Month: January 2018

How could we get blended solutions for our agriculture when affecting the soil and climate

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There are various factors involved in agriculture. Listed below are Physical Conditions along with the books to refer about them. Physical conditions that affecting agriculture are 1. Soils and Fertilizers The richness of the soil is a very important physical factor affecting agriculture. Soils differ in respect of chemical composition and physical. Soils may be fine or coarse, porous or non-porous. In general fine soils like loam or silt are very fertile. The chemical composition of the soil determines its productivity. Sustainability of agricultural systems is a major global concern due to population growth and a number of environmental factors. The key to the management of soil fertility and also impart a scrupulous understanding of plant nutrition, soil fertility, nutrients supplied through fertilizers and manures, manufacture of fertilizers and preparation of manures play a vital role. During recent decades of research by a large group of agricultural scientists working in the diagnostic field, many new methods have been devised to aid farmers in fertilizing their crops more effectively. A major objective of this book is to bring together in one volume a comprehensive discussion of both the underlying theory and the practical application of these various techniques. To attain that objective, the services of a group of distinguished Scientists were enlisted to prepare the various chapters. These scientists are outstanding in their respective spheres of work, both as to theory and as to practice. 2. Climate Climate change is a hard reality and changing weather patterns, retreating glaciers, polar ice melt, sea level rise, increased severity and occurrence of natural disasters like flood, super cyclone, drought, changes in hydrological cycles, crisis in freshwater and drinking water resources, uncertainty in cereal output, increasing vector borne diseases, changing migration pattern and flowering time, are just some of the consequences already being experienced by us. Fragile and delicate ecosystems like coral reefs and mangroves are extremely sensitive to the slightest variation in climate. In developing countries like India, climate change may contribute an additional burden on ecological and socio-economic systems associated with rapid urbanization, industrialization and economic development. Apart from the above physical condition Agriculture Engineers must have the knowledge of Basics of Agriculture to perform the services in their respective field. The scientific approach for understanding of the problems concerning soil, plants, agricultural equipments and their management is really important. Another aspect is Rainwater harvesting which is a technique for accumulating and storing of rainwater, channelized to flow to the ponds, lakes and over- and underground storage places, which can be used not only to recharge the groundwater, but also to provide drinking water, for irrigation, livestock as well as other typical uses given to water. The rainwater is collected from various hard surfaces such as roof tops and/or other types of manmade above ground hard surfaces. Rainwater harvesting also aids in keeping the village roads from getting slushy during the rains and maintaining the transport mobility and prevent flooding in some urban areas. http://www.astralint.com/indian-books/state-of-the-art-report-on-sustainable-rainwater-harvesting-and-groundwater-rechare-in-developing-countiresnam-sandt-cen/isbn-9788170357704.aspx

For more books on agriculture visit http://www.astralint.com/indian-books/basics-of-agriculture-for-engineers-pbk/isbn-9789351242604.aspx

Importance of agriculture

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There is certainly no doubt about the fact that civilization not only in the United Kingdom but in fact all around the world started with agriculture. After our ancestors started focusing on agriculture for their livelihood and earning, human society as a whole was changed afterwards forever without any measure of speculations for sure.

As a result of agriculture, villages as well as towns developed along with an overall better understanding of art, science as well as knowledge which continued to improve since then with every passing day.

Even, now, the 21st century with all the technological developments and advancements all around the globe cannot deny the importance of agriculture. Given below are few important points which will help you better understand the importance of agriculture and farming:

a. In the current hi-tech age of globalization and developments in all fields of life, people still rely on agricultural products in a variety of ways such as nutrition, source of energy, fiber and so on.

b. Another highly significant point as far as the importance of agriculture is concerned is that it is a major economic driver. It is equally important for individual livelihood, poverty eradication as well as overall growth of the state. According to a survey, it contributes between 40 to 80% of the gross development product of majority of the countries located in the continent of Africa.

c. Moreover, one cannot also deny the fact that agriculture also contributes a great deal towards a healthy biosphere.

d. Real food security can only be ensured with the help of agriculture even in today’s modern world without any question.

The above mentioned points are few of the many factors that clearly indicate the importance of agriculture even in the current age of developments and advancements. In case, you still need to know more regarding the importance of agriculture, then UK Business Directory is surely one such platform where you can get awareness regarding any issue and can further broaden up your horizon for sure.

