Journal of Scientific Research and Reports

AI-driven Customer Experience, Marketing Intelligence and Anti-money-laundering Analytics in Digital Enterprises: A Critical Integrative Review

Temiloluwa Paul Adetola — 2026-08-20

Artificial intelligence has become embedded in three enterprise decision domains that are usually studied separately: customer experience, marketing intelligence and anti-money-laundering analytics. Their technical foundations overlap, yet their objectives, evidence conditions, error costs and accountability requirements differ sharply. This critical narrative review integrates scholarship on these domains to assess where artificial intelligence creates defensible value, where empirical claims outrun the evidence, and how digital enterprises should govern shared analytical capabilities without collapsing unlike decisions into a single automation logic. Literature was selected from accessible scholarly indexes, repositories and article records for the period 1 January 2015 to 8 June 2026, with earlier methodological work retained where conceptually necessary. The synthesis indicates that artificial intelligence is most credible when the target decision is well specified, feedback is informative, model outputs are connected to an organisational action, and meaningful human escalation remains available. In customer experience, personalisation and conversational systems can improve relevance and interaction efficiency, but privacy concerns, disclosure effects, algorithm aversion and perceived loss of agency make customer response strongly context dependent. In marketing intelligence, predictive gains do not automatically translate into incremental value because data are endogenous to earlier decisions, causal questions remain distinct from prediction, and organisational analytics capability mediates adoption. In anti-money-laundering analytics, supervised, graph, temporal, active-learning and hybrid approaches can improve alert prioritisation and pattern discovery, yet generalisability is constrained by extreme class imbalance, weak or selective ground truth, proprietary data, adaptive adversaries and limited prospective external validation. Across all three domains, the central design problem is not whether to automate, but how to align objectives, data provenance, interpretability, human authority and monitoring with the consequences of the decision. The review therefore argues for portfolio-based enterprise AI governance: shared infrastructure should be combined with domain-specific evidence standards, utility functions and escalation controls.

Digital Agriculture and Sustainable Rural Transformation: A Critical Narrative Review of Mobile Agro-Advisory Services, Agricultural Robotics and Livelihood Resilience

Pragya Ojha — 2026-08-22

Digital agriculture is increasingly presented as a route to more productive, resource-efficient and climate-resilient rural economies, yet technologies grouped under this label differ sharply in capital intensity, evidence maturity and distributional consequences. This critical narrative review examines three connected domains: mobile agro-advisory services, agricultural robotics and livelihood resilience. The review integrates evidence from agricultural economics, extension science, rural development, information systems, precision agriculture and field robotics, with particular attention to smallholder and resource-constrained settings while retaining broader robotics evidence where it illuminates transferable technical or institutional mechanisms. The literature indicates that mobile advisory interventions can reduce information frictions and improve knowledge, recall and adoption, but effects on yield and income are heterogeneous and depend on relevance, trust, timing, connectivity, complementary inputs and human support. Agricultural robotics can improve task precision and reduce exposure to repetitive or hazardous work, but field robustness, capital cost, service infrastructure, interoperability and uneven farm-scale economics continue to constrain inclusive deployment. These two technology families therefore occupy different positions in rural transformation: advisory services mainly augment decisions and coordination, whereas robots automate physical operations and can reorganise labour, asset ownership and production systems. Livelihood resilience is strengthened only when digitalisation expands farmers' capabilities to anticipate, absorb, adapt and transform without creating new dependencies on inaccessible platforms, proprietary data systems or unaffordable machinery. The strongest interpretation of the combined evidence is consequently institutional rather than technological: sustainability gains are contingent on inclusive delivery models, trusted extension interfaces, viable financing, data rights, labour-transition strategies and outcome evaluation that extends beyond adoption. Future research should prioritise long-duration, distribution-sensitive studies that connect farm-level technical performance with household welfare, environmental effects and rural labour dynamics. Digital agriculture can support sustainable rural transformation, but the pathway is conditional, socially mediated and unlikely to be achieved through technology diffusion alone.

