A Review of Data Relevant to Agriculture in India

The Government of India, through more than half a dozen ministries and various research institutions, regularly collects and reports data relevant to the understanding of food production across the country. The aim of this review was to summarize these data sources. Results indicate that while many datasets are publicly available, there is little coordination between ministries. This has resulted in replication of efforts and inconsistencies in reported values for key indicators. Various other factors, including, for example, reporting in PDF format, frequent changes in district boundaries, missing data, and time lags in reporting, further hinder utilization of these data. A standardized data collection protocol for timely reporting of high-quality, complete data is needed. Such a protocol could be developed and overseen by a central, inter-ministerial Agri-Food System Data Governance Steering Committee. The establishment of such a committee would help ensure data-driven, evidence-based policymaking towards a nutrition secure India

Functional Characterization of Rhizobia for Multiple Plant Growth Promoting Activities

This research focuses on the functional characterization of 19 rhizobia strains isolated from Southern Rajasthan's Udaipur and Dungarpur districts, with an emphasis on their multiple Plant Growth Promoting (PGP) activities. Through a series of tests encompassing Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) production, siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, ammonia production, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production, this study elucidates the diverse PGP potential of these rhizobia strains. The results showcase variations in IAA production, highlighting their ability to enhance root development and overall plant growth, while also revealing strains capable of siderophore production, indicating potential iron uptake facilitation. Furthermore, some strains exhibit phosphate solubilization, ammonia production, and HCN production capabilities, signifying their potential to improve nutrient availability and protect plants from pathogens. These findings underscore the promise of harnessing the PGP activities of these rhizobia strains for sustainable agricultural practices in Southern Rajasthan and similar agroecological regions, with implications for enhanced crop yields and soil health