Farming

Rajasthan govt signs ₹1,679 crore agricultural MoUs ahead of GRAM-2026

Rajasthan has secured ₹1,679 crore in agri-sector investment proposals ahead of the Global Rajasthan Agri-tech Meet-2026 in Jaipur

Two Bandra Girls: Farm life memoir blends dreams with reality of rural life

Two women leave their Bandra lives to start an organic farm in Raigad, resulting in a book packed with action, drama and occasional plot twists

Beyond the hearth: Recognising women farmers as key to India's agri future

Unlike the 1970s, the 2026 oil shock may trigger faster shifts to renewables and new global demand patterns, reshaping long-term economic outcomes

How India is emerging as testing ground for agri-based carbon markets

Amazon's $30 million rice carbon credit deal highlights India's role in scaling agriculture-based carbon markets while raising questions on trust, verification, and farmer benefits

Rajasthan govt plans irrigation upgrade to reduce monsoon dependence

Currently, micro-irrigation facilities cover 24 per cent of the state's gross sown area (GSA). There are plans to expand coverage to 51 per cent by 2030

Rajasthan govt actively pushes natural farming; 250K farmers on board

The state government's goal is to nudge farmers towards chemical-free practices that also increase incomes

Forgotten crops may hold answers to India's food and climate needs

India's neglected fruits and vegetables could be the key to nutrition security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods - if policy and markets revive them

Rabi acreage tops normal levels for most crops till January 9, shows data

Cold wave grips North India; temperature dips to 2.7 degrees in Gurugram

Rural economy spurs tractor sales in 2025, tilling fertile ground for 2026

Tractor sales touch nearly a million in 2025 calendar

Chemical fertilisers cause diseases, natural farming boosts income: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday termed chemical fertilisers as the root cause of many diseases and made a strong pitch for natural farming, saying it not only increases farmers' income but also saves water and promotes public health. Addressing a Farmers' Conference held here, Shah said the government was developing a "complete system" - from soil and laboratory testing, certification to packaging - to ensure that the agricultural produce of the country's farmers reaches global level in a better way as there is a huge market for natural farming in the world. "Chemical fertilisers are the root cause of many diseases today. Natural farming is an approach that doesn't reduce farmers' income, but instead makes their produce pure," he said. Natural farming is a traditional practice that people have forgotten over the time. A dung and urine of a single indigenous cow can help cultivate 21 acres of land, he said. "It (natural farming) increases income, saves water, and relieves

Mirova invests $30 mn in Varaha's Kheti soil carbon project in India

Mirova has invested $30 million in Kheti soil carbon project, marking its first India carbon deal and its largest commitment under nature-based strategies aimed at scaling regenerative farming

AIC plans expanding parametric insurance products to livestock, people

Agriculture Insurance Company of India plans to scale up weather-linked parametric insurance to livestock and income protection for agricultural workers

Scientists urge PM Modi to lift stay on GM mustard before 2025 sowing

Senior agricultural scientists write to PM Modi urging coordinated action to lift the stay on GM mustard, stressing biosafety and global adoption ahead of sowing season

Rajasthan govt surpasses initial target for cooperative millet stores

Along with Confed and District Cooperative Consumer Stores, millet outlets are also being opened at the level of purchasing-selling cooperative societies and village service cooperative societies

Want to know where to grow a crop? This Noida agritech startup tells you

This AI platform can analyse climate, soil, and crop data to predict what grows best where-boosting yields and cutting carbon risks

Flood-hit India, Pakistan face rising basmati prices amid crop losses

India and Pakistan exclusively grow aromatic basmati rice, which sells for nearly twice the price of regular varieties and is primarily imported by Britain, the Middle East, and the United States

From boon to bane: How monsoon 2025 is turning into a nightmare for many

Above-normal monsoon this year has seen surge in kharif planting, driving up fertiliser demand, but heavy rains in northern states have also ruined standing crops, while floods have killed hundreds

Odisha fertiliser crisis: Naveen Patnaik warns of supply gaps, farmer woes

Naveen Patnaik has written to Union Minister JP Nadda warning of urea shortages in Odisha, citing black marketing, inflated prices and farmer protests during the kharif season

Govt policy must reward sustainability for India's small farmers: Syngenta

Government policies must incentivise sustainable farming to support India's smallholder farmers, as they face intensifying climate challenges like erratic monsoons, droughts, and floods, according to Swiss crop protection firm Syngenta Group Chief Sustainability Officer Petra Laux. Smallholder farmers account for 80 per cent of the agricultural sector. With agriculture contributing 25 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but receiving only 5 per cent of climate transition funding and subsidies rewarding climate-smart practices are critical to drive change, Laux said. In an interview with PTI, she said uncertain crop prices discourage smallholders from using sustainable methods. The lack of premiums for climate-smart crops, unlike niche organic markets, limits progress. Globally, consumer reluctance to pay more hinders adoption, and scaling emission reduction projects, like Syngenta's methane-focused initiative near Delhi for export markets, face challenges. "There's no pre

Why India still remains in a state of confusion when it comes to GM crops

For now, India's GM crop landscape remains one of promise stalled by policy inertia, while scientific, commercial, and global trade pressures continue to mount