Climate change is increasingly affecting India’s commercial crops through rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, soil degradation, and higher pest incidence. Crops like tea, coffee, rice, wheat, and sugarcane face reduced yields and quality, threatening farmer livelihoods and export competitiveness. Government initiatives such as the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and programs by the Tea and Coffee Boards aim to enhance climate resilience through climate-smart varieties, water management, pest control, and insurance. Adoption of sustainable practices, crop diversification, and technology integration are essential for safeguarding productivity and ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability.
Click to View MoreIndian farmers and scientists oppose expanding the ITPGRFA to all crops at the Lima summit. They fear loss of seed sovereignty, biopiracy, and weak benefit sharing. They insist on mandatory payments and strict DSI regulation before any change, arguing the current system already fails developing countries.
Click to View MoreAir pollution in India significantly impacts children’s growth, leading to stunted physical development, respiratory problems, and cognitive impairments. Studies from Delhi-NCR, Punjab, and Vidarbha show that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter and toxic air pollutants reduces height and lung capacity in children under five. Effective government measures and community-level interventions are crucial to protect children’s health and ensure equitable development.
Click to View MorePesticide pollution in India is a growing environmental and public health concern. Overuse of chemical pesticides, especially in cotton and high-value crops, contaminates air, water, and soil, affecting both farmers and nearby communities. Regulatory gaps, limited monitoring, and lack of awareness exacerbate the problem. Integrated pest management, bio-pesticides, safer spraying practices, and stronger enforcement of laws offer viable solutions. Case studies from Telangana, Maharashtra, and Punjab show that reducing chemical dependency is possible without affecting crop yields, promoting healthier, sustainable, and inclusive agriculture.
Click to View MoreThe Soil Health Card scheme helps farmers combat land degradation from imbalanced fertilizer use. It offers scientific soil analysis across 12 parameters and suggests balanced fertilizer doses. By promoting guided nutrient management, it boosts yields, cuts input costs, and supports sustainable, profitable farming.
Click to View MoreMajor meat and dairy companies emit more methane than the entire EU and UK combined, contributing significantly to global greenhouse gases. The top five producers release more emissions than major oil companies like BP and Shell. Methane from livestock, especially cattle, drives climate change and deforestation. Current industry solutions are insufficient, and urgent policy shifts toward emission targets, sustainable farming, and plant-rich diets are needed to meet climate goals.
Click to View MoreThe Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme supports micro-irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems. It provides financial assistance to facilitate state-driven water conservation initiatives. This, in turn, enhances agricultural productivity, optimizes water usage, and increases farmer incomes.
Click to View MoreDongar cultivation is a traditional upland farming system practiced by the Kondh tribes of Odisha, where millets, pulses, and oilseeds are grown together on hill slopes. This eco-friendly method supports food security and biodiversity but is now threatened by the spread of eucalyptus monoculture. Government initiatives like the Odisha Millets Mission and NGO efforts aim to revive and protect this sustainable farming tradition for future generations.
Click to View MoreThe Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) is a central scheme to enhance farmer prosperity. Its core strategy is to shift Indian agriculture from a production-centric to an income-centric model. The scheme promotes crop diversification, integrates modern technology, and strengthens farm-to-market linkages.
Click to View MoreThe EAT-Lancet report shows under 1% of humanity lives within safe, equitable planetary limits. Current food systems drive ecological collapse and inequality, demanding a shift to plant-forward diets, halved food waste, and just policies for global health and sustainability.
Click to View MoreTropilaelaps mercedesae, a new parasitic mite originating in Asia, is posing a significant global threat to honeybees. Originating in Asia, it feeds on bee pupae, reproduces rapidly, and transmits lethal viruses, causing colony collapse. Current treatments are ineffective, and managing both mites simultaneously presents a major challenge.
Click to View MoreAgriculture remains the backbone of the Indian economy, contributing 16% to the GDP and supporting more than 46% of the workforce. It is crucial for ensuring food security, generating employment, and driving rural development. While facing challenges like climate change and fragmented land holdings, government policies and technological innovations are empowering the sector.
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