Agricultural Extension Reforms in South Asia: Status, Challenges, and Policy Options is based on agricultural extension reforms across five South Asian countries, reflecting past experiences, case studies and experiments. Beginning with an overview of historical trends and recent developments, the book then delves into country-wise reform trajectories and presents several cases testing the effectiveness of different types (public and private) and forms (nutrition extension, livestock extension) of extension systems. Further, the book provides a comprehensive overview of challenges and constraints faced in formulating and implementing reforms, tying the results into a concrete set of lessons and highlighting areas that require further research. In addition, the book discusses how a major aspect of agricultural development is the productivity increase from the knowledge base of farmers, and how translating research results into a knowledge base for farmers requires designing and implementing well-functioning extension programs.

This monograph presents a comprehensive study of portfolio optimization, an important area of quantitative finance. Considering that the information available in financial markets is incomplete and that the markets are affected by vagueness and ambiguity, the monograph deals with fuzzy portfolio optimization models. At first, the book makes the reader familiar with basic concepts, including the classical mean-variance portfolio analysis. Then, it introduces advanced optimization techniques and applies them for the development of various multi-criteria portfolio optimization models in an uncertain environment. The models are developed considering both the financial and non-financial criteria of investment decision making, and the inputs from the investment experts. The utility of these models in practice is then demonstrated using numerical illustrations based on real-world data, which were collected from one of the premier stock exchanges in India. The book addresses both academics and professionals pursuing advanced research and/or engaged in practical issues in the rapidly evolving field of portfolio optimization.

The book is a compilation of high-quality scientific papers presented at the 3rd International Conference on Computer & Communication Technologies (IC3T 2016). The individual papers address cutting-edge technologies and applications of soft computing, artificial intelligence and communication. In addition, a variety of further topics are discussed, which include data mining, machine intelligence, fuzzy computing, sensor networks, signal and image processing, human-computer interaction, web intelligence, etc. As such, it offers readers a valuable and unique resource.

Game theory has already proved its tremendous potential for con?ict resolution problems in the ?elds of Decision Theory and Economics. In the recent past, there have been attempts to extend the results of crisp game theory to those con?ict resolution problems which are fuzzy in nature e.g. Nishizaki and Sakawa [61] and references cited there in. These developments have lead to the emergence of a new area in the literature called fuzzy games. Another area in the fuzzy decision theory, which has been growing very fast is the area of fuzzy mathematical programming and its applications to various branches of sciences, Engineering and Management. In the crisp scenario, there exists a beautiful relationship between two person zero sum matrix game theory and duality in linear p- gramming. It is therefore natural to ask if something similar holds in the fuzzy scenario as well. This discussion essentially constitutes the core of our presentation. The objective of this book is to present a systematic and focussed study of the application of fuzzy sets to two very basic areas of decision theory, namely Mathematical Programming and Matrix Game Theory.

This book on SOIL has been written in a very simple and straightforward manner, which is easy to understand by anyone who may have a simple academic background of general science. This book contains the basic properties of soil, which have been distinctly described under separate chapters, which include an Introduction, Physical, Chemical, Mineralogical, and its Biological properties. In addition, a comprehensive descriptive picture of Soil has been presented in the following chapter of Soil survey and classification which brings out the entire philosophy of soil and its classification methodology in a very precise manner. It is based on the Classification System developed in the United States of America and is agreed upon by the Soil Scientists of the most parts of the world. This is an open system and is very viable, because it has a tremendous scope of improvements in future. This is essential when one considers that soil itself is a very dynamic system in nature. Finally the book ends with an insight for Crop production based on its variable properties followed by its last chapter Soil Care. This last chapter aims at the sustainability and productivity of our soil resour world that soil is a living identity and must be used with utmost care. Based on my thirty-eight years of prolonged learning which includes all the theories and the practical aspects of Soil I must say, It is the only natural gift on which all kinds of living things have been depended upon and will continue to depend in future too. So each of us has to remain obliged towards this, which is always under our feet.

This book includes best selected, high-quality research papers presented at the International Conference on Intelligent Manufacturing and Energy Sustainability (ICIMES 2021) held at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malla Reddy College of Engineering & Technology (MRCET), Maisammaguda, Hyderabad, India, during June 18-19, 2021. It covers topics in the areas of automation, manufacturing technology and energy sustainability and also includes original works in the intelligent systems, manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, aeronautical, materials, automobile, bioenergy and energy sustainability.

