Hospitals overwhelmed as Mayotte battles aftermath of cyclone Chido
One week after the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido, Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, is still reeling. The worst cyclone the archipelago has seen in nearly a century has left the region in a state of disaster, with hospitals overwhelmed, essential services disrupted, and thousands of people suffering in the aftermath. Despite efforts to provide aid, the situation remains dire.
Sierra Leone student tackles toxic air pollution
In his small Freetown workshop, engineering student James Samba tinkered with batteries and electrical parts he hoped could help clean up Sierra Leone's polluting public transport system. - 'Good for business, environment' - Samba first ventured into engineering when he built an electric wheelchair for his uncle, who had long struggled to access public transport.
Biden, on his way out, sets 'ambitious' climate goal: Cut US greenhouse gas emissions by over 60%
Onion prices crash by 55% in a week
With onion prices plummeting over 50% in a week, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar urged Union Minister Piyush Goyal to remove the 20% export duty. Increased arrivals and export promotion could stabilize prices and benefit farmers, struggling with unseasonal rain losses.
FAIFA releases agricultural roadmap, pushes for digital reform
FAIFA unveiled a roadmap for India's agricultural growth until 2040. The plan focuses on digital infrastructure and sustainable farming. It projects a 5.5% growth rate, reaching Rs 42 lakh crore by 2030. Foodgrain production is expected to rise 25%. The roadmap includes short, medium, and long-term goals. These involve strengthening e-NAM, expanding irrigation, and promoting natural farming.
West Bengal's potato crisis: Ban on inter-state movement threatens growers, cold storages
West Bengal's ban on interstate potato movement is crippling the cold storage industry and threatening potato growers with financial ruin. Unsold stocks are piling up, risking spoilage and distress sales. The ban disrupts the usual 60:40 consumption-trade ratio, impacting farmers and the rural economy, particularly in southern districts.
The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office, under the NITI Aayog, has invited bids from consultancy firms to support in the evaluation of the scheme which entails an annual expenditure of over Rs 70,000 crore. The move is aimed at rationalizing the food subsidy outgo.
Ecuador completes $1.5 billion debt swap for Amazon conservation
International environmental negotiations are facing significant setbacks. Recent UN-sponsored talks on climate change, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, and desertification have yielded limited results, raising concerns about the effectiveness of multilateral environmentalism. Experts cite various challenges, including the consensus-based decision-making process, influence of the fossil fuel industry, geopolitical shifts, and the sheer scale of the problems.
Government launches Rs 1,000-cr credit guarantee scheme to help farmers access post harvest loans
Union food minister Pralhad Joshi launched a Rs 1,000 crore credit guarantee scheme to boost farmers' access to post-harvest loans using electronic warehouse receipts. The scheme aims to encourage bank lending against e-NWRs, with a target to increase post-harvest lending from Rs 40,000 crore to Rs 5.5 lakh crore over the next decade.
Taking fight against rising seas to a whole new level
Cyclone Chido slams into Mozambique
Cyclone Chido, having already caused fatalities in Mayotte, made landfall in Mozambique near Pemba with intense winds and heavy rainfall. Communication with Pemba has been lost, but reports indicate significant damage to homes, schools, and health facilities. Aid organizations are working with the government to provide essential services.
Cambodia: Fishermen find six rare Mekong giant catfish
Six critically endangered Mekong giant catfish, weighing up to 287 pounds each, were recently discovered and released back into the Mekong River Basin. This unprecedented event offers hope for the species' revival, as conservationists gain crucial information about their ecology and migrations through tagging.
Alake Market building space to be allotted to private player to sell vegetables, flowers, says Mayor
Alake Market remains unoccupied even though it was inaugurated four years ago
Western Ghats have crossed tipping point, says ecologist Madhav Gadgil
Ecologist Madhav Gadgil warns Western Ghats deterioration has reached a critical point, with landslides increasing tenfold. He blames continued mining and construction, despite his 2011 report recommending stronger ecological protections. Gadgil criticizes the subsequent Kasturirangan report for ignoring local communities and urges the government to implement his original recommendations.
