Dualism and inequality worsen due to relative lack of technological innovations and reduced welfare in agriculture (Barrett et al., 2010). A modernising value chain, viewed in this theoretical perspective, is one of the development agendas for overall growth of the economy with no sectoral disparities in income. Agri-food transformation has been going on in the […]
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Agro n social forestry have been traditionally practiced in India. Policy inclusion of agro n social forestry have not however brought in desired results. The essay examines how agro n social forestry can be revisited and norms revised to make it more sustainable and meaningful. Agroforestry Agroforestry is the cultivation of trees and shrubs as […]
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Water retention in soil can be understood as the water retained by the soil after it runs through the soil pores to join water bodies such as groundwater or surface streams. Pores in the soil can be defined as the air-spaces that exist in between soil particles. Water retention is mainly dependant on the particle […]
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Genetic modification: the science behind it A gene is a code that governs our appearance and characteristics. When a scientist genetically modifies (GM) a plant, s/he inserts a foreign gene in the plant’s own genes. What makes it possible to transfer genes from one species to another is the fact that all genes are created […]
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Mutation, a heritable change in a genetic characteristic of an organism, is a natural process that creates new variants (alleles) of genes. Mutation is the primary source of all genetic variations existing in any organism, including plants. Variation so created by mutation provides the raw material for natural selection and is a driving force in […]
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The persistent and widespread symptoms of an imminent water crisis across India are a clear evidence of the failure of our water-related policies and institutions. It is urgent to seek for more durable, but politically harder and technically challenging options such as the institution of a water rights system. Why do we need a water […]
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Sugarcane is an industrial crop that has such extensive uses in a variety of industries. It is one such crop that is used completely from top to bottom, from producing sugar to generation of energy. The origin of the earliest variants of sugarcane can be traced back to around 5,000-6,000 years ago. Since then sugarcane […]
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Rice is the staple crop of India, and every day millions of Indians find comfort in it. With a high carbohydrate content, it is known to provide instant energy, and is a staple that is consumed by the majority of India’s population. Hence, the importance of rice crop in the country can’t be negated. Rice crop’s […]
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Wheat crop is India’s prime most staple harvest, placed second only to rice. It is mostly consumed in the north and north-west parts of the country. Being rich in protein, vitamin and carbohydrates, it provides a balanced food to millions of people each day! Wheat crop cultivation in India has a long history, with some early […]
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Modern technology with its use of genetic engineering, whereby DNA molecules from different organisms (rDNA) can be combined, is emerging as a potential tool in agriculture. The plant’s varieties that are being developed through this technique are popularly known as genetically engineered (GE), genetically modified (GM) or transgenic crops. Although genetic modification of plants through […]
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