Traditional seeds need to be conserved for organic farming
At the 19th Organic World Congress, more than 55 groups have come together to call for the conservation of indigenous seeds and shunning GM crops
Despite having toilets at home, many in rural India choose to defecate in open
Programmes launched to promote use of latrines have failed to influence sanitation behaviours of many people
Outstanding grain
The aromatic enigma makes basmati a clear winner among grains. The lack of knowledge of what traditional basmati is and an inability to take …
Scientists identify genes that can increase drought resistance in plants
African ‘orphan’ crop varieties to help plants battle high temperatures
Punjab's paddy dilemma
In 2009, Punjab became the first state in the country to enact a law banning the sowing of rice before a stipulated date. The aim was to arrest …
Rice at risk
Growing paddy is not viable for small farmers of Kerala. Will the state be able to preserve the crop which delivers a number of ecological …
Flash droughts hit nearly 15% rice, maize areas in 1951-2018 monsoons: Study
At least 39 flash droughts occurred in 1951-2018; 82% occurred during the monsoon season, the study found
Thirty Million, a documentary on Bangladesh and that sinking feeling
This documentary by Daniel Price and Adrien Taylor explores the adverse impact of climate change on Bangladesh' landscape, food security and …
Climate crisis in North East India: Why Nagaland’s Liphi, Runchan villages saw floods never seen before
Nagaland’s Wokha district experienced at least 3 heavy-to-very heavy rainfall events in 2018
Amid protests over agri laws let's look at how some countries support farmers
Every day, 54, mostly developed countries give nearly $2 billion in support to their farmers
Enhanced food security and soil biodiversity: A climate-positive approach
Conservation of soil biodiversity, soil organic carbon through sustainable farming practices should be deemed essential to improve agricultural …
Dying for ration: Centre to give free foodgrains to 813 million from New Year, but what of those excluded
Coverage of the National Food Security Act is still done on the basis of the outdated 2011 Census
Air pollution damages crops more than climate change
Study finds that black carbon and ozone pollution in India has significantly cut wheat and rice yield
Organic farming: Reaping mixed benefits
Contradictory state of affairs in two Uttaranchal villages highlights both potential and obstacles of organic farming. The paradox has cropped up …
Activists urge FSSAI to reconsider planned fortification of rice, oil
Instead of food fortification, the food regulator needed to promote organically grown, biodiverse food for people, ASHA said
How Odisha is revalorising minor millets
Despite their glorious past, millets have been sidelined in farms and on food plates over the years
Save and Grow: a guide to sustainable cereal production
The technique focuses on conservation agriculture, maintaining soil health, selecting crops with higher yield potential and greater resistance to …
Provide farmers with means to salvage wet grains, M S Swaminathan tells states
Agriculture scientist also suggests maintaining seed reserves for growing alternate short-duration crops
Lateral Thoughts: A recipe best avoided
Dependence on food import is not the solution for preventing biodiversity loss or decreasing greenhouse gas emissions
Paddy fields burning: Smog shrouds national capital
The smoke resulting from burning crop residues combined with vehicular emissions make the air we breathe deadly
Punjab bats for direct seeding of rice. But will it help farmers?
Lack of migrant labourers in the wake of COVID-19-fuelled reverse migration has prompted state government to abandon traditional transplantation …
Saffola study, a marketing ploy?
Saffolalife’s online survey on risk of cardiovascular diseases could help Marico which positions its Saffola oil brands as healthy for heart
Debating science risks
Chinese scientists appear to be more open to discussing the risks and ethics of new technologies than their Indian counterparts
Abandon paddy, build IT hubs: Montek
Planning Commission deputy chairperson gets flak for his advice to Kerala at investors' meet
Maharashtra women missed meals during COVID-19 lockdown, finds survey
10% of the 946 women surveyed skipped one meal a day; 7% skipped two meals a day