Agriculture TNT

An agriculture high school involves far-reaching and high-technology studies. In fact, much of what we eat, wear and use as medicine are products of agriculture. Plant and animal biotechnology have become critical industries throughout the U.S. and abroad. Agricultural programs help students develop the necessary skills to excel in these careers.

Agricultural programs have evolved into more scientific curriculum. As the demand for crops and livestock grows, farmers and agricultural science workers will need to fill these complex positions. But, where will these workers come from and how will they be trained?

The answer lies in agriculture high school that are addressing this need and preparing students for careers in farming related fields. Their goal is to develop students with an understanding and appreciation for the many opportunities available in agriculture.

Whats the Purpose of Agricultural Education?

An agricultural education should be designed to support careers and build awareness for food, fiber and natural resource systems. This goal is especially important given the decline of people involved in agricultural production. In addition, this goal should provide a direction for educators, especially at agriculture high schools, to develop productive programs.

Developing Educational Programs for Agriculture High Schools

Updating instructional programs presents challenges for agricultural educators. With the field continually evolving and becoming more scientific, technical and business-oriented, curriculum needs to keep pace.

Therefore, educators must work with the agricultural industry they serve to properly prepare students for careers. This connection allows the instructional program to access leading edge information currently used in the industry. In addition, strong industry knowledge and understanding enhances the job prospects of students after graduation.

Today, educational content involves a vast range of topics, including agricultural science and technology, managed ecosystems for providing food and fiber, animal welfare, agribusiness marketing, global communications, public policy handling, environmental and natural resource management, food processing, safety and nutrition, forestry, horticulture, floriculture and landscape design, construction and more.

Instructors within agriculture high schools must meet these diverse educational needs to properly prepare students for careers. And, successful teaching must extend beyond sharing information. A key ingredient to successful agriculture high schools is combining formal instruction with real life applications to make learning relevant.

While educators in agriculture high schools cannot always anticipate all the changes that will take place in the future, they can focus on what the programs should accomplish for students. The focus should remain on preparing students for successful careers.

In addition, the future of agriculture lies in developing an appreciation for improving, preserving and managing the earths natural resources. Agricultural programs must be committed to advancing students understanding, knowledge and skill set.

The Future Looks Bright for Agriculture High School Programs

The study of agriculture and its related sciences continues to gain popularity on public high school campuses. As technology drives innovation, schools are seeing a renewed interest in agriculture sciences. The growing interest challenges old industry stereotypes.

The field today has broadened to include a wide range of careers from animal science to biomedical research. And, agricultural science continues to evolve as a result of ongoing technological developments.

The opportunities in the years ahead are many as agriculture high schools attract bright young people into the profession and provide an effective curriculum for them to succeed in their chosen field.

Technological advances have brought about drastic changes in farming and animal husbandry resulting in tremendous increase in production capacity. The most common use of computers has been in replacing human effort and intervention in traditional farming machinery and other equipment. In addition, even the support functions for farming such as delivery of machinery, fertilizers and production of raw products have been successfully automated. But all these are just the labor-saving, basic uses that have been around even before the turn of the century. If computers have changed the ways of farming, then the Internet has only doubled that pace of change.

Applications of Computing Technologies in Agriculture

In today’s times, agriculture is not just about crop production or livestock farming and associated activities. The challenges brought forth by ecological factors affecting the environment need to be a major consideration for any kind of farming activity. Farmers need to preempt environmental impact due to climate change and this is where modern technology comes to the rescue.
Farmland Assessment
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are being used for developing ranking systems that evaluate land and provide a site assessment to aid what is now known as precision agriculture. These hi-tech, interactive systems provide information based on a variety of factors such as soil conditions, drainage and slope conditions, soil pH and nutrient status, etc. Prior to the use of these systems, farmers were often in the dark about soil output, and unpredictable weather conditions affecting crop quality and profitability. Precision agriculture provides farmers with control by predicting vital information including fertilizer application and problems with drainage, insects, and weeds. Most government websites provide this kind of information free of cost, covering agricultural land masses across the United States. Global Positioning System (GPS) based technologies also help to monitor irrigation, field mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance and crop scouting. This kind of technology equips farmers with enough information to increase crop yield in a manner that is consistent with the best environmental practices for sustainable agriculture.

