Sustainable Agriculture Management in Semi-Arid Climates

The second volume of Sustainable Agriculture Management in Semi-Arid Climates delves deeper into the innovative strategies, advanced techniques, and management practices required to address the challenges of agricultural sustainability in these vulnerable regions. This book brings together a collection of chapters that present an interdisciplinary approach to agricultural sustainability, focusing on practical solutions and technological innovations that can enhance resilience, improve productivity, and promote long-term ecological health. The volume encompasses diverse and critical topics that are essential for the sustainable management of agriculture in semi-arid climates. It is divided into four sections, each focusing on different aspects of agricultural sustainability. The book will interest scientists, students, academicians, researchers, and professors in the fields of agriculture, environmental management, and sustainability.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh is working as Vice-Chancellor of Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. He has an experience of more than 35 years in the field of Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension. He served on various positions viz. Director ICAR-ATARI, Kanpur 2005 to 2014; Assistant Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, New Delhi, 2014; Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, New Delhi, 2014 to 2022; Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), (Additional Charge), ICAR, New Delhi, 2015-16; Deputy Director General (Horticultural Science), (Additional Charge), ICAR, New Delhi; 2016-17; Director & Vice-Chancellor (Additional Charge), ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, 2017-20. Agriculture Commissioner, Govt. of India 2021- 22. Dr. Singh is a fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS) and has got a number of awards and recognitions including the Swami Sahajanand Best Extension Scientist award of ICAR, a member of the Uttar Pradesh Farmer Commission and has published more than 150 research papers and articles in scientific journals. His major research and development work has been in the area of technology assessment, application and outreach through a large network of NAREES (National Agricultural Research and Education and Extension System). The conceptual framework and models like Farmer FIRST, ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture), and work in the area of Climate resilient agriculture, Nutri-sensitive agriculture, Pulses and Oilseeds promotion, digital agriculture, landscape diagnostics, etc. Dr. Pavan Kumar is a distinguished academician and researcher specializing in Remote Sensing and Climate Change, currently serving as Assistant Professor of Wildlife Management, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. He holds a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences and has made impactful contributions to geospatial technology and environmental monitoring. Notably, he designed an IoT-based solar-powered automated drip irrigation system and developed innovative techniques for water resource management under national schemes like PMKSY-2. He received the Innovation Award from the Asian Association of Remote Sensing (China), the Young Scientist Award from the International Geographical Union (USA), and multiple national honors including the Prof. T.S. Murthy Award from IIT Kharagpur and accolades from the National Environmental Science Academy. Dr. Kumar has published over 70 research papers in reputed international journals and contributed to more than 15 books on diverse topics such as land use change, biodiversity conservation, forest ecosystem vulnerability, climate change impacts, and agricultural responses during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has led and contributed to several major research projects funded by SERB-DST, NABARD, and the Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh. His international exposure in