Assessment of the Performance of Ionospheric Models with NavIC Observations during Geomagnetic Storms

The paper presents an assessment of the performances of the global empirical models: International Reference Ionosphere (IRI)-2016 and the NeQuick2 model derived ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) with respect to the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)/ Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System(IRNSS) estimated TEC under geomagnetic storm conditions. The present study is carried out over Indore (Geographic: 22.52$^{\circ}$N 75.92$^{\circ}$E and Magnetic Dip: 32.23$^{\circ}$N, located close to the northern crest of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) region of the Indian sector). Analysis has been performed for an intense storm (September 6-10, 2017), a moderate storm (September 26-30, 2017) and a mild storm (January 17-21, 2018) that fall in the declining phase of the present solar cycle. It is observed that both IRI-2016 and NeQuick2 derived TEC are underestimates when compared with the observed TEC from NavIC and therefore fail to predict storm time changes in TEC over this region and requires real data inclusion from NavIC for better prediction over the variable Indian longitude sector.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in the proceedings of the 2020 URSI Regional Conference on Radio Science(URSI-RCRS 2020

Instability, Supply Response and Insurance in Oilseeds Production in India

Yield and price instability and covariate risks have been examined for major oilseeds, viz. groundnut, rapeseed/mustard, sunflower and soybean, in selected states of India using time series data. Risk behaviour and effects of price and price risk on production have been analyzed in a rational expectations framework. The study has also estimated social gains from yield and revenue insurance in oilseeds. While instabilities in yield, prices and gross return have shown mixed responses, covariate risks have increased. The results of econometric analysis have indicated that the expected prices and price risk are important determinants of oilseeds production. Price elasticities of oilseed production have been found to vary between 0.26 and 0.88 and price risk elasticities of production between –0.006 and –0.07 in different Indian states. The potential efficiency gains from insurance schemes based on rainfall and other meteorological variables have been estimated to be 17.5 to 43 per cent over self-insurance in oilseeds production.Oilseeds, Instability, Covariate risks, Rational expectation, Production response, Risk effect, Insurance market, Social benefits, Agricultural and Food Policy,

Food Security, Research Priorities and Resource Allocation in South Asia

The study conduced on South Asian countries is focused on three issues, viz. (a) research priorities in agriculture, (b) level of research investment, and (c) focus of research investments to attain food-secured South Asia. The results of this empirical exercise have suggested that (a) cereals, horticulture, livestock and fisheries in commodity groups and rice and milk as commodities should receive greater attention in resource allocation at South Asia level with certain minor variations across the countries, (b) prioritization exercises need to explicitly target poor as otherwise their needs will continue to remain under-funded, and at least 2-3 times increase (if the AgGDP growth is assumed at 2.1%) and 3-4 times increase (if the AgGDP growth is assumed at 4%) is needed in funding support to these countries in agricultural research and education to attain food and nutritional security.Agricultural and Food Policy,

INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IN INDIAN AGRICULTURE

Globalization, privatization and scientific advancements pose new challenges and opportunities for the development of Indian agriculture. The emerging paradigm shifts focus to creation and application of new knowledge for agricultural development and global competitiveness. To facilitate this shift and realize greater economic efficiency, a new set of responsive institutions should emerge. This volume discusses the direction of institutional change in Indian agriculture. The roles of the state, markets and collective actions are examined for evolving the knowledge-intensive agriculture. The contributed papers from a number of leading researchers cover the institutions for R&D, land and water resources, credit, marketing, trade and agro-processing.Industrial Organization, International Development,

Efficiency in Indian Edible Oilseed Sector: Analysis and Implications

Reversing the declining trend in productivity of oilseeds and improving the efficiency of oilseed processing is a major challenge to the policymakers and researchers. The present study has analyzed technical inefficiencies and factors responsible for inefficiencies in production and processing of four major edible oilseeds, viz. groundnut, rapeseed and mustard, soybean and sunflower. Both primary and secondary data have been used to estimate the inefficiencies. Analysis has revealed the presence of 1/4 to 1/3 technical inefficiencies in oilseed production at the average level and even more at the farm/ processing unit level along with allocative and scale inefficiencies. The combined technical inefficiencies in the oilseed sector have been found to be 1/2 to 2/3, which are enormous. If prevented/ minimized, the oil production in the country could nearly be doubled. Soil quality, seed replacement and education have been found as determinants of technical efficiency in oilseed production, whereas availability of adequate raw material and higher oil recovery determine the technical efficiency in oil production. Lack of assured market for oilseeds and lack of timely and assured supply of quality seeds and raw materials for processing are some of the important factors for the poor performance of the oilseeds industry. Study has reported that the marginal return to water is one of the highest in oilseeds. Therefore, cultivation of oilseeds in irrigated land if they really compete with other crops for profitability, needs to be given due consideration.Agricultural and Food Policy,