Media Monitor
| Category | Stories |
|---|---|
| Agriculture Industry | 153 |
| Budget | 42 |
| Coverage | 1 |
| Technology in Agriculture | 21 |
Agriculture Industry
Harish reiterates govt commitment to farmersedit
Irrigation and Marketing Minister T Harish Rao informed that giving top priority to agriculture, the State government has purchased 12 lakh quintals of paddy from farmers through 95 Procuring Centres by paying Rs 600 crore to them.
Odisha presents Rs 1.06-Lakh crore budget; agriculture gets boostedit
The Odisha government on Monday presented the 2017-18 annual budget amounting Rs 1.06 lakh crore with at least 3 new schemes with mukhyamantri in the nomenclature. The state raised its allocation for agriculture by 100 per cent to Rs 14,930 crore. Presenting the Special Agriculture Budget in the House, finance minister Pradip Amat proposed Rs 100 crore as revolving fund to provide fertilisers to farmers, while Rs 100 crore has been allocated for supply of quality seeds to the farmers in the state. The state finance minister also said that farmers will get loans at 1 per cent interest rate up to Rs 50,000 crop loan.
Kerala growth up despite agriculture, tourism slowdownedit
The overhaul in the way the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is calculated has helped Kerala record a higher growth of 8.10 per cent in 2015-16, despite the slowdown in agri and tourism sectors. As per the data available with ‘Express’ from the Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DE&S), the agri sector reported a negative growth of 2.95 per cent in 2015-16, worse than the previous year (-1.10 per cent). Crops sector as a whole showed a negative growth of 6.80 per cent, down from -3.86 per cent in 2014-15.
For climate-smart farmingedit
Reports of a residual El Nino effect from last year impacting the subcontinent in the latter half of 2017 should be cause for concern for farm economy managers. What the southern states, particularly Karnataka and Kerala, already in the midst of a prolonged spell of dry weather, can scarcely afford is another indifferent crop year. The Met Department, ICAR and agriculture universities should work towards a more precise, micro-level understanding of rainfall, temperature, crop choice and inputs, particularly in rainfed areas.
Farmers raise loan waiver chorusedit
The Shetkari Sanghatna wants the state government to waive off loans to farmers across Maharashtra. The demands come ahead of the two-day meeting of the state working committee of the association, founded by farmers’ leader late Sharad Joshi, from March 1 here. The farmers have incurred losses due to crash in prices of onions and other crops and vegetables. The association said that under such circumstances, they are unable to repay loan and manage their homes. The association will decide its further course of action during the two-day meeting.
Agricultural credit: Tamil Nadu, Punjab in preferred states’ list, even as poor farmers in Odisha, Bihar still deprivededit
Despite the substantial increase in agricultural credit in the past few years, a few states such as Tamil Nadu, Punjab and (pre-division) Andhra Pradesh continue to corner a large part of it, while most poor farmers in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar are still deprived of credit for purchase of basic farming inputs. This scenario has undermined the efficacy of the stepped-up farm credit in boosting agricultural productivity.
News wrap: Centre to review wheat import dutyedit
Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has said that the Centre will ensure that wheat prices do not crash this season (starts by mid-March) during arrivals. All necessary actions to ensure the payment of Minimum Support Price to farmers will be taken, he said. The import duty of 10 per cent on wheat was scrapped recently due to low domestic availability. According to a press release from the Agriculture Ministry, 40 lakh tonnes have been imported in the last two months.
Farmers to get input subsidy in their bank accounts soonedit
Addressing a district-level drought relief review meeting here on Sunday, he said the district administration was on the verge of finishing collation of bank account details of farmers, following which the money will be transferred. The State government had decided to release Rs 2,247 crore to provide immediate relief to the farmers even though the Central government was yet to release any fund to Tamil Nadu for the drought.
Farmers asked to respect nature for good yieldedit
Connect with nature and don’t try to meddle with it. It will never ditch you,” said M.C.V. Prasad, a progressive who received an award from the President of India The practitioner of natural farming from Madanapalle in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh was here on Sunday to create awareness among the farmers on natural farming.
Farmer achieves ‘mission impossible’edit
His efforts have resulted in lustrous harvest which is more than that of the crops raised applying fertilisers. Ramdas is getting a yield of three or four quintals of cucumbers on alternate days and sells them at Rs 4000. Water melon would be ready for harvesting in another 15 days. Ramdas is hopeful of earning Rs 2 lakh during the current season, if everything goes well.
