Effect of Different Nitrogen and Potassium Rates on Agronomic Characters of Aloe indica

A field study was conducted to investigate the growth of Aloe indica with different rates of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers at the Germplasm Centre, Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University.  Treatments consisted of 0, 200 and 300 kg nitrogen/ha and 0, 100 and 200 kg potassium/ha. The rates of nitrogen and potassium had significant effect on the leaf production of Aloe indica when compared to control. Leaf yield of Aloe indica was highest at application of nitrogen at rate 200 kg/ha and potassium at rate 100 kg/ha. Leaf protein content was 12.71% higher at 200 kg N/ha and 8.47% higher at 300 kg N/ha compared to control. Potassium application at rate of 100 and 200 kg/ha produced 4.86 % and 8.51% higher leaf protein content than the control, respectively. It is recommended to apply nitrogen at rate 200 kg/ha and potassium at rate 100 kg/ha for leaf production of Aloe indica.   Key words: Aloe indica, chemical fertilizers, leaf nitrogen, protein content, potassium conten

An Optimization Model for Technology Adoption of Marginalized Smallholders: Theoretical Support for Matching Technological and Institutional Innovations

The rural poor are often marginalized and restricted from access to markets, public services and information, mainly due to poor connections to transport and communication infrastructure. Despite these unfavorable conditions, agricultural technology investments are believed to unleash unused human and natural capital potentials and alleviate poverty by productivity growth in agriculture. Based on the concept of marginality we develop a theoretical model which shows that these expectations for productivity growth are conditional on human and natural capital stocks and transaction costs. Our model categorizes the rural farm households below the poverty line into four segments according to labor and land endowments. Policy recommendations for segment and location specific investments are provided. Theoretical findings indicate that adjusting rural infrastructure and institutions to reduce transaction costs is a more preferable investment strategy than adjusting agricultural technologies to marginalized production conditions

Methodological Review and Revision of the Global Hunger Index

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a multidimensional measure of hunger that considers three dimensions: (1) inadequate dietary energy supply, (2) child undernutrition, and (3) child mortality. The initial version of the index included the following three, equally weighted, non-standardized (i.e. unscaled) indicators that are expressed in percent: the proportion of the population that is calorie deficient (FAO's prevalence of undernourishment); the prevalence of underweight in children under five; and the under-five mortality rate. Several decisions regarding the original formulation of the GHI are reconsidered in light of recent discussions in the nutrition community and suggestions by other researchers, namely the choice of the prevalence of child underweight for the child undernutrition dimension, the use of the under-five mortality rate from all causes for the child mortality dimension, and the decision not to standardize the component indicators prior to aggregation. Based on an exploration of the literature, data availability and comparability across countries, and correlation analyses with indicators of micronutrient deficiencies, the index is revised as follows: (1) The child underweight indicator is replaced with child stunting and child wasting; (2) The weight of one third for the child undernutrition dimension is shared equally between the two new indicators; and (3) The component indicators of the index are standardized prior to aggregation, using fixed thresholds set above the maximum values observed in the data set. The under-five mortality rate from all causes is retained, because estimating under-five mortality attributable to nutritional deficiencies would be very costly and make the production of the GHI dependent on statistics about cause-specific mortality rates by country and year that are published irregularly, while the expected benefits are limited

Social Safety Nets for Food and Nutritional Security in India

This paper brings together existing literature on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNRGEA) and the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India, offering a narrative review of the evidence on impacts on food security, health and nutrition of beneficiaries. Both programs operate on a large scale and have the capacity to impact the factors leading to undernutrition. It is evident that despite the deficiencies in implementation, both the MGNREGA and the PDS are inclusive and reach the poor and the marginalized who are likely to also experience greater undernutrition and poor health. Data challenges have however prevented researchers from conducting studies that assess the ultimate impact of these two large-scale programs on health and nutrition. The evidence that exists suggests largely positive impacts indicating a clear potential to make these programs more nutrition sensitive not just by incorporating elements that would explicitly address nutritional concerns but also by directing specific attention to innovations that strengthen critical complementarities and synergies that exist between the two programs

Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) in 5G Networks: Enabling Mission-Critical Applications

