Swaraj Tractors, part of the Mahindra Group, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving the Bhamashah Award from the Government of Rajasthan. This award recognises the division’s impactful work in community development during the financial year 2024-25. The focus of these efforts has been on improving government schools in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. Through…
In the Gadwal district of Telangana, many farmers are facing a severe crisis. This situation arises from spurious seeds and the exploitation by middlemen. Farmers, who rely on seed cotton production, are struggling under heavy debt. The situation has grown so bad that many have lost their land. Farmers claim that over 40,000 of them,…
Genetically modified (GM) crops like Bt cotton were introduced in India with high hopes. The idea was to reduce pesticide use and help farmers. However, a recent study shows a different reality. GM crops have led to increased reliance on pesticides over time. The research focused on four GM crops: Bt cotton, herbicide-tolerant (HT) soybean,…
Farmers in Maharashtra are increasingly turning to the illegal Herbicide Tolerant Bt (HTBt) cotton. This trend is driven by high labour costs associated with traditional Bt cotton. Laximant Kauthankar, a farmer from Adgaon Budruk village, explains that weed control for Bt cotton costs him over ₹20,000 per acre, while it costs just ₹2,000 for HTBt….
Maharashtra has a rich history of pastoral traditions. For centuries, shepherds moved freely across lands to graze their sheep. This movement was supported by the local government and was an important part of their culture. However, a new study by Rushikesh Gawade, a PhD researcher at IIT Bombay, shows that colonial land reforms have erased…
The agriculture sector in India has seen a remarkable transformation over the past 12 years. According to a latest report from the National Statistics Office (NSO), the Gross Value Added (GVA) of agriculture and allied sectors has surged by 225%. This increase has raised the GVA from ₹1,502 thousand crore in 2011-12 to ₹4,878 thousand…
India, the world’s largest producer and exporter of rice, is making a significant change in its agricultural policy. With rice stocks at record highs, the government has decided to allocate 5.2 million metric tons of rice for ethanol production. This step aims to manage surplus rice stocks while supporting the country’s ethanol blending program. The…
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several states as the monsoon intensifies. This weather update is crucial for farmers and residents in affected areas. The rainfall is expected to occur in West, Central, and North India. States like Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha…
Arqivo, a leading agrochemical company, has officially launched its operations in Karnataka, specifically in Hubballi. The event was grand and attracted a strong turnout from channel partners across various districts. This reflects the high level of interest in the agrochemical market within the state. The launch event showcased Arqivo’s commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity through…
In a significant achievement for Indian agriculture, the first-ever export of rose-scented litchis took place from Pathankot, Punjab to Qatar. On June 23, 2025, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated this milestone. The consignment included 1 metric tonne of premium litchis. Additionally, 0.5 metric tonne of litchis was sent to…
