Category: Agriculture

The Warangal Chapata chilli, popularly known as Tomato chilli, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the GI Registry of India on March 28, 2025. This recognition is for the farmers of Telangana, particularly those in the Warangal district, as it is expected to enhance their income and market reach. The GI tag is…

Recently, Puducherry achieved milestone in livestock management. The first calf born through In-Vitro Fertilized Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) technology was delivered in Kanuvapet village. This development is part of a pilot project supported by the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. What is IVF-ET Technology? IVF-ET technology involves fertilising an egg outside the body and transferring the resulting embryo…

Recently, Punjab’s Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced change in the agricultural calendar. The state government has decided to advance the paddy sowing date to June 1. This decision aims to help farmers avoid issues related to high moisture content in their crops during the harvest season. Reasons for Advancing Sowing Date The primary reason for…

The ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) developed an orange-fleshed sweet potato (SP-95/4) to improve tribal food security in Kerala and other states. It has successfully passed final trials in Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Kerala. Nutritional Benefits Contains 8 mg/100g of Beta-carotene, which helps combat Vitamin A deficiency, a common issue in tribal areas.…

Animal genetic resources are crucial for sustainable food production and nutrition. They form the backbone of livestock development. Livestock is vital for the livelihoods of the rural poor, with about 70 per cent depending on them. Proper management of these resources is essential for better production and sustainable systems. Role in Food Security Animal genetic…

The Indian parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers has raised concerns regarding the fertiliser subsidy system. The committee, led by MP Kirti Azad, has recommended that the Union Fertilizers Ministry secure additional funding to support farmers. This comes in light of a recent report detailing the challenges faced in the fertiliser sector, particularly with…

The Kisan Aandolan, or farmers’ movement, in India has seen two phases – Kisan Aandolan 1.0 and Kisan Aandolan 2.0. The first protest took place between November 2020 and December 2021, while the second unfolded from February 2024 to March 2025. Both protests aimed to address farmers’ grievances but differed vastly in their execution and…

Recently, Mexico made move to safeguard its agricultural heritage by amending its Constitution and recognises native corn as a vital element of national identity. It also bans the planting of genetically modified (GM) seeds. This decision is a response to ongoing debates surrounding trade, sovereignty, and the preservation of maize biodiversity. Corn as a Cultural…

The Standing Committee of Parliament on Agriculture has proposed reforms to enhance the welfare of farm workers in India. Chaired by Charanjit Singh Channi, the committee’s recommendations aim to better reflect the role of farm labourers in agricultural policy. Proposals for Renaming the Ministry The committee suggests changing the name of the ‘Department of Agriculture…

The Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI) is pioneering a transformative project aimed at enhancing soil health through digital soil fertility mapping. This initiative utilises geo-spatial techniques and data from Soil Health Cards (SHC) to provide farmers with essential information for optimising agricultural practices. The project has successfully generated soil fertility maps for…