Category Archives: Plants and People

Papaya leaf and immunity

Posted on September 16, 2023 by rgeeta

Some recent studies on effects of papaya leaf extract Otsuki N, Dang NH, Kumagai E, Kondo A, Iwata S, Morimoto C 2010. Aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaves exhibits anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 127: 760-767 In … Continue reading →

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தேங்காய் பூ — Edible Coconut Cotyledon

Posted on June 1, 2023 by rgeeta

தேங்காய் பூ, thEngAi poo is the delicious spongy/crispy, edible cotyledon of the coconut that develops at the time of germination. Once the fruit is mature, the seed is ready to germinate. Often, at the time when coconuts are being readied … Continue reading →

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Pirambu/Vetra/Calamus

Posted on September 27, 2021 by rgeeta

Calamus rotang L., distributed in the drier parts of peninsular India. (Often confused with C. australis Mart., which occurs in N and E Queensland, Australia) Tamiz பிரபங் கிழங்கு Pirapan kizhangu, Pirambu kizhangu and others [FRHLT] Sanskrit वेत्रफल [vetraphala] [vetra-phala ] the fruit of Vetra Lit. Suśr. http://sanskrit.uohyd.ac.in/Heritage/MW/249.html http://sanskritdictionary.com/?q=vetra vetra … Continue reading →

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Dengue and Nilavembu kudineer (incl. Andrographis)

Posted on October 12, 2019 by rgeeta

A Siddha medication, nilavembu kudineer, is being distributed by the Tamil Nadu government to control dengue in the state. What is it, and what is the scientific support for the practice? Nilvembu kudineer is a concoction of nilavembu நிலவேம்பு, Andrographis paniculata,  the chief … Continue reading →

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Primers – PepsiCo, potatoes, Indian IPR

Posted on May 17, 2019 by rgeeta

Cottage Industry of write-ups and videos on the topic The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001, in context 2019 25 April PepsiCo and potato farmers case  2019 07 May What is seed sovereignty? PepsiCo case 2019 16 May  … Continue reading →

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GM Brinjal, Haryana

Posted on May 14, 2019 by rgeeta

What we do know:  Where? Sirsa and Fatehabad Districts, Haryana What we do not know: What? – GM brinjal – not Bt brinjal?? Whose? – Mahyco? TNAU Coimbatore? UAS Dharwar? Bangladesh? Other? 2019 05 18 Illegal GM brinjal was second crop, officials destroy … Continue reading →

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PepsiCo, Potatoes – and Reuters (BAD BAD BAD)

Posted on May 12, 2019 by rgeeta

I have no idea how much pressure the BJP government applied on PepsiCo to withdraw its lawsuits against Gujarat farmers (I do know that RSS was involved via its Bharatiya Kisan Sangh), but REUTERS! it is surely misleading (to put … Continue reading →

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PPV&FRA – Extant variety (VCK); Farmers’ rights

Posted on May 3, 2019 by rgeeta

THE PROTECTION OF PLANT VARIETIES AND FARMERS’ RIGHTS ACT, 2001 (pdf) Extant Varieties Chapter I – 2j “Extant variety” means a variety available in India which is— (i) notified under section 5 of the Seeds Act, 1966 (54 of 1966); or … Continue reading →

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Potatoes, Pepsico, PPV&FR

Posted on May 3, 2019 by rgeeta

Some background on the Gujarat farmer-Pepsico war What is this hot potato, anyway? Potato cultivar FL2027 patent holder is Frito Lay North America Inc. This is the same name under which it was registered (2016) under the PPV&FRA, 2001, India … Continue reading →

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Discovering India in Delhi – 2

Posted on November 4, 2017 by rgeeta

It is that time of year again–painting walls ruined by water seepage, or the dreaded सीलन. The painters are from Bihar, they say, from सीतामढ़ी, Mithila, Sita’s birthplace. What do you grow there, I ask, wheat and  rice, they say, so naturally … Continue reading →

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