science and technology

IISR-Kozhikode develops new high-yielding pepper variety

The variety named ‘IISR Chandra’ is expected to be a game changer in the black pepper industry




science and technology

Need for climate-smart agriculture in India

Climate-smart agriculture has the potential to assure food security, empower farmers, and protect our delicate ecosystems




science and technology

Centre to provide 15,000 women self help groups with drones that can be rented out for agricultural purposes

The scheme will help in infusing advanced technology in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhance crop yield and reduced cost of operation for the benefit of farmers




science and technology

Feeding humans has trapped the world in debt, degradation: FAO report | Explained

A new FAO report blames “unsustainable business-as-usual practices” for escalating human and environmental costs of producing food.




science and technology

The unusual cabbage mutation that could boost crop yield | Explained

Some 44 years ago, people found a cabbage plant with a natural mutation that destroyed the plant’s ability to make pollen.




science and technology

Filmmaker-farmer duo script a story of transformation with natural farming

Vishy, a Rex Karmaveer Chakra Fellowship awardee advocates popularising the farming practices and the broader promotion of natural farming and popularising his co-award winner Narayanappa’s farming practices




science and technology

DGCA approves Drone Academy at Telangana Agri University

It offers six-week training to ryots, agri-graduates, rural youth in drone piloting




science and technology

Open sale of hazardous pesticides continues to impact the health of farmers in Maharashtra

In 2017, reports of pesticide poisoning emerging from Maharashtra drew global criticism against India’s pesticide regulation policies, yet not much appears to have changed since then




science and technology

West Bengal farmers organise indigenous seed festival

Hundreds of farmers from different districts brought native varieties of paddy, pulses and vegetables and exchanged traditional knowledge




science and technology

‘Very sweet’ variety gives fresh hope to Pineapple farmers in Kerala

Possibility for mechanised processing for value addition and export being studied




science and technology

India asks U.S. to permit domestic labs for fruit irradiation to cut trade cost

The issue was raised during the 14th India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum meeting here on January 12.




science and technology

Fertilizer subsidies to come down, Mandaviya says

The Minister said the Centre increased subsidy to protect farmers interest, and added that it is likely to come down




science and technology

More than half of students in agricultural universities are girls: Union Minister

Shobha Karandlaje inaugurates ‘Women Agricultural Entrepreneurship Sector Conference 2024’




science and technology

In Araku, strawberry farms are drawing visitors in large numbers

Fill your baskets with juicy strawberries at the farming fields this season at Pedalabudu village near Araku in Andhra Pradesh




science and technology

MSP law cannot be brought in a hurry; farmers should come forward for talks with govt: Arjun Munda

Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda cautioned protesting farmers about some elements usurping their protest for political benefits




science and technology

Why Kaji Nemu is so dear to the Assamese

Kaji Nemu, a variety of indigenous lemon, was declared the state fruit of Assam, and lovers of this fruit, share thoughts about this tangy delight




science and technology

A natural farm from wasteland at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam

The Andhra University Avani Organics Gardening Hub in Visakhapatnam has grown into a thriving natural farm and is building a community of urban dwellers that is transforming a wasteland into a patch of green




science and technology

Research paper warns against nationwide switch to natural farming without proper studies

It can hamper national food production, say authors, who cite contrasting results from two studies




science and technology

Tobacco Board authorises 100 million kg crop size for Karnataka during 2024-25

Registration process for upcoming crop season will commence on March 27




science and technology

From beauty parlours to farming, prisoners in India’s jails are channeling their time into creative new outlets

Some trivia from prisons across the country




science and technology

Study unravels the recipe that gives mushk budiji rice its unique aroma

Researchers say the rice variety’s export potential can be maximised by cultivating it in places where its flavour compounds are expressed the most




science and technology

CSIR-IICT demonstrates tech to turn dry leaves into soil conditioner

Using a method called accelerated anaerobic composting, a demonstration plant installed in a gated community in Hyderabad is turning dry leaves into bio-manure with recommended nitrogen and carbon content




science and technology

Mango output is set to increase by 14% this year; heat wave unlikely to impact yields

The total production of mangos could jump to 24 million tonnes in the 2023-24 crop year, as against 21 million tonnes in 2022-23




science and technology

Centre aims seven-fold jump in wheat procurement from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar this year

“Even as the ban on outbound shipments of wheat continues, “it will be a dream for us to export now”, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said.




science and technology

Innovations in traditional methods revolutionising farming in Rajasthan’s parched Shekhawati

The decline in the groundwater level is a major issue for agriculturists in all four districts of Shekhawati — Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, and Neem Ka Thana




science and technology

CSDS-Lokniti 2024 pre-poll survey | Understanding perspectives: farmers’ protests raise divisive opinions

The farmers’ protests have become a critical point of contention, sparking diverse opinions across the nation



  • Lok Sabha Elections

science and technology

How can small-scale farmers benefit from trees on farms?

