As we mark World Soil Day 2025 under the banner of “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities,” the irony is stark. We are celebrating the vital link between urban resilience and soil health while staring down a barrel of data that suggests we are failing on both fronts. I see this year not just as a celebration, but as a…
India’s development model today rests on a fragile but politically convenient formula: chemicals for farmers, cash for voters.It is a system designed not to solve problems, but to manage them till the next election cycle. At the heart of this lies a political economy where fertilizer lobbies, agricultural subsidies, and now large-scale pre-election cash transfer schemes like Ladli/Ladki Behna define…
India’s seed systems are among the oldest and most diverse in the world. Long before the state formalised agricultural regulations or private companies entered the sector, farmers, tribal communities, and women seed keepers nurtured, exchanged, and evolved seeds through relationships of trust, commons governance, and deep ecological knowledge. It is this decentralised, biodiversity-rich, community-led seed…
A food systems analysis of the Nagpur protest.November 7, 2025 When farmers led by Prahar Janshakti Party chief Bacchu Kadu blocked National Highway 44 in Nagpur for three days in late October, it wasn’t just another agrarian protest—it was a symptom of systemic failure decades in the making. The agitation, which brought traffic to a…
New Delhi, 17 July 2025: The Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) has announced the National Seminar on Cotton Productivity and Value Chain Transformation. Scheduled for Tuesday, 22nd July 2025, the seminar will take place at the India International Centre, New Delhi. With the theme “From Soil to Global Shelf: Unlocking the Full Potential…
In New Delhi, the 96th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) took place. Union Minister of Agriculture, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, led the meeting. Over 18 Agriculture Ministers from various states and the Union Government attended. They discussed important topics affecting farmers and agriculture. One of the key proposals was to…
In a significant development for Indian agriculture, farmers and policymakers are expressing serious concerns about proposed amendments to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, commonly known as the Plant Treaty. The matter is currently being discussed in Peru from July 7 to 11, where delegates from various countries are meeting…
Recently, new tree-felling rules have been introduced in India that are causing concern among farmers. These rules aim to protect trees and promote agroforestry. However, many farmers feel that these regulations are too complex and make their work harder. The process requires farmers to go through complicated digital systems and face excessive bureaucracy. This can…
In recent times, new regulations on tree-felling have been introduced in India. These rules are meant to protect the environment, but they are causing problems for farmers. The process has become complicated and bureaucratic. Farmers are now faced with digital procedures that are hard to understand. Instead of helping them, these rules create barriers. Many…
Farmers across India are eagerly waiting for the 20th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme. This instalment is expected to provide Rs 2,000 to eligible farmers. To ensure you receive this payment without any delays, it’s crucial to update your e-KYC and other details. The PM-KISAN scheme aims to support small and marginal farmers by providing…
