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,…
The Indian government’s proposed ‘New Seed Bill 2025′ is creating a stir, bringing together the government and farmer organisations in a debate. Farmers’ groups have announced a nationwide protest on November 26 to voice their opposition to the Bill. Opposition parties have also expressed their reservations. However, it’s understood that these parties and their state…
A significant step has been taken to boost sustainable agriculture and green finance in India. The National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) and the Kairali Agriculture Multi State Cooperative Society Ltd. (Kairali MSCS) from Kerala have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement aims to strengthen cooperative-led initiatives focused on reducing carbon emissions and…
India’s rich agricultural heritage, built over centuries by farmers, is facing new challenges. A global agreement, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (often called the Seed Treaty), is raising concerns about the potential biopiracy of the country’s indigenous seeds. While the treaty aims to conserve and share plant genetic resources…
A twin agriculture crisis has erupted in the region: in Motha village, around 30 farmers who sowed the popular wheat variety LOK‑1 (cultivar “LOK-1”) report that their crop did not germinate at all, while in the neighbouring Paratwada-Dhamangaon region urea supply is in disarray, as dealers charge as much as ₹350, and farmers facing shortages…
Rallis India, a prominent company in the agri-inputs sector and part of the Tata enterprise, has announced a significant partnership with Paryan Alliance Pvt Ltd. This collaboration makes Paryan the licensed technology partner for their FullPage Herbicide Tolerance Rice Technology in India. This new technology, called FullPage, is set to revolutionise rice farming in India….