Development of a Battery-Operated Cattle Dung Collector to Promote Animal Husbandry Mechanization

V. M. Victor — 2026-08-22

Cattle dung collection in many small and medium-sized dairy farms is still performed manually using conventional tools, making the operation labour-intensive, time-consuming, and unhygienic. The present study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate a battery-operated cattle dung collector to reduce labour requirements and promote mechanisation in animal husbandry. A survey of five dairy farm owners in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh, was conducted to assess existing dung collection practices and the economics of dairy farming. The engineering properties of fresh cattle dung, including moisture content, total solids, bulk density, coefficient of static friction, and dynamic viscosity, were determined and considered in the design of the machine. The developed machine consisted of a mild steel frame, plate-type collection unit, and chain-and-sprocket transmission system, powered by a 0.5 hp (373 W) DC motor and a 25.6 V LiFePO₄ battery. Machine performance was evaluated on smooth and rough floor surfaces at operating speeds of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 km h⁻¹ using a factorial randomised block design. Manual dung collection required multiple labourers, whereas the developed machine required only one operator, thereby reducing the labour requirement for dung collection. The maximum collection capacity of 342.81 kg h⁻¹ and collection efficiency of 89.05% were obtained at 1.0 km h⁻¹ on a smooth floor. The minimum quantity of cattle dung left after collection was 0.440 kg under the same operating conditions. The fabrication and operational costs of the machine were ₹60,000 and ₹59.54 h⁻¹, respectively, including labour costs. The break-even point was 398.37 h year⁻¹, and the payback period was 4.03 years. Under the tested conditions, an operating speed of 1.0 km h⁻¹ on a smooth floor provided the most favourable performance. The developed machine reduced labour requirements and demonstrated potential for improving the efficiency and mechanisation of cattle dung collection in dairy farms.

Occupational Stress and Work Burnout as Predictors of Safety Performance and Safety Behaviour in the Niger Delta Oil and Gas Industry

Odunze, Chimezie Edwin — 2026-08-12

Occupational stress and work burnout may influence workers’ engagement in safe work practices and the safety performance of oil and gas organisations. This study investigated the impact of occupational stress and work burnout on the safety behaviour and safety performance of workers in oil and gas companies in the Niger Delta. A structured questionnaire was administered to 400 employees selected through random sampling, while the oil and gas companies were selected purposively. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16 and AMOS. The analysis revealed good internal consistency across all measures, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.72 to 0.83. A structural equation model was developed using IBM AMOS. Descriptive statistics (means, percentages, and weighted mean scores), correlation analysis, regression analysis, and structural equation modelling were used. These methods were suitable because they quantified respondents' opinions or perceptions of the constructs related to occupational stress, safety behaviour, and safety performance in the sampled oil and gas firms. Regarding safety performance, the coefficients for occupational stress (OCS) and work burnout (WB) were -0.389 and -0.317, respectively. Regarding safety behaviour, the corresponding coefficients were -0.452 and -0.374. Occupational stress and work burnout had significant negative impacts on workers' safety behaviour and safety performance. Overall, occupational stress and work burnout substantially and negatively affected safety performance and safety behaviour among workers in oil and gas firms in the Niger Delta. The findings indicate that safety behaviour plays a substantial mediating role in the impact of occupational stress and work burnout on the safety performance of oil and gas firms in the Niger Delta.

Effect of Planting Dates and Spacing on Production of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Krishan Kumar Garg — 2026-08-12

Aim: The present investigation was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, during 2025–26 to study the effects of planting dates and spacing on the production of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.).

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025–26.

Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomised block design (FRBD) with two factors and three replications. The first factor comprised planting dates (three levels, viz. 30^th June, 15^th July, and 30^th July), and the second factor comprised spacing (three levels, viz. 45 × 30 cm, 45 × 45 cm, and 60 × 45 cm).

