Tag: Food & Ag-Science Innovations
Soil Health-Human Health Nexus: Mineral Thresholds, Interlinkages and Rice System in Jharkhand, India
Abstract Understanding the role of minerals along biological pathways in the food chain (soil-crop-animal/human) is imperative to solving the global problem of human malnutrition and toxic exposure. This is especially relevant to rice (Oryza sativa L.)—a staple crop in highly populated regions, like India, that are...
Enhancing Soil Health in Rice Cultivation: Optimized Zn Application and Crop Residue Management in Calcareous Soils
Abstract Crop residue, a readily available biomass, is the largest source of organic matter in soil, and zinc (Zn) significantly influences microbial activity. Understanding the optimal Zn rates for enhanced biological activity in crop residue-amended soils is crucial. A study at RPCAU, Pusa, examined the...
A Data-Driven Approach for Devising and Assessing Precision Nitrogen Management Strategies Applied to Wheat Systems in India
Abstract Limiting nitrogen pollution from crop production is essential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and protecting aquatic ecosystems while maintaining food security. Precision nitrogen management (PNM) provides a conceptual framework for achieving yield goals while maintaining nitrogen pollution within planetary boundaries by matching fertilizer rates...
Agronomic enhancements in the Indo-Gangetic Plain variably improve soil health depending on tillage and residue management
Abstract Changing climates, labor markets, scarcity of water and soil degradation threaten productivity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotations the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). Diversifying cropping systems, zero tillage, and residue addition can improve soil health and lead to increased system yields....
Maximizing the Impact of Kisan Call Centers
This policy brief presents the results of a TCI-supported study that assessed the impact of digital agricultural extension services in India. Researchers analyzed more than 17 million queries to India’s Kisan Call Centers, along with data on weather, crop yields, and the characteristics of farm...
The Role of Genotyping in Measuring Improved Variety Adoption and Impact: Advances, Challenges, and Policy Directions
Abstract Accurate measurement of agricultural technology adoption is critical for evaluating the effectiveness of investments in agricultural research and development. While household surveys have long served as the primary tool for tracking varietal adoption, growing evidence reveals systematic mismatches between self-reported and DNA verified varietal...
TCI Publishes 2024–25 Annual Report
The Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition (TCI) has published its 2024–25 Annual Report.
The report offers an in-depth look at the full range of TCI’s research and other activities, including grant-funded projects like the Zero-Hunger, Zero-Carbon Food Systems project…
Can Gene-Edited Crops Revolutionize Agriculture in Developing Countries?
The emergence of gene-editing technologies, particularly CRISPR-Cas9, has ushered in new possibilities for transformative advancements in agriculture, healthcare and environmental sustainability. The discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 in 2012 has the potential to accelerate the pace of innovation and enable more precise…
Micronutrient Fortification in India: A Practical Path Forward
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…
In Bihar, a TCI-Supported Lab Raises Awareness of Soil Health
One of TCI’s longest-running projects, “Optimizing Soil Health” established a partnership with the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) in Bihar that is educating young soil scientists and undertaking critical studies of soil health and agricultural production in Bihar…