-The Hindu     SANGAREDDY (Andhra Pradesh): With increasing costs in the paddy and sugarcane cultivation some of the Farmers are thinking to shift to soyabean cultivation. However, they were not in hurry and trying to experiment in limited space available in the farm than going for mass shift. According to sources, the cultivation costs of paddy and sugar cane have abnormally increased forcing the Farmers to think for alternatives while continuing cultivation. Paddy cultivation...

-The Times of India   NEW DELHI: Seeking to spur agricultural growth, the Centre will soon launch a comprehensive plan to provide 'Soil Health Card' to all Farmers across the country. The card will carry crop-wise recommendations of nutrients/fertilizers required for farms, making it possible for Farmers to improve productivity by wisely using inputs. A computerized system will be developed, allowing local agriculture science centres to keep details of 'soil test' results. Soil...

-IANS   PATNA: The central government is planning to turn India's eastern states into an organic farming-hub, Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said here on Monday. "Our priority is to develop Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and eastern Uttar Pradesh into an organic farming hub for development of the region and to provide opportunity to millions of Farmers to earn more," Singh told media persons. Singh, who hails from Bihar, said organic farming...

-The Hindu   There is a need for promotion of local varieties on a commercial scale, says expert Adilabad (Andhra Pradesh): Telangana government's commitment towards making the State a seed hub in the country has come at a juncture when commercial crops such as cotton have failed the Farmers' expectations, but is witnessing a sharp increase in demand for organic and indigenous variety of food grains in the country. "The time seems to be...

-Kractivist.org As Scroll.in's Mridula Chari and Harsha Vadlamani search for clouds along the west coast, they meet Farmers who are attempting to return to a traditional system of alternating paddy and shrimp cultivation. Each year, Kerala's backwaters attract around 1.8 crore visitors to stay on houseboats, get lengthy massages and gawk at elephants. Few tourists realise that the placid backwaters are the site of a low-key battle - a battle to preserve...