Results: The results revealed significant differences among the treatments. Among the growth parameters, the maximum plant heights at both stages, 52.00 cm at 45 DAT and 82.00 cm at 60 DAT, were observed in D₂ × S₃. The maximum numbers of branches per plant (30.03) and leaves per plant (125.10) were observed in D₁ × S₃, whereas the maximum plant spread (82.03 cm) was recorded in D₂ × S₃. Among the yield parameters, the maximum number of fruits per plant (79.57), fruit diameter (2.50 cm), average fruit weight (5.90 g), and fruit yield per plant (469.35 g) were observed in D₂ × S₃ (15 July × 60 × 45 cm). The maximum fruit length (12.33 cm) was observed in D₁ × S₃, whereas the maximum fruit yield per plot (18.02 kg) and total yield (16.68 t/ha) were recorded in D₂ × S₁. Among the quality parameters, the maximum TSS (6.9 °Brix) was recorded in D₂ × S₃, whereas the maximum capsaicin content (61.99 mg/100 g) and vitamin C content (195.50 mg/100 g) were recorded in D₁ × S₃ (30 June × 60 × 45 cm). The maximum net return (Rs. 343,792.67) and B:C ratio (3.81) were recorded in D₂ × S₁.

Conclusion: The present investigation indicated that D₂ × S₁, representing chilli planted on 15 July at a spacing of 45 × 30 cm, produced the most favourable yield and economic returns. Therefore, this treatment combination may be recommended for chilli cultivation in this region.

Engineering Properties of Paddy Stalk for Biomass Processing

Pranali Bharatkumar Dahihande — 2026-08-12

Paddy stalk is an agricultural residue with potential for use as a biomass feedstock, but its effective handling and processing depend on reliable engineering-property data. This study characterised the physical, bulk, flow, and frictional properties of whole and ground paddy stalk to support the design of biomass-processing equipment. Sixty stalk samples, comprising equal numbers of small, medium, and large stalks, were evaluated for length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, aspect ratio, and individual weight. Loose and tapped bulk densities, true density, porosity, Carr’s compressibility index, Hausner ratio, angle of repose, and coefficients of internal and external friction were also determined. Size reduction increased the loose bulk density from 76.97 ± 1.07 to 142.65 ± 9.87 kg m^-3 and the tapped bulk density from 102.63 ± 2.48 to 185.24 ± 11.40 kg m^-3. The ground material had a true density of 855.94 ± 0.83 kg m^-3, a porosity of 0.83 ± 0.003, a Carr’s compressibility index of 23.01 ± 0.59, and a Hausner ratio of 1.29 ± 0.01. Grinding reduced the angle of repose from 46.60 ± 1.99° to 37.91 ± 0.53° and lowered the coefficients of internal and external friction. These findings indicate that size reduction improves packing and flow behaviour and provide design parameters for equipment used in conveying, feeding, storage, and densification of paddy stalk.

Climate-Led-Vulnerability of Farmers in Datia District of Madhya Pradesh, India

Siddharth Namdeo — 2026-08-12

Climate change is a major concern for agricultural sustainability in the Bundelkhand agro-climatic zone, where farming livelihoods are strongly dependent on climate-sensitive agriculture. This study assessed the climate-led vulnerability of 119 farmers in Datia district, Madhya Pradesh, through the three dimensions of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. A structured vulnerability scale based on these dimensions was used, and indicator scores were normalised before calculating a composite climate vulnerability index. The findings showed that 33.61% of respondents were in the very high exposure category, indicating substantial exposure to climatic variability. Sensitivity was also pronounced, with 45.38% of farmers classified in the very high sensitivity category. Reported adaptive capacity varied across categories, indicating differences in the extent to which farmers had adopted coping and adaptation measures. Overall climate-led vulnerability was most frequently moderate, with 36.13% of farmers in this category. The results indicate that farmers’ vulnerability reflects the combined influence of climatic exposure, sensitivity of agricultural livelihoods, and the capacity to adopt coping and adaptation measures. Strengthening water conservation, irrigation access, climate-resilient agricultural practices, natural resource management, climate information, and institutional support may help improve resilience. Integrated interventions addressing exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity together are therefore important for supporting sustainable agricultural livelihoods in Datia district.

