Agriculture sector undergoes a historic change as Livestock surpasses the economy of food grain Policy makers in India are finally acknowledging a structural shift in the agriculture sector they have been noticing for a decade. Economic contribution of Livestock is today more than that of food grain crops. Traditionally, of the three components of the sector—crops, Livestock and fisheries—crops drove the growth, and food grains are a major part of it....

In 2010-11, India produced 121 million tonne of milk, which is close to 17% of global milk production. During the year, dairy cooperatives collected 9.6 million tonne of milk, a growth of around 1% over last year. Liquid milk marketing by cooperatives increased by around 4% over the previous year and was about 8.2 million tonne in 2010-11. Explaining that higher GDP growth, increased incomes in rural areas through schemes like...

Global experience in retail trading by MNCs does not tally with the presumptions on which the UPA government's FDI policy is based. IN the course of the debate on the need to permit foreign direct investment in retail in India, two arguments have been advanced often. The first argument is that large organised retail is good for not just consumers, who would benefit from lower prices owing to cost efficiencies...

Industrialised countries are increasingly outsourcing part of their emissions of greenhouse gases to emerging economies such as China and India through global trade, a new study has revealed. The study by an international team of scientists has also shown that greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere have rocketed to unprecedented levels despite the global financial crisis (GFC) two years ago. Although the GFC did lead to a temporary dip in emissions from...

Sehal Sagar village in Rajasthan has won the national water award instituted by the water resources ministry Nestled in Rajasthan’s bone-dry Tonk district, Sehal Sagar village boasts of lush green fields, wells full to the brim and healthy cattle. The surprise transformation has been possible because the village follows rainwater harvesting and develops its pasture land. Sehal Sagar has an elaborate network of ponds, canals and chaukas which ensure that every drop...