India is the major producer, consumer and exporter of spices in the world. India grows over 75 different varieties of spices because of varied agro-climatic conditions and soil types. The acreage and production of spices have changed significantly between 2020-21 and 2023-24, with a general trend of increase in both. For instance, the estimated total production of spices in 2023-24 was around 1.18 crore metric tonnes, a substantial rise from earlier figures, and sowing area has also shown growth.

Spices have historically shaped global trade, with India as a major hub. Today, however, adulteration and unethical practices undermine consumer trust and highlight the need for pure, authentic products. This study examines consumer perceptions of the Karnataka Milk Federationandrsquo;s (KMF) Nandini brand and the potential acceptance of Nandini-branded spice powders in Karnataka. Data were collected from 129 respondents across districts using a structured bilingual questionnaire, with analysis based on descriptive statistics. Results show preferences influenced by age, gender, education, and income: middle-aged consumers favored traditional spice powders, while younger consumers leaned toward modern blends. A high proportion of respondents rated Nandiniandrsquo;s product quality positively (98.4%), with bulk monthly purchases (40.3%) reflecting shelf stability. Adulteration concerns (36.2%) further emphasized demand for safe products. Notably, 82.2 per cent expressed willingness to purchase Nandini spices, citing trust, authenticity, farmer empowerment, and affordability as key drivers. Sambar powder, chilli powder, and garam masala emerged as priority products, while growing interest in organic options reflected rising health and sustainability awareness. The findings suggest that KMF can leverage Nandiniandrsquo;s brand credibility, retail network, and cooperative identity to ensure a successful market entry, promoting both consumer trust and farmer welfare.

The research empirically estimates the resource use efficiency and resource-saving target ratio of farmers in the Koramangala-Challaghatta Valley Project (KCVP) and Non-Koramangala -Challaghatta Valley Project (NKCVP) area using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The study collected data from Kolar district in Karnataka, where 160 vegetable growers were selected using snowball sampling. Data were gathered through the utilization of pre-tested questionnaires and interview schedules. The study examined the efficiency of resource utilization among vegetable farmers, assessing both overall technical efficiency and pure technical efficiency through the application of a neoclassical non-parametric model called Data Envelopment Analysis. Furthermore, the study delved into resource overuse and estimated the resource-saving of various inputs used on the farm.

Fish GDP has considerable impact from mean temperature, precipitation and CO2 emission over a period of time. Here we use empirical findings from three South Asian countries namely Bangladesh, India and Thailand for period of 1991-2020 using an Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. There is a significant positive long-term relationship between CO2 and fish GDP for Bangladesh and India, while temperature and precipitation show a non-significant negative association. In Thailand, precipitation has

a significant positive impact on fish GDP, while temperature and CO2 also have positive effects but are not statistically significant. The error correction term is highly significant, indicating a strong short run adjustment towards long run equilibrium. The fitted models were reliable and stable confirmed using econometric analysis. The positive influence of CO2 emissions on fish GDP underscores the need for emissions reduction policies and sustainability efforts in India and Bangladesh. By leveraging insights from this model, these countries can develop both immediate and long-term strategies to sustain the health and productivity of the fisheries sector amidst environmental changes.

This study assesses the economic benefits of natural versus conventional sugarcane farming in Belagavi district of Karnataka for the time period of 2023-24. Amid Indiaandrsquo;s economic ambitions and the critical role in agriculture played during the COVID-19 pandemic, natural farming methods, particularly Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) advocated by Shri Subhash Palekar, are examined. The research, involving 120 sample farmers including 60 practicing natural farming and 60 conventional farming for the analysis total cost method was employed. The results reveal that in conventional farming yield was more sugarcane per hectare and provides higher gross returns, natural farming proves more cost-effective. Natural farmingandrsquo;s total cost of cultivation was ` 2,24,544.71 per hectare, when compared to conventional farming (` 2,55,587.89). This difference is largely due to lower variable costs and more efficient input use in natural farming. Although natural farming has lower yields but it fetches a higher price per tonne (` 3,300 versus ` 2,900), contributing to higher net returns of ` 2,07,633 compared to ` 1,81,532 from conventional methods. The cost of production per tonne is also higher in natural farming (` 1,715) compared to conventional farming (` 1,696), whereas, the overall returns per rupee of expenditure was better in natural farming (1.92) than the conventional farming (1.71). The findings highlights the natural

farmingandrsquo;s potential for economic sustainability and reduced dependence on costly inputs, despite its lower yields. The study suggests that, with increased awareness, government support and incentives natural farming practices could gain broader adoption in the study area. This not only benefit farmers economically but also promote long-term sustainability and resilience in agriculture.

In the field of horticulture, the production of vegetables plays a significant role in the development of agriculture and the countryandrsquo;s economy. It not only generates more income and employment opportunities but also contributes to equitable distribution when the marketing aspect is managed effectively. This study aimed to investigate the correlation and seasonal patterns of arrivals and prices of specific vegetables in the regulated sub market yard Baijnath of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, from the year 2010-11 to 2022-23. The findings revealed that cauliflower had the highest rate of increase in monthly arrivals, while ladyfinger had the highest increase in monthly prices. Interestingly, the prices of vegetables moved inversely as well as directly to their arrivals, indicating a negative and positive correlation depending upon the off-season production of various vegetables in the state. The study also found that cucumber had the highest average monthly variability in arrivals, while ladyfinger had the highest variability in prices. Furthermore, it was observed that most vegetables had higher arrivals during the peak season and lower arrivals during the lean season.

The growth of horticultural crops surpassed agricultural growth in India during recent years. Gherkin is an important export market crops which is gaining attention during recent decades and has the potential for good returns. This study involves both primary and secondary data to explore the export potential of India and value- chain map of the gherkin industries in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. The secondary data regarding export of two different gherkin products viz., HS-200110 (Cucumbers andamp; Gherkins, Prepared/

Preserved by Vinegar/Acetic Acid) and HS-071140 (Cucumbers andamp; Gherkins, Provisionally Preserved)andnbsp; was collected for 30 years (1994-2023) and the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) was analysed. The result revealed that the export of HS-071140 was positive in both periods with the overall CAGR of 15.48 percent. Likewise, the HS-200110 was positive in period I but negative in period II with the overall CAGR of 11.32 percent. The primary survey involves purposive selection of two blocks from Dindigul

viz., Vedasanthur and Dindigul blocks with 60 farmers in each block thus making total sample size of 120 farmers and four gherkin pickling cum export companies were also interviewed. The cost under conventional, drip and drip + mulch was ` 72962.30, ` 74914.60 and ` 77544.60 respectively whereas the net income was higher in drip + mulch with ` 152455 compared to conventional (` 42037.70) and drip alone (` 86085.40). The value chain analysis showed that two grades fetch higher prices viz., 160+ and

100+ where the net returns was higher in the export of former with ` 1,73,950/tonnes compared to the latter with ` 1,61,950. Gherkin is a profitable crop for farmers and the major constraint faced by them was fixed amount for each grade, hence laws should be strengthened so that the processors should not exploit the farmers.