Press Release

Chennai, March 15, 2015: The agrarian crisis is getting more intensive & farmers’ suicides caused by a combination of adverse monsoon & market behaviour are getting prominent attention particularly in the mass media. The small compensation being offered to the widows and farm families of those who have committed suicide has aroused more anger than appreciation. It is time we look at the fundamental problems faced by farmers. 150 years ago, the US started Land Grant colleges based on the...

Chennai, March 1, 2015: The question of permitting scientists to undertake field trials with GM varieties and crops has been a matter of controversy, although field trials are absolutely essential to assess risks and benefits. The Maharashtra Govt has now given permission to seed firms to begin field trials with GM varieties of rice, corn, chickpea and cotton. Probably other states may also take similar action. In this context, the proposal I made 10 years ago that ICAR should organise an All...

Chennai, February 18, 2015: It doesn't get simpler than this. A mud pot with a cover of cow dung serves as a means to preserve traditional seed varieties.Families and communities such as that of the demure Sunamani Paraja from Koraput district, Odisha use these kinds of simple methods to become "custodian farmers" or conservation champions in their community. "Custodian Farmers" are ordinary farming community members, who have knowledge of and access to diverse seeds and resources and who...

Chennai, January 29, 2015: The "Hazard Line" for the coastal regions of India, must be prepared at the earliest to ensure that economic and urban development plans are implemented without affecting the environment or coastal livelihood, urged experts at the end of a two-day consultation at MSSRF in Chennai.  The Hazard Line is the line at which natural hazards like adverse weather incidents and tsunami are likely to impact. As per the CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) notification all Economic...