Enjoying fresh, sweet strawberries is a delight. You don’t need a large garden to grow them. Growing strawberries in balcony pots is a simple and rewarding way to have your own supply of this popular fruit. It’s a fantastic way to bring a bit of nature and fresh produce to urban living. **Choosing the Right…
Indian agriculture is facing discussions around the approval of new crop varieties, particularly herbicide-tolerant (HT) ones, and the use of pesticides. Following a directive from the Union Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to suspend the licence of a pesticide manufacturer, experts are questioning the widespread approval of HT crops. These varieties, they argue, lead to…
A recent study has uncovered a surprising fact about organic coffee. It seems that even organic coffee samples can contain traces of AMPA, which is a residue of glyphosate. This is unexpected because glyphosate is banned for use in organic farming practices. The research indicates that the levels of these residues can vary. Several factors…
The unchecked exploitation of natural resources, rising pollution, and excessive use of toxic chemicals in farming have posed serious threats to human health. Realizing this bitter truth, Anant Bhoyar, a farmer from Katol taluka in Nagpur district, chose to embrace organic and sustainable agriculture nearly two decades ago. Since 2004, Bhoyar has transformed his 14-acre…
The Indian government has ordered an urgent investigation into reports of toxicity in soybean fields across several regions. This potential issue is believed to be linked to the use of agricultural chemicals, specifically herbicides, that may not meet required standards. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed that large areas of farmland have shown signs…
Nagpur, August 17 At a time when India’s food systems face mounting pressures of climate change, farmer distress, and shifting consumer diets, a session in Nagpur brought together practitioners and farmers to bridge the gap between lived experience and everyday choices. The discussion, titled “Food For You”, was led by Akash Naoghare, a food systems researcher and…
Karnataka’s forests have been gripped by a disturbing trend of unnatural wildlife deaths. In recent months, alarming numbers of peacocks, tigers, and macaques have been found dead across the state. These incidents have raised serious concerns about potential wildlife poisoning, possibly linked to the misuse of agricultural pesticides. In early August, a grim discovery was…
The much-anticipated Technology Mission on Cotton, aimed at boosting productivity and promoting long-staple varieties, may be postponed until next year. This delay is due to the main sowing window for cotton already having passed, with reports of lower acreage from several Indian states. If the government finalises the mission this year, its implementation is likely…
Vani V., a dedicated farmer from Alappuzha, Kerala, has been awarded the prestigious State Karshaka Thilakam (Best Woman Farmer) Award. This recognition celebrates her outstanding contributions to sustainable agriculture and the conservation of biodiversity on her 4.5-acre farm, ‘Vasu Jaivanganam’. Located near Haripad, the farm is a shining example of a self-sustaining ecosystem. For the…
Farmers in Patiala have reason to celebrate after the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered compensation for losses caused by fake sunflower seeds. The court has directed dealers and a manufacturer to pay ₹76,800 per acre to farmers whose crops failed in 2022 due to the supply of spurious seeds. This significant ruling aims to…