Physico-Mechanical Properties of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Bulbs and Cloves for the Design of Planting and Post-Harvest Machinery

T. Behera — 2026-08-13

Garlic, a widely cultivated bulb crop, poses persistent mechanisation challenges owing to the irregular geometry of its bulbs and cloves. The lack of reliable engineering data on the physical and mechanical properties of garlic bulbs and cloves has remained a major constraint in the design and development of efficient garlic planting and post-harvest processing machinery. Therefore, the present research systematically characterised the physical and mechanical properties of garlic that are essential for the design of efficient planting, clove separation, grading, handling and post-harvest processing equipment. Laboratory experiments were conducted using 100 randomly selected garlic bulbs and their corresponding cloves. Standard engineering methods were employed to determine moisture content, polar and equatorial diameters, thickness, geometric mean diameter, shape index, sphericity, bulk and true density, porosity, angle of repose and coefficient of static friction on plywood, glass and mild steel surfaces. The results revealed that the average polar diameter, equatorial diameter, thickness and geometric mean diameter of garlic bulbs were 45.76, 42.93, 40.73 and 43.08 mm, respectively, while the corresponding values for garlic cloves were 25.45, 10.99, 8.86 and 13.53 mm, respectively. The bulk densities were 529.33 kg/m³ for bulbs and 568.67 kg/m³ for cloves, while the corresponding porosities were 45.49% and 50.49%, respectively. The bulbs were highly spherical, with a sphericity of 0.99, whereas the cloves had an elongated and wedge-shaped appearance, with a shape index of 0.53. A marked difference in flow behaviour was observed: the bulbs had an angle of repose of 50.24°, compared with 34.34° for the cloves, and both types showed the greatest adherence to mild steel, with static friction coefficients of 0.41 for the bulbs and 0.34 for the cloves. The engineering properties generated in this study provide design data for the development and optimisation of garlic planting, clove separation, grading, conveying and storage systems. These findings may support agricultural engineers, researchers and equipment manufacturers in designing efficient garlic processing machinery, thereby improving mechanisation, reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing the overall productivity of garlic production.

Farmers’ Knowledge and Adoption of Improved Maize Agronomic Practices in Kiryandongo District, Uganda

Stephen Lwasa — 2026-08-13

Maize contributes to food security and household income in Uganda, yet the uptake of improved agronomic practices remains uneven. This study assessed farmers’ knowledge and use of improved maize production practices in Kiryandongo District and examined factors associated with inorganic fertiliser application. A comparative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 180 maize farmers, comprising 90 adopters and 90 non-adopters. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and field observations and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and binary logistic regression with marginal effects. Farmers reported high knowledge of early planting and harvesting (98.8%), pest control (95.1%), crop scouting (100%), and timely weeding. However, the implementation of several practices was limited among non-adopters, including tractor use (5%), purchase of inputs from licensed stockists (2%), recommended spacing (4%), organic manure application (3%), seed purchase (2%), and selection of the type of seed purchased (1%). Fertiliser application among non-adopters was 40%. Education was positively associated with fertiliser use (p = 0.017; marginal effect = 0.063), whereas gender, distance to the nearest trading centre, income, farmer-group membership, and maize-production experience were not statistically significant. The findings indicate a gap between farmers’ knowledge and their implementation of recommended practices. Strengthened practical extension, demonstration-based training, adult education, farmer organisation, and improved access to affordable inputs and credit may support more consistent uptake.

Impact of Pandemic Crises on Price Dynamics, Market Availability and Consumer Behaviour in the Pomology Sector

M. P. Ellampirai — 2026-08-17

Fruits are an important component of the daily diet. India is the second-largest producer of both fruits and vegetables globally, after China. The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been widely studied in many countries. The pandemic also substantially affected postharvest supply chains, transportation, retail marketing, and the trade of fruits and vegetables. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on horticulture, particularly the fruit sector, has been less studied in India. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prices and changes in consumer behaviour during the pre-COVID (2019-20) and COVID (2020-21) periods. Price analysis was conducted using data obtained from the National Horticulture Board, Government of India. For the consumer behaviour analysis, a prepared questionnaire was administered to a diverse group of people (students, employees, and friends) living in Bangalore city. The study revealed that higher load arrivals in the market had a negative influence on wholesale prices, resulting in lower prices. In contrast, the consumer survey showed that fruit prices were perceived to be higher during COVID than during the pre-COVID period. The survey also revealed that COVID-19 significantly influenced consumer behaviour in terms of perceptions of fruit prices, frequency of fruit purchases, preferences for different fruits, purchases of new and exotic fruits, and awareness of the nutritional aspects of fruits. Understanding the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on transportation, prices, availability, and consumer attitudes may support crucial policy decisions and welfare measures for the pomology sector and society.

