Different Types of Farming Systems

(This is AI generated post for learning only.)

Agriculture today is no longer based on a single approach. Farmers, governments, and markets adopt different farming systems depending on goals such as productivity, sustainability, income security, and climate resilience. Below is a brief overview of the alternate of conventional farming approaches in practice today.

1. Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative agriculture is a systems-based farming approach that aims to restore and enhance soil health, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate resilience, while maintaining or improving farm productivity and livelihoods.

In the Indian context, regenerative agriculture aligns with agroecology and climate-resilient farming, focusing on soil carbon restoration, water conservation, mixed farming systems, and reduced external input dependence, especially for small and marginal farmers.

Key Elements

• Soil regeneration: Increasing soil organic carbon, microbial activity, and soil structure
• Biodiversity enhancement: Crop diversification, intercropping, agroforestry
• Low disturbance: Reduced or zero tillage
• Living roots: Cover crops, perennials
• Integrated systems: Crop–livestock–tree integration
• Climate outcomes: Carbon sequestration and resilience to droughts/floods

Indian Examples / Linkages

• Natural resource management under Watershed Development Programmes
• Agroforestry Mission (Sub-Mission on Agroforestry)
• Climate-smart agriculture initiatives by ICAR and State Agriculture Universities

Regenerative agriculture, while not yet a formal policy category in any state, is implicitly promoted through soil health, agroforestry, watershed development, climate-smart agriculture, and diversified farming systems in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, where the emphasis is on soil carbon, water efficiency, biodiversity, and resilience rather than certification.

2. Organic Farming

Organic farming is a production system that excludes synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, GMOs, and growth regulators, relying on biological processes, organic inputs, and ecological balance to maintain soil fertility and crop health. In India, organic farming is a certification-based system regulated under NPOP and PGS-India, emphasizing chemical-free cultivation, on-farm inputs, and market-linked premium produce.

Key Elements

• No synthetic chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides)
• Soil fertility management through compost, green manure, biofertilizers
• Biological pest management (biocontrol agents, botanical extracts)
• Crop rotations and mixed cropping
• Certification and traceability (NPOP / PGS-India)

Indian Examples / Linkages

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)

Organic farming has the clearest policy architecture: Sikkim stands out as the first fully organic state with a complete ban on chemical inputs, while Uttarakhand has institutionalized organic agriculture through a dedicated state act and board. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra focus on large-scale organic clusters, certification, and branding, supported by central schemes like PKVY and MOVCDNER, with several other states (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Punjab) integrating organic farming mainly through cluster-based and market-linked approaches.

3. Natural Farming

Natural farming is an agroecological approach that promotes farming in harmony with natural processes, minimizing external inputs and relying on biological cycles, local resources, and soil life. In India, natural farming is largely influenced by Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) and traditional practices, emphasizing zero-budget or low-cost inputs, cow-based formulations, and self-reliant farming systems.

Key Elements

• Biological soil enrichment: Use of microbial formulations such as Jeevamrit to stimulate soil life
• Seed treatment: Beejamrit for protection against soil-borne and seed-borne diseases
• Soil cover (Acchadana): Mulching to conserve moisture and enhance soil carbon
• Soil aeration & moisture balance (Whapasa): Emphasis on soil porosity and reduced irrigation
• No synthetic inputs: Complete avoidance of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
• On-farm, low-cost inputs: Dependence on locally available resources (especially indigenous cow-based inputs)

Natural farming has expanded rapidly in recent years, led decisively by Andhra Pradesh, which has mainstreamed Zero Budget / Natural Farming through a state-wide extension and institutional model. Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, and Haryana have followed with pilots, MSP or procurement support, and farmer training under BPKP and the National Mission on Natural Farming, positioning natural farming primarily as a cost-reduction and risk-mitigation strategy for smallholders. 

Beyond these three approaches, Indian agriculture also recognizes and promotes other farming systems such as conventional chemical farming, integrated farming systems, agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture, precision farming, horticulture-led farming, millet-based farming, mixed crop–livestock systems, terrace and hill farming, and aquaculture-based systems—each addressing specific productivity, nutrition, climate, or livelihood objectives.

4. Precision / Smart Farming 

Precision or Smart Farming is a technology-enabled agricultural approach that uses data, sensors, satellite imagery, GPS, AI, and automation to optimize input use (water, nutrients, pesticides) at a site-specific and time-specific level, improving productivity and resource efficiency. In India, precision farming is promoted as a means to increase yields, reduce input costs, address labour shortages, and improve water-use efficiency, particularly in horticulture, irrigated regions, and high-value crops.

Key elements:

• Data Collection: Collects field-specific soil, weather, and crop data to understand farm variability.
• Geospatial Mapping (GPS/GIS): Maps farms accurately to identify location-wise differences in crop performance.
• Variable Rate Application: Applies inputs like water and fertiliser only where and when they are needed.
• Smart Irrigation: Uses sensors and automation to deliver the right amount of water at the right time.
• Decision Support Systems (DSS): Converts data into timely, actionable advisories for farmers.
• Mechanisation & Automation: Improves precision and efficiency through GPS-enabled and automated machinery.
• Monitoring & Feedback: Tracks crop performance continuously to refine practices each season.
• Digital Platforms & Connectivity: Integrates farm data, advisories, and services through digital tools and apps.
• Sustainability & Resource Efficiency: Reduces input waste while improving soil health and environmental outcomes.
• Farmer Capacity Building: Ensures technology adoption through training and continuous handholding.

