National Capital Region Records Hazardous Air Quality

The Bau Kisan Samman 2025 ceremony was held in Patna today to honour the vital contributions of women farmers in Bihar’s agricultural economy. The event, organised by the Bihar Agriculture Department in collaboration with local panchayats and farmer cooperatives, recognised the labour, innovation and resilience of female cultivators across multiple districts. Hundreds of women farmers from regions including Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Madhubani and Bhagalpur attended the programme, where they were felicitated with certificates, shawls and traditional tokens of appreciation. Agriculture Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted the indispensable role women play in farm operations from sowing and harvesting to pest management and livestock care and said Bau Kisan Samman aims to elevate their status and visibility in rural development dialogue. The ceremony also included dialogues on improved access to credit, quality seeds, micro-irrigation technology and market linkages, aimed at strengthening economic outcomes for women farmers. Demonstrations on climate-resilient farming practices and organic cultivation were part of the programme, along with testimonies from awardees who shared experiences of successful crop diversification, cooperative marketing and farm-based entrepreneurship. Officials emphasised that empowering women in agriculture not only enhances productivity but also improves household nutrition, financial inclusion and community wellbeing. The Bau Kisan Samman event is expected to be followed by district-level outreach camps to connect women farmers with extension services and agricultural schemes. Attendees praised the initiative as a step toward greater recognition and equity for women in farming, noting that such honours inspire youth and encourage sustained engagement in agriculture.© Images used for illustrative purposes only. Copyrights belong to their respective owners.

As part of its push for sustainable agriculture and improved soil health, the Bihar government launched a large-scale soil-testing initiative in 2025, having tested nearly 200,000 soil samples across the state. The programme designed to inform fertiliser usage, improve crop yields and mitigate long-term soil degradation has expanded access to soil analysis labs and distributed soil health cards to farmers. Officials said the data will help customise fertiliser recommendations, cut unnecessary chemical use and support environmentally sound cultivation practices. Agriculture experts welcomed the expanded testing, noting it’s critical for balanced nutrient management, boost in productivity and reduction of input costs for farmers.© Images used for illustrative purposes only. Copyrights belong to their respective owners.

A new cyclonic storm named ’Ditwah’ has formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and is forecast to intensify as it moves northwest. Meteorological departments have issued advisories for coastal regions, especially along Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where landfall is likely. Residents in low-lying coastal areas are being warned, and disaster-management authorities are preparing relief measures including evacuation readiness, rain and wind-resistant protocols, and public warnings. The impending storm has raised concerns about potential heavy rainfall, coastal flooding and disruption to local transport and fishing activities.© Images used for illustrative purposes only. Copyrights belong to their respective owners.