BUSINESS
Why a flood-hit Punjab is bad news for food security
Punjab is reeling under the worst flood it’s experienced in decades. It’s still too early to assess the damage, but the signs are not good. A big hit to the paddy output will have national implications as the state is a critical supplier to the PDS
BUSINESS
Faced with urea and fertiliser shortages again, is it time to reimagine our agrarian system?
India faces a critical urea crisis amid global shortages, rising prices and overdependence on fossil fuel-based farming, highlighting the urgent need for ecological agriculture and self-reliant, sustainable food systems
BUSINESS
Here an SKM, there an SKM, and the threat to farmers’ unity
Ramlila Maidan Farm Mahapanchayat: Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s success in getting permission for a mahapanchayat in Delhi even as its splinter outfit, the SKM (Non-Political) languishes at the Shambhu border, has created unease in the farm movement. GoI has played a smart political hand, but will the two groups resolve differences for the sake of their common goals like legal guarantee for MSP?
TRENDS
Does India need a ‘New Deal’ for her farmers?
Can a middle ground between farmers and the government on MSP be reached by reimagining a US ‘New Deal’ Farm programme? The US New Deal in the 1930s saved agriculture in the US from a multi-year slump. It involved production quotas, assured guaranteed incomes through price floors and non-recourse loans
BUSINESS
It’s high time India transitioned away from industrial agriculture
The Green Revolution was an important intervention at a time when India needed cereal self-sufficiency. But the industrial agriculture that it gave birth to is proving disastrous for India’s farmers. The high input costs, supply gluts, erratic climate, etc are leading to falling farm incomes, debt traps and farmer suicides
BUSINESS
Shun export bans. There are constructive ways to check food inflation
One or two states can’t take the burden of food production anymore. From return to ecology friendly farming practices to farmer-consumer cooperatives and technologies like solar-based vegetable dehydrating, there is much work to be done to stabilise prices, ensure food security, and keeping farmers and consumers happy
BUSINESS
Can Russia be India's new best agri friend?
With climate disruptions wreaking havoc on agricultural seasons and output, the Indian and Russian governments can consider an agri treaty to last until 2030 covering foodgrains and fertilisers. Russia can sell India its surpluses in wheat in good years and for bad years, wheat exports to India can be exempted through a prior consensus
BUSINESS
Stubble Burning: How regenerative farming, biochar and generous financing can solve many problems in one go
From air pollution to degrading soil nutrients to depleting groundwater levels, North India is facing ecological disasters on multiple fronts. This is where India needs to make the shift to regenerative farming sooner than later. It will also help both the soil and the air if, instead of stubble burning, farmers are taught techniques to produce biochar
