Maharashtra and Karnataka, the country's biggest and the third-biggest sugar producing states, have had heavy rains pushing back harvests by a fortnight.
Stunting is being caused by Southern Rice Black-streaked Dwarf virus, which has previously led to yield losses in China, Vietnam & Japan, finds Indian Agricultural Research Institute.
The war in Ukraine highlights the dangers of relying on a few globally traded foods. To keep the world fed, scientists have identified alternate staples.
The parasitoids, which arrived in a shipment from Benin last August, have been released in parts of Tamil Nadu where the Cassava Mealybug caused massive damage to tapioca crops.
The sudden emergence of supply strains has come as a blow to the global economy which has been struggling to regain its footing after the shock of the Covid-19 lockdowns.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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