CropsAn early-maturing finger millet variety bred at ICAR-VPKAS, Almora, is giving about 10 quintals an acre without irrigation and nearly 20 with it in an El Niño drought year, and has spread to about 70 hectares in Karnataka.
Daily lifeState officials found up to 31.2 percent ethanol in petrol samples and estimate a yearly burden on motorists of Rs 1.01 lakh crore. They want disclosure at pumps and a compensation fund.
CropsThe second phase, backed by the Walmart Foundation, covers five districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka; in phase one, participating farmers' average net crop income rose from ₹1,57,046 to ₹2,37,184 over three years.
CropsFarmer leaders from 15 sugarcane districts and delegates of 81 mills met in Belagavi after weeks of highway blockades, with a state-wide shutdown threatened for 27 October if talks failed.
CropsIn drought-declared Raichur, a few farmers still grow up to eight crops together under the indigenous Akkadi system. A Down To Earth column by Lokappa Nayak argues their harvests show what yield-only measures miss.
CropsKarnataka's second memorandum puts losses in 177 of its 217 drought-hit taluks at close to Rs 46,000 crore; the state expects the total to reach Rs 50,000-60,000 crore.
OpinionRanjeet Kumar Sahani of the Foundation for Ecological Security argues that pushing the Jenu Kuruba out of the forest let lantana spread and drove elephants into coffee estates.
CropsA geographical indication and work by the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra and UAS Raichur on varieties and crop management have helped Kalaburagi's pigeonpea move from a traditional product to export.
The first phase, costing about Rs 1,250 crore, should reach 45-50 lakh farmers while the state seeks central aid for drought losses it puts above Rs 40,000 crore.