Why Punjab should not provide free power; state can reward farmers via cashedit
Who will form the next government in Punjab next month is currently sealed in the ballot boxes. In the mean time there are reports that the Election Commission has written to the home minister reinforcing its demand to make electoral bribery a cognisable offence. But what about the assurances made in election manifestos which promise moon before election? Can that not be checked by the Election Commission?
From Plate to Plough: It’s not about loan waiversedit
THE ANSWER TO who will form the next government in Punjab is currently sealed in the ballot boxes. Meanwhile, there are reports that the Election Commission has written to the home minister, reinforcing its demand to make electoral bribery a cognisable offence. If a loan waiver was the solution to the problems of the peasantry, there should not have been any farm distress after 2008-09. But those problems still persist, simply because their answers lie somewhere else.
Indian farmers provide food and food for thoughtedit
India would be reaping a record harvest of food grains in 2016-17 with pulses being the high point of the country’s achievements in the farm output, providing a food for thought about how policy interventions and reaching out to farmers can motivate them to turn things around from severe shortages to near self-sufficiency.
Govt to revive traditional crops: Hanjuraedit
Legislator Abdul Rahim Rather, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Showkat Ahmad, Director Command Area Kashmir Itrat Hussain, Director (Research) SKUAST, Mohammad Yousuf Zargar, and other senior officers of the Department and the SKUAST were present on the occasion.
Farmers want more reliefedit
Terming the State government’s relief for crop loss as an eyewash, representatives of a few political outfits picked up argument with officials during the farmers’ grievance meet held here on Friday. “Even though more than three lakh farmers in the district have been hit, only 45,000 farmers are going to get compensation. This is an eyewash. We have no trust in this administration,” said Mr. Viyanarasu to trigger heated argument between him and the officials. When the argument against the officials became intense, the police entered the hall and took the protesters out of the venue.
Sudden heat, high speed winds harming wheat cropsedit
The arrival of early summer accompanied by high speed winds is worrying farmers who have sowed wheat this rabi season. Over the past one week, temperatures have risen across northern India and are hovering between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius.
Include climate change in development planning: agri congedit
The 13th Agricultural Science Congress passed a declaration recommending a set of measures, including framing of a national water policy and inclusion of climate change in development planning, to address problems affecting the farm sector.
Karnataka to release drought-tolerant varieties of five crops by next yearedit
Karnataka’s efforts to use non-transgenic biotechnology to tackle the impact of climate change has just begun to yield results, with the State set to release drought-tolerant and improved varieties of five crops, including ragi, by next year.
Innovation essential for growth of India: Kota Harinarayanaedit
With many countries sniping at India’s heels, only innovation will keep India ahead of the pack, said eminent defence scientist Kota Harinarayana. “Our infrastructure is creaking, agriculture has stagnated with marginal growth and our manufacturing sector’s performance is below par. Our imports exceed our exports. We continue to depend on imports to meet our defence requirements. Innovation is essential to ensure India’s growth,” said Harinarayana. “We must recognize that everything we know and operate becomes obsolete over time. Continuous renewal is the name of the game to remain alive and kicking,” added Padamshree award winner.
Climate-smart agriculture: Bengaluru declaration calls for water security policyedit
The four-day XIII Agricultural Science Congress, which deliberated on climate-smart agriculture, came out with a Bengaluru declaration on Friday urging the Centre to develop a robust water security policy that can insulate agriculture from the vagaries of monsoon.
Kharif crops: Farm groups petition agri price panel for remunerative MSPedit
Scarcity for paddy hayedit
The unprecedented drought like conditions stalking the delta districts have forced a scarcity for paddy straw that is being used as primary fodder for cattle. With traders from various parts of the State and even from Kerala invading the delta region in search of straw, prices have gone up considerably. The only silver lining in the whole issue is that those farmers who are harvesting samba paddy are reaping good benefits not from the grains but from the sale of straw.
Impact On Agricultureedit
When one sees the chaos and hooliganism going on in the Indian Parliament, especially as an agriculturist businessman, one is compelled to think for what and for whom are these leaders fighting? Sure, agriculture, which forms the backbone of our economy, may be affected by demonetisation, but it is not bent and nor is it shattered. The soaring prices are just for the adjustment period until the time farmers and agriculturists change their mindset.
Modi’s harebrained loan waiver plan will leave UP farmers in ruinedit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally played the most magical card politicians can use for getting farmers on board – waiver of loans. Modi has promised to bring a loan waiver scheme for farmers in Uttar Pradesh, if the BJP is voted to power in the Assembly elections.
