60% of Africa’s food is based on wheat, rice and maize – the continent’s crop treasure trove is being neglected

Historically, Africa had 30,000 edible plant species, and 7,000 were traditionally cultivated or foraged for food

Tracing the history of farming across Africa gives clues to low production outputs

The focus must move from what the developed world dictates to what Africa needs. This requires countries developing production systems and …

Survival menu

Bajra is nutritious, tasty and freely available

This common weed can offer drought-resistant crops

Scientists integrated two metabolic pathways to produce a novel type of photosynthesis that enables the weed to withstand drought while remaining …

A third of global cropland will be drought-hit by 2040 if emissions don’t stop: Report

The yield of staple crops could be globally hit in a business-as-usual scenario for emissions, just at the time when more food is required, …

‘Biodiversity is integral to maintaining food security’

National Biodiversity Authority representative underlines importance of all food crops at Chennai meet

No GM Mustard for now; Centre puts commercial release on hold following protests

In May, the government panel had cleared commercial release of GM Mustard with certain conditions

Spice woes

Thousands of Mizoram farmers now face an impending financial crisis, thanks to the apathy of the state government

India lost crops on 18 million hectares to extreme floods from 2017-2019: Govt

Madhya Pradesh hardest-hit; figures show gross underestimation of crop losses due to floods

Now compatible with innovation

Scientists unearth plant gene that will help effortlessly develop hybrids of many crops

How did COVID-19 pandemic pan out for India’s farmers? Check out these 8 charts

43% respondents were ‘worried about the food’, 21% ate ‘less than usual’, 14% skipped meals completely, while 5% went &…

Mineral-packed crops

Poor-proof

The 'relevance' of GM crops to the needs of developing countries and 'ownership' of GM has to be guided by sound policy

Post-production

Labelling informs the consumer on whether a product contains GM content. Europe has adopted labelling, but the US objects

Pollen travails

Flying GM pollen raises a range of concerns. These should be taken note of when going in for GM crops

Safety first

The health effects of GM foods can only be known over the long term. Safety evaluations should take this into account

Unprepared

GM crops have been introduced into India. But the country lacks a comprehensive policy to regulate them

‘Approval of GM mustard may threaten food security, increase pesticide tolerance’

Activists write to environment ministry against allowing commercial use of genetically modified crops

Illegal GM Soybean: Farmers’ body demands CBI probe into GEAC inaction  

The biosafety regulatory body denies receiving any complain about illegal cultivation of GM Soybean in some parts of Gujarat

Locust attack: Nine Odisha districts under alert, officials asked to keep vigil

The government has started control rooms at state- and district- levels to ward off locusts  

How balanced soil nutrient management can save Indian agriculture

The ill-effects of imbalanced application of fertilisers — which leads to soil sickness, decline in soil health and reduces crop …

Sudden rains damage Bihar’s rabi crops

Farmers expected a decline in the production of fruits — including mangoes and litchis

Locust attack: 40 of MP’s 55 districts hit

Temporary control camps, continuous spray of insecticides are among measures taken to control locust attack

Failure to study climate change impact on wild foods can show on global health indicators

Climate change is set to take the benefits of eating good food away from us

Meagre gains