Environmental conditions and climate change on a global scale affect the overall agriculture and food supply. Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus (L.) Fiori) is widely distributed all over the world. Immature inflorescence, commonly called capitula or head, is used in human consumption. These vegetables are a good source of human health promoting components. Artichokes are widely used in human diet, characterized by low protein and fat, high content of minerals, vitamins, inulin, carbohydrates and polyphenolic compounds. Relationship between plant growth and development is tight and complicated. Many agroecological factors, such as temperature, irrigation and fertilization level, planting and harvesting date, influence processes of growing and development of globe artichoke. Biologically active compounds in plants are dependent on climate conditions, seasonal changes, cultivar properties and maturity. Pre-germination is required for better plant establishment in the field. Better plant growing and development can be ensured by regular irrigation which provides 85 – 100% from evaporation and applied fertilization before planting and during vegetation period according to soil properties. The biochemical quality of artichoke heads differs between cultivars, head fraction, and stage of head development. This indicates possibility to grow artichokes in Latvia.

This study was carried out in 2012 to determine the effects of different irrigation intervals and irrigation water amounts on the cut flower performance of oriental lilium (Lilium L.) ‘Casa Blanca’ cultivated in greenhouse conditions. Different ratios of the plant water consumption (Tr) calculated using exterior radiation values of the greenhouse were applied to the plants as irrigation water. Irrigation water amounts varied between 199.3-589.0 mm, whereas measured plant water consumption (ETa) varied between 314.9-613.8 mm according to the treatments. Different irrigation water amounts and irrigation intervals had statistically significant effects on flower stem length, flower stem diameter, stem weight and number of flowers. In the study the stem length varied between 26.4-74.7 cm, stem weight varied between 72-175 g, stem diameter varied between 5.0-9.5 mm and the number of flowers buds varied between 3.6 and 8.0. The experimental treatment on which about 1.25 times of the potential plant water consumption calculated in two day intervals and the experimental treatment on which about 1.50 times of the potential plant water consumption calculated in four day intervals were selected as irrigation program.

The purpose of this study was to predict and compare salt accumulation in the soil profile under drained and undrained conditions. The water management simulation model, Drainmod (Ver. 6.1) was used to determine the optimal drainage system design parameters, which will decrease soil profile salinity and provide maximum crop yields in Ankara-Bala Basin of Turkey. Soil sampling points were coordinated with the Global Positioning System (GPS). Soil, crop and site parameters were obtained as an input. The model was run for 5 years from 2005 to 2010 to simulate optimum drainage design parameters (drain depth, drain spacing) while controlling soil salinity in the root zone. Soil water conditions and soil salinity level were simulated for crop rotation of corn (Zea mays) and winter wheat (Triticum). Yield of individual crops was predicted for each growing season. The results of the simulations were analyzed to identify alternatives of subsurface drainage system that would satisfy maximum crop productions. According to the simulation results, the drain spacing of 130 m and drain depth at 160 cm are recommended for Bala Basin. Soil salinity maps were created for undrained and drained conditions. Results showed that the soil salinity level and salinity stress can be reduced and yield increased by installing a drainage system.

The present study analyses the income, saving and saving gap among agricultural households (HHs) to understand their investment behaviour, using the data obtained from the NABARD All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) 2016-17, which was conducted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The NAFIS had the crop year 2015-16 (kharif and rabi seasons) as the reference year. It covered more than 40,000 households, of which 55% were agricultural HHs and the remaining were non-agricultural HHs. The sample was drawn from all the states, and covered farmers with different size of land holdings. Direct enquiries were made about HHs income, expenditure on food and non-food items including farm inputs, amount deposited in bank and invested in financial and physical assets, outreach of institutional credit, financial inclusion and so on.

This report offers specific policy and investment options articulated around two broad areas: (1) stimulating growth in agriculture and sustainable management of fisheries and (2) providing public infrastructure and services that strengthen the enabling environment. A plan to stimulate growth in agriculture and fisheries, the first broad area, could be centered around the following set of goals: revitalize the rubber sector, develop high-value fresh products, improve rice productivity, modernize land and input markets, expand access to loans for machinery and seasonal input purchases, strengthen agricultural extension services to ensure dynamism in Mon State’s farm sector, improve management of marine capture fisheries, and facilitate expansion of aquaculture. The first part of the report details the challenges and potential solutions presented by each of these points. The second part of the report details options to create a growth-enabling environment through public infrastructure and services, centered around the following goals: improve the budgetary and fiscal process to enable locally driven public investment, improve access to and reliability of infrastructure, expand the formal credit market, promote productive investment by the private sector, strengthen regulatory frameworks for the construction sector, exploit the potential for the development of tourism, and improve the quality of and access to education and health services.