The recent spike in vegetable prices, due partly to erratic supplies, could well have been averted if the novel concept of “relay cropping” in vegetable farming had become popular. This system allows growing three to seven crops of different vegetables on the same patch of land over a period to ensure a steady and regular flow of vegetables to markets. This innovative approach, significantly, has been conceived and successfully put into practice...

With the order of district deputy registrar Harishchandra Hussey to 16 Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees in 16 talukas to submit a report on the details of cotton purchase made by them during the current season, the spree of buying cotton from door to door in the villages by the private players is set to stand exposed. The price of cotton has increased to Rs 6,000 per quintal in recent past. Expecting...

Three tribals, including a woman and two children, died after consuming vegetables suspected to contain excess Pesticides near here, a health department official said today. Ranu Gotia (35), Tamanna (3) and Suraj (6), members of a joint family died yesterday after they complained of vomiting, District Chief Health and Medical Officer (CMHO) Dr D S Chauhan said. "Initially it appears that they had taken dinner on Saturday comprising vegetables containing...

Decline in number of pollinators reduces yield potential of crops Bees die the day after Pesticide application Decline in number of feral and hived colonies Indiscriminate use of Pesticides has resulted in the decline of honeybee population in Idukki and Kasaragod districts, studies show. S. Devanesan, Professor and Principal Scientist, All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Honeybees and Pollinators, College of Agriculture of Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, said indiscriminate use of Pesticides caused...

Like Kerala’s Kasaragod, neighbouring Dakshina Kannada is bearing the brunt of spraying of endosulfan. While Kasaragod grabbed media spotlight and Kerala banned the Pesticide, victims in Karnataka are still struggling for recognition. Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa in December announced that his government would consider banning endosulfan. The highly toxic Pesticide is banned in over 70 countries. The assurance has come too late and is too little for the hundreds of...