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20 hours ago
- Health
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Experts sound alarm over threat to prized crop that could impact thousands of farmers: 'Demands serious attention'
Experts sound alarm over threat to prized crop that could impact thousands of farmers: 'Demands serious attention' Climate shifts endanger Meghalaya's celebrated Lakadong turmeric. Its native region has been named one of the top 10 areas in the state most vulnerable to weather, reported India Today NE. What's happening? The golden-hued Lakadong turmeric, famous for its high curcumin content (7% to 9%), faces growing challenges from unpredictable weather. Nearly 14,000 farmers across 43 villages grow this heritage crop on about 1,753 hectares of land. Recent studies by the Meghalaya Climate Change Centre have shown a troubling trend. Laskein is one of 25 of the state's blocks facing "high" or "very high" risk from climate pressures. Farmers struggle with extreme weather events (such as unpredictable rainfall), poor soil health, and increased pest attacks. "Research must be intensified to determine whether climate change is the key factor or if soil nutrient depletion is equally responsible. This is a matter that demands serious attention," said Meghalaya Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh. Leaf blight and rhizome rot, symptoms of erratic weather, have appeared during recent harvests. Local farmers report that odd rainfall timing and increased pest problems are damaging crop quality and quantity. Why is Lakadong turmeric important? Lakadong turmeric contains nearly twice the amount of curcumin found in regular turmeric. It's used in food and health supplements worldwide. For thousands of families in Meghalaya, this crop is their main income source. In 2023, the state recognized its value by initiating "Mission Lakadong" and obtaining a geographical indication to help protect and promote this unique treasure. The weather affecting Lakadong turmeric is one example of a larger issue affecting special crops worldwide. As the weather becomes less predictable, crops that thrived in stable local climates for centuries now face conditions they can't handle. If you enjoy turmeric in your cooking or supplements, these weather shifts will likely change the supply and cost of high-quality types such as Lakadong. What's being done about Lakadong turmeric? The state government is expanding its protection efforts by partnering with farm research groups that check soil health and create disease control plans. Which of these factors is the biggest obstacle preventing you from getting solar panels? The upfront cost The way they look Not sure where to start No concerns here! Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Experts suggest several ways farmers can adjust to erratic weather. These include using climate-smart farming methods, building water collection systems, supplementing natural soil nutrients, and engineering disease-fighting types of turmeric. If you want to support climate-resilient farming, buy certified GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric products. Your purchase helps these farmers maintain their traditional farming methods while adapting to new challenges. Advocate for legislation that helps small-scale farmers deal with changing weather. Contact your elected officials to request increased funding for farm research focused on climate adjustment and crop preservation. Finally, reduce your carbon output to address the principal cause of these farming problems. Rely on clean energy at home, use public transit when you can, and buy from companies committed to Earth-friendly practices. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
India Today
09-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Assam BJP chief accused of cow scam: Public funds used, no delivery made
The Gorukhuti Bahumukhi Krishi Prakalpa (GBKP) in Assam has come in the eye of a storm following allegations of mismanagement and misallocation of resources. Initially established to boost rural economies, the project has been marred by issues surrounding the procurement and distribution of cows, central to its dairy farming 2021, the project commenced with the procurement of Gir cows, intended to drive the transformation of Assam's dairy sector. Nearly Rs 17 crore in public funds were dedicated to the project to start with, reported India Today conflicting government statements and opaque procurement records soon followed, India Today NE reported, citing RTI queries. According to disclosed records, 300 Gir cows were to be delivered by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in 2022. Instead, discrepancies arose when only 210 cows were reported to have arrived, of which 154 were returned due to poor quality, and 56 died. This discrepancy in numbers has raised significant concerns about the transparency of the remaining 90 cows, which couldn't be housed in the facility due to lack of infrastructure, never reached the farmers. According to an RTI reply by Garukhuti Bahumukhi Krishi Prakalpa Samiti nodal veterinary officer Dr. Jugabrata Nath, 90 cows were given to seven "public representatives", who were asked to distribute the cows to local the management of the project shifted from government departments to a special society headed by MLA Padma Hazarika, with involvement from key BJP figures. Under this new administration, the allocation of cows raised further questions. Cows were reportedly distributed to individuals with connections to the project's leadership, without public advertisement or clear selection criteria. The lack of transparency in these allocations has been a major point of the recipients were BJP state president Dilip Saikia and MLAs, who collectively secured a significant number of cows. These transactions were found to be irregular, with Saikia allegedly neither paying the full amount nor providing documentation for the return of cows to the farmers he claimed were 'bought.' This has led to further scrutiny of the project's management and reviewing the payment records, India Today NE found that Saikia had paid Rs 1,00,000 for two pregnant cows, which were priced at Rs 1,32,000 as of March 17, indicate that the planned distribution to local farmers did not occur. The planned distribution by "public representatives" never materialised, and explanations for this lapse remain absent. This oversight has prompted calls for a third-party audit to assess the situation, as public trust continues to complicating the situation, JMB Aqua Agro, owned by the wife of Assam Cabinet Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, received a substantial government subsidy alongside cows. Critics argue this favoured distribution deprived genuine farmers of support. Malla Baruah defended the allocation, stating the subsidy was available to all eligible applicants, but the optics of the situation have not been light of the mounting criticisms, officials, including those associated with the project, have yet to provide comprehensive responses. Saikia's refusal to shed light on the issue has only added to the row. The project, which was meant to empower local farmers, is now riddled with lack of transparency.- Ends
