UNBELIEVABLE: 30 | History Defined

French farmers race to adapt as repeated heatwaves hit crops and livestock

After weeks of sweltering heat and drought, farmers and analysts fear France's maize crop could be down by a third this year – making it the smallest in 35 years. Poultry farmers are also counting their losses as many as 3 million broiler chickens died within a few days in…

Radio France Internationale · Jul 11

Asia Rice: Higher reserve price makes Indian rice exports costlier; Bangladesh rates firm

India's rice export prices have increased due to higher reserve prices and planting delays. Bangladesh rice prices remain firm as flood fears outweigh ample government stockpiles. Thailand's rice prices saw a slight decrease while demand remained limited. Vietnam's rice prices are unchanged with strong demand from the Philippines.

The Economic Times · Jul 11

Country diary: Harvest time has arrived – and it’s three weeks earlier than 20 years ago

Brigg, Lincolnshire: It’ll take six weeks to cut it all, starting with barley and likely ending with beans. Thank goodness the combine has air-conditioning

The Guardian - UK · Jul 11

E20 petrol may cut mileage by 3-5% in some vehicles, but benefits outweigh impact: Oil Ministry

The government acknowledges E20 fuel's minor fuel economy reduction. This impact is outweighed by benefits like better engine performance and lower emissions. India's ethanol blending program began with pilot projects in 2001. The nation achieved ten percent blending ahead of schedule in 2022.

The Economic Times · Jul 10

Weak monsoon may weigh on rural demand, credit growth in coming months: S&P Global Ratings

A weak monsoon poses risks to India's rural economy and farm incomes. Sectors like agriculture and microfinance face significant challenges from reduced rainfall. Lower crop yields could increase food prices and dampen rural demand for goods. Hydroelectric power generation may decline, impacting energy supplies. Despite these concerns, India's financial system…

The Economic Times · Jul 10

Tofu vendor delivers much more than healthy food to an east Tokyo neighborhood

Akiko Sugaya wheels a cart through the alley-like streets of eastern Tokyo selling tofu, the protein-rich staple favored in much of Asia

The Independent UK · Jul 10

Why micro-irrigation needs more than subsidies

India faces significant economic losses from water scarcity and weak monsoons. Micro-irrigation offers substantial benefits for farmers and agricultural productivity. However, a significant adoption gap exists, particularly among smallholder farmers. Effective strategies involve field demonstrations, peer learning, and local water ambassadors. Sustained adoption requires integrating capacity building with financial incentives…

The Economic Times · Jul 9

Turn Rain Barrels into Low-Tech Irrigation by “Puncturing” Them—Let Water Drip Slowly to Plant Roots

Rain barrels usually sit at the garden’s edge doing one job: collecting water and waiting for a watering can to come along. There is a quieter, smarter trick that turns that storage tank into a slow-release watering system that feeds plants right at the root zone. By carefully adding small…

Frugal Gardening · Jul 9

In 1980, California released more than 1.5 billion sterile Mediterranean fruit flies after an invasive outbreak threatened over 250 crops, eradicating the infestation before it could permanently invade California's orchards

California battled the invasive Mediterranean fruit fly using a large-scale sterile insect campaign. This method involved releasing billions of sterile males to prevent wild fly reproduction. While effective, this technique was combined with surveillance and quarantine measures for success. The program replaced widespread pesticide use with a more targeted approach.…

The Times of India · Jul 9

Gujarat sets up Departmental Data Committee to protect farmers' personal, financial information

Gujarat's Agriculture Department has formed a committee to protect farmers' personal data. This initiative aligns with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023. The committee will ensure data is managed securely and transparently with farmer consent. Access to authenticated data will improve agricultural research and policy development. This framework…

The Economic Times · Jul 9