Government may consider levying import duty on wheat: Paswanedit
Government may consider imposing import duty on wheat so as to protect farmers amid projections of a record output this year as informed by Union Minister of Food and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan. On December 8, 2016 the customs duty on wheat has been reduced to zero from 10% for boosting domestic availability and for checking retail prices.
Warm weather worries wheat farmersedit
India seen importing more wheat on shortfall in no. 2 produceredit
Wheat production in India will probably fall short of a government forecast, spurring the world’s second-biggest grower to import a large quantity amid declining domestic inventory. Production is set to total 91 million tonnes in the 2016-17 crop year, according to the median estimate of eight traders and analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. That’s the lowest since 2014-15 and compares with the government’s estimate for record 96.6 million tonnes this season. Imports in 2017-18 may total 2 million tonnes, the second highest level in 11 years, the survey shows.
Timely policy measures, monitoring helped in boosting farm outputedit
Active policy intervention in agriculture and rigorous monitoring of farm operations from planting to harvesting in a good monsoon year helped Indian farmers increase India’s food output at a much faster pace in 2016-17 than previous peaks in production, officials said.
India’s pulses consumption demand may be underestimatededit
Are we underestimating the consumption demand for pulses? Consider the following data. For 2016-17, there is a massive rebound in pulse production and the country is harvesting record crops. While Kharif output is estimated at 87 lakhs tons (previous year 55 lakh tons), the latest estimate from the Ministry of Agriculture for Rabi pulses suggests harvest of 134 lakh tons (108 lakh tons) taking the annual total to a humungous 221 lakh tons (164 lakh tons).
Farm incomes and rural consumption: It will take time to rev-up the rural economyedit
Just when the rural sector was showing signs of revival, partial withdrawal of old currency notes in November last year created a dent in rural demand. Even though the Union Budget FY18 tried to bring some relief to rural India, the mostly informal and cash dependent economy’s troubles have not subsided. Rural consumption accounts for around 55% of private consumption in India.
Encourage farmers not to burn agricultural waste, UP tells DMsedit
Uttar Pradesh special secretary (administration), NK Singh, has directed all district magistrates (DMs) to encourage farmers to make compost out of agricultural waste instead of burning it, in order to prevent air pollution. Following directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), state chief secretary Rahul Bhatnagar had on February 10, 2017, issued directions that farmers should be encouraged to make compost out of agricultural waste. Subsequently, the special secretary directed all DMs to ensure implementation of the order.
Kharif production records 1% rise despite shrinking agri landedit
Uttarakhand has recorded an 1% rise in kharif production, from 8,87,132 metric tonnes (MT) in 2015-16 to 8,92,422 MT in 2016-17, with a rise in the production of ‘native crops’ despite shrinking agricultural land under cultivation, says a report of the state agriculture department on kharif production for all 13 districts.
Wheat produce in Madhya Pradesh expected to be 2 cr tonne: Governor OP Kohliedit
Governor OP Kohli in his address in the Madhya Pradesh state assembly on Tuesday claimed that the state government has been successful in improving the financial condition of citizens. On the first day of the budget session, he quoted the 2015-16 GSDP to have increased by 16.62%. Governor also said that efforts of the state government to make agriculture a profitable venture has yielded results.
Centre may review wheat import duty if required: Paswanedit
Riding on expectations of a bumper wheat crop this year, the Centre said it may review import duty if it feels that farmers are not getting the right price. “Fresh wheat crop is expected to come by mid-March, … and when fresh crop hits the market, prices fall, and farmers have to take the loss,” said Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan here on Tuesday, adding that “government will take all necessary steps to ensure payment of MSP (minimum support price) to farmers and may review the import duty on wheat if required.”
AGRI LEADERSHIP SUMMIT-2017 FROM MAR 17 TO 19edit
About 350 Indian and foreign firms of agriculture sector would participate in the Agri Leadership Summit-2017 to be organised in district Faridabad from March 17 to 19. The Summit will be held at International Horticulture Market at Surajkund in Faridabad.
Climate change a turning point for agriculture sectoredit
University of Agricultural Sciences and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi, hosted the 13th Agricultural Science Congress here on Tuesday. The event, themed on climate-smart agriculture, will conclude on Friday.
Rising temperatures affect crop production in Indiaedit
Fluctuating weather patterns are increasingly establishing themselves in stronger and more formidable ways. Indian agriculture has always been adversely affected by climate change. Being an agrarian country, apart from pests and diseases, crop production in India is largely affected by weather.