Autonomous Farm Equipment and Tractors

Automated farm equipment, needless to say, scores over human controlled equipment in terms of consistency and reliability. Engine and machine functions such as transmission and hydraulic power output are controlled using microchips built into the equipment. Guidance technology is already being widely used in self-propelled equipment to aid crop seeding and fertilizer application. Automated feeding systems, computerized milk collection and milking machines have been around since the late 20th century, resulting in better economic yield for the dairy industry as well as livestock production. Automated tractors are probably not far away.

Farm Software

With regard to livestock farming, ready-made computer applications are available to track individual animals, storing and evaluating information such as age, health records, milk production, offspring productivity, and reproductive cycle status. This is often called herd recording. Similarly, most farm accounting software and other computer applications in agriculture provide services for record keeping, simulation of prediction-based models using that data, revenue and productivity estimation and reporting to aid in making decisions. Most farm software vendors provide you with an option to customize their applications to the specific needs of your farm or ranch.

Internet Forums, Social Networking and Online Knowledge Bases

Any business in the world that you can think of, has benefited from the advent and global reach of the Internet and related communication technologies (mobile computing, e-commerce etc.). Agriculture is no different. Imagine leveraging the power of the Internet to connect with farmers, agriculturists and agricultural scientists and other experts spread across the globe from the comfort of your own farmland or ranch. There are several forums and social networking sites on the Internet where farmers can connect with other farmers and farming experts and exchange know-how. In addition, there are several learning repositories serving as knowledge bases to provide information on a wide variety of agricultural topics. These avenues serve to reduce the rural digital divide, influence public policies, foster partnerships and connect all stakeholders across the agricultural value chain. For instance, a farmer can easily seek out and connect with an agricultural entrepreneur and begin the exchange of ideas or business proposals. Information such as price review for grain and livestock, pest information, real-time weather information (precipitation, temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind speed, soil moisture and soil temperature) in any part of the world is literally available on one’s fingertips.

E-agriculture

An emerging field of agricultural practices, e-agriculture focuses on coming up with innovative ways and best practices to use the existing information and communication technologies (ICTs) for sustainable agricultural development and food safety standards, particularly in rural areas. E-agriculture encompasses other related technological fields such as agricultural informatics, agricultural development and business. It aims to deploy all available technologies (computers, mobile computing, satellite systems, smart cards) for the empowerment of farmers and strengthening of partnerships across the food value chain.

The uses of computers in agriculture do have some real constraints such as, the lack of hardware and software infrastructure, training and skills, and research priorities. However, once these are overcome, the use of computers transcends automation and software application. In fact, it could be instrumental in bridging the rural digital divide and bringing prosperity to agriculturists not only in the United States, but also in other developing and emerging economies around the world.

http://www.electrocomputerwarehouse.com

IMARC Group, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, finds that the agriculture market in India is expected to grow robustly in the coming years reaching sales worth INR 42,707 Billion by 2017-18. Findings from the report suggest that a number of factors are currently inducing a major transformation in this sector. These include – a newfound interest of the organized sector, new and improved technologies, farming becoming more mechanized, new markets and demands, easy credit facilities, rapid growth of contract farming, agriculture friendly policies from the government, etc.

The report finds that, although currently small, the Indian organized food retail market has immense potential. The total market for organized food retail was worth INR 221 Billion in 2011-12 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 14% reaching revenues worth INR 477 Billion by 2017-18. Organized food retail outlets such as Reliance, Vishal Mega Mart, Spencer Retail, Future Group, etc, have now opened their outlets not only in the metros but also in the smaller cities of India. Organized retail outlets are currently offering consumers an access to a diversified range of products directly or indirectly related to the agriculture sector. The report expects an access to a very wide range of products coupled with attractive discounts to create a positive impact on the agriculture sector in India.

IMARC Group’s new report entitled -Indian Agriculture Market Report & Forecast: 2012-2017- provides an analytical and statistical insight into the agriculture industry along with its various segments and sub-segments. The study that has been undertaken using both desk-based and qualitative primary research has analyzed various aspects and provides a comprehensive understanding of the Indian agriculture market. The report can serve as an excellent guide for investors, researchers, consultants, marketing strategists, and all those who are looking to foray into the Indian agriculture market in some form or the other.