State policy examples:

• Tamil Nadu: Precision Farming Project for horticulture clusters
• Karnataka & Maharashtra: Drone-based spraying, digital advisory pilots
• Telangana: Digital agriculture platforms and smart irrigation
• Punjab & Haryana: Precision land leveling and smart irrigation initiatives

5. Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)

Integrated Farming Systems combine multiple farm enterprises—crops, livestock, fisheries, poultry, agroforestry—within a single system to optimize resource recycling, enhance productivity, and reduce risk. IFS is promoted in India as a smallholder-resilient model, enabling income diversification, year-round employment, and efficient use of land, water, and nutrients.

Key elements:

• Integration of multiple farm enterprises: Combination of crops, livestock, fisheries, poultry, horticulture, and/or agroforestry within a single farming system.
• Resource recycling and circularity: Efficient reuse of crop residues, animal waste, and by-products as inputs (manure, compost, feed), minimizing waste and external inputs.
• Diversified income streams: Multiple enterprises generate year-round income, reducing dependence on a single crop and lowering livelihood risk.
• Nutrient-use efficiency: Internal nutrient cycling improves soil fertility and reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers.
• Risk reduction and resilience: Diversification buffers farmers against climate shocks, market volatility, and pest or disease outbreaks.
• Enhanced productivity per unit area: Synergistic interactions between enterprises increase overall system productivity and land-use efficiency.
• Employment generation: Continuous on-farm activities create year-round employment for farm households.
• Soil and water conservation: Improved soil structure, organic matter, and efficient water use through integrated practices.
• Adaptability to smallholder systems: Flexible models tailored to land size, agro-climatic conditions, and household resources.

State policy examples:

• Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand: IFS models under livelihood missions
• Kerala: Homestead-based integrated farming
• Assam & West Bengal: Crop–fish–livestock integration
• ICAR-led pilots across multiple states

6. Agroforestry

Agroforestry is a land-use system where trees are deliberately integrated with crops and/or livestock, enhancing ecological interactions, productivity, and ecosystem services. In India, agroforestry is seen as a key strategy for climate resilience, soil restoration, additional farm income, and timber/fodder security, especially in rainfed and marginal areas.

Key elements:

• Integration of trees with crops and/or livestock: Deliberate inclusion of woody perennials within agricultural landscapes to create productive and ecologically balanced systems.
• Species diversity and multi-layered systems: Use of timber, fruit, fodder, and nitrogen-fixing trees alongside annual crops to optimize space, light, and nutrients.
• Soil health improvement: Enhanced soil organic matter, nutrient cycling, and microbial activity through leaf litter, root biomass, and reduced erosion.
• Water conservation and microclimate regulation: Improved water infiltration, reduced runoff, windbreak effects, and moderation of temperature extremes.
• Carbon sequestration and climate resilience: Long-term storage of carbon in biomass and soils, contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Livelihood diversification: Multiple outputs (timber, fruits, fuelwood, fodder, NTFPs) that spread risk and provide stable farm income.
• Reduced input dependence: Lower reliance on synthetic fertilizers and external inputs through biological nutrient recycling.
• Landscape and biodiversity enhancement: Improved habitats for birds, pollinators, and beneficial organisms, strengthening ecosystem services.
• Long-term farm planning and tenure security: Tree-based systems require planning for longer production cycles and supportive land and tree tenure policies.

State policy examples:

• National Agroforestry Policy (2014) guides all states
• Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab: Poplar/eucalyptus-based systems
• Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra: Agroforestry in tribal and rainfed areas
• Karnataka & Telangana: Tree-based farming incentives

7. Millet / Nutri-cereal Farming

Millet farming involves cultivation of small-seeded cereals that are drought-tolerant, nutrient-dense, and well-suited to low-input environments. In India, millet farming is promoted for nutrition security, climate resilience, and dryland livelihoods, especially after the International Year of Millets (2023).

Key elements:

• Low water and input requirements
• High nutritional value (iron, calcium, fiber)
• Suitability for rainfed and degraded lands
• Traditional seed systems and mixed cropping

State policy examples:

• Odisha: Odisha Millet Mission (flagship model)
• Karnataka: Siridhanya Mission
• Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh: MSP and PDS inclusion
• Rajasthan & Telangana: Millet clusters and value chains 

8. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)

Climate-Smart Agriculture is an approach that simultaneously increases productivity, enhances climate resilience, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.  In India, CSA is integrated into climate adaptation, natural resource management, and sustainable livelihoods, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions.

Key elements:

• Climate-resilient crops and varieties: Drought-, flood-, heat- and salinity-tolerant seeds
• Water-efficient practices: Micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, SRI/DSR, watershed management
• Soil health enhancement: Conservation agriculture, residue management, carbon sequestration
• Risk reduction & diversification: Crop diversification, integrated farming systems, agroforestry
• Climate information services: Weather advisories, early warning systems, digital decision tools

State policy examples:

• Maharashtra: Climate-resilient agriculture under watershed missions
• Bihar & Odisha: CSA pilots with flood/drought adaptation
• Rajasthan: Dryland climate-smart practices
• Kerala: Climate-resilient farming under state action plans

Good interview questions for Social Impact / Development Sector

Preparing for interviews isn’t about memorizing answers—it’s about clarity of thought and structured reflection. I’ve curated 45 high-impact interview questions, clearly split into must-prepare and situational, along with crisp frameworks to respond with confidence.