STATE BJP GOES INTO ‘VOTE FARMING’ MODEedit
State’s farmers are one of the biggest beneficiaries of the budget proposed on Tuesday, revealing all out efforts by the BJP to appease the rural constituents in the election year. Besides increasing the allocation by Rs 608 crore to Rs 6,400 crore, the Agriculture and Cooperation department has been renamed as Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmer Welfare department.
‘Northeast can become organic farming hub’edit
Now, direct transfer of agri subsidy to farmersedit
The state agriculture department would now withdraw subsidy money and park it in a bank either at the state headquarters or at respective district headquarters so that the same could be transferred to the individual accounts of beneficiaries under the direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme.
Technology’s benefits for crop insuranceedit
In its budget 2017-18, the government has taken up several measures to revive the country’s agriculture economy. The emphasis on agricultural insurance through higher allocation for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and other major allocations for the sector, are expected to boost credit flow to farmers apart from expanding crop insurance and irrigation coverage.
Wheat import to fall in FY 2017-18 after crop production surgesedit
India’s wheat import is likely to touch 4.5-5 million tonnes this fiscal but inward shipments may fall significantly in 2017-18 as estimates suggest record production next year, according to flour millers’ body. The country had imported about 5,00,000 tonnes of wheat during the previous financial year.
‘Techies expressing interest in farming’edit
An average of two to three software engineers from Bengaluru approach agricultural experts expressing a desire to diversify into farming, former Director-General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research S. Ayyappan has said.
Agriculture sector growth to be around 7%: NITI Aayog’s Ramesh Chandedit
While the Central Statistical Organisation has estimated “agriculture and allied services” to grow 4.1% in FY17, Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand expects the growth rate to be a handsome 7%. Chand spoke to FE’s Prasanta Sahu and Sandip Das on critical factors that need to be addressed to ensure at least 4% annual growth over the next 15 years.
Will UP farmers heave a sigh of relief?edit
All parties seem to have missed the basic problem of UP’s peasantry; if there is one thing about which the farmers are dismayed, it is low prices for their major crops, even though UP is the largest producer of wheat in the country (30 million tonnes) in 2016-17.
Singh participates in ICAR’s 88th AGMedit
The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh said that despite difficult challenges being faced by ICAR in its working period of 87 years, it has attained many achievements and these achievements are the milestones of progress of agriculture.
Budget 2017-18: Touted as pro-farmer & pro-rural galore Jumlasedit
Demonetization had a devastating effect on the Indian economy. The informal sector – consisting of small scale manufacturing, almost the entire construction industry, about three quarters of the remainder of the services sector and the agricultural sector – has been sent into a coma. The worst was reserved for the agriculture sector.
University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore Hosts 13th Agri Congressedit
The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), India announced the organization of XIII Agricultural Science Congress at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bengaluru in collaboration with local ICAR Institutes from February 21-24th 2017. The theme of the Congress is ‘Climate-smart Agriculture’.
Rabi sees rise in area under paddy cultivationedit
The rabi season has witnessed a four-fold increase in area under paddy cultivation following good monsoon. It has gone up from 1.63 lakh hectares in 2015-16 to 5.48 lakh hectares in 2016-17, according to the latest figures available with the Agriculture Department.
Continuing despair for the farmersedit
The NDA government promised in the budget last year to double the incomes of the farmers by 2020. There was no improvement in the incomes of the farmers, however. Now, it has again promised to do the same by 2022 in the budget for 2017-18 presented earlier this month. This promise will meet the same fate as the previous one because the government refuses to even recognise, let alone solve the basic problem of the farmers.
Farmer suicides: Loans help widows become entrepreneursedit
Vibhatai Bhilkar, a widow of one of the thousands of farmers who committed suicide in Wardha district of Maharashtra, has successfully set up her grocery shop a year after her husband’s death. Similarly, Madhuri Bhotule, another widow from the state’s Yavatmal district set up a sprinkler set to facilitate irrigation for her a small piece of agricultural land she owns.
Paddy farmers hope for bumper cropedit
Farmers cultivating paddy in Telangana are set to overcome the loss suffered in kharif due to insufficient rains in the first half of 2016-2017, as they have taken up cultivation of the major food crop in second highest area this rabi (yaasangi) season in the last five years.
