Land grabbing intensity doubled in last four years, says report
Land deals primarily target areas previously used for agriculture, which increases competition for land and the potential for conflicts
In the Parliament on March 15, 2016
Here’s a round-up of today’s debates and reports on environmental and developmental issues
'Indigenous Rice Seeds' central to sustainable farming in India
Changing climate and erratic weather events have forced agriculturists to revisit traditional rice varities that had once lost their popularity …
Creepy-crawlies on my plate
The writer tasted creepy crawly creatures during a conference on indigenous food in Shillong, Meghalaya
'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
Biotechnology assures leap in production
Tissue culture can change the face of agriculture, asserts Ajit Thomas, who heads a firm that has gone in a big way for biotechnology …
Beware of the developers
In its bid to get out of poverty, the Bihar government has finalised a plan to drain out lakes and convert them to farmlands. But it seems to be …
Environment for change
Shifting over to sustainable agriculture requires a new climate for convincing and aiding farmers to change the existing practices
Ungreening the revolution
A programme initiated with much drum-beating, the green revolution has not just backfired but even eroded traditional systems of farming. Farmers …
"All idiot farmers commit suicide"
Shubhranshu Choudhary finds out why farmers’ suicide is such a touchy subject in Chhattisgarh
Smart farming
Two IITians explore ways to make farming profitable for Bihar farmers
Andhra Pradesh plans separate budget for agriculture and allied sectors
It would include a Rs 100-crore pilot project to introduce solar pump sets
Seed bill retake
Monitor seed prices, not just quality, say farmer groups
Food Systems Summit: How government is robbing billions of dollars from farmers
India’s policies block farmers’ earning in order to keep food cost low for consumers, according to the latest UN report
On slippery peel: Can India’s banana cultivation face Panama wilt
Panama wilt infection has ruined banana plantations across the world for 50 years now. While scientists are trying to find solutions in natural …
Maharashtra rejects more agri insurance claims even as farm suicides double
No data on suicides across India since 2015; number of claim rejections far exceeded number of cases approved in 2016-18
India’s time to lead at the WTO
USA’s price suppression and market distortions in cotton is threatening Indian and African producers
Onion traders from Nashik surrender licences over demand to roll back 40% export duty
Fifteen APMCs from the district are responsible for daily trade worth worth Rs 30-40 crore
Dissent on Seeds Bill
Kerala and Bihar want amendments
Nano fertilisers: Parliamentary report suggests close audit of field trials to see long-term effects
An audit by Department of Fertilisers found 25-50% variation in saving nitrogen use after applying nano urea
Bring law to guarantee minimum support price: Bharatiya Kisan Sangh
RSS organ voices opposition to provisions of recent farm laws after farmers across spectrum hit streets in protest
Wars, speeches and land
On May 6, 2011 three employees of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation were held hostage by villagers from Bhatta and Parsual in …
Seeds from the past
For a decade, 200 villages in Odisha have conserved and grown 190 indigenous rice and millet varieties with proven climate resilience
Cyclic droughts in Marathwada fuels underage ‘gate-cane’ marriages
Practice of 'gate-cane weddings' convert adolescent girls into wives and labourers
Seeds of solace
Jharkhand’s Pahariya tribe aims to achieve seed independence by depositing native varieties in community-led banks