India experienced an extreme weather event on 314 of 365 days last year
The events from January 1 to December 31, 2022, claimed 3,026 lives, affected 1.96 million hectares of crop area, 423,249 houses and killed over …
India now has 212 indigenous livestock breeds after ICAR-NBAGR registers 10 new ones
The 10 new breeds included three new cattle, one buffalo, three goats and three pigs
Ethiopia releases atlas to map livestock disease caused by the tsetse fly
African animal trypanosomosisis, caused by tsetse fly, is a huge problem for African livestock farmers
Remembering Anil Agarwal: India needs a Gobar Minister
Today is the death anniversary of Anil Agarwal, the founder of Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth. He wrote this editorial …
2022 too short, too far: A tough year for farmers, cattle owners
Down To Earth recaps the primary environment, health and developmental news from 2022
Burp control: How can methane released in livestock belches be reduced? Scientists are trying various options
Scientists are experimenting with seaweed as well as concoctions having several other ingredients to make the specialised digestive system of …
Rice, integral to Madagascar, may be hastening the decline of its unique biodiversity; here is how
Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot; most of the plants, animals, insects and fungi found there are not found anywhere else
‘Ethnoveterinary medicines can be used as preventives and curatives’
Down To Earth spoke to MNB Nair from the Center for Ethno-Veterinary Science and Practice, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences …
World AMR Awareness Week: How ethnoveterinary medicines combat antimicrobial resistance
The biggest USP of ethnoveterinary medicines is that they can be prepared at home; simple ingredients of EVMs can work against several …
Antimicrobial Resistance: New CSE report focuses on major ethnoveterinary medicine programme
AMR has been recognised as a ‘silent pandemic’ and is a global public health threat today
Antimicrobial resistance: Here are some practices that can improve milk quality, cattle health
There is a lack of knowledge and expertise regarding how to limit the use of antibiotics at the farm level without harming cattle health
Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak shows livestock diseases are not just about animals; here is why
Down To Earth reports from Rajasthan and Delhi on how outbreaks like Lumpy Skin Disease have harsh economic and food security implications and …
Ground Report: Lumpy Skin Disease has created a livelihood crisis for India’s small dairy farmers
Livestock farming is the mainstay for most of India’s poorest farmers, especially in arid and semi-arid regions; they have no other source …
Wild spread of lumpy skin disease in Rajasthan may have been triggered by climate change
Vectors of the viral disease thrive during periods of heavy rainfall like the kind the state witnessed this year
Simply Put: The cow and the cheetah
Lumpy skin disease outbreak: Indigenous vaccine still awaits emergency-use clearance
Launched a month ago; Concerns over efficacy, production causing delay
Declare lumpy skin an epidemic, say Uttar Pradesh cattle owners; seek aid
Experts say mortality rate may have gone up to 10-15%, WHO has to declare the disease an epidemic first
Lumpy disease: 35,000 cattle killed in 9 states
Multiplication of vectors, stray cattle main reasons behind spread
Cattle herders in western Rajasthan suffer heavy losses due to Lumpy Skin Disease
Some 749 animals have died of the disease in Jodhpur division alone
Lumpy skin disease epidemic in Saurashtra; 39 animals dead: Govt
Government takes measures to control epidemic spread in animals; over 25,000 cattle vaccinated across affected areas
In a first, New Zealand proposes to tax farmers for livestock burps
Livestock emissions are a major source of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas; New Zealand has more livestock than people
One step too far: Madras High Court ban on forest grazing may hurt on forest dwellers, biodiversity
Madras High Court's decision to ban cattle grazing in Tamil Nadu's forests will have far-reaching impacts on forest-dwelling communities and …
Why is north India suffering from a fodder crisis
The rise in wheat straw prices is a combined consequence of an unrelenting summer, water shortage as well as better prices for other crops like …
North India faces an acute fodder shortage, courtesy wheat crisis, climate change
Wheat straw is being sold at Rs 1,100-1,700 per quintal; it was being sold at Rs 400-600 per quintal last year
Over half of India’s cattle, goats, sheep and swine are non-descript: Government
New government report finds fewer indigenous individuals among these species, although experts blame non-registration of breeds as a reason