Business Standard

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the country’s farmers for their efforts and patience in the face of economic change. “Our farmers are an important source of our economy. Due to the change in economic policy, they are also suffering, every citizen is trying to adjust. But I want to especially appreciate and thank the farmers of the country,” said PM Modi in his Mann Ki Baat address.

The Hindu

The Madras High Court Bench here on Friday reserved its judgement on a public interest litigation petition filed against the State Government’s decision to extend waiver of crop loans obtained from cooperative banks only to 16.94 lakh small and marginal farmers and not to the 3.01 lakh other medium and large farmers.

Live mint

Cotton is a major cash crop for the regions of Vidarbha and Marathwada in Maharashtra, which account for nearly 85% of the state’s total yield. Manoj Saunik, managing director of the Maharashtra federation, said APMC markets have been witnessing the arrival of nearly 1.5 lakh quintals of cotton per day, which he said indicated that the market situation was “normal”.

The Economic Times

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday accused the Centre of messing up the Indian economy and causing hardships to farmers, labourers and traders by demonetising Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. He said neither corruption nor black money will end with demonetisation, which will, on the other hand, inconvenience all sections of society due to lack of planning.

The Times of India

Government of India’s relief to farmers allowing them to buy agricultural inputs from government stores for Rabi season using Rs 500 notes has produced desired results and brought smiles to top authorities in agriculture department as well as farmers. Speaking to the TOI, the agriculture production commissioner of the state Pradip Bhatnagar confirmed the targeted sale of seed of wheat and oilseeds and fertilisers is likely to be achieved by November 30, which is not only satisfactory but would also assist in increasing production of wheat in the state.

The Hindu Business Line

The country is at the risk of a ‘wheat shock’. Prices of wheat have escalated over the last two months — from around ₹1,750 a quintal to over ₹2,000 a quintal recently. And, come to think of it, the next harvest is over four months away! Rising prices are a cause of concern for policymakers, regulators and consumers alike.

The Financial Express

All businesses involved in rural distribution face this challenge: the cost of last-mile delivery of products and services is high. For banks providing credit to farmers, there is an additional twist: As well as issuing crop loans, they need to recover them. A dense network of rural branches assuring both functions might look like the answer,but there is a cost factor. So, India tried branchless banking with business correspondents who earn commissions for connecting village customers to banks. This has not been very successful so far: the correspondents cannot make a living from commissions based on the sale of financial products alone.