India has emerged as a powerful hub for retail over the past decade and is projected as the third-largest retail market globally in 2024. The total merchandise value of the Indian e-retail market has grown to nearly $60 billion, the second largest in the world. India’s consumption and discretionary spending have faced headwinds in recent years. It has fallen from 11% pre-COVID (2017-19) to around 8% post-COVID (2022-24). This decline appears to be due to high inflation and stagnant real wages. Consumption pressure is evident with e-retail growth forecast to be 10% to 12% in 2024, compared to historical growth rates of over 20%.

The ability for students to perform well in mathematics has been linked to both cognitive and non-cognitive constructs. This

study sought to examine how metacognition predict mathematics test performance among high school students in Kenyan public

schools. Metacognition has positive effect on students, in mathematics, it helps them continue solving problems by creating new

approaches when one approach fails. Using a cross-sectional design, this study employed a sample size of 260 secondary school

Kenyan students 140 male (53.85%) and 120 female (46.15%). Data was collected using Mathematics test exercise, Metacognitive

Awareness Inventory for students and a Mathematics Test for students. All hypotheses were tested at p < .05 level of significance

using regression analysis and ANOVA. The findings showed positive and significant relationship between metacognition and

mathematics test performance. Metacognitive strategy use showed a higher predictive value for mathematics test performance than

metacognitive awareness. The participation was voluntary and participants’ confidentiality and privacy was protected through

out the study. These findings will be significant in informing policy on designing of mathematics instruction method in secondary

schools and mathematics teacher training as it contributes to existing knowledge and literature on metacognition and mathematics

test performance.

The study was conducted to assess the Agricultural information sources utilization pattern of farmers of Lakhimpur District of

Assam. A total of 247 farmers were selected through multi-stage sampling design. Structured questionnaire was used for collection

of data. The collected data was analyzed by using latest version of MS Excel. Simple Percentage system and scaling system like

rating scales and rank order scales have been used as statistical procedures. Information source utilization by majority of the

respondents was medium. Progressive farmers were the most frequently used informal source of information for them, followed by

neighbours, family members, friends/relatives, and local leaders. The most useful source of formal agricultural information sources

to farmers were ATMA personnel, followed by ADO, AEA, KVK, input dealers and marketing officials. The majority of farmers

were found to be using the internet, followed by mobile phones, TV, newspaper, radio, agricultural literature and demonstrations

for information as mass media information sources.

The rice milling industry plays a crucial role in the agricultural economy by transforming paddy into consumable rice. Despite its

significance, rice mills face numerous managerial and operational constraints that hinder efficiency and profitability. This study

examines the key managerial issues and constraints faced by rice mills in the Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir, analyzing

factors such as power supply, labor availability, working capital, and taxation. Data from two rice mills were collected and analyzed

to identify critical issues. The findings indicate that 80% of small rice mills experience frequent power supply interruptions, leading

to a 25% reduction in capacity utilization. Working capital constraints were a significant concern, with 70% of mill owners reporting

difficulty in accessing financial support for procurement and operational expenses. Labor shortages were prevalent, with 60% of

mill owners struggling to retain skilled workers. Additionally, taxation policies, including GST compliance, posed a challenge

for 50% of rice millers due to lack of awareness and regulatory complexity. The study recommends targeted policy interventions,

infrastructure improvements, and financial support mechanisms to enhance the sustainability of rice mills in the region.

This research analyzes the customary techniques for preserving seasonal fruits and vegetables, emphasizing the following

five recipes from the Himalayan region: Tomato Ketchup, Mixed Pickle, Apple Jam, Turmeric Halwa and Bottle Gourd Ladoo.

These products are made in rural Jammu and Kashmir and provide a means for the region’s households to economically sustain

themselves by savoring and nutritionally enriching surplus produce. Incorporating traditional wisdom and using local ingredients

like jaggery, turmeric, and bottle gourd, these recipes not only promote health-conscious consumption but also offer additional

nutritional value. The study captures the processing steps of the products to prepare alongside their detailed nutritional profile

per 100g. Their calorie content, macronutrients, fiber and more are compared and visually represented through a heatmap and

comparative table to streamline selection for various dietary preferences. The research highlighted the importance of these valueadded

products with regard to food security, stimulating entrepreneurship and improving rural livelihoods.

The study focused primarily on how extension services helped communities during the pandemic and discussed the implications

of the research for the future work of extension services and its impact on agricultural production. About 80-85% of the farmers

are working with a great risk of dry season. In contrast, extension projects that promote rural adult learning and agriculturedependent

economies have been essential vehicles for disseminating knowledge about agricultural technologies, helping farmers

hone their managerial and technical skills. Extension programs are expected to decrease food insecurity and poverty and increase

farm income. Extension advisory services address the knowledge gaps of agricultural workers working under difficult conditions.

Restrictions on the movement of crowds have caused an unprecedented shift in daily life to a remote and virtual environment.

Agents struggled to adapt their distribution model while delivering fast service to their customers in this unfamiliar environment.

The work is based on material from case-specific project assessments, participant observations, organizational reports, documents

analysis and actual interviews.