Dark chocolates are considered a healthier option among the other type of chocolates. However, in India, the bitter sweet taste is not easily accepted. Nevertheless, in the past few years, consumption of dark chocolates has improved due to increased awareness about the health benefits conferred by it. A cross-sectional consumer survey consisting of 186 consumers was conducted online. The study went to analyze the prevailing consumer beliefs and attitude towards dark chocolates. 62 percent agree that dark chocolates are good for health. High percentage of cocoa content of the dark chocolate, followed by the brand of the dark chocolate were considered as an important factors that influences the purchase of dark chocolates among the consumers. Innovative compositional changes in the product were expected by the consumers who were willing to pay a higher price for it.

The micro-farming of greens is currently gaining interest due to the potential it offers for enhancing economic, food and nutritional security of farmers. Yield quality assessment parameters for ten microgreens were standardised in a soil-less medium. These include average germination and harvest time, shoot population density, total fresh yield, shoot fresh weight, shoot height, and dry matter. The economics of microgreens were worked out in terms of the production cost and expected market price per tray. The standardised growth parameters favoured increased shoot population density, good yield, and early harvest within a period of 6 to 10 days. The organoleptic acceptability of the microgreens ranged from very good to excellent. The expected market value was found to be five to eleven-fold greater than the production cost of the microgreens. Thus, micro-farming of greens represents a viable enterprise which can aid in the economic stability of the rural and urban poor.

Cow’s milk is yellow in colour due to the presence of Beta Carotene (precursor of Vitamin A) and is valued over buffalo milk. Dairy cows hardly receive any source of Beta Carotene in their feed and thus their milk is no longer a source of Vitamin A. In eastern U. P. more than 40%, children suffer due to lack of Vitamin A. Some modern dairies do import lot of Vitamin A fortified feed supplement. Thus looking for feed supplement for Vitamin A is doubly important for Vitamin A, reducing import of feed supplement and in increasing Vitamin A content in milk. Stem and leaves of Golden Sweet Potato (GSP) are rich in Beta Carotene. GSP stem and leaf contain respectively 1776 and 1833 microgram of Beta Carotene per 100 grams of fresh material, equivalent to 2447 and 2664 microgram of Vitamin A. Upon feeding GSP stems and leaves, the Beta Carotene content of the milk increased from the first day itself. By the 5th day it increased to 0.69µg± 0.01 from the initial value of 0.47µg± 0.01. Therefore, the stem and leaves of GSP can profitably be used for substituting imported supplement, and thereby increasing Vitamin A content of the cows’ milk.

This study aimed to determine the magnitude of genotype-environment interaction on beta-carotene and root dry matter content of twenty five sweetpotato genotypes across two environmental conditions (Kabete and Kiboko) during two different seasons (short and long rains). Plots of four rows for each genotype were planted under Randomized Complet Bloc Design. Data were collected on beta-carotene and root dry matter content. An Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction was performed using GENSTAT 15th edition to determine the GxE effects. Beta-carotene content ranged from 0.00 to 11.83mg.100g-1. Most of the genotype had a concentration of root dry matter that ranged from 16.52 to 30.62%. Genotypes Naspot13 and Ejumula consistently produced the highest beta-carotene content across sites. In addition, the findings indicated that the beta-carotene and dry matter content were mostly influenced by genetic factors. Genotypes, Kenspot 4 and Irene were the stable clones for beta carotene and root dry matter content, respectively.

To address the climate change impacts in agro forestry systems in Bakura and beyond there is need for significant improvement in agricultural research and extension system of the local government. This is because agricultural research is the operational tools for deploying science and technology to improve agricultural productivity and ensure effective coping with climate change challenges. The preliminary evidence has indicated, that current indigenous technological responses adapted by farmers in the study area toward climate change impacts were use of weedicides, use of fertilizer, carrying out of tillage operation with mechanized tools, use of pesticides, use of crops with smaller need of water, use of drought resistant crop varieties, use of flood plain farming, use of crop rotation. It was recommended that farmers need to be sensitized on the importance of afforestation programme, more research should be done on the production of improved seeds.