Flood Resistant Rice developed by TN Agri University

The Hindu Business Line, Sept 15

Rice is the primary food of billions of people around the world.  And more than 25% is grown in areas that experience extreme weather conditions.

Huge crop losses are reported whenever the paddy fields get submerged in flooded conditions.  After extensive research scientists have developed the Swarna Sub1 variety to counteract losses in submergence.  The present day strains cannot withstand flooding for more than a week.

The University undertook extensive research to study the efficiency of Swarna Sub1 in mitigating the effect of floods during 2010-11 samba season.  And demonstrations proved its sustainability.

Read the full report here 

Rise in India's cotton output

Business Standard - August 31, 2011

A new record in India's cotton output.  A likely rise up to 9% this year.  Farmers have migrated to cotton sowing from less remunerative crops.  Hurricane Irene destroyed crops in the US and prices would have an upward bias. The crop in other leading producer countries like China and Pakistan has not been encouraging.  Since the government has allowed cotton exports under Open General Licence, Indian traders would benefit from higher global prices.

Availability of cotton for 2011-12 is forecast for 40.75 million bales.

For a full report click the link

Agriculture is not only source of food....

The editorial that appeared in The Hindu Business Line, September 3, 2011


Granaries are packed.  Food grains are rotting.  Malnutrition continues.  This is the frightening scene in India.  The challenges of food and nutrition security are increasing.  Several hundred millions face malnutrition or under-nutrition because of a serious protein and calorie intake on a regular basis. India is low on the Human Development Index and high on the Global Hunger Index.  


There are dozen schemes promoted by five ministries to counteract the problem.  The progress in promoting nutrition is not uniform across the country and there is nothing to suggest that ‘food' supplied under the various welfare schemes is nutritious. The country deserves a far better coordinated approach to eliminating pervasive malnutrition. Policymakers must recognise the interconnectedness of agriculture, nutrition and health. Agriculture is not only a source of food and thereby nutrition, it is also a source of income that helps buy nutritious food.


India growth story is at once real and surreal. Real because our macro performance continues to be robust, making the country one of world's fastest growing economies; and surreal because the micro challenges of poverty, hunger, malnutrition and illiteracy have not been addressed with focused attention. Growth without development is an irony that India testifies to. The micro challenges have the potential to drag down growth. With over $300 billion in the forex kitty, India can afford to import food to meet any shortage, but money cannot buy nutrition. The latter must be tackled on a war-footing domestically with good governance.


Read the editorial here