New leaked chapter of Asia trade deal shows RCEP will undercut farmers’ control over seeds
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership threatens to increase corporate power in member countries, leaving ordinary people with little rights
Why Nairobi must spread the right food message in an unhealthy environment
Residents in Nairobi's urban slums are opting for fast food rather than healthy alternatives, which is increasing their risk of …
India opposes patent application by British company
Earlier, an attempt by Colgate-Palmolive to use patent on a mouthwash was also foiled
Fishery degradation in Pakistan: A poverty-environment nexus?
The number of fishing vessels in Pakistani coastal waters has been steadily increasing but the fish catches steadily decreasing. Press reports …
Shark in a soup
The fish, high in demand for its fin, is dwindling in the Indian waters. Will a mere ban on finning protect it?
'Permaculture can feed the world'
A permaculturist who believes that hunger is more about distribution and quality of food than quantity and production, Malvikaa Solanki says …
Meet the Kerala farmer who preserves genetic diversity of rice
He received the National Plant Genome Saviour Award for his efforts towards conserving 45 varieties of rice seeds
Agricultural biotechnolgies a boon for family farmers, say experts
A range of biotechnologies can help bring about high yields, improve nutrition quality and add value to the productivity of crops, livestock,…
Conference on ‘slow food’ kicks off in Meghalaya
Speakers insist on the importance of reflecting on evolving food and agro ecological issues of indigenous people
Traditional seeds need to be conserved for organic farming
At the 19th Organic World Congress, more than 55 groups have come together to call for the conservation of indigenous seeds and shunning GM crops
The Avon lady lifts our biodiversity
Loopholes in the Biological Diversity Act being used to export India’s genetic material
A journey called change
Their struggle for survival and progress has shaped the understanding of environmentalism both at the national and global levels and influenced …
Rice at risk
Growing paddy is not viable for small farmers of Kerala. Will the state be able to preserve the crop which delivers a number of ecological …
Resort to heritage
Bangladesh is betting big on its traditional form of farming: floating gardens. Can it help climate-proof the country?
Contaminating millets
There is disquiet over government scheme to wean traditional millet farmers on chemical inputs
Big step for biocultural rights
The Nagoya Protocol promotes community stewardship of genetic resources. India needs to foster this
Women in Odisha village take charge to fast track community forest rights
This isn’t the first time women have come together to not only protect forests, but also voice their demand for recognition of the Forest …
Sunita Narain talks about good food
Food is becoming sterile and processed, says Sunita Narain at the launch of the First Food: Culture of Taste, a Down To Earth publication
Farmers need resilient value chains to combat climate impact
Emerging social entrepreneurs are helping restore forest and farmland ecosystems by supporting smallholder farmers without access and …
Common concerns
As the commons come under increasing assault, academics, practitioners and policymakers come together to devise ways to protect shared resources
‘Painting with fire’: How northern Australia developed one of the world’s best bushfire management programmes
From April to June each year, fire managers aim to create small, ‘cool’ fires with care and precision to reduce fuel loads before …
India needs rural innovations for boosting economy: study
Overall, India's strong pool of skilled, English-speaking graduates would aid in expansion of the country's services sector, says report
Capturing the monsoons
It's a season that inspires and engages everyone, from the farmer to the policy maker. From the scientist to the travel writer. From the …
Rural women have resilience to cope with climate risks: study
Women use creative ways to manage food and nutrition security in their households in lean months, shows an ongoing study in Faizabad, Uttar …
Make forestry policies people-centric, says FAO
UN agency’s latest state of the forests report says poverty alleviation and rural employment should be the ulterior driving force in …