-The Hindu Kalpetta (Kerala): A study conducted by scientists of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) found that heavy and unscientific application of chemical fertilizers without regular application of lime was the major reason for the spread of yellowing disease in pepper vines. The study was led by K.M. Sreekumar, Associate Professor, Department of Entomology, Agriculture College, Padnnakkad. Sugandhi project It was conducted under the four-year Sugandhi project, organised jointly by the Indian Institute of Spices...

-The Hindu Kochi (Kerala): The State Horticulture Mission (SHM) is planning to implement organic farming and certification in 2,000 hectares in the State. The programme is to be implemented initially in the three districts of Idukki, Wayanad and Kasaragod during 2014-15, under the guidance of the National Horticulture Mission (NHM). Under the programme, financial assistance will be provided over a period of three years for groups of farmers covering an area of...

-Capital Market 14 Crore Soil Health Cards to be Issued in Three Years; Credit Support of Rs. 8 Lakh Crore to Agriculture During 2014-15 Targeted "Finance to 5 lakh joint farming groups of Bhoomi Heen Kisan through NABARD in the current financial year", said Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Agriculture Minister, while inaugurating the National Rabi Conference. Minister said that, a very large number of landless farmers are unable to provide land title...

-Live Mint Better irrigation systems and use of more fertilizers could narrow the gap between production and productivity Dig deeper into Indian agriculture's low productivity and many states producing higher quantities of rice are far from the most productive. On the one hand, six of the top 10 rice producing states rank 10th or worse when it comes to how efficient they are in producing rice. Their yields per hectare are lower than...

-The New Indian Express   SAMBALPUR: Shortage of Urea fertilizer has adversely affected farming activities in Western Odisha districts and left farmers in a lurch. While well-off farmers are purchasing it at a premium from open market, the small and marginal ones are sitting with their fingers crossed waiting for the Agriculture Department to come to their aid. Urea has the highest nitrogen content of all solid nitrogenous fertilizers. It has nitrogen...