Optimistic target

Biochar application can help Ghana’s smallholder farmers fight back climate change: Study

New research shows biochar application is more effective in promoting cowpea growth and yield in Ghana

Karnataka coffee farmers selling estates, killing themselves: Report

Market prices, erratic weather and increasing input costs are making coffee cultivation unviable, it notes

Torrential rainfall, cyclone may favour locust surge: FAO

Experts said prevention, mainly through early warning and early reaction, is the key to reducing the extent of locust infestation

It is never too late

The next invasion of insect pests will be discovered via social media

The proliferation of smart phones means many people have an encyclopedia of knowledge, a high-resolution digital camera and GPS in their pockets

Quelea: Environmentalists protest Kenyan government’s move to poison millions of ‘feathered locusts’

Experts champion mechanical control of the birds & other alternative methods like monitoring their breeding & migratory patterns, …

Fall Armyworm attack: Uganda’s concerted efforts at curbing infestation

The spread of FAW is alarmingly high in Uganda but the African country is also looking at every possible solution to fight the infestation

Fall Armyworm attack: The damage done

The deadly but little understood crop pest, poses a threat to food security and livelihoods of millions as it ravages crops in Africa and …

Telangana farmers pushed to suicide after pest attack destroys chilli crop

There has been no announcement on compensation to farmers who have lost their crops

Recent Fall Armyworm invasion could be global, warn scientists

Such an occurrence could put world food security at risk

Fungal flood: Increasing disease, aided by climate change, risk to global food security

Practising monoculture in modern agriculture provides ideal grounds for fungi

Journey of the Fall Armyworm

Fall Armyworm has infested crops in over 50 countries across two continents in just over two years

Fall Armyworm attack: Odisha braces itself for the pest

After its attack last year, the state agriculture department issued advisories to all districts and distributed leaflets listing preventive and …

Will contract farming law relieve agrarian distress?

Although the proposed law promises to alleviate the suffering of India’s farmers, it needs a research-backed approach 

New centre to help farmers become climate resilient

The centre would focus on real-time structured surveillance for insect-pests and diseases using GPS-tagging techniques

Pest warning

Climate change is influencing migratory patterns and evolution in pests, threatening our food basket

Weaving insect wildlife back into the tapestry of life

The fate of insects is entwined with that of people and of many other vertebrates

Threat for Bhagalpur's mango growers: Red banded mango caterpillar

This is the second consecutive year that the pest has affected the mango crop in Bhagalpur and surrounding areas, known for its famous Zardalu brand

Made for India

Addition of newly-found gene could help Indian Bt cotton varieties withstand pest attacks

At least 40% global crops lost to pests every year: FAO

Invasive pests cost countries at least $70 billion annually, among main drivers of biodiversity loss 

Fall Armyworm attack: Maharashtra grappling with the chaos

While the deadly pest has infested close to 15 districts of Maharashtra, many farmers lack any knowledge about it

Tracking locust attack: Cotton crop spread over 700 hectares destroyed in Bikaner

Farmers in a dilemma with no income to pay for living expenses as well as debt

Alien pest invades farmlands in Africa, destroys crops in more than 10 countries

Unlike the native pest, the fall armyworm from the Americas is harder to detect and eradicate

Fall Armyworm attack: Desperation pushes Kenya farmers to danger

Overall, 43 of 47 counties in Kenya reported the presence of FAW, indicating that about 80 per cent of Kenya’s crops-producing landmass was …