MUST-PREPARE (You should have polished, confident answers)

1. Tell me about yourself
2. What are your strengths?
3. What is your weakness?
4. Why should we hire you?
5. Why do you want this role?
6. Where do you see yourself in five years?
7. Why are you leaving your current or previous job?
8. Why have you changed jobs multiple times?
9. What do you know about our organization?
10. How do you measure success or impact in your work?
11. Describe a major challenge or toughest decision you’ve faced
12. Tell me about a time you failed or missed a deadline
13. Can you handle high-pressure situations?
14. How do you prioritize tasks?
15. Describe your work style
16. What does leadership mean to you?
17. How do you balance speed vs quality in execution?
18. What would you do in your first 90 days in this role?
19. What are your salary expectations?

SITUATIONAL (Prepare frameworks + 2–3 strong examples)

1. How do you manage multiple deadlines or multitasking?
2. How do you deal with conflict or disagreement in a team?
3. Describe your management style
4. Tell me about a time you took initiative
5. Tell me about an idea or innovation you introduced
6. What steps did you take to implement your idea?
7. Describe a process problem you identified and improved
8. Describe a project implemented largely because of your efforts
9. Tell me about a time you went beyond expectations
10. Describe a situation where you positively impacted someone
11. How do you motivate an unmotivated team?
12. How do you ensure accountability in large or distributed teams?
13. Tell me about a time you influenced stakeholders without authority
14. Describe a decision taken with incomplete information
15. Tell me about a time you had to say “no” to a senior stakeholder
16. How do you react to setbacks or failure?
17. How do you stay motivated after setbacks?
18. Which role satisfied you the most and the least, and why?
19. What are your career and life goals?
20. How easy is it for you to change your mind when you’re wrong?
21. How much do you learn from failure?
22. How quickly do you learn new things?
23. How comfortable are you letting others take the lead?
24. How long will you push a project before pivoting or stopping?
25. What processes or techniques help you be effective?
26. What is your ideal work environment or culture?

Happy Reading from HBR: How to respond to “So, Tell Me About Yourself” in a Job Interview

Circular Economy - Introduction 101

The circular economy is rapidly emerging as a transformative approach to sustainability, reshaping how we design, produce, utilize and consume resources. A highly insightful course on this topic is offered by Dr. Gordana Kierans on Udemy. 

Key Learnings from the Course: 

Definition: Products and services that maximize use and reuse of materials and other resources can be both growth opportunities and sustainability measures. [Source]

1. Circular economy is opposite of linear economy as it focuses on preserving resources rather than consuming them for growth.

2. Circular innovation applies to diverse sectors like textile sector, e- waste, coffee processing, food wastage, packaging, electronics, toys, automtive industry, sportswear, and more.

3. The Circular Cities Network was launched in 2016 by 12 pioneering cities with the aim to move cities towards circular systems that reuse, recycle, and reduce waste and resource consumption

Business Models

1. Closed-Loop Recycling: Use materials from discarded products to create new ones; e.g., North Face’s program collecting and recycling polyester fabric.
2. Upcycling: Transform used materials into higher-quality products; e.g., Pentatonic makes furniture from smartphone screens or cigarette butts.
3. Downcycling: Convert materials into products of lower quality; e.g., Nike’s reuse-a-shoe program turns old athletic shoes into sports surfaces.
4. Lock-In: Sell a product with necessary consumables that force repeat purchases; e.g., Diapers with reusable covers and compostable inserts.
5. Local Loop: Bring production and consumption closer, using local currency and markets to retain economic value; e.g., Findhorn Eco-Village’s local currency.
6. Industrial Symbiosis: One company's waste becomes another’s resource, creating economic and environmental benefits; e.g., Kalundborg Symbiosis in Denmark.
7. Collection Services: Business model based on collecting used products for recycling or reuse; e.g., Beijing Subway’s recycling incentive program gives transportation credits.
8. Product as a Service: Customers pay for product usage, not ownership; e.g., Philips’ Pay per Lux lighting service with long-term contracts and product responsibility retained by provider.
9. Personalisation: Customize products based on user data, encouraging returns and recycling; e.g., Lyf’s 3D printed modular customizable shoes with QRCodes for lifecycle tracking.
10. Modularity: Design products in easily replaceable modules to extend lifespan; e.g., electric toothbrushes with swappable heads.

Book Recommendations: According to Jim Kwik, a survey of top CEOs revealed that they each read an average 60 books per year. Reading just 45 minutes a day can unlock the lifetime knowledge authors have distilled, helping circle entrepreneurs stay informed and inspired in this rapidly evolving field. Starting a journey into the circular economy can be greatly enhanced by reading foundational and inspiring books. Sharing top recommended reads (too costly for Indian student, better to use library):

1. "Confessions of a Radical Industrialist" by the late Ray Anderson of Interface, an inspiring story of sustainability leadership
2. "The Circular Economy: A Wealth of Flows" by Ken Webster, offering deep insight into circular system thinking
3. The Circular Economy Handbook by Peter Lacy, Jessica Long, and Wesley Spindler, detailing practical organizational strategies for circular transition
4. "Waste to Wealth" by Peter Lacy and Jacob Rutqvist, exploring circular business models in industry

Website Recommendation: EntrepreneurCircle.World is your ultimate membership platform to dive deeper into the circular economy. It offers a vibrant community where entrepreneurs and investors committed to circular economy principles connect, learn, and grow together. Members gain access to exclusive workshops, seminars, networking events, and an extensive library of practical resources to support their circular business ventures.  Please also find LinkedIn Group for Circular Entrepreneurs. 

Books Recommendations on Investing by School of Intrinsic Compounding (SOIC) - Expert

SOIC (School of Intrinsic Compounding) is a leading Indian education platform founded by Ishmohit Arora and a team of dedicated analysts. Their mission is to empower retail investors through in-depth investing education, financial research, and practical resources, with a special focus on fundamental analysis and value investing.

