-India.mongabay.com * After the drop in wheat production due to heat waves, extreme weather events have now cast a shadow on rice production, which is likely to drop beyond centre’s initial 6% loss estimate. * In six years (2015-21), the country lost 33.9 million hectares of the cropped area due to floods and excess rains and 35 million hectares due to drought, which are likely to intensify as various studies predict. * Centre...

-The Telegraph University Grants Commission has also advocated online exams and ‘blended’ online-offline courses New Delhi: A proposal for India’s universities to introduce “flipped classrooms”, where teachers provide material to students in advance to study at home and the classroom is used for debate, analysis and problem-solving, has divided academics. Central University of punjab vice-chancellor R.P. Tiwari said flipped classrooms help develop critical thinking while conventional classrooms encourage passive learning, but St Stephens...

-The Telegraph Sarson Satyagraha has claimed that India is nearly self-sufficient in mustard oil production New Delhi: A group of farmers and scientists on Friday announced its intention to step up resistance against what they view as the Centre’s moves towards the release of genetically modified mustard for commercial cultivation. “We will activate all possible democratic and non-violent avenues available to us and ensure that GM mustard planting does not end up being...

-India Today Once the government gives final approval, it will be another three years before farmers can begin commercial cultivation using GM mustard seeds Approval for the environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard—Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11)—across India has not come a day too soon. The GM crops regulator, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), had cleared GM mustard in 2017 but the Indian government raised questions and asked for more studies,...

-Outlook The BJP is lashing out at punjab government and state's ruling Aam Aadmi Party, accusing it of being in a 'deep slumber' over polluting farm fires. Farm fires have continued unabated in punjab despite criticism and efforts at awareness, driving the air quality in Delhi to the worst this year on Tuesday. Farmers burn farm stubble in punjab every year, which worsens the air quality in North India, particularly in Delhi, as...