The World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report warns that the region is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, driving more extreme weather and posing serious threats to lives, ecosystems, and economies. In 2024, Asia experienced its warmest or second warmest year on …
No decision was taken at the first meeting of experts that deliberated on issues relating to the moratorium on the commercial release of Genetically Modified Bt Brinjal. The experts were invited by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) for their views on the controversial issue. Noted agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan, …
Chandigarh Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday urged the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to establish regional research stations in the state to boost the agricultural, dairy and fisheries sectors. The CM was presiding over a high level meeting of ICAR at Punjab Bhawan to discuss the …
There have been or at least expectations of a real bumper crop in the country this year (July 2010-June 2011). One feels this is the time for structural change in the food distribution system in the country, with a structural change in the distribution of food grains to the needy. …
A LOOMING food crisis in the world and high food inflation rates at home made Pranab Mukherjee’s proposals to boost agriculture in his 2011 budget more keenly watched than usual. These are factors that clearly weighed with the finance minister who repeatedly said that his principal concern this year has …
The government will certainly not indulge in self congratulation for agriculture recording a growth of 5.4 per cent to 232.07 million tonnes in 2010-11 as this is happening on a low production base of 218.11 million tonnes last year when the country experienced the worst south-west monsoon since 1972. In …
CHENNAI: Special agriculture zones, boosting the farm production per acreage, need for post-harvest facilities and public-private partnership for sustainable agriculture will revitalise Indian agriculture, according to experts. Speaking at a panel discussion on
The Environment Ministry is considering the idea of developing bioshields comprising mangrove and non-mangrove species in coastal areas adjoining critical infrastructure projects such as power plants and oil storage depots. The idea of promoting mangroves and other biological shields to provide a
Chennai: Undertaking eco-restoration of hydrological hotspots, developing ground water sanctuaries in chronically drought prone areas and use of NREGA effectively could strengthen water security, said M.S. Swaminathan, agricultural scientist. Addressing an Indo-US workshop on
With high inflation, especially food prices much beyond comfortable levels, the Budget is likely to provide sops to the farm sector including reduction in interest rate to 4% for timely re-payments and boosting investments in agri-infrastructure. At present, farmers get credit at a rate of 7%. However, those who clear …
It is logical for India to be one of the few countries to spend about two per cent of its gross domestic product on the social sector. After all it hosts the world’s largest number of poor. But it sounds illogical that nearly three-fourths of it is the cost of …
The Union environment ministry has notified the new Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regime, replacing the CRZ notification of 1991. The notification, which has come after years of heated debate and controversy pleases no group entirely—the developers see it as a further restriction of building and industrial activities along the coast, …
Thiruvananthapuram: The National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) and the Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) have decided to launch a nation-wide agitation from February 25 in protest against some of the
Punjab Mandi Board chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal has said if the Central Government failed to implement the recommendations made in the MS Swaminathan Committee Report, farmers would stage a protest demonstration in New Delhi on March 9. Lakhowal made this announcement during an interaction with farmers at the Dukhnivaran Sahib …
Food Security Bill: Panel Cites Distortion Of Open Market Food Prices & Subsidy Implications For Paring Targets AN EXPERT committee constituted by the government has recommended sharply diluted implementation of the food security bill proposed by the National Advisory Council (NAC), headed by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, paving way for …
Although the CRZ 2011 notification came as a huge relief to the fishing community, the other violators would not be lucky enough as the Centre has stated it will direct the States to identify such violations within four months. Union Minister for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh said that directions …
CHENNAI: Agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan called on Wednesday for documenting indigenous farming knowledge which coped with monsoon vagaries. In earlier days when there was no irrigation, farmers were prepared for floods and droughts. The climate-resilient farming was a way of life in those days, and people went in for mixed …
VEDARANYAM (Tamil Nadu): The Fisherfolks Rights Bill, guaranteeing traditional marine rights, is on the anvil, Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday. Conceived on the lines of the Forest Rights Act that guarantees traditional user rights and land rights to tribals, Adivasis and forest dwellers, this …