This book discusses the various open issues of blockchain technology, such as the efficiency of blockchain in different domains of digital cryptocurrency, smart contracts, smart education system, smart cities, cloud identity and access, safeguard to cybersecurity and health care. For the first time in human history, people across the world can trust each other and transact over a large peer-to-peer networks without any central authority. This proves that, trust can be built not only by centralized institution but also by protocols and cryptographic mechanisms. The potential and collaboration between organizations and individuals within peer networks make it possible to potentially move to a global collaborative network without centralization. Blockchain is a complex social, economic and technological phenomenon. This questions what the established terminologies of the modern world like currency, trust, economics and exchange would mean. To make any sense, one needs to realize how much insightful and potential it is in the context and the way it is technically developed. Due to rapid changes in accessing the documents through online transactions and transferring the currency online, many previously used methods are proving insufficient and not secure to solve the problem which arises in the safe and hassle-free transaction. Nowadays, the world changes rapidly, and a transition flow is also seen in Business Process Management (BPM). The traditional Business Process Management holds good establishment last one to two decades, but, the internal workflow confined in a single organization. They do not manage the workflow process and information across organizations. If they do so, again fall in the same trap as the control transfers to the third party that is centralized server and it leads to tampering the data, and single point of failure. To address these issues, this book highlights a number of unique problems and effective solutions that reflects the state-of-the art in blockchain Technology. This book explores new experiments and yields promising solutions to the current challenges of blockchain technology. This book is intended for the researchers, academicians, faculties, scientists, blockchain specialists, business management and software industry professionals who will find it beneficial for their research work and set new ideas in the field of blockchain. This book caters research work in many fields of blockchain engineering, and it provides an in-depth knowledge of the fields covered.

This book comprises the best deliberations with the theme "Smart Innovations in Mezzanine Technologies, Data Analytics, Networks and Communication Systems" in the "International Conference on Advances in Computer Engineering and Communication Systems (ICACECS 2020)", organized by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology. The book provides insights on the recent trends and developments in the field of computer science with a special focus on the mezzanine technologies and creates an arena for collaborative innovation. The book focuses on advanced topics in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining and big data computing, cloud computing, Internet on things, distributed computing and smart systems.

This book presents best selected papers presented at the 4th International Conference on Smart Computing and Informatics (SCI 2020), held at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Vasavi College of Engineering (Autonomous), Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It presents advanced and multi-disciplinary research towards the design of smart computing and informatics. The theme is on a broader front which focuses on various innovation paradigms in system knowledge, intelligence and sustainability that may be applied to provide realistic solutions to varied problems in society, environment and industries. The scope is also extended towards the deployment of emerging computational and knowledge transfer approaches, optimizing solutions in various disciplines of science, technology and health care.

This book discusses one of the major applications of artificial intelligence: the use of machine learning to extract useful information from multimodal data. It discusses the optimization methods that help minimize the error in developing patterns and classifications, which further helps improve prediction and decision-making. The book also presents formulations of real-world machine learning problems, and discusses AI solution methodologies as standalone or hybrid approaches. Lastly, it proposes novel metaheuristic methods to solve complex machine learning problems. Featuring valuable insights, the book helps readers explore new avenues leading toward multidisciplinary research discussions.

This book presents high-quality papers from the Third International Conference on Smart Computing and Informatics (SCI 2018 19), organized by the School of Computer Engineering and School of Computer Application, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, from 21 to 22 December 2018. It includes advanced and multi-disciplinary research on the design of smart computing and informatics, focusing on innovation paradigms in system knowledge, intelligence and sustainability that have the potential to provide realistic solutions to various problems in society, the environment and industry. The papers featured provide a valuable contribution to the deployment of emerging computational and knowledge transfer approaches, optimizing solutions in varied disciplines of science, technology and health care.

Biofuels, Bioenergy and Food Security: Technology, Institutions and Policies explores the popular 'Food versus Fuel' debates, discussing the complex relationship between the biofuel and agricultural markets. From the importance of bioenergy in the context of climate change, to the potentially positive environmental consequences of growing second generation biofuels crops, this book provides important insights into the impact of policy, the technical implementation and the resulting impact of biofuels. The discussion of existing issues hindering the growth of the cellulosic biofuel industry and their remedies are particularly relevant for policy makers and others associated with the biofuel industry. Transferring information on bioenergy economy through the discussion of the current and emerging biofuel market, country specific case studies explain the existing biofuel policy and its consequences to both the energy and agricultural markets. Economic simulation models explain the future of the bioenergy markets. Biofuels, Bioenergy and Food Security: Technology, Institutions and Policies is an invaluable resource to the students, scientific community, policy makers, and investors in the bioenergy industry. Students will benefit from a variety of perspectives on major societal questions in context of the interaction between food security and bioenergy. Its review of existing literature on the biofuel marker, investment opportunities, and energy independence provides a broad overview to allow informed decision making regarding the industry.

