Climate change has an adverse effect on climate sensitive livestock sector. A well-structured interview schedule was used to collect the practices adopted by the livestock farmers at farm-level in irrigated and rainfed areas of Namakkal district in Tamil Nadu. Practices adapted to mitigate the effects of climate change were documented from 320 livestock farmers, 160 from irrigated and 160 from rainfed areas. Providing shade during day time was the major practice adapted in housing, cooling animals by washing, alteration in the grazing time, cooling and not allowing for grazing after insemination, deworming animals two to three days prior to insemination, feeding lemon after insemination, feeding mineral mixture during summer, soaking concentrate feed in water, feeding aloevera and neem oil for 15 days before insemination and shifting from buffalo to white cattle were the practices adapted by the livestock farmers to mitigate the effect of climate change. Further, the field experts opined that feeding mineral mixture (100%), alteration in grazing time (100%), cooling animals after insemination (97.22%), deworming of animals two or three days prior to insemination (91.67%) had effect at field level. Field experts suggested that feeding lemon after insemination, feeding mineral mixture during summer and feeding aloevera and neem oil for 15 days before insemination were the practices need further scientific research for up-scaling of practices.

Adaptation measures practiced by the farmers rearing dairy animals at farm level to mitigate the influence of climate change

<div>Background: Variety development is a continuous process that caters for the ever changing farmer crop growing conditions. Changing climatic conditions, soil fertility conditions, crop disease and pest regimes as well as farmer agronomic practices require that new varieties adapted to new practices be availed to growers so that they continue to get high yields. Initial variety development processes are carried out by the breeder, usually on station and usually involves aggregation of traits of interest into a genotype with little or no information about the response of the genotype to different farmer cropping situations. However, before the varieties can be recommended to growers, they need to be evaluated in multi-environment trials (MET) in order to identify varieties with broad adaptation for general recommendation and those with specific adaptation for targeted environment production. &nbsp; 
 
Methods: In order to evaluate the adaptation and stability of newly developed tobacco varieties to three growing locations in Zimbabwe, seven varieties were evaluated in a randomised complete block design with three replicates at Kutsaga Research Station near Harare, Trelawney and Tengwe over three seasons ranging from 2013 to 2015. &nbsp; 
 
Result: The study results showed significant differences among the varieties and locations tested for saleable yield (P&lt;0.05). Of all the varieties tested, T76 was the most stable showing consistently high performance across the seasons and locations tested followed by T75. However, ETH03 was the least stable variety of them all. Unlike what is currently believed in the tobacco industry in Zimbabwe, the variety K RK26 is no longer the most broadly adapted. Based on the study results, the varieties, T76, T75 and ETH06 are stable and, therefore, recommended for growing across the whole of the tobacco farming belt in Zimbabwe.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Stability and Adaptation of New Tobacco Varieties to Three Growing Areas under Rain Fed Conditions in Zimbabwe</div>

<div>Background: The present research study was undertaken to study the dairy farmer&rsquo;s perception and adaptation practices against impending climate change in the arid and semi-arid climate regions of Haryana. 
 
Methods: The study area Hisar and Karnal Districts had been purposively selected based on rainfall pattern and milk production potential in the state. In this study, interview schedule had been constructed to reveal the dairy farmers perception and adaptation practices against climate change were studied through Environmental, biological and socio-economic indicators. 
 
Result: It was found that, last 10 years majority of the farmers perceived significant increase in environmental changes, biological indicators and socio-economic indicators in their dairy farming practices respectively. Due to these perceived changes, the logit analysis had been applied to assess their adaptation practices in the breeding, feeding, healthcare, management and crop production aspects of the various significant levels.</div>

​Differential Perception and Logit Analysis of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies among Dairy Farmers in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of Haryana

Over 70% of the postharvest losses occur at the farm level. Efforts to curb postharvest losses (PHLs) have to target farmers&rsquo; practices and innovations. A survey of 150 farmers complemented by focus group discussions was conducted in Eastern Uganda to establish why farmers engage in practices that sustain high PHLs in rice. Farmers are aware of the extent and nature of PHLs but most cannot use the practices and technologies recommended due to high costs involved, lack of knowledge and skills required, or inappropriateness to farmers&rsquo; context. Rather than promoting such technologies, a starting point is to engage with farmers to change mindsets and adapt their practices to innovate. Market incentives like significant price differentiation for quality are critical to accelerate the change in practices and innovations for reduction PHLs.

Contextual mismatch of interventions for reduction of postharvest losses in rice: Farmer perceptions, practices and innovations in Eastern Uganda

<div>Background: Healthy transition from non-lactating pregnant state to non-pregnant lactating state is an important in the profitability of dairying. Though feeding and managemental practices play an important role in the adaptation to transition, animals kept on similar feeding and management exhibit differences in adaptation indicating an underlying genetic cause. In the present study, the sequence of gene SNAI2, which is considered to have an effect on metabolic adaptability has been compared among animals with apparently varying adaptability, as indicated by their &beta;-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA) concentration. 
 
