For years, chemical fertilisers and pesticides were seen as saviours for Indian agriculture. They were key to the Green Revolution, helping feed a huge population. But now, using too much of these chemicals is harming our farms. In 2023-24, the average use of fertilisers across India was about 139.81 kg per hectare. In some states,…
Thousands of farmers in Maharashtra are yet to receive any financial support from the state’s crop insurance scheme, despite significant crop losses due to heavy rains and floods. Over 1.13 crore farmers experienced crop damage across 84,000 hectares. While the state government had announced financial aid worth Rs 31,000 crore, the crop insurance scheme has…
The afternoon sun beats down on bare fields near Indore. A lone neem tree, scarred by time, stands as a reminder. India’s farmland trees, vital for shade, habitat, and the environment, are disappearing rapidly. A recent study in Nature Sustainability found that between 2010 and 2018, nearly 11% of large farm trees in India vanished….
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is taking a significant step to promote natural farming across the country. For the first time, the ICAR has officially asked all agricultural colleges and state government institutions to start offering courses on natural farming. This move aims to align India’s agriculture sector with national goals for sustainability…
As we mark World Soil Day 2025 under the banner of “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities,” the irony is stark. We are celebrating the vital link between urban resilience and soil health while staring down a barrel of data that suggests we are failing on both fronts. I see this year not just as a celebration, but as a…
India’s premier agricultural research body, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and its recruitment wing, the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), have faced a serious data breach. In February and March this year, sensitive information vanished from ICAR’s main server in New Delhi. Shockingly, the backup server in Hyderabad also suffered a data wipeout…
Food safety is a topic that touches everyone’s lives. From the food we buy at the local market to what’s served in restaurants, ensuring it’s safe to eat is crucial. However, in India, the system meant to guarantee this safety often faces challenges. This article explores the issues surrounding food safety in India and why…
Feeding the world’s growing population is a major challenge. Experts warn that we can no longer rely on expanding farmland to produce enough food. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has released a report highlighting the need for smarter, more efficient farming methods. The world needs to produce about 50 per…
India’s demand for cooking oil has seen a significant rise, with imports from China increasing sharply. This surge is linked to a large supply of soybeans in China, leading to a surplus. China, a major global player in soybean production, has experienced a bumper crop this year. This abundance has resulted in a glut of…
French agri-trading giant Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has rapidly become India’s second-largest exporter of pulses, just a year after launching its dedicated global pulses business unit. Sumeet Mittal, CEO of LDC India, shared this news during an online interaction, highlighting the company’s significant growth and future plans in the Indian market. LDC, with a history…
