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Artificial Intelligence-based smart farming technologies have brought impressive changes in farming. This paper aims at exploring the farmers’ intention to adopt smart farming technologies (SFT). Also, the authors intend to know how far the belief of farmers on land as God influences their decision to adopt SFT.

The data were gathered from 500 farmers chosen purposively. A well-crafted survey instrument was employed to amass data from farmers for measuring their adoption of SFT. As the authors sought to measure the farmers’ behavioural intention (BI) towards the adoption of SFT, the technology acceptance model developed by Davis (1989) came in handy, including perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU) and BI. The authors have adopted this model as it was considered a superior model. The items on the attitude of confidence (AC) were adapted from Adrian et al. (2005). Survey instruments of Thompson and Higgins (1991) and Compeau and Higgins (1995) were also referred to finalize the statements relating to attitude towards use. Moreover, the authors developed items relating to the perceived belief of land as God based on frequent interaction with the farmers.

The study results divulged that attitude to use (AU) is directly influenced by the rural farmers’ PU, PEU and AC. Similarly, this investigation has observed behaviour intention directly influenced by the AU of farmers. It is observed that AU was the most influential variable, which ultimately influenced the BI to use SFT.

This study has an important limitation in the form of representing only the culture, belief and value system of farmers in India.

The outcome of this study will facilitate the policymakers to draw suitable policy measures keeping the sensitivities of the farmers in mind in their technology adoption drive. The agricultural officers can encourage farmers to take logical decisions by supplying adequate information in a time-bound manner. Marketers can make suitable adjustments in their sales and promotion activities that focus on farmers.

The belief of farmers on land as God has a small yet unmissable influence on farmers’ AU and BI in their technology adoption decision. Based on the above evidence, the authors recommend that marketers fine-tune their product design, product packaging and promotional activities keeping the belief and sensitivities of farmers at the core of their marketing campaign.

This article provides original insights by demonstrating the positive influence of PU, PEU and AC on technology adoption by farmers. This research is the first of a kind linking the belief of farmers on land as God with smart farming technology adoption in farming.

The purpose of this paper is to develop a chrome-free and phosphorus-free chemical conversion coating with good corrosion resistance, a novel chemical conversion coating was prepared by adding cerium nitrate hexahydrate and salicylic acid in the treatment solution containing titanium/zirconium ions on 6061 aluminum alloy.

Compared with the AA6061 aluminum alloy matrix, the self-corrosion potential of the conversion coating is significantly positively shifted, the self-corrosion current density is greatly reduced and its corrosion resistance is significantly improved. Morphology and composition of the conversion coatings were observed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The microdomain structure of conversion coatings at different formation stages was analyzed by electron probe microanalyzer.

An optimized preparation technique of titanium–zirconium chemical conversion coating for AA6061 aluminum alloy is obtained: H₂TiF₆ 4 mL/L, H₂ZrF₆ 0.4 mL/L, salicylic acid 0.35 g/L, Ce(NO₃)₃·6H₂O 0.14 g/L, reaction temperature 30°C, reaction time 120 s and pH 4.0.

The coating forms on the Al(Fe)Si intermetallic compound, and Ce³⁺ is preferentially adsorbed on the intermetallic compound. The hydrolysis of Ce³⁺ causes the local pH of the solution to decrease, which promotes matrix dissolution and charge migration. As the microanode/microcathode reaction occurs, the local pH of the solution increases, and Al₂O₃/ZrO₂/TiO₂ begins to deposit on the surface of the metal substrate.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the perceptions of young agricultural entrepreneurs (agripreneurs, as a neologism, from now on), to understand what they consider as determinants in achieving entrepreneurial success in accordance with their type of farming.

This study uses primary data collected through a questionnaire, among 222 young agripreneurs who are active in lowland, semi-mountainous and mountainous regions of western Greece.

The approach used provided a clear evidence that perceived characteristics, such as internal funding and level of education/training, have a significant relationship with the perception of young agripreneurs’ success (YAS). Also, the perception of young agripreneurs for success varies by the type of farming. Crop production agripreneurs have a significantly higher need for participation in Producer Groups than in livestock production ones. Alternatively, gender, presents a significant relationship only with livestock production agripreneurs’ success.

The results of this study could help to design appropriate policy instruments and at the same time, promote and foster entrepreneurship on the one hand and provide suggestions for young agripreneurs to create sustainable new ventures on the other hand.

This study is original and valuable in the sense that provides the practical implications for understanding the entrepreneurial success and sustainability in a very critical segment of the agricultural sector.

Textile and Apparel (T&A) sector significantly influences socio-economic and environmental dimensions of the sustainability. The purpose of this paper is proposed to establish the interrelationship among the critical barriers to the sustainable development of T&A supply chains by using a multi-criteria decision-making approach and to obtain a ranking of the barriers.

In the present investigation through literature review and from expert opinions, 14 significant challenges to the sustainable growth of T&A sector have identified. For establishing the interrelationship and for developing a structural model of the identified challenges, interpretive structural modelling (ISM) methodology is employed.

