‘Crop residue can boost soil health’
Andy MacDonald, manager, Rothamsted long-term experiments, Rothamsted Research, UK, speaks to Down To Earth on key findings of the Broadbalk …
This 45-year-old makes farming profitable for the entire Soliga tribe
Prakash roped in 30 Soliga farmers and 1,000 other marginal farmers and formed a collective to set up a millet processing unit in Karnataka's …
Why farmers in Uttarakhand prefer indigenous seeds over hybrids
In Uttarakhand, farmers are slowly shifting away from hybrid seeds to traditional varieties. They find the traditional seeds better …
Biopesticide: an organic and eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticide
Harendra Singh Lodhiyal is a farmer who promotes sustainable and eco-friendly farming in Ramgarh block of Nainital district, Uttarakhand. He …
Can farming mean a permanent renewal of life?
For the past three decades, the practice of permaculture has found acceptance from not just rural communities in India but also from urbanites …
The grapes of growth
After setting the trend of grape cultivation in Sangli district, Ganapathyrao Mhetre is all set to introduce organic farming techniques
India’s natural, organic farming strategy for rice and wheat
This can help in targeting global export market, thereby feeding the world population and getting valuable foreign exchange for the country
Going Dutch
The Netherlands leads the way in sustainable investments -- funds that go towards the setting up of projects that are ecologically viable
Farewell to fertilisers
The Netherlands' position as an agricultural superpower stands threatened... unless it shifts to eco-friendlier organic cultivation
'Avartansheel Kheti' changing lives with periodic, proportionate farming
Avartansheel Kheti is based on the philosophy of A Nagraj, who was a proponent of harmonious co-existence
Krack-a-Dawna: How a young couple pioneered natural farming in Mysuru
Today, after 37 years, Vivek and Julie are involved in helping mitigate rural problems through activism and policy
DTE Reportage: How to make organic farming click
DTE travelled across India to find that better market access is key to successful regenerative agriculture
The way ahead for low-emission agriculture
Direct emission of greenhouse gases reduces substantially by switching to organic fertilisers
The government needs to midwife Indian agriculture to an organic revolution
Instead of making it difficult for the organic farmers, government should devise methods to reduce the complexity of the certification process
More than 30 per cent of world’s organic producers are in India
But they are mostly marginal farmers sharing only 2.59 per cent of total area under organic cultivation
Agriculture as part of climate mitigation and adaptation
The agriculture sector contributes up to 25 per cent of the total anthropogenic emissions
The golden grains
A new polymer can increase crop yields phenomenally by improving the water-retaining ability of soil and seeds
Why guava is attractive for farmers & consumers alike
Used in street food, chutneys and perfumes, the climate-resistant fruit is a clear option for farmers
Going the bio way
The Biovillage project provides rural folk the finance and technical knowhow to cultivate for the market while conserving water and soil
Return to haven
A couple decided to give up the city life and experiment with a sustainable, agrarian lifestyle. Their efforts are bearing fruit after 15 years …
How turmeric became tribal south Rajasthan’s ‘saviour spice’
The success of organic turmeric cultivation in Dungarpur proves that it isn't necessary to look towards global crops like BT cotton as saviours
Strategic ally: How an organic food company expanded farm-to-fork philosophy to promote chemical-free practices
Organic food company goes beyond marketing, sales strategies to support farmers moving away from chemical-free practices
Sri Lanka’s inorganic transition to organic farming
Sri Lanka's decision to move to organic farming is not behind its food shortage given that a majority of the farmers have not even started the …
Organic farming: How Indian states are stepping up the act
Organic farming is in a nascent stage in India. Some states have taken the lead in improving organic farming coverage, but a major part of the …
Bitter organic brew
Falling income and lukewarm market are forcing organic coffee growers to go back to chemical fertilisers