A distressing encounter in Maharashtra highlights the growing conflict between humans and leopards, with sugarcane farming playing a central role. Saluram Kargal, a farmer from Wadgaon Borwadi village near Pune, narrowly escaped a leopard attack that resulted in the loss of two of his goats and severe injuries to himself and his son. This incident,…
Food systems are routinely framed in terms of productivity, efficiency, technology, and markets. Policy debates focus on yields, supply chains, price stabilisation, and caloric availability. Yet this technocratic framing obscures a more fundamental question: justice. Who controls food systems, who bears their risks, whose knowledge is legitimized, and whose livelihoods are rendered expendable? When examined through…
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…
Choosing the Soil Over Steel Mandar Deshpande, a mechanical engineer by training, made a transformative decision to leave behind a conventional career and embrace organic farming in Wardha, Maharashtra. His journey is rooted in a desire for a stress-free, environmentally conscious life, one that prioritizes well-being, sustainability, and community over profit. Living by Choice, Not…
In the heart of rural Maharashtra, a quiet revolution is unfolding, one that promises to reshape the future of Indian agriculture. The Krushak Swaraj Farmer Producer Company, based in the Rajura region, has emerged as a beacon of hope and innovation for small and marginal farmers, offering a replicable model for sustainable, profitable, and organized…
The Zytonic Mini Kit is an innovative organic solution designed to tackle the growing issue of fertilizer shortages and rising costs. As farmers face challenges in sourcing chemical fertilizers, this kit offers a more sustainable option that not only improves soil quality but also benefits the environment. The Zytonic Mini Kit contains three key components:…
6 July 2025 In India, food is a cultural cornerstone, a source of national pride, and a daily necessity for 1.4 billion people. Yet, the very people who make this abundance possible like farmers, farm labourers, and countless workers across the food systems remain largely invisible in the national consciousness. Their struggles rarely make headlines…
6 July 2025 The Kerala Minister for Agriculture, P. Prasad, has written an urgent letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing grave concerns over proposed amendments to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty). The letter, dated July 5, 2025, warns that the changes could threaten India’s control over…
Leaves are not just the byproducts of trees; they are becoming important income sources for farmers in India. With the rising demand for natural products and herbal remedies, many leafy crops have emerged as profitable options. These crops are often low-maintenance, making them suitable for small-scale farmers looking to enhance their earnings. In this article,…
Dr. Saravanan K. has made a remarkable transition from being a soil scientist to a successful organic farmer. He is based in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, where he leads the way in sustainable agriculture. Dr. Saravanan began his career as a soil scientist at Tamil Nadu Agriculture University. He worked hard to understand the science behind…
