Category: I

impermeable: Referring to a substance which does not allow a liquid or gas to pass through. Rocks which are impermeable to water. Helps farmers manage soil and water resources.

inorganic: Referring to a substance which does not come from an animal or a plant. Inorganic substances include acids, alkalis and metals. Helps farmers understand and use inorganic materials in agriculture.

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

IFR: Institute of Food Research – a not-for-profit scientific institute which advises on food safety, diet and health. Ensures farmers have access to the latest research on food safety and nutrition.

isinglass: A pure soluble gelatin, used to make alcoholic drinks clear; formerly used to preserve eggs. Helps farmers understand traditional food preservation techniques.

IAH: Institute for Animal Health – a major center for research into infectious diseases in livestock. Helps farmers stay informed about and manage livestock health issues.

interbreed: To mate and have offspring. To cross animals or plants with different characteristics to produce offspring with distinctive features. Helps farmers manage breeding programs.

IOMC: Interorganisation Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals. Helps farmers understand and comply with chemical safety standards.

iodophor: A disinfectant used to disinfect teats of cows to prevent mastitis. Helps farmers prevent udder infections in dairy cattle.

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

IPCS: International Programme on Chemical Safety. Helps farmers understand chemical safety regulations.

intake: 1. An amount of a substance taken into an organism, either eaten or absorbed. A study of food intake among grassland animals. The bird’s daily intake of insects is more than half its own weight. 2. Hill pasture which has been improved and fenced in. Helps farmers manage animal nutrition and pasture improvement.

International Wheat Council: A group of wheat-exporting countries. Abbr IWC. Helps wheat farmers understand and navigate the international wheat market.

Irish Moiled: A rare breed of medium-sized dual-purpose cattle. The animals have a distinctive white back strip. Helps farmers choose and manage rare cattle breeds.

isolate: To separate and keep objects or organisms apart from others. Helps farmers implement biosecurity measures.

ivy-leaved speedwell: A widespread weed (Veronica hederifolia) which affects most autumn sown crops. Also called bird’s-eye, eye-bright. Helps farmers identify and control this weed.

isoglucose: Same as high fructose corn syrup. Helps farmers understand food ingredients and processing.

isotherm: A line on a map linking points of equal temperature. Helps farmers understand temperature patterns.

inter-: Prefix between. Helps farmers understand terminology related to interactions.

in utero: In the womb. Helps farmers understand reproductive biology.

ion: An atom or a group of atoms that has obtained an electric charge by gaining or losing one or more electrons. Helps farmers understand chemical properties and soil science.

intensive beef production: The production of a young lean beef animal in a period of less than a year. Helps farmers achieve quick beef production.

intensive: Achieving maximum production from land or animals. Helps farmers increase productivity.

intrinsic factor: A protein produced in the gastric glands which reacts with vitamin B12 controls the absorption of extrinsic factor, and which, if lacking, causes pernicious anemia. Helps farmers manage livestock nutrition.

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

ICO: International Coffee Organization – an international organization set up to stabilize the international market in coffee by holding buffer stocks to offset seasonal differences in production quantities. Provides market stability for coffee farmers.

indefinite inflorescence: A type of inflorescence in which the stems bearing the flowers continue to grow. Compare definite inflorescence. Helps farmers understand plant growth patterns.

immunise: To make a person or other animal immune to a specific microorganism by inoculating them. Helps farmers maintain herd immunity and health.

International Cocoa Agreement: An agreement between countries to stabilize the price of cocoa. Abbr ICCA. Ensures fair trade practices and stable income for cocoa farmers.

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.

implementation: The process of carrying out a plan. Helps farmers execute agricultural strategies effectively.

intestinal diseases: Diseases and conditions which affect the intestines of animals, e.g. anthrax, dysentery, parasites, enteritis or swine fever. Helps farmers identify and manage digestive health in livestock.

insectivorous: Referring to an animal or plant that feeds mainly on insects. Pitcher plants and sundews are insectivorous. Helps farmers understand beneficial insectivorous species.

inactivity: The state of not being active. Helps farmers recognize periods of inactivity in crops or livestock and take appropriate action.

irradiation: The use of rays to kill bacteria in food. Helps farmers understand and apply food irradiation techniques.

Italian ryegrass: A short lived ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) which is sown in spring and is very quick to establish. It produces good growth in its seeding year and early graze the following year, and is commonly used for short duration leys. Helps farmers choose suitable grass varieties for grazing.

International Sugar Organization: An international organization formed of sugar-exporting countries. Abbr ISO. Helps sugar farmers understand and navigate the international sugar market.

infectious: Referring to a disease that is caused by microorganisms and can be transmitted to other individuals by direct means. This strain of flu is highly infectious. Compare contagious. Helps farmers understand and prevent the spread of diseases.

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. Abbr ICCO. Supports cocoa farmers’ livelihoods.

indehiscent: Referring to seed pods, fruit or capsules that do not open to release seeds when ripe. Compare dehiscent. Helps farmers manage seed dispersal and crop harvest.

Institute of Food Research: A not-for-profit scientific institute which advises on food safety, diet and health. Abbr IFR. Ensures farmers have access to the latest research on food safety and nutrition.

inorganic pesticide: A pesticide made from inorganic substances such as sulfur. Helps farmers control pests using inorganic pesticides.

ICRISAT: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics – an organization established in 1972 at Hyderabad, India. Farmers benefit from research on crops suited to semi-arid conditions.

Institute for Animal Health: A major center for research into infectious diseases in livestock. Abbr IAH. Helps farmers stay informed about and manage livestock health issues.

inwintering: The practice of housing cattle and sheep during the winter months rather than keeping them outdoors. Helps farmers manage livestock housing and health during winter.

intervention price: Same as support price. The intervention price is the price at which the national intervention agencies are obliged to buy up agricultural commodities offered to them. Helps farmers understand price support mechanisms.

iso-: Prefix equal. Helps farmers understand terminology related to equality in scientific terms.

inactivate: To make something unable to act. The ultraviolet component of sunlight inactivates some herbicides. Helps farmers manage chemical usage in agriculture.

I symbol: 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.

inspection: A careful check to see if something is in the correct condition or if there are problems. Animal welfare codes lay down rules on how closely animals such as laying hens should be inspected in order to ensure that they are healthy. Helps farmers maintain health and safety standards.