Agriculture

Agriculture, an important sector of our economy accounts for 14 per cent of the nation’s GDP and about 11 per cent of its exports. India has the second largest arable land base (159.7 million hectares) after US and largest gross irrigated area (88 milion hectares) in the world. Rice, wheat, cotton, oilseeds, jute, tea, sugarcane, milk and potatoes are the major agricultural commodities produced. More importantly, over 60 per cent of the country’s population, comprising several million small farming households, depends on agriculture as a principal income source and land continues to be the main asset for livelihood security.

	March 25, 2015 Constructed wetlands as a cost effective cleaning option Water treated using constructed wetlands before being used for irrigation can be a suitable and cost effective option to prevent possible human health risks
	March 23, 2015 Punjab's groundwater crisis: A by-product of the govt's short sighted policies? As long as electricity is improperly priced and farmers get the MSP for rice, they will not take up maize cultivation. This will lead to further deterioration of groundwater.
	March 3, 2015 Unseasonal rains damage crops worth Rs 10,000 crore Crop loss could be to the extent of up to 20 per cent of total production in northern and central states
	March 2, 2015 Keepers of a complex irrigation system in Bihar The Ahar Pynes irrigation systems were originally built and managed by the Zamindars of South Bihar. How does the system function today and who is responsible for it?
	September 3, 2013 Changing climate, changing lives - A film on the impact of climate change on agriculture in Dhulikhel, Nepal This video echoes the voices of people experiencing the brunt of climate change in the Nepal Himalayas.