Agriculture

The Locavore along with Doc Society Climate Story Unit has developed a new multimedia storytelling tool, the Woman Farmer Project to document and amplify the voices of women farmers all over India.By reinforcing the UN declaration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, the project intends to locate women's labour and knowledge as the key elements of discussions on food systems, climate change, and rural livelihoods. It identifies women as the primary hands in land plowing, seed storing, animal husbandry, and informal market participation; however it also recognizes that they are seldom portrayed in dominant narratives.

The project is a joint venture, engaging writers, grassroots organizations, and community networks in the production and dissemination of stories which accurately depict the reality of life. Besides that, it is committed to the principles of giving voice to and supporting the protagonists of the stories, not only enabling them to tell their story but also putting them in the driver seat to leading the framing of their narratives.

As a part of this project, a fellowship on a four-month full-time basis will be available from May to August 2026 to young Indian women (18-29 years old) interested in journalism filmmaking research, and cultural documentation. Those chosen as fellows will be taken into the field for immersive work in three regions - Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh, where they will get the chance to interact with local communities and partner organisations.

Only six fellows will be chosen, of which three will be audio-visual storytellers and three will be writer-researchers, each one geographically assigned. The programme will offer participants training, mentorship, and the necessary resources to produce multi-format outputs such as reported stories, short films, and photo essays in multiple languages.

The organisers believe that the project is very well-positioned to go beyond just generating effective climate and agriculture narratives. It is also capable of devising a viable model of community-led storytelling that gives voice to the community and is based on principles of consent, accountability, and long-term engagement.

Rice in India is not only a food for millions of people; it is a habit, culture and means of survival. However, India's staple, which is the main cause of diabetes and malnutrition in the country, has been nutritionally paradoxical for a long time: it is rich in calories but poor in proteins. At CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, a team of scientists has made a breakthrough to change this paradox by re-engineering the grain.

Led by food technologists, the institute has developed what is now being called “designer rice”—a reconstructed grain containing over 20% protein, nearly three times that of conventional polished rice. More significantly, it carries a low Glycaemic Index (below 55), making it suitable for India’s growing diabetic population, currently estimated at over 100 million.

But the innovation goes beyond protein and sugar control. Thanks to microencapsulation techniques, scientists were able to wrap iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12 in micro-sized shells inside the cereal. As if wrapped in protective microscopic shells, these nutrients will not be lost through washing or pressure cooking - which are traditionally the two processes by which fortified foods lose their nutrients.

The method is very straightforward and yet highly effective. Broken ricegenerally regarded as a "waste" productgets converted to flour, the flour's starch content is equalized, and finally the flour is turned by extrusion into grains that look, feel, and taste like normal rice. This product does not require any change in consumers' behaviour and at the same time provides much better nutrition.

Most importantly, it is not genetic modification. It avoids all the regulations and public objections that genetically modified crops usually face, making it a food technology innovation rather than a biotechnology one.

Technology transfer to industry players is already underway, and there is a plan to integrate the grain in Indias Public Distribution System (PDS) by 2027, so that means the implications are very large. In the event of an effective scale-up, designer rice might well turn into a major element in the fight against hidden hunger a situation when people consume enough calories yet their nutritional requirements are not met. Basically, India could have discovered a new method to add value to its

cultivated staple foodgrain in doing so not necessarily requiring its populace to change their eating patterns.

In a country like India where agriculture is the main source of livelihood for a large percentage of the population, educating children about agriculture should be considered a national priority rather than an academic exercise. Presently, agricultural education is a necessity for developing a fresh batch of agricultural experts who not only possess the technical knowledge to collaborate with farmers but are also dedicated to rural development, energizing the rural economy, and ensuring the provision of sustainable food sources.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and various agricultural universities have been leading the efforts to bring about changes in agricultural education curricula. In order to familiarise students with fieldwork, these institutions are making it mandatory to combine classroom learning with field experiences. Students are being motivated to physically visit rural communities, farms and agricultural areas to observe farming related activities.

In recent years, universities in India have sought to create a synergistic combination of research, innovation, and university, educated during their practical training. Students who take up rural internships, adopt a village or start up agri, entrepreneurship projects get a salable production time in real, world farming conditions while at the same time they contribute technological and scientific solutions.

These programmes have not only increased students competency in the practical skills of the trade and have instilled in them a deeper feeling of dedication to agriculture. More significantly, these programmes are facilitating the bridging of the age- old divide between academic education and the actual needs of farmers and rural communities.

