Category: Agriculture

In 2024, Maharashtra’s agriculture department uncovered fraud within the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). Over 414,000 crop insurance claims were identified as bogus, denoting the misuse of this subsidised insurance scheme. Farmers attempted to claim insurance on non-existent crops or lands they did not own. The situation prompted immediate action from the state government…

Recently, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) officially renamed the Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI) in Rajahmundry to the National Institute for Research on Commercial Agriculture (NIRCA). This change reflects a broader research mandate that now includes turmeric, chilli, castor, and ashwagandha, alongside tobacco. History of Tobacco Research in India Tobacco research in India…

Farmers in India continue to protest against the World Trade Organization (WTO) policies, arguing that these regulations undermine their livelihoods. The protests, particularly strong in Punjab, have expanded beyond the demand for legalising Minimum Support Prices (MSP) to a call for India to withdraw from the WTO. Farmers claim that WTO rules disproportionately benefit developed…

The Extraordinary African Union Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) concluded in Kampala, Uganda, on January 11, 2025. The summit adopted the Kampala Declaration, which sets a transformative agenda for Africa’s agri-food systems from 2026 to 2035. This declaration succeeds the Malabo Declaration, marking shift towards a comprehensive agri-food systems approach to…

Germany has reported its first outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in nearly 40 years. The outbreak occurred in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin and presents challenge for local agriculture. In response, authorities have euthanised the affected animals and established a 3-kilometre exclusion zone, accompanied by a 10-kilometre monitoring area. These measures…

The landscape of agricultural subsidies in India has undergone changes in recent years. As of 2025, the need for periodic review of subsidy schemes is paramount to ensure alignment with social equity and economic growth. The Public Distribution System (PDS) remains important mechanism for distributing food grains to the economically disadvantaged at subsidised rates. However,…

The INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) project is making progress in the North East of India. Launched with a financial backing of ₹100 crore, the initiative aims to enhance the quality of natural rubber produced in the region. This funding will facilitate skill development for rubber growers and the establishment of model…

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBAGR) has officially recognised the Gaddi dog breed. This indigenous breed hails from the Himalayan region and is now acknowledged alongside nine other livestock breeds. The recognition aims to promote conservation efforts for the Gaddi, which currently lacks support from major kennel clubs.…

India’s organic farming sector is poised for growth, with total export values projected to reach Rs 20,000 crore by 2028. This outlook was shared by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, during the launch of the 8th edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). Key Launches Key Digital Initiatives and…

India’s urea production has surged in recent years, despite challenges in the fertiliser sector. The government aims for self-reliance, known as atmanirbharta, which has driven investments in urea manufacturing. Recent Developments in Urea Production From 2011-12 to 2023-24, India’s domestic urea production increased from 22 million tonnes to 31.4 million tonnes. During this period, imports…