Publication type: Dissertations
Essays in Agriculture Economics, Climate Change, and Nutrition
Abstract The dissertation consists of three essays in the field of agriculture economics, climate change, and nutrition. I have structured it as three chapters, namely ‘Fertilization Impact Of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide On Agricultural Yield’, ‘Are Production And Consumption Decisions Independent? Identifying Separability In Indian Agriculture’,...
Unintended Consequences of Public Policy: Essays in Development Economics
Abstract This dissertation explores the unintended consequences of government policies in developing countries, which may arise from impacts on objectives beyond policy scope or political capture. Read the dissertation
The State of Food Loss Along Perishable Vegetable Supply Chains
Abstract This research was done in the context of tomato supply chains in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh and Hyderabad city, Telangana. The study aims were (1) to examine the extent, stages and determinants of food loss along tomato supply chains from farmer to retail; (2)...
Essays on the Effects of Migration & Remittances on Households in Rural India
Abstract This dissertation focuses on the effects of migration and remittances on the welfare of families left-behind, in the context of farming households in rural India. Labor migration is heavily male dominant in India, and women and children are often left behind. Though internal migration...
Soil Health, a Basis for Human Health: A Study on the Interlinkages between Agronomic Factors and Human Nutritional Wellbeing in Jharkand, India
Abstract The resources that shape our environment, including soils, play an immense role in determining our health. Yet, not much attention has been given to the study of the soil–human health nexus. In this dissertation, we address this research deficiency by conducting a cross sectional...
Participatory Mycotoxin Management in India and the Genetic Determinants of Symptom Manifestation in the Sorghum Grain Mold Disease Complex
Abstract Mycotoxin contamination is an important constraint to food security and public health in a range of food systems. Dietary exposure to mycotoxins is associated with health and nutrition adversities in humans and livestock. Surveillance systems and management strategies are rarely attentive to the...
Developing Microalgae-Based Fortified Wheat Flour to Address Iron Malnutrition in India
Abstract Iron deficiency anemia affects 1.2 billion people worldwide. Current iron fortificants either suffer from poor bioavailability or negatively affect the sensory profile of foods. In this project, we investigated the potential of defatted microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica (DGM), a by-product of the biofuel industry, as...
Building Evidence for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture: The Experience of Introducing Orange-Flesh Sweet Potato in India
Abstract Background and Objectives Despite global progress on reducing malnutrition, micronutrient-inadequate diets still contribute to a large public health burden in many underdeveloped regions. These deficiencies are a product of both lack of sufficient affordable diverse foods in local food systems, as well as lack...
Microstructure Modification of Milk Protein Extrudates by Reactive Superficial Fluid Extrusion
Abstract Utilization of supercritical fluid extrusion (SCFX) to alter the microstructure of biopolymers offers new opportunities to design novel products of enhanced utility. In this project, SCFX was utilized to modify the microstructure of milk protein concentrate (MPC) extrudates to develop quick, in-mouth disintegrating products....
Three Essays On Agriculture – Nutrition Linkages: Women’s Iron Status and Empowerment In Agriculture In Chandrapur, India
Abstract Agriculture based approaches are increasingly being propagated for tackling micronutrient malnutrition. Women constitute 30% of the agricultural labor force in India. However very little research has systematically examined the connection between farming systems and the status of women, that is their level of empowerment,...