India has been experiencing very unusual weather patterns recently. We’ve seen extreme floods, sudden cloudbursts, and strong cyclones like Biparjoy in 2023. These events are breaking all normal weather predictions. So, is this all nature’s doing, or is something man-made behind it? Himachal Pradesh reported many cloudbursts and flash floods this year. Punjab received much…
Ten leading agricultural scientists have asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to quickly remove the hold on genetically modified (GM) mustard. Three of these scientists have received the Padma Bhushan award, and two have received the Padma Shri. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) had approved the use of GM mustard for producing…
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a new initiative called the ‘Mukhyamantri Swadeshi Gau Sanvardhan Yojana’. This scheme aims to boost milk production and create more jobs in rural areas. It is part of a larger plan known as the ‘Nand Baba Dudh Mission’. The main goal of this scheme is to provide financial support…
In the quiet fields of Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, a young farmer named Akash Chaurasia is making music for his crops. For over ten years, Akash has been playing classical melodies to his plants every morning and evening. What started as an unusual experiment has become a successful method for him. Akash believes that just…
A prominent farmer leader, Rakesh Tikait, has expressed strong opposition to the recent development of genome-edited (GE) rice varieties by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). In a letter addressed to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Tikait stated that the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) fundamentally objects to the introduction of these GE rice…
A recent study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) and the University of Hyderabad has revealed that farm size is not the main driver of productivity in India’s semi-arid tropical regions. Instead, access to essential resources like inputs, credit, and markets plays a much bigger role. The study analysed data…
India’s vision for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ (Developed India 2047) hinges significantly on transforming its agri-food systems. This transformation is not just about producing more food, but about producing it sustainably and ensuring everyone has access to nutritious food. The current agri-food system faces many challenges. Climate change, water scarcity, and soil degradation threaten agricultural productivity….
The state government of Maharashtra has reported a concerning rise in farmer suicides, with 1,183 farmers taking their own lives in the past eight months of 2025. This figure comes despite the government’s claims of implementing various measures to support the farming community. These initiatives include establishing counselling centres, ensuring fair prices for agricultural produce,…
A growing crisis is impacting India’s cotton farmers, with many like Kailash Rao Kadam, a 55-year-old grower from western Maharashtra, deciding to abandon the crop. This summer-sown season might be his last with cotton, a crop that once brought prosperity to his village. The decline in cotton output is a serious concern. For the 2024-25…
A recent study reveals that India’s most dangerous snakes, known as the ‘Big Four’, are expected to move northwards due to changing climate patterns. This shift could significantly impact how India manages snakebites, a serious public health issue. The snakes in question are the Common Krait, Russell’s Viper, Saw-scaled Viper, and Spectacled Cobra. These species…