I have been a subscriber to their channel for the last 3 years. SOIC frequently shares top book recommendations to build a strong foundation in investing and personal growth. Part 1 and Part 2 of Books Recommendations on Investing by School of Intrinsic Compounding (SOIC) is already published on the blog. Here is the list of SOIC-recommended books for technical investors:

Category 1: Fundamentals

1. Interpretation of Financial Statements by Mary Buffett and David Clark - A comprehensive guide to interpreting corporate financials.
2. Understanding Michael Porter by Joan Magretta - Insights into Michael Porter's business strategies.
3. The Five Rules for Successful Stock Investing by Pat Dorsey - Key rules for successful stock market investing.
4. Competition Demystified by Bruce C. Greenwald and Judd Kahn- Simplifies competitive strategy for investors.
5. One Up On Wall Street by Peter Lynch - Investment advice from a legendary fund manager.
6. Value Investing and Behavioral Finance by Parag Parikh - Combining value investing with behavioral finance.

Category 2: Technical Analysis

1. How to Make Money in Stocks by William O'Neil - Techniques to profit in stock markets.
2. Secrets for Profiting in Bull and Bear Markets by Stan Weinstein - Strategies for navigating bullish and bearish markets.
3. Trade Like a Stock Market Wizard by Mark Minervini - Advanced trading methods from a top market trader.
4. Technical Analysis Explained by Martin J. Pring - An introduction to technical analysis concepts.

Category 3: Philosophy of Investing

1. Masterclass with Super Investors by Vishal Mittal and Saurabh Basrar - Investment lessons from successful super investors.
2. Market Wizards by Jack D. Schwager - Wisdom from renowned market wizards.
3. The Little Book of Behavioral Investing by James Montier - Behavioral investing principles in a compact guide.
4. The Little Book That Builds Wealth by Pat Dorsey - Building wealth with behavioral investing strategies.
5. Richer, Wiser and Happier by William Green - Lessons on becoming wealthier and wiser.
6. The Lucky Formula: How to Stack the Odds in Your Favor and Cash In on Success: Mark LaChance and Kary Oberbrunner- How to improve investment odds effectively.

4: Understanding Market Cycles

1. Bulls, Bears and Other Beasts by Santosh Nair - Explores the dynamics of market cycles and beasts.
2. Bull by Maggie Mahar - Analysis of bullish market trends by Maggie Mahar.
3. Capital Returns by Marathon Asset Management - Study of returns on invested capital.

Part 5: Mental Models

1. Parables of Perception by Max Gunther - Stories to enhance perception and decision-making.
2. The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli - A guide to clear and critical thinking.
3. The Great Mental Models by Farnam Street series - Compilation of important mental models for investors.
4. Zurich Axioms by Max Gunther - Principles for risk-taking in investment.
5. Trading in the Zone by Mark Douglas- Focus on trading psychology and discipline.

Books Recommendations on Investing by School of Intrinsic Compounding (SOIC) - Intermediate

SOIC (School of Intrinsic Compounding) is a leading Indian education platform founded by Ishmohit Arora and a team of dedicated analysts. Their mission is to empower retail investors through in-depth investing education, financial research, and practical resources, with a special focus on fundamental analysis and value investing. 

I have been a subscriber to their channel for the last 3 years. Part 1 of Books Recommendations on Investing by School of Intrinsic Compounding (SOIC) is already published on the blog. SOIC frequently shares top book recommendations to build a strong foundation in investing and personal growth. 

Here is the list of SOIC-recommended books for experienced investors:

Decision Making and Behavioral Finance

1. Thinking in Bets – Annie Duke – Decision making under uncertainty using betting frameworks.
2. Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin To Munger – Peter Bevelin – Behavioral and evolutionary insights into investing.
3. Poor Charlie's Almanack – Edited by Peter D. Kaufman – Wisdom and mental models from Charlie Munger.
4. Damn Right!: Behind the Scenes with Berkshire Hathaway Billionaire Charlie Munger – Janet Lowe – Investment journey insights from Charlie Munger.
5. The Most Important Thing – Howard Marks – Investment philosophy emphasizing risk and psychology.

Value Investing and Stock Selection

1. The Tao of Warren Buffett – Mary Buffett and David Clark – Buffett's philosophies and value investing principles.
2. The Warren Buffett Way – Robert Hagstrom – Buffett's investment strategies and principles.
3. 100 Baggers – Christopher Mayer – Identifying stocks with massive long-term growth potential.
4. Margin of Safety – Seth Klarman – Investing with safety buffers to minimize risk.
5. Beating the Street – Peter Lynch – Tactics for stock picking and beating the market.

Financial Analysis and Accounting

1. Financial Shenanigans – Howard Schilit – Detecting accounting fraud and irregularities.
2. Romancing The Balance Sheet – Anil Lamba – Understanding financial statements with fresh perspectives.
3. Best Practices for Equity Research Analysts – James J. Valentine – Conducting high-quality research.
4. Bad Money: Inside the NPA Mess and How it Threatens the Indian Banking System – Vivek Kaul  – Overview of banking sector risks in India.

Growth and Compounding

1. The Joys of Compounding – Gautam Baid – The exponential growth power of compounding.
2. You Can Compound – Vivek Mashrani – Practical strategies for compounding money.
3. Investing for Growth – Terry Smith – Strategies focused on growth stocks and capital appreciation.
4. Of Long Term Value And Wealth Creation – Bharat Shah – Principles for sustainable wealth generation.

Investment Theory and Market Principles

1. What I Learnt About Investing From Darwin – Pulak Prasad – Evolutionary principles applied to investing.
2. A Random Walk Down Wall Street – Burton Malkiel – Stock market investing basics and efficient market hypothesis.
3. The Little Book of Valuation – Aswath Damodaran – Simplified valuation methods for investments.