Farmers seek compensationedit
Farmers of western region of Tirunelveli district who have suffered extensive loss after their coconut and mango trees withered owing to drought-like situation have sought adequate compensation from the government. The farmers who had cultivated paddy on 2,550 acres in the district during the last ‘pisanam’ season had suffered crop loss owing to monsoon failure. Moreover, rain-fed crops like black gram, green gram, maize etc., cultivated on a few thousand acres in areas such as Thevarkulam, Melaneelithanallur, Sankarankovil and Thiruvenkatam have also wilted.
Millets all set to stage comeback in Odishaedit
The growing popularity of millets among the health-conscious urban population has sparked hopes of revival for millet cultivation in the tribal dominated regions of Odisha. Millets, which are small-seeded grasses grown as cereals or fodder, are rich in fibre, iron and calcium. With the tribals in the State aping the food practice of non-tribals thanks to greater interaction between communities, millets lost out to hybrid rice and wheat even in areas that were its strongholds.
Rajasthan govt rolls back agriculture power tariff hikeedit
Rattled by the intensifying agitation of farmers, the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Rajasthan on Saturday rolled back the increase in power tariff for agricultural consumers and announced that it would increase subsidy on connections to fill the gap, which will cost the exchequer Rs. 500 crore.
91% RABI SEASON SOWING OVER IN STATEedit
The Rabi season sowing has been completed in 91 per cent of the farm lands in Chhattisgarh, officials informed on Saturday. The sowing area comprises of pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane, food grains and horticulture crops.
NITI Aayog finalising model law on contract farmingedit
In a move intended to protect farmers against price volatility, particularly in perishables like onions, tomatoes and potatoes, the Niti Aayog is drawing up a model law on contract farming for approval by the Cabinet by June.
Central scheme: Karnataka takes lead as more farmers opt for crop insuranceedit
Despite being a Congress ruled state, Karnataka has taken the lead in the successful implementation of the Narendra Modi government’s flagship crop insurance scheme. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) was launched last year amid much fanfare.
Agriculture dept spreads awareness about stubble burning; officials’ caller tunes spread awareness tooedit
At a time when farmers engage in stubble burning to clear lands so as to sow sugarcane, the agriculture department officials are spreading awareness about stubble burning. Not only are the officials spreading the word by meeting farmers, they have even set up their caller tunes to a message, which makes the farmers – who remain in touch with them – aware about the issue every time they try to call the officials. Stubble burning is one of the major causes of pollution.
Sinchayee Yojna to extend irrigation coverage: Union Agriculture Ministeredit
Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today said ‘the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojna (PMKSY)’ will help deal with the menace of drought as more area will be covered under the irrigation scheme. Speaking at the inaugural session of an agriculture fair at Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agriculture University here, the Minister said the government launched the irrigation scheme PMKSY while keeping the water conservation and its management on the priority.
Odisha to set up drought monitoring celledit
The state government has decided to open a drought monitoring cell to keep a tab on the rainfall situation on daily basis and to inform farmers about the climatic condition in advance.
GST council clears compensation bill, to next meet in Marchedit
The goods and services tax (GST) council on Saturday gave its final nod to a bill that will guarantee compensation to the states in case of revenue losses arising from a transition to GST. He added that the legal vetting of the C-GST and S-GST bills had thrown up the need for clarifications on some of the provisions from the council. These issues include the constitution of the appeals tribunal under GST, the definition of agriculture, the exemptions that have to be given during the transition phase, delegation of powers under GST, treatment of the works contract and the fineprint of the composition scheme wherein taxpayers with a revenue threshold of up to Rs50 lakh can pay a ...
Shri Radha Mohan Singh inaugurates Indias Western Regional Agriculture Fair 2017 in Bikaneredit
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh inaugurated India’s Western Regional Agriculture Fair – 2017 in Bikaner today. Shri Singh, while addressing the people, said that most of the blocks in Rajasthan have gone into dark zones. In such circumstances, the scientists are to develop such techniques and high yielding varieties of seeds which are adaptable with lesser quantity of water.
India will be self-sufficient in pulses in next few years: Radha Mohan Singhedit
Rural India will gain from strong growth in horticulture, poultry, dairies and fisheries, in addition to bumper farm production that is estimated to hit a new record this crop year, agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said.
100 million tonnes: Amount of wheat Indians are likely to eat in 2016-17edit
Government taken many initiatives in the budget for the welfare of agriculture & for the prosperity of farmers: Shri Radha Mohan Singhedit
The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that despite difficult challenges being faced by ICAR in its working period of 87 years, it has attained many achievements and these achievements are the milestones of progress of agriculture. Increase in production and income, development of institutes, human resources, development of new techniques, agriculture diversification are the areas in which ICAR has established new standards of success.
