Global food crisis: causes and implications for India

Is there a global crisis unravelling? World food reserves are at their lowest in 25 years and the prices of most food crops are at a record high. …

Giving the art of mimicry a new meaning

In order to propagate its own species, a parasitic fungus attacks mustard plants and transforms their leaves, making them look like flowers of …

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

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put pressure on global food, energy supplies; and Africa is most affected

Forty-one African countries are being impacted by a triple crisis of food, energy and finance due to the war in Ukraine, says UN report

First Advance Estimate 2022-23: Rice output to fall 6%, total foodgrain output 4%

Monsoon 2022 believed to be primarily responsible for decline in foodgrain production this kharif  

Illusive oilseed: India’s niger seed cultivation is declining; here is why

Lack of government interest in tribal cuisine, amarbel infestation, low productivity of niger seeds and increasing paddy cultivation are …

India reports 22% less sowing till second week of 2022 kharif season, compared to last year

The southwest monsoon has entered the country, but the initial rainfall figures have become a source of trouble for farmers

More than 60% markets sell agricultural produce below MSP

The price of cereal, paddy and oilseed has crashed in more than 1,700 markets, according to government data

Pesticide use results in dwindling exports

Despite restrictions on harmful pesticides, their use by farmers continues. This is forcing foreign countries to reduce imports substantially of …

Centre hikes MSP as kharif sowing begins

MSP hike for 17 crops was approved June 8; this is likely to encourage farmers to diversify and switch to these crops

Lucrative rabi: Mustard farmers may reap good prices despite bumper output

Higher MSP, dearer imports expected to keep rates firm for local oilseeds    

Kharif season 2023: Drought-like situation in 16% districts, no sowing in 2 million hectares

According to the IMD’s Drought Outlook, between July 6 and 12, severe dryness was observed in 5 per cent of the country and moderate …

Kharif season 2023: Rajasthan plants two times more bajra as India’s paddy acreage drops by 26%

Impact of Cyclone Biparjoy and uneven distribution of monsoon clearly visible on kharif crops  

Diversify crops, shift rice to places that can support it: Central panel

Low returns and high risks from alternative crops among reasons past efforts failed, says report

Orissa faces acute food insecurity

It is well known that farmers of Orissa are not the 'privileged ones'. What is not known, albeit, is the fact that their plight is all set to …

Kharif season 2023: Crop acreage decreases in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh

The acreage of paddy, the main crop of the Kharif season, has decreased by 24 per cent compared to last year. There has been a huge decrease in …

No pesticides

Farmers can save crops without pesticides. And they can earn more in the deal. sopan joshi records a great change sweeping through Andhra …

Global Eco Watch: How climate may have helped exacerbate Spanish Flu

Down To Earth brings you the top happenings in the world of global ecology  

Biogas from oilseeds

Moneymakers

Biopiracy

Jatropha germplasm theft in Chhattisgarh

Plastic from rapeseed

Fuel farming

Salty solutions

Research has now established the benefits of sea water plants

Shrub oil - Roadworthy