India’s 30-Day Reform Challenge: A Call for Swift Action

India is facing a critical juncture where swift economic reforms are essential. The country is known for its slow decision-making process, often relying on committees to examine issues rather than taking immediate action. This approach is no longer viable in a fast-paced global environment. Recent interactions with European nations highlight this disparity. While European leaders…

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Indonesia Suspends Indian Groundnut Imports Over Aflatoxin Concerns

Indonesia, a major buyer of Indian groundnuts, has temporarily stopped imports. This decision, effective from September 3rd, is due to concerns about the quality of groundnuts, specifically high levels of aflatoxin. The Indonesian Quarantine Authority (IQA) issued a notification stating this. Shipments with bills of lading dated up to seven days before the order will…

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Experts Question Herbicide Approval Post Pesticide Crackdown

Following a crackdown on pesticide companies, Indian agricultural experts are raising concerns about the approval of herbicides and herbicide-tolerant (HT) seed varieties. This comes after the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, suspended the license of a pesticide company. Experts believe that the increased use of these herbicides, often promoted alongside HT seeds, could…

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Scientists Raise Concerns Over New CRISPR Rice Varieties, Citing Risks to India’s Rice Diversity

A group of scientists has written to the Prime Minister of India expressing their concerns about the recent release of genetically modified (GM) rice varieties. These new varieties were developed using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The scientists believe this technology could lead to intellectual property rights (IPR) issues. They fear these problems might prevent farmers from getting…

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Concerns Grow Over Herbicide-Tolerant Crops and Pesticide Safety

India’s agriculture sector is facing a debate over the approval of new crop varieties, particularly herbicide-tolerant (HT) ones. This discussion comes after the Union Agriculture Minister ordered the suspension of a pesticides manufacturer’s licence. Experts are raising questions about the widespread approval of HT crops, warning that they could lead to increased herbicide use and…

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