-The Hindu Among various cash crops, turmeric has a potential market value all through the year since it is mainly used as a value added product. Erode is a turmeric cultivating hub in Tamil Nadu and almost all farmers in the region are growing this crop. But the main issue with this crop is that like paddy, it is labour intensive. A huge labour force is required for weeding, earthing, fertilizer application, harvesting...

-The Hindu Business Line Mangalore (Karnataka): More than 900 families in Dakshina Kannada district have taken up the SRI (System of Rice Intensification) method of paddy Cultivation, according to Mahaveer Ajri, Regional Director of the Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), an NGO working for rural development in Karnataka. Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, he said the method is aimed at increasing the yield. Though paddy is the main food crop,...

-The Hindu Scientists are trying to develop heat stress resilient, high-yielding and nutritionally enriched maize varieties to face the challenges of global warming Raichur (Karnataka): The Global Maize Programme, an initiative of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, is intensively pursuing the development of heat-stress resilient, high-yielding and nutritionally enriched maize varieties in order to face the challenges of global warming and meet the global demand for maize, the agency's director...

-The Hindu State has sanctioned Rs. 43.75 lakh for Perambalur district Tamil Nadu: An intensive fodder development programme will be implemented in the district in irrigated and rainfed areas through a comprehensive programme. The government has sanctioned Rs. 43.75 lakh for this special scheme for 2014-15. Special agricultural implements with a focus on water harvesting strategy will be distributed among farmers and cultivators. Fodder with more protein content to enhance the weight of the livestock...

-The Hindu Kochi: The task of mechanising agriculture operations in the marshy fields of coastal Kerala will soon become a reality. As part of its efforts to revive the traditional practice of Pokkali farming, the Kerala Agriculture University has developed a machine that enables mechanised transplantation of paddy seedlings in Pokkali fields. Along with this, the varsity has also developed a combined harvester for Pokkali fields, which is being fine-tuned after on-field...