The revised draft Seeds Bill 2019, which the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare placed in the public domain recently for suggestions and comments, seems to be a watered down version of a draft prepared about nine years ago by the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Among other things, …
A policy guide from the FAO, titled "Promoting the Growth and Development of Smallholder Seed Enterprises for Food Security Crops," describes lessons learned from case studies of smallholder seed enterprises in Brazil, India and Cote d'Ivoire. The development of smallholder seed enterprises represents an important opportunity to provide high quality …
Agriculture is the mainstay of the economies of developing countries and the source of livelihood for the majority of their populations. In view of this, it is considered crucial that the performance of agriculture should ensure food security and provide a strong economic base. Towards this aim, improved seeds have …
This research examines how patent applications and the granting of patents developed at the European Patent Office in 2010. It also examines how the EPO has dealt with other applications for patents on conventionally bred plants following the decision on the broccoli patent. The report shows a steadily increasing number …
If everything goes as per plan regarding distribution of cheaper rations under the Atal Khadyann Yojana, Kumaon will soon have a separate Seed Development Corporation on the pattern of the Terai Seed Development Corporation, which is earning `six crore per annum by selling seed to other States. Speaking to The …
True potato seeds (TPS) are sexually produced propagules of potato and are preferred for its high yield and the power to resist late blight disease of potato. Seed tubers used for propagation are high in volume and pose problems in quality, availability, transportation, marketing & storage. As compared to seed …
Onion and garlic are very important commodities consumed in India in the form of spices and condiments. Unlike other vegetables, they are required daily in the kitchen and therefor augmentation of daily supply in the market at reasonable prices is very essential.
THE Rajasthan government distributed hybrid maize seeds not suitable for agroclimatic conditions of the state to over 750,000 farmers. In doing so, it overlooked the recommendations of the Union ministry for agriculture and the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR). The seeds had failed to give desired yields during trials …
Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) has developed hybrid tomato seeds (BARI HYBRID TOMATO-5) with a thrust of facing the deficit of quality tomato seed together with boosting its output. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) has been putting in its level best effort for multiplication works of the seed at …
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kissan Morcha will hold protest on February 17 at all district headquarters across the country against the Seed Bill of 2004 which has been tabled in Lok Sabha by the Government. The Morcha will also present memorandums to Government against the same at the respective district …
The villagers in Assam are now giving less importance to cultivation, especially in the rabi crop season, after experiencing an easy way of life under the much-hyped MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and Anna Suraksha schemes. An official of the state agriculture department told this correspondent that …
When the planting season arrives later this year, farmers in the United States will have a new way to safeguard their crops from drought. Last week, DuPont subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, announced plans to release a series of hybrid maize (corn) strains that can flourish with …
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: R.V.G. Menon, noted social activist and former president of the Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP), has endorsed the State government's stand that Genetically Modified (GM) crops will not be permitted in the State till their safety is proved beyond doubt, but sought an open mind on the issue. In …
KOZHIKODE: CPM politburo member S Ramachandran Pillai reiterated his stance on the genetically-modified (GM) crops even as the controversy over his statement at the International Congress on Kerala Studies refused to subside. Addressing a news conference here on Tuesday, he said that it is imperative to make a difference between …
The people of Zimbabwe have to cope with a difficult political situation, but they also face many other problems daily. Climate change is making entire areas of land infertile and may halve crop yields by 2020. Zimbabwe
N. GANESH MUMBAI Though onions are Dec. 22: Though onions are being imported to overcome the domestic supply deficit, the measure will still be not able to tide over the crisis in the coming months. The next crop, which is usually harvested from April to June, seems to be under …
IT HAS been drafted several times in the past six years. The Union agriculture ministry is confident the seeds bill will make it through Parliament this winter session. But opposition parties, and some MPs from the ruling Congress Party, are getting ready to corner the ministry over legislation. The Seeds …