District adminstration should be involved in onion procurement: Ministry
In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs B L Verma said, the Department of Agriculture constituted a fact finding committee to look into allegations of irregularities in the procurement of onions under Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).
Wheat stock limits tightened as prices stay firm
The Indian government has tightened stock limits on wheat for traders and processors to stabilize prices and ensure food security. With ample wheat availability from the recent harvest, the move aims to curb hoarding and speculation until the next harvest in April.
Karnataka set to overhaul its farming sector using technologies developed by its own innovators
Egg prices surge amid winter demand, export to countries like Bangladesh
Egg prices in Kolkata have jumped by roughly 25% in two weeks, driven by winter demand and exports to new markets like Bangladesh and Malaysia. The poultry industry, however, points to increased feed costs as the primary culprit, with maize prices doubling since 2021. While exports are a factor, they represent a small portion of India's total egg production.
No proposal to hike benefit amount under PM-KISAN: Govt
The government has no current plans to raise the annual Rs 6,000 benefit under the PM-KISAN scheme, according to a statement made in Parliament. The scheme, launched in 2019, provides this amount in three installments directly to farmers. Over Rs 3.46 lakh crore has been disbursed so far through 18 installments, utilizing a digital infrastructure to avoid intermediaries.
India pitches for per capita subsidy formula at WTO to protect poor fishpeople
India is advocating for a per capita-based approach to fisheries subsidies at the WTO, highlighting the vast disparity between the high subsidies given by developed nations and the support provided to its small-scale fishers.
No proposal to set up large-scale hydroponic farms in India: Government
The Indian government currently has no plans for large-scale hydroponic farms, confirmed Agriculture Minister Ramnath Thakur. Research institutions like ICAR are, however, actively developing and standardizing these soilless farming technologies, offering training to farmers. These methods are particularly useful in areas with poor soil or nematode infestations. Existing food safety and quality standards apply to hydroponically grown produce.
Britain to make online marketplaces pay more for electricals recycling
Farmers Delhi Chalo protest LIVE: Security beefed up at Singhu border ahead of march
Traffic may be hit due to the security arrangements at the border and in the Central part of Delhi, a senior police official said.
Three-day Krishi Mela begins in Raichur
RJD MP Manoj Jha criticised Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, urging action on farmers demands for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and compensation
France urges top UN court to 'clarify' international climate law
France on Thursday urged the United Nations top court to clarify international law relating to the fight against climate change, saying judges had a unique opportunity to provide a clear legal framework. France is convinced that these advisory proceedings provide a unique opportunity for the court to contribute to identifying and clarifying international law in regard to the fight against climate change, said Diego Colas, the country's representative.
Rio Tinto's Bougainville mine poses ongoing threats: Report
A long-abandoned Papua New Guinea mine once operated by Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto poses environmental and safety concerns for nearby communities, who live under the threat of landslides, a new report shows. Australia's Human Rights Law Centre, which helped organise legal action against Rio Tinto, said communities continued to live with the devastating impacts of the mine.
Farmers suspend Delhi chalo march as police fire tear gas shells near Shambhu border
Covering their eyes and mouths, several protesting farmers rushed to cover the tear gas shells with wet jute bags to counter the smoke.
Farmers protest LIVE updates: Punjab farmers begin Delhi march, stopped by barricades
Farmers are marching to force the Centre for a legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops
Kolkata tea prices surge 18% amidst decline in production
Indian tea prices have risen by 18% between January and October due to reduced production, with a decline of 66.39 million kg this year. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the importance of quality production and compliance. Adverse weather in Assam and West Bengal has contributed to the production drop, impacting earnings despite recent price surges.
