Eight parental lines of diverse origin of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were crossed in 8 × 8 diallel mating design excluding reciprocals. The 28 F1 hybrids along with their parents and one standard check (H-86) were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications during seasons of rabi 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14. In the present study, revealed that heterosis over better parent, mid parent, standard check and inbreeding depression was observed for all the traits under studies. Highly significant heterosis was observed for days to first flowering (-13.49, -13.52 and -12.28%), number of flowers per cluster (17.90, 22.11 and 24.27%), days to first harvest (-8.01, -11.04 and -9.76%), number of fruit per cluster (39.17, 42.71 and 20.71%), fruit diameter (19.93, 31.43 and 13.27%), fruit length (19.29, 22.34 and 13.35%), Average fruit weight (18.88, 19.41 and 7.80%), number of fruits per plant (25.86, 46.69 and 41.87%) and yield per plant (58.61, 75.61 and 56.33%) over the better, mid and standard parents, respectively along with considerable inbreeding depression. Most promising cross Pant T-3 × H-24 showed highly significant positive heterosis over better parent for yield per plant.

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India and Africa have experienced the rapid expansion of bilateral trade during the last two decades. The India–Africa trade is understudied in general and in the agriculture sector. Very few considerable efforts have been made to study the agro-trade restrictions between both the economies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to empirically identify the recent evidence of non-tariff measures (NTMs) imposed on the agro-products between India and Africa, which also work as non-tariff barriers. It is perceived that India being one of the frequent users of NTMs in the world poses many challenges for its trading partners. Based on the Revealed Trade Barrier (RTB) index, using 28 agro-products (HS-4 digit level), this paper assesses bilateral agro-trade barriers. The frequency index ( Fi) and coverage ratio ( Cr) were used to analyse the complex nature of NTMs. The study findings show that both trading partners imposed a wide range of NTMs on each other’s agro-products, which resulted in the discriminatory effects on trade. Comparatively, India has imposed the lesser number of NTMs on Africa’s agro-products. Despite the recent bilateral trade agreements between both the economies, trade barriers were frequently noticed. The paper suggests applying strategic trade policies and reduction of NTMs along with harmonisation of standards to flourish the bilateral agro-trade.

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Commitment of South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) from South Asian Preferential Trading Agreement (SAPTA) for trade liberalisation was one of the hopes in South Asia. This article highlights untapped trade potential in agro-trade between India and its trading partners in South Asia through Trade Potential Index (TPI). This article evaluates post-SAFTA effects of non-tariff measures (NTMs) on agro-products (HS 6-digit level) over the period 2004–2016. After 2004, many agro-products of South Asia have suffered trade restrictions which create challenges over SAFTA implementation. This article inquires whether NTMs in post-SAFTA has been trade creating or trade inhibiting in agro-trade for member countries as per the earlier commitments. Research methodology for this study includes qualitative and quantitative approach. Qualitative approach examines agri-trade constraints faced between India and rest seven South Asian countries and vice versa. Quantitative analysis explores prevailing trade barriers in selected agro-products during 2002–2016 applying Regional Trade Barrier Index and NTM Coverage Ratio. Results establish the presence of agri-trade barriers from South Asian countries against India as well as India’s barriers against rest seven countries of South Asia. Study concludes that agri-trade restrictions prevail in South Asia despite SAFTA which shows the slow process of trade liberalisation. JEL Codes: F13, F14, Q17