Keeper of grains

An ecologist has been guarding seeds of more than 750 rare rice varieties for over a decade

A treasure too good to lose

Mexicans are fighting hard to save their traditional maize from the onslaught of GM hybrids and US exports

Kagga in peril

This rice can tolerate brackish water but is on the brink of extinction. Can government save it?

Japanese biopiracy of our Ballia barley

Japan’s Sapporo brewery patents Indian barley gene without giving benefit to farmers

Legislation for a few

Benefits of the Act that encourages conservation of plants reach few farmers

"Farmers' wisdom must be on paper in era of patents"

Treasure and the tricks

Conserving genetic purity of 750 varieties of rice with limited resources like a small piece of land and no workforce is a major challenge. Debal …

Science & Technology - Briefs

In celebration of biodiversity

Saving rice

Rice is at the heart of a fierce strategy debate as the country prepares to launch the second Green Revolution in the eastern states. …

Exploiting Asia's biodiversity can ensure food security, end hunger

Biodiversity for food and agriculture is among the Earth’s most important resources

Vegetarian and dairy-based diet can ensure optimal use of agricultural land

A research in USA finds that shifting to lacto-vegetarian diet can provide for 1.3 to 2.6 times more people

Indian scientists develop transgenic rice that can withstand drought

Under water scarce conditions created in laboratory, the transgenic rice performed better than their unmodified counterparts

New farming technique helps resist flood and drought in Gorakhpur

Farmers in Gorakhpur have re-learnt the art to adapt to erratic weather conditions through multi-crop farming

Indigenous appeal

Farmers in West Bengal are going back to indigenous rice varieties, with a little encouragement

Promoting permaculture can put an end to GMO culture in India

Experts at the 13th Permaculture Convergence in Telangana reposed faith in permaculture and urged farmers to explore this as an alternative to …

Can Baiga millet be part of mainstream?

The Sikiya millet grows on its own in the bewar plots managed by the Baigas. Currently, IIMR is working towards establishing …

New web-based platform to help with micro irrigation

Researchers have come up with a web-based application that helps design customised micro-irrigation systems for individual agricultural fields

‘Future 50’ food items identified in new report

It also emphasises that food diversity across the world is being lost

Why potato's cousins remain neglected

Tubers come in all shapes, sizes and colours, and pack quite a punch

Report flags growing threat of monoculture in crop production

Only 9 plant species account for 66 per cent of total crop production, says Food and Agriculture Organisation 2019 report

Indian olives: The most under-utilised fruit crop

Jalpai, the Indian olive, is an under-researched fruit which is used to make sweet and sour recipes

Biodiversity Day: Focus on food biodiversity and human health

Sustainable management of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes and seascapes can support the transition towards healthy diets, says UN …

NASA releases new global maps mapping groundwater, soil wetness

Groundwater and soil moisture are crucial for irrigation and crop growth  

Cheruvayal Raman’s paddy project: 20 years, 54 varieties, 1 national award

This 70-year old farmer's lifelong mission is to save Kerala's traditional rice varieties