When I first heard about the Tata-Cornell Institute’s FPO Platform for India, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I knew it had something to do with farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and helping improve agricultural value chains, but I kept wondering, how do we actually connect a farmer in a remote village to the bigger…

India’s massive food program, the Public Distribution System, provides subsidized grain to more than 800 million people each year, but not all of it reaches consumers. In 2011–12, about 42% of the 51.4 million metric tons of grain distributed through the PDS was lost. Some of this “leakage” occurs during transportation, storage and distribution, while…

When I first began working with farming communities in Rwanda, I discovered a truth that has shaped my perspective on development ever since: real transformation does not come from technology alone—it comes from people. It comes from communities standing together, building collective resilience. The strength of a group, more than any single innovation, drives sustainable…

Recent research has revealed a frightening reality: on average, we are consuming the equivalent of one credit card of plastic every week. That’s right, every week, we unknowingly ingest microplastics—tiny plastic particles that have found their way into our food system. What’s even more disturbing is that plastics have been found in commercially available salts,…

India’s food security has evolved impressively over the decades, yet a less visible form of malnutrition continues to afflict millions across the country. Often referred to as “hidden hunger,” micronutrient deficiency, though not immediately life-threatening, has serious long-term health and developmental consequences. Iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iodine, calcium and zinc are among the most…

With one of the largest cattle populations in the world, India’s livestock sector serves as a major source of livelihood for over 70% of rural households and contributes around 30% of farm income. India’s milk production has consistently grown in recent decades, nearly tripling from 84,406 thousand tons in 2001–02 to 239,299 thousand tons in…

The Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition (TCI) and Preservation and Proliferation of Rural Resources and Nature (PRAN), along with Jain Irrigation Systems, celebrated the inauguration of an agrivoltaics installation in Bihar’s Gaya ji district on Monday, June 9. The first agrivoltaics site to operate in the state, it demonstrates the potential for agrivoltaics to…

Menstrual health has gained increasing attention among public health researchers and policymakers in recent years. The use of hygienic materials during menstruation is essential for safeguarding women’s health, dignity and well-being. Poor menstrual health is exacerbating social and economic inequalities. It is linked to a range of health issues, such as urinary and reproductive tract…

Two TCI Scholars were recognized for their achievements during commencement ceremonies at Cornell University on Friday, May 23. Shree Saha graduated with a Ph.D. in applied economics and management from the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. Shivranjani Baruah graduated with a Ph.D. in plant pathology and plant-microbe biology from the School of Integrative Plant…

In a food system, growing crops isn’t the end of the story; it’s not even the beginning. Before crops can be grown, seeds and other inputs must be purchased. After the harvest, crops may be processed or refined before moving to wholesale markets. Finally, food arrives in restaurants and grocery stores, where it’s purchased and…