SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
2024 Budget: Transforming India's agriculture for climate resilience and food security
Budget: The 2024 budget presents a chance to sow the seeds of a transformed agricultural sector - resilient, sustainable, empowered. By embracing innovation, investing in the future and placing the farmer at the heart of the equation, India can cultivate a productive agricultural landscape that supports its people and the world's.
Union budget 2024: Making a case for sustainable agrarian practices and inclusive growth
Budget: Modi's recent focus on PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi aimed to support farmers. The upcoming Union budget may lean towards populism, highlighting the exclusion of tenant farmers in schemes like PM-Kisan. Challenges such as irrigation and labour shortages limit productivity, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices.
Not politics, not interest rates: India's surging economy at risk from water
India is facing a growing water crisis, with the country's growing water stress potentially impacting its growth. The country's growing water stress could affect agricultural production and industrial operations, leading to food inflation and declines in income for affected businesses and workers, especially farmers. Contaminated water kills about 200,000 Indians each year, and the government is focusing on conserving the resource, recycling waste water, and reducing the country's over-reliance on the annual monsoon, especially in the agricultural sector.
India economy likely to sustain high growth trajectory: ITC
Indian conglomerate ITC predicts the Indian economy will sustain its high growth trajectory in FY2024-25 due to strong momentum in fixed investments and private consumption. The growth is supported by a good Rabi harvest and normal monsoons. Factors like a favorable demographic profile, increasing affluence, rapid urbanisation, and accelerated digital adoption are key structural drivers of the Indian economy.
Thyssenkrupp India lines up sustainable aviation fuel foray
Thyssenkrupp Industries India, whose majority shares were recently sold by its German parent company, is set to enter the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) sector as part of its new business strategy under Indian ownership. Vivek Bhatia, the managing director, informed ET that the capital goods company is currently in the process of finalizing partnerships for its SAF initiative. SAF is an eco-friendly aviation fuel derived from non-petroleum sources, such as forestry and agricultural waste, used cooking oil, carbon captured from the atmosphere, and green hydrogen.
In 2020, only 4% could not access an urban centre in India, reveals study
In 2020, only four per cent of India's population lacked access to an urban centre, according to a study published in the journal Nature Cities. The research, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Italy, examined over 30,000 urban centres globally. The study highlighted that three per cent of India's population could only reach towns within an hour of travel.
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Elastocalorics, carbon-capturing microbes among top 10 emerging technologies: WEF
The WEF said these top 10 emerging technologies focus on applications in health, communication, infrastructure and sustainability. The report also states AI will enable researchers to make unprecedented connections and advancements in understanding diseases, proposing new materials, and enhancing knowledge of the human body and mind.
Government focus on agriculture, rural income to sustain tractor demand: Swaraj Engines
The government's agricultural focus in India, along with initiatives to boost rural incomes, is expected to sustain tractor demand despite a 7 per cent industry sales decline reported by Swaraj Engines Ltd. The company's annual report highlights opportunities in the horticultural segment and factors like increased affordability, demand for farm mechanisation, and government efforts to improve agriculture. Swaraj Engines foresees its engine business aligning with the industry's growth trajectory.
PepsiCo launches project to enhance livelihood prospects of women
The programme will help women unlock direct and indirect opportunities to improve livelihood prospects in unconventional roles like sales, manufacturing and agriculture within the FMCG sector, said PepsiCo India and South Asia chief HR officer Pavitra Singh. “Through a carefully crafted three-year strategy, we aim to enhance livelihood prospects for women in non-traditional roles across India, advancing progress through partnership with like-minded organisations to drive sustainable development and gender equality in the workforce,” Jagrut Kotecha, chief executive of PepsiCo India and South Asia, said in a statement.
Gather the drops, make a wave
With a budget of $51 bn, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is working towards realising the vision of 'Har Ghar Jal', and laying the foundation for a sustainable, equitable water future. However, water security goes beyond mere access. It necessitates fostering a holistic ecosystem where access is not just granted but also perpetuated through continuous efforts. By putting communities at the heart of the change process, we can make a difference.
Is it possible to house a trillion people in space? Jeff Bezos’s vision may run into rough weather
Experts point out that there are numerous challenges while envisaging people staying outside Earth in the solar system. Deep and extensive research will be needed before people can start living in space ships outside our planet.
The Green Credit Programme can drive India’s circular bioeconomy and energy transition
The 2023 market-based mechanism, the Green Credit Programme, provides the opportunity for tackling greenhouse gas emissions and provides other environmental benefits. Not a cure all, the Green Credit Programme does with robust methodology provide a way forward to put wasted resources to good use. However, it will require concerted and coordinated action by stakeholders.
Transformative agricultural technologies could accelerate sustainable development in Bihar, finds Cornell University study
The Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition (TCI) at Cornell University has found that Bihar can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with rice and livestock production while maintaining or even improving productivity. The research, part of TCI's Zero-Hunger, Zero-Carbon Food Systems project, aims to create a roadmap for reducing agricultural emissions in Bihar without sacrificing productivity.
