Home / Current Articles

Large scale degradation and deforestation can be managed by site-level ecological restoration. Forest and landscape restoration (FLR) has been renowned as the solution to various interlaced crises viz. climate change, land degradation, water crisis, biodiversity collapse, etc. Monitoring forest and landscape restoration is a vital component for a greener and more sustainable future, collectively contributing to a healthier planet for generations to come.

As climate change takes center stage in discussions worldwide, the often-overlooked but vital role of soil health in this ecological crisis is brought to the forefront. This article explores the intricate relationship between climate change and soil health, shedding light on how rising global temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events affect the very foundation of life on Earth. The impact of climate change on soil health is examined through factors such as increased soil respiration, altered nutrient cycling, and soil erosion, with far-reaching implications for reduced crop yields, shifts in crop zones, and increased pest pressure. To mitigate these effects, there are a range of strategies, from sustainable land management and afforestation to climate-resilient agriculture and soil conservation measures. In conclusion, safeguarding soil health emerges as an essential component of global efforts to combat climate change and secure the sustainability of our planet for future generations.

Soil is a vital natural resource that serves as the foundation of agriculture, biodiversity, water purification, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation. Despite its profound significance, there exists a substantial gap between scientific knowledge and public awareness of soil. Several factors, such as educational neglect, the complexity of soil science, limited media coverage, and urbanization, contribute to the lack of understanding. To bridge this gap, there are various strategies, including incorporating soil science into education, promoting citizen science initiatives, initiating outreach and awareness programs, engaging with the media, fostering gardening and farming programs, advocating for policies, enhancing scientific communication, and encouraging international collaboration. The ultimate goal is to ensure responsible soil management and protection, leading to a more sustainable and resilient world. Soil education and awareness are fundamental to achieving this imperative goal, as they empower individuals and societies to recognize and appreciate the invaluable resource beneath their feet.

A value chain is a series of consecutive steps that go into the creation of a finished product, from its initial design to its arrival at a customer's door. The chain identifies each step in the process at which value is added, including the sourcing, manufacturing, and marketing stages of its production. The term value chain refers to the various business activities and processes involved in creating a product or performing a service. A value chain can consist of multiple stages of a product or service?s lifecycle, including research and development, sales, and everything in between.

The future of agriculture stands at a crucial crossroads, necessitating a paradigm shift towards innovation, sustainability, and resilience. This comprehensive exploration navigates the imperative for sustainable agriculture, emphasizing regenerative practices, precision farming, vertical agriculture, and sustainable livestock management. The article delves into technology's catalytic role, showcasing artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, biotechnology, and block chain as transformative forces. Human-centric dimensions, encompassing education, collaboration, and global food security, underscore the indispensable role of people in shaping agriculture's trajectory. Resilience takes center stage, addressing climate-resilient crops, diversification, water management, and agro ecology. The conclusion emphasizes sowing the seeds of change through regenerative practices, precision agriculture, and cutting-edge technologies. Challenges on the horizon, from economic disparities to environmental trade-offs, are confronted, highlighting the need for equitable access, ethical considerations, and environmental responsibility. The conclusion propels us towards a sustainable and innovative agricultural future, urging collective efforts to ensure a nourished planet for generations to come.

Insect pests pose a significant threat to agriculture, public health, and the environment. Traditional chemical-based pest management strategies have raised concerns regarding their environmental impact and potential harm to non-target species. This article explores the emerging field of utilizing essential oils derived from aromatic plants as an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative for insect pest management. Essential oils, known for their diverse chemical composition and potent biological activity, have shown promising results in repelling, deterring, and even eradicating various insect species. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the efficacy of essential oils against a range of insect pests, highlighting their mode of action and potential benefits in integrated pest management programs.