Impact of National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) in Jhunjhunu District of Rajasthan, India

Anita Choudhary — 2026-08-17

Climate change and global warming have profound impacts on various sectors of human society, with agriculture being among the most vulnerable. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and an increased frequency of extreme weather events adversely affect agricultural productivity by reducing the yields of many crops and creating favourable conditions for the proliferation of weeds, pests, and diseases. The present study was conducted in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, with Mandawa tehsil purposively selected because it had the highest number of farmers registered under the NICRA project. Three villages, namely Bharoo, Chakwas, and Madansar, were subsequently selected for the study. A proportionate random sampling technique was used to select registered farmers as NICRA beneficiaries, while an equal number of non-beneficiary farmers were randomly selected from the same villages for comparison. The findings revealed that the adoption of climate-resilient technologies under the NICRA project led to notable improvements among beneficiary farmers, including increases in irrigated area (8.92%), crop yield (51.71%), cropping intensity (23.35%), and annual income (84.29%). Furthermore, the majority of beneficiaries (76.67%) experienced a medium level of impact from the project, followed by 15.00% who reported a high level of impact and 8.33% who experienced a low level of impact.

A Survey of Common Dermatological Conditions in Pet Dogs in Punjab, Northwest of India

Priyanka Sharma — 2026-08-17

Aims: To retrospectively assess the occurrence, clinical presentation, diagnostic patterns, and therapeutic management of dermatological conditions in dogs presented to a university teaching veterinary hospital in Punjab, India, and to determine their association with season, age, breed, and coat characteristics.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: University Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India, from January 2018 to December 2020.

Methodology: During the three-year study period, clinical records of dogs presented for evaluation were retrospectively reviewed. Dogs diagnosed with dermatological conditions were identified, and data pertaining to the type of dermatological disorder, clinical signs and primary owner complaints, season of presentation, age, breed, body size, hair-coat characteristics, and therapeutic interventions were analysed. Statistical associations between dermatological conditions and demographic and seasonal variables were assessed, and relative risks for commonly encountered dermatological conditions were determined.

Results: During the study period, dermatological conditions accounted for 6.2% of all dogs examined, with a total of 2,853 cases recorded. The most frequently diagnosed conditions, in descending order, were tick infestation (26.2%), dermatitis (21.0%), superficial pyoderma (14.0%), demodicosis (8.0%), otitis externa (7.9%), allergy (7.4%), and pododermatitis (6.1%). The predominant clinical signs and owner-reported complaints were pruritus (95.5%), erythema (73.0%), and alopecia (52.5%). The occurrence of dermatological conditions was significantly associated with season, age, sex, and breed characteristics, with the highest occurrence observed during the monsoon–autumn season (47.5%), in dogs aged >1–5 years (56.8%), small- (40.2%) to medium-sized breeds (46.6%), and short-haired breeds (74.5%). Increased relative risks for selected common dermatological conditions were also observed in relation to season, age, and breed characteristics. Management predominantly involved combinations of systemic and topical medications, including antihistamines, antibiotics, antiseptics, ectoparasiticides, and skin-health formulations.

Conclusion: Canine dermatological disorders constitute a substantial portion of clinical presentations in dogs, with ectoparasitic, inflammatory, infectious, and allergic conditions being the most prevalent. The incidence of these disorders is significantly influenced by season, age, breed, body size, and coat characteristics. The findings underscore the significance of considering these epidemiological risk factors for early recognition, targeted diagnosis, prevention, and rational therapeutic management of canine dermatological diseases in veterinary practice.

Physicochemical and Functional Characterization of Dried Distiller’s Rice Spent Grain as a Function of Particle Size