Methods: During the period from August 2018 to May 2019, blood was collected and serum was separated from 30 pregnant cross bred (belonging to Sunandini genetic group of cross bred cattle of Kerala) dairy cows at fortnightly intervals from four weeks before the predicted day of parturition until four weeks after parturition. Concentration of BHBA was determined. Based on BHBA concentration the animals were sorted into two groups (High BHBA and low BHBA) using cluster analysis. Blood was collected, DNA extracted and&nbsp;SNAI2 gene amplified using custom synthesised primers. Amplicons from representative animals of each group were sequenced. The sequences obtained were aligned and compared using clustal-&omega;. 
 
Result: The comparison of the sequence of SNAI2 gene amongst the animals having high BHBA and those with low BHBA revealed two variations between the groups, one at promoter region, 61 bp upstream to the gene and other was at exonic region at 1560 bp. In silico structural analysis revealed difference in protein structure. The changes observed in the gene SNAI2 between the sets of animals grouped based on BHBA has to be studied on a larger population to ascertain the suitability of them being used as markers of genetic selection for metabolic adaptability, which in turn can increase the profitability of dairying.</div>

Molecular Markers for Metabolic Adaptation in Dairy Cows: SNAI2 Gene Variations

<div>Background: Increasing demands of food, depleting land, degrading land resources and changing climate are some of the important factors driving the cropping systems of any agro-ecological zone in the world. Cropping systems have been traditionally structured to maximize crop yields. Now, there is a strong need to design cropping systems which take into consideration the emerging social, economical and ecological or environmental concerns. Legumes can provide opportunities for increased productivity to be sustained because of their adaptability to various cropping patterns and ability to fix nitrogen. Legume-based crop rotation helps to conserve organic matter, maximise soil nitrogen, balance soil nutrients, maintain soil physical properties and break soil-borne disease cycles. Moreover, with increasing fertilizer prices and emphasis of the government for doubling the farmer&rsquo;s income by reducing cost of cultivation, the current trend is to explore the possibility of supplementing chemical fertilizer with the organic ones, more particularly organic manures and bio-fertilizer of microbial origin. The current study is aimed to increase small and marginal farmer&rsquo;s income and to reduce cost of cultivation through legume based vegetable cropping systems and to find out best farming practices. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Field experiments were conducted at Organic Farm Holta, Department of Organic Agriculture and Natural farming, CSK HPKV, Palampur (H.P.) during kharif and rabi seasons of 2018-19 and 2019-20 on silty clay loam soil to study the performance of different farming practices in legume based cropping system under mid- hills of H.P. Himalayas. The experiment was laid out under Split plot design with three replications comprising of three sequences in legume vegetable-based cropping systems i.e., &ldquo;Soybean-Onion&rdquo;, &ldquo;Okra-Pea&rdquo; and &ldquo;Mash-Garlic&rdquo; under different farming practices i.e., Organic farming, Natural farming, Inorganic and Integrated farming practices. For comparison of different crops soybean equivalent yield and pea equivalent yields were calculated in kharif and rabi seasons, respectively. 
 
Result: In kharif seasons okra crop attained highest soybean equivalent yield followed by soybean and mash crop. In rabi seasons garlic crop attained highest pea grain equivalent yield followed by onion and pea crop. During both kharif seasons organic farming practices attained highest yield and was at par with integrated farming practices. Significantly highest yield was attained from integrated farming practices and was at par with organic farming practices in both rabi seasons. Highest net returns, net returns per rupee attained was in inorganic farming system. Highest cost of cultivation was found in organic farming practices.</div>

​Performance of Different Farming Practices in Legume based Cropping System under Mid-hills of H.P. Himalayas

<div>Background: Dromedary camels are major component of the agro-pastoral systems in vast pastoral areas in arid and semi-arid area of Ethiopia due to highest icon of adaptation to challenging ways of living. But little is known about its production practice and production systems compared to other domestic animals. Therefore, the current study was aimed to assess camel production practice in West Hararghe zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. 
 
Methods: The research was conducted during the period of 2018-2019 using two potential districts (Mieso and Bordede) which have large number of camel populations. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data regarding camel production practice. 
 
