Who is watching GM crops?
As India gets ready to unleash a vast number of genetically modified (GM) food crops, politicians have joined activists in opposing engineered …
Organic Universe
Organic is all the rage. Organic food, cosmetics, clothes and even organic medicines. But mostly it is food. There are speciality stores that …
Organic goes online
India’s organic food exports have found a new strength—online traceability. Web-based TraceNet can trace an organic product right …
‘Stopping GM trials is anti-farmer’
Genetically modified (GM) mustard hybrid DMH-11 developed by Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants ran into …
New milky way
Private players are entering the Indian dairy market in a big way. Dairy cooperatives, which ushered in the White Revolution, need to expand and …
‘There is not enough milk’
Amrita Patel was part of the White Revolution that made India self-sufficient in milk. She joined Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’…
Organic thread
Even as Bt cotton invaded Indian fields in the past few years, some farmer groups kept pushing for organic cotton. In 2009-10, production in …
Biotechnology Bill: deadline for public feedback extended
Parliamentary committee has extended date till August 25; activists demand public consultations across the country in regional languages
Synthetic pesticide use is on the decline; bio-pesticide use is up
Pesticides consumption in India is less than 1 kg/ha as against 4.5 kg/ha in USA and 11 kg/ha in Japan; Parliament panel recommends price control …
Monsanto told to quit India
Farmers from 20 states to present national flag made from non-Bt organic cotton to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for Independence Day
Mosquito matters
The blood-sucking pest is altering itself with changing environment. But studies on it are few and far between
Biodiversity body claims coal
In a first-of-its-kind case, a biodiversity committee in Madhya Pradesh asks for royalty on coal
‘BRAI will benefit both private and public sectors’
Introduction of the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill has brought cheers to the agri-biotechnology industry that was facing …
Pawar's daughter on panel that will examine biotechnology Bill
Supriya Sule joins Parliament panel on science and technology; panel to submit report on Bill that gives easy access to GM crops in three months
More bite, less to chew
The most controversial aspect of the food security law is the restructuring of the public distribution system to cover an unprecedented 67 per …
Drinking water audit report by March 2011
In addition to conducting financial audits, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), VINOD RAI, has decided to conduct a social and …
Contaminating millets
There is disquiet over government scheme to wean traditional millet farmers on chemical inputs
Guar mine
Farmers in Rajasthan make big bucks as shale gas rush boosts demand for little-known cluster bean
India’s deepening farm crisis: 76% farmers want to give up farming, shows study
Benefits of government schemes and policies go to big farmers, shows survey undertaken by CSDS on behalf of farmers’ association
Difficult to digest
After much debate, the Cabinet cleared the food security bill. Will it really ensure food for every Indian?
GM crop field trials: anti-GM activists protest outside Moily's office
Moily’s approval will now allow event selection trials of rice, castor, cotton and a few other genetically modified crops ÒÇÇ
Hailstorm drives farmers to suicide
Over 100 kill themselves as large tracts of crops are damaged; food prices likely to go up
‘Let farmers decide the price’
Mani Chinnaswamy’s contract farming model has prompted IIM graduates to study his Appachi formula. After all, it gives farmers the right to …
Is Bt cotton a success or failure?
Participants attending conference to review Bt cotton call for extensive investigation into all aspects of cotton production before drawing …
Is new land bill up to mark?
Draft land bill proposes higher compensation for land acquisitions, but complaints persist