Indian Agricultural Research Bulletin

When War Strikes the Soil-  Agriculture in the Crossfire War rarely stays on the battlefield. When the smoke clears and the tanks roll away, what often remains are not just broken buildings—but broken harvests, broken supply chains, and broken hopes. One of the most under-reported casualties of conflict is agriculture. The soil itself becomes a silent victim. And from Gaza to Ukraine, and even in recent tensions between India and Pakistan, we are witnessing how war leaves farmland fallow and families famished. The destruction of agriculture during conflict isn’t just collateral damage—it is a slow, strategic unravelling of life itself. In Gaza today, the soil has turned to ash. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 75% of Gaza’s agricultural land has been destroyed amid the latest war. Crops have been razed, irrigation wells bombed, and greenhouses reduced to twisted metal. Over 96% of livestock is gone, and only 1% of poultry remains. Agriculture was one of the...

A Path-Breaking Initiative of SKUAST-Kashmir:  Minimising  Imports with Suitability & Sustainability   Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Kashmir has embarked on a ground breaking initiative aimed at reducing agricultural imports while promoting self-sufficiency and sustainability. Under the dynamic leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nazir Ganai, the University is spearheading innovative research and practical solutions that promise to revolutionize the region’s agricultural landscape. Kashmir, despite its fertile land and favorable climate, has long been dependent on imports for various agricultural products, including seeds, fertilizers, and high-yield crop varieties. SKUAST-K’s latest initiative focuses on developing indigenous alternatives that are both suitable for the region and environmentally sustainable. The objective is clear—minimize reliance on external sources while empowering local farmers with homegrown solut...