A Genetic Algorithm with Design of Experiments Approach to Predict the Optimal Process Parameters for FDM

This paper describes a Genetic Algorithm (GA) with Design of Experiments (DoE) approach to predict the optimized surface roughness and porosity characteristics of the parts produced using ABS material on stratasys FDM 2000 machine. The Mathematical Model (MM) was developed by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). It is to predict and investigate the influence of selected process parameters namely slice thickness, road width, liquefier temperature and air gap and their interactions on the surface roughness and porosity. The developed MM is the fitness function in GA in order to find out the optimal sets of process parameters and to predict the corresponding surface quality characteristics. These results have been validated and the experimental results after GA are found to be in conformance with the predicted process parameters.Mechanical Engineerin

India rice export and virtual water trade

The present study aimed to assess water footprint in the production and export of rice in India. From recent few years, the water footprint conception in full swing to inward detection around the world. The amplified attention in the water footprint has impelled the trade of commodities between countries. Water footprint in the rice field is a sign of water use that exhibits direct and indirect water usage in the rice field. Rice is an important food crop in India. It accesses the flows of water virtually between countries/regions of the world to illustrate the dependency of countries/regions on water resources with other countries/regions under diverse feasible futures. Hence, it is gaining consequence to calculate the water foot print in production as well as export of rice.  The Indian rice production and export of rice was calculated by using international trade and domestic production data. The study results indicated that the global footprint of rice production was 235774 Mm3 per ton which was 53 % of green water footprint, 41 % of blue water footprint and 6 % of grey water footprint for 2018-19. The virtual water flowed in trade was 24354 Mm3/year and the percolation was 16924 Mm3/year since rice is a more water consuming crop. The share of basmati and non-basmati trade accounted was 16 % and 42 %, respectively. Virtual water trade in rice can be minimized by exporting less water demand and high-value crops, proper water harvesting structures and other agronomic practices

Impact of nontariff measures on the exports of the beverage sector in India

In the recent past, agricultural exports, especially plantation crops, which are the backbone of India, have been subjected to many nontariff measures. Since the liberalisation of trade has led to the integration of global commodity markets, developing countries are significantly affected by these trade barriers, which indirectly hurt millions of plantation community. Traditionally, India is well known for its exports of beverages and stringent maximum residual limits, traceability issues, and food safety standards are complex issues surmounting trade in the plantation sector around the world. Hence, the present research study attempts to find the shock of nontariff measures on the prices of both export and domestic beverages and the hammering in returns to the Indian beverage industry by the partial equilibrium method. This model directly measures the simulation effect of nontariff measures by imposing NTM on tea and coffee sector.  It is obvious that as the NTM percent increases from 10 percent to 25 percent on tea sector, the loss in export quantity was more from 22.24 million kg to 55.61 million kg and loss of revenue was from Rs. 2997 million to Rs. 7492 million for the corresponding NTMs. Likewise the loss in export quantity (62.85 million kg) and loss in revenue (Rs. 9412 million) were high in 25 per cent of NTM. The present study shows how to allow for market imperfections and trade facilitating effects of nontariff measures in the beverage sector.

Growth dynamics and forecasting of minor millets in India: A time series analysis

The forecasting behaviour of millet plays a critical role in production planning at the Indian farm level. This study made an effort to forecast the area and production of small millets in India with time series analysis. The performance of the forecasting models was appraised and collated by the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Partial Autocorrelation Function (PACF) and Auto Correlation Function (ACF) criteria. For this analysis, the yearly data of the area and production of small millet from 1950 to 2021 were calculated. Among all Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models, ARIMA (0,1,0) was found to be the best fitted for forecasting the area and production of minor millets in India since, principally, this model relies on historical ideals of the sequences in addition to earlier error relations for forecasting minor millets and it does not adopt information of any fundamental model or associations as in some other approaches. The predicted values of minor millet area showed decreased trend from 422.4 thousand hectares in the year 2022 to 409.2 thousand hectares in the year 2026. Likewise, the production under small millets declined from 393.5 thousand tons to 159.5 thousand tons for the corresponding period. Hence, production of these crops can be enhanced by suitable use of inputs and timely application of inputs, high yielding varieties, government interventions like policy support, subsidising through the Public Distribution System and awareness by the way of propaganda and demonstration

An Empirical Study on Input Use Efficiency of Marigold in Contract Farming

Contract farming is an agreement between farmers and processing and/or marketing firms for the production and supply of agricultural products under forward agreements, frequently at predetermined prices. Marigold is one of the most commonly grown flower crops used extensively as decorative plants, religious and social functions in different forms. It has gained importance amongst the growers and flower dealers on account of its easy cultivation and commercial uses. Considering the importance of contract farming in marigold, the present study has been undertaken to study the resource use efficiency in marigold cultivation under contract farming and to suggest policy measures to promote contract farming for sustainable increase in production and income of marigold farmers. The collected data were analysed by adopting average and percentage analyses, Cobb- Douglas and Stochastic Frontier production functions. The following findings and policy implications emerged from the study. The results of Cobb-Douglas production function would show that the inputs namely potassium, seed, irrigation, farm yard manure, plant protection chemicals, human labour and machine power were found to contribute significantly and positively to the yield. However the MVP/MFC ratios indicated the scope to increase the use of only nutrient potassium, seed, plant protection expenses, and machine power. The major problems faced by contract farmers were low price for the produce, labour scarcity, and non-provision of advance by the firm for growing marigold. In the case of non-contract farming the major problem was rejection of the produce in the market followed by price fluctuation, poor quality inputs, labour scarcity, problems in transportation for marketing the produce and lack of technical advice in cultivating marigold

Factors influencing prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls of 12-15 years residing in government residential schools of Balanagar mandal, Mahabubnagar District Telangana

Background: Adolescent girls are at high risk for anaemia and malnutrition. Anaemia, a manifestation of under - nutrition and poor dietary intake of iron is a serious public health problem, not only among pregnant women, infants and young children but also among adolescents. Inadequate nutrition during adolescence can have seriousconsequences throughout the reproductive years of life and beyond. Objective: To determine the prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls of age 12-15 years residing in government residential schools. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in Government residential schools of Balanagar mandai. 400 adolescent girls of age 12-15 years were the study subjects. Study subjects were interviewed using a pre-designed, pre-tested, semi structured proforma. Results: Prevalence of anaemia was 45.5% in study subjects with mean haemoglobin 10.42 ± 1.5090. Demographic characteristics like age, mothers education showed significant relationship with prevalence of anaemia (p<0.05).Lack of personal hygiene showed significant relation with presence of worm infestation (p < 0.05). Presence of parasitic infestation showed significant relation with prevalence of anaemia(p <0.05). Conclusion: Lack of personal hygiene, worm infestations were the major contributory factors for prevalence of anaemia