'Village level forecast will take time'
What prevents Indian scientists from making weather forecasts for farmers? Sailesh Naik, secretary to the Ministry of Earth Sciences, tells …
Seeds of Strife
The Seed Bill takes away states’ power to regulate seed prices, could lead to Centre-state confrontation
17 million missing: Climate change, government policies could deal lethal blow to Indian dairy sector
In India, dairy is a source of sustenance for millions of small-scale and marginal farmers and consumers. Any decision on it should be scientific
A tale of 2 communities in Gujarat: One wants to be a farmer while the other wants to migrate — a win-win game for all
Thakor community is hopeful that in the near future, with more such leasing opportunities from the Patels, they will be able to accumulate enough …
Farmers need support, period
It is time we talked about the real cost of our food, about how to benefit farmers who grow our food
The world is pro-protests, now
While economic crisis often push people to demonstrations, there is an increasing level of dissatisfaction with democracy
Over 260 Bihar farmers won’t get government benefits as they burnt stubble
The farmers are spread over districts such as Kaimur, Rohtas, Bhojpur, Buxar, Nalanda, Patna and Gaya
Indigenous appeal
Farmers in West Bengal are going back to indigenous rice varieties, with a little encouragement
Insurance companies have not paid 83% of farmers' claims
As farmers' protests demanding loan waiver pick up across the country, there are other people who owe them huge amount of money: the insurance …
Should farmers get steady income?
Farmers have rarely been considered eligible for payment for various ecological services. The old concept of Payment for Ecosystem Services can …
Urban-rural links to ensure food security, benefit rural producers
Weak link between smallholders and urban consumers is the main hurdle in improving food security in both rural and urban areas in developing …
Researchers quantify damage caused by peafowl to farmers
They selected two plots. Peafowl were allowed in one and not in the other. After four years of repeated estimates, the researchers have concluded …
For all farming needs: How Kisan Credit Cards work
KCC, launched with fanfare by the Vajpayee govt, was to be a financial instrument to make things easier for farmers; do they?
Value in the weed: Profit potential of green and leafy bathua
Bathua is in demand for its nutrition and taste. Improved varieties of the weed can make it popular among farmers
No buyers, shut units: How COVID-19 hit farmers in Bengal’s pineapple hub
Several in Bidhannagar in Bengal’s Darjeeling district resorting to distress sales to pay off loans; others migrating to other cities to …
Financial inclusion: How Nigerian small-scale farmers are locked out
78% of rural small-scale farmers in Nigeria were financially excluded, according to research
Larger share of senior citizens in India’s villages work compared to urban counterparts
Around 50% of male senior citizens were working compared to 22% women, according to the LASI report
COVID-19 lockdown a pause in Himachal’s exotic vegetable success story
Demand for produce plummets, forcing most farmers to throw away the crop or feed it to cattle
Himachal farmers now poisoning monkeys
Farmers have confirmed this development, which means the whole issue takes an entirely new dimension
It may take at least 25 years to double farmers’ income: study
A soon-to-be-released study reconfirms deep agrarian crisis showing stagnancy in farm income in most states
Mandatory fortification in mid-day meal bad for local food, biodiversity, livelihood
The Union government is trying to centralise food procurement in the Mid Day Meal Scheme. Instead, it should decentralise purchasing
Palm oil consumption increased 230% in almost 2 decades, yet India imports most of it
India has not been able to achieve self-sufficiency in palm oil production despite 40 years of efforts. Down To Earth travelled to some of the …
Kenyan farmers embrace new and sustainable way to build resilience
Crop losses, caused by extreme weather events, steered small-scale farmers towards new farming techniques
75% of world’s seeds are preserved by small farmers, mostly women
Women produce more than half of all the food grown globally and yet they lack access to resources, knowledge and market, all of which can affect …
Two seasons of separation and a deep political desperation
It feels good that agriculture features high in political discourse but, again, it is misdirected