-Economic and Political Weekly Shantanu De Roy (shantanudr2004@gmail.com) Teaches at the Department of Policy Studies, TERI University, New Delhi. It was argued that economic liberalisation would ensure a favourable shift in the terms of trade for agriculture in India, enabling producers to plough back surplus from cultivation to make long-term improvements on land, and raise agricultural productivity and growth rate. Contrary to expectations, there was no noticeable improvement in the terms of...

-The Financial Express Kochi: Drought and high temperatures in the plantation regions of Kerala are likely to cause irreparable damage to the crops. Association of Planters of Kerala reports that the plantation sector is facing one of the worst drought conditions in last 115 years and crop production had reduced by 30% in Tea, 14% in rubber, 60% in cardamom and 40% in coffee. Most of the agri-commodities are highly monsoon sensitive...

-The Indian Express Learning outcomes are assessment standards which help Teachers to understand the learning levels of students in their respective classes, individually as well as collectively. THE HRD Ministry has amended the rules under the Right to Education (RTE) Act to make it compulsory for all state governments to codify expected levels of learning which students in Classes I to VIII should achieve in different subjects. A common practice globally, this...

-Down to Earth Women farmers, whose contribution to agriculture is equal or sometimes even more than their husbands, are often ignored A study conducted in rural Tamil Nadu points out the appalling condition of women farmers, especially after the death of their husbands. Conducted in January by the Tamilnadu Federation for Women Farmers’ Rights in 13 villages across six state districts, the study reveals that a famine-like situation due to poor monsoon...

-The Hindu Under a searing sun, the Agariyas continue to make salt in the Little Rann of Kutch just as their ancestors have done down the ages A pair of black gum boots stands in the corner of Dhirubhai’s temporary shack, his home for eight months in the Little Rann of Kutch. The shack, built entirely of jute bags and plastic sheets and propped up by bamboo poles, houses nine members of...