Category: I

inbreeding: The process of mating or crossing between closely related individuals, leading to a reduction in variation. Compare outbreeding. Helps farmers manage genetic diversity in livestock.

inorganic fertiliser: An artificially synthesized fertilizer. Helps farmers use inorganic fertilizers to enhance soil fertility and crop production.

immunisation: The production of immunity to a specific disease, either by injecting an antiserum or by giving an individual the disease in such a small dose that the body does not develop the disease, but produces antibodies to counteract it. Helps farmers protect livestock from diseases.

interveinal yellowing: A condition of plants caused by magnesium deficiency, where the surface of the leaves turns yellow and the veins stay green. Helps farmers identify and correct nutrient deficiencies in crops.

ICA: International Coffee Agreement – an agreement between countries to stabilize the price of coffee. Helps coffee farmers by providing market stability.

inbreeding depression: A reduction in variation and vigor arising in a population that is repeatedly inbred. Compare heterosis. Helps farmers recognize and avoid negative effects of inbreeding.

irrigation: The artificial supplying and application of water to land with growing crops. Helps farmers understand and implement effective irrigation systems.

Institute of Terrestrial Ecology: A former ecological research organization, now merged with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Abbr ITE. Helps farmers access ecological research for better land management.

International Livestock Centre for Africa: An organization established in 1974 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Abbr ILCA. Provides research and resources for livestock farmers in Africa.

internode: The part of a plant stem between two adjacent nodes. Helps farmers understand plant growth and pruning techniques.

infertile: 1. Referring to any organism that is not able to reproduce or produce offspring. 2. Referring to trees and plants that are not able to produce fruit or seeds. 3. Referring to soil that is not able to produce good crops. Helps farmers manage breeding and soil fertility.

International Wool Secretariat: A group which represents countries which export wool. Abbr IWS. Helps wool farmers with market support and research.

intensive agriculture: A method of farming in which as much use is made of the land as possible by growing crops close together, growing several crops in a year or using large amounts of fertilizer. Opposite extensive agriculture. Also called productive agriculture. Helps farmers maximize land use efficiency.

in-field: Formerly, the field nearest the farmstead, regularly manured and cultivated. In-fields are still preserved on some hill farms. Helps farmers manage land use and cultivation practices.

inbred: Resulting from inbreeding. Helps farmers understand the genetic implications of breeding practices.

in-lay: A period when a hen is laying eggs. Helps farmers manage poultry production cycles.

indigo: A tropical plant of the pea family which is a source of blue dye. Genus: Indigofera. Helps farmers grow crops for natural dyes.

immunity: 1. The natural or acquired ability of a person or other animal to resist a microorganism and the disease it causes. The vaccine gives immunity to tuberculosis. 2. The ability of a plant to resist disease through a protective covering on leaves, through the formation of protoplasts or through the development of inactive forms of viruses. Knowledge of immunity helps farmers protect crops and livestock from diseases.

International Rice Research Institute: An organization established at Los Banos, Philippines in 1959. Abbr IRRI. Supports farmers with research on rice production.

intercrop: A crop which is grown between the rows of other crops. Helps farmers diversify crop production.

Indian game: A breed of table poultry, often black with yellow legs. Helps farmers choose suitable poultry breeds for meat production.

ICCO: International Cocoa Organization – an international organization set up to stabilize the international market in cocoa by holding buffer stocks to offset seasonal differences in production quantities. Supports cocoa farmers’ livelihoods.

IPM: Integrated pest management. Helps farmers effectively manage pests with minimal environmental impact.

incubator: A special unit providing artificial heat used to hatch eggs. Incubators are available as small trays, or as large rooms for large-scale producers. Helps farmers increase hatching success rates.

inorganic acid: An acid which comes from a mineral. Helps farmers understand chemical properties and applications.

immunization: The process of making an animal or person immune to a disease, typically through vaccination. Immunization is vital for preventing disease outbreaks and maintaining herd health.

infertility: The inability to reproduce or have offspring. Helps farmers understand and address reproductive issues in livestock and crops.

incorporate: 1. To apply chemicals such as slug pellets by spreading them in rows at the same time as the seed is sown, as opposed to broadcasting. 2. To plough back straw or green manure into the soil. Helps farmers integrate organic matter into the soil for improved fertility.

inoculation: 1. The act of inoculating. 2. An injection against a particular disease. A diphtheria inoculation. Helps farmers implement vaccination programs.

inherit: To receive a genetically controlled characteristic from a parent. Flower color is inherited. Helps farmers understand genetic traits and breeding outcomes.

infective: Referring to a disease caused by a microorganism, which can be caught from another person but which cannot always be directly transmitted. Helps farmers understand the nature and transmission of diseases.

isobar: A line on a map linking points which are of equal barometric pressure at a given time. Helps farmers understand weather patterns and forecasting.

IITA: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture – an organization established at Ibadan, Nigeria in 1965. Supports farmers in tropical regions with research and technology.

intestinal: Referring to the intestine. Helps farmers understand animal anatomy and health issues related to the digestive system.

Intervention Board: A body set up in 1972 to implement the regulations of the Common Agricultural Policy in the UK. It has now been replaced by the Rural Payments Agency. Helps farmers understand agricultural policies and regulations.

intensify: To use intensive farming methods. Helps farmers achieve higher productivity.

insect: A small animal with six legs and a body in three parts. Helps farmers identify and manage insect pests.

ivy: A climbing evergreen plant (Hedera helix). Helps farmers identify and manage this plant species.

IRRI: International Rice Research Institute. Helps farmers with research on rice production.

iodine: A chemical element essential to the body, especially to the functioning of the thyroid gland, and is found in seaweed. Knowledge of iodine is important for farmers to ensure the health of livestock and prevent deficiencies.

IWS: International Wool Secretariat (now called The Woolmark Company). Helps wool farmers with market support and research.

intervention: The act of making a change in a system. Helps farmers implement necessary changes in farming practices.

inhibitor: A device or substance which prevents or limits the effect of something. Helps farmers use appropriate inhibitors to manage agricultural processes.

invasion: The arrival of large numbers of unwanted organisms into an area. An invasion of weeds. Helps farmers manage invasive species.

intraspecific: Occurring within a species. Helps farmers understand breeding and genetic diversity within species.

incubation: The process of keeping eggs warm until the young birds come out, either by an adult bird sitting on them or by artificial means. Helps farmers manage poultry production.

intensive agriculture: A method of farming in which as much use is made of the land as possible by growing crops close together, growing several crops in a year or using large amounts of fertilizer. Opposite extensive agriculture. Also called productive agriculture. Helps farmers maximize land use efficiency.

improved varieties: New species of plants which are stronger or more productive than old species. Helps farmers increase crop yields and resilience.

inputs: Substances put into the soil, such as fertilizers which are applied by a farmer. Helps farmers manage soil fertility and crop production.

Indian corn: Maize. Helps farmers grow and manage maize crops.