The traditional reliance on chemical pesticides and fungicides for disease control in crops has raised significant environmental and health concerns. In response, the agricultural sector is increasingly embracing biological solutions as a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative. Biological solutions involve the use of living organisms or naturally derived products to manage crop pests and diseases. Beneficial insects, microbial biopesticides, and integrated pest management (IPM) play vital roles in this approach. Genetic modification, when used responsibly, can enhance crop resilience. Sustainable soil management practices, as seen in organic farming, foster a natural defense mechanism against diseases. This transition offers substantial environmental and economic advantages, reducing chemical pesticide use, minimizing environmental contamination, and promoting biodiversity. Successful implementation relies on research, education, regulation, and certification, ensuring the safety and efficacy of these biological solutions. Embracing biological solutions in agriculture is pivotal for a sustainable and resilient food system that can feed a growing global population while preserving the planet.

Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp is a short-lived, erect perennials shrub legume that goes by the names Red gramme, Tur, Arhar, and others. India produces about 75% of the world's output. Lepidopterans, hemipterans, dipterans, and colepterans are the most common bug groups that cause problems with pigeon peas. Surface feeding versus covert feeding, oligophagous versus polyphagous, and chewing versus piercing and sucking are the classifications for these insect species. Maruca vitrata and Grapholita critica are more prevalent in early maturing varieties and have a greater population than other species. Pests found in medium and lateduration cultivars include Exelatis atomosa, M. vitrata, M. obtusa, H. armigera, and Lampides boeticus. Early maturing crop types have a greater population of M. vitrata, G. critica, and L. boeticus during the grain filling stage. M. obtusa, H. armigera, L. boeticus, E. atmosa, and E. zinckenella are the most problematic pests in medium and late maturing pigeon pea varieties.

In contemporary times, the global challenge of food supply persists, with demand surpassing population growth rates. Statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveal that approximately 11% of the world's population- 815 million people- are undernourished, lacking adequate sustenance for active and healthy lives. The integration of modern technology in the agricultural domain stands as a pivotal solution to elevate food production, enhancing both quantity and quality, thereby sustaining life.

Cities may be amazing centres of innovation, culture, science, production, trade, and social advancement, providing a wide range of possibilities for its residents. Because they provide ecosystem services, well-managed natural resources like Urban and Peri-Urban forests (UPF) can enhance the quality of life for those who live in cities. To plan and manage tree resources for their economic, environmental, and social advantages in urban and peri-urban settings, UPF is an integrated, multidisciplinary, participative, and strategic strategy. All of the trees and related vegetation that may be found in and near cities is included in UPF. They can be found in a variety of places, such as wetlands and water bodies, residential neighbourhoods, maintained parks, natural regions, and informal green spaces. They can also be found along streets. They can contribute to the development of safer, wealthier, and more diverse cities as well as more aesthetically pleasing, hygienic, and enjoyable places to live. Researchers from a wide range of disciplines will need to be involved in future UPF research activities at different scales across urban and peri-urban landscapes.

Soil health-based agricultural management practices are widely accepted due to their capacity to reduce erosion, improve fertilizer utilization efficiency, improve soil structure, and sustain or increase yields. Pest and disease control are frequently disregarded components of a soil well-being management system. We present a paradigm for how the crop protection industry might improve soil health by building crop protection innovation systems that simultaneously target soil health outcomes, either directly on soil or by enabling soil health-promoting actions. This strategy has the potential to produce cross-sectoral, coordinated agricultural solutions that address agronomic, environmental, and economic goals. The more practical idea of soil quality is best applied to soil as part of a wider ecosystem that sustains and regulates water flows, and so on. Thus, soil quality denotes the percentage of a soil that is suitable for accomplishing defined activities in support of the soil's six key ecological duties. What exactly constitutes high soil quality soil changes depending on which of these functions is being evaluated--in other words, the intended purpose or goal of soil management must be considered.

Millets, the humble yet incredibly nutritious grains, had been the talk of the G20 summit, winning over delegates and leaders with their superior nutritional value and eco-friendliness. The abstract of this article explores the growing interest in millets as a super crop that might feed both the world and its people at the same time. It is becoming a viable option for ensuring global food security because of its adaptability and rich nutritional content. Learn how these adaptable grains are changing diets and reinventing agriculture, providing promise for a more nourished and sustainable society.