Science and Technology - Briefs

Kerala says no to GM crop

Scientists identify genes that can increase drought resistance in plants

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

Agriculture is egocentric

Norman Uphoff, professor emeritus of government and international agriculture at Cornell University, US, likes to say that the system of rice …

Straw in the wind

Punjab's paddy dilemma

In 2009, Punjab became the first state in the country to enact a law banning the sowing of rice before a stipulated date. The aim was to arrest …

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 …

South Asia

Poor regulators do not a rich country make

Global food crisis: causes and implications for India

Is there a global crisis unravelling? World food reserves are at their lowest in 25 years and the prices of most food crops are at a record high. …

Flash droughts hit nearly 15% rice, maize areas in 1951-2018 monsoons: Study

At least 39 flash droughts occurred in 1951-2018; 82% occurred during the monsoon season, the study found 

Thirty Million, a documentary on Bangladesh and that sinking feeling

This documentary by Daniel Price and Adrien Taylor explores the adverse impact of climate change on Bangladesh' landscape, food security and …

GM field trials now need panchayat nod

South Asia

Climate crisis in North East India: Why Nagaland’s Liphi, Runchan villages saw floods never seen before

Nagaland’s Wokha district experienced at least 3 heavy-to-very heavy rainfall events in 2018 

Global Eco Watch: Chinese pink dolphin numbers rise in Pearl river estuary

Down To Earth brings you the top happenings in the world of global ecology

In deep water

Rivers Krishna and Mahanadi are in crisis. In the race to industrialise, states have drawn plans to exploit their last drop. For four decades, …

Amid protests over agri laws let's look at how some countries support farmers

Every day, 54, mostly developed countries give nearly $2 billion in support to their farmers

Enhanced food security and soil biodiversity: A climate-positive approach

Conservation of soil biodiversity, soil organic carbon through sustainable farming practices should be deemed essential to improve agricultural …

Air pollution damages crops more than climate change

Study finds that black carbon and ozone pollution in India has significantly cut wheat and rice yield

Global Eco Watch: 1.2 million Indians died of snake bites in last 20 years

Down To Earth brings you the top happenings in the world of global ecology

Organic farming: Reaping mixed benefits

Contradictory state of affairs in two Uttaranchal villages highlights both potential and obstacles of organic farming. The paradox has cropped up …

Letters

Letters

EC stops import of US long-grain rice