Charu Bisht — 2026-08-18

Dried distiller’s rice spent grain (DDRSG), a protein-rich by-product of the rice-based ethanol industry, has considerable potential as a sustainable food ingredient; however, its physicochemical and functional characteristics can vary with particle size. The present study investigated the influence of particle-size fractionation on the physico-chemical, and functional properties of DDRSG. Dried DDRSG was fractionated using a mechanical sieve shaker into seven particle-size ranges: < 125, 125 - 212, 212 - 300, 300 - 500, 500 - 850, 850 - 1000, and 1000 - 2000 μm. The fractions were evaluated for particle-size distribution, proximate composition, colour characteristics, bulk and tapped bulk densities, compressibility, Hausner ratio, wettability, water-holding capacity (WHC), and oil-holding capacity (OHC). The highest yields were recorded for the 1000-2000 μm (27.09 %), 300-500 μm (26.82 %), and 212–300 μm (24.17 %) fractions. Particle size significantly affected most evaluated properties. Crude protein decreased from 53.23 % in the < 125 μm fraction to 47.25% in the 1000-2000 μm fraction, whereas moisture increased from 9.92 to 12.40 %. Increasing particle size decreased L* value from 51.50 to 37.13, while a* and b* values increased. Bulk and tapped bulk densities decreased with increasing particle size. In contrast, WHC and OHC increased from 2.35 to 4.03 g/g and 1.36 to 2.45 g/g, respectively. Wetting time decreased from 30.00 to 11.37 s, indicating improved wettability in coarser fractions. Crude fat and ash were not significantly affected by particle size. Overall, particle-size fractionation effectively modified the physico-chemical and functional attributes of DDRSG, demonstrating its potential for tailoring this protein-rich by-product to specific food-processing and formulation requirements.

Comparative Study into the Mechanical Properties of Two Lesser-utilized Timber Species for Furniture and Construction Works

John Lawer Narh — 2026-08-18

Traditional timber varieties employed in Ghana's furniture and construction sectors are diminishing in availability, necessitating the prompt identification and assessment of underutilised timber resources that exhibit similar structural capabilities. Senna siamea (Cassia) and Azadirachta indica (Neem) are notably underutilised, even though they possess significant potential for structural and furnishing uses. Moreover, the intrinsic anatomical and physiological distinctions between sapwood and heartwood could considerably affect their mechanical properties, necessitating thorough assessment. This research examined and contrasted the mechanical characteristics of sapwood and heartwood from S. siamea and A. indica, focusing on modulus of elasticity (MoE), modulus of rupture (MoR), compressive strength parallel to the grain, and shear strength parallel to the grain, while also comparing the findings with recognised commercial timber species in Ghana. A mixed analysis of variance (mixed ANOVA) demonstrated statistically significant distinctions (p < 0.05) between sapwood and heartwood across all assessed characteristics in both species, with heartwood invariably displaying enhanced mechanical performance. A. indica heartwood demonstrated the highest modulus of rupture at 104.25 N/mm² and shear strength parallel to the grain at 19.50 N/mm², while S. siamea heartwood displayed the maximum modulus of elasticity at 13,238.91 N/mm² and compressive strength parallel to the grain at 64.43 N/mm². Comparative analysis revealed that the mechanical characteristics of both species were similar to, and in some instances surpassed, those of commonly used Ghanaian commercial woods. These results confirm S. siamea and A. indica as viable alternative timber options for structural and furnishing uses. The heightened use of these resources may diminish reliance on overharvested commercial species, foster sustainable management of forest resources, and bolster the long-term resilience and competitiveness of Ghana's timber industry.

Farmers' Utilization of Soil Health Card Recommendations and Associated Profile Characteristics: An Empirical Investigation

Manisha Das — 2026-08-20

The Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme was introduced by the Government of India to promote balanced nutrient management and sustainable agricultural production through soil-test-based fertiliser recommendations. Despite its widespread implementation, the extent to which farmers utilise these recommendations remains a critical concern. This study assessed the utilisation of SHC recommendations among farmers in Cuttack district, Odisha, and examined the association between farmers' profile characteristics and their utilisation behaviour. An ex-post facto research design was adopted, and data were collected from 160 SHC beneficiary farmers using a structured interview schedule. The findings revealed that most farmers exhibited a moderate level of utilisation of SHC recommendations. Utilisation was positively associated with factors such as education, annual income, landholding, extension contact, mass media exposure, scientific orientation, cropping pattern, innovativeness, and fertiliser use behaviour, whereas age and farming experience showed no significant associations. Extension contact, annual income, and innovativeness emerged as the major variables associated with SHC recommendation utilisation in the regression analysis. The findings highlight the role of extension services and farmer capacity-building in supporting the effective use of soil health information. Strengthening extension outreach, improving access to scientific information, and promoting farmer-oriented training programmes may improve SHC utilisation and support sustainable nutrient management, soil health, and resilient agricultural systems.

