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New Delhi: In a significant step toward promoting sustainable agriculture and water management in India, the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have signed an agreement worth $300,000 to be initially implemented in four Indian states. With this agreement, FAO aims to enhance water use efficiency through smart irrigation for climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable development, Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative in India told ETV Bharat in New Delhi. India currently faces significant water stress due to depleting groundwater resources and increasing water demand, especially in agriculture. FAO is working closely with the Government of India and other partners to address these challenges by promoting efficient water use, sustainable agricultural practices, and institutional reforms. "Currently, we are focusing on building farmers' skills and capacity. One of our projects is being implemented in Punjab, Haryana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh," Hagiwara informed. He said that the FAO and Jal Shakti Department are implementing closed irrigation systems using pressurized piped water. "This enables farmers to ensure that over 99 percent of the water delivered through pipes is effectively used for agriculture," he said. According to the World Resources Institute, India ranks 13th in water scarcity globally. Agriculture consumes nearly 80 percent of the country's freshwater resources, and traditional irrigation practices have contributed to the over-extraction of groundwater, soil degradation, and growing water scarcity. Climate change and erratic rainfall patterns further exacerbate these issues, making sustainable water management vital to protect agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. Currently, 68 million hectares are irrigated, making up 48 percent of India's net sown area. However, much of this irrigation depends on unsustainable groundwater extraction. Groundwater levels are depleting at alarming rates, especially in key agricultural states, as farmers increasingly rely on tube wells, as surface water irrigation systems are not able to cover the entire agriculture areas nor provide enough water throughout cropping periods Hagiwara noted that most Indian farmers use open irrigation systems, which suffer from significant water loss due to evaporation and leakage. "In contrast, closed pressurized systems can extend water access to previously unirrigated areas. The gravity generated within the system helps distribute water efficiently over longer distances," he said. In addition to upgrading irrigation infrastructure, the initiative will include the installation of optical fiber cables alongside Pressurized Piped Irrigation Systems (PPIS) pipes. This integration will facilitate the collection of real-time water consumption data at each farm and provide Wi-Fi access to rural areas, enabling farmers to stay connected and access critical information. According to Hagiwara, traditional surface water canal systems lead to major water losses from seepage and evaporation. "PPIS offers a solution by transporting water through sealed, pressurized pipelines, enabling precise, equitable, and efficient water delivery to fields," he said. Strengthening water governance through community participation Given the scale and complexity of India's water challenges, a coordinated approach is required to modernize the country's irrigation systems, improve water-use efficiency, and strengthen local governance in water management. The integration of Water Users Association/Society (WUA/S) into irrigation governance structures is essential for ensuring community participation, transparency, and accountability in water distribution.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Karnataka government and the Centre should resolve the issue in connection with the release of financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to the state for drought management. The matter came up before a bench comprising justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan. Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, requested the bench that he needed some time to file an affidavit in the matter. "You should resolve it," the bench said. During the hearing, the bench queried, how much amount has been released so far? ...Read More >
SOLAPUR, India (Reuters) - India is likely to produce a record amount of sugar in the next marketing year from October after millions of farmers expanded cane cultivation, encouraged by ample water supplies and declining prices of competing crops, farmers and industry officials told Reuters. The rebound in production would allow the world's second-largest sugar producer to resume exports in 2025/26, they said, after a lack of rain cut cane yields and led to two years of restrictions. Indian exports could cap global sugar prices, traders said, by increasing supplies in the world market at a t ...Read More >
The 10 MLAs, including seven from the BJP, held the sit-in-protest at Jantar Mantar. (Representational) Reiterating their demand for a Union Territory for tribals in Manipur, 10 MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community held a sit-in protest in New Delhi on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention to stop the violence in the state, which began in May 2023. The 10 tribal MLAs, including seven from the BJP, held the sit-in-protest at Jantar Mantar and the ...Read More >