The results of the investigation revealed that lack of effective governmental policies (B8), poor infrastructure (B4), lack of effective level of integration (B6), low foreign investment (B13) and demonetization (B12) are the top most significant challenges.

The model development based on the expert inputs from the industry and academia, these inputs could be biased influencing the accuracy of the model. Also, inclusion more factors for the analysis will improve the reliability of the model.

This research is intended to guide the policy and decision makers for improving overall the growth of the T&A supply chain.

This paper aims to explore the underlying intention behind using blockchain technology (BLCT) in the agri-food supply chain (AFSC). This is achieved by using a conceptual framework based on technology acceptance models that considers various factors influencing user behavior toward implementing this technology in their practices.

The conceptual framework developed is empirically validated using structural equation modeling (SEM). A total of 258 respondents from agri-food domain in India were involved in this survey, and their responses were analyzed through SEM to validate our conceptual framework.

The findings state that food safety and security, traceability, transparency and cost highly influence the intention to use BLCT. Decision-makers of the AFSCs are more inclined to embrace BLCT if they perceive the usefulness of the technology as valuable and believe it will enhance their productivity.

This study contributes to the existing literature by providing thorough examination of the variables that influence the intention to adopt BLCT within the AFSC. The insights aim to benefit industry decision-makers, supply chain practitioners and policymakers in their decision-making processes regarding BLCT adoption in the AFSC.

This study investigates how decision-makers’ perceptions of BLCT influence their intention to use it in AFSCs, as well as the impact of the different underlying factors deemed valuable in the adoption process of this technology.

This paper aims to investigate the effect of cerium modification and electrodeposition on the properties of the silane films obtained. Besides, the influence of dissolved oxygen was also researched through inhalation of oxygen or nitrogen. Moreover, the corresponding corrosion behavior of the silane films was also studied.

In this paper, surface morphology and corrosion-resistant properties of the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, immersion test and the salt spray test.

The paper reveals that all the practical parameters including the concentration of dissolved oxygen had a marked effect on the anti-corrosive performance of the films, which may be attributed to the dense and compact structure of the films obtained. Furthermore, the self-healing ability of the films had also been enhanced through the rise of dissolved oxygen concentration in proper proportion.

This paper reveals the effect of practical parameters on the properties of the silane films obtained and the corrosion behavior of these films.

This study aims to develop a sol-gel-based coating to provide a long-lasting corrosion protection on AZ31 Mg alloy. Silane-based sol-gel coatings have been successfully applied to Mg alloys for corrosion protection. However, the micro or nano defects formed during condensation and solidification will cause the coating failure during a long-lasting immersion in a saline solution. More durable corrosion-protective sol-gel coatings are needed.

A sol-gel-based coating was modified on AZ31 Mg alloy by levodopa (DOPA). The long-lasting corrosion protection mechanism was studied by multiple electrochemical testing methods and surface characterization techniques.

Long-term testing by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in aqueous 0.1 M NaCl indicated that the modified DOPA@sol-gel coating exhibited significant corrosion protection performance (>14 days). In comparison, the DOPA-free sol-gel coating failed only after three days of testing. The improved corrosion protection is attributed to the self-polymerized DOPA filling to the micro or nano defects in the glassy cross-linked networks of the sol-gel coating, which greatly improves the compactness of the coating.

The method of this study is simple and easy to process, the raw materials are green and the protective effect is excellent, which is of significance for the study of magnesium alloy corrosion protection.

This paper aims to examine and compare the export performance and competitiveness of Indian and Chinese textile and clothing industry in post-multifibre arrangement (MFA) era.

Balassa’s revealed comparative advantage Index is used to assess the competitiveness of Indian and Chinese textile and clothing exports.

The results indicate that China’s textiles and garments sector holds a greater proportion of the global market compared with India. India has a robust comparative advantage in silk, carpets and cotton post-MFA. Vegetable textile fibers, paper yarn and woven fabrics of paper yarn are also competitive. China had a strong comparative advantage in silk and fabrics; special woven fabrics, tafted textile fabrics, lace, tapestries, trimmings and embroidery in 2005. China also recorded comparative advantage in silk, man-made filaments: strip and the like of man-made textile materials, fabrics; special woven fabrics, tafted textile fabrics, lace, tapestries, trimmings and embroidery and fabrics; knitted or crocheted in 2021.

This study’s results and recommendations could assist the Indian and Chinese Governments develop policies to upgrade their garment industries.

Though vast literature reviews are available for textile and apparel export performance in India and China separately, there are few studies on comparisons. This study is a significant attempt to evaluate India and China’s competitiveness in the global market.

This bibliography is offered as a practical guide to published papers, conference proceedings papers and theses/dissertations on the finite element (FE) and boundary element (BE) applications in different fields of biomechanics between 1976 and 1991. The aim of this paper is to help the users of FE and BE techniques to get better value from a large collection of papers on the subjects. Categories in biomechanics included in this survey are: orthopaedic mechanics, dental mechanics, cardiovascular mechanics, soft tissue mechanics, biological flow, impact injury, and other fields of applications. More than 900 references are listed.