Indian farmers may face higher costs for fertilizers this upcoming rabi (winter) season. China, a major global supplier, has stopped exporting urea and specialty fertilizers from October 15. This decision affects not only India but also other countries worldwide. China had only recently resumed fertilizer exports in May after a period of increased inspections. The…
Eminent ecologist Madhav Gadgil has once again called for the repeal of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 (WLPA). He stated that the Act is “anti-people” and that the Forest Department, which he believes is “helpless in protecting human lives from wildlife,” should be dismantled. Gadgil made these remarks during an online convention announcing the…
The Rajasthan High Court has put a temporary stop to the sale, manufacture, distribution, and import of any genetically modified (GM) food products in India. This decision comes after the court ordered the government and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to create clear regulations for GM foods within the next six…
Scientists have discovered that the tiny microbes living in rice fields play a crucial role in how much arsenic, a harmful substance, ends up in our rice. A new study shows that a balance between certain types of bacteria and archaea can either increase or decrease the risk of arsenic building up in rice grains….
Our planet’s oceans are becoming less green, a concerning change linked to global heating. A recent study reveals that this shift is due to a decrease in phytoplankton, tiny marine organisms vital for life on Earth. Phytoplankton are responsible for almost half of the planet’s biological productivity, and their decline has serious implications for oxygen…
US President Donald Trump’s recent statement about stopping soybean oil imports from China is unlikely to cause major changes for Beijing, according to industry experts. This comes as China has not bought any US soybeans this season, putting pressure on soybean prices. Prices are currently around $10 per bushel. China has completely stopped buying US…
In the Ganjam district of Odisha, September brings a golden glow to the fields as foxtail millet ripens. This harvest time is marked by ‘Tammne Abdoor’, a special festival celebrated by the Saura community. It’s a time of joy and gratitude for the bounty of the land. Farmers in villages like Balisahi, Dharakote block, treat…
Khanna Police in Punjab have arrested eight individuals in connection with a large-scale Ponzi scam. The scam involved an organic farming firm called “Generation of Farming.” The firm allegedly promised investors exceptionally high returns, leading to over 23,000 people investing a total of Rs 170 crore. According to Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jyoti…
The US and India could forge a beneficial soyabean trade deal, addressing food security for India and supporting American farmers. This comes as US soyabean exports to China have been hit by tariffs. When former US President Trump imposed tariffs on China in 2018, China retaliated by taxing US soyabeans. This led to a sharp…
Indian cotton farmers are struggling as duty-free cotton imports flood the market. Prices are falling below the government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP). Many farmers are forced to sell their cotton to private buyers for less than the MSP. The government had set the MSP for medium-staple cotton at ₹7,710 per quintal and for long-staple cotton…