Dissemination of Knowledge at KVKs by Extension Personnel: Extent of Usage of Information and Communication Technology

Jyoti Naru — 2026-08-20

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become an important component of agricultural extension by facilitating timely communication, knowledge dissemination, advisory services, and technology transfer. The study assessed the extent to which extension personnel at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Haryana used ICT to disseminate agricultural knowledge. All 19 districts containing KVKs of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University were selected purposively, and the sample comprised 80 extension personnel from the available disciplines. Frequencies, percentages, weighted mean scores, indices, Garrett scores, and correlation analysis were used. Most respondents were aged 29–40 years (56.2%), male (75.0%), Subject Matter Specialists (78.7%), and had 1–5 years of service experience (37.5%). Most held a PhD with NET qualification (97.5%), and agronomy was the most represented discipline (25.0%). The overall extent of ICT use was medium for contacting farmers (WMS = 1.50), solving problems (WMS = 1.48), imparting training (WMS = 1.44), advising farmers (WMS = 1.40), and demonstrating new technologies (WMS = 1.20), but low for preparing media (WMS = 1.09). Telephone or mobile communication, smartphones, WhatsApp groups, computer presentations, multimedia projectors, and video conferencing were among the more frequently used tools for specific extension functions. Age, gender, post held, service experience, and hours of power supply were reported as significantly correlated with all six assessed ICT-use functions. The findings indicate moderate overall ICT use among KVK extension personnel, with media preparation representing the principal area of comparatively limited use.

Consumer Awareness of Garment Care Labels and Proper Garment Care Practices: A Case of Choma District in Southern Province, Zambia

Mweendo Sheillah — 2026-08-20

This study examined consumer awareness of garment care labels and proper garment care practices among participants in Choma District. The study employed a descriptive survey design using a mixed-methods approach, involving 100 respondents for quantitative data and key informants for qualitative insights. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings showed that awareness of garment care labels contributed to improved garment maintenance, including extended garment lifespan (30%), reduced fabric damage (25%), improved clothing appearance (20%), and correct detergent and washing practices (15%). Additionally, 62% of respondents were able to interpret garment care symbols, while 38% lacked this ability. Literacy level was identified as the major factor influencing understanding and use of garment care labels (35%), followed by language barriers and access to washing equipment (20% each), household routines (15%), and peer influence (10%). Training programmes (30%) and workshops (25%) were identified as the most effective strategies for improving awareness. The study concluded that consumer awareness of garment care labels significantly influenced proper garment care practices and recommended enhanced consumer education, improved garment labelling by manufacturers, increased retail guidance, and the integration of garment care awareness into educational programmes to promote sustainable clothing practices.

Detection of Babesia bigemina in Cattle Using the 18S rRNA Gene

Rupam Sachan — 2026-08-20

Bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia bigemina is an important tick-borne disease affecting cattle. This study investigated the occurrence of B. bigemina in clinically suspected cattle from Mathura and adjoining areas using microscopic examination and simplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 18S rRNA gene. A total of 200 cattle were examined. Samples were obtained from VCC (DUVASU, Mathura), Damodarpura, Farah, and Sikandra (Agra), and animals were screened based on clinical signs and tick infestation. Giemsa-stained blood smears were examined microscopically, and genomic DNA from jugular-vein blood was analysed by PCR. The PCR assay used B. bigemina-specific primers at an annealing temperature of 58 °C, with an expected amplicon of 359 bp. Microscopy detected B. bigemina in 5 ear-vein samples (2.5%) and 2 jugular-vein samples (1.0%), whereas PCR detected parasite DNA in 8 of 200 animals (4.0%). Fever was recorded in all PCR-positive cattle (100%), and haemoglobinuria occurred in 62.5%; anorexia and lymph-node swelling were each observed in 25%. No significant association was reported with age, breed, sex, or geographical area, while higher positivity was observed during summer. Overall, PCR detected more positive animals than microscopy, supporting its use as a supplementary method for detecting B. bigemina infection, particularly when microscopic detection is limited by low parasitaemia.