The Uses Of Interactive Maps For Crop Management For Agriculture

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Agriculture and its benefits are various and with the advancement in technology there are many tools and methods that can improve the methods of agriculture. Scientists have been using satellite remote sensing technology or flash maps with the aim to enhance water balance and farming yield appraisal on a huge geographical scale throughout the world. Therefore the current sensing algorithms being utilized have become so reliable and accurate that it provides detailed crop information for precise agriculture management to improve crop health and production with the availability of several high resolution maps and satellite sensors.

According to the data collected by FOA, almost 70 percent of freshwater resources is used for crop production. Therefore it is necessary to optimize the right use of water resources and yet increase agriculture production with the global population continuing to grow at a high rate. The agricultural resources are however the most dynamic and renewable natural resources. Therefore reliable, comprehensive and timely information on the agricultural resources is very necessary for countries who’s main economy lies in agriculture. Sometimes, there are agriculture surveys conducted throughout the nation to gather information and the statistic on livestock, crops and rangeland, also including other agriculture resources with the help of these advanced satellite remote sensing technology and maps.

Satellite images through these maps can show variations in organic m matter sand the drainage patterns. The soil higher in organic matter can easily be differentiated from the lighter soil which has lower organic content. So flash maps and the satellite image date has the potential to provide real time or live analysis for big areas of attributes of growing crops that can really help in making timely management decisions which may affect the outcome of the current crop. The technology is so advanced that the satellite images and maps can even import graphics or fields of the agricultural land to offer better crop management. These maps can even create custom regions which can indicate what crop has been currently planted in the region. If you have your own agricultural land, it lets you add additional details as well to show your farming information such as the target harvest time or the last time or next date to apply insecticide.

Moreover the satellite imagery maps analysis for agriculture management and production also allows for
Quantitative green vegetation assessment
Accurate and fast overview
Tree grading
Underlying soil characteristics

This remote sensing satellite imaging and maps is however an evolving technology with the potential to contribute to studies specific to land cover and change detection just by globally making comprehensive evaluations of several human and environmental actions as possible. These changes would thereby influence policy and management decision making. The maps and satellite image date also enables direct observation of the land surface at repetitive intervals and so lets mapping of the extent and assessment and monitoring of storm water runoff, crop health, air quality, change detection environmental analysis, irrigated landscape mapping, energy savings, yield determination, carbon storage and avoidance and soil an fertility analysis.

The Significance of Agriculture in Australia

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Australia is a main agricultural producer, and because of to its vast measurement and varying climates, there are many various primary industries, ranging from livestock, cropping and the fishing industry. As nicely as the work and income created from these industries there is also the numerous companies that are supported by agriculture in the provide of necessary devices, such as tractors, ploughs, fencing tools, fishing boats, shearing gear, bird netting, fertilisers and milking machines. Agriculture also impacts other industries, these as transport and the meals and garments industries.

Dairy/p>

The dairy business is one of Australia’s major rural industries. It is estimated that around forty,000 people are employed on dairy farms and in production crops. Work are more produced in transport and distribution, and research and growth tasks. It is a well established market located in the temperate and some subtropical locations of Australia. The bulk of dairy farms are located in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and are accountable for the provide of milk that goes into the manufacture of many distinct dairy goods these kinds of as butter, cream, cheese, yoghurt, powdered milk, ice cream, as nicely as the milk we consume.

Beef

One more major agricultural market in Australia the beef sector is very varied, ranging from scaled-down farms in the south-east of Australia wherever there are higher stocking rates per acre because of to a higher rainfall and more fertile soils, to the significant scale cattle stations covering hundreds of hundreds of acres. The extremely very first beef cattle arrived in 1788 with the very first European Settlers, a total of only 6 head of cattle. This figure has escalated to more than 20 million head nowadays. Beef has grow to be one of Australia’s profitable export industries, with above sixty% heading overseas.

Crops

The primary crops in Australia include wheat, vegetables, fruit, cotton, sugarcane, barley, canola, oats and rice. Wheat is the most significant grain crop in Australia and about eighty% of it is exported, which tends to make Australia the fourth most significant exporter following the United States, Canada and the European Union. There are about 25,000 farms in Australia that grow wheat as their major crop. It is milled into flour and used in a diverse range of food goods.