To buy the complete report or to get a free sample, please contact:

IMARC Group – Asia

Email:

Phone: +91-120-415-5099

IMARC Group – Europe, Middle East & Africa

Email:

Phone: +44-702-409-7331

IMARC Group – Europe, Middle East & Africa

Email:

Phone: +1-631-791-1145

Over the last year or so there’s been a major change in world agriculture. It concerns the comparative power and market shares of two main players, the US and Brazil.

The main reason for the changing situation is the severe drought this year in farming areas of North America. This has of course led to drastic reductions there in the production of important crops of all kinds. One major example is corn (maize) an absolutely vital food for both humans and animals and one of the five main crops cultivated world-wide. There’s been nearly a fifty per cent drop in American output this year, due to the weather conditions there. Another important crop seriously restricted is soy (soya or soybeans) almost as vital as corn, with a one-third fall in production in the US.

Needless to say all this has had a severe knock-on effect on food prices worldwide, with many of the world’s poorest people bearing the brunt of the increases. According to the United Nations, world food prices experienced a six per cent rise overall in July this year. A huge amount for just one month.

Brazil has managed to redress the shortages to a considerable extent, without such severe weather conditions as the US and its own exports boosted by increased demand from countries such as China. Evidence of this points to the fact (according to the International Grains Council at least) that Brazil will overtake the USA as the world’s biggest soy producer this year.

Corn (maize) producers in Brazil are also seeing record growth in sales as they strive to fill the gap caused by widespread ruined harvests in their northern competitor. A significant feature is that this year, for the first time ever, the USA is actually importing corn from Brazil.

All this increased activity in Brazilian agriculture is of course due to the misfortunes of the North Americans, a situation that is regrettable for them. However, it is certainly good news for the southern hemisphere BRICS nation. According to Luiz Antonio Pinazza, the President of Brazil’s ‘Sectoral Chamber of Agricultural Inputs (‘CSIA’); “The US situation has created an atmosphere of euphoria in our own countryside”. However, so far the main beneficiaries of the boost seem to be the large food producers in Brazil with working class and middle class consumers much less enthusiastic over rising prices.

None the less, as regards providing opportunities for domestic or foreign short term investment or long term investment in Brazilian agriculture, the present situation is an attractive one. In the long term the private and public sectors both say that the benefits will ‘trickle down’ to everyone. In any event the view is that the general market economy in Brazil will benefit.

This is especially remarkable when one looks at the Government’s recent easing of restrictions in developing new agricultural land, especially in the rainforest areas. This is a controversial measure, to be sure, but one that President Dilma Rousseff and her government say is economically necessary. Environmentalists and conservationists don’t agree and say that the steps are actually not needed. The investment community in Brazil and well a Investment News websites tend not to sympathise with them and general investment in Brazil continues to grow year after year and with the upcoming Fifa World Cup in 2014 and the Rio Olympics in 2014 there has never been a better time to invest in Brazil and turn a modest profit.

The horticulture sector, with a wide array of crops ranging from fruits and vegetables to orchids and nuts, mushrooms and honey – has been a driving force in the stimulating a healthy growth trend in Indian agriculture. India is currently producing 257.2 million tonnes of horticulture produce from an area of 23 million ha. What is significant is that over the last decade, the area under horticulture grew by about 3.8%per annum but production rose by 7.4% per annum. Given the increasing pressure on land, the focus of growth strategy is on raising productivity by supporting high density plantations, protected cultivation, micro irrigation, quality planting material, rejuvenation of senile orchards and focus on post harvest management to ensure that farmers do not lose their produce in transit from farm gate to the consumers plate.

Fruits:

With a production of 76.4 million tonnes, fruits accounts for about 30 per cent of the total production of horticulture crops. The area under fruit crops during 2011-12 was 6.6 million ha, which is almost 29 per cent of area under horticulture in India. The area under fruit crops has increased from 4.0 million ha in 201-02 to 6.7 million ha in 2011-12 with corresponding increase in production from 43.0 to 76.4 million tonnes. A large variety of fruits are grown in India. Of these, banana, mango, citrus, papaya, guava, grape, sapota, pomegranate, pineapple, aonla, litchi, pear, plum, walnut, etc are important. India accounts for 13 percent of the total world production of fruits and leads the world in the production of mango, banana, papaya, sapota, pomegranate, acid lime and aonla.