Tea planters demand climate-smart solutions to combat changing weather patterns
Tea planters in Assam seek climate change mitigation measures like climate-smart cultivars, proper shading, irrigation systems, and rainwater harvesting. The North Eastern Tea Association highlighted this in a memorandum to Union Minister Piyush Goyal, citing challenges faced due to stricter FSSAI compliance and impacts of climate change on tea production.
Farmers protest march heads to Delhi; Noida police beef up security at Chilla border
The protest is being held to demand compensation and benefits related to agricultural reforms, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
CAQM yet to submit data on increase in stubble burnt area to apex court
SC had directed the commission to provide by Nov. 25 information from Haryana and Punjaband Minutes of the Meeting of a committee formed by it; directions were an oral observation of the court and not part of its order, says CAQM source
MCC directed to conduct study on health hazards caused by leachate in Pachchanady
Potato traders threaten strike from Tuesday if West Bengal doesn't allow selling to other states
Potato traders in West Bengal threaten a strike over restrictions on selling to other states, imposed to control local prices. The wholesale price is Rs 27 per kg but retails at Rs 35-40 per kg. Neighbouring states like Odisha and Jharkhand face rising prices and urge negotiations to alleviate the situation.
Maize, diverted for ethanol production, has driven up poultry feed costs, impacted cooking oil prices, and reduced oilseed farmers' profits. The ethanol program has led to consequences like increased maize imports and declining revenues for the sugar industry, highlighting the complex trade-offs of biofuel policies.
Seed Congress resolves to promote hybrid, biofortified crops
The meeting also discussed climate-resilient practices, including Direct Seeded Rice and zero tillage to minimise the input costs involved in farming
Export demand, rainfall delay, damage keep onion prices firm
Onion prices are currently at a five-year high. Export demand and monsoon-delayed harvests are keeping prices firm. The Lasalgaon market sees onions trading between Rs 15/kg and Rs 53/kg. Exports are up 50%. Nafed is selling onions from its buffer stock at Rs 35/kg in some cities. Prices are expected to decrease by mid-December as arrivals increase and quality improves.
Centre launches scheme to promote natural farming
The NMNF will be a standalone centrally-sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and it will have a total outlay of 2,481 crore
Indian farmers shift from rapeseed to other crops as temperatures soar
India's rapeseed and mustard production is likely to fall. High temperatures are affecting the crop. Farmers are opting for wheat and potatoes instead. This could lead to a 10% drop in rapeseed acreage. India may need to import more cooking oils like palm and soyoil. This is due to rising demand and lower domestic production.
India Gate sets eyes beyond basmati, to foray into mixed spices, rice bran oil
KRBL Ltd., known for its 'India Gate' basmati rice, is expanding into mixed spices and rice bran edible oil. The company plans to launch a range of spices under the 'India Gate' brand, starting with biryani masala. KRBL will also introduce 'healthy' edible oil, leveraging its existing production of unrefined rice bran oil.
CAQMs submissions in Supreme Court ignore increase in paddy burnt area in Punjab, Haryana
According to data of Punjab government and the Centre, the burnt area of paddy fields in both States increased in 2023 compared with previous years, but CAQM data shared with the apex court show farm fires decreasing in 2023 by 26.5% and 37.09% over the 2022 figures
GM crops can help fight hunger depending on how they are farmed
Modern tools like CRISPR help scientists make targeted changes to a plants genome, cutting the cost of development. People are also more accepting of GM when the plant doesnt have foreign genes. But the costs of regulation and ensuring nothing harmful enters the market is still too high for institutions that dont only work for profit
Soil degradation on 30 pc of India's land poses threat to agriculture: Agri minister
India's Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan voiced concerns about soil degradation affecting 30% of the nation's land, emphasizing the urgency for soil health improvement. Chouhan highlighted government initiatives like soil health card distribution and promotion of sustainable farming practices. However, he stressed the need for greater efforts, particularly in light of climate change.
