The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
While it is widely agreed that an important goal of Panchayati Raj is to ensure better implementation of government's rural development programmes by ensuring participation of people, it is also important to assert that the Panchayati Raj insitutions at various levels (or three tiers) is certainly not restricted to blind …
The Status of Bt Cotton-the Silver Sixth-in Myanmar, 2010 features a comprehensive overview of the adoption and impact of the introduction of Ngwe chi 6 or Silver Sixth– the long staple insect resistant Bt cotton variety developed using genetic modification technology. The new publication includes the most relevant authoritative statistics …
The Asia-Pacific Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology (APCoAB) and Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) organized a “Stakeholders’ Interface on GM Food Crops” on 19 May 2011 at National Agricultural Science Complex, New Delhi to deliberate on issues related to adoption of GM food crops in India. The event was …
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the socio-economic impacts of the cultivation and trade of genetically modified (GM) crops, based on the latest available scientific publications.First a global overview is provided. The socio-economic impacts of GM cultivation in Europe are explored in the next part which takes into account …
If numbers were enough, the case of Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association, et al versus Monsanto would already be won. On March 29, family farmers—in America, this essentially means small farmers; in India it would be redundancy— along with seed dealers and international organic farming organisations, filed an unusual …
WHY would a company with a turnover of Rs 9,712 crore and profits of Rs 933 crore want a research loan of less than Rs 10 crore from the government? Ask the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), which has become venture capitalist to well-heeled industry. In a novel scheme that turns …
AHMEDABAD: The pricing of cotton seeds is no more under the control of the state government, as the Gujarat high court has declared the Gujarat Cotton Seeds Act invalid as it comes into conflict with the legislation made by the Centre. A division bench headed by chief justice SJ Mukhopadhaya …
In the first official meeting of scientists after an indefinite moratorium was placed on the commercialisation of genetically-modified brinjal in February 2010, a number of experts on Wednesday argued against the need for carrying out any further tests and favoured a
Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday announced that it would not allow field trials of any genetically modified (GM) crop and its open releases until the global debate on the issue was settled forever and there was clear evidence of safety. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has permitted field trials of …
No decision was taken at the first meeting of experts that deliberated on issues relating to the moratorium on the commercial release of Genetically Modified Bt Brinjal. The experts were invited by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) for their views on the controversial issue. Noted agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan, …
GANDHINAGAR: Following several non-UPA ruled states opposing the proposed Seeds Bill, to be placed in the next session of Parliament, Gujarat government on Monday sought preliminary consultation to form an opinion on the matter. State agriculture minister Dilip Sanghani told TOI, "While we decided to oppose any effort of the …
When you see the traditional maize of Mexico for the first time you are stunned. It is a cornucopia of unimagined colours and lustre: blue black, purple, translucent beige, pearly white, some deep burgundy, sun-kissed yellow or crushed mulberry, and countless other combinations. Many of the variegated corn varieties appear …
THE Central Potato Research Institute conducted field trial for genetically modified potato at its Jalandhar research station between October 2010 and February 2011. But the Punjab government failed to monitor it. As per the Environment Protection Act (EPA) of 1986, it is the responsibility of the State Biotechnology Coordination Committees …
The European Union (EU) Commission has released a report on the socio-economic implications of the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The report, which is based on contributions by EU member States, concludes that currently there is insufficient data for an adequate assessment. The report summarizes information submitted by member …
This study presents the findings of research into the global socio-economic and environmental impact of biotech crops in the fourteen years since they were first commercially planted on a significant area. It focuses on the farm level economic effects, the production effects, the environmental impact resulting from changes in the …
I suspect Indian scientists have retired hurt to the pavilion. They were exposed to nasty public scrutiny on a deal made by a premier science research establishment, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with Devas, a private company, on the allocation of spectrum. The public’s verdict was that the arrangement was …
NEW DELHI: After raising objections to the permission given by the Centre for trials of Bt Maize in his State, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has now urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to pass the Seeds Bill in Parliament without taking into consideration the views and concerns of Bihar. …
To start with, a string of questions seemingly disconnected. Should the telecom spectrum have been auctioned? Can wildlife in India be protected only by emptying out large swathes of lands? Are genetically modified food crops the way to food security in India? Are our nuclear power plants safe? The common …
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has stressed that the state government must be consulted before any private sector agency is allowed to conduct trials for genetically modified crops. In his letter to Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, the Bihar chief minister reiterated the need for state representation in the Genetic Engineering …
