Biocontrol of pests may get a boost
The eco-friendly and natural method of biological control of pests in vegetables, fruits and flowers is poised to set foot in the State in a big way with an Israel-based pioneer of this technology...
View ArticleFarmers' plea to declare district as drought-hit turned down
MADURAI: In a setback to a section of farmers, the Madurai collector on Friday ruled out the possibility of announcing the district as drought-hit. Replying to a the group of farmer representatives...
View Article‘Contaminated fruits, vegetables sold in Kerala’
The State government will take stringent measures to regulate the marketing of fruits and vegetables from neighbouring States, including Tamil Nadu, as it has become abundantly clear that these contain...
View ArticleActivists, farmers protest genetically modified seeds
MADURAI: A group of activists, farmers, students and scientists staged a protest against Monsanto — leading producer of genetically engineered seeds and Genetically Manufactured Organism (GMO) on...
View ArticleCommittees to monitor paddy procurement centres
MADURAI: After a series of complaints from farming community about irregularities in direct procurement centres (DPC) for paddy, district collector L Subramanian proposed to form monitoring committees...
View ArticleHorticultural official develops solar trap for pest control
MADURAI: A horticultural official working in Tirunelveli district has come out with a device that uses light to trap pests. Pests, which are attracted by light, get trapped in an adhesive layer in the...
View ArticleMultipurpose solar pest manager for brinjal and jasmine growers
Continuous power supply is essential for any type of agricultural activity. Particularly in villages where the concept of invertors or generators is yet to attain a major breakthrough, electricity...
View ArticlePest attacks hit jasmine, paddy
Multiple pest attacks have been causing a serious problem to the jasmine cultivators and paddy growers in six villages in Andhanallur block and the agricultural scientists have been camping to guide...
View ArticleTamil Nadu Agricultural University asked to invent pest-resistant seeds
COIMBATORE: In the wake of a controversy over the excessive use of pesticides by Tamil Nadu farmers, a top official on Friday asked the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University to invent pest-resistant...
View ArticleTamil Nadu to impose curbs on sale of pesticides to farmers
CHENNAI: Reacting to Kerala raising concerns about excessive use of pesticides on vegetable farms in Tamil Nadu, the state agricultural department has decided to impose restrictions on sale of...
View ArticleTrailing butterflies
After studying the avian visitors for six months, members of Madurai Nature Forum (MNF) have now turned towards butterflies following studies conducted in Chennai, Salem, Coimbatore and recently...
View ArticleFarmers to be trained to rear bees
MADURAI: In order to augment food production in the country, the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) has planned to sensitise and train farmers to rear honey bees in their farms. Honey bees...
View ArticlePlea to divert water for irrigation draws flak
Farmers of Melur were quick to oppose a proposal from a fellow farmer from Usilampatti who sought diversion of Periyar water meant for double crop area adjoining Madurai and single crop area in Melur...
View ArticleMadurai district administration to open DPCs for summer paddy crop
MADURAI: For the first time in Madurai district, the authorities have decided to open direct procurement centres (DPCs) in seven villages for the summer paddy crop after farmers complained of low...
View ArticleDistrict administration to open DPCs for summer paddy crop
MADURAI: For the first time in Madurai district, the authorities have decided to open direct procurement centres (DPCs) in seven villages for the summer paddy crop after farmers complained of low...
View ArticleEasy to carry, effective solar-powered insect trapper
Pest management is one of the major expenditures that can drill a hole in a farmer’s pocket. Right from sowing till the crops are harvested and sold, pests need to be managed effectively and...
View ArticleDirect procurement centres for paddy crop to be opened
MADURAI: For the first time in Madurai district, the authorities have decided to open direct procurement centres (DPCs) in seven villages for the summer paddy crop after farmers complained of low...
View ArticleFarmers insist on better water management
MADURAI: As rains are scarce even after the onset of the monsoon, the farmers in the district stressed for better water management of the water released from Vaigai reservoir so that double-crop areas...
View ArticleSoil fertility in Tamil Nadu reduced by half in 30 yrs, says govt paper
CHENNAI: Indiscriminate fertilizer and pesticide usage, coupled with mono-cropping and non-application of base manure like cow dung and green manure (dead plants), has taken a severe toll on the...
View ArticleTamil Nadu vegetables see red light in Kerala
COIMBATORE: Kerala government hasput curbs on traders procuring vegetables from Tamil Nadu after they found that pesticide levels in the vegetables were higher than permissible. Kerala food safety...
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