Crisis in the fields: Experts say long-term solutions only way for agriculture sector to survive heatwave
Heatwaves in north India are impacting agriculture, causing heat stress in crops and reducing yields.
India, US, 12 others likely to ink pact today to meet climate financing goal
India, the US, and a dozen other nations are poised to sign a Clean Economy Agreement under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, aimed at meeting climate objectives through collaborative financing. The agreement, to be signed at a Singapore meet, focuses on improving market conditions and reducing barriers for low-carbon projects. While the pact is in its final stages of approval, experts caution against allowing imports of genetically modified seeds and foods under the guise of food security.
₹1 investment in agri R&D can fetch ₹13 return, says NAAS chief
The NAAS president, Himanshu Pathak, stresses the urgent need to revamp India's agricultural research and education system to address challenges like high costs, low productivity, and climate change impacts. Highlighting significant returns on research investments, he calls for a shift towards globally competitive and sustainable farming, emphasizing the importance of innovation and collaboration to achieve these goals.
Indian economy is on a firm footing: RBI annual report
The Reserve Bank of India's annual report highlights the Indian economy's firm footing, driven by improved external sector sustainability and robust corporate balance sheets. It projects 7% GDP growth for 2024-25, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, production-linked incentive schemes, and an expected above-normal monsoon, despite global uncertainties and challenges.
Future of green jobs holds immense promise in India: Ramesh Alluri Reddy, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship
India’s transition towards sustainability holds immense potential in creating new employment opportunities.
Indian fertilizer industry on track to reach Rs 1.38 lakh cr by 2032 amidst robust growth and strategic innovations
In 2023, the Indian fertilizer market size stood at Rs 94,210 crore, driven by increased agricultural demands and strategic governmental interventions.
India calls for details on ambit of proposed EU deforestation norms
India has reached out to the European Union for details regarding its forthcoming regulation, which aims to evaluate exporting nations as either low or high risk based on deforestation levels. The EU's proposed deforestation-free product regulation carries significant implications for India's exports of coffee, cocoa, soybeans, wood products, rubber and derivatives, as well as leather goods.
Meghalaya State Council address the need for framework to protect catchment areas from further degradation
Meghalaya State Council on Climate Change & Sustainable Development discussed amendments to the Meghalaya Protection of Catchment Areas Act, 1990 to protect critical areas from degradation. The meeting under Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma focused on leveraging community institutions for climate action, highlighting the development of a GIS-based technology platform for village-level interventions.
Coromandel International increases stake in climate-smart tech startup Ecozen
Clocking a turnover of Rs 274 crore in FY23, Ecozen aims to expand its offerings and venture into markets such as Africa and Southeast Asia in the future.
Google Arts & Culture and India's Ministry of Agriculture launch digital exhibit on millets
"The digital exhibition highlights the history of millets from ancient grains to modern-day superfoods, as well as their nutritional benefits, contribution to global climate resilience, and potential to address global food security challenges," a release added.
How AI and data can bring another green revolution in India
India faces environmental challenges in agriculture, but AI offers transformative solutions. Precision farming, empowered by AI and big data, optimizes resources and boosts yields sustainably. With satellite data and predictive analytics, farmers make informed decisions. AI aids resource management and environmental conservation, but widespread adoption requires collaboration. Farmers' active engagement with data transforms them from beneficiaries to contributors, ensuring a sustainable agricultural future driven by technology.
Transformative policy initiative
For startups spearheading indigenous EV solutions, this presents an invaluable opportunity to leverage global expertise and expedite technological advancements toward localised production under the Make in India initiative. Nevertheless, while the new EV policy marks a significant stride forward, challenges persist on the road ahead.
India's water usage for per tonne crop production 2-3 times more than developed nations: Niti Aayog's Ramesh Chand
Professor Ramesh Chand, a member of Niti Aayog, highlighted India's excessive water usage in agriculture compared to other nations and called for promoting sustainable practices. He emphasized the need for state governments to promote crop cultivation based on local conditions. Paddy and sugarcane, major crops in India, are particularly water-intensive. The country has three cropping seasons, with Rabi crops relying on irrigation. Despite significant investments in irrigation projects, the area under irrigation remained stagnant until 2015. Singh, the Agriculture Commissioner, discussed exploring methods to increase irrigation area using the same water amount, collaborating with the Jal Shakti ministry.
World Water Day 2024: Close the tap before it's dry
Decades back, agriculture was termed a 'gamble on the monsoon'. Earlier, with surface water being tapped through canal irrigation systems, parts of India were somewhat insulated from this. However, groundwater, which was supposed to be a reserve for challenging times, became a primary resource. India is the largest user of groundwater in the world. The Gangetic belt, with its cropping patterns, has exploited wells to the extent of 78%, and may face critically low groundwater availability in a few years.
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