Thursday 30 January 2014

Cassava

Cassava


Cassava
Leaves of the cassava plant
A manioc tuber
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
(unranked):Angiosperms
(unranked):Eudicots
(unranked):Rosids
Order:Malpighiales
Family:Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily:Crotonoideae
Tribe:Manihoteae
Genus:Manihot
Species:M. esculenta
Binomial name
Manihot esculenta
Crantz
Cassava (Manihot esculenta), also called maniocyucabalinghoymogomandiocakamoteng kahoytapioca-root (predominantly in India) and manioc root, a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family native to South America, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropicaland subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates. It differs from the similarly spelled yucca, an unrelated fruit-bearing shrub in the Asparagaceae family. Cassava, when dried to a powdery (or pearly) extract, is called tapioca; its fermented, flaky version is named garri.
Cassava is the third largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice and maize. Cassava is a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for over half a billion people.[3] It is one of the most drought tolerant crops, capable of growing on marginal soils. Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava, while Thailand is the largest exporting country of dried cassava.
Cassava root is a good source of carbohydrates, but a poor source of protein. A diet consisting predominantly of cassava root can cause protein-energy malnutrition.
Cassava is classified as sweet or bitter. Like other roots and tubers, cassava contains antinutritional factors and toxins. It must be properly prepared before consumption. Improper preparation of cassava can leave enough residual cyanide to cause acute cyanide intoxication and goiters, and may even cause ataxia or partial paralysis. Nevertheless, farmers often prefer the bitter varieties because they deter pests, animals, and thieves. The more toxic varieties of cassava are a fall-back resource (a "food security crop") in times of famine in some places.

Thursday 16 January 2014

Benefits of Banana


Banana is very much a staple fruit of India. One of the great things about bananas is that it is not only delicious but is also cheap and available throughout the year unlike the other fruits. 

Banana is a fruit which is still very casually consumed for its taste, texture and a feeling of fullness unlike other fruits which are eaten due to their much known health benefits. The masses definitely prefer it due to its low cost.  With whatever feeling it might be consumed, banana is nutritious and a wholesome fruit. This is a much lesser recognized fact. Except for its limitations for weight loss and diabetes, like other fruits this one too deserves high regards.

Health Benefits of Bananas


Given below is the nutrition content of banana.

Nutritional Value of Banana

Serving size 100 grams; 1 big banana, ripe

Caloric Content

Nutrient
Values per 100 gms. of edible portion
Content as compared to other fruits
Calories116Caloric dense
Protein (g)1.2Average
Fat (g)0.3Low
Dietary fibre (g)*2.6Rich
Carbohydrates (g)27.2Rich
 

Mineral Content

Nutrient
Values per 100 gms. of edible portion
Content as compared to other fruits
Calcium (mg)17Average
Phosphorous (mg)36Rich
Iron (mg)0.36Low
Magnesium (mg)41Rich
Sodium (mg)36.6Average
Potassium (mg)88Rich
Zinc (mg)0.15Average


Vitamin Content

Nutrient
Values per 100 gms. of edible portion
Content as compared to other fruits
Carotene (mcg)78Average
Vitamin C (mg)7Low
Vitamin B6(mg)*0.8Rich


Fifteen Health benefits of banana 

1. Bananas are a caloric dense fruit. Consumption of just one banana anytime through the day makes one feel energetic.

Energetic


2. Banana is a food most appropriate when small but nutrient dense food has to be given in situations of extreme weight loss or extreme fever where the body becomes weak and there is food aversion.

3. They are a good source of potassium and magnesium which aid in maintaining normal blood pressure and are heart protective.

4. The high potassium content promotes bone health too. 

5. Banana help counteract the urinary calcium loss caused due to increase ion potassium levels in the urine.

6. Bananas have an antacid effect and are said to protect against stomach ulcers. They contain a compound called as protease inhibitor which protects the stomach from unfriendly bacteria which cause stomach or gastrointestinal disturbances.

7. Bananas are also known to stimulate cell proliferation which thickens the stomach mucosa and is a barrier against stomach acids.

8. Conditions like diarrhea can easily dehydrate the body and deplete the electrolytes. Consumption of banana helps to restore the lost potassium and helps maintain heart function.

Heart Function


9. Bananas are rich in the soluble fibre pectin. Thereby it assists healthy digestion and eases out constipation.

10. They are a rich source of fructooligosaccharides which act as a prebiotic and stimulate the growth of friendly bacteria in the intestine.  They protect us from harmful bacteria that cause gastric disturbances.

11. Fructooligosaccharides also produce digestive enzymes which improve the ability to absorb nutrients.

12. Bananas contain short chain fatty acids which are essentially needed by the cells lining the intestinal tract to stay healthy. This further improves the nutrient absorption.

13. They are a good source of carotenoids which are antioxidants and have a protective effect against chronic disease condition. They also have a high content of antioxidant phenolic compounds.

14. Banana is known to render a soothing effect. It has a compound called astryptophan which on getting converted to serotonin improves mood.

