Category: Agriculture

Recent developments have brought into light the potential for potash mining in Punjab and Rajasthan. The Punjab Mining Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal announced plans to explore potash reserves in Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts. These reserves were identified through surveys conducted by the Geological Survey of India. This initiative aims to reduce India’s reliance…

Recent reports indicate a severe outbreak of Ranikhet disease in poultry farms located in Barwala and Raipur Rani, Panchkula. Approximately 150,000 chickens have died in the past week. This outbreak raises concerns reminiscent of the 2006 epidemic, where poultry farms suffered losses. The Northern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NRDDL) has been engaged to investigate the…

In 2024, researchers from the ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) in Kozhikode discovered a new fungal disease affecting ginger crops in Kodagu, Karnataka. The disease, caused by the pathogen Pyricularia spp., poses threat to ginger cultivation. This is the first recorded incidence of Pyricularia affecting ginger, a plant previously unaffected by this pathogen. Identification…

Plant parasitic nematodes are becoming threat to agriculture in India. Recent discussions among over 100 agricultural scientists at a symposium in Goa brought into light the annual crop losses due to these pests, estimated at ₹25,000 crore. Experts emphasised the need for effective nematode management to protect soil health and sustain crop productivity. What are…

In the Union Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced a five-year mission aimed at improving productivity and sustainability in cotton farming. A key focus of this initiative is the promotion of Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton varieties. This move is as it seeks to elevate the quality of Indian cotton and enhance farmers’ incomes. What…

India’s agricultural landscape faces challenges due to declining reservoir levels. The Agriculture Ministry is monitoring the situation closely. Recent data indicates drop in water storage across the country. This decline is particularly evident in northern and eastern regions. However, the current rabi crop remains unaffected for now. Reservoir Levels India has 155 major reservoirs. Their…

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana was launched to combat the looming water crisis in India. Despite the initiative’s potential, Uttar Pradesh lags in micro-irrigation adoption. This method enhances irrigation efficiency and conserves groundwater. Other states like Karnataka and Maharashtra have made strides. As of August 2024, Karnataka leads with 1.68 million hectares of micro-irrigated…

The Himachal Pradesh government has recently approved a pilot project for cannabis cultivation. This decision was made on January 24, 2025. The initiative aims to explore the agricultural, medicinal, and industrial potential of cannabis. The state is joining others like Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh in permitting controlled cannabis cultivation. Historical Context of Cannabis in India…

Retail food inflation in India saw a decline to 8.39% year-on-year in December 2025. This decrease follows higher inflation rates of 9.04% and 10.87% in the previous months. Despite this easing, the future trajectory of inflation remains uncertain, heavily influenced by supply conditions and weather patterns. Current Agricultural Context Farmers have sown 320 lakh hectares…

Nutritional support for tuberculosis (TB) patients and their household contacts has emerged as important factor in improving treatment outcomes. Recent findings from the RATIONS trial conducted in Jharkhand between August 2019 and August 2022 highlight the impact of nutritional interventions. The trial involved 2,800 pulmonary TB patients and over 10,000 household contacts. It demonstrated that…