Books Recommendations on Investing by School of Intrinsic Compounding (SOIC) - Basic

SOIC (School of Intrinsic Compounding) is a leading Indian education platform founded by Ishmohit Arora and a team of dedicated analysts. Their mission is to empower retail investors through in-depth investing education, financial research, and practical resources, with a special focus on fundamental analysis and value investing.

I have been a subscriber to their channel for the last 3 years. SOIC frequently shares top book recommendations to build a strong foundation in investing and personal growth. Here are some books endorsed and discussed by the SOIC team:

Behavioral Finance and Psychology

1. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini – Explore the psychology behind influence and persuasion.
2. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg – Understanding habit formation and change.
3. Atomic Habits — James Clear – Building effective habits for success.
4. The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova – Exploration of probability and psychology in poker and life.
5. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel – Behavioral influences on financial decisions and money mindset
6. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman – How intuitive and deliberate thinking shape decisions.

Creativity, Productivity, and Growth

1. Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don't Make Sense by Rory Sutherland – Creative thinking and the unexpected power of ideas.
2. Deep Work by Cal Newport -  Techniques to enhance focus and productivity.
3. 10x is Easier than 2X by Dan Sullivan  – Strategies for exponential growth in business and life.
4. Principles by Ray Dalio – Key principles for economic success and personal growth.
5. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson – Wisdom and advice from entrepreneur Naval Ravikant.

Economic, Historical, and Scientific Perspectives

1. Factfulness by Hans Rosling – A data-driven view on global development and health.
2. The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver – Making sense of complex data and predictions.
3. How Asia Works: Success and Failure in the World's Most Dynamic Region by Joe Studwell – Economic insights into Asia's development model.
4. Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization by [Author] – The critical role of raw materials in the modern world.
5. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari – Human history is shaped by revolutions in cognition and society

Philosophy and Mindset

1. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl – Reflections on finding meaning in life.
2. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius – Stoic wisdom on resilience, discipline, and personal leadership growth

The Takshashila Institution’s Booklist You Can’t Afford to Miss!

The Takshashila Institution is an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit centre specialized in research and education in public policy, based in Bangalore, India. The institution stands out because it bridges expert knowledge and influential networks, producing independent policy research and fostering rich public discourse to strengthen India’s intellectual engagement.

Why do their book recommendations matter? Simply put, following Takshashila Institution’s book recommendations is important because they are curated by leading scholars and policy practitioners deeply engaged in India’s socio-economic and strategic challenges. 

Books authored by the Takshashila Institution faculty 

1. Missing In Action: Why You Should Care About Public Policy — Pranay Kotasthane & Raghu S. Jaitley (2023)
2. When the Chips Are Down: A Deep Dive into a Global Crisis — Pranay Kotasthane & Abhiram Manchi (2023)
3. We, The Citizens: Strengthening the Indian Republic — Khyati Pathak, Anupam Manur, Pranay Kotasthane (2024)
4. A Visible Hand: Essays on the Intersection of Economics, Politics, and Society — Anupam Manu

Book recommendations by the Takshashila Institution faculty

1. From Jugaad to Systematic Innovation: The Challenge for India  —  Rishikesha Krishnan
2. The Strategy Trap: India And Pakistan Under the Nuclear Shadow — Lt. Gen. Prakash Menon
3. If Then: How One Data Company Invented the Future — Jill Lepore
4. Demagogue: The Fight to Save Democracy from Its Worst Enemies — Michael Signer 
5. The Republic of Beliefs: A Radical Approach to Economics — Kaushik Basu
6. Mortal Republic: How Rome Fell into Tyranny — Edward J. Watts
7. The War That Ended Peace — Margaret MacMillan
8. Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud — Peter Watson
9. Maxwell’s Demon: Why Warmth Disperses and Time Passes — Harvey S. Leff & Andrew F. Rex
10. They Made What? They Found What? by Shweta Taneja
11. Space. Life. Matter.: The Coming of Age of Indian Space Research — Various Authors 

Additional  Resource: Discussion Documents & Working Papers

• The Geopolitics of Indian Talent — Satya Sahu, Vanshika Saraf, Adya Madhavan, Rijesh Panicker & Arindam Goswami (2025)
• Recent Trends and Future Trajectories in Geo-Economics — Anisree Suresh, Arindam Goswami, and Rakshith Shetty (2025)
• The Techno-Economic Impact of the Israel-Hamas War — Aditya Ramanathan, Pranay Kotasthane, Sarthak Pradhan, and Satya Sahu (2024)
• A Framework for Governing Emerging Technologies — Bharath Reddy and Shambhavi Naik (2025)

Effective Capacity Building for Agri-institution Personnel: Tools and Techniques

The training titled "Effective Capacity Building for Agri-institution Personnel: Tools and Techniques," organized by MANAGE (National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management), was aimed at enhancing the competencies of agricultural extension personnel. Dr. Srinivasacharyulu Attaluri, Deputy Director (Knowledge Management) at MANAGE, is a key resource person involved in such capacity-building initiatives.

Brief: The agricultural landscape is undergoing rapid transformation due to the rise of agri-startups that introduce novel approaches for capacity building by Training Institutions while working with farmers in India. MANAGE, EEIs, SAMETIs, SAUs, ICAR Institutes, and KVKs all conduct capacity building, skill development, and technology transfer activities for extension personnel and farmers. They deliver similar content independently, leading to duplication and overlapping of the efforts too.