Scroll.in
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Assam ‘pushed back' 88 alleged foreigners from Cachar to Bangladesh in a month, says CM
The Assam government has ' pushed back ' 88 alleged 'illegal infiltrators' to Bangladesh from Cachar district in one month, said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday. Sarma claimed that among persons forced into Bangladesh, 59 are nationals of the country and 29 are Rohingya refugees, who were tracked and identified 'through special operations'. Cachar shares a 32-km-long border with Bangladesh. 'For far too long have illegal infiltrators gone scot free,' the Assam chief minister claimed in a social media post. 'We are tolerating it no more.' For far too long have illegal infiltrators gone scot free. WE ARE TOLERATING IT NO MORE. We have begun intensified operations against illegal infiltrators and in the last 1 month, in Cachar district alone, we have pushed back 88 Bangladeshis and Rohingyas back to Bangladesh. — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 25, 2025 The Assam government has been forcing people over the border into Bangladesh since May. Many of those 'pushed' into the country claim they are Indian citizens. On Sunday, the state police detained 15 persons, including women and children, in Cachar. They were suspected to be from Bangladesh and have since been housed at a temporary detention facility in Silchar, reported India Today NE. Several of the detainees had been living in Gujarat's Surat but came to Assam in a bid to cross back to Bangladesh amid a heightened crackdown on undocumented migrants, the media outlet quoted an unidentified police officer as saying. On June 9, Sarma said that more than 330 persons who were declared to be foreigners by the state's Foreigners Tribunals have been 'pushed' back into Bangladesh. The Foreigners Tribunals in the state are quasi-judicial bodies that adjudicate on matters of citizenship. They have been accused of arbitrariness and bias, and declaring people foreigners on the basis of minor spelling mistakes, a lack of documents or lapses in memory. On May 20, Sarma said that the state was 'duty-bound to protect the interests" of Assam and ' expel all illegal immigrants from the state through any means and as per directions of [the] Supreme Court'. The chief minister appeared to be referring to the court's February 4 ruling that the state must deport persons who had been declared foreign nationals.
Scroll.in
14-06-2025
- Scroll.in
Assam: 38 more arrested after communal violence in Dhubri
Thirty-eight more persons were arrested overnight in connection with communal tensions that broke out in Assam's Dhubri town on June 8, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday. The tensions had erupted after the remains of an animal were discovered near a Hindu temple. The arrested individuals have been booked under non-bailable offences, India Today NE reported on Saturday. The arrests were in addition to the 22 persons the police on Friday confirmed to have held. Sarma had told reporters on Friday that he visited the area to review the situation and had issued shoot-at-sight orders for nighttime. 'Whoever will create disturbance, we will shoot them,' he had said, adding that the Rapid Action Force and the Central Reserve Police Force had been deployed in Dhubri. The chief minister also claimed that the animal remains found near the temple were part of the head of a cow. 'The day after Bakri Eid [on June 8], some persons kept a severed cow head in front of a Hanuman temple,' claimed Sarma. 'Representatives of both the communities met thereafter, a peace committee meeting was held and the conflict seemed to have been resolved.' The chief minister claimed that the next day, another severed animal head was found in front of the temple premises, which sparked violence. Widespread protests broke out in Dhubri on June 8 morning, with a large number of residents blocking a road adjacent to the temple. They shouted slogans and burnt tyres as part of their demonstration. They also prevented the police from removing the remains of the animal, insisting that it must remain untouched until 'those responsible are identified and arrested'. As the demonstrations continued till Monday, Deputy Commissioner Dibakar Nath issued orders prohibiting five or more persons from gathering in Dhubri town. The administration had also banned rallies, processions, meetings and demonstrations. The situation was brought under control by Tuesday and the prohibitory orders were withdrawn. On Friday, the chief minister claimed that a day before Bakri Eid, which was celebrated on June 7, a poster showing Dhubri to be part of Bangladesh was found in the town. Sarma alleged that a group was attempting to spread tensions in the area. Dhubri shares a border with Bangladesh. The Bharatiya Janata Party leader had said on June 8 that 16 persons were arrested in the state for allegedly slaughtering cattle illegally on Bakri Eid.
Scroll.in
09-06-2025
- Scroll.in
Assam: Communal tensions erupt in Dhubri after suspected cow head discovered near temple
Communal tensions and protests broke out in Assam's Dhubri town on Sunday after the remains of an animal, suspected to be the head of a cow, were discovered near the premises of a Hindu temple, India Today NE reported. The animal remains were found by a person visiting the Hanuman temple in ward number 3, around 7.30 am. The discovery led to widespread protests in the area by 9 am. According to the Assam Tribune, this was the third such incident at the same temple. A large number of residents blocked a road adjacent to the temple. They shouted slogans and burned tyres as part of their demonstration, Assam Tribune reported. They also prevented the police from removing the remains of the animal, insisting that it must remain untouched until 'those responsible are identified and arrested'. Tensions escalated in the area despite a large number of police personnel being deployed, India Today NE reported. By 11 am, Dhubri Deputy Commissioner Dibakar Nath and Superintendent of Police Nabin Singh arrived at the location, addressed the crowd and promised a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. On Monday, the deputy commissioner issued orders prohibiting five or more persons from gathering in the Dhubri town under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The administration has also banned rallies, processions, meetings or demonstrations.
