Giant snail invasion
People in Kerala village spend nights battling large snails that devour plants and nibble at walls
Farming for the future
Despite having the potential to give a green edge to the agricultural market, biopesticides are yet to make a mark in the agro sector. To create …
Tracking locust attack: In Rajasthan’s Dholpur, pest keeps villagers on toes
Damage to crops less as villages not heavily cultivated, according to preliminary estimates
Beetles high on coffee
Erratic weather is fuelling the growth of a pest which destroys Arabica coffee. In the absence of effective pest management, India's coffee …
"Serious study has not yet begun"
R Uma Shankar, Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, speaks to Down To Earth
"We need to be more proactive"
Dr. S. Ramani, senior scientist (Agricultural Entomology), Project Directorate of Biological Control (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), …
"Biological control is the way out"
Dr. R D Gautam, principal scientist and in-charge of the Plant Health Clinic, speaks to Down To Earth
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 …
Invasive Alien Species
Think of an invasion, and the picture that comes to mind is usually that of planes and tanks, machines and men, shells and gunshots. But animal …
Kolar: The dilemma continues
Although the MRC's work is still going on, the community remains has not been educated to continue with it
Hardwar: Not without help
The malaria control operations have been successful only because of help from a large public sector corporation
Farmers in tech trap
Cotton cultivators are on a seed and pesticide treadmill that is draining them of traditional skills
Book Review
Accountability in the Pesticide Industry - A report based on a forum held at the Pocantico Conference Center . June 25-28, 2002 . Paper No 5
Regulatory battle
Industry and activists have expressed conflicting opinions on GM crops. GEAC has a difficult decision to make
Time for total recoil
Mosquito coils are finally in the dock, after a prolonged deference. Two independent studies indicate that coils commonly used in Asian countries,…
Everything about desert locusts — and how to control them amid COVID-19 crisis
From Yemen to Indo-Pakistan border, how the swarms made way into India — and how the situation should be monitored
Test tube brinjal
Indian regulators are keen to clear Bt brinjal for commercial cultivation. This would be India’s first genetically modified food crop. If …
Europe to phase out major pesticides
EU decides to withdraw about 320 substances used in plant protection products - including pesticides, fungicides and herbicides - from markets by …
Call from cave
Bats, largely elusive till now, are slowly revealing their secrets as scientists record and analyse their calls
Biotech industry has a new patron
Department of Biotechnology is playing venture capitalist to private companies to push biotech research in agriculture
India Organics Inc
The Indian farmer is 'naturally' organic. But without support and premium for 'green' crops, there is no alternative but to take the chemical route
Untapped Potential
Lack of lagislation and certification undermines the potential of organic farming in India
Into the ginger trap
Farmers from Kerala make big bucks by growing ginger in Karnataka but leave behind a trail of pollution
Made it
Enabavi, a village of 52 families, is abuzz. It is hosting farmers from the nearby Kallem village who have come here for tips on profitable …
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 …