Water crisis

Warning bell: Extreme weather is hitting India’s farmlands harder

With an increase in disaster risks, India needs to measure and assess its ‘disaster losses’ better

Fortified rice scheme to create Rs 3,000-crore market for just five big firms

The Centre’s decision to provide only fortified food items under government schemes rekindles the debate on whether fortification helps …

Parched Punjab

India's most agriculturally prosperous state, Punjab, is staring at an impending groundwater crisis. Over-extraction of groundwater and faulty …

Maharashtra approves field trials of GM food crops

Only GM cotton is grown in fields in India as of now

Crops losing protein

Fast foods

Handful of agrifood giants control global food markets, warns report

Food barons report finds China, India & Brazil are reordering global food chain; but retaining global North's extractive models

9 human-animal conflicts every day in Bandipore, Nagarhole National Park

Most of these involved crop and property damage, shows data by the Wildlife Conservation Society

Metals for food

Depleting groundwater sources compel farmers in Gujarat to use industrial effluents for irrigation

For the sake of caution

A decision to refuse clearance to GMOs should be based on good science and policy

Not just groundwater, flouride has poisoned agricultural soil, crops in Bengal

Farmers in Bankura and Purulia rely on groundwater, heavily contaminated with flouride, to cultivate crops  

UN Committee for World Food Security endorses voluntary guidelines to end hunger

The guidelines will contribute to realisation of global goals on  hunger and nutrition even as more than 3 billion people do not have access …

Earth links

Scientists identify genes that can increase drought resistance in plants

African ‘orphan’ crop varieties to help plants battle high temperatures  

Crops failing against rising temperatures, pest attacks: Study

Rising temperatures due to climate change may be compounding the stress on crops in multiple ways, it says

Worrying dip in global biodiversity

The proportion of livestock breeds at risk of extinction is increasing and plant diversity in farmers’ fields is decreasing, says a recent …

Climate disruption

Global warming has compromised Africa's ability to feed its population. It's time African nations adapt to the changing scenario

Fortified protection

New discovery of protein in plants’ immune systems can help create superior crops, boost agriculture

A flood of calcium surrounds plants’ stomata triggering them to close and resist pathogens; exactly how calcium entered cells remained …

Genetically modified food: Whose health, whose business

People are concerned about the possibility of eating GM food.  Can we not expect the government to ensure that they have the right to choose?

Piecemeal proposals

The recommended grain policy may help tackle the problem of plenty, but food insecurity will remain (Read full article)

SOUTH AFRICA

Fear of food grain crisis due to open procurement; increasing MSP coverage the solution, say experts

Buffer stock of wheat and rice in Food Corporation of India godowns double the normal 

Pollinators in peril