Result: Based on the data collected the major feed resource in the study area both in Bordede (56.7%) and Mieso (40%) was browse species. The sources of water for camels were river (53.3) and well water (51.7%) in Bordede and Mieso districts, respectively. About 61.67% and 91.67% of respondents in Bordede and Mieso respectively kept camel overnight in yard. The major constraints in the study area were shortage of feed and water especially during dry season in both districts.</div>

Camel Production Practice in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Background: Agroforestry is a kind of land use system that has been practiced since long in many parts of the world. Even if agroforestry is contributing a lot for the farmers, no study has been conducted which acknowledges the socio-economic importance of agroforestry practices in Harari regional state. Therefore, this may create a problem to expand and adapt the practices to another area for the cope and mitigate climate changes, and achieve food security.&nbsp; 
Methods: The study used descriptive statistics to analyze the data. It ascertained the role of agroforestry practices in Harari regional state. A sample of 350 farmers was interviewed and selected using two-stage random sampling techniques.&nbsp; 
Result: The results showed that 100% of the sample respondents practiced agroforestry as a land use for income source, shade, soil improvement, fodder, firewood, construction material, medicinal purposes etc. The components of the agroforestry system adopted by the local community were pulse, root, cereal crops and vegetables. Khat, Eritia, Acacia, Cordial, Zeziphus were the fodder species used. 78.57% of the respondents used a stallfeeding technique to feed their animals. The respondents obtained annual income of 32,199.16 Ethiopian birrs on average. In general, the agroforestry system helps the local communities to diversify their income, fulfill animal feed, and cope with and mitigate climate change. To sustain the local people with the climate change, decision-makers and researchers should give more attention to the preferred agroforestry species. 
 
JEL codes: O13, Q01, Q12, Q18, Q23

Agroforestry Practice and its Socioeconomic Benefits in Eastern Ethiopia

<div>The present study was purposively conducted in native tract of Gangatiri cattle in Uttar Pradesh. The information were collected from 108 respondents, who were rearing Gangatiri cattle for their livelihood. It was observed that most (53.70%) of the respondents practicing 6-10 hrs grazing of their Gangatiri herd. All the farmers were providing natural service to cows in estrus, maximum number of them (54.63%) between 12 to 16 hrs after detection of estrus and 53.70 per cent of them with bulls available in village surroundings. Maximum number of respondents (35.20%) initially used indigenous knowledge for disease treatment and after that consulted with veterinary doctor/ stockman. Major diseases prevelant in the area include FMD, HS, BQ and mastitis. Gangatiri cows were found to be more resistance to the diseases and heat tolerant as compared to crossbred cattle. Majority (81.48%) of respondents kept their cattle on kachcha floor in good sanitary conditions. About 70.37% respondents made cattle shed as a part of their houses. Majority (59.25 %) of the cattle owners were using knuckling method of milking, which may be a cause of mastitis in animals. It can be concluded that there is need of awareness programmes on scientific cattle rearing practices and interventions like supply of semen of bulls of high genetic merit under AI programme or bulls of good genetic merit for natural breeding, adequate grazing land and inputs for health management practices are needed to make the Gangatiri cattle rearing more beneficial.</div>

<div>Management Practices for Rearing of Gangatiri Cattle in Native Tract</div>

This review article provides a comprehensive overview of Holstein Friesian dairy cattle&rsquo;s physiological adaptation in Balochistan, a harsh environment that poses significant challenges to animal production. The article reviews various physiological responses and adaptations of Holstein Friesian dairy cattle to thermal stress and water scarcity, which are two of the most significant challenges the animals face in this region. It also highlights several key physiological responses that occur in Holstein Friesian dairy cattle when exposed to thermal stress, such as increased respiratory rate, pulse rateand rectal temperature. Additionally, milk production, somatic cell count (SCC), blood metabolitesand heart rate were identified as valuable indicators for assessing the animal&rsquo;s thermoregulatory mechanisms and detecting the impact of thermal stress. Moreover, adaptations of the sweat gland characteristics, metabolism processes and reduced metabolic requirements were also discussed. This review also highlighted the effect of altitude, hair coatand breed differences on the animals&rsquo; physiological adaptation. The authors stressed the significance of understanding the animals&rsquo; physiological responses to harsh environmental conditions and the importance of measuring these responses accurately in enhancing the animal&rsquo;s productivity and welfare. This review concludes with recommendations for improving the adaptability and performance of Holstein Friesian dairy cattle in Balochistan. Suggestions include implementing crossbreeding programs with indigenous breeds, improving management practices, utilizing physiological parameters to monitor animal health and conducting further research to identify genetic variations that improve animal adaptability. The authors emphasize the significance of these recommendations to increase farmers&rsquo; income, enhance food securityand contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. In conclusion, this review article provides valuable insights into Holstein Friesian dairy cattle&rsquo;s physiological adaptation in Balochistan and can be useful for stakeholders in the dairy industry, policymakersand researchers concerned with improving the sustainability and profitability of animal agriculture in harsh environments.