Cities are good

Angel argues slowing down urbanisation will hurt the poor the most

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, …

Stubble burning: Focus on 6 Punjab districts, study by Harvard, MIT suggests

Stubble burning in India affecting other south Asian countries too; but most of the impact is within India, say US researchers

World food commodity prices at highest level ever

Russian invasion of Ukraine, unfavourable weather continue to fuel food prices northwards

Most farmers did not know of agencies that procured crop under MSP: Report

Only 23.7% and 24.7% paddy produced was sold under MSP in Kharif and Rabi season respectively of 2018-19

Wheat price war

Central ministries disagree on minimum support price for wheat

Is the joyride over ?

There was fear in the 1960s. Would India continue to wait for food imports to feed itself? The scientific community came up with an answer that …

Rogue GM crops wreak havoc

Monsanto’s unauthorised GM wheat in the US has spooked the world, but contamination is widespread

Global Eco Watch: Siberian primrose could become extinct due to global warming

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

Climate change impact on agriculture leads to 1.5 per cent loss in India’s GDP

By 2030, rice and wheat are likely to see about 6-10 per cent decrease in yields

Himachal Pradesh budget announces green development scholarship scheme, boost to natural farming

Provisions worth Rs 582 crore for farmers; MSP for wheat, maize, milk increased

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

Arsenic: Lurking in the shadows across Ganga, Brahmaputra basins

As the geography of arsenic contamination spreads, there is an urgent need for governments to reorient mitigation measures. That’s because …

That time of the year

Although health impacts are shouted about, there is still only “little” more appetite for action

Low rainfall may hurt wheat production in Australia

The chances of reduced rainfall between August and October is 60 per cent, says Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology

Rabi sowing update: Wheat gains momentum, pulses continue to lag 

Increase in area under pulses important for bringing down food inflation; Rabi paddy acreage reduced over the years

Parliamentary Digest (August 2, 2022): Less wheat harvested than expected due to heatwaves

All that was discussed in the House through the day

A possible Indo-US trade agreement would be an imperialist attack on India’s farmers

Such a deal will have repercussions on our agricultural production and economy

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

‘What other option do we have?’: Why stubble fires would not die

The happy seeder and super seeder machines are too few in number, a lot of them are defunct: Why farmers set their crops on fire every year 

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

High altitude, high pressure

Ladakh's leadership is alive to many problems. But, challenges are not easy

Panchayati Raj: A good beginning

But will there be a place for traditional institutions in modern local self-governance?