From identifying plant pests to picking fruit, AI is reinventing how farmers produce your food

A sophisticated form of artificial intelligence known as deep learning could help make agriculture more efficient and environmentally friendly

People of Maharashtra exposed to sub-standard drugs: CAG report

About 1,006 cases of sub-standard drugs were reported between 2012 and 2017, but FDA failed to recall most of these drugs

Huge protest in Jharkhand against cash transfer scheme

People want Direct Benefit Transfer system to be replaced with old practice of getting rice at Re 1/kg at the ration shop

Increased consumption of ultra-processed food linked to rising cases of cancer

10 per cent increase in proportion of ultra-processed food in diets could lead to a 12 per cent increase in overall cancer risk

Locust attack: 40 of MP’s 55 districts hit

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

How our food choices cut into forests and put us closer to viruses

The food most associated with biodiversity loss also tends to also be connected to unhealthy diets across the globe

Re-imagining food systems crucial for climate, economic resilience: Nutrition report

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic pushes government to act on reforms of food systems with urgency

Lateral Thoughts: A recipe best avoided

Dependence on food import is not the solution for preventing biodiversity loss or decreasing greenhouse gas emissions

Uttarakhand opens biodiversity park in Haldwani to encourage conservation

The state’s rich botanical heritage is facing threats from climate change, degrading landscapes, habitat loss and development activities

Tackling AMR: For LMICs, prevention is the best solution, say experts at CSE's international workshop

Recommendations from workshop to inform High-Level Meeting on AMR scheduled at UN General Assembly later this year

Gut microbes that digest cellulose are declining, especially in industrialised nations

Industrialised nations tend to prefer processed food ingredients over a plant-based diet with increased fibre levels  

SC reserves judgement on environmental release of GM mustard

The apex court stated it will determine what is best for the nation in a “highly technical” and scientific matter  

Himachal stops tree planting on pastures in Chamba to protect traditional pastoral routes

Globally, lands sustained by pastoralism form the largest carbon sink

Iron rice: Increasing diversity in diet is a better solution to anaemia than chemical fortification

Instead of fortification, the quality of diet should be improved, experts feel

How COVID-19 measures have affected food safety in East Africa

Livestock and cereal farmers faced a drastic loss of demand

64% of world’s arable land at risk of pesticide pollution: Study

Asia home to largest land areas at high risk of pesticide pollution

Half of Indians above 45 either undernourished or overweight: Health ministry study

In Chattisgarh, every third individual in the age group was malnourished 

Locust attack: Govt caught completely unawares, minister admits

Instead of taking accountability, Rajasthan, Centre, blame each other, Pakistan

Locust attack: Swarms pose most serious threat since 1993

Area measuring 370,000 hectares in Gujarat and Rajasthan affected

Carcinogen Aflatoxin detected in FSSAI milk survey samples

The highest rates of aflatoxin contamination were found in Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Kerala

Nigeria first to approve Bt cowpea, Ghana may follow

Nigeria has to import cowpea to meet demand for its most important legume

Health in news on May 16

You may be drinking tiny pieces of plastic with bottled water

A study says that 93% of bottled water contains microplastics

War in Sudan enters its breadbasket, threatens to worsen hunger, malnutrition

A third of Sudanese in need of emergency food aid; country faces the greatest displacement crisis in history

Easy access, longer shelf life, promotion: ICRISAT finds reasons why rural India shifted to sugars & carbs

Healthy fruits, cereals & vegetables are also becoming difficult to source, finds research