Tag: Food & Ag-Science Innovations
TCI Publishes 2023–24 Annual Report
The Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition (TCI) has published its 2023–24 Annual Report.
The report offers an in-depth look at the full range of TCI’s research and other activities, including projects like Zero-Hunger, Zero-Carbon Food Systems, and field research…
Transitions to Crop Residue Burning Have Multiple Antecedents in Eastern India
Abstract Far removed from the agricultural fire “hotspots” of Northwestern India, rice residue burning is on the rise in Eastern India with implications for regional air quality and agricultural sustainability. The underlying drivers contributing to the increase in burning have been linked to the adoption...
Agribusiness Expert Ram Kaundinya to Deliver Seminar on Biotechnology in India
UPDATED Oct. 30: A recording of Ram Kaundinya’s lecture is now available on YouTube.
Ram Kaundinya, a leading expert on management and agribusiness in India, will deliver a distinguished lecture at Cornell University on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 11:30…
Caretakers of Orphan Crops: Nurturing Resilience and Food Security
In agricultural research and development, “orphan crops” are invaluable food crops that have historically been overshadowed by larger staple grains like rice, wheat, and maize. Coarse grains, roots, tubers, and pulses such as millets, cassava, common beans, and others play…
Improving Livelihoods Through Enhanced Goat Breeding
Goat rearing holds significant promise for smallholder farmers in India, offering resilience and income generation even during crop failure. However, reliance on natural breeding practices limits productivity due to issues like inbreeding and disease transmission. Artificial insemination presents a viable…
Accelerating Varietal Turnover in Smallholder Soybean Farms
“A lack of dynamism in varietal change in food crop production represents a wasted opportunity that is potentially high, exacting a heavy toll on poor producers and consumers alike.”
–Thomas S. Walker and Jeffrey Alwang
Crop Improvement, Adoption and Impact…
Demand-Side and Supply-Side Factors for Accelerating Varietal Turnover in Smallholder Soybean Farms
Abstract The rapid growth of soybean cultivation in the world augurs well for achieving SDG2 of promoting sustainable agriculture, ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving nutrition. India started promoting soybean cultivation in the 1970s to combat dietary protein deficiencies and augment smallholders’ incomes. However,...
Farmers and Consumers Pay the Price for Burdensome GM Regulations: The Case of GM Mustard in India
Policymakers in India have taken the first step to allow commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) mustard. The conditional approval for the environmental release of the Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH)-11 and its parental events bn3.6 and modbs2.99, given by the…
Hybrid Mustard and Biotechnology: Pathways for Doubling Farmers’ Incomes and Nutritional Security
Abstract The government’s decision to move ahead on the much-delayed genetically modified mustard developed by the University of Delhi signifies a turnaround and bodes well for the country’s food system. Numerous tests over the last 20 years prove its safety for food, feed, and the...
Why Aren’t More Farmers Using Artificial Insemination for Goat Rearing?
As a source of income generation during crop failures, goat-rearing offers many advantages to smallholder farmers in India. But a lack of established markets and infrastructure leaves many farmers dependent on natural breeding practices instead of the more beneficial artificial…