Agriculture

Fall Armyworm attack: 'It is the biggest pest attack ever'

The worm prefers maize, but its diet comprises up to 300 plant species, including vegetables and ornamental plants

Agriculture

'We can contain the pest'

India's temperature and atmospheric conditions are ideal for the spread of Fall Armyworm

Agriculture

'Pressure from banks pushes farmers to commit suicide'

One year since the Maharashtra farmer protests, Down To Earth speaks to Raghunath Dada Patil on the deepening crisis

Agriculture

‘Cashew Board will help procure raw cashew nut directly’

Rajesh R, Managing Director of Kerala State Cashew Workers Apex Industrial Co-operative Society (CAPEX), talks about the problems with the Indian cashew industry

Agriculture

‘Gender differences in internal migration patterns decrease as countries develop’

Social and employment policies affect migration but can have different impacts according to location and circumstances

Agriculture

'Achieving zero hunger requires agriculture to be sustainable, climate smart'

FAO India representative Tomio Shichiri talks to Down To Earth on whether current government policies are effective to achieve the Zero Hunger goal by 2030

Agriculture

'Farmer companies have triggered changes globally'

Roberto Logo, a specialist on farmer organisations and markets with a UN agency, on the development of corporate partnerships with Farmer Producer Companies across the globe

Agriculture

'Permaculture can feed the world'

A permaculturist who believes that hunger is more about distribution and quality of food than quantity and production, Malvikaa Solanki says it can end hunger and mitigate climate vagaries

Agriculture

'Suicidal thoughts among farmers can be triggered because of non-agricultural problems as well'

A new study is focusing on identifying vulnerable farmers in Punjab, Maharashtra and Telangana, the three states that experience high rate of suicide

Agriculture

'Biotechnology does not mean only GM crops'

The media and policy makers need to be sensitised more about the concept and advantages of biotechnologies in crop improvement for developing better varieties, which can lead to food and nutrition security

Agriculture

'Smallholder farmers are on the front lines of climate change'

After winning the Africa Food Prize 2016 for his advocacy to place smallholder farmers at centre of agricultural agenda, Kanayo F Nwanze explains how betterment of the community is necessary for world's food security 

Agriculture

How will the drought in India affect food prices worldwide?

Cristina Coslet is Country Monitor, Far East Asia at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Agriculture

'Kuwait could face serious climate change impacts over the next few decades'

Down To Earth speaks to Salman Zafar, founder of West Asian environmental group, EcoMENA on the green challenges facing the tiny Gulf nation of Kuwait  

Agriculture

'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

Agriculture

'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

Agriculture

'Farmers in Ladakh are among biggest victims of climate change'

After inventing the first artificial glacier in 1987, Chewang Norphel came to be known as “Ice Man of India”. He talks about how depleting glaciers and rains are affecting Ladakhis

Agriculture

'New GMO directive provides necessary legal framework to complex issue'

The European Commission says that with the directive, it has listened to the concerns of many European citizens, reflected in the positions expressed by their national governments

Agriculture

'Failing to support GM crops single most damaging element for growth'

The European Association for Bio-Industries (EuropaBio) says the decision by 16 EU nations to opt out of GMO crop cultivation has taken away the right of farmers to choose

Agriculture

'There is a need to introduce climate-smart agriculture in Africa'

In the southern African region, lack of sufficient rainfall led to failed harvests

Agriculture

'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 

Agriculture

'We are unable to produce quality seeds'

India is facing a shortage of pulses. Untimely rains have caused their prices to rise by up to 64 per cent in 2014-15. Experts say we need to invest in research to produce better seeds