituted developing and delivering the videos and PLA (52-69%) and quality assurance (25-41%). Relative to control, children's minimum dietary diversity was higher in the intervention incorporating nutrition-specific videos (adjusted relative risk [95% CI] 1.19 [1.03, 1.37]) and PLA (1.27 [1.11, 1.46]). Relative to control, mothers' minimum dietary diversity was higher in NSA video (1.21 [1.01, 1.45]), and NSA with PLA (1.30 [1.10, 1.53]) interventions. CONCLUSION: NSA videos with PLA can increase both maternal and child dietary diversity and has the lowest cost per unit increase in diet diversity. Building on investments made in developing UPAVAN, cost-efficiency at scale could be increased with less intensive monitoring, reduced start-up costs, and integration within existing government programs.Trial registration: ISRCTN65922679

Effect of nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions with participatory videos and women's group meetings on maternal and child nutritional outcomes in rural Odisha, India (UPAVAN trial): a four-arm, observer-blind, cluster-randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Almost a quarter of the world's undernourished people live in India. We tested the effects of three nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) interventions on maternal and child nutrition in India. METHODS: We did a parallel, four-arm, observer-blind, cluster-randomised trial in Keonjhar district, Odisha, India. A cluster was one or more villages with a combined minimum population of 800 residents. The clusters were allocated 1:1:1:1 to a control group or an intervention group of fortnightly women's groups meetings and household visits over 32 months using: NSA videos (AGRI group); NSA and nutrition-specific videos (AGRI-NUT group); or NSA videos and a nutrition-specific participatory learning and action (PLA) cycle meetings and videos (AGRI-NUT+PLA group). Primary outcomes were the proportion of children aged 6-23 months consuming at least four of seven food groups the previous day and mean maternal body-mass index (BMI). Secondary outcomes were proportion of mothers consuming at least five of ten food groups and child wasting (proportion of children with weight-for-height Z score SD <-2). Outcomes were assessed in children and mothers through cross-sectional surveys at baseline and at endline, 36 months later. Analyses were by intention to treat. Participants and intervention facilitators were not blinded to allocation; the research team were. This trial is registered at ISRCTN, ISRCTN65922679. FINDINGS: 148 of 162 clusters assessed for eligibility were enrolled and randomly allocated to trial groups (37 clusters per group). Baseline surveys took place from Nov 24, 2016, to Jan 24, 2017; clusters were randomised from December, 2016, to January, 2017; and interventions were implemented from March 20, 2017, to Oct 31, 2019, and endline surveys done from Nov 19, 2019, to Jan 12, 2020, in an average of 32 households per cluster. All clusters were included in the analyses. There was an increase in the proportion of children consuming at least four of seven food groups in the AGRI-NUT (adjusted relative risk [RR] 1·19, 95% CI 1·03 to 1·37, p=0·02) and AGRI-NUT+PLA (1·27, 1·11 to 1·46, p=0·001) groups, but not AGRI (1·06, 0·91 to 1·23, p=0·44), compared with the control group. We found no effects on mean maternal BMI (adjusted mean differences vs control, AGRI -0·05, -0·34 to 0·24; AGRI-NUT 0·04, -0·26 to 0·33; AGRI-NUT+PLA -0·03, -0·3 to 0·23). An increase in the proportion of mothers consuming at least five of ten food groups was seen in the AGRI (adjusted RR 1·21, 1·01 to 1·45) and AGRI-NUT+PLA (1·30, 1·10 to 1·53) groups compared with the control group, but not in AGRI-NUT (1·16, 0·98 to 1·38). We found no effects on child wasting (adjusted RR vs control, AGRI 0·95, 0·73 to 1·24; AGRI-NUT 0·96, 0·72 to 1·29; AGRI-NUT+PLA 0·96, 0·73 to 1·26). INTERPRETATION: Women's groups using combinations of NSA videos, nutrition-specific videos, and PLA cycle meetings improved maternal and child diet quality in rural Odisha, India. These components have been implemented separately in several low-income settings; effects could be increased by scaling up together. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UK AID from the UK Government, and US Agency for International Development

Regulators of Tfh cell differentiation

The follicular helper T (Tfh) cells help is critical for activation of B cells, antibody class switching and germinal center formation. The Tfh cells are characterized by the expression of CXCR5, ICOS, PD-1, Bcl-6, and IL-21. They are involved in clearing infections and are adversely linked with autoimmune diseases and also have a role in viral replication as well as clearance. Tfh cells are generated from naïve CD4 T cells with sequential steps involving cytokine signaling (IL-21, IL-6, IL-12, activin A), migration and positioning in the germinal center by CXCR5, surface receptors (ICOS/ICOSL, SAP/SLAM) as well as transcription factor (Bcl-6, c-Maf, STAT3) signaling and repressor miR155. On the other hand Tfh generation is negatively regulated at specific steps of Tfh generation by specific cytokine (IL-2, IL-7), surface receptor (PD-1, CTLA-4), transcription factors Blimp-1, STAT5, T-bet, KLF-2 signaling and repressor miR 146a. Interestingly, miR 17-92 and FOXO1 acts as a positive as well as a negative regulator of Tfh differentiation depending on the time of expression and disease specificity. Tfh cells are also generated from the conversion of other effector T cells as exemplified by Th1 cells converting into Tfh during viral infection. The mechanistic details of effector T cells conversion into Tfh are yet to be clear. To manipulate Tfh cells for therapeutic implication and or for effective vaccination strategies, it is important to know positive and negative regulators of Tfh generation. Hence, in this review we have highlighted and interlinked molecular signaling from cytokines, surface receptors, transcription factors, ubiquitin Ligase and miRNA as positive and negative regulators for Tfh differentiation

