With impressive macro-economic rates of growth and a booming stock market, India is one of the most exciting economies in the world today. India has reportedly displaced the United States as the second most attractive destination for foreign direct investment in the world after China (Business Standard, 2005,P.1). This spectacular overall performance, however, hides one dark spot that the people of India exposed through Verdict 2004. The benefits of this growth have not been evenly distributed. Large parts of India do not find a place on the development map of the country. In a pioneering study on the Domestic Product of State of India, the Economic and Political Weekly Research Foundation found that many \"low-income and poorly-performing major states have not only persisted with their low-growth syndrome but have also experienced further deceleration in growth rates in the 1990\'s ( EPWRF, 2003, p.26). World Bank economists Datt and Ravallion (2002) find that \" the geographic and sectoral pattern of India\'s growth process had greatly attenuated its aggregate impact on poverty\" (p.1)
National Significance ofthe Watershed Programme : Chapter 1
by S. Parthasarathy, Ministry of Rural Development, 26 January, 2006
NREGA Survey 2008 was conducted in May-June 2008. It covered 10 districts spread over six North Indian States (Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh). The sample districts were Araria and Kaimur (Bihar), Surguja (Chhattisgarh), Koderma and Palamau (Jharkhand), Badwani and Sidhi (Madhya Pradesh), Dungarpur and Sirohi (Rajasthan) and Sitapur (Uttar Pradesh). In each district, 10 gram panchayats (five each in two different blocks) were selected for investigation. In each of the 100 sample gram panchayats, one active NREGA worksite was studied, and at each sample worksite, 10 workers were selected randomly for interview.
NREGA survey 2008
by , Frontline, 03 January, 2009
Enabavi, a village of 52 families, is abuzz. It is hosting farmers from the nearby Kallem village who have come here for tips on profitable agriculture. Those who missed the excitement of the Green Revolution in the 1960s can get a glimpse of it here—there is the air of collective achievement, and farmers from neighbouring villages are here because they do not want to lose out. There is one big difference from the 1960s, though: farmers are teaching and learning ways of increasing productivity without applying synthetic chemicals. Agriculture is a happy story in Enabavi.
Made it : Enabavi, a village of 52 families, is abuzz. It is hosting farmers from the nearby Kallem village
by Savvy Soumya Misra, Down to Earth, 15 January, 2009
The Committee was constituted by the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD),Government of India vide its Order No. S-16011/1/2004-DPAP dated 14February 2005 (for Terms of Referencesee Appendix IV of this report). The Committee was requiredto submit its report by 31 October 2005 but a spillover beyond that date was necessary to completethe report. A two-month extension was granted until December31, 2005 for the submission of the report. The draft report was circulated to the members of the Committee on2 January 2006 and a final Committee meeting was held on 16 January 2006 to approve the report, followingwhich it was edited and printed.
From Hariyali to Neeranchal:Report of the Technical Committeeon Watershed Programmes in India
by S. Parthasarathy, Ministry of Rural Development, 26 January, 2006
What is interesting about this response of the Government of India is not that it rejected the World Commission on Dams (WCD) report; that was to be expected given the build up during the process of the commission. What is important is that this response illustrates the vision of the Government - water resources development is virtually synonymous in this country with building dams. It also illustrates the official perception or the projection of dams being almost the sole driver of food self-sufficiency.
Dams and Development: Some Issues Emanating from a Case Study of the Bhakra Nangal Project
by Shripad Dharmadhikary, , 28 July, 2006
It does not seem to be the case. A quick look at the Approach Paper (AP) for the 11th Five Year Plan (April \'07 - March \'12) from Planning Commission, Govt of India, specifically the issues that concern us at DRP (Agriculture, water, power and environment) suggests that we are likely to see a rehash of the old programmes, with little innovation or attempt to learn from the mistakes of the past. Let us see these issues from the AP. Agriculture Broadly, the AP objective (p 15) is, \"It is, therefore, proposed that the target growth rate for the 11th Plan be 8.5 % per annum\", with agriculture growth rate at 3.9%.
Any hopes for a people friendly 11 th Plan?
by Himanshu Thakkar, DAMS, RIVERS & PEOPLE, 01 July, 2006
We, the undersigned, have gone through the draft rules notified to amend the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1955 which seek to make the labeling of GM foods mandatoryin the country. We cannot accept your Ministry\'s draft rules which have been devised to accommodate a GM policy for India as dictated by other departments and ministries [like the DBT and the GEAC]. You have come up with these rules without independent assessment of GMtechnology and products. This, despite the fact that your Ministry has independent responsibility andcommensurate with this, the authority to oversee and ensure food safety and public health.
RESPONSE TO THE LABELLING OF GMOS
by Rita Teaotia, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 15 April, 2006
This paper argues that opportunities for reducing poverty, improving social inclusion, and influencing policy and institutional changes are being missed as a result of not learning sufficiently from development practitioners who have been effective in bringing about positive changes in the past. Cautionary tales, positive deviance, innovations systems and aid ethnographicliterature are reviewed.
Learning From The Postive To Reduce Rural Poverty: Institutional Innovations In Agricultural And Natural Resources Research And Development
by Stephen Biggs, , 20 February, 2006
Soil is not a lifeless and inert component. Soil is not just an efficient nutrient chamber. It is by far the most biologically diverse part of the earth (http://soils.usda.gov).Soil is often viewed as a physical substrate, regulating water, sustaining plant and animal life, recycling organic wastes into nutrients, filtering pollutants, and serving as a physical support for structures. Soil is indeed a living entity in itself, containing an enormous number of organisms, and vast biodiversity. One gram of good soil contains millions of organisms, including several thousands of different species.
Living soils: a store house of life
by T.M.Radha, K.V.S. Prasad & Arun Balamatti, Leisa India, 01 June, 2008
Farmers over centuries have been managing their soils using traditional and indigenous knowledge. These indigenous practices which increase the below ground diversity of soil fauna, are not only time tested but are also affordable by farmers.
Indigenous soil management to revive below ground biodiversity - case of Garhwal
by Shalini Misra, R K Maikhuri and Deepak Dhyani, Leisa India, 01 June, 2008
Farmers have an immense knowledge on various aspects of farming - not only on how to use the farm resources but also in assessing their quality. Farmers in Andhra Pradesh have been using their own parameters and indicators to assess the soil quality. Though different from the scientific methods, they are no inferior in terms of providing the right results.
Farmers\' parameters for assessing soil fertility in semi-arid regions
by B Suresh Reddy, Leisa India, 01 June, 2008
New Delhi Declaration on Conservation Agriculture calls for the need
.  to double agricultural production over the next
few decades,
• to reverse the trend of degradation of natural resources,
in particular soil, water and biodiversity,
• to improve the efficiency of the use of ever scarcer
production resources,
• to address the fact that agriculture and agriculturally
induced deforestation cause ^>O% of the actual green
house gas emissions,
• to answer the increasing threats of a changing climate to
agricultural production,