International agri-research centre coming up in Madhya Pradeshedit
Giving a fillip to agriculture research in the country, the government will set up a Food Legumes Research Platform (FLRP) at Amlaha, Sehore in Madhya Pradesh with its satellite hubs in West Bengal and Rajasthan. The hub in West Bengal will research in pulses while the one in Rajasthan will focus on natural resource management for sustainable agriculture.
The big boost to agriculture sector will help revive investment prospectsedit
In line with the broad GDP numbers on agriculture, which estimates a 4.1% growth in the sector during 2016-17, the second advance estimates of production of major crops indicate food grain production will touch a record level of 272 million tonnes which is around 7 million tonnes more than the previous record achieved in 2013-14 and 20 million tons more than in the previous year.
How this group of educated farmers is tackling rural brain drain with a simple solutionedit
Through their independent consultancy company, these educated farmers are setting an example for rural youth to stay back in their villages, hold their agricultural lands, and still earn a decent living. Self-sufficiency is what they sell.
Technology transfer for rural developmentedit
Extension and research are the cardinal pillars of agricultural development of any country. Agricultural extension as a profession has completed more than five decades of its existence. Substantial contribution has been made by this profession for the development of farmers. In order to get the true potential, the country need to go a long way to meet the challenges to increase the agricultural and animal production from the available resources, keeping in mind the ecological and environmental sustainability.
India to produce record 272 million tonnes food grains in 2016/17edit
India’s food grains production in 2016/17 is expected to rise by 8.1 percent from a year ago to a record high 271.98 million tonnes as good monsoon rains improved yields, the country’s farm ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. The country’s production of wheat is likely to rise by 4.7 percent from a year ago to 96.64 million tonnes, while pulses production will rise to 22.14 million tonnes, it said.
Wheat procurement target set at 330 lakh tonnes for 2017-18edit
The Centre has decided to procure 330 lakh tonnes (lt) of wheat during the rabi marketing season 2017-18, higher than 229.61 lt during the last season. A decision to this effect was taken on Wednesday in the conference of State Food Secretaries, chaired by Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution.
India top buyer of Ukrainian wheatedit
Ukraine’s January wheat exports fell by around 14 percent to 1.2 million tonnes and most of it went to India, consultancy UkrAgroConsult said on Wednesday.
Government raises rabi wheat procurement target by 10%edit
Agri degrees to be linked with employment: Ministeredit
The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh said that all courses upto Agricultural Graduate are being linked with employment and are being made profession oriented. This will be a big help for the students in earning their livelihood.
Why Modi govt is handing out a raw deal to small and marginal farmersedit
In the past few years, horticulture crops emerged as a favourite for small growers across the country. 2016-17 marks the fifth straight year when production of fruits and vegetables is estimated to surpass that of foodgrains. This signals a fundamental shift in India’s farm economy towards a growing share of horticulture crops, which now contribute nearly a fifth to the agriculture GDP.
No Feast For Farmersedit
If noble intentions had the power to make a difference, the Indian farmer would perhaps, be richer than his counterparts in Sweden. The number of proposals, policies, schemes, projects and incentives provided to agriculture since the 1950s are so staggering that it would take a researcher months to merely count and list them. And yet, Sweden is as good as a different planet for the Indian farmer. Forget Sweden, even the “manufacturing” powerhouse is far ahead in India when it comes to agriculture. For most crops, productivity per hectare in China is more than double that of India. At about 500 million tonnes, foodgrain output too is almost double that of India.
Budget boosts Rural and farmers’ growth – Chancellor VIT Universityedit
Postbudget discussions organised by VIT University on the Union Budget 2017-’18 recently evoked mixed reactions with speakers welcoming the thrust given to the farming sector. Addressing the gathering, VIT University chancellor G Viswanathan, said the highlight of the budget was provision of Rs 10 lakh crore for agricultural credit as this would go a long way in boosting the country’s farming sector. He said another noteworthy point was allocation of Rs 48,000 crore for MNREGA scheme.
Kamareddy farmers’ novel means to protect cropsedit
Farmers have been leaving no stone unturned to protect their crop from wild animals and birds in the district. Animals like wild boars and birds like parrots and peacocks have been damaging the crops including maize, groundnut, sunflower and others before they are harvested.
