Traceability shows the complete journey of how sustainably a fruit has been harvested and distributed; it can help and prevent the misuse of GI tags Alphonso Mangoes. Photo: G Patkar via Wikipedia
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‘Crop residue can boost soil health’
Andy MacDonald, manager, Rothamsted long-term experiments, Rothamsted Research, UK, speaks to Down To Earth on key findings of the Broadbalk study on running farms What does it take to sustain an experiment like this for almost two centuries? Broadbalk is one of the several agricultural field experiments established by John Lawes and Henry Gilbert between 1843 and 1856. Lawes supported the experiments with funds from his fertiliser-manufacturing business and eventually established the Lawes Agricultural Trust to ensure that the experiments continued after his death. The management of the
Breaking new ground: World’s longest running farm study adds to organic-inorganic debate
The aim of the Broadbalk experiment is to test the effects of different organic and inorganic fertilisers on soil fertility and study the optimum nutrition requirements to improve crop yield The farmland in the picture might look unremarkable to most. But for agricultural scientists, it is part the planet’s most famous 4.5 hectares (ha). The field in Hertfordshire county of southern England has been under continuous scientific experiments for the past 178 years, making it the world’s oldest and longest running study. The research was started by agricultural scientist John Bennet Lawes and chemist Joseph Henry Gilbert under the Rothamsted Research institution in the
Telangana farmers to get 25.5 lakh tonne fertilisers for kharif
The State Government has decided to allot 25.5 lakh metric tonne fertilisers for the farm sector during the upcoming Vaanakalam (kharif) season.The State presently has stock of 6.6 LMT fertilisers. Of these, urea stock is to the tune of 3.73 LMT and the remaining 2.92 LMT was of other fertilisers.Agriculture Minister S. Niranjan Reddy wanted the officials concerned to initiate steps in advance for effective supply of fertilisers to farmers. Officials should keep in mind the difficulties faced during the previous kharif season.Steps should be taken to move the buffer stocks existing with Markfed to primary agriculture cooperative societies and enhance their storage capacity. Efforts should be made to ensure that there was no decline in the stocks available
Farmers at stake as fertiliser prices go up
The leaders of Indian Farmers Movement and the Malayora Karshaka Samiti say the price hike of the fertilisers can be controlled only by restricting the supremacy of various private fertiliser giants in the price fixing mechanism. Farmers across the State who are grappling with the dwindling crop yield and price fall of agriculture produce have called upon the Union and State governments to do something immediately to arrest the increasing market prices of various fertilisers and chemicals. Leaders of major farmers’ organisations say the unbearable farm input cost subsequent to the fertiliser price hike will take the ailing agriculture sector to an unrecoverable crisis.“NPK – one of the essential nutrient mixes and the most-sought-after fertiliser product comprising nitrogen phosphorus
Sub-Saharan Africa’s food security has turned out better than feared. But risks remain
When the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic hit, concern immediately arose that sub-Saharan Africa faced a potential worsening in food insecurity. The concerns were due to the anticipated slowdown in economic activity, job losses accompanied by loss of income, and a ban on grain exports by major exporting countries, including India, Russia, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Sub-Saharan Africa is a net importer of food. The bans, along with other pandemic-related disruptions to food supply chains, were expected to add to food security challenges in the region. The World Bank was
Govt sets record 104.3 million tonne rice production target for 2021-22 kharif season
The government on Friday set a record rice production target of 104.3 million tonne for the kharif season of 2021-22 crop year (July-June).Rice is the main crop grown in the kharif season, sowing of which begins with the onset of southwest monsoon from June.In the kharif season last crop year, rice production was estimated to be at 103.75 million tonne against the target of 102.60 million tonne, as per the agriculture ministry's second advance estimate.Discussing with states about the preparedness for the forthcoming kharif season, Agriculture Commissioner S.K. Malhotra said southwest monsoon as a whole is likely to be normal this year as per the Met Department.The rice production target for the 2021-22 kharif season is set at
Farmers in Punjab, Haryana receive MSP directly in their bank accounts
With wheat harvesting in full swing in Punjab and Haryana, farmers, for the first time, have started receiving minimum support price (MSP) payment directly in their bank accounts under the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme (DBT). The government data shows ₹5,385 crore has been transferred so far in the ongoing procurement season by the Central and State procurement agencies to farmers against purchase of their crops in both the States. In Punjab, ₹2,600 crore has been paid to accounts of farmers till April 20 under the scheme. In Haryana, ₹2,785 crore have been transferred directly to the accounts of farmers.Punjab Food Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu said “under the DBT scheme payments more than ₹2,600 crore has been paid to the
Four months on, the farmers’ protest continues unabated
On March 26, the all-India farmers’ protest against three contentious farm laws of the National Democratic Alliance government completed four months. The sit-in protest at the five borders of Delhi—Singhu, Ghazipur, Tikri, Shahjahanpur and Palwal—which began in winter and continued through the bitter cold, now faces a fresh challenge in the capital’s scorching summer temperatures. But the farmers, who have steadfastly opposed the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, are unfazed and have begun preparations for the summer heat as well.Bharat bandhDespite being ignored by the government, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the broad front which spearheads
Kanwar Grewal: ‘I feel very responsible for what is happening around me’
HIS songs Ailaan (Proclamation: The Voice of People) and Pecha created waves during the farmers’ protests, so much so that the video recording of Ailaan was taken off from YouTube without much of an explanation. At 37, Kanwar Grewal is the latest singing sensation, enjoying millions of views in the subcontinent, even among people who do not necessarily understand Punjabi. He intersperses his singing with conversations with the audience. The farmers’ movement, he says, impacted him a lot and he felt drawn towards it. He says he cannot understand why Pecha, which had drawn more viewers on YouTube, was retained while Ailaan was banned. Both the songs had similar lyrics exemplifying the angst of farmers.The lines Faslaa de faisle