This book includes best selected, high-quality research papers presented at the International Conference on Intelligent Manufacturing and Energy Sustainability (ICIMES 2020) held at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malla Reddy College of Engineering & Technology (MRCET), Maisammaguda, Hyderabad, India, during August 21-22, 2020. It covers topics in the areas of automation, manufacturing technology and energy sustainability and also includes original works in the intelligent systems, manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, aeronautical, materials, automobile, bioenergy and energy sustainability.

This volume includes 74 papers presented at ICTIS 2017: Second International Conference on Information and Communication Technology for Intelligent Systems. The conference was held on 25th and 26th March 2017, in Ahmedabad, India and organized jointly by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) Gujarat Chapter, the G R Foundation, the Association of Computer Machinery, Ahmedabad Chapter and supported by the Computer Society of India Division IV - Communication and Division V - Education and Research. The papers featured mainly focus on information and communications technology (ICT) for computation, algorithms and data analytics. The fundamentals of various data analytics and algorithms discussed are useful to researchers in the field.

This book gathers state-of-the-art research in computational engineering and bioengineering to facilitate knowledge exchange between various scientific communities. Computational engineering (CE) is a relatively new discipline that addresses the development and application of computational models and simulations often coupled with high-performance computing to solve complex physical problems arising in engineering analysis and design in the context of natural phenomena. Bioengineering (BE) is an important aspect of computational biology, which aims to develop and use efficient algorithms, data structures, and visualization and communication tools to model biological systems. Today, engineering approaches are essential for biologists, enabling them to analyse complex physiological processes, as well as for the pharmaceutical industry to support drug discovery and development programmes.

This book discusses various machine learning applications and models, developed using heterogeneous data, which helps in a comprehensive prediction, optimization, association analysis, cluster analysis and classification-related applications for various activities in urban area. It details multiple types of data generating from urban activities and suitability of various machine learning algorithms for handling urban data. The book is helpful for researchers, academicians, faculties, scientists and geospatial industry professionals for their research work and sets new ideas in the field of urban computing.

This book gathers state-of-the-art research in computational engineering and bioengineering to facilitate knowledge exchange between various scientific communities. Computational engineering (CE) is a relatively new discipline that addresses the development and application of computational models and simulations often coupled with high-performance computing to solve complex physical problems arising in engineering analysis and design in the context of natural phenomena. Bioengineering (BE) is an important aspect of computational biology, which aims to develop and use efficient algorithms, data structures, and visualization and communication tools to model biological systems. Today, engineering approaches are essential for biologists, enabling them to analyse complex physiological processes, as well as for the pharmaceutical industry to support drug discovery and development programmes.

This book presents the proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Frontiers of Intelligent Computing: Theory and Applications (FICTA 2021), held at NIT Mizoram, Aizwal, Mizoram, India, during June 25 - 26, 2021. FICTA conference aims to bring together researchers, scientists, engineers, and practitioners to exchange their new ideas and experiences in the domain of intelligent computing theories with prospective applications to various engineering disciplines. This volume covers broad areas of Intelligent Data Engineering and Analytics. The conference papers included herein presents both theoretical as well as practical aspects of data intensive computing, data mining, big data, knowledge management, intelligent data acquisition and processing from sensors, data communication networks protocols and architectures, etc. The volume will also serve as a knowledge centre for students of post-graduate level in various engineering disciplines.

This volume includes 73 papers presented at ICTIS 2017: Second International Conference on Information and Communication Technology for Intelligent Systems. The conference was held on 25th and 26th March 2017, in Ahmedabad, India and organized jointly by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) Gujarat Chapter, the G R Foundation, the Association of Computer Machinery, Ahmedabad Chapter and supported by the Computer Society of India Division IV - Communication and Division V - Education and Research. The papers featured mainly focus on information and communications technology (ICT) and its applications in intelligent computing, cloud storage, data mining and software analysis. The fundamentals of various data analytics and algorithms discussed are useful to researchers in the fiel d.

