Category: Agriculture

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Telangana and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) are exploring collaboration in agriculture. A panel discussion took place on November 15, 2024. It included government officials, industry leaders, and ICRISAT scientists. Collaboration Goals CII and ICRISAT aim to enhance agricultural and food processing innovation. Their…

The Government of Odisha has initiated an important step towards sustainable agriculture. In collaboration with ICRISAT, they launched a ‘Compendium of Regenerative Agriculture’. This launch took place at the International Symposium on Shree Anna and Forgotten Foods in Bhubaneshwar. Key Principles of Regenerative Agriculture The compendium outlines five essential principles. These are – minimising soil…

India has been a pioneer in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) since 2013. The Companies Act mandates CSR contributions, impacting social development. Over Rs 1.84 lakh crore has been disbursed from 2014 to 2023. Agriculture, vital for the economy and employment, faces challenges like climate change and stagnant incomes. CSR can play an important role in…

The Union Cabinet, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved an important change in how agricultural schemes are managed in India. This change aims to simplify the existing Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) by combining them into two main umbrella programs: Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) Krishonnati Yojana (KY) What are these schemes? PM-RKVY…

What is National Agriculture Code? The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is developing a new set of guidelines called the National Agriculture Code (NAC). This is similar to the existing national codes used for buildings and electrical systems, but specifically for agriculture. The goal is to create a set of standards that can help improve…

The Tobacco Board of India (TBI) is actively promoting Indian tobacco in international markets. The focus is on the Middle East, particularly the UAE. This initiative aims to enhance the income of Indian farmers by branding unmanufactured tobacco. Export Categories India’s tobacco industry has two main export categories. The first category consists of 226 exporters…

A new orchid species, Crepidium assamicum, has been discovered in Assam’s Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. This finding enriches the biodiversity of orchids globally. The discovery was made by Khyanjeet Gogoi and Dr. Jintu Sharma, who have dedicated over a decade to researching orchids in the region. Their work culminated in the species being recognised in the…

On October 2024, paddy harvesting in Punjab has slowed. Despite favourable weather, about 90% of the procured crop remains stuck in mandis (grain markets). Private rice millers are refusing to store government paddy, exacerbating the situation. Without immediate intervention, conditions are expected to deteriorate. About Paddy Procurement Paddy procurement is a structured process. Each year,…

India’s Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying has made important strides in animal health. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRC Equine) has been designated as a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Laboratory for Equine Piroplasmosis. This recognition marks India’s commitment to improving its scientific and diagnostic capabilities in…

Recent findings from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlight staggering hidden costs within global agrifood systems. The study estimates these costs at approximately $12 trillion annually, with 70% linked to unhealthy diets. This has important implications for public health and environmental sustainability. Health Impacts of Diets The study identifies 13 dietary risk factors contributing…