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,…
Scientists have issued a serious warning about synthetic chemicals used in our food system. These chemicals, including phthalates, bisphenols, pesticides, and “forever chemicals” (Pfas), are linked to rising rates of cancer, infertility, and developmental problems in children. They are also harming the environment and agriculture. A new report estimates that the health costs from these…
Farmers in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, have been protesting an under-construction ethanol factory for two days. The demonstrations began peacefully, but on Wednesday, the situation became violent. Hundreds of farmers marched to the construction site of Dune Ethanol Private Limited in Rathikheda village. Protesters broke down part of the boundary wall and set fire to offices and…
Sagar Hanuman Singh, the Director-General of the National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), has highlighted a critical need for a formal national soil health framework in India. He believes this framework should be similar to those already established in Europe and the United States. Mr. Singh stated that chemical agriculture has caused significant damage…
India must be very careful when discussing trade with the United States, especially concerning farm products and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). A research group called the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) has advised India to be cautious and ask for big reductions in taxes on goods India sells to the US. GTRI suggests that India…
The term ‘innovation’ is everywhere, from government policies to company slogans. We are told to ‘innovate or die’. But what does this constant push for newness really mean for our food systems, and for the movements trying to create a fairer, more sustainable future? This article explores why the focus on ‘innovation’ might be holding…
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…
