In 1950, amid the Cold War, a tiny beetle from the US was destroying potato crops across East Germany. Then began one of history's strangest propaganda campaignsIn 1950, a striped potato beetle became the centre of one of the Cold War's most unusual propaganda campaigns after East Germany accused th...
19 Jun, 2026, 12.59 PM IST
From pet to pest: A 2026 experiment reveals that releasing goldfish into lakes triggers a full ecosystem regime shift, and no lake type is immuneReleasing pet goldfish into local waters causes extensive ecological damage. These fish grow large, stir up sediment, consume prey, and out...
15 Jun, 2026, 04.06 PM IST
BRICS+ agriculture beyond borders: Trade and resilience for a food-secure worldWith India’s leadership and BRICS+ cooperation, agriculture can become not only a source of food, but a foundation for resilience, prosperi...
09 Jun, 2026, 10.49 AM IST
El Niño clouds loom over kharif crops, farm payA developing El Niño event thousands of miles away poses a significant threat to India's agriculture. This weather phenomenon is linked to ...
09 Jun, 2026, 05.30 AM IST
Science at scale: India’s journey from food security to global leadershipToday, India is the world’s largest producer of milk, pulses, and spices; the largest exporter of rice; and among the leading producers of ...
08 Jun, 2026, 07.45 PM IST
New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and more: Why top cities in US are seeing more rats than everRat problems are escalating in major US cities due to modern urban design, not just sanitation. Dense populations, extensive underground in...
08 Jun, 2026, 03.35 PM IST
Root cause: India’s spice crown under threat as quality concerns trace back to farmsFarm-level traceability, quality, value addition, and branding are key to converting export scale into global trust, according to experts.
08 Jun, 2026, 12.01 PM IST
Dark spots on Bengal's Himsagar mangoes cast shadow on export shipmentBengal's famous Himsagar mango exports face uncertainty. Dark spots, caused by rain and high temperatures, have appeared on the fruits. Thi...
07 Jun, 2026, 11.18 AM IST
IRCTC cracks down on fake accounts, expands AI surveillance in kitchensIRCTC has deactivated millions of suspicious user IDs to combat fraudulent train ticket bookings. This move addresses passenger concerns ab...
05 Jun, 2026, 04.33 PM IST
Weather swings, monsoon risks, and the growing threat to mango, apple cropsThe agriculture industry has evolved historically through adaptation and resilience, and now it is time to speed up this transformation, em...
01 Jun, 2026, 11.43 AM IST
From Alphonso to Kesar: How a tiny fly halted India’s mango exports to Japan after two decadesJapan has suspended fresh mango imports from India for the 2026 season due to concerns over pest treatment procedures at an Indian facility...
28 May, 2026, 03.35 PM IST
Mosquitoes have finally invaded one of the world's last mosquito-free countriesFor the first time in history, Iceland has recorded wild mosquitoes, ending its long-standing status as a mosquito-free haven. A species kn...
18 May, 2026, 07.26 PM IST
8 fascinating things you probably didn't know about the rat snakeDiscover the surprising intelligence and ecological importance of rat snakes, America's original pest control. These non-venomous constrict...
13 May, 2026, 01.38 PM IST
Putting Up an Owl Box Sounds Smart, But Here’s What Most People MissBarn owls are natural pest controllers, but attracting them requires more than just a nest box. Wildlife experts emphasize that abundant pr...
10 May, 2026, 06.47 PM IST
India’s big cotton bet: Can Rs 5,659 cr revive the sector's global leadership?India’s Rs 5,659-crore Mission for Cotton Productivity aims to tackle falling yields, poor seed quality, and rising import dependence throu...
08 May, 2026, 10.50 AM IST
Cabinet approves Rs 5,659 crore for five-year mission to increase cotton outputThe Indian government has launched a five-year mission to significantly increase cotton crop productivity. With an outlay of Rs 5,659.22 cr...
05 May, 2026, 08.19 PM IST
- China beetles infesting gooseberry plants in Arunachal Pradesh, say scientists
The first infestation was reported in the orchards of College of Horticulture and Forestry, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh by Dr. M. M. Kumawa...
05 Feb, 2021, 12.44 AM IST