Book Recommendation: The recommended book, titled "What Every Extension Worker Should Know: Core Competency Handbook" is a comprehensive reference manual created by USAID, Michigan State University, and MEAS (Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services)

Learnings

Innovation requires interactions and information flows among a wide range of actors within the innovation systems through digital technologies. Skill development is a short-term effort focused on improving specific abilities at the individual level, while capacity building is broader and more comprehensive. Capacity building develops people, organizations, and systems for long-term success through skills, governance, partnerships, and resource management. 

Techniques for Capacity Building 

World Café: A participatory group process modeled on butterfly movement and pollination. Participants rotate between small-group tables, sharing and cross-pollinating ideas. This helps generate creative insights, collective intelligence, and actionable outcomes in extension training, simulating the natural pollination processes for spreading and enriching discussions

Visual Facilitation: Engagement strategy using diagrams, mind maps, and visual storytelling during training sessions to simplify complex ideas, promote group learning, and stimulate creative thinking

Design Thinking: Design thinking infuses extension training with creative problem-solving by focusing on user needs, rapid prototyping, and testing. It encourages innovative approaches to addressing farmer challenges, service delivery, and system improvement

Tools for Capacity Building 

1. New Extension Learning Kit - GFRAS

This toolkit contains digital resources and modules for agricultural extension workers. Topics include gender in advisory services, risk mitigation, climate adaptation, rural evaluation, youth mentoring, nutrition-sensitive extension, e-extension, and entrepreneurship. 

2. Micro-Learning / Mobile Learning

Micro-learning delivers short, focused lessons (typically 3–10 minutes) via mobile or digital platforms. These modules are easily accessible, often use videos, infographics, and quizzes, and allow for self-paced, on-demand learning. 

3. MOOCs (agMOOCs and NAARC)

MOOC platforms like agMOOCs by MANAGE and NAARC offer free, open, and flexible courses for lifelong agricultural education. 

4. iGOT KarmaYogi 

This government platform provides online training content and courses for extension professionals. The iGOT KarmaYogi platform is exclusively meant for government officials and civil servants. Access requires registration using an official government email ID or other credentials linked to government employment. 

5. National Skills Qualification Framework - ASCI

ASCI’s skills framework supports modular courses in dairy, fisheries, animal husbandry, farm modernization, and commodity management. ASCI e-Learning Zone is a gateway to agricultural skill development.

*Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal offers a variety of free online courses and skill development programs across multiple sectors, including agriculture. 

6. Agri Games

Agri games offer interactive, gamified modules for learning agricultural concepts like nutrient management. They boost engagement and help users gain practical knowledge through play and simulation

7. Blended Learning – ICAR-IASRI

This platform centralizes digital learning resources, including LMS (Learning Management System), AR/VR studios, video conferencing, online assessments, interactive whiteboards, and learning courses. It aims to increase knowledge retention and learner engagement across agricultural universities.

8. ECHO Platform

The ECHO platform, originally designed for health extension, is indeed being adapted for agriculture and other sectors by integrating resource persons, resource materials, trainers, and creating analytics in a virtual learning environment. 

9.VR/AR-Based Learning

Virtual reality modules such as fish dissection, hydroponics, seed lifecycle, and irrigation are used for immersive, hands-on training at specialized experience centers. 

13 Game-Changing Personal Growth Books to Transform Your Life from The Seen and Unseen Podcast

"The Seen and the Unseen" is India's premier long-form podcast hosted by Amit Varma. The podcast, which has been running since 2017, features long-form conversations with intellectuals, writers, economists, historians, and thought leaders from India and around the world.

Amit Varma is a respected journalist and writer, a two-time winner of the Bastiat Prize for Journalism. The show is renowned for its rich intellectual content and the diversity of its guests, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in public policy, history, culture, or economics in contemporary India. I am only sharing the books recommended related to Psychology  and personal growth: 

1. Four Thousand Weeks — Oliver Burkeman
2. Wanting — Luke Burgis
3. Start With Why — Simon Sinek
4. The Hard Thing About Hard Things — Ben Horowitz
5. Zero to One — Peter Thiel
6. Atomic Habits — James Clear
7. How to Know a Person — David Brooks
8. The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt
9. Good to Great — Jim Collins
10. The Lean Startup — Eric Ries
11. The Goal — Eliyahu Goldratt
12. The Nurture Assumption — Judith Rich Harris
13. Waking Up: A New Operating System for Your Mind — Sam Harris

For readers seeking to dive deeper into the themes discussed on the podcast, the book recommendations serve as a comprehensive guide to engaging with the complex ideas Amit Varma and his guests explore.

AI Prompt Templates for Students

Are you looking for ways to get more out of AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini, or Perplexity? Let us learn about prompt. A prompt is a written instruction or command that directs the AI to perform a task. Mega-prompts are great when you already have all the information on hand and need a direct output without much back-and-forth. Prompt chaining is useful for more complex tasks that may require clarifications, multiple revisions, or when you need to probe deeper into specific details.

Today, I will share a set of expertly crafted prompt templates designed for making your interactions more productive and your output sharper.  Try these prompts in your next AI query and watch your work improve with better clarity, deeper insights, and faster progress. 

Teaching and Breaking Down Concepts

1. Imagine you’ve spent 20 years mastering [industry/topic]. Explain its fundamentals to a complete beginner, using simple analogies, clear logic, and step‑by‑step breakdowns.
2. Teach me [skill/topic]—use metaphors, stories, and examples. Pause to quiz me so I can test my understanding.
3. Deconstruct [topic] into its essential principles. What must someone know first, and how do these ideas build upon each other?