‘Climate change will affect farm productivity’edit
Geneticist M.S. Swaminathan has said that climate change demands anticipatory action from scientists and policymakers. Mr. Swaminathan was speaking at a consultation on climate change and food security on Monday at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, of which he is founder.
Imported wheat may hit Punjab farmers hard in coming seasonedit
Ahead of wheat procurement season, farmers in Punjab expecting a bumper crop this year fear huge losses because of the Centre’s decision of “zero per cent import duty” on wheat, which may lead to excess supply. In December last year, the Union government had announced zero import duty on wheat. As a result, around 55 lakh tonnes of wheat from countries like Ukraine and Australia will reach Indian ports in February.
India might be self-sufficient in pulses in 2-3 years: Radha Mohan Singhedit
India might become self-sufficient in pulses in the next two to three years, minimising the need for imports, Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said on Tuesday. Addressing the annual meeting of cice-chancellors and directors of agriculture universities, Singh said India is on course to become self-sufficient in pulses production. In 2016-17, India is expected to produce a record 20 million tonnes of pulses on the back of bumper kharif harvest and good rabi sowing.
Ujjain: MPISSR seminar on agricultural crisis beginsedit
A two-day seminar on ‘Crisis in Agriculture Sector in Rural India: Issues and challenges’ commenced at Madhya Pradesh Institute of Social Science and Research, here on Tuesday. In the opening session of the seminar, chief guest Rajendra Mishra, chief consultant of Planning Commission, Bhopal, said India had the largest agriculture land compared to other big countries like America and China. Due to different policies of the Indian government, the agriculture sector in India had seen immense growth since Independence.
Contract farming can boost agricultureedit
The move to give a legal framework to contract farming is expected to boost the country’s agricultural sector. The Niti Aayog has prepared a draft bill which legalises the leasing of land and thus frees up tracts of land which now lie uncultivated for various reasons. The central government has supported the proposal. The draft is a model bill which governments can adapt to suit the particular circumstances availing in different states.
Farming -3.0edit
The father of green revolution and Nobel laureate ‘Norman Borlaug’ had said that in the next 40 years, farmers will have to grow as much food as they have in the last 10,000 years combined. This is because an increasing number of people on the planet will place greater demands on our resources, infrastructure from energy and transportation to basic foods and water needs. As such it will require new innovative solutions to satisfy the increasing demand of population. According to Lance Donny, the founder of startup On Farm systems, an agricultural data company, the history of agriculture can be studied under three phases.
Farm varsity extends tips to farmers for a bumper yieldedit
Selection of crops and cropping systems based on seasonal climate forecast, integrated crop management using medium range weather forecast based in agro-met advisories and site-specific nutrient management using soil health cards are among the several steps recommended by Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University for increasing farmers’ income.
‘Climate change will affect farm productivity’edit
Swaminathan was speaking at a consultation on climate change and food security on Monday at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, of which he is founder. It was part of a project, called Clima Adapt, which is being supported by the Norwegian Embassy in India. The programme was also attended by Jon Georg Dale, Norway’s Minister for Agriculture and Food.
Winter rains during maturity period hit crop productivityedit
Winter rains in the region last night triggered concerns about the yield and production of chickpeas or chana and pulses crop. Untimely rains during the maturity period of crop hit the productivity and quality.
Surinder Sud: Quality gap in implementsedit
Precision in farm operations is the mantra for more efficient farming to get higher production at lower costs. This is vital also to raise farmers’ income and make their produce competitive in the domestic and export markets. For this, more and more farm chores need to be mechanised as manual operations usually fall short on perfection. Also, agricultural tools and machines need to be designed and manufactured with precision angle in view.
Radha Mohan Singh inaugurates Indian Seed Congress 2017 in Kolkataedit
The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh today spoke about National Farmer Policy of the Union Government and said that the objective of this policy is to accelerate agricultural output, develop infrastructural facilities in the villages, promote value addition, expedite the growth of agro-business, create employment in the rural areas, ensuring better livelihood status of the farmers and agriculture workers and their families, discourage migration to urban areas and face the challenges emerging out of economic liberalization and globalization.
Agriculture exports on road to recovery after dropping 20 per cent last fiscaledit
After a fall of 20% witnessed in the last fiscal, India’s farm and processed food exports are set to register a turnaround by the end of current financial year despite a sharp fall in shipment of basmati rice, which has share of 20% of total exports basket.
