Year: 2015

Blazing an aesthetic trail in organic farming

Kerala, Dec 29: A group of farmers in Choornikkara panchayat is blazing a new trail in vegetable marketing using the aesthetic appeal of crop design to woo customers to their farms and selling them fresh, hand-picked produce. “There is a visual value to vegetable farms, especially when there is a design that augments their natural […]

Interest in organic farming growing

Puducherry, Dec 29: It has an advantage over conventional farming, say Puducherry farmers. Of the 11,000 hectares of agricultural land in Puducherry, around 22 hectares of certified organic farms might appear to be small in comparison. However, not only is the area under organic farming slowly growing, it also appears to be finding a new-found enthusiasm […]

It is failure of Bt technology, opines expert panel

Raichur, Dec 25: An independent fact-finding team of cotton experts that examined Bt cotton fields destroyed by pink bollworm in Raichur district on Thursday strongly held that the crop destruction was not due to adulteration of seeds, but due to the failure of Bt technology itself. Addressing media in Raichur on Friday, Dr. H.R. Prakash, […]

Disaster prone Cuddalore farmers start wearing several hats

Cuddalore (TN), Dec 25: Repeatedly ravaged by natural disasters, the recent deluge following unprecedented rains being the latest, the farmers in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district have started diversifying like never before. From taking up organic farming to cashew shelling to cattle rearing, they are branching out to different areas connected to agriculture with the help […]

Agro minister Radha Mohan Singh picks a fight with GM giant MMBL

New Delhi, Dec 26: A regulatory battle is brewing in India’s cotton sector, with agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh hardening his stand on what he says are “exploitative” seed prices and taking an unprecedented step to control them from the next season. Singh’s ministry has passed orders for a price cap on cotton seeds from […]

Another Organics and Flood example

P.B. Murali, Dec 21: Our paddy field is amidst the mango orchard. Rice variety is a long duration 150 days crop called Ponni. This has sustained the entire onslaught of chennai rains with out stalling and are ready for harvest in 15 days. This crop is grown using biodynamic practice. Items used Bd 500 + […]

GM Crops Fail to Deliver on Promises After 20 Years

Dec 22: Greenpeace has released a new report reviewing evidence of GM environmental risks, market failures, and increased pesticide use for the past 20 years. It says, “Two decades on, the promises are getting bigger and bigger, but GM crops are not delivering any of them.” Around 85% of GM crops are cultivated in just […]

Forest dept to train cultivators in organic farming

Bjnor, Dec 15: With a view to minimize the presence of pesticides in the Ganga and its tributaries, the forest department has started an initiative to apprise farmers on river banks about the benefits of organic farming. The increased amount of harmful chemicals is adversely affecting the aquatic life, according to officials. This awareness programme will […]

Three-day organic food festival begins in Rajkot

Rajkot, Dec 20: People in Gujarat thronged a food festival promoting healthy lifestyle, natural living and organic farming in the state. The three-day organic food festival ‘Prakrut’ began in Rajkot city on December 19 where organic farmers from across the country are exhibiting their produce and traditional food recipes. The festival has been organized by […]

Government to Promote Organic and Innovative Techniques of Farming

National, Dec 18: Government is promoting organic farming through various schemes/ programmes under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)/ Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) of NMSA, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Mission on Oilseeds & Oil Palm (NMOOP) Network Project on Organic Farming of ICAR and National Programme […]