Crops

While India has achieved surplus production in rice and wheat, the Union agriculture minister said, the next frontier is achieving self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds. "PM Modi will be launching India's Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission (Chana–Masoor) day after tomorrow to strengthen pulse production," he said.

Monsoon uncertainty raises agricultural and policy concerns

Fear of erratic monsoon may have persuaded the Government to allow cheap import of yellow pea and crude edible oils. Government policies aim to stabilise food supply, protect farmers' interests, and manage inflation through imports

Locust invasion threat demands India-Pakistan co-operation

As the locust breeding season approaches, both India and Pakistan must depoliticise locust management and prioritise it as a humanitarian imperative. Using technology like drones, weather models, and AI predictions to track, forecast and control the movements of locusts to protect crops

Unleashing Agriculture Growth: Tackling credit and productivity challenges

India's agricultural sector faces productivity and credit inefficiencies, exacerbated by informal tenancy arrangements. Reforms, including formalising tenancy, stabilising prices, and linking credit with insurance, are crucial for boosting productivity and ensuring sustainable growth

Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | Does your pot brim over?

Moneycontrol's Pro Panorama January 14 edition: Will Delhi polls be the end of the road for INDIA Bloc, brouhaha over poverty reduction explained, affordable housing remains a bright spot for India, lessons to pick from China’s dominance in EV market, and more

ISRO shares timelapse video showing how cowpea crop seeds sprouted green leaves in space; watch video here

ISRO achieves milestone in space farming as cowpea seeds germinate in microgravity aboard PSLV-C60 mission, paving way for sustainable food sources in future space missions.

Don’t count on rural recovery by looking at crop output

The strength of rural recovery and its attendant impact on consumption depends not so much on output but on prices realized by farmers. On that score, there are worrying signs as the market price of three key crops, moong, soybean and groundnut, are ruling below their respective MSPs. Low returns for farmers can act as a drag on rural demand which will have a knock-on effect on GDP growth rate

Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | After harsh monsoon, hopes turn to festive season

In Moneycontrol's Pro Panorama October 1 edition: Banks' discover new-found love for industries, core sector production data shrinks, new lease of life for power plants, reason behind Opposition's constant attack on RSS, and more

Organic Farming vs Food Security: India should focus on effective plant protection and sustainability

India has a competitive advantage over plant protection chemicals, policy needs to further strengthen and refine that competitive advantage instead of chasing the illusional glory of organic farming. India, with the world’s largest population, needs to prioritise food security over a pricey fad that is unsustainable except as a niche activity

Food costs are falling, as farmers help slay the inflation dragon

Bumper harvests in wheat, corn and soybeans mean food prices are falling

Boosting Agricultural Exports: Budgeting for infrastructure, high-value crops, and ag-tech

India has to address its domestic needs and also intensify its efforts on boosting agricultural exports. As India prepares for its upcoming budget, a prime opportunity emerges to elevate its agricultural exports to new heights

Why pollinating insects are dwindling, and how it will impact crops

The projected risk to total crop production in 2050 due to their decline is highest for India, China, Indonesia, Brazil, and the Philippines.

Environment: Your coffee cup needs a climate rating, too

As the world’s production of packaging waste rises to developed-country levels of about 200 kilograms per person, governments are going to have to play a bigger role in helping people make sense of this mess

India’s driest august in a century stokes fears of more crop curbs

The country received 629.7 millimeters of rainfall this month, 36% lower than normal, according to data compiled by the India Meteorological Department. Total rainfall during June-August was 10% below average, the figures show.

Sugar in India’s key growing areas under threat from poor rain

Sugar crops in some of India’s major growing regions are in desperate need of rain as drier conditions threaten the production outlook, which may place more pressure on containing rising food costs.

Monsoon rains to cover all of India earlier than usual, accelerate crop sowing

The monsoon, the lifeblood of India’s $3 trillion economy, delivers nearly 70% of the rain needed to water its farms and recharge reservoirs and aquifers. It also brings relief from the worst of the summer.

Indian crops' adaptation to climate change assessed using 60 years' data

The researchers from University of Illinois, US, found that farmers were able to adapt to changes in temperature for rice and maize but not wheat. However, increased precipitation enhanced rice yield, but adversely affected wheat and maize yields.

Crops over one lakh acres damaged due to hailstorms, rains in Maharashtra: Ajit Pawar

To a question about reports that the Enforcement Directorate has given him a clean chit in the alleged Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam, Pawar said it was not true and the probe was still going on.

Some damage to rabi crops due to unseasonal rains; yet to receive full report from states: Centre

Speaking to PTI, Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary said the state governments are utilising the funds under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF).

Inadequate rains: 15-30% of Rabi crops damaged in Himachal Pradesh

As per the report of field officers from across the state, out of 4,01,853 hectares, crops on 85,538.20 hectares of land have been damaged due to inadequate/ deficient rains.

Landless, tenant farmers miss out on compensation for crop loss by weather events

Unseasonal or high intensity rainfall is regularly damaging crops across India over the past few years.

Agro-chemicals industry body ACFI seeks cut in import duty for crop protection chemicals in Budget

The ACFI is an industry body representing manufacturers/ importers of technical and formulation of pesticides at the pan-India level.

India making efforts to adapt to crops, develop varieties that consumer less water, resist higher temp: Former WFP India director

Speaking to PTI before superannuating, Parajuli stressed on the "need to work with less to get more and adapt to change in temperature".

Is Bt cotton a success? Government’s GM mustard move reignites 20-year-old debate

Some agriculture experts and activists claim rising distress among farmers due to stagnating yields and increase in costs due to Bt cotton but government officials say Bt is a yield-saving variety which is still effective against a major bollworm

Unseasonal rains have damaged crops: Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar

"Definitely, crops have been damaged due to the unseasonal rains. The survey is underway and we are waiting for reports from the states to assess the extent of damage," Tomar told reporters.