England has been a leader in precision breeding in agriculture, especially with the passing of the Precision Breeding Act. However, recent developments raise concerns that the country may be falling behind Europe. Global agribusiness Syngenta announced it will close its UK-based wheat breeding programme. This decision could hinder home-grown wheat production, as the focus shifts…
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently released a concerning report on global food security. It predicts an increase in the production of rice, maize, and wheat by 2025. However, several critical challenges threaten this positive outlook. These include the spread of bird flu, trade tensions, and extreme weather conditions. One of the most alarming…
On June 9, 2023, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, laid the foundation stone for the Global Centre of Excellence on Millets in Hyderabad. This new center aims to enhance millet production and research, helping farmers and startups in the millet value chain. During the ceremony, Chouhan highlighted the government’s commitment…
A new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that crops like wheat, coffee, beans, and cassava could lose up to half of their best farmland by the year 2100 due to climate change. The report highlights that five out of nine major staple and cash crops are already losing their optimal growing…
In a crucial step to address rising pulse prices, the Indian government has extended the duty-free import policy for yellow peas until March 31, 2026. This extension, effective immediately, is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to manage domestic supply and control food inflation. In 2024, India’s pulse imports nearly doubled, with yellow peas making…
In India, gene editing is changing agriculture for the better. This technology helps create crops that are more resilient, nutritious, and sustainable. Researchers from top institutes like the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and the Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) have developed new rice varieties using gene editing. These include DRR Dhan 100, also…
In a worrying case of agroterrorism, two Chinese researchers, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, have been arrested for allegedly smuggling a dangerous crop fungus, Fusarium graminearum, into the United States. This fungus poses a significant threat to agriculture and public health. The case highlights the potential risks of biological threats to food security. Yunqing Jian,…
