Edcom_naarm

  I n a small farming village in India, Ramesh and his family tended their cotton fields, as they had done for generations. The fields stretched as far as the eye could see, but pests and unpredictable weather constantly threatened their livelihood. One evening, as Ramesh joined a gathering of local farmers, talk turned to genetically modified (GM) crops, a subject of heated debate in their community. Dr. Megha, an agricultural expert was present in the gathering and took the opportunity to address the group, she explained that GM crops are plants modified through genetic engineering to introduce traits like pest resistance, improved nutrition, and tolerance to extreme conditions. “These crops,” she said, “are also called genetically engineered (GE) or biotech crops and have been cultivated globally since the 1990s. By 2023, they were grown on 206.13 million hectares across 27 countries, with soybean, maize, and cotton leading the pack. India, though primarily focused on Bt cotto...

On a bright and sunny afternoon, Ram and I decided to head to our local market to pick up some groceries. As we wandered through the lively stalls, a disturbing sight caught our attention: a vendor was handling raw meat with his bare hands. Moments later, he used the same hands to serve fresh vegetables to a customer. Ram and I exchanged worried glances, recognizing the risk of cross-contamination. Such unsanitary practices could easily turn otherwise safe food into a health hazard. As we continued our shopping, we came across a heap of fruits that had been left exposed to the sun for an extended period. Flies swarmed around the fruits, and several had begun to decay. In another part of the market, we noticed the coconut vendor using his hands to handle money, cut coconuts, and wipe his sweat. This practice raised concerns about the potential contamination of the coconut's drinking part. It was disheartening to see so much food wasted due to inadequate storage and handling. Ram s...

  Yash and Pooja Kapoor, a couple in their mid-thirties, were at a turning point with their family farm, Aranya Fields, which had been passed down for generations. Tucked away in the peaceful hills of Nainital, the farm had once flourished with crops and livestock, providing for their family and supplying the local markets. But as big agribusinesses expanded and costs rose, Yash and Pooja watched their profits decline. Despite long hours and tireless work, they were barely breaking even, and the future of Aranya Fields seemed increasingly uncertain. One crisp autumn evening, Pooja stumbled upon an article in an agricultural magazine about agritourism. The article described how some farmers had begun welcoming visitors by offering unique experiences like harvest festivals, farm-to-table dinners, and educational tours. Curious, she imagined what it would be like to open Aranya Fields to guests- inviting urban families to explore the countryside, see how food was grown, and take a p...