Former Assistant Editor, Down To Earth
Agricultural biotechnolgies a boon for family farmers, say experts
A range of biotechnologies can help bring about high yields, improve nutrition quality and add value to the productivity of crops, livestock,…
Gravitational waves detection: Will this signal a new era in understanding the universe?
Detection of gravitational waves can explain why there was a sudden enlargement of the universe, called inflation, in the wee hours of the …
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 …
Southeast Asia’s mangroves under threat due to land conversion for cultivation
Study says expansion of rice agriculture in Myanmar and conversion of mangroves for oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia are leading to …
El Niño to affect food production, push up prices in Southern Africa, says report
The negative effect of El Niño will be felt in Central America, South-East Asia and the Pacific, says expert
Global production of wood products registers growth
Governments need to ensure that principles of sustainable forest management are enforced, says forestry expert
'Pulses contribute to diversified diet and are a potential source of income'
As we celebrate the declaration of 2016 as the International Year of Pulses, FAO's William Murray discussses their nutritional benefits
A green future ahead as world adopts historic climate deal
Suspense in Paris comes to an end after countries officially adopt new agreement to fight climate change
International Mountain Day: Highland people to face vagaries of weather, food insecurity
Released on the occasion of Mountain Day, two reports highlight climate threats to high altitude areas
International health agency warns of deaths due to climate change
In 2012, 7 million people died from air pollution-related diseases, making it the world’s largest single environmental health risk
'Agricultural censuses can monitor environmental changes'
From providing agricultural information for specific countries to identifying trends in the sector, censuses serve a variety of purpose
'People can farm insects to produce cheaper animal feed'
Senior FAO officer Paul Vantomme talks about food recycling, improved nutrition and the many uses of insects
Report bats for inclusion of insects as part of sustainable diet in future
The general attitude towards consumption of insects by humans is negative as insects are perceived as unclean and vectors of diseases
Sending out a strong message to the Zero Hunger Generation
The main challenge now is to engage young people to sustainably eradicate hunger and poverty globally by 2030
'Worldwide food losses and waste amount to 30-40 per cent of total production'
On the occasion of World Food Day, Rob Vos, strategic programme leader in FAO’s economic and social affairs division, talks about …
'Social protection: a safety net for agricultural households'
In the run up to World Food Day on October 16, a Food and Agriculture Organization report focuses on the role of social protection in …
Food prices to remain lower for longer, says FAO report
Reasons behind the trend include high inventory levels, lower oil prices and renewed strength of the US dollar
Dengue spreads its wings
Unusual weather pattern with long dry spells in the rainy season and lack of preparedness on the part of government were to blame for the outbreak&…
Why dengue is not the devil
Lack of preparedness in our fight against this vector-borne disease is much to blame for it spreading fast
El Niño-induced dry spell causes major crop loss in Central America
This is the second consecutive year when the sub-region’s main season harvest has been affected by dry weather
'The biggest driver of tropical deforestation is industrial agriculture'
Wealthy countries should provide adequate funding for tropical countries that conserve forests, says environmental economist Jonah Busch
Rising demand for coffee can create economic rift with poorer nations
Mass production has created harsher economic and ecological conditions in major coffee-growing nations
'People living in coastal regions likely to suffer from vector-borne diseases'
Besides taking a toll on human health, climate change gives rise to conflicts and migration
‘Still uncertain how Sundarbans mangroves will evolve under climate change’
Mangrove trees produce organic matter which raises the bed elevation; a process which counteracts the effects of sea level rise
Rising sea level poses risk to green turtle habitation in Australia
Scientists have become concerned that only 10 per cent of eggs are producing turtles on Raine Island compared to 90 per cent elsewhere