Harvesting joy or sorrow?
Global warming would decrease crop production in developing countries but increase it in the industrialised world
What the budget holds for the agriculture sector in Kenya
The agriculture sector, which has received a slightly bigger share of the budget, remains vital to the country’s economic recovery strategy
‘Rationalising subsidies, improving infrastructure could revive agri-sector’
For every million rupees spent on agricultural research, 328 people are pulled out of poverty. In contrast, the same amount spent on power …
Now an app to help farmers practice precision agriculture
By determining health of the crops using hyperspectral imaging of crop leaves, the app could help in rational use of fertilisers
Moily bats for GM trials
After he revives regulatory body for GM crops, industry demands removal of state clearances
‘Largest public collection of unique plant germplasm in the world up for private takeover’
Restructuring of CGIAR ‘represents a threat to democratic and local control of food systems’, warns United Nations Special Rapporteur …
No artificial flavours
British researchers have come up with a programme that tones down the use of artificial chemicals on farms heavily
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 …
Farmers face a soaring risk of flash droughts in every major food-growing region in coming decades, new research shows
One way to help agriculture adapt to the rising risk is to improve forecasts for rainfall and temperature
Value in the weed: Profit potential of green and leafy bathua
Bathua is in demand for its nutrition and taste. Improved varieties of the weed can make it popular among farmers
Day temperature, not daylight, influences beans flowering: study
The findings of Bengaluru-based researchers may help farmers plant the right varieties to optimise yields
To reduce environmental impact, change the way we produce food: study
The biggest hurdle is finding uniform production processes across diverse geographies and climatic conditions
Climate change to affect rice productivity, finds a new study
Elevated temperature was found to have a negative impact on rice productivity, even nullifying the positive effects of higher level of CO2 …
Plant microbiomes are not exactly a ‘treasure-trove’
Breeding plants with more beneficial bacteria to feed the world won’t be simple, study says
Pseudo science
- S K HANDA Former head, division of agricultural chemistry, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, writes in Agriculture Today (…
Delhi University's gene mystery
Department of Science and Technology has no idea where GM lines in a high-profile case came from and who gave permission for research
Low Pulse
Spiralling prices of pulses have shown India’s dependence on imports. Pulses are integral to India’s diet but not its food policy. As …
India’s R&D expenditure has tripled in a decade
However, the composition of R&D expenditure in India contrasted sharply when compared with select developed and emerging economies
Breach of trust
The world’s premier rice research institute tilts towards intellectual property rights
Rajasthan’s olive dream
An expensive project to grow imported olive trees is not yielding enough oil, and imposing other costs
The fifth element: Why radhuni needs to be mainstreamed
Wild celery is specific to Bengali cuisine and is usually consumed as part of panch phoron
Future of Indian agriculture and small farmers: Role of policy, regulation and farmer agency
The distress among small farmers in India is market-driven to a large extent in both ways — too much protection (minimum support price) or …
The age of discovery
Research in rice genomics could be the key to eradicating hunger through environmentally sustainable methods, says Latha Rangan
Sweet ’n’ sour
Moringa and tamarind are popularly known as the trees of life for Indians. Moringa is in fashion as the world eyes India to feed its frenzy for …
Pulses, neglected for long
Despite being a world leader in pulses production, India has been forced to import due to crop loss and seed deficit. The sharp rise in prices is …