The adoption of agroforestry at scale in India by smallholders is currently stymied by ecological and socio-economic factors




science and technology

KAU, Asia’s largest cocoa germplasm repository, ready to release six more clones




science and technology

Mangoes in Tamil Nadu hit by excessive heat, but farmers hopeful

Farmers in Tamil Nadu are struggling with poor yield, but there is also good news with new varieties being discovered




science and technology

The happy, hopeful coffee farmers of Karnataka

The soaring prices of coffee beans, driven by a global shortage in crop production, have provided a ray of hope for growers in Karnataka, which produces most of India’s coffee. Planters tell Darshan Devaiah B.P. and G.T. Sathish The Hindu that while this is good, the more significant problems remain




science and technology

Space data fuels India's farming innovation drive

Satellite data has gives an Indian farmer optimal sowing times, weather warnings, and better use of irrigation and pesticides




science and technology

SC notice to Centre on plea alleging overuse of pesticides on crops and food items




science and technology

Above-normal pre-monsoon rain triggers agriculture activities in Raichur district of Karnataka

The district received 26.5 mm of rain in 72 hours against the average of 1.9 mm




science and technology

 Kuruvai coverage rose by 40% above normal in last five years

The normal coverage is about 3.24 lakh acres for the delta. However, going by the average for the last five years, the figure comes to 4.57 lakh acres — a nearly 40% rise.




science and technology

2024 turns out to be the worst-ever season for mango growers in Rayalaseema in five decades

With over 80% dip in yield following adverse weather conditions, the prospects of earning profits have faded; the situation has turned adverse, as competitors from Telangana and Tamil Nadu started supplying stocks to the pulp units predominantly located in Chittoor district




science and technology

Farm loan waivers and elections: How do they affect farmers and governments?

Promises to waive off farm loans have been issued by most political parties during this Lok Sabha election. Here’s a look at how these waivers are implemented, the effect on farmers and governments and what alternatives exist



  • Lok Sabha Elections

science and technology

Chittoor farmers worried about frequent crop-raiding by jumbos

A herd of 16 elephants raided the paddy and tomato fields at Irikipenta village of Somala mandal on Saturday




science and technology

Mango growers demand uniform relief of ₹30,000 per acre, fixed prices at tripartite meeting in Krishnagiri




science and technology

More aquatic animals were farmed than fished in 2022, for the first time ever

The total amount of aquatic animals captured in the wild fell to 91 million tonnes and the global production rose to 94.4 million in 2022, the FAO said




science and technology

GI tag sought for the Senkanthal seed whose flower holds a special place in Tamil literature

Minister for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare M.R.K.Panneerselvam, while presenting the State’s Agriculture Budget, had said that Geographical Indication tag would be obtained for 10 agricultural products at a cost of ₹30 lakh




science and technology

TNAU, Coimbatore, gets design patent for seed cube making machine




science and technology

Watch: This Kerala agrarian fair is over 800 years old

What started as a cattle fair, is at present, a market for agricultural produce and products from cottage industries




science and technology

Over ₹13 crore funds needed to support farmers in drought-affected areas of Nellore, says Collector

Ten in the district have been declared as ‘drought mandals’ by the NDMA; over 50% of crop was lost in Sitaramapuram while 30-40% of crops were lost in the remaining nine mandals




science and technology

Paddy MSP up 5.35% to ₹2,300 per quintal as Cabinet clears MSP hikes for 14 kharif crops

MSPs for bajra, arhar dal, maize offer highest margins above production costs; Cabinet nod for Varanasi airport expansion, new Maharashtra port, wind energy projects in Gujarat and T.N., forensic infrastructure development




science and technology

Eyebrows raised as Central team visits Anantapur to assess rabi drought during rainy kharif

The team choosing mandals like Vidapanakallu and Vajrakarur which received excessive rain in June, draws flak from farmers and district officials alike; farmers worry as to how to present their drought woes to the officials who are visiting their fields which are now rain-fed and green




science and technology

Climate-resilient agriculture is prerequisite for sustainable development, says ICAR chief

Tobacco industry contributes ₹32,516 crore annually to national economy through exports and excise tax reviews and sustains employment for 45.7 million people, says Director General of ICAR




science and technology

First of its kind ‘Product Santhe’ at UAS attracts 15,000 visitors 

Products like coconut oil, handmade scented soaps and face creams, value added products of millets, nutritional laddu, bakery products, ready to cook powders and mixtures and pickles were also popular among the visitors. 




science and technology

First International Dairy Federation Asia-Pacific summit in Kochi from June 26 to 28




science and technology

‘Dairy dilemma’ engulfs women farmers in CM Chandrababu Naidu’s constituency Kuppam with sudden fall in milk price

Recently, the dairy industry has experienced a decrease of ₹5 per liter in the milk price, causing concern among the predominantly women farmers involved in the sector. 




science and technology

In Assam, banks suffer from ‘militancy hangover’: experts

The absence of bank linkage is affecting optimum production by 25 lakh small and marginal farmers in the State, they said