onservation Agriculture based on the three principles of
• minimum mechanical disturbance of the soil
• permanent organic cover of the soil surface, and
• a diversified sequence or association of crops



The Fourth World Congress on Conservation Agriculture (CA), deliberated on issues vital for sustaining high-growth agriculture without clashing with the environment, based on the theme \"Innovations for Improving Efficiency, Equity and Environment\". The major objectives of the Congress included the exploration of future global partnerships and policy initiatives, and developing a road map with broad sets of strategies and actions to promote conservation agriculture practices and technologies. The meeting was hosted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS). FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation), along with IFAD (International Fund for Agriculture Development) and other Indian and international organizations being sponsors and co-organizers of this largest global gathering of the CA community.
Conservation Agriculture Newsletter :Issue 6 : Mar. 2009
by , Conserveagri.org, 01 March, 2009
The way the world grows its food will have to change radically to better serve the poor and hungry if the world is to cope with a growing population and climate change while avoiding social breakdown and environmental collapse. That is the message from the report of the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development, a major new report by over 400 scientists which is launched.

The report has assessed that the way to meet the challenges lies in putting in place institutional, economic and legal frameworks that combine productivity with the protection and conservation of natural resources like soils, water, forests, and biodiversity while meeting production needs.

The authors have assessed evidence across a wide range of knowledge that is rarely brought together. They conclude we have little time to lose if we are to change course. Continuing with current trends would exhaust our resources and put our children’s future in jeopardy.
International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development,
Press Realease
AGRICULTURE- THE NEED FOR CHANGE by , International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development, 15 April, 2008
Farmers have been using chemical fertilizers and pesticides since the Green Revolution arrived in Paseh village in Central Java. Over time, however, they became aware that their soil was becoming harderand more infertile. With increasing costs of chemical inputs, farmers began to think more carefully about their soil fertility practices. One farmers\' group started experimenting with Natural Farming methods, with successful results.
Rejuvenating soils with innovative farming approaches
by Wardjito, Leisa India, 01 June, 2008
  1. Civil Society Statement from Johannesburg, South Africa: A new era of agriculture begins today
  2. Inter-tillage technique for semi-dry rice
  3. Humic acid increases yield substantially in watermelon
  4. Sustainable farming: low investment, maximum returns

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