8 sister states

And a step-fatherly Centre

Has lifting subsidies depressed fertiliser use?

A survey reveals that while using fertilisers, farmers are seldom guided by their price alone.

Cloudy days for solar cooker

Subsidy amounts and sales figures may not always be indicators of commercial success. After a decade-old promotion campaign, only a few …

Let's look for energy options

Subsidy cuts and differential taxation are energy options, says proposal

Heavy cotton

Following suicides by cotton farmers in various parts of the country, the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Delhi, the National …

On the defensive at Cancun?

Recently Arun Jaitley identified agriculture and investment as the two main issues for next month's World Trade Organization ministerial …

In the real world

Renewable energy technologies require support

Biogas rediscovered

Innovative Vidarbha farmers make biogas plants viable.

Black money

Economic concerns make the US promote unclean fuel

A fish called subsidy

Promotes inequality between fishers and hampers sustainable development

Locating the State

In September 2004, Down To Earth carried a two-part editorial on the failure of the State to deliver basic services. In the September 15, 2004 …

Visibly efficient

Will cash transfer check migration?

India needs to be cautious as experience shows it can backfire

Paying nature's bill

Tax reforms, which would penalise the unlimited use of nature, are fast becoming an imperative part of preparing national budgets, prodded by the …

A rupee's worth

Jyotika Sood reveals how cooperative societies believe in taking an extra rupee from farmers but not sparing 78 paise

Will imposition of green taxes be viable?

Down To Earth's round table on fiscal instruments to manage the environment brought together economists, environmentalists and representatives …

India's gold follies and food security

Why are lawmakers so ready to forego huge tax revenues on gold but baulk at spending on food for the poor?

Paying nature's bill

Tax reforms, which would penalise the unlimited use of nature, are fast becoming an imperative part of preparing national budgets, prodded by the …

20 hectares of millet

Look at the sun

Government has made half-baked efforts to promote solar pumps, a cost-effective irrigation tool

Business as usual

The EU has not learnt anything from its failure at Cancun

Ponds for strongmen

Village heavyweights use natural farming methods

Price of food inflation

In near future the impact of high food price will show in terms of more malnourished

Pay and take

A High Powered Committee on efficient allocation of natural resources and telecom spectrum puts market above people

Looking for the right bait

Developing countries like India need to be prepared for multilateral negotiations. This is certainly true of the fishing economy