Grain of truth
India's public distribution system promotes rice and wheat. These water-intensive crops require more inputs and are less nutritious as compared …
New eel discovered in Odisha after researcher mistakes it for another species
A researcher had initially collected individuals of the new species thinking it is rice-paddy eel
Crop nutrient management using digital tool improves yield, reduces greenhouse gas emissions: Study
More than 80% of 1,594 participating farmers reported an increased crop yield and farm income, according to the study
Ancient DNA is revealing the genetic landscape of people who first settled East Asia
It has shown rapid shifts in ancestry over the last 10,000 years across Asia, likely due to migration and cultural exchange
COP 21 and India's plan on climate change: What does it mean for our food systems and cultures?
For any food security strategy for the future to be climate-resilient, it must move away from the industrial, agribusiness model
UN body sets limit on arsenic levels in rice
Codex Commission to develop a new code of practice to help countries comply with the standard
The escape route
Punjab, which accounts for only 1.5 per cent of the total geographical area of the country, cannot continue producing for the whole country. It …
Cancer-struck
Incidence of cancer and other diseases have increased. But callous officials prefer to call it a 'coincidence'
Punjab: end of the revolution ?
Cost of production has spiralled, but the rate of increase in production has not shown a similar trend. Ecological and social costs, meanwhile, …
Back in f(l)avour
Entry of high yielding hybrid rice has spelt doom for traditional diversity in the Konkan belt. Thanks to a science academy, the ancient legacy …
Going off course
As the Cauvery river dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu gets reduced to a politico-legal wrangle, focal issues remain unaddressed
Kerala must opt for heat-tolerant rice varieties for better yield: Study
Rise in temperature and reduction in rainfall under present and future climate scenario affected rice yield, thereby reducing crop maturity time
Climate change: Crop yields in Punjab will fall by up to 13% in next 30 years
A study by Punjab Agricultural University used rainfall & temperature data from 35 years to project the impact of climate change on 5 major …
Diversify crops, shift rice to places that can support it: Central panel
Low returns and high risks from alternative crops among reasons past efforts failed, says report
Coffee that will keep the Cauvery flowing
It is time we thought long and deep about the origins of our rivers. Their birth is our life
Delayed paddy plantation has cascading effect on north India’s air pollution: Harvard University
Delhi and other parts of the region can experience lesser pollution if certain districts of Punjab do not delay planting paddy, say researchers
Bumper kharif amid excess stock? Is India staring at hard agri decisions
Restrict procurement from Punjab and Haryana; stop procuring from states offering bonus on MSP; divert excessive stock for ethanol and cattle feed
Why farmers are not cheering their exceptional feat this kharif season
Highest rice acreage in six years, more farmers in farms, a bounty monsoon and an expected bumper harvest don't enthuse farmers as their …
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 …
Can gasification be the solution to crop burning?
Biomass gasification can not only prevent air pollution from burning crop residues, but also increase farmers’ income and manage municipal …
"Subsidy culture has killed local agriculture"
Thupstan Chhewang, Chief Executive Councillor and chairperson of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) speaks to Down To Earth.
Ladakh on the move
Ladakh is the one region in India where sustainable development is the only way ahead. Dry toilets, water efficient crops, cooperative farming, a …
India-Pakistan nuclear war can starve humanity: Study
Food supplies may drop over 20% in 70 poor countries with 1.3 bln people, the study estimated
Agroforestry boosts rice and biodiversity in India
In West Bengal, the adoption of useful trees into paddy fields has boosted crop yields and crop diversity, and has also sparked a movement that …
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