Supporting local food systems can prevent conflict
Conflict is one of the main driving factors of hunger; strengthening sustaianble agriculture can promote peace, says the UN Food and Agricultural …
Ethanol, other biofuels will see reduced demand in 10 years
Declining demand for transport fuel will lead to reduced demand for ethanol in the US and EU—main markets for ethanol
Sugarcane farmers' crisis: bumper harvest turns bane
Thanks to a high yield sugarcane variety, India witnessed bumper harvests in the last 3 seasons, but sugar prices have fallen and sugarcane …
Climate change will make rice less nutritious, putting millions of the world's poor at risk
As atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise, rice plants produce fewer vitamins and other key nutrients
Centre’s crop insurance scheme not good enough; Bihar launches its own plan for farmers
Bihar State Crop Assistance Scheme will ensure that farmers have enough money for next crop cycle if their current crop is destroyed by natural …
Navara rice controversy: Plant Variety Act doesn’t protect farmers’ interests, say experts
A farmer’s plea to register a traditional rice variety has once again raised concerns about loopholes in the Protection of Plant …
Smart device developed for precise use of herbicides
Indian and American researchers have developed a weed removal device for precise application of herbicide that can reduce crop damage and …
13 new agricultural heritage landscapes designated by FAO
The new sites are in China, Japan, Egypt, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and Sri Lanka
Why ozone levels pose a challenge to food security
When present in the lowest atmospheric layer, ozone becomes a concern for human and plant health.
Scientists develop first-ever oleic acid-rich peanut
Farmers in southern states cultivate groundnuts, but they have not benefited from the fast-growing confectionery industry till now
Promoting permaculture can put an end to GMO culture in India
Experts at the 13th Permaculture Convergence in Telangana reposed faith in permaculture and urged farmers to explore this as an alternative to …
Is Andhra Pradesh turning a blind eye to illegal shrimp rearing?
In the past few years, thousands of illegal shrimp rearing ponds have come up in East Godavari district, damaging fertilie soil and groundwater
How to help farmers prepare for climate change
There is increasing evidence from across many African and South Asian countries that contextual, timely climate information, helps farmers manage …
Now an app to help farmers practice precision agriculture
By determining health of the crops using hyperspectral imaging of crop leaves, the app could help in rational use of fertilisers
As Rajasthan government stops buying mustard, farmers resort to distress selling
Rajasthan contributes 50 per cent of total mustard production in India, but Centre-State dispute is hurting farmers' interest
Environmental regulators key to curb antimicrobial resistance
The environmental contribution to the spread of antimicrobial resistance is yet to receive due attention at global and regional levels
Supreme Court stays commercial release of GM Mustard; to hear the matter on October 17
The apex court is hearing a petition which seeks moratorium on the release of any genetically modified organisms into the environment pending a …
Agriculture census will help Asia-Pacific countries achieve zero hunger challenge
Agricultural censuses are sources of structural information that, through comparison at different points of time, can contribute to the …
Drought, land degradation affect 1.5 billion people: UN report
UNCCD’s global report on desertification, land degradation and drought explains the current scenario through figures
Fall of the poplar
In the backyard of Asia's largest poplar market, farmers are being forced to quit growing the soft wood as its price crashes because of overproduction
Sustainable soil management key to Africa's food security
The thrust is now on promotion of sustainable soil management as the approach for boosting healthy soils for a food-secure Africa
Controversial weed-killer gets 18-month extension from European Commission
Glyphosate, used by Monsanto, has been identified as ‘probably’ carcinogenic to humans by WHO agency
Parliamentary panel finds tobacco harmful for forests
The panel found that financial benefits due to tobacco cultivation were negligible as compared to losses suffered in terms of deaths
Market for agriculture drones to expand 7.4 times by 2022
Inexpensive sensors, cloud computing and intelligent software will drive the market ahead
Bitter organic brew
Falling income and lukewarm market are forcing organic coffee growers to go back to chemical fertilisers