Category: Agriculture

The Telangana government has initiated a collaboration with experts from the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) to assess the effects of the Polavaram irrigation project on the Godavari River. This decision follows concerns regarding the project’s impact on local ecosystems and communities. The Polavaram project aims to provide irrigation to approximately 295,000 hectares, stabilise…

The biofuel sector is currently at important point where sustainable development, energy security, and climate action converge. The Feedstock-Technology-Product (F-T-P) approach provides a structured framework that integrates biofuels into various industries, particularly sugar. This method aligns with India’s National Policy on Biofuels 2018 and aims to make the sugar industry a driver of sustainable growth.…

Punjab’s arhtiyas, the intermediaries between farmers and buyers, are currently urging the state government to adopt the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961, as a national model. This Act has been very important in shaping Punjab’s agricultural landscape for over six decades. The arhtiyas’ advocacy stems from concerns over the proposed National Policy Framework for…

Recent events have intensified the ongoing farmers’ protests at the Punjab-Haryana border. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Political) has declined to engage with a high-powered committee established by the Supreme Court to address their demands. On January 4, the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) also refused to meet the committee. The committee has previously interacted with the…

The CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR) has achieved milestone in the mining sector. They successfully conducted the first trial blast of the Dozer Push Mining Method in India. This innovative method integrates advanced digital technologies, aiming to improve safety and operational efficiency in mining processes. The trial took place at the Parsa…

IIT Madras has partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare to launch Project VISTAAR. This initiative aims to enhance the agricultural extension system through digitalisation. The pilot project, known as the Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources, focuses on strengthening agricultural extension services. Start-ups play important role in this context by leveraging…

In December 2023, Odisha experienced unprecedented unseasonal rainfall, leading to crop damage. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced this weather event as a natural calamity during the ‘Krushi Odisha Conclave’ in Bhubaneswar. This declaration aims to expedite compensation for farmers affected by the rainfall, allowing access to the state disaster response fund (SDRF). The government…

Soil contamination poses challenge in agriculture, threatening crop health and yield. Toxic compounds hinder seed germination and plant growth. Traditional remediation methods, such as chemical treatments, often fail to provide lasting solutions. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have progressed in addressing this issue. They have isolated specific bacteria capable of…

Recently, the Kharif rice procurement landscape has shown varied results across state of Indias. Punjab and Haryana, known for their agricultural output, have reported lower procurement figures compared to previous years. Despite this, the overall Kharif rice production is projected to reach a record 119.93 million tonnes, marking a 6% increase from the previous year.…

The Union Cabinet of India has recently announced measures to support farmers. These initiatives include a one-time special subsidy for Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser and the continuation of crop insurance schemes. The government aims to ensure affordable access to DAP and provide risk coverage against natural calamities for farmers. Special Subsidy for DAP Fertiliser The…