-DNA   In the midst of the euphoria in the capital markets, after a strong mandate for Narendra Modi, the loud cries of wailing farm widows have been lost in the noise and cacophony that followed. To my mind, this is the biggest policy paralysis that afflicts the country. So when I heard Modi speak at the Central Hall of Parliament the other day: "Ours will be a government that thinks, works and...

-Deccan Chronicle   New Delhi: Tipped to be agriculture minister, Radha Mohan Singh has an arduous task at hand to boost the growth, which could not meet the target of four per cent per year in recent years.   Also, the El Nino threat to the monsoon rains will be the immediate challenge, which can affect the foodgrains productions in the next financial year. Even though there has been record foodgrains productions in the past...

CSA focuses on developing and promoting locally adapted farming systems, Sustainable farming practices. Organic Farming, Non Pesticidal Management, Open Source Seeds, Ethno-veterinary practices water conservation etc are practiced to promote ecological and economic sustainability.  CSA is involved in promoting small and medium enterprises which can increase the farmers share in the consumer price and can improve village economy. It works to establish and Strengthen institutions of farmers, producers, and consumers for...

-The Hindu Khammam (Andhra Pradesh): Efforts by Association for Social and Humanise Action (ASHA), a Chintur-based NGO, to conserve the local varieties of traditional crops and promote community-based sustainable agricultural practices has earned the appreciation of the Andhra Pradesh State Bio-diversity Board (APSBB). ASHA has been engaged in efforts to conserve the local varieties of food crops such as paddy and millets by organising awareness programmes in collaboration with reputed organisations such...

-Down to Earth Most suicides among orchard farmers, say observers As many as 101 farmers have committed suicide in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra since the devastating hailstorms in March this year. This sudden spurt of suicides has raised concerns as to whether this arid region is heading for an agrarian crisis similar to that of Vidarbha. A whopping 71 suicides have been reported in the month of March 2014, close on the...