The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has strongly defended the evaluation of two new gene-edited rice varieties, Pusa DST-1 and DRR Dhan 100 Kamala. ICAR states that both varieties performed exceptionally well in the specific regions where they are intended to be grown. This defence comes after criticism from The Coalition for a GM-Free…
Six years after a banned genetically modified (GM) Bt brinjal crop was destroyed in Haryana, the source of the seeds is still unknown. This has raised concerns among environmental activists and experts about the government’s approach to food safety. The incident happened in Nathwan village, Fatehabad district, in May 2019. A farmer named Jeevan was…
Concerns have been raised by independent scientists, environmentalists, and farmer leaders regarding the process for amending the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act of 2001. They have written to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, expressing worries about how the changes are being discussed. The Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA-Kisan…
Farmers’ groups and activists are raising serious concerns about proposed changes to the International Seed Treaty. They fear these changes could favour big companies over small farmers, threatening global food security and traditional farming methods. The treaty, officially known as the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) or the “Plant…
Many small farmers across India are actively adopting climate-smart agricultural practices to cope with changing weather patterns and improve their livelihoods. These innovative approaches are helping them build resilience against unpredictable monsoons, droughts, and extreme temperatures. A recent report highlights how farmers in regions like Rajasthan and Karnataka are experimenting with a mix of traditional…
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is updating its rules for scientists. This comes after a recent issue concerning data from genome-edited (GE) rice varieties. The new guidelines will limit how scientists share their research findings. They will not be allowed to speak to the media or publish in certain journals without full confidence…
The central government has decided against allowing a higher moisture content in paddy for public procurement in Tamil Nadu. This means farmers must ensure their paddy has no more than 17% moisture, despite recent heavy rains. The state had asked for this limit to be raised to 22%. However, there is some good news. The…
Punjab’s agricultural landscape is buzzing with a new sound – the hum of drones. Farmers in the state are increasingly adopting drone technology for various farming tasks. This shift is marking a significant step towards modernising agriculture and improving efficiency. Experts believe this could be a game-changer for the region’s farming community. For years, Punjab…
Manpreet Singh, a 40-year-old farmer from Hoshiarpur, Punjab, has shown that owning vast lands isn’t the only path to success in farming. Starting with his family’s modest three acres, he now manages 40 acres, with 37 of them leased. His journey began after finishing his 10+2 education in 2000. Encouraged by his father, a retired…
The South India Natural Farming Summit has urged the government to support farmers who use natural farming methods. Organisers want the National Mission on Natural Farming to include help for farmers using natural inputs like jeevamruth, ghanjeevamruth, cow dung, and plant extracts. They believe these methods are key to healthy farming. Experts at the summit,…