The leading fruit growing states are Maharashtra which accounts for 16.0 per cent of production followed by Andhra Pradesh (13.0%), Gujarat (10.0%), Karnataka (9.0%), Uttar Pradesh (8.0%), Tamil Nadu (7.0%) and Bihar (5.0%) altogether contributes for about 68.0 percent of the total fruit production in the country. Banana is the major fruit accounting for 35 per cent of total production followed by mango (4.0%), citrus (11.0%), papaya (6.0%), others (17.7%) in the country. It may also be mentioned that in the Himalayan states of Himachal and J&K the GDP from apples, plums, pears and stone fruits exceeds that of GDP from cereal crops.

Vegetables:

Vegetables are also an important constituent in horticulture sector which are mostly low gestation and high income generating crops. Many vegetables are now grown under protected cultivation like green houses and shade nut houses with a scope for off season production, which fetches remunerative prices.
Vegetables occupied an area of 8.9 million ha during 2011-12 with a total production of 155.9 million tonnes having average productivity of 17.4 tonnes/ha.

Vegetable production registered a quantum jump of 77 per cent between 2001-02 and 2011-12.

More than 40 kinds of vegetables belonging to different groups are grown in India in tropical, sub tropical and temperate regions. Important vegetable crops grown in the country are potato, tomato, onion, brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower, peas, okra, chilies, beans, melons, etc. The leading vegetables growing states are West Bengal which accounts for 15% of production followed by Uttar Pradesh (12%), Bihar (10.0%), Andhra Pradesh (8.0%), Madhya Pradesh (6.5%), Gujarat (6.4%), Tamil Nadu (5.8%), Maharashtra (5.7%), Karnataka (5.0%) and Haryana (3.0%) altogether contributes about 83.4% of the total vegetable production in the country. Among vegetables, potato is the major vegetable accounting for 27.0% followed by tomato (12%), onion (11.0%), brinjal (8.0%), cabbage (5.4%), cauliflower (4.7%), okra (4.0%), peas (2.5%) and others (25.4%) in the country. India is the second largest producer of vegetables after China and is a leader in production of vegetables like peas and okra. Besides, India occupies the second position in production of brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower and onion and third in potato and tomato in the world. Vegetables such as potato, tomato, okra and cucurbits are produced abundantly in the country.

Spices:

India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices and spice products in the world. Over 100 plant species are known to yield spices and spice products among which around 50 are grown in India. India is known as the home of spices producing a wide variety of spices like black pepper, chilies, ginger, turmeric, garlic, cardamom and variety of tree and seed spices. Major spice producing states are Andhra Pradesh (19.0%), Gujarat (15.0%), Rajasthan (14.7%), Karnataka (8.0%), Madhya Pradesh (7.7%) and Tamil Nadu (7.0%). The spice production in India is currently estimated at 5.95 million tonnes from an area of about 3.21milion ha.

The production of spices in the country has registered a substantial increase over the last ten years with average annual growth of 5.8%. Chili is the major spice crop occupying about 25% of area under cultivation and contributing 22% of total spice production in the country. Garlic accounts for 8.0% of area with 21.0% share in production, while turmeric accounts for 6.8% of area with 19.6% share in production.

Flowers:

India has made noticeable advance in the production of flowers, particularly cut flowers, which have a good potential for exports. During 2011-12, floriculture covered an area of 0.32 million ha with a production of 2.6 million tonnes of loose flowers and 75066 million numbers of cut flowers. This sector is generating higher income and employment opportunities especially for women.

While India has been known for growing traditional flowers such as jasmine, marigold, chrysanthemum, tuberose and aster, the commercial cultivation of cut flowers like roses, orchids, gladiolus, carnation, gerbera, anthurium and lilium has become popular in recent times. The important flower growing states are West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, North East, etc. Major area is devoted to production of marigold, jasmine, roses, chrysanthemum, tuberose, etc. The area under cut flowers having stems has increased manifold. Orchids, anthurium, lilium, gerbera and seasonal bulbous flowers are increasingly being grown both for domestic and export markets.
Growth in Exports:

Not only have these impressive production figures ensured a steady supply for the domestic market, they have also made Indian horticulture exports globally competitive. Over the last decade, there has been a significant improvement in export earnings in horticulture.
The horticulture division is working closely with APEDA and state governments to ensure that infrastructure and institutional support for export is available to ensure that farmers can leverage export markets for higher incomes.