Wool

With Australia’s relatively mild climate it is suited to sheep and the manufacturing of wool. Wool growing qualities are discovered in the north of Queensland, proper by means of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, about to the mid-north of Western Australia, as nicely as in Tasmania. Flocks variety in numbers from a number of hundred to as many as one hundred,000 or more. There are a variety of breeds identified in Australia these days with different sheep getting utilized for meat and other people becoming wool producers, although it is the Australian Merino that has had an overpowering influence on the Australian wool sector. Merinos have very hefty fleeces that make a good, high high quality wool, a good deal of which is exported. At present there are about 72 million sheep in Australia.

Seafood

Because of Australia’s geographical isolation from other continents and its array of climatic zones, the variety and cleanliness of marine life is exceptional, meaning Australia can export a broad variety of seafood to the rest of the world. The fishing market is the fifth most rewarding in Australia after beef, wool, wheat and dairy. Australia is also the world’s greatest producer of abalone and rock lobster.
fiber optic tools

Jim Rogers Macquarie China Agriculture Index Fund

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Jim Rogers has been an agriculture bull for quite a long time, and he has combined that favorite investment sector of his in a new commodities index fund, which also includes China, along with agriculture. Rogers has partnered with with Australia’s Macquarie Funds group to create the new Macquarie and Rogers China Agriculture Index.

Rogers’ assertion for some time has been that no matter what happens in the global economy, and what may be the demand for general products or services in the near or far future, agriculture is going to play an increasingly big role in the world, and those investing in the sector will do well in the years ahead.

Put the expanding Chinese middle class together with the growing population and economy, and you see the potential the Macquarie and Rogers China Agriculture Index fund represents.

so even with the continuing challenges facing the global economy, agricultural commodities will continue to be in high demand, especially those targeting the Asian market.

Commodity investors will be glad to know the difference between the Macquarie and Rogers China Agriculture Index and other Indices. In this case, the agriculture index fund will focus on the actual consumption of food and the price fluctuations connected to that, rather than simply tracking production, which doesn’t guarantee anything will be consumed or sold.

With the price of food being undoubtedly tied to the Chinese people, anything targeting that market should enjoy bellwhether status in relationship to global food prices, and so an index fund in relationship to Jim Rogers should do well in tracking the price fluctuations of food in the densely populated country. It should rank among one of the top hedge funds in the near and far future.

Another benefit to those marketing and managing financial products to invest in, is the ability to create innovative products linked to the overall focus of the commodity index fund. How that happens is the exchange-traded futures contracts or commodity ETF future contracts it uses on physical commodities.

This is a great opportunity for those who believe in the overall competence of Jim Rogers to get involved in something he’s studied and watched closely, as well as believes in passionately. In that sense, connecting to a hot commodity market like China with a agricultural raw materials fund will be a great way to profit for those interested in investing in a commodity or commodity index fund or ETF.

As Jim Rogers has said over the last several years, we can count on the current commodity bull market to continue for years, and the existing economic crisis will only extend it longer, even if there is some short term pain and slowdown.

As Rogers continues to hammer home, food will be eaten and in demand no matter what else happens. And with that demand to be no larger than in China, it positions Rogers, commodity investors, and the Macquarie and Rogers China Agriculture Index for long term investing success.

We must keep watching commodity hedge funds and commodity etfs which specifically target agriculture. With agriculture prices plunging in 2008, they will turn around sooner or later, and investing in a commodity index fund like Macquarie and Rogers China Agriculture Index should provide a solid return when those prices start to climb again.

Demand for food isn’t just going to climb linearily, it will climb exponentially, as even with population-control efforts, it continues to climb in the Asian region had significant pace. Food demand and prices will follow that continuing trend.

The primary strategy of the Macquarie and Rogers China Agriculture Index is to track consumer consumption patterns in China, and how food prices respond to them. That’s the underlying foundation of the fund. This is what gives the fund an excellent chance of bringing a high level of return for those looking at the agricultural commodity sector.

As mentioned earlier, more than any other people in the world in the years ahead, the Chinese will more than anybody determine the food priorities and prices globally, and the new agriculture commodity fund from Jim Rogers should move up with that reality.

While we know that past success doesn’t in any way guarantee future results, the past performance of Jim Rogers, especially when working with George Soros and the amazingly successful Quantum Fund, which gained about 4,200 percent over a ten-year-period, does give an indication that he knows what he’s doing, and does his homework when it comes to supply and demand of raw materials.

And Rogers now sees agriculture as the major point of demand for probably decades, and so the fund was created.

The new Macquarie and Rogers China Agriculture Index fund should be an strong investment vehicle in the hot commodities hedge fund sector for some time to come.