Collaborative Thinking Partner

1. Act as my strategic thought partner. I’ll share [idea/problem], and I want you to challenge assumptions, uncover blind spots, and help me sharpen it into something far stronger.
2. Help me stress‑test this idea by asking tough questions, highlighting weaknesses, and pushing toward a 10x better version.

Context-Driven Tasks

1. Using [context], generate [output] about [topic] that achieves [goal].
2. From this [context], create a structured summary that highlights key points and their implications for [goal].
3. Break down [context] in plain, accessible language so that even a layperson can follow.

Deeper Analysis and Evaluation

1. Analyze [context] by dissecting its main parts and showing how they connect.
2. Evaluate how well [context] meets [criteria]. Weigh its strengths and weaknesses in this regard.
3. Compare [context A] with [context B]. Highlight core similarities, differences, and any surprising overlaps.
4. Blend features of [context A] into [context B] to achieve [goal].

Improvement and Composition

1. Suggest ways to strengthen [context] so that it better supports [goal].
2. Write a [type of content] that communicates [context] to [audience] in a clear and engaging [style].

Artifical Intelligence (AI) for Inclusive Societal Development - Viksit Bharat 2047

NITI Aayog on October 8 released a pioneering study, AI for Inclusive Societal Development. The roadmap proposes a national mission "Digital ShramSetu" that leverages AI and frontier technologies to overcome systemic barriers faced by informal workers and can be harnessed to transform the lives and livelihoods of India’s informal workers. The five key components of roadmap:

1. Develop a national blueprint
2. Coordinate fragmented stakeholders
3. Catalyse strategic partnerships
4. Translate innovation into impact
5. Provide policy and regulatory support

Ecosystem 

India has one of the largest informal economies in the world, with about 90% of the workforce employed under informal arrangements, contributing nearly half (around 45-50%) of the country's GDP having 490 million informal workers. The informal sector includes unregistered enterprises, self-employed workers, casual laborers, domestic workers, and informal service providers, often lacking social security benefits. India's e-Shram portal, launched in August 2021 to create a National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW), has registered over 30.98 crore unorganised workers as of August 2025.

Migration and urban informal work are intertwined, with informal jobs. The informal sector poses challenges like poor working conditions, job insecurity, and exploitation, especially for migrant workers. Indian MSMEs employing informal workers also suffer on a competitive scale is the quality of talent. Businesses compensate for inferior quality labour with depressed wages which in turn creates an unattractive career pathway; hinders upward mobility; and disincentivizes talent.

Additional Reading: Why do rural enterprises remain small ?

Challenges

1. Harassment of MSMEs by labour inspectors is a reported issue in India, reflecting concerns over misuse of power, frequent inspections, and arbitrary penalties. The complex regulatory environment and multiple overlapping laws cause delays and create opportunities for rent-seeking behaviors from officials.

2. Workers with limited digital literacy become more dependent on intermediaries (officials, cybercafe operators, CSC operators) who can extract rents. This will create new rent-seeking opportunities. Local officials could charge fees for "faster processing" of digital IDs or demand bribes

3.Bureaucrats resist change, preferring to maintain their power and scope. Incentives encourage expanding departments and budgets rather than achieving efficiency. The administrative state centralizes power among unelected officials. The same bureaucrats who struggle with existing schemes will be tasked with implementing AI-powered verifiable credentials and smart contracts. 

4. Drawing from James C. Scott’s work, the discussion delves into how increased state legibility—enabled by systems like Aadhaar and UPI— have enabled government to operate from 2009 to 2024 without Privacy Law. The 15-year gap since Aadhaar’s launch without a privacy framework underscores systemic neglect. India currently lacks a fully enacted constitutional act specifically dedicated to AI regulation akin to the European AI Act.

5. Even if there is motivation in the government at top tiers, there is not always capacity to understand complex technological systems by frontline user.  India's DPI success (UPI, Aadhaar) succeeded because they involved standardized, high-volume transactions with limited discretionary implementation. Digital ShramSetu requires complex, discretionary decision-making at the local level—exactly where Indian state capacity is weakest and most corrupt.

6. Like poverty status, the classification of workers as formal or informal is fluid. Workers may shift between informal and formal employment due to job transitions, gig economy roles, and contractual changes. This fluidity complicates policy design, social protection coverage, and statistical measurements, demanding adaptive, inclusive frameworks.

7. India's skill development ecosystem reveals a systematic corruption pattern that AI implementation could either amplify or mitigate, depending on design choices.

Suggestions

1. AI algorithms can be used to match registered workers with job opportunities in their skill areas and geographic locations, optimizing employment pathways and reducing informality and underemployment. This can be initiated from Polytechniques and ITIs in the initial phase and gradually used for unorganized workers.

2. e-Shram portal must provide AI-facilitated interoperability with other government benefits like UDYAM, e-Pension, post office and healthcare schemes can offer a seamless experience for workers, facilitating holistic social protection. 

3. When an informal worker registered on e-Shram secures formal sector employment, their verified credentials and employment history can be linked to EPF enrollment processes, helping with identity verification, tracking contributions, and ensuring portability of social security benefits.

4. The roadmap assumes informal workers want to transition to formal systems. Application of the technology must necessarily be accompanied by design of transparent processes.  AI can be used for self-certification, digitization of compliance to reduce physical inspections, and stronger grievance redressal mechanisms to protect MSMEs from excessive or unfair enforcement. This is important to create pathways for the informal worker to initiate the journey into an entrepreneur integrated into formal economy. 

