Agriculture & Rural Development

The Government of India has launched, the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme, an initiative to empower Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). The Central Sector Scheme has a budget of ₹1261 crores, under which the government seeks to provide drones for agriculture uses to over 14,500...

CSR in Bihar needs a lift from India Inc. The third-largest state in India, Bihar boasts rich cultural ties and houses ancient places of worship for Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. However, unemployment is rampant in Bihar. Its fertile plains stand on the lower rungs of corporate social responsibility. In FY2022-23, the state received CSR...

Pune is close to the nation's financial capital and an emerging hub for business and information technology. This flourishing, culturally rich city belongs to Maharashtra, which is the highest spender for corporate social responsibility in India. Naturally, Pune has a thriving CSR culture. In FY2022-23, Pune received the second-largest share of the amount of the...

“Mero gaam ‘kaatha parey’, Jaha doodh ki nadiya baahe Jaha koyal toh koh gaye, Mhare ghar angna na bhoolo na” These lines from the iconic song of Shaam Benegal’s ‘Manthan’ (1976) describe a revolution in the dairy market of India in the 1960s. Famously called ‘Operation Flood’, the step was a rural development program that pushed...

For years, conventional agriculture has been practised throughout the country, where it aims to bring in profit from a particular patch of land, heavily relying on chemical fertilisers, weedicides, and pesticides. In conventional agriculture, there is a notable emphasis on maximizing profits akin to an industrial production system. Unfortunately, this often comes at the...

It’s very easy to open an app on your phone, tap on any e-commerce app and look for items of your choice! Be it grocery, bakery, daily necessities, kitchen appliances, electronic items, clothes, cosmetics, medicines— everything can be purchased with a single tap on your phone and it gets delivered at your doorstep in...

As India marks World Environment Day, the recent election results have stirred a sense of anticipation, coupled with skepticism, regarding the promised environmental reforms. While the electorate's concern for sustainability is evident, there remains a palpable gap between political pledges and tangible action on the ground. The ruling party's manifesto paints a promising picture of...

Goa, renowned for its picturesque beaches and vibrant culture, is currently witnessing significant public unrest. The protests stem from widespread opposition to the construction of NH 17-B, an infrastructural project aimed at facilitating coal transportation between Goa and Karnataka. This project, seen as detrimental to both the environment and the indigenous population, has ignited...

The global food system is a major culprit behind rising greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. A new report from the World Bank, titled "Recipe for a Livable Planet," sounds the alarm on the need for transformative action in how the world produces and consumes food. The report states that annual investments of $260 billion...

The very name “Darjeeling” conjures images of a picture-perfect hill station, quietly nestled at the foot of the Himalayas. Darjeeling is a tourist hotspot in the State of West Bengal. It is also known as the 'Queen of the Hills'. The city provides a splendid view of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain on the planet....

Soil erosion poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability in India. A recent study employing the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) has shed light on the concerning state of soil erosion across the country, revealing widespread challenges and implications. This essay explores the key findings of the study, the status...

Blessed with natural beauty and organic resources, Meghalaya has the largest variety of orchids among all the states. It is famous for rare medicinal plants, spices and fruit varieties. It has a predominantly agrarian economy with a significant commercial forestry industry. The state is also geographically rich in minerals and has the potential for...