THE NEWS IN PROPORTION
18 August 2017
Agriculture : Agriculture Policy
FARMERS’ RIGHTS
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The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act 2001, based on the European seed patenting model, is increasingly proving to be more of a burden on small farmers. Shalini Bhutani explains why.
Agriculture Laws

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BUDGET BLOG
Why Jaitley’s budget has failed to bring cheer to our farmers As has been the historical trend, most of the budget announcements on agriculture this year, too, are geared towards benefitting agribusiness rather than augmenting farm income, writes Devinder Sharma.
Agriculture Economy Ground Reality
PDS ALTERNATIVES
If you want food security, why not have food coupons? The erstwhile UPA government’s Food Security Act, now set to be implemented by the present government, could mean unendurable strain for the country’s public distribution framework. P V Rajeev spells out better alternatives to explore.
Food Security Economy Government Opinions
BUDGETING FOR AGRICULTURE
How about smart villages, Mr Modi? For over two decades now, agriculture has suffered overall neglect as successive governments, led by World-Bank prescribed growth models, have issued disproportionate doles to industry. While the present allocations do not spell much hope, Devinder Sharma suggests what the Modi government may still do to reverse the trend.
Agriculture Economy Devinder Sharma Ground Reality
GM EFFECT
A few facts for GM-advocate Manmohan Singh At the 101st Indian Science Congress in Jammu, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his faith in the potential of biotechnology for agricultural development. Devinder Sharma discusses findings that raise questions about the basis of his conviction.
GM Crops Devinder Sharma OP-ED Ground Reality
THE COLDIRETTI DEBATE
Lessons from Italy for the Indian farmer Italian farmer group Coldiretti is ushering in a new paradigm in farming, and has emerged as a powerful lobby for the interests of the small farmer. Keya Acharya reports on the campaign and wonders if Indian agriculture can emulate the same.
Organic Agriculture Livelihood
INFLATION
Why your bag of vegetables costs more every week! It is certainly not because of mere demand-supply mismatch. Kannan Kasturi deconstructs the supply chain dynamics and credit linkages in the vegetable markets to show how these, coupled with government impotence, have led to uncontrolled, spiralling inflation.
Consumers Economy
GENE CAMPAIGN CHARTER
What could make our farmers more prosperous? Despite India's reliance on the agrarian sector, a serious farming and food crisis persists due to lack of government action and policy indifference. On its 20th anniversary, Gene Campaign releases a Charter of Demands to form the basis of an advocacy programme for bountiful farming, prosperous farmers and healthy food.
Food Security Agriculture
NUTRITION CRISIS
Agricultural policies are to blame This linkage between agriculture and nutrition, and its impact on development indices is very clear, and a number of recent reports point the finger of blame at agricultural policies. Rupa Chinai reports.
Food Security Poverty
FARM MARKETS
Uttar Pradesh to set up 2000+ mandis The Mayawati government proposes to reduce the distance that farmers must travel to take their produce to market to an average of seven kms. This should help farming families boost their incomes, writes Devinder Sharma.
Devinder Sharma OP-ED U.P. Ground Reality
AGRICULTURE IN PUNJAB
Scars of the Green Revolution Sick soils, declining yields, growing debts and rising malnutrition stalk the Punjab farmer, as the practices of the boom years catch up with him, writes Bhaskar Goswami.
Agriculture PUNJAB
AGRICULTURE IN CRISIS
A failed harvest A vicious cocktail of weak purchasing power among the hundreds of millions of poor people, and a systems failure in tackling supply side challenges is driving food prices beyond the reach of many, writes Sarosh Bana.
Agriculture
ENVIRONMENT/AGRICULTURE
Reasons for the Bt Brinjal moratorium Barely three days after the conclusion of the last of six public hearings, Minister of Environment Jairam Ramesh slapped a moratorium on the release of Bt Brinjal. Anupama Rao summarises key points from the Minister's note.
GM Crops Environment
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Amitabha Basu
  • Retired Scientist
  • National Physical
  • Laboratory
  • India Together reader
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