Reporting on Agriculture from India Together.https://indiatogether.org/en-inhttps://indiatogether.org/seeds-omm-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/seeds-omm-agriculture/Tribal communities in Similipal are being encouraged by a flagship program of the Odisha government to conserve seeds and water, use bio-inputs and inter-crop millets with other crops. Farmers are optimistic that this can bring them food security and better livelihoods. Abhijit Mohanty reports.Fri, 17 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/precision-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/precision-agriculture/India needs to grow a lot more food, and do it sustainably to be able to meet its future food security and also keep its climate commitments. Precision farming is still nascent in the country, but could offer a way forward.Mon, 06 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/orange-assam-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/orange-assam-agriculture/Buffeted by low prices, middlemen and uncertain rains, and lacking adequate state support, families that have grown oranges for decades fear they will not be able to continue living off their lands much longer. Ratna Bharali Talukdar reports.Mon, 21 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/reader-pref-media/https://indiatogether.org/reader-pref-media/The popular narrative about how media chooses what it covers is that reader preferences are not a big factor. But is that true? A study of media coverage of land conflicts, the Covid-19 crisis and the Farm Bills provides some answers.Wed, 16 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/odisha-millets-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/odisha-millets-agriculture/The emphasis on rice and wheat production for decades has steadily reduced the importance of millets. Some states are trying to change this, recognising that these crops enhance food security and livelihoods for small farmers. Abhijit Mohanty reports on the Odisha Millets Mission.Mon, 14 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/donkhera-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/donkhera-agriculture/By simultaneously carrying out multiple development schemes in a village, can its all-round development be made more sustainable? The Uttam Gram program, in Haryana's Donkhera village, provides some answers. Shashank Devra reports.Thu, 27 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/low-msp-assam-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/low-msp-assam-agriculture/Paddy farmers in Assam's Baksa district are selling their produce at well below the Minimum Support Price, which they find unreliable. The income from agriculture is inadequate, as a result, and they are forced to look for daily wage work. Ratna Bharali Talukdar reports.Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/agarwood-tea-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/agarwood-tea-agriculture/Assam's tea growers, struggling under high production costs and low profit margins, have turned to growing agarwood, in the process helping to revive it from its endangered status. The state government too is encouraging growers to raise agarwood boundary plantations.Mon, 06 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/agri-land-women/https://indiatogether.org/agri-land-women/Most rural women work on farms, but only one in six owns the land she works on. Succession laws have brought women on par with men when it comes to family property, but when it comes to inheriting agricultural land, discrimination still persists. Shikha Sharma reports.Tue, 16 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/horti-assam-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/horti-assam-agriculture/Amidst the gloom of lives that are repeatedly disrupted by erosion, a few farmers are successfully experimenting with horticulture in the heart of the very river that is swallowing their lands. Ratna Bharali Talukdar reports.Mon, 11 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/char-river-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/char-river-agriculture/The Brahmaputra river has swallowed up large swathes of land repeatedly and forced villagers along its embankments to find new homes and work each time. This has left them in a perpetual struggle to stabilise their lives and livelihoods. Ratna Bharali Talukdar reports.Fri, 24 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/lockdown-maize-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/lockdown-maize-agriculture/Repeated natural disasters, closed mandis and a forced halt to transportation of produce have brought maize farmes in Nabarangpur and other districts to the brink of distress. Without government support, many may abandon the crop despite its potential. Abhijit Mohanty reports .Wed, 21 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/turmeric-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/turmeric-agriculture/As Covid-19 rages through the rural areas, hundreds of thousands of tribal farmers in Odisha's Kandhamal district are selling their turmeric harvest at half the usual market rate. Abhijit Mohanty reports.Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/farm-women-unseen-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/farm-women-unseen-agriculture/Despite their significant contribution to agriculture in India, women are not given their due recognition as farmers. There are some key steps that can be taken to correct this, writes Hema Swaminathan.Mon, 04 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/from-mandis-to-markets-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/from-mandis-to-markets-agriculture/The second attempt of the NDA government to create a market for farmers' produce may not fare much better than the first one, for the same reason - it fails to address the asymmetry of power between the farmers and buyers, writes Kannan Kasturi.Sat, 29 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/cag-past-irrigation-reports-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/cag-past-irrigation-reports-agriculture/It is only by looking back at its own history of audit findings that the constitutional auditor can draw attention to policy decisions that were flawed at the very beginning, says Himanshu Upadhyaya.Thu, 23 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/missing-market-for-agriculture-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/missing-market-for-agriculture-agriculture/The first of a three part series on the crisis facing farmers today, by Kannan Kasturi.Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/registration-of-informal-land-sales-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/registration-of-informal-land-sales-agriculture/Telangana’s free registration of plain paper land sale initiative to digitally clean up its land records not only benefits its dispossessed farmers but makes land governance transparent, reports Manipadma Jena.Sun, 07 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/what-s-working-what-s-not-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/what-s-working-what-s-not-agriculture/The uneven performance of MGNREGA in the task of rural asset generation requires a careful comparison of the decision making processes involved in those cases where the works undertaken have produced value and where it has failed to, writes Pavan Kulkarni.Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/withering-public-consultations-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/withering-public-consultations-agriculture/Per Biological Diversity Act, 2002 before using any Indian biological material for commercial or R&D purposes, public consultation is needed via the local Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), which the National Biodiversity Authority wants to do away with. Kanchi Kohli and Shalini Bhutani ask why.Wed, 08 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/extraction-exceeds-recharge-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/extraction-exceeds-recharge-agriculture/Last month, the Bombay High Court passed an order to shift IPL matches scheduled for the month of May out of the state of Maharashtra citing an acute water shortage in some parts of the state for its decision. PRS Legislative Research, answers some basic questions about ground water and its depletion in our country.Thu, 19 May 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/rays-of-hope-for-the-local-in-meghalaya-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/rays-of-hope-for-the-local-in-meghalaya-agriculture/Even as many pockets of the state, including its capital, battle the ravages of development and consumerism, a couple of villages visited by the author stand as examples of resilient local economies and lifestyles. Aditya Vikram Rametra describes what he saw here.Sat, 19 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/how-sustainable-are-the-sdgs-government/https://indiatogether.org/how-sustainable-are-the-sdgs-government/Can we look at ending poverty without looking at the structural reasons and dimensions of poverty and inequality? Pradeep Baisakh looks at this and at other objectives within the UN SDG framework and analyses how realistic their achievement would be.Wed, 09 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/sustainable-tribal-livelihood-via-wadi-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/sustainable-tribal-livelihood-via-wadi-agriculture/Amongst the various models for sustainable livelihoods being tried and tested in the tribal areas of India, the Wadi model in Odisha's Koraput district has shown a lot of promise. Abhijit Mohanty, Kieran Robson and Rosie Clarkson report.Fri, 14 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/ip-debate-on-gm-mustard-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/ip-debate-on-gm-mustard-agriculture/As debates around genetically modified (GM) mustard pick up in India, Shalini Bhutani takes a look at the neglected diversity of the oilseed mustard crop on native farmers’ fields and points to the bias of the existing law.Mon, 29 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/love-for-land-forests-and-water-reversing-fate-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/love-for-land-forests-and-water-reversing-fate-agriculture/Abhijit Mohanty brings us the story of certain tribal villages in Koraput district of southern Odisha that have successfully overcome the challenges posed by denudation and inadequate irrigation and have etched out a path towards food security and well-being.Wed, 03 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/new-horizons-for-jackfruit-industry-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/new-horizons-for-jackfruit-industry-agriculture/A new food processing company in Kerala proposes to market innovative products, the success of which could well place the largely neglected jackfruit in the focus of attention of bigger players in the state’s food processing industry. Shree Padre reports.Mon, 25 May 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/challenges-to-sustainable-development-government/https://indiatogether.org/challenges-to-sustainable-development-government/With the expiry of the MDGs which guided global development till 2015, the international community is now negotiating Sustainable Development Goals for 2016-2030. Prahlad Shekhawat summarises the ensuing debates and explores a way forward.Fri, 22 May 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/a-easy-to-use-interface-to-view-ones-power-supply-and-consumption-information-via-a-simple-electricity-supply-monitor-esm-environment/https://indiatogether.org/a-easy-to-use-interface-to-view-ones-power-supply-and-consumption-information-via-a-simple-electricity-supply-monitor-esm-environment/Pune-based