Socio-Economic Aspects and Aquaculture Practices of Fish Farmers in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

Rahul — 2026-08-21

The present study evaluated the socio-economic characteristics and aquaculture practices of fish farmers in Gorakhpur, Deoria, and Kushinagar districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. A total of 207 fish farmers were surveyed between December 2024 and February 2025 through structured personal interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, comprising 53 respondents from Gorakhpur, 76 from Deoria, and 78 from Kushinagar. Respondents were predominantly male and belonged to the middle-aged group (26-55 years), with most having intermediate or graduate-level education and operating small to medium-sized farms (0.5-5 acres). Aquaculture was the principal source of income in Gorakhpur and Deoria, whereas agriculture was the major livelihood source in Kushinagar, with most respondents reporting annual incomes of ₹1-10 lakhs. Pond-based aquaculture was dominant, groundwater was the primary water source, and composite fish culture was the most widely adopted production system. Hatcheries were the principal source of fish seed, while catfish was the most preferred cultured species, followed by Indian Major Carps, Exotic Major Carps, and pacu. These findings demonstrate the important contribution of aquaculture to rural livelihoods and income generation in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. However, limitations related to the cross-sectional survey design and the absence of advanced analytical modelling restrict the identification of causal relationships between socio-economic factors, management practices, and farm productivity. The findings provide useful baseline information for strengthening technical assistance, quality input supply, market access, and capacity-building programmes, while further analytical research is needed to identify the key determinants of productivity and economic performance.

Status of Dairy Cooperative Societies and Milk Production in Rajasthan, India

Vijender Kumar — 2026-08-22

India is the world’s largest milk producer, and dairy cooperatives represent an important institutional component of the sector. This study assessed the status of dairy cooperative societies and examined trends and growth in milk production and per capita milk availability in Rajasthan. Secondary data were compiled from official institutional sources. Milk production and per capita milk availability were analysed for 1993–94 to 2023–24, divided into Period I (1993–2012) and Period II (2013–2023). Linear, quadratic, exponential, and cubic functions were fitted, and the best-fitting models were selected using the coefficient of determination and statistical significance. Compound annual growth rates were also estimated. In the cooperative series, registered dairy cooperative societies increased from 14,193 to 20,015, registered membership rose from 7.83 lakh to 9.70 lakh, and average milk procurement increased from 25.68 to 32.85 lakh kilograms per day. For milk production, the quadratic model provided the best fit in Period I and the linear model in Period II; the corresponding CAGRs were 5.95 and 9.23 per cent per annum. For per capita milk availability, the quadratic model provided the best fit in Period I and the exponential model in Period II; the corresponding CAGRs were 3.78 and 7.69 per cent per annum. The results show expansion of the cooperative network and sustained increases in milk production and per capita availability, with higher estimated growth during Period II.

Insecticide Susceptibility and Toxicity against Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders) Populations in Cotton

H. L. Bandhavi — 2026-08-22

A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the susceptibility of field populations of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), collected from five major cotton-growing tehsils of Bharuch district, Gujarat, during the kharif seasons of 2024-25 and 2025-26. Populations from Amod, Bharuch, Jambusar, Netrang and Valia were tested against seven commonly used insecticides using a diet incorporation bioassay, with a susceptible Surat population as the reference. Larval mortality was assessed across seven concentrations, and LD₅₀-based toxicity indices were used to compare population susceptibility and relative insecticidal toxicity. Mortality increased with increasing insecticide dose across the tested populations. Across insecticides, the highest cumulative mortality in the field populations ranged from 81.25 to 98.65% in Netrang, 82.34 to 93.06% in Bharuch, 67.56 to 90.28% in Amod, 65.45 to 80.38% in Jambusar and 63.70 to 79.73% in Valia. Toxicity-index analysis indicated comparatively greater susceptibility in the Netrang population for most insecticides, whereas Valia and Jambusar generally showed lower susceptibility. Among the tested insecticides, emamectin benzoate, indoxacarb, lambda-cyhalothrin and spinosad showed comparatively higher toxicity, while profenofos and chlorpyrifos were relatively less effective. The observed spatial variation in susceptibility supports the value of location-specific monitoring for insecticide selection and resistance-management planning in cotton. The results provide a laboratory-based comparison of local population susceptibility profiles.