-The Tribune Transformative approaches to agriculture are the need of the hour. For this, we have to impart climate resilience and rehabilitate economically stressed farming communities of agriculturally developed regions. Since more than two decades now, farmers have been committing suicides in India, a fact that reflects the harsh realities of farming. Most of these farmers were traditional family farmers, leading a lifestyle based on traditions and beliefs. The intensive commercial commodity-based...

-The Times of India MADURAI: Rodentologists suggested farmers use eco-friendly methods to remove rats from the fields, instead of relying on harmful Pesticides easily available in the market. Things like bow traps, snap traps, box and cage-type traps effectively entrap and kill rodents. Chemical rodenticides and other Pesticides, on the other hand, cause harm to the plants and create nuisance for the farmers. Bow traps are usually placed in the field without any bait inside. Around...

-PTI The government on Wednesday said it has put in place a contingency plan for 580 districts to tackle any situation arising out of below-normal monsoon. As per the weather department forecast, monsoon would be below normal this year due to an impact of El Nino. Monsoon rains are expected to arrive on time this year, hitting Kerala on June 1. Last year, the country had received 12 per cent less rains, affecting production...

-The Telegraph Guwahati: Tea Research Association and London-based Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International have joined hands to develop a more ecological approach to tea production in order to reduce pesticide application. "The project will eventually lead to development of a toolbox of tried and tested practices to facilitate transition towards ecological production. The project envisages the development of a package of practices in relation to pest management, leading to the adoption of non-pesticide...

-The Hindu MACHILIPATNAM (Andhra Pradesh): The Department of Science (DST) has roped in Krishna University to conduct disease mapping and documentation of geospatial data on health hazards owing to indiscriminate usage of Pesticides in Krishna and Guntur districts. The study, which began at Ayyanki in Krishna district, will cover seven mandals, including Thulluru and Amaravati in Guntur district, where use of Pesticides has been excessive. In Krishna, it will cover Diviseema region....