Yet, several challenges remain. One huge problem is that quite a large number of students still treat agricultural studies chiefly as a route to get a degree, with a lesser degree of interest in it as a professional career in the long run. A handful of field trips normally do not manage to develop a strong emotional or professional bond with rural life.

Another struggle is the meager synergy between education, industry, and rural economies. Even if the students are taught the most advanced techniques in the classrooms and labs, very often, they get fewer opportunities to practice these knowledge in authentic agricultural environments. This is why sometimes graduates are at a loss how to deal with the real, life issues of agriculture like climate change, resource management and marketing.

Experts argue that agricultural education should not just give students occasional insights into rural areas but should be centered on frequent rural engagement. Universities can set up better practice oriented facilities where students will have regular contact with farmers, carry out field research and lead local development initiatives.

Moreover, working together is a must. Agricultural universities, government departments, private agri, businesses, and rural households should join hands to form a healthy ecosystem for the training of tomorrow's agricultural experts.

India can have a strong and up- to- date agricultural sector only if the first steps are taken early at school, in the village, and in the mind of the young student who is going to be the rural India in the future.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister MK Stalin unveiled the Tamil Nadu Agroforestry Policy 2026, a policy that will encourage farmers of Tamil Nadu to grow a diverse range of tree species including high value ones such as teak, sandalwood, red sanders, and rosewood. Besides that, it also focuses on making harvesting, marketing timber easier and increasing the state's forest and tree cover to 33% level.

The policy will be benefiting farmers by enabling them to raise their standards of living, promoting adoption of sustainable agroforestry methods, fulfilling the growing demand of timber and wood related products, at the same time enhancing wildlife protection and climate resilience.

A senior official told TNIE that these policy changes are aimed at easing the restrictions on farmers planting and felling valuable tree species.

In fact very harsh laws are currently in place to control the growing, felling, and transporting of valuable trees which are in the Tamil Nadu Hill Areas (Preservation of Trees) Act, 1955, Tamil Nadu Sandalwood Rules, 1967, Tamil Nadu Timber Transit Rules, 1968, Tamil Nadu Sandalwood Possession Rules, 1970, Tamil Nadu Hill Stations (Preservation of Trees) Amendment Act, 1979, and Tamil Nadu Rosewood (Conservation) Act, 1994. These will be relaxed.

“Already, three stakeholder meetings have been conducted to elicit the views of farmers and others, and the policy has been devised based on their views. The relaxation of the rules will be done at the earliest in association with the forest department,” the official said, pointing out that by bringing trees on farms into the mainstream, the policy directly empowers farmers to diversify their income streams, improve soil health, and combat climate change.

The plan is geared towards making sure that the natural environment will have the ability to adapt by encouraging the use of trees that not only improve the overall health of the soil but also effectively save water and be better able to handle changes in climate, all this in line with the targets set for environmental sustainability and integrated growth.

The paper has figured out 5 major restrictions that are adversely impacting the growth of agroforestry in Tamil Nadu: 1. There is a possibility that trees can lower the productivity of crops as they compete for light, water, and nutrients. 2. Certain species of trees can be hosts to pests and diseases that may spread to nearby crops. 3. Besides these, trees can emit known allelopathic substances that can have adverse effects on the other plants in the community. 4. Besides these, crops from tree plantations often take a longer time to mature, resulting in delayed financial returns. 5. Lastly, quick nutrient absorption by trees may lead to lesser fertility of the soil which in turn impacts the productivity of agricultural uses.

To set correct competition between trees and crops, the policy proposes research and development of suitable agroforestry models and species combinations.

The task is therefore not to give up rice but to alter the ways in which rice is produced. A very good way of doing this is to drain the paddy fields once in a while instead of always keeping them flooded. Doing so allows the soil to get oxygen and the emission of methane can be reduced by over 40 per cent while the effect on the crop yield is minimal.

Nevertheless, it is still quite tough to habituate on a large scale such nature, friendly farming methods. Besides that, agricultural systems that support subsidies and those other water wasting methods of rice cultivation contend with the problem. Considering that rice is the crop grown on more than 51 million hectares in India, the transformation of the system needs government coordination through policy changes, the support of farmers, and the contribution of scientists.

