Category: I

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.

IFA: Irish Farmers Association – a group representing Irish farmers’ interests. Provides support and advocacy for Irish farmers.

ins: A term used to describe the points where the plough enters the ground when leaving the headland. Helps farmers understand plowing techniques.

Integrated Administration and Control System: Measures intended to combat fraud in aid applications and ensure fair competition in Europe, part of the CAP reforms of 1992. Abbr IACS. Helps farmers comply with regulations and secure necessary subsidies.

Institute of Arable Crops Research: A research group based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, which investigates techniques in crop growing. Abbr IACR. Helps farmers benefit from the latest research and advancements in arable crop management.

inocula: Plural of inoculum. Helps farmers understand and apply inoculation practices.

Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research: A research organization in the field of land use and conservation. Abbr IGER. Helps farmers adopt sustainable grassland management practices.

International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases: An organization established at Nairobi, Kenya in 1974. Abbr ILRAD. Farmers benefit from research on animal diseases.

incorporation: The process of introducing chopped straw, green manure, etc., into the soil as it is being ploughed. Helps farmers improve soil structure and fertility.

impoverish: To reduce the quality of something. To impoverish the soil to make soil less fertile. Overcultivation has impoverished the soil. Helps farmers adopt sustainable practices to maintain soil health.

intensive livestock production: A specialized system of livestock production where the livestock are housed indoors. This system can be started up at any time of the year. Disease hazards are those related to diet and permanent housing for the whole of the animal’s life. Helps farmers manage indoor livestock production.

inorganic herbicide: A herbicide made from inorganic substances such as sulfur. Helps farmers manage weeds using inorganic herbicides.

in-going payment: A sum of money paid by a new tenant for the value of the improvements made by the former tenant of a holding. Helps farmers understand tenancy agreements and land improvements.

import quotas: Limits set to the amount of a type of produce which can be imported. Helps farmers understand trade restrictions and market opportunities.

introduce: To bring something into being or start to use something new. The lab introduced a new rapid method of testing. Helps farmers adopt new technologies and practices.

isolation: The process of keeping infected animals away from others. Helps farmers manage disease control in livestock.

intensively: Using intensive farming methods. Helps farmers adopt intensive farming techniques.

inactive: 1. Not doing anything. 2. (of a chemical) Not reacting with other substances. 3. (of a disease) Not producing symptoms. 4. Biologically inert. Helps farmers understand different states of chemicals and diseases.

isoleucine: An essential amino acid. Helps farmers understand animal nutrition.

itch: A form of mange. Helps farmers identify and treat skin conditions in livestock.