Urbanisation to cause huge loss of prime farmland: UNCCD
Between 1.6 and 3.3 million hectares of such land could be lost by 2030, estimates the United Nations Convention to combat Desertification report
Will climate change bring back the age of famines in Kashmir?
A quick glance at government data shows that climate change has eaten into the output of top food crops in Jammu and Kashmir
Farmers in this Nepal district struggle to cope with crop raiding by wild animals
Almost all farmers in Aiddhungra, Budechaur and Bagargot villages have abandoned maize and millet farming due to increasing incursions by wild animals
Odisha may ban catching under-sized fish
The state has also banned use of purse seine nets, gill nets to protect the baby fish, particularly the Hilsa
Haryana tries to dissuade farmers from growing paddy, most remain sceptical
The problem started when the government encouraged the cultivation of rice under the Green Revolution in the 1960s
Face it, the monsoon has been delayed this year
The possible onset of the southwest monsoon is now June 6; only after the next 48 hours will the final date for the season be announced
Big agribusiness rushes to cash in on Fall Armyworm
As the pest spreads to Southeast Asia, big brands are coming up with pesticides; experts, however, advise caution
How tiny pests traverse long distance to attack mustard crops
Researchers from the Kolkata-based Bose Institute have retraced the aerial path these marauders of mustard take
Pepsico India withdraws all cases against Gujarat potato farmers
The company had sued nine farmers in Gujarat for alleged intellectual property “rights infringement” on grounds that they “…
Monsanto's troublesome trait
Bayer is battling seed companies and farmers in several countries over royalty on Monsanto's GM seeds
Scientists identify proteins linked with wheat infection
Karnal Bunt, the infection, reduces yield and quality of grains as they start giving off foul fishy odour and taste
India's city compost policy needs overhauling
Promised financial incentives for sale of city compost did not prove to be a game-changer in promoting its marketing and production
India's Cow Crisis Part 1: Nepal bears the brunt of India's cow vigilantism
Hounded by cow vigilantes and trade restrictions, farmers in Uttar Pradesh's border areas abandon their unproductive cattle in Nepalese villages …
How investing in processing machines can help India promote millets
An African-Canadian company is helping promote Mali's fonio millet by investing in processing machines. India too needs to procure advanced …
Commercialisation of GM rice turns out to be a dud: report
Countries across the world continue to promote golden rice even though there is evidence to show vitamin A deficiency can be reduced without …
Smart spraying can help cut pesticide use in orchards
Researchers reported that a sensor-based spraying system saved as much as 26% in the use of pesticides and achieved an efficiency level of 95% in …
Farmers and smartphone politics
Can pre-poll sops like giving smart phones with internet connectivity to farmers increase farm income?
In 4 years, farmers’ income has increased by just Rs 2,505 per month: NABARD report
Although the average farm income per month saw a rise in the last four years, it is still not enough to help farmers cope with the current …
Winds of change in tribal villages
A slew of measures like horticulture, beekeeping, polycropping and creation of water harvesting structures guarantee income augmentation among …
Why MSP will not provide even minimum support to farmers
With a projected 5-25% rise in input prices of fuel, agricultural rentals and agrochemicals, the new MSPs for kharif crops will not lead to any gains
Voice calls to help Andhra farmers in decision-making
The interactive voice response system has been introduced in Anantapur district to cover groundnut farmers
Sugarcane crisis: Govt focuses on technology fixes, but not on mounting dues to farmers
While sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh owe about Rs 12,500 crore to farmers, the government’s measures were directed mostly towards tackling …
What Kenya needs to do to take advantage of its rainfall
Farmers need to be better informed where they can sell their crops for good prices so that they’re confident they can recoup the cost of …
Farm income drops in 16 states and union territories
The national average income from cultivation increased by just 3.8 per cent between 2002-03 and 2012-13, when the overall farm sector grew by 3 …
The craft of corrupt science
If there is evidence of toxicity in Monsanto’s glyphosate, then why are governments not banning it?