Pointing to the increase in the country's stature in the world forum, he asked how, under these circumstances, the promises made to farmers cannot be fulfilled. "Policy-making is not on right track," he added.. Jagdeep Dhankhar's comments come amid a spike in farmer protests. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar took up the farmers' issue and questioned the government on their behalf today, directing most of his queries at the Union agriculture minister. Pointing to the increase in the country's sta ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (VOICE) The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that no fresh suits would be registered under the Places of Worship Act in the country, and in the pending cases, no final or effective orders would be passed till further orders of the Apex Court. A Special Bench headed by CJI Sajiv Khanna asked the Union government to file within four weeks its reply to the clutch of petitions challenging the validity of the 1991 Act, which prohibits the filing of a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947. The Bench, also c ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 15 (ANI): Godrej Agrovet informed stock exchanges that the Gujarat government has allotted area to it in three districts for the expansion of oil palm cultivation under the palm oil mission. Those three districts are Vadodara, Surat, and Tapi, the company informed stock exchanges in a filing late on Saturday. The filing didn't elaborate further details about the allotment of land. India is the world's second-largest consumer and number one vegetable oil importer, and it meets 60 per cent of its need through imports. A large part of it is palm oil and its derivativ ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) Wheat sowing increased by 1.38 per cent year-on-year to 320 lakh hectare so far in the ongoing 2024-25 rabi season, according to the agriculture ministry data released on Tuesday. Wheat, the main rabi (winter) crop, was sown in 315.63 lakh hectare in the year-ago period. Sowing of most rabi crops is nearing end. Harvesting will begin from April. According to the data, pulses' acreage remained flat at 139.81 lakh hectare as on January 14, compared to 139.11 lakh hectare in the year-ago period. Gram was covered in 96.65 lakh hectare and lentil in 17.43 lakh hectare. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 28 (VOICE) The Muslim women have been empowered further by the Central government as they have been also included as members of the Waqf boards. Some of the key provisions of the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025 are as follows: two Muslim women will continue to be included as members in both the State Waqf Boards (Section 14) and the Central Waqf Council (Section 9) to ensure Muslim women's empowerment and participation in waqf management. Also, the State Waqf Boards will now include one member from the Muslim OBC community, ensuring broader representation (Section 14). The informat ...Read More >
ess than 24 hours after he asserted in Nigeria's Abuja that stepping out of the comfort zone, innovating and creating new paths has now become the very essence of today's India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told the gathering of world's most influential leaders converged in Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit that the main reason for India's success lies in his government's 'back to basics' and 'march to the future' approach. Addressing the G20 session on 'Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty' at the bayside museum of modern art during the two-day 19th G20 Summit, ...Read More >
Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the third edition of Nayi Chetna - Pahal Badlaav Ki, a national campaign against gender-based violence, at Rang Bhawan Auditorium, New Delhi yesterday. Delivering his address, Shri Chouhan stated that the Government has taken a slew of initiatives for women's economic and social development. He stressed that gender-based violence is not an issue that persists in rural areas, but in urban areas as well. He said with the presence of Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Annpurn ...Read More >
Hindustan Power, under Chairman Ratul Puri, has implemented a CSR initiative to combat water scarcity in rural Uttar Pradesh by installing hand pumps. This program, part of a broader corporate commitment, has significantly improved access to clean water and quality of life for underserved communities since 2022. Hindustan Power, led by Chairman Ratul Puri, is making significant strides in addressing water scarcity in rural Uttar Pradesh through its innovative CSR initiative. Launched in 2022, this program installs hand pumps in water-stressed villages, ensuring clean water for thousands of un ...Read More >
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia and Canada on Monday signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that aims to strengthen economic ties between the two G20 members, three years after negotiations began. The agreement will take effect in 2026 and was signed in Jakarta by trade ministers of both countries. Indonesia's trade minister, Budi Santoso, said Indonesia appreciated Canada's support for its plan to prioritise its critical minerals sector, which was vital for its sustainable growth. "Together, we advance sustainable critical mineral management, supporting Indonesia's net ...Read More >
