Prasanta Kumar Pradhan

Grow Stronger, Not Smaller A new report from the AG Information Network of the West highlights a shifting mindset in modern agriculture, urging producers to “grow stronger, not smaller” as they navigate mounting economic and environmental pressures. Featured in its Southeast Regional Ag News segment, the report emphasizes that success in today’s farming landscape is

Hanoi, Vietnam: The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Vietnamese government have strengthened their partnership to advance sustainable agriculture, with a renewed focus on transforming the country’s rice sector through innovation and climate-smart practices. The collaboration outlines a comprehensive 2026 work plan built around key priorities such as improving nutrition, reducing environmental impact, and

Imphal, March 24: Yumnam Khemchand Singh has underscored agriculture as a key driver of youth empowerment and economic growth, highlighting its central role in shaping the future of the state. Addressing the valedictory function of the Agri-Youth Parliament 2026 at the Central Agricultural University in Imphal, the Chief Minister said that increasing youth participation in

At a recent international floriculture conference, experts highlighted the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing soil carbon to ensure sustainable growth of the horticulture sector. Scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders stressed that floriculture—often reliant on energy-intensive greenhouse systems—must adopt climate-smart practices to remain viable in the face of global warming. Discussions focused

The Odisha Legislative Assembly has approved a dedicated agriculture budget of ₹15,039.89 crore for 2026–27, signalling a strong push toward farmer welfare and rural development, according to a report by Pragativadi. The budget highlights the state government’s focus on improving farm incomes, enhancing productivity, and building a resilient agricultural ecosystem. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday stated in the Lok Sabha that farmers’ incomes in India have “doubled” due to sustained government initiatives, while highlighting a sharp rise in the agriculture budget and production levels. Responding during Question Hour, the minister said multiple policy measures—such as the expansion of Minimum Support Price (MSP),

Subsidies or science? India’s agricultural future is increasingly shaped by a critical policy dilemma—whether to continue heavy reliance on subsidies or shift decisively toward science-driven growth through research and development (R&D). Recent analysis shows that nearly 73% of India’s agriculture budget is absorbed by subsidies and welfare schemes, particularly food and fertiliser support. These subsidies

India’s push toward renewable energy is increasingly converging with agriculture through agrivoltaics (AgriPV), a model that enables farms to produce both crops and solar power simultaneously. As the country targets massive solar capacity expansion, pressure on land has intensified, making dual-use solutions more critical than ever. AgriPV involves installing solar panels above or alongside crops,

The global soybean nematode control insecticides market is poised for steady growth over the next decade, driven by rising pest pressure and increasing demand for higher crop productivity, according to a recent report published on openPR.com. The report highlights that the market is expected to expand from approximately USD 770.4 million in 2026 to nearly

A tragic incident has been reported at the University of Ibadan, where a 300-level medical student died after allegedly ingesting an insecticide, according to reports cited by MSN. The student, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was said to have been found in distress inside his residence at Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall on campus. Witnesses

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is set to launch a new web-based tool aimed at helping cereal growers better manage Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), a major threat to crop yields, according to a report by Agriland. The digital tool, expected to be rolled out later this year, is designed to provide farmers

Precision Orchard Spraying Insecticides Market Set for Strong Growth: Report A new industry analysis published on openPR highlights significant growth prospects for the global precision orchard spraying insecticides market over the next decade, driven by technological advancements and the shift toward sustainable agriculture. According to the report, the market is projected to expand from approximately

March 22: Newly recruited Agriculture Development Officers (ADOs) underwent a specialised training and exposure programme at the ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute in Shimla, aimed at strengthening agricultural extension services and enhancing field-level expertise. The programme, conducted in collaboration with the State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute, brought together 37 officers as part of their

March 2026: In a significant push to modernise India’s horticulture sector, the Centre has approved a ₹200-crore “Banana Cluster” project in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district, a region widely known as the country’s “banana hub.” The initiative, announced by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is being seen as a transformative step aimed at boosting farmer incomes,

Global efforts to close gender gaps in agrifood systems could significantly reduce food insecurity and boost economic growth, according to recent findings by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). A newly highlighted FAO analysis shows that eliminating disparities in farm productivity and wages between men and women could increase global GDP by around 1% while

Department of Agriculture launches mega oil palm plantation drive The Department of Agriculture has launched a mega oil palm plantation drive as part of the Centre’s broader push to increase domestic edible-oil production and reduce dependence on imports. The campaign is being implemented under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), which

Unseasonal rains and hailstorms across several parts of India have prompted the Centre to step in, with the Agriculture Ministry conducting a comprehensive review to assess crop damage and coordinate relief measures. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level meeting with officials, focusing on the impact of adverse weather on standing and harvest-ready

Fertilizer prices are rising sharply across global markets as geopolitical tensions disrupt the supply of nitrogen-based inputs, creating fresh uncertainty for farmers ahead of key planting seasons. According to a report by Brownfield Ag News, agricultural economist David Widmar of Agricultural Economic Insights said prices for nitrogen fertilizers, particularly urea, have surged by more than

Maharashtra’s aquaculture sector has received a significant financial and policy boost, with projects worth ₹1,627 crore approved under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, marking a major push toward strengthening the state’s “Blue Revolution.” According to official data, the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has sanctioned ₹1,626.99 crore for the state over

Solugen, a US-based chemicals and materials startup, has secured fresh funding of about $36 million to accelerate the production of sustainable nitrogen fertilizers, according to a recent AgriFood Signals update by AgFunderNews. The investment highlights growing momentum behind alternative fertilizer technologies aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of conventional nitrogen inputs. Traditional nitrogen fertilizers are

India is set to place food security and agriculture at the centre of its agenda at the upcoming ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO), reflecting its long-standing concerns over safeguarding farmers and ensuring stable food distribution systems. According to officials, New Delhi will strongly push for a permanent solution on public stockholding programmes

The Telangana government on Friday presented a ₹3.24 lakh crore Budget for 2026–27, maintaining largely unchanged allocations for key sectors such as agriculture, irrigation, and energy, even as it increased the overall outlay compared to the previous year. Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka allocated about ₹23,179 crore to agriculture, ₹22,615 crore to irrigation, and ₹21,285