Assam Tribune

As a part of the Pre-Rabi Campaign, an exhibition was arranged which exhibited various technologies of AAU implemented by the KVK Morigaon farm and farmers field as trial and demonstration by showcasing varieties of high-yielding boro paddy, toria, lathyrus, linseed, grass etc. Also live quail, dual purpose poultry Vanaraja, Rainbow Rooster, Kamrupa and duck breeds like White Pekin, Khaki Campbell were a part of the exhibition under reference.

The Times of India

More than 2,100 farmers from different blocks of the district registered themselves to sell paddy to the government’s entrusted agency. The dismal figure resulted in minimum procurement of paddy this year despite the lucrative price of Rs 1,600 per quintal fixed by the government, to be paid to the farmers, inclusive of Rs 130 as bonus.

The New Indian Express

Despite cash crunch, Odisha Government has procured 3.58 lakh tonne of paddy from 53,000 farmers in nine districts of the State. Though the total value of the procured paddy is about Rs 526 crore, the Government has already paid Rs 409 crore to farmers online, said Minister of State for Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Sanjay Dasburma on Tuesday.

The Times of India

While the prevailing chilly weather is giving a tough time to people in general, agriculture experts claim it would have positive impact on the winter farming in Bihar. They said extremely low temperature would increase the yield as it would help in the growth of crops like wheat, maize and potatoes. “The low temperature is augmenting the growth of wheat saplings, which are in the early tillering stages. The number of tillers is likely to be comparatively more this time. The crisp weather is likely to have positive impact on maize and potato plants as well,” said Abdus Sattar, assistant professor of meteorology, Rajendra Agriculture University, Pusa (Samastipur).

Business Standard

The ongoing wheat sowing will not be affected due to duty-free import of the grain as the state-run FCI will procure it at MSP and protect farmers’ interest, Agriculture Secretary Shobhana K Pattanayak said today. Last week, the government had brought down import duty on wheat to zero from 15 per cent to boost domestic supplies and control rising prices.

The Hindu

The Centre’s decision to waive import duty on wheat has predictably attracted flak. Opposition parties have questioned the move, which comes days after the government’s assertion that demonetisation of high-value currency notes did not impact the sowing of the rabi crop, with a greater area being cultivated compared to the same time a year ago. Assembly polls are due soon in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, both large wheat-producing States, making this a plausible rallying point for the Opposition. Farmer unions have warned of dumping of wheat stock in India at a time when the minimum support price (Rs.1,625 a quintal) is higher than international prices.

Kashmir Images

Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today said that awareness camps are being organized throughout the State to abreast the farmers about the latest techniques in farming sector. He said procurement centres are being established to ensure optimum returns to the agriculturists for their yield. The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing public at Sangare Mandli in Billawar after inaugurating Mega Kissan Mela cum Awareness Camp today. The Mela was organized by the J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kisans under IEC scheme.

The Hindu Business Line

India is not only among the world’s fastest growing significant economies but also world’s third largest producer of food with abundant natural endowments. Yet, agriculture growth rate has been rather low over last 15 years or so, falling well below the annual target of 4 per cent. In the country’s growth story, agriculture is a laggard. The contribution of agriculture and allied sector to national GDP is a mere 14-15 per cent; but over 50 per cent of the country’s workforce is dependent on farms for livelihood.

Business Standard

Waiving the wheat import duty is likely to affect farmers during the rabi sowing season. Since speculation surfaced about the duty waiver two weeks ago, the price of wheat in international markets has jumped by more than 13%to $210 a tonne. Despite this, the cost of imported wheat in ports in south India is Rs 200-250 a tonne less than prevailing local prices.

The Times of India

Since the demonetisation decision was announced on November 8, the KDCC banks were prohibited from accepting cash from the farmers and disbursal of funds were also restricted. KDCC is the apex bank for lending credit to the farmers across the district. It is well connected through several bank branches and eases the credit lending societies at the village level. It also has a tie-up with the co-operative establishments such as milk industry, sugar mills and small infrastructure development societies running on co-operative basis.

Business Standard

Odisha’s Plan expenditure has moved up 21% in the April-November period, increasing from Rs 20,228 crore to Rs 24,408.50 crore. The uptrend in Plan expenditure is mainly on the back of enhanced spending in agriculture and infrastructure sectors. Expenditure in the agricultural sector stood at Rs 6,227 crore which is 56% of the total budget estimate. Infrastructure spending in the period under review crossed Rs 6,706 crore, marking an achievement of 59% of the Budget projections.

The Times of India

As the state has been facing a drought like situation, and farmers across Tamil Nadu incurring heavy losses as their crops withering away, drip irrigation has come in handy for farmers in Gobichettipalayam taluk in Erode district. Many farmers said the technique, apart from helping them sustaining their crops, has also provided “decent to good” margins on their yield.