The book will provide a fundamental understanding of engineering properties of agricultural produce and the knowledge of engineering properties are combined with agriculture. Each chapter in the book will be helpful for the students to understand the relationship between engineering properties of raw, semi-finished and processed food to obtain products with desired shelf-life and quality. This book discusses basic definitions, principles of engineering properties and their measurement methods with research findings. It will be helpful to the students for their self-study and to gain information how to analyze experimental data to generate practical information. It will also be helpful for students who deal with engineering properties in their research. Methods to measure these properties are also explained in details. Note: T& F does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This title is co-published with New India Publishing Agency.

This book discusses the latest developments and outlines future trends in the fields of microelectronics, electromagnetics and telecommunication. It includes original research presented at the International Conference on Microelectronics, Electromagnetics and Telecommunication (ICMEET 2019), organized by the Department of ECE, Raghu Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh, India. Written by scientists, research scholars and practitioners from leading universities, engineering colleges and R&D institutes around the globe, the papers share the latest breakthroughs in and promising solutions to the most important issues facing today's society.

The Central Asian republics a" Kazakhstan, the Krygyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan a" are transitioning from centrally planned economies to market-oriented systems. This volume addresses the process and policy reforms these countries face and how the reforms may impact agricultural development in a region that has experienced varying degrees of economic growth over the fifteen years since independence. It offers expert policy research and analysis and provides research-based information for generating policy recommendations that are relevant to each country as well as similar evidence from other transitional economies, including China, Vietnam, and selected Eastern European countries.

Suresh Chandra Babu is a Senior Research Fellow and Program Leader at the International Food Research Policy Institute (IFRPI), in Washington, D.C. where he coordinates its research and outreach programs in Central Asia. He has trained more than 1,000 policy analysts and has consulted with international organizations such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and UNICEF. Dr. Babu received his Ph.D. in economics from Iowa State University in the United States.

Sandjar Djalalov is a principal researcher at the Center for Efficient Economic Policy in Uzbekistan where he conducts research on production, marketing, investment, and consumption behavior of different types of farms in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. He is also a senior lecturer in the Tashkent Institute of Engineering for Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization. Dr. Djalalov received his Ph.D. from the Institute of Macroeconomics and Social Investigation in Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

This book presents the proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Frontiers of Intelligent Computing: Theory and Applications (FICTA 2021), held at NIT Mizoram, Aizwal, Mizoram, India, during June 25 - 26, 2021. FICTA conference aims to bring together researchers, scientists, engineers, and practitioners to exchange their new ideas and experiences in the domain of intelligent computing theories with prospective applications to various engineering disciplines. This volume covers broad areas of Evolution in Computational Intelligence. The conference papers included herein presents both theoretical as well as practical aspects of different areas like ANN and genetic algorithms, human-computer interaction, intelligent control optimization, evolutionary computing, intelligent e-learning systems, machine learning, mobile computing, multi-agent systems, etc. The volume will also serve as a knowledge centre for students of post-graduate level in various engineering disciplines.

This book highlights state-of-the-art research on big data and the Internet of Things (IoT), along with related areas to ensure efficient and Internet-compatible IoT systems. It not only discusses big data security and privacy challenges, but also energy-efficient approaches to improving virtual machine placement in cloud computing environments. Big data and the Internet of Things (IoT) are ultimately two sides of the same coin, yet extracting, analyzing and managing IoT data poses a serious challenge. Accordingly, proper analytics infrastructures/platforms should be used to analyze IoT data. Information technology (IT) allows people to upload, retrieve, store and collect information, which ultimately forms big data. The use of big data analytics has grown tremendously in just the past few years. At the same time, the IoT has entered the public consciousness, sparking people's imaginations as to what a fully connected world can offer. Further, the book discusses the analysis of real-time big data to derive actionable intelligence in enterprise applications in several domains, such as in industry and agriculture. It explores possible automated solutions in daily life, including structures for smart cities and automated home systems based on IoT technology, as well as health care systems that manage large amounts of data (big data) to improve clinical decisions. The book addresses the security and privacy of the IoT and big data technologies, while also revealing the impact of IoT technologies on several scenarios in smart cities design. Intended as a comprehensive introduction, it offers in-depth analysis and provides scientists, engineers and professionals the latest techniques, frameworks and strategies used in IoT and big data technologies.