The implementation of the New Education Policy is leading to significant changes in agricultural education, which is a vital sector that supports food and nutritional security in the country. To attract more young people to pursue careers in agriculture, it is essential to make the education more engaging, straightforward, and meaningful. Textbooks are an important medium for reaching out to students in colleges and universities, and they play a crucial role in mentoring young minds.

In this Volume II of Elementary Agriculture, the focus is on crop diversification, which covers cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, and vegetables. The first chapter provides an overview of the history and scope of cereals and millets, while the second chapter covers pulses. The third chapter discusses the production of oilseeds, and the fourth chapter explores the cultivation and distribution of fiber crops. The fifth chapter is dedicated to sugar-yielding plants, and the sixth chapter focuses on fodder crops, which are essential for animal nutrition. All other crops are covered in the seventh chapter, and vegetable production is highlighted in the eighth chapter. The ninth chapter discusses livestock management aspects, and the tenth chapter covers energy and agricultural engineering, including power transmission and its role in enhancing agricultural productivity. The eleventh chapter explores the role of women in agriculture, and the twelfth chapter covers the extension aspects of farming systems.

Additionally, this edition includes an exemplary questionnaire that students can use to conduct community surveys in rural areas, which will be beneficial for them.

Kanchan Nainwal is Professor, Agronomy at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jeolikote, G B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar. Prior to this she was at Agriculture Technology Information Centre (ATIC), Pantnagar involved in extension and teaching students for nine years. She has worked in the Directorate of Sugarcane Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare from the Year 2001-2003. She obtained her graduation in Agriculture & Animal Husbandry, Master’s Degree and PhD Degree from Agronomy Department, College of Agriculture with all first class from G B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar. Dr. Nainwal has experience in Teaching, Research and Extension works in Agronomy in various capacities for 20 years. She has written 240 papers including research papers, presented in conference and symposiums, online publications, popular articles, extension booklets and 3 books and 14 book chapters.

Navin Chandra Nainwal is presently associated with KPMG for UKCDP Project in Uttarakhand. He is Pantnagar Agriculture University Alumni and his specialization is in post harvest technology and supply chain management. He was associated with UFRMP-JICA as Technical Coordinator-Horticulture in Uttarakhand. He was Assistant Director at Amity University Uttar Pradesh and established Amity Institute of Horticulture Studies & Research, in the Year 2010. Prior to this he was Coordinator In-charge for Agri Export Development Unit, Dehradun Government of Uttarakhand. He has 30 years long experience, worked with World Bank Project, Food & Agriculture Organizations of United Nations (FAO) and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-WFLO Project, ADB and JICA projects. He has written 40 papers and 7 books and many popular articles. He has presented research papers in abroad at various international forums. He is widely traveled across the globe. He is Hon’ General Secretary of Walnut and Other Nut Fruit Crop Growers Association of India (WANGAI), Member, Regional Committee on Agriculture & Food, CII Northern Region and Founder Member, Asian Food Safety & Security Association (AFSSA), Bangladesh.

A. Arunachalam is a trained ecologist from the North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong and has grown professionally through strong pursuit in ecological research that is evident from 12 books, 250 research papers, 110 book chapters, 35 popular articles. He started his service as a Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Forestry, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (Arunachal Pradesh) and currently he is working as a Director of the ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Before this position, he was working as a Principal Scientist and Assistant Director General in the headquarters of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. His academic excellence is also evident from the awards/honours he has received: DST-Visting Fellowship in Biodiversity, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Study in Science & Technology, Jakkur, 1998-99; DST-BOYSCAST Fellowship in Restoration Ecology, University of Massachusetts, Boston (USA), 2000-01; Dr. K.G. Tejwani Award for Management of Natural Resources (biennium 2002-03), Indian Association of Soil and Water Conservationists; Pran Vohra Award in Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (2003-04), Indian Science Congress Association; Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Outstanding Award for Hill Agriculture by the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam; Eminent Scientist of the Year award (2012) by the National Environmental Science Academy and several others; Dr. Arunachalam is a Fellow of several professional societies including National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Academy of Dairy Sciences (India) and National Academy of Biological Sciences. Presently, he is the Secretary of the Society for Science in Climate Change and Sustainable Environment, New Delhi and is the Chief Editor of Indian Journal of Agroforestry.

1. Cereals and Millets 2. Pulse Crops 3. Oilseeds 4. Fibre Crops 5. Sugar Crops 6. Fodder Crops 7. Other Crops 8. Vegetable Production 9. Livestock Management 10. Power Transmission and Agricultural Implements 11. Role of Women in Agriculture 12. Farming System Approach, Agricultural Extension and Training 13. Questionaire