India’s rural jobs debate is being rewritten. The question is no longer just “how many days of work,” but “what kind of work, for whom, and in service of which food system.” MGNREGA’s original promise of rights-based employment and regeneration of local commons now sits uneasily beside a push towards a more centralised, mission-style rural…
A farmer from the Thalavadi Hills has suffered serious injuries after a wild elephant attack. The incident has led to the Thalavadi Farmers Association urging the government to provide substantial relief. The victim, Aalmadhan, was attacked on December 13 while returning from his farm. He sustained severe injuries to his head, internal organs, lungs, heart,…
The Indian government is planning a new pilot project to link the amount of subsidised fertiliser farmers receive to the size of their land holdings. This move aims to control rising government spending on fertiliser subsidies and prevent the misuse of these cheaper fertilisers. JP Nadda, the Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, announced this…
Neem trees, a beloved symbol of nature, medicine, and culture in India, are facing a serious threat. Across Hyderabad and many districts of Telangana, these trees are showing signs of widespread decline, known as dieback. The Forest College and Research Institute (FCRI) in Mulugu, Hyderabad, has launched a major scientific study to find out why…
A recent report titled ‘From the Ground Up: Documenting Pesticide Use in Bangladesh, India, Laos & Vietnam (2025)’ reveals significant pesticide use among farmers in four Asian countries. The study, which surveyed 4,392 farmers, found that India has the highest proportion of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs). Across the surveyed nations, 87.09% of farmers reported using…
For a long time, the world has focused on innovation coming from big tech companies and research labs. This story often talks about rapid growth and making things bigger and better. But sometimes, we forget about the people who have been innovating for centuries in harmony with nature. The author, who has spent years with…
The Indian government plans to continue its central scheme for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for another five years, from 2026 to 2031. This extension aims to address challenges that have prevented FPOs from growing larger and more effective. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi announced this at the CII FPO Summit. The scheme began in February 2020…
India’s tractor industry has achieved a major milestone, crossing the one-million-unit mark for production and sales between January and November 2025. This is the first time in the nation’s history that such a high number has been reached in just 11 months. Domestic tractor sales during this period reached 1.02 million units, a significant increase…
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…