5. Labour courts and dispute resolution mechanisms are increasingly exploring the use of AI to improve efficiency, reduce backlogs, and enhance fairness in labour law enforcement. AI can analyze large volumes of workplace cases, assess precedents, and suggest outcomes based on legal principles, helping resolve disputes like wrongful termination more systematically.

6. Rather than voluntary adoption, India can consider sector-by-sector mandatory digitization starting with high-impact areas like contractual workers of PSUs and PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries. 

7. Last but not least, India must separate policymaking, implementation, and oversight functions.  There must be creation of an independent ombudsman systems for digital services and platform involved in gig economy. 

8. The mission should operate in true mission mode: establishing autonomous implementation units at state level with direct resource allocation, hiring authority, and performance accountability, bypassing traditional bureaucratic hierarchies that create implementation bottlenecks.

Global Lessons

Estonia’s government ministries are required to appoint AI officers and create AI implementation plans, effectively making AI adoption in public sector organizations a regulated requirement. In summary, Estonia mandates AI adoption and implementation plan within defined sectors such as education and government administration. Yet, Estonia's digital success required complete administrative restructuring before technology deployment.

Inside Amsterdam’s high-stakes experiment to create fair welfare AI: Even though Netherland Government worked hard to build a fair AI system to detect welfare fraud, the algorithm still showed bias against people with non-Dutch speaking migrants and those with lower incomes. Ethical AI needs ongoing human oversight, community involvement, and understanding that automation has limits when dealing with complex social fairness issue.

Conclusion

India's Digital ShramSetu mission confronts a fundamental paradox: it requires sophisticated state capacity to implement solutions for populations that exist precisely because of weak state capacity. India's Digital ShramSetu mission could indeed be transformative, but success requires acknowledging current limitations rather than assuming technological solutions will overcome social and economic realities. The Digital ShramSetu mission's success depends on recognizing that technology is a governance multiplier, not a governance substitute

Building Inclusive Digital Futures: The Role of Digital Public Goods and Infrastructure

Here is a blog post based on the learnings of Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI) and Good(DPG) for Impact with a special focus on India's digital ecosystem and global perspectives. 

The digital transformation of societies and economies hinges increasingly on foundational systems that provide open, trusted, and interoperable digital infrastructures. Digital Public Goods (DPGs) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) are emerging as critical enablers of inclusive growth, transparency, and innovation at scale. This blog dives deep into how these concepts are shaping India’s digital landscape and what lessons the world can learn from India’s pioneering efforts.

The rapid growth of Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) and digital platforms is driven by a convergence of policy shifts, technological evolution, and societal demands. At the same time, data-based governance has become central to policymaking, with real-time analytics enabling targeted welfare delivery, fraud prevention, and performance monitoring. These forces, combined with advances in cloud, open-source software, and API-driven architectures, are creating a virtuous cycle of adoption where DPIs and digital platforms are not just tools, but foundational enablers of inclusive, transparent, and efficient service ecosystems.

What Are Digital Public Goods and Infrastructure?

Digital Public Goods (DPGs) are open-source software, data, standards, and AI models that are freely available for anyone to use, adapt, and scale. They serve as building blocks for creating digital services that are inclusive and scalable globally. Examples include India’s Aadhaar biometric identity system, UPI payment platform, and open protocols like Beckn for commerce.

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to large-scale, interoperable digital platforms built on foundational DPGs that enable ecosystems of public and private actors to deliver services. DPI represents the "railways" or highways of the digital economy—open, shareable, secure, and enabling many-to-many interactions. India Stack, which powers Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and Account Aggregator frameworks, is a prime example.

India’s Digital Leadership: The India Stack and Beyond

India Stack integrates several layers of DPI, each designed to solve key challenges of identity, payments, data exchange, and commerce:

These layers underpin numerous government and private sector services, creating a robust digital ecosystem promoting financial inclusion, transparency, and new business opportunities.

Emerging Innovations: AI & Language Technology

New digital layers harness AI and natural language processing to serve India’s digitally underserved populations:

1. BHASHINI (Bhasha Interface for India): A multilingual AI-powered language platform offering translation, speech recognition, and voice-enabled digital services across 22 Indian languages, breaking down language barriers and enabling greater digital participation.
2. AI-driven Personalization and Fraud Detection: Embedded in services across healthcare, financial inclusion, and governance, AI models enable predictive analytics, user-tailored experiences, and automated compliance, enhancing service quality and security.

Global Perspectives on Digital Public Infrastructure

Digital IDs generally fall into two categories — foundational and functional — and different countries implement them according to their governance and service delivery priorities.

Foundational digital IDs serve as universal, multipurpose identifiers that legally establish an individual’s identity and enable access to a broad spectrum of services such as banking, healthcare, voting, and welfare. Their primary purpose is to act as the central proof of identity recognized across multiple sectors. Notable examples include India’s Aadhaar, which combines biometric and demographic data to facilitate services like e-KYC and subsidies.

Functional digital IDs are sector-specific and designed to verify eligibility or access within a particular domain rather than serving as a universal identity. They function within defined service areas and often rely on foundational IDs for authentication. Examples of functional IDs include India’s ration card and voter ID, which are primarily used for food subsidies and electoral processes, respectively.

These initiatives underline the global recognition that public digital infrastructure is foundational to modern governance and economic development.

Benefit of Digital Public Goods and Infrastructure

DPG is a public, private, and government read, which means that public citizens and everybody else also participate into building it, maintaining it, and enriching it. And private players make use cases, make business cases out of it, make money out of it, and help to translate those government benefits to the citizens and in turn, making a win-win situation for everyone. As the cost of acquisition goes down in digital mode, and the moment the cost of acquisition goes down, the cost of serving becomes easier for the private companies, for government, and also for citizens to access those services.