AGRI-INNOVATION
The wonder climber for areca nut trees
A new mechanical device that makes areca nut harvesting less labour-intensive and hence affordable could solve one of the major problems faced by farmers of the crop. Shrikrishna D reports.
Livelihoods
September 2013
BOOK REVIEW
On the trail of toxins
The ubiquity of genetically modified crops, brought about by the sustained efforts of agribusiness giant Monsanto has raised concerns globally. Neeta Deshpande reviews Marie-Monique Robin's The World According to Monsanto: Pollution, Politics and Power.
Book Reviews | GM Crops
August 2013
FARMERS' DEBT
Caveat from farm debt waiver scheme
Serious and rampant irregularities exposed by the CAG audit of the Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2008 hold important cautionary advice for the government as it seeks to launch direct cash transfers. Himanshu Upadhyaya analyses.
Public funds
April 2013 DROUGHT POLITICS
Drought in Maharashtra: The real story
The state's most drought-prone regions have continued to devote precious resources for sugarcane cultivation and sugar production suggests there is more to the region's water crisis than climatic conditions alone. Parineeta Dandekar reports.
Maharashtra
March 2013 CHOICE OF CROPS
Why not fruits and vegetables?
A number of factors have combined to keep farmers in the country growing wheat and rice, instead of fruits and vegetables which would fetch much higher returns, writes Richa Govil.
October 2012
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 | Agriculture policy
July 2012

AGRI-BUSINESS
New designs on foreign lands
Cross-border investments to acquire or lease thousands of hectares of lands are taking place, presumably to take advantage of cheaper input costs in some countries. Darryl D'Monte reports.
Trade in agriculture | Energy
June 2012
NUTRITION CRISIS
Blinkered focus on cereals
The government's public food support programmes and agriculture policies have condemned the poor to a daily diet that is of limited nutrition value.
Food security
June 2012
FOOD SECURITY
Adding millets to the basket
To improve food security and to bring extensive lands now left fallow into cultivation again, the government must support millets just as it supports rice and wheat.
Food security
December 2011
FARMER SUICIDES
Some states fight the trend, but still ...
Five States did manage a significant decline in the average number of farm suicides between 2003 and 2010. However, more States have reported increases over the same period.
P Sainath | Farmer suicides
December 2011


PADDY CULTIVATION
Popularising SRI
The System of Rice Intensification, known to increase rice yields significantly merely by following a few simple rules, is spreading throughout Bihar, thanks to an award-winning film.
Film reviews
June 2011


FARM MARKETS
Uttar Pradesh to set up 2000+ mandis
The State government proposes to reduce the distance that farmers must travel to take their produce to market. to an average of 7 kms.
Agriculture Policy | U.P. | Devinder Sharma
May 2011


CHILD LABOUR LAWS
Lacunae and contradictions
The survey of child labour in agriculture has drawn attention once again to many issues to be addressed if every child is to have a meaningful right to education.
Kalpana Sharma | Child labour
February 2011