News: Recently, Rahibai Popere, popularly known as Seed mother, from Maharashtra won this year’s Padma awards. It was in recognition of her work that has helped save hundreds of landraces (wild varieties of commonly grown crops at the village level) How Landraces are different from commercially grown crops? Landraces refer to naturally occurring variants of… Continue reading In age of hybrid crops, the importance of preserving landraces
Tag: major crops and cropping pattern
Explained: What is Allium negianum?
What is the News? A team of researchers has discovered a new species of the genus Allium named “Allium negianum” from the Uttarakhand Himalayan region of India. What is Allium? Allium is one of the largest genera in Amaryllidaceae, a family of herbaceous, mainly perennial and bulbous flowering plants. The genus has about 1,100 species… Continue reading Explained: What is Allium negianum?
India’s pulses problem: We need real reform
Synopsis: Some inherent flaws in MSP system and what the government needs to do to address them. Introduction India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world. However, we consume more than what we produce. Therefore, pulses are imported, and the general public suffers due to the unusually high prices. The main… Continue reading India’s pulses problem: We need real reform
Sowing better to eat better
Synopsis: Understanding the new challenges plaguing the agricultural system and remedies needed. Introduction The health of a country’s agri-food systems determine the health of its people. Findings from the first round of the 5th “National Family Health Survey” suggest that nutrition related indicators have worsened in most States. The survey covers 17 States and five Union Territories, which comprise 54% of India’s population. … Continue reading Sowing better to eat better
Diverting rice for fuel blending, a risky venture?
Synopsis: Government’s plan to promote ethanol, its benefit to the country, various effects of this plan, its impact on crop diversification and food security and way forward. Introduction India is planning to use surplus rice, besides sugarcane, to meet its bio-fuel target of blending 20% ethanol with petrol. Could this pose problems for India’s crop diversification… Continue reading Diverting rice for fuel blending, a risky venture?
Union Minister inaugurates training program on Sandalwood Farming & Management of its health
What is the News Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj has inaugurated a training program on Sandalwood Farming & Management of its health. The program is structured around the basics & benefits of Indian sandalwood, seed handling, nursery techniques & managing the health of the plant. What is Sandalwood? Sandalwood is a class… Continue reading Union Minister inaugurates training program on Sandalwood Farming & Management of its health