NGO Prayas Energy’s ESMI programme provides easily comprehensible data on the extent and quality of power supply in regions across the country, which can be used to demand accountability as well as enable social research. Manasi Mathkar reports.Wed, 06 May 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/agricultural-and-non-agricultural-rural-wages-point-to-skills-necessity-economy/https://indiatogether.org/agricultural-and-non-agricultural-rural-wages-point-to-skills-necessity-economy/A recent report from the Ministry of Labour and Employment reveals that skill-intensive occupations such as plumbing, carpentry and electrical work pay more in rural India. Shambhu Ghatak looks at the data closely to argue for greater efforts towards imparting skills, especially to rural women.Fri, 01 May 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/farming-crisis-and-farm-suicides-due-to-low-agricultural-returns-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/farming-crisis-and-farm-suicides-due-to-low-agricultural-returns-agriculture/Even in regions touted as India’s food bowl, Rs 3000 a month is all that a farmer earns for his family! Devinder Sharma analyses data from CACP to highlight the grave crisis in the agrarian economy that calls for immediate and unprecedented government action.Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/plant-variety-protection-law-and-seed-ip-costs-for-farmers-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/plant-variety-protection-law-and-seed-ip-costs-for-farmers-agriculture/The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act 2001, based on the European seed patenting model, is increasingly proving to be more of a burden on small farmers. Shalini Bhutani explains why.Wed, 08 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/union-budget-2015-arun-jaitley-provisions-for-agriculture-and-farmers-economy/https://indiatogether.org/union-budget-2015-arun-jaitley-provisions-for-agriculture-and-farmers-economy/As has been the historical trend, most of the budget announcements on agriculture this year, too, are geared towards benefitting agribusiness rather than augmenting farm income, writes Devinder Sharma.Sat, 28 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/indian-seed-congress-2015-agricultural-alliance-between-industry-and-public-sector-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/indian-seed-congress-2015-agricultural-alliance-between-industry-and-public-sector-agriculture/It was a Valentine’s Day vow with a difference. The bond between the private seed industry and the public agricultural sector received a fillip at the recently concluded Indian Seed Congress in Agra over the weekend, reports Shalini Bhutani.Tue, 17 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/development-in-maharashtra-perils-of-the-beaten-track-economy/https://indiatogether.org/development-in-maharashtra-perils-of-the-beaten-track-economy/The report of a high level committee led by Vijay Kelkar to promote balanced development in Maharashtra has several important recommendations. But will it all come to nought because of its failure to avoid a few conventional pitfalls? Shripad Dharmadhikary explores.Tue, 27 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/organic-farming-initiative-in-kerala-kanjikkuzhi-panchayat-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/organic-farming-initiative-in-kerala-kanjikkuzhi-panchayat-agriculture/The thrust on chemical-free cultivation of vegetables that started as an experiment in the 90s has now evolved into a culture in Kerala’s Kanjikkuzhi Gram Panchayat. P N Venugopal traces the growth and success of this initiative so far.Mon, 19 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/organic-farming-for-self-reliance-in-kalahandi-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/organic-farming-for-self-reliance-in-kalahandi-agriculture/The struggle to feed themselves and their families round the year drives millions of farmers in remote rural areas to desperate measures. Abhijit Mohanty’s story shows how sustainable agriculture has helped farmers in Odisha’s backward Kalahandi district pull themselves out of poverty and food insecurity.Mon, 12 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/nsso-report-on-decline-in-agriculture-and-impact-on-farmers-agriculture/https://indiatogether.org/nsso-report-on-decline-in-agriculture-and-impact-on-farmers-agriculture/Ironically at a time when food shortage is being widely perceived as a potential global concern in the near future, policymakers seem to be doing everything that would take agriculture further down the path of ruin. Devinder Sharma highlights the findings of a recent NSSO report to substantiate that.Wed, 24 Dec 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/different-measures-of-inflation-and-trends-rbi-monetary-policy-economy/https://indiatogether.org/different-measures-of-inflation-and-trends-rbi-monetary-policy-economy/Most measures of inflation over the last couple of months point to an encouraging downward movement in price indices; Shambhu Ghatak deconstructs these measures and quotes observations of the RBI to show why it may still be premature to take low inflation for granted.Thu, 20 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://indiatogether.org/imbalance-between-gdp-growth-and-employment-in-agriculture-manufacturing-services-economy/https://indiatogether.org/imbalance-between-gdp-growth-and-employment-in-agriculture-manufacturing-services-economy/The declining participation of labour force in agriculture could have been treated as a natural, inevitable phase in the country’s transition towards industrialisation, but for the employment trends visible in the industrial sector. Kannan Kasturi’s analysis captures the real cause for worry.Fri, 14 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMT