New global agriculture census round to kick off in 2016

Agriculture censuses help to boost rural development and improve food security

Simple, easy and healthy

Gujarat trader makes affordable sanitary napkins and develops India's first machine to hygienically dispose them of Darshan Desai

Civil society seconds rural development ministry’s demand for MGNREGA funds

The rural development ministry had recently demanded an additional allocation of Rs 5,000 crore to maintain the momentum of MGNREGA

How can Jharkhand fight distress migration?

The collapse of natural assets is fuelling migration in the state. A recent study throws light on problems faced by tribal communities, …

MGNREGS: ‘Monument of failure’ or ‘saviour’?

On the 10th anniversary of the rural job guarantee scheme, Down To Earth evaluates its successes and drawbacks

Political economy of welfare

The BJP-led government's change of heart for big-ticket rural programmes says a lot about its dwindling political fortune

MGNREGS falls short of funds again despite increased allocation in rural sector

Pending liabilities in the scheme means that workers’ wages are unpaid

A Mea Culpa budget

The budget is expected to have all the elements that will empower the government to say, ‘We are pro-poor’

Government tries to harvest success with farmer-friendly Budget

The 2016 Budget has the right intent for the rural sector, but lacks clarity

Sunita's Bytes on Budget

Cabinet expansion: does it herald improvement in governance

Experts feel that the change in the cabinet has nothing to do with improving governance, but is a way of appeasing local sentiments

Cull the caste

The fight against the caste system must be about control over natural resources, not professions of marginalised groups

Jharkhand’s own Amul model

A model where small producers engage in a large-scale economic activity is important in the development laboratory of India

Report places rural transformation at the heart of economic development

IFAD report bats for emphasis on agriculture and employment to reduce rural poverty

Migration should be out of choice, not a desperate last resort: FAO head

Large-scale cross-border movements in recent years have sparked tensions in some countries, placing migration high on the diplomatic agenda

'BRICS countries in a position to shape agricultural policies'

Most of the world’s 795 million undernourished people live in developing countries. These countries will need to increase their food …

Ministries in Africa commit to integrate land governance concerns in agriculture

Most of the African ministries of lands have been working on land reforms, but in isolation from the agricultural sector

Economic growth not enough to eliminate rural poverty

Agricultural development, increased wages and off-farm jobs can accelerate rural development

Most poor people in Asia-Pacific region live in rural areas

Countries in the region have not been able to address rural poverty despite economic growth, says an IFAD report

Demonetisation and rural economy: what experts have to say

As demonetisation completes 50 days, we bring to you expert comments on how the currency ban derailed the rural economy

India's budget just declared

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declares major schemes in his post-demonetisation message on new year's eve

Not a promissory note

Demonetisation casts a long shadow over the rural economy

Budget 2017-18 expectations: ensure food security, minimise rural distress

This year’s budget must focus on preventing farmer suicides, strengthening crop insurance scheme and guaranteeing rural employment

Union Budget 2017-18 in figures

While agriculture saw 5.9 per cent increase in budget allocation, rural development and health sector witnessed 11.8 per cent and 22.6 per cent …

Sector-based highlights of Union Budget 2017-18

The budget’s thrust has been on stimulating growth, affordable housing, curbing black money and promoting digital economy