Chandigarh [India], December 3 (ANI): Punjab Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday, slammed the BJP-led central government for neglecting the interests of farmers in Punjab and Haryana. Bajwa's scathing attack comes amidst growing discontent among farmers in the region, who feel their concerns have been ignored by the ruling party. "Ever since the BJP government has come to power, they have not taken a single decision that is in the interest of the farmers of India, especially the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. It is their fundamental rig ...Read More >
The overall development of the country is not possible without the development of agriculture and farmers. The nation's economy can be strengthened by the development of agriculture, fishery production, and livestock, President Droupadi Murmu said on Thursday. Gracing the convocation ceremony of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology at Bhubaneswar, she said agriculture is facing new challenges such as natural disasters, adverse effects of climate change, decreasing per capita farm ...Read More >
The Supreme Court halted new temple-mosque legal battles. The court will review the 1991 law impacting religious site status. This law froze the status of religious sites as of August 15, 1947. Several cases, including Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah, challenge this law. The law's validity is being questioned. The court's decision impacts ongoing and future disputes.In its ruling on the keenly-watched Place of Worship Act case, the Supreme Court said on December 12 that no new Mandir-Masjid suits are to ...Read More >
Delhi is facing worsening pollution and erratic weather patterns, with the air quality regularly reaching dangerous levels. This is partly due to climate change, with temperature rises and unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by global warming. The industrial revolution has played a significant role, contributing to the rise in global temperatures. The effects are already being felt, with 2024 witnessing record-breaking heat in India. Despite this, there is little action from society or leadership, with courts repeatedly stepping in to address issues like pollution and farm fires. The need f ...Read More >
Dharwad: Joint director of agriculture Manjunath Antarvalli has called upon the farmers to grow millets and supply quality food items to the domestic market. Speaking after flagging off 'Walk for Millet' organised by the agriculture department in Dharwad on Thursday, he said the farmers growing millets should be encouraged in all possible ways. "Popularly known as superfoods, the millets which are little wonders have been the most sought-after food post-pandemic. High in nutritional values, the ...Read More >
Heavy rains across Tamil Nadu have led to school closures in several districts, including Chennai, on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert, predicting moderate rains and light thunderstorms in parts of the state. Rainfall figures show significant precipitation in multiple areas. Meanwhile, Northern India braces for a cold wave beginning December 9, with the IMD forecasting plunging temperatures in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.Schools acros ...Read More >
BHUBANESWAR : Unable to regulate retail price of the potato even after normal flow of the tuber from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, the state government has decided to provide the kitchen essential to consumers at a subsidised rate through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED). In the first phase of its market intervention initiative, the state government has procured 60 tonnes of potato from Uttar Pradesh through NAFED and the same will be available ...Read More >
Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's hunger strike enters its 17th day. His health is critical. The Supreme Court urges dialogue between the government and Dallewal. Dallewal demands MSP guarantee and other farmer-centric issues. He has written an open letter to the Prime Minister. Farmers' organizations continue their protests at the Punjab-Haryana border.The Supreme Court on Friday expressed serious concern over the deteriorating health of Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who ...Read More >
The Indian government has announced a 375km rail network expansion, aimed at enhancing economic growth and connectivity in North Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. With a total cost of approximately Rs79.27bn ($1.05bn), these projects are aimed to be completed within four years. Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, detailed the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs' approval of three railway infrastructure projects. The projects include the Jalgaon-Manmad fourth line (160 km), Bhusawal-Khandwa third and fourth lines (131km), and the Prayagraj (Iradatganj)-Manikpur thir ...Read More >
Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at multiple locations in West Bengal in connection with irregularities in the medical admissions in the state under the non-resident Indian (NRI) quota. The irregularities in medical admissions come after a major recruitment scam in Bengal in 2022, where former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and his close aide were arrested. The raids and search operations were conducted in multiple locations in the state. ED reportedly started the investigation based on a complaint filed in the Electronic Complex Police Station under Bidhannagar ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the 'One Nation, One Election,' bill in the parliament, marking a significant step towards the electoral process, sources told ANI. A comprehensive bill is expected to follow this decision, paving the way for unified elections across the nation. Earlier on Wednesday, former President of India Ram Nath Kovind stated that the Central government must build a consensus on the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative, emphasising that the issue transcends political interests and serves the nation as a whole. Speaking to th ...Read More >
Kochi: The High Court has directed the Kerala state government to convince the central government that the state deserves more assistance for the Wayanad landslide disaster. The division bench also expressed its readiness to mediate between the central and state governments in this regard. According to the latest figures, the state disaster relief fund holds around Rs 700 crore, but only Rs 61 crore is available for expenditure, as reported by the amicus curiae. Kerala: Court orders inclusion of abetment charges against police officers in Dalit youth suicide case The Kerala state government ...Read More >
Imphal, Dec 26: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has called for immediate peace and understanding between the two warring communities, the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups, amid the ongoing ethnic violence that has plagued the State since May last year. Speaking at the Good Governance Day event held at the BJP State Headquarters, Singh addressed the deep-seated issues fueling the unrest. "What is happening in Manipur today has many reasons. Those trying to divide the State are questioning the government's actions, but they are only hungry for power," he remarked. Highlighting the BJP's initiat ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jan 2 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday claimed that the Centre was trying to"bring back" the now-repealed farm laws, referring to the newly announced draft of the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. The AAP-led Punjab government has termed the newly announced draft policy as an attempt to reintroduce the three central agricultural laws passed in 2020 "through backdoor." After a yearlong protest by farmers, the Centre had repealed the laws. Speaking to reporters here, Mann also stated that the demands of the protesting farmers pertain to the c ...Read More >
Imphal (Manipur) [India], January 10 (ANI): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh praised the successful anti-drug operation in Ukhrul district, where combined forces destroyed 90 acres of poppy plantations, burned 12 huts, and registered FIRs for further investigation. "90 acres of poppy plantation destroyed in Ukrhul. In another successful mission under the War on Drugs campaign, combined forces of Ukhrul district police, 6 MR, 18 AR and the Forest Department destroyed 90 acres of poppy plantation and burned down 12 huts in the Phalee hill range under Lungchong Maiphei (LM) Police Station in ...Read More >
New Delhi, January 31: The unveiling of the Economic Survey on Friday sets the stage for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present the Union Budget for 2025-26 in Parliament on Saturday (February 1), which is expected to continue the government's policy of giving a big push to economic growth with equity. The government has prioritised improving the quality of life in rural areas to ensure equitable and inclusive development, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25. The survey highlights financial inclusion as a key focus, with rural households and small businesses getting easier access ...Read More >
New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) The BJP on Monday assailed the AAP government over water "crisis" in south west Delhi's Bijwasan, highlighting the water pipes being supplied to the homes of the locals through electric poles and influence of water mafia in the area. BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra during his visit to Bijwasan said there was severe water crisis in the area and the tangled web of pipes of water on the electricity poles expose the 10 year "misrule" of the AAP. "I have travelled across India and many cities around the world but this sight of water flowing through pipes hanging from ...Read More >
Defying pollsters, exit polls, and predictions, the BJP scored a hat trick in Haryana, albeit with a narrow lead in the recent Assembly election. It formed a government on its own sans any ally, and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini assumed office for a second consecutive term with relative ease. But the euphoria did not last long. In the first Assembly session convened after the new government took over, the opposition, led by the Congress and the electorally diminished Indian National Lok Dal, attacked the government on the issue of fertilizer shortages in the sowing season. The government d ...Read More >