Business Standard

As per preliminary reports received from the States, the total area sown under Rabi crops as on 30th December, 2016 stands at 582.87 lakh hectares as compared to 545.46 lakh hectare this time in 2015. Wheat has been sown/transplanted in 292.39 lakh hectares, rice in 10.68 lakh hectares, pulses in 148.11 lakh hectares, coarse cereals in 52.21 lakh hectares and area sown under oilseeds is 79.48 lakh hectares.

The Economic Times

According to the Central Water Commission, which monitors 91 major reservoirs in the country, the levels in key reservoirs are higher than a year ago. The reservoirs collectively held 92.586 billion cubic metres of water, 26% more than a year ago, suggesting better availability of water for winter crops. The water level, however, was 2% less than the 10-year average.

BW Disrupt

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the share of agriculture was 15.35% of the gross value added (GVA) making the agriculture sector a sweet spot for investors and entrepreneurs. There is huge scope for new technological innovations and startups, as day to day farming activities continue to involve many barriers. India produces a variety of agriculture supplies ranging from seeds, fruits, spices to farming machinery and equipment. Technology can be used to our advantage to increase the productivity or the yield per unit input.

The Financial Express

Another promising initiative of the government this year was the launch of e-National Agriculture Market which has the promise of integrating the fragmented marketing structure of agricultural produce. In its first year itself 250 mandis in 10 states have been linked to e-NAM platform and till December 16, 31.13 lakh tonnes of agriculture produce worth R6,13,890.61 crore has been transacted on this platform. Several states have achieved significant success in using the platform for trading of agricultural produce.

The Assam Tribune

“By providing seeds of various crops to farmers after the sowing period is over, the State Agriculture Department has actually favoured only a few departmental officials and some middlemen. In reality, no farmer has benefited from the Government scheme of providing seeds to farmers free of cost,” a group of farmers of Bhakat Chapori area of Majuli told this correspondent. Bhakat Chapori of Majuli is famous for its large production of farm produce like sugarcane, pulses, peas, mustard, potato, cabbage etc.

The Economic Times

Agriculture growth will be good this year after two years of back-to-back drought, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh has said. And if rates fall below the minimum support price (MSP), the government will intervene and procure crops, he assured.

Business Standard

A “normal” monsoon brought much-needed relief to farmers after two consecutive years of drought. However, the demonetisation drive during the harvest season has devastated them, with one expert estimating they would need a bailout package of a staggering Rs 3 lakh crore ($44 billion), slightly less than India’s defence budget.

The New Indian Express

The Union Government has extended the timeline for farmers to get enrolled in the rabi crop insurance scheme till January 10, Maharashtra agriculture minister Pandurang Fundkar said on Saturday.

The Indian Express

State-run Bank of Baroda today said it has launched an agricultural investment credit for the farmers of Rajasthan. The first loan has been disbursed in Sri Ganganagar, the bank said in a statement here today. Under the scheme, farmers can avail of loan from the bank’s branches for construction of farm ponds, installation of solar pumps, installation of micro irrigation, and for any other viable agriculture and allied activities.

IANS Live

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a 60-day interest waiver for farmers who have taken loans from district co-operative banks and co-operative societies.