In 5G networks, Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) is a critical technology that supports mission-critical applications in various industry sectors. This study investigates the importance, difficulties, and policy consequences of URLLC deployment. A thorough assessment of the literature, an analysis of the underlying technologies, performance evaluation methods, and the effect of URLLC on mission-critical systems are all part of the process. Principal discoveries underscore the revolutionary possibilities of URLLC in healthcare, transportation, industrial automation, and public safety. However, they also point to obstacles to technological optimization, spectrum distribution, security, and interoperability. The significance of proactive steps in spectrum policy, regulatory frameworks, data protection, and research funding is highlighted by policy implications as they aid in successfully implementing URLLC. Stakeholders may fully realize the potential of URLLC to build a connected world where incredibly dependable communication enables people, companies, and communities to prosper and innovate in the digital era by tackling these issues and accepting policy actions

Trade Policies and Entrepreneurial Initiatives: A Nexus for India\u27s Global Market Integration

In the context of India\u27s integration into global markets, this study investigates the relationship between India\u27s trade policies and its entrepreneurial efforts. The primary objectives are to examine the impact of trade policies on entrepreneurship, analyze how entrepreneurial activities influence the design of trade policies, identify mechanisms that support India\u27s integration into global markets, and provide policy suggestions. This study analyzes scholarly articles, government publications, and industry reports using an approach based on examining secondary data. The most important findings shed light on the mutually beneficial link between trade policies and entrepreneurial endeavors, the significance of trade liberalization for market access, and export-oriented entrepreneurship\u27s role in India\u27s integration into global commercial markets. In the context of policy implications, the necessity for holistic policy approaches, flexibility in policy design, measures to build capacity for entrepreneurs, involvement with stakeholders, and constant monitoring and evaluation is emphasized. Through this nexus, India has the potential to open up opportunities, improve its competitiveness, and establish itself as a significant player in the world economy

Tapping Potentials of Innovation for Food Security and Sustainable Agricultural Growth: An Africa-Wide Perspective

While in the past, increased use of inputs and expansion of agricultural land accounted for a good part of agricultural growth in Africa, improvements in productivity will need to be a major driver of growth in the future. Thus, agricultural innovations are needed to sustainably increase productivity, i.e. output per unit of all inputs, while maintaining environmental quality and resources. Such innovations require enhanced investments in research and development. This study identifies potentials in agriculture and food systems in Africa for enhanced food security. For maximum impact, the Special Initiative "One World - No Hunger" of BMZ needs to take note of the whole African landscape of actions in agriculture and food security. Therefor this study provides a detailed review of related ongoing and recent initiatives, in order to help identify in what ways investments under the "One World - No Hunger" Special Initiative from a broad strategic perspective might best connect and serve in coherent and complementary ways to increase food and nutrition security and sustainable agricultural productivity growth. Innovations in the agricultural sector are key to ensure food security and achieve the right to food. Investments in the agricultural sector are crucial not only to increase food production but also because the returns on investments in terms of poverty reduction effects are often highest in in this sector. Furthermore, food insecurity and violent conflicts are inextricably interlinked with food insecurity being both a driver and a consequence of violent conflicts and related refugee flows. African countries have recently made major commitments to invest in agriculture. The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), that was initiated in 2003 and has been reinforced by the Malabo Declaration in 2014, is now the reference point and measure of commitment in Africa. With CAADP, African countries committed to spend 10% of their total public expenditures on agriculture to achieve an annual agricultural growth rate of 6%. Other African and international initiatives, including new partnerships between African governments, donors and the private sector like the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition or Feed the Future, have since been launched to support the CAADP process. Investment opportunities differ across Africa. In view of the above mentioned goals, it is suggested here that development investments by Germany target countries which reveal potentials indicated by 1. having a track record of political commitment to foster sustainable agricultural growth, as indicated by performance under CAADP, and 2. showing actual progress in sustainable agricultural productivity driven by related innovations, as indicated by comprehensive productivity measurement and innovation actions on the ground, and 3. prioritizing actions for hunger and malnutrition reduction and showing progress (for instance measured by the Global Hunger Index), but where agricultural and rural development and nutrition interventions are likely to make a significant difference, as indicated by public policy and room for civil society actions. The records and potentials of 42 African countries are identified accordingly, using comprehensive assessments of agronomic, economic and governance criteria that can be transparently tracked