Prasanta Kumar Pradhan

How to Grow Cockscomb The vibrant and unusual Cockscomb flower is one of the most eye-catching ornamental plants you can grow in your garden. Known for its velvety, brain-like blooms that resemble a rooster’s comb, this plant adds dramatic color and texture to flower beds, borders, and containers. Scientifically known as Celosia cristata, cockscomb belongs

How Using Pesticides In Your Garden Excessive use of chemical pesticides in home gardens may offer quick relief from insects and plant diseases, but experts warn that it can gradually damage the very soil that sustains plant life. Soil is a living ecosystem teeming with beneficial organisms such as earthworms, fungi, bacteria and microscopic insects.

How to Grow Magnolia Magnolia trees are among the most beautiful ornamental plants in the world, admired for their large, fragrant flowers and glossy green leaves. Belonging to the genus Magnolia, these elegant trees add charm and elegance to gardens, landscapes, and home yards. Many gardeners love them because they bloom in early spring and

How to Grow Plumeria (Frangipani) Plumeria, commonly known as Frangipani, is a stunning tropical flowering plant famous for its fragrant, colorful blossoms and ornamental beauty. These flowers are widely used in gardens, landscaping, temple decorations, and leis. Native to tropical regions of Central America and the Caribbean, Plumeria thrives in warm climates and is relatively

How to Grow Periwinkle (Sadabahar) Periwinkle, commonly known as Sadabahar, is one of the easiest and most rewarding flowering plants to grow. Botanically called Catharanthus roseus, this evergreen plant produces beautiful pink, white, purple, and red flowers almost throughout the year. It thrives in hot climates, tolerates drought, and requires minimal care—making it perfect for

Godrej Agrovet expands product port­fo­lio Godrej Agrovet Expands Product Portfolio to Deepen Crop Coverage and Support Growth Recovery. Godrej Agrovet Limited, a leading Indian agri-business company, announced a strategic expansion of its product portfolio in the crop protection segment as it seeks to revive growth amid a prolonged industry slowdown. The move comes as demand

How to Grow Lantana If you are looking for a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and long-blooming flowering plant, Lantana is a perfect choice. Scientifically known as Lantana camara, this vibrant ornamental plant produces clusters of bright flowers in shades of yellow, orange, pink, red, and purple. It thrives in warm climates and is ideal for gardens, borders,

India-Israel agricultural cooperation During his two-day state visit to Israel (February 25–26, 2026), Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new initiative called “Villages of Excellence” to deepen agricultural cooperation between India and Israel, building on decades of bilateral collaboration in farming technology and rural development. The announcement came at a joint press statement in Jerusalem

16 MOUs on agriculture Jerusalem — Israel and India on Thursday signed 16 bilateral memorandums of understanding (MOUs) spanning agriculture, technology, cybersecurity, education, and other key sectors, marking a significant milestone in their expanding strategic partnership, officials said. The MOUs were formalized at a joint press conference in Jerusalem attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin

How to Grow Peony Peonies are among the most beautiful and long-lasting flowering plants you can grow in your garden. Known for their large, fragrant, and colorful blooms, Peony plants can thrive for decades when properly cared for. Whether you’re a beginner gardener or an experienced grower, this comprehensive guide will help you successfully grow

kerala Kerala veers from impressive social gains to mounting fiscal strainThiruvananthapuram, India — Once lauded for its high social indicators and robust welfare architecture, Kerala is now facing deepening fiscal stress even as it underscores its developmental achievements. Over recent years, the state has continued to record enviable outcomes in human development, public health, education

wheat varieties to solve crop cycle disruption Srinagar, J&K — Agricultural scientists in the Kashmir Valley have successfully developed new early-maturing wheat varieties aimed at addressing a long-standing crop cycle problem that threatens the region’s traditional rice–wheat rotation system. Researchers at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) say the innovation

Fertiliser Subsidy to Farmers Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has once again advocated for a major reform in how India’s fertiliser subsidy is delivered, calling for the central government’s ₹1.7-trillion annual fertiliser subsidy to be transferred directly into farmers’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The appeal came during his

Uncertainty Clouds Impact of U.S. Feb 26, 2026 — The potential effects of increased imports from the United States on India’s livestock feed markets remain highly uncertain, industry executives and trade analysts say, even as bilateral trade negotiations advance. The outlook was underscored by comments from Cargill India, one of the country’s largest animal nutrition

UP Targets pulses area of 3 mn hactares Lucknow, Feb 26, 2026: Uttar Pradesh is aiming to significantly expand its pulses cultivation this year, targeting nearly 3 million hectares under pulses as part of efforts to boost farm incomes and reduce dependence on imports, State Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said on Thursday. Addressing farmers

How to Grow Buttercups Buttercups are charming flowering plants known for their glossy, cup-shaped blooms that brighten gardens, meadows, and landscapes. Belonging to the genus Ranunculus, buttercups are easy to grow and adapt well to various climates. Whether you are a home gardener or a flower enthusiast looking to add vibrant yellow (and sometimes pink,

How to Grow Oleander Oleander is one of the most beautiful and hardy flowering shrubs widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions. Known for its attractive pink, white, red, and yellow blossoms, Oleander is commonly used in gardens, landscapes, highways, and boundary plantations due to its drought tolerance and low maintenance nature. If you are

Raw Jute The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for raw jute for the 2026–27 marketing season, offering relief and stability to lakhs of jute farmers across eastern India. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to ensuring remunerative returns for

Global Pesticide Toxicity India’s farms feed more than a billion people — but a new global study suggests they are also contributing significantly to rising pesticide toxicity worldwide. According to recent research published in the journal Science, India is among four countries — alongside China, Brazil and the United States — that together account for