Natural Farming Certification Faces Pressure Amidst Target-Driven Rollout
India’s Natural Farming Mission is facing challenges just months after its certification guidelines were released. Regional councils (RCs), responsible for certifying natural farming practices, report being under immense pressure to register thousands of farmers rapidly. This pressure comes with expectations to absorb certification costs, raising concerns about the quality and credibility of the process. Recently,…
“Will India’s New Rural Jobs Law Feed Its Villages or Just Build Assets?”
India’s rural jobs debate is being rewritten. The question is no longer just “how many days of work,” but “what kind of work, for whom, and in service of which food system.” MGNREGA’s original promise of rights-based employment and regeneration of local commons now sits uneasily beside a push towards a more centralised, mission-style rural…
Farmer Injured in Elephant Attack: Association Demands Higher Compensation
A farmer from the Thalavadi Hills has suffered serious injuries after a wild elephant attack. The incident has led to the Thalavadi Farmers Association urging the government to provide substantial relief. The victim, Aalmadhan, was attacked on December 13 while returning from his farm. He sustained severe injuries to his head, internal organs, lungs, heart,…
Government to Link Fertiliser Subsidies to Farmer Land Holdings
The Indian government is planning a new pilot project to link the amount of subsidised fertiliser farmers receive to the size of their land holdings. This move aims to control rising government spending on fertiliser subsidies and prevent the misuse of these cheaper fertilisers. JP Nadda, the Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, announced this…
Scientists Investigate Widespread Neem Tree Dieback in Telangana
Neem trees, a beloved symbol of nature, medicine, and culture in India, are facing a serious threat. Across Hyderabad and many districts of Telangana, these trees are showing signs of widespread decline, known as dieback. The Forest College and Research Institute (FCRI) in Mulugu, Hyderabad, has launched a major scientific study to find out why…
Report Highlights High Pesticide Use and Risks in India
A recent report titled ‘From the Ground Up: Documenting Pesticide Use in Bangladesh, India, Laos & Vietnam (2025)’ reveals significant pesticide use among farmers in four Asian countries. The study, which surveyed 4,392 farmers, found that India has the highest proportion of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs). Across the surveyed nations, 87.09% of farmers reported using…
Wisdom of the Hands: Rethinking Innovation Through India’s Artisans
For a long time, the world has focused on innovation coming from big tech companies and research labs. This story often talks about rapid growth and making things bigger and better. But sometimes, we forget about the people who have been innovating for centuries in harmony with nature. The author, who has spent years with…
Government Extends Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) Scheme for Five More Years
The Indian government plans to continue its central scheme for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for another five years, from 2026 to 2031. This extension aims to address challenges that have prevented FPOs from growing larger and more effective. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi announced this at the CII FPO Summit. The scheme began in February 2020…
India’s Tractor Industry Surpasses One Million Units in Historic Sales Boom
India’s tractor industry has achieved a major milestone, crossing the one-million-unit mark for production and sales between January and November 2025. This is the first time in the nation’s history that such a high number has been reached in just 11 months. Domestic tractor sales during this period reached 1.02 million units, a significant increase…
Supreme Court Seeks Government Report on Farmer Distress Initiatives
The Supreme Court has asked the government to provide a detailed report on steps being taken to help farmers. This comes after a long-standing case filed by an NGO called ‘Citizens Resource and Action and Initiative’ (CRANTI). The petition, first filed in 2014, initially focused on the suicides of farmers in Gujarat. However, in 2017,…
