Air pollution in news on April 11

Here’s a round-up of today’s news reports and debates on air pollution

Marathwada floods: at least 12 killed; crops worth Rs 500 crore damaged

Floods affected 1,700 villages and also claimed lives of 183 animals

Rabi crop acreage witnesses a decline, pulses fare the worst

Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat among states affected; change in rainfall pattern likely reason

GM crops: Here to stay

The Indian government is dead keen on GM crops. But what about a policy first?

Outbreak of Moroccan locusts will destroy 25% of annual wheat production in Afghanistan: FAO

Left untreated, locust population can increase 100 times next year

Andhra farmers turn masons, milkmen despite state getting ‘decent’ rain; here is why

They blame lack of remuneration, rising input costs and accumulating debt

Maharashtra may become 8th state to opt out of Centre's flagship crop insurance scheme

The state is considering rolling out its own insurance programme for farmers

Bihar floods: Lives of thousands upended in north districts as water refuses to recede

The standing floodwater damaged crops across hectares

Erratic rain to hit agri, livestock in Mauritania, Senegal

Food and Agriculture Organization warned west African countries

Fall Armyworm attack: Dependence on maize hits Telangana farmers hard

Monocropping maize prepared a ground for the pest attack in the state

Simply put: Strike of the fall armyworm

‘Future 50’ food items identified in new report

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

Impact of stalled monsoon: 30-45% decline in sowing of kharif crops in June

Cotton, oilseeds, pulses and coarse cereals are among the worst-hit crops

Yielding to pressure

As told to Parliament (December 14, 2022): Cancer cases, deaths in India rose in 2022

The number of cases rose to 1,461,427 in 2022 from 1,426,447 in 2021

Sustainable agriculture: Punjab needs policies to support crop diversification

Growing maize instead of paddy can reduce water use by 60-70% 

A year of hunger: How the Russia-Ukraine war is worsening climate-linked food shortages

Many low-income nations who are net food importers are bracing for a year of hunger

Simply Put: Polluter pays? Really?

Fall Armyworm attack: Deadliest pest epidemic grips India

In nine months, the pest has spread to 10 Indian states causing widespread crop damage

Government denies demonetisation affected agriculture

Denial comes after agriculture ministry tells Parliament panel cash crunch hurt farmers

Pest attacks continue to threaten Africa’s food security

Amidst crop losses, researchers call for using genetically modified maize

Point of no Agri-return

Exploring India's unprecedented agrarian crisis

Unseasonal rainfall damages Rabi crops for seventh consecutive season

Primary estimate puts crop loss at around 10-15 per cent till now

Cabinet gives nod to new agriculture insurance scheme

The new scheme will be unable to address the existing agrarian crises, say experts

Poor harvest

Punjab farmers are reaping losses