15. It is one of the ideal foods to be eaten immediately after a strenuous workout too. The simple sugars present in them quickly provide energy and normalize the blood sugar levels.

Fitness


 Bananas can be eaten whole, as a part of a salad, as a healthy beverage or as an ingredient of a vegetable. It is a fruit made by god for one and all and for every age group.

Wednesday 8 January 2014

Agricultural Loans

Resources for Agriculture Loans and Grants
This resource has been developed to assist you in finding resources from grants to loans that could potentially help you in your agriculture enterprise. When seeking resources one way to identify if a resource is worth pursuing is to think in terms of what you are seeking funding for. Understanding the business stage and type of business you are in will help to identify appropriate resources.
For example:
Business stageType of business
EarlyBroad business opportunity, specific business opportunity, technology, research & development, feasibility study
Start-upVenture capital, business planning
Operations/ExpansionPlant & equipment/working capital
Capacity BuildingManagement expertise, technical/operational, marketing & sales
Community/Industry Development
Business stageType of business
General SupportIncubators/business support centers/training
Economic DevelopmentSpecific business support/planning

Monday 6 January 2014

Benefits Of Agriculture

The Importance of Agriculture

For decades, agriculture has been associated with production of essential food crops. At present, agriculture above and beyond farming includes forestry, dairy, fruit cultivation, poultry, bee keeping, mushroom, arbitrary, etc. Today, processing, marketing and distribution of crops and livestock products etc. are all acknowledged as part of current agriculture.Thus, agriculture could be referred to as the production, processing, promotion and distribution agricultural products. Agriculture plays a critical role in the entire life of a given economy. Agriculture is the backbone of economic system of a given country. In addition to providing food and raw material, agriculture also provides employment opportunities to very large percentage of population. Below are the importances of agriculture:
Source of Livelihood
The main source livelihood of many people is agriculture. Approximately 70 % of the people directly rely on agriculture as a mean of living. This high percentage in agriculture is as a result of none development of non-agricultural activities to absorb the fast growing population. However, most people in developed countries do not engage in agriculture.
Contribution to National revenue
Agriculture is the main source of national income for most developing countries. However, for the developed countries, agriculture contributes a smaller per cent age to their national income.
Supply of Food as well as Fodder
Agricultural sector provides fodder for domestic animals .Cow provides people with milk which is a form of protective food. Moreover, livestock also meets people’s food requirements.
Significance to the International Trade
Agricultural products like sugar, tea, rice, spices, tobacco, coffee etc. constitute the major items of exports of countries that rely on agriculture. If there is smooth development practice of agriculture, imports are reduced while export increases considerably. This helps to reduce countries unfavorable balance of payments as well as saving foreign exchange. This amount may be well used to import other essential inputs, machinery, raw-material, and other infrastructure that is helpful for the support of country’s economic development.
Marketable Surplus
The growth of agricultural sector contributes to marketable surplus. Many people engage in manufacturing, mining as well as other non- agricultural sector as the nation develops. All these individuals rely on food production that they might meet from the nation’s marketable surplus. As agricultural sector development takes place, production increases and this leads to expansion of marketable surplus. This may be exported to other nations.
Source of Raw Material
The main source of raw materials to major industries such as cotton and jute fabric, sugar, tobacco, edible as well as non-edible oils is agriculture. Moreover, many other industries such as processing of fruits as well as vegetables and rice husking get their raw material mainly from agriculture.
Significance in Transport
Bulks of agricultural products are transported by railways and roadways from farm to factories. Mostly, internal trade is in agricultural products. Moreover, the revenue of the government, to a larger extent, relies on the success of agricultural sector.
Foreign Exchange Resources
The nation’s export trade depends largely on agricultural sector. For example, agricultural commodities such as jute, tobacco, spices, oilseeds, raw cotton, tea as well as coffee accounts for approximately 18 % of the entire value of exports of a country. This demonstrates that agriculture products also continue to be important source of earning a country foreign exchange.
Great Employment Opportunities
Construction of irrigation schemes, drainage system as well as other such activities in the agricultural sector is important as it provides larger employment opportunities. Agriculture sector provides more employment opportunities to the labor force that reduce the high rate of unemployment in developing countries caused by the fast growing population.
Economic Development
Since agriculture employs many people it contributes to economic development. As a result, the national income level as well as people’s standard of living is improved. The fast rate of development in agriculture sector offers progressive outlook as well as increased motivation for development. Hence, it aids to create good atmosphere for overall economic development of a country. Therefore, economic development relies on the agricultural growth rate.
Source of Saving
Development in agriculture may also increase savings. The rich farmers we see today started saving particularly after green revolution. This surplus quantity may be invested further in the agriculture sector to develop the sector.
Food Security
A stable agricultural sector ensures a nation of food security. The main requirement of any country is food security. Food security prevents malnourishment that has traditionally been believed to be one of the major problems faced by the developing countries. Most countries rely on agricultural products as well as associated industries for their main source of income.