Permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, has been extensively employed in agricultural systems worldwide to manage a broad spectrum of economically damaging insect pests. Its efficacy against lepidopteran, coleopteran, and hemipteran pests has contributed significantly to improvements in crop yield and quality. However, the widespread use of permethrin has raised substantial concerns regarding its ecological and toxicological impacts on non-target organisms, including beneficial arthropods, aquatic fauna, and vertebrates. This review synthesizes current evidence on the dual role of permethrin in agricultural productivity enhancement and its associated harmful effects, drawing on peer-reviewed literature to evaluate its agronomic benefits against environmental and health risks. A balanced understanding of permethrin's role is essential for informing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that maximize crop output while minimizing ecological damage.

Soil fertility is a critical component for sustainable agricultural productivity, influenced by physical, chemical, and biological factors. Among soil biota, earthworms play a pivotal role in enhancing soil fertility through their burrowing, feeding, and casting activities. This article reviews the multifaceted contributions of earthworms to soil health, focusing on nutrient cycling, soil structure improvement, and microbial interactions. Earthworm activity promotes nutrient mineralization, organic matter decomposition, and soil aggregation, leading to increased availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other essential nutrients for plants. The ecological functions of earthworms as ecosystem engineers and their synergistic relationships with soil microorganisms underscore their importance in agroecosystem management. Understanding these processes can inform sustainable agricultural practices that optimize earthworm populations and thereby improve soil fertility and crop yields

Organic agriculture has emerged as a vital alternative to conventional farming practices, driven by increasing concerns over environmental degradation, food safety, and sustainability. Unlike conventional agriculture, which relies heavily on synthetic chemicals and intensive resource use, organic farming emphasizes natural processes, biodiversity, and ecological balance (Lampkin, 1990). The growing global population, coupled with climate change and soil depletion, underscores the urgent need to adopt organic agriculture as a sustainable solution for food production (Reganold and Wachter, 2016). This article reviews the significance of organic agriculture, its benefits, challenges, and future prospects, arguing that it is indeed the need of the hour

The mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Hemiptera: Aphididae), represents a primary constraint to mustard (Brassica juncea) production in tropical and subtropical regions, inflicting yield losses of 20-92% through direct sap feeding, honeydew-induced sooty mold and virus vectored diseases. Conventional synthetic insecticides such as neonicotinoids (Imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) deliver rapid control (80-95% mortality) but engender resistance, pollinator decline and environmental persistence, requiring sustainable alternatives within integrated pest management. This review evaluates coumarin (1-benzopyran-2-one) and its derivatives, notably 6-methylcoumarin, as promising botanical pesticides for L. erysimi management. Coumarins, secondary metabolites from diverse plant families (Apiaceae, Fabaceae), exhibit potent aphicidal activity, with LC50 values of 14.2 μg/mL against cotton aphid Aphis gossypii comparable to malathion while demonstrating >10-fold selectivity over honeybees via differential acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. Molecular docking reveals 6-methylcoumarin binding to aphid AChE peripheral anionic site (Lys585), inducing neurotransmitter accumulation, paralysis secondary reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, alongside GST/esterase suppression. Field simulations project 70-85% population suppression (7 days after treatment) from 0.2-0.5% foliar sprays, yielding 25-35% higher pod weights versus untreated controls, with rapid degradation (DT50 = 1-3 days) ensuring low residues ( 120 μg/bee) affirm environmental compatibility. Challenges include limited L. erysimi-specific field data and potential hepatotoxicity at high doses, addressable through QSAR-optimized analogs and Punjab-focused trials. Coumarin-based formulations present a biodegradable, cost-effective shift from synthetic dependance, boosting resilient Brassica agroecosystems amid global insecticide restrictions

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most extensively cultivated and consumed vegetables in India. It is a highly demanded vegetable and consumed throughout the year due to its high nutrient content, which offers multiple health benefits. Tomatoes are highly perishable due to their high moisture content and have a short shelf life of 2-3 days at ambient conditions. Tomato faces significant post-harvest losses ranging from 15- 25% in the value chain. Moreover, the tomato price in the Indian market is very unstable. During the season, wholesale prices normally range from Rs. 6-10; off-season wholesale prices exceeded Rs. 100 per kg, while the retail price crossed Rs 200 per kg. To minimize the post-harvest losses and also to stabilize the tomato prices in India, a study was conducted to identify different strategies that are essential to stabilize the prices of tomatoes in the tomato value chain in India. In this study, primary data were collected from farmers, traders, retailers, tomato processing industries, tomato seed suppliers, experts, and scientists. While secondary data were collected from several published research papers, reports, and documents of Govt policies, plans, and programs, etc. In this study, compiled views of farmers, input suppliers, traders, seed and tomato processing industries, experts and scientists. From the secondary data, probable solutions for tomato price fluctuations were identified, and several recommendations were drawn from this study. Among these recommendations, a few important ones are recorded as an urgent need for replacement of low-yielding varieties, promoting the formation of FPOs and cooperatives, and strengthening the infrastructure with government support in the tomato value chain.

This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of the agribusiness sectors in India and the United States, highlighting their distinct characteristics, growth trajectories, and challenges. India's agribusiness is primarily characterized by its vast agrarian workforce, fragmented landholdings, and significant post-harvest losses. Despite these structural challenges, the sector is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing domestic demand, government support, and a burgeoning agri-tech ecosystem focused on digital and sustainable farming practices. In contrast, the US agribusiness sector is defined by its large-scale, highly mechanized operations, exceptional productivity, and a mature value chain, though it faces substantial food waste at the consumer level. Its growth is propelled by advanced technology, consumer demand for sustainable products, and a strong market-oriented policy environment. The study reveals a fundamental divergence in scale, productivity, and policy priorities. India's approach centres on protecting farmer livelihoods and ensuring domestic food security, often through subsidies and import tariffs, which can sometimes hinder full global integration. The US, conversely, prioritizes efficiency, global market competitiveness, and technological dominance. Both nations are pivotal to global food security, yet their pathways to achieving this goal and the opportunities they present for investment and collaboration differ significantly. Strategic implications include the potential for targeted investments in India's value-added processing and smallholder-centric agtech, and for collaborative research and development in climate-resilient agriculture that can benefit both contexts.