Dr Jose Graziano Da Silva, DG of FAO has recently warned that achieving the zero hunger target is a challenging task and that the battle for eliminating hunger is far from over. This is a timely warning since there is complacency in the food production and consumption areas.

Pulses are the dried edible seeds of cultivated legumes and belong to the family of peas, beans and lentils. The protection of stored agricultural products against insect attack is essential for safe and steady supply of high quality food. Insect damage and pulses may amount to 10-40% of the stored grain.

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, it will be appropriate to remind ourselves of the significant contributions being made by women to our nation’s food and nutrition security. Over 60 % of all agricultural work is done by women.

“Disasters halt progress and are a hurdle to socio economic development of nations,” said Tamil Nadu Governor, Dr. K. Rosaiah during the release of the book “Disaster Management in India: Evolution of Institutional Arrangements and Operational Strategies” authored by Dr. Mohan Kanda IAS, former member of the National Disaster Management Authority.

Doubts have been rightly expressed about our ability to double the income of farmers in five years as proposed by the Finance Minister. In my view, doubling is possible because of the vast untapped yield and income reservoir prevailing in our major farming systems.

MSSRF is organizing a meeting to commemorate the 2016 International Women’s Day on 7th March 2016.

Giving an income orientation to farming is probably the most significant announcement made by the Finance Minister.

In the light of recent events, I wish to recall how Shri G Parthasarathy, (GP as he is affectionately known) Founder Vice chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) handled a student unrest.

A group of scientists from the Rutgers’ University in USA headed by Dr Robert Kopp have pointed out that sea levels rose by about 14 cms between 1900–2000.

Ms Soundaravalli, woman farmer from Maniyarambatti village, Vaiyampatti responds immediately when asked about Climate Change.

Goa was well known for combining natural beauty with human destruction. The destruction was largely due to mining activities.

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in collaboration with Department of Science and Technology is organizing a one-week long residential training programme on ‘Agrobiodiversity and Sustainable Livelihoods’ from November 18-24, 2016.