Risk of Financing Agriculture in the North-Eastern Hill Region of India with Special Reference to Meghalaya

The study pertains to the economic issues of risk and uncertainties associated with financing hill agriculture from the twin angles of risk of farmers to utilize the credit and of bankers to disburse the agricultural loan. The issues discussed are: first, why the financial institutions are reluctant to lend agricultural advances? Second, whether the farm income or rate of return on equity and non-equity capital is sufficient to repay the loan? Third, what are the major sources and the magnitude of risks and uncertainties associated with hill farming? Fourth, nature of agricultural marketing situation and how it affects the farm income in this region and finally, the possibilities have been explored, where and how the agricultural lending can be stepped up with positive economic return? The study has revealed that agricultural farming in north-east region of India is severely constrained by high risk and uncertainty arising out from various factors. Under the prevailing condition the expectation of a steady and assured income from agriculture is quite limited; hence, the hill farming fails to attract considerable private investment. The prevailing risk and uncertainty situation compels them to operate at low-input and low-output subsistence farming with low volume of marketable surplus. It has been found that the financial institutions face difficulty in financing the hill agriculture in view of low repayment performance and increasing non-performing assets for agricultural loan. Also, the absence/poor performance of crop insurance scheme (presently only Meghalaya and Sikkim are implementing the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme) increases the risk of hill farming considerably. Non-availability of reliable agricultural database (time series as well as cross section) on area, production and yield, cost of cultivation has been found the major impediments for implementing the crop insurance scheme efficiently. The agricultural situation in this region is highly heterogeneous; variability is extremely high even within a few kilometres of area. It has been suggested that suitable methodologies followed by a wide database be developed to estimate the yield and cost of production of horticultural crops which will help policymakers to formulate right policy to protect the interest of farmers as well as smooth functioning of all stakeholders — entrepreneurs, private investors, bankers and crop insurance implementing agencies

Not Available

Not AvailableMeghalaya is one of the most promising states within NEH Region as far as the organic farming potential is concerned. To transform the organic potential to reality, there is a need to conduct systematic study on the financial viability of growing these crops. Estimation of comparative economics between organic vs inorganic is essential to take rational policy decision to carry forward the organic farming movement in the hilly region of the state. Present study has been undertaken with the following objectives in Meghalaya; first, to examine the socio-economic characteristics of farmers practicing organic agriculture in Meghalaya, second, to examine and compare (organic vs inorganic) the economics of high value commodities that have potential to be grown organically, third, identification of the factors that are influencing farmers to practice organic agriculture and finally, to examine the constraints of organic farming in the region. The present study is mainly based on the primary data collected from the farm households through personal interview method. The primary data on farm size, land use pattern, households’ income, livestock ownership etc. were collected from the sample farmers on pre-structured survey schedule through personal interview. To examine the Socio-economic characteristics of the sample farmers, analysis such as averages, percentages, maximum or minimum has been used for the study. To examine and compare the major organic food crops with in-organic food crops of the region, farm budgeting technique has been used. To analyse the factors influencing the farmers to practice organic farming, the logistic regression has been used. Financial viability analysis was also carried out for perennial crops following the discounted cash flow measures, namely, IRR, NPV & BCR and un-discounted method, Pay back period. Results analysed in the present paper indicated that several crops has the right potential to be grown as organic as far as their financial viability is concerned. However, the practice of organic agriculture in Meghalaya is not demand-driven rather it is their compulsion or natural way of farming considering the difficult terrain in the hilly tract and very weak market linkages. Therefore, organic by default would not be sufficient to transform present farming system to organic farming system as desired. Organic food production should be promoted only for specific crop (turmeric, ginger, pineapple, khasi mandarin and cashew) in specific areas having favourable economics. The most important step required is to establishment of market linkages (which is the pre-condition for its success) with the farmers. Pricing policy of the organic product along with extending support of remunerative price and promotion of contract farming is essential either through public or public-private partnership.Not Availabl

Nm23-H1 can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in B cells

Nm23-H1 is a well-known tumor metastasis suppressor, which functions as a nucleoside-diphosphate kinase converting nucleoside diphosphates to nucleoside triphosphates with an expense of ATP. It regulates a variety of cellular activities, including proliferation, development, migration and differentiation known to be modulated by a series of complex signaling pathway. Few studies have addressed the mechanistic action of Nm23-H1 in the context of these cellular processes. To determine the downstream pathways modulated by Nm23-H1, we expressed Nm23-H1 in a Burkitt lymphoma derived B-cell line BJAB and performed pathway specific microarray analysis. The genes with significant changes in expression patterns were clustered in groups which are responsible for regulating cell cycle, p53 activities and apoptosis. We found a general reduction of cell cycle regulatory proteins including cyclins and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (anti proliferation), and upregulation of apoptotic genes which included caspase 3, 9 and Bcl-x. Nm23-H1 was also found to upregulate p53 and downregulate p21 expression. A number of these genes were validated by real time PCR and results from promoter assays indicated that Nm23-H1 expression downregulated cyclin D1 in a dose responsive manner. Further, we show that Nm23-H1 forms a complex with the cellular transcription factor AP1 to modulate cyclin D1 expression levels. BJAB cells expressing Nm23-H1 showed reduced proliferation rate and were susceptible to increased apoptosis which may in part be due to a direct interaction between Nm23-H1 and p53. These results suggest that Nm23-H1 may have a role in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis in human B-cells