Experts say that each flooded paddy field functions like a slow and invisible exhaust pipe. With India producing roughly 150 million metric tonnes of rice annually and recently surpassing China to become the world’s largest producer, the cumulative climate impact becomes substantial.

Beyond methane emissions, rice farming also demands enormous amounts of water. Continuous flooding often drains groundwater reserves, especially in regions where irrigation systems are already under pressure. The widespread practice of monoculture—growing the same crop repeatedly on the same land—can further degrade soil health, reduce nutrients, and increase dependence on pesticides and fertilisers.

Studies tracking hundreds of paddy fields across India have found that methane emissions from rice cultivation have steadily increased over the past five decades.

Climate Change Turning Against RiceThe link between rice and climate change is a two way street. The heat that rice production partly causes is now coming back to damage the crop itself.

Changing patterns of rainfall, higher temperatures, and irregular weather events are making rice farming more and more uncertain. Climate predictions indicate that India might lose anywhere between 3 and 22 per cent of its rice production due to climate- related factors by the end of the century.

Even though drought is the main threat, too much rain can also be very harmful. When rain goes beyond a certain limit, it can ruin crops, harm roots, and decrease yields instead of helping the plants to grow.

Why Rice Is Hard to ReplaceIn spite of the environmental worries, getting rid of rice is not a simple fix. In fact, for lots of communities in India, rice is an integral part of food habits, cultural practices, and geographic identities. In certain regions, it even continues to be the cheapest and most readily available staple.

According to experts, no other crop at the moment can replace rice so effortlessly that it integrates well into cultural and dietary systems.

A Way Forward for Climate, Smart Rice

The task is therefore not to give up rice but to alter the ways in which rice is produced. A very good way of doing this is to drain the paddy fields once in a while instead of always keeping them flooded. Doing so allows the soil to get oxygen and the emission of methane can be reduced by over 40 per cent while the effect on the crop yield is minimal.

Nevertheless, it is still quite tough to habituate on a large scale such nature, friendly farming methods. Besides that, agricultural systems that support subsidies and those other water wasting methods of rice cultivation contend with the problem. Considering that rice is the crop grown on more than 51 million hectares in India, the transformation of the system needs government coordination through policy changes, the support of farmers, and the contribution of scientists.

India's Long Standing Food Item

Rice has been majorly responsible for India's food over the years but the climate change is bringing a new angle on production of this major cereal. If sustainable farming and policy reforms do not happen in time, the very grain that will feed the multitudes could be the one that nearly falls under food insecurity.

In such a case, rice would gradually become something other than a typical staple; it might even become a luxury for some households. Considering that rice is deeply integrated into the culture as well as the diet of a country, the consequences could be quite severe.

Varanasi has entered the Guinness World Records by planting 2,51,446 saplings within one hour during a mega plantation drive at the Sujabad Domari area on Sunday, surpassing China’s 2018 record of 1,53,981 saplings.

The record was confirmed by Guinness World Records adjudicator Rishinath after verification through drone surveillance and a digital counting system. The certificate was presented to Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal at the site.

The UP government, in a statement, informed that the plantation was made over almost 350 bighas, developed as an urban forest through the coordination between the Varanasi Municipal Corporation and various government departments, institutions, and social organizations.

The forest was separated into 60 sectors, each sector was named after the famous ghats of Kashi like Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika, Kedar, and Lalita. In each sector more than 4, 000 saplings were planted.

Officers stated that the work included 27 native species like sheesham, Arjun, teak, and bamboo, along with the fruit, bearing trees such as mango, guava, and papaya, and medicinal plants like ashwagandha, shatavari, and giloy were also planted.

“The miyawaki technique has been used to enable dense and faster growth, and the area is expected to develop into a dense green cover within two to three years,” an official said.

The campaign saw participation from personnel of the Indian Army, NDRF, CRPF, Civil Defence and the Provincial Armed Constabulary, along with teams from the Forest and Agriculture departments, Namami Gange, DUDA, and the Municipal Corporation. Thousands of students, NCC cadets, and NSS volunteers from local educational institutions also took part.

To ensure survival of the saplings, a 10.8-km pipeline network has been laid, supported by 10 borewells and 360 rain gun systems for irrigation, the government said.

Officials said the project is likely to create revenue for the Municipal Corporation through the terms of an agreement with a private agency, and income is estimated to start from year three.

Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari mentioned that the move shows Kashi's dedication to environment conservation and at the same time, they rolled out their ecological objectives along with economic planning for the long term.