Solving poverty

Gurdev S Khush is the principal plant breeder in the Plant breeding, genetics and biochemistry division of the International Rice Research …

A plant breeder comes into his own

Awards are finally coming to K Vinod Prabhu, 54, a plant breeder, for his work on building resistance in wheat, mustard and rice through the …

'The world's entire gene-pool is open for manipulation'

INDRA VASIL was one of the first scientists to successfully manipulate wheat plants using genetic engineering techniques. Before he came in, …

"We are close to crisis point"

Agriculture and its subsequent effect on the environment, rapidly depleting natural resources like arable land and water, the slackening of the …

'We are using the sea as a dustbin'

The Indian coastline no longer belongs to its traditional custodians—the small fisher people. A jamboree of development—cities, SEZs, …

Private sector is profiting from vacuum left by ICAR

In the agriculture research hierarchy, Swapan Kumar Datta occupies the second rung, one of eight deputy director generals (DDGs) in the Indian …

Veggies delight

The rising demand for vegetables has opened up a money-making opportunity for small farmers. Already reeling from recurring droughts and …

'Building and retaining capacity is the toughest challenge'

Balakrishna Pisupati is in the hot seat as chairperson of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), where he has to deal with regulatory and …

Dealing with crop stresses and scandals

Subbanna Ayyappan has made history in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (IACR) by becoming the first non-crop scientist to head this …

Saving rice

Rice is at the heart of a fierce strategy debate as the country prepares to launch the second Green Revolution in the eastern states. …

Gentle on critical pollution

After declaring 43 industrial areas in India as critically polluted and imposing a moratorium on their expansion, the Union Ministry of …

ITPGRFA: Decisions on key issues deferred at meet of treaty on plant genetic resources

One positive outcome at the ITPGRFA meet was the recognition of the contribution of farmers in preserving the diversity of crops that feed …

The mysterious existence of a leafless kauri stump, kept alive by its forest neighbours

Whatever happens on their journey from feeding themselves to being fed happens out of sight — likely below ground

World’s smallest terrestrial fern found in Western Ghats

The newly-found fern is one cm long and has different genetic and physical characters compared to other known fern species

Ancient plant silphion known for curing many diseases probably still around: Expert

Silphion was used to treat goiter, sciatica, epilepsy, tetanus, malignant tumours & thought to have gone extinct 2,000 years ago

Dhinkia steel plant: Villagers block entry points with bamboo structures to oppose JSW project

The resistance came after police officials entered Dhinkia to arrest “anti-industry” villagers December 4

Climate change alters how plants go about their lives; here’s how

Scientists study 212 plant species across 5 botanical gardens in Germany   

Plant diversity rapidly declining in Germany

Plant diversity decreased by over 15% in over 70% of the 2,000 species examined in last 60 years

In a first, a thermal power plant decides to use DSI technology to curb SO2 emission

NTPC’s power plant in Dadri is the first in the country to decide on adopting DSI that is expected to lower SO2 emission and eliminate high …

NPAs in power sector: Banks looking at bad loans worth Rs 1.75 lakh crore

As many as 34 private power plants with a combined capacity of slightly over 40,000 MW have become stressed assets

Satellite data can help track exact air pollution from power plants

Air pollution is responsible for five million early deaths and 147 million years of healthy life lost, every year, worldwide 

Slurry from toilet biogas systems fetches Gujarat farmers better price

Slurry discharged by toilet-linked biogas plants, when used as manure, improved crop yield, its appearance and hence increased its market price …

Why we need better policy on reusing discontinued power plant site

Once a closure decision of power station is made, the land remains unutilised for six to 10 years

Okhla waste-energy plant gets show cause notice

The Timarpur Okhla Waste Management Company has been given 15 days to respond why they defied the terms of the Environment Clearance

Researchers to promote protein self-sufficiency in Finland

The action plan would help the country to build a sustainable and carbon-neutral food chain