Agriculture must be at the heart of development, Norwegian minister saysedit
Collaboration in agriculture and food security is crucial to deal with climate change, said Jon Georg Dale, minister for agriculture and food security, Norway. “Food security is top of the global agenda and the sustainable development goals. Agriculture must be at the heart of development and we must use water and other resources productively,” said Georg Dale, while speaking on climate change at the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in the city on Monday.
Has demonetisation’s impact been more severe on India’s non-farm jobs?edit
While demonetisation’s negative impact on the Indian economy is a widely accepted fact, there is not much clarity on how this has affected different sectors of the economy. If first advanced estimates for Gross Value Added (GVA) at basic prices are to be believed, industry is going to suffer the biggest setback in terms of growth, while agriculture is likely to come out with flying colours. In fact, agriculture is the only sector, which is expected to improve its performance in the second half of the ongoing fiscal year over the first half.
Weeding Out Patriarchy: Meet The Women Driving Indian Agricultureedit
For Hira Kanjarya, a 17-hour day is the norm as she gets up before dawn to cook for her five children, do the washing, milk her two buffalos, and also run the family’s cotton farm. Kanjarya, 36, is one of a growing number of women being trained to take charge of some of the millions of small holder farms across India where about 70 percent of agricultural work is done by women, but with little recognition of their input.
All you wanted to know about MGNREGAedit
Budget 2017 announced an allocation of ₹48,000 crore for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme. While this is the highest allocation ever to be made under the scheme, it is just ₹501 crore more than the actual spending for 2016-17.
A consensusal contract faming law could be transformational: B Thiagarajanedit
B Thiagarajan, joint managing director at Blue Star and chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s national committee on state-level coordination in agriculture, extolls the benefit to farmers and the rural economy from contract farming.
Rural development given priority in Union Budget 2017: Jaitleyedit
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said rural development holds the key for the growth of Indian economy and stressed that he has laid emphasis on the development of villages in the Budget so as to put the country among developed nations. Addressing a gathering at Karnali village which he has adopted under the ‘Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna’ as an MP from Gujarat in Rajya Sabha, Jaitley asserted that Indian economy is the fastest growing in the world.
Jharkhand: Nourishing India And The Worldedit
With a name whose meaning refers to ‘forest,’ Jharkhand’s 23 lakh hectares of tree cover often overshadow the state’s sizeable tracts of agricultural land. More than 47 percent of Jharkhand’s almost 80 lakh hectares is cultivable. A temperate climate and ambitious growth-focused government roadmap make the state an ideal place to invest in the food and agriculture sectors.
Young Indian farmers spice up market for organic Himalayan cropsedit
Decades after farmers on India’s plains flocked to the “Green Revolution”, reliant on chemical fertilisers to drive agricultural growth, the northeast Himalayan state of Sikkim is trying its luck with organic farming – a pull for young, green-minded entrepreneurs who could help get the produce to market.
Buffer stock of 10-lakh MT of pulses created for first time: Govtedit
The Government procurement intervention has helped farmers get remunerative prices for kharif pulses, the secretary said. The IMC directed procuring agencies to continue procurement operations for pulses at MSP plus bonus. Procurement and price support would incentivise farmers to take up cultivation of pulses on a larger scale. For moong dal, the target was set at 250,000 MT but 2,10,864.96 MT was procured at 269 procurement centres.
Government to double income of farmers by 2021-22edit
The government might ask the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) to assess farmers’ income once every five years, instead of the current practice of every 10 years. This is part of the stated objective of doubling farmers’ income by 2021-22. A senior official said the Centre is aiming at the real income of farmers, adjusted for inflation. The base year would be the 2016-17 financial year, ending next month.
Robots & drones to facilitate crop data analysisedit
It may be a while before robots and drones are as common as tractors and combine harvesters on farms, but the high-tech tools may soon play a major role in helping feed the world’s rapidly growing population. At the University of Georgia, a team of researchers is developing a robotic system of all-terrain rovers and unmanned aerial drones that can more quickly and accurately gather and analyze data on the physical characteristics of crops, including their growth patterns, stress tolerance and general health.
Government’s organic farming dream for N-E turns ‘messy’edit
The government’s much-touted plan to develop the Northeast region as the country’s organic farming hub has run into rough weather. The charge for the organic farming plan has been taken away from the ministry for development of north-eastern region (DoNER) and given to the agriculture and farmers’ welfare ministry.
No one loves the farmeredit
Next month, Uttar Pradesh (UP) will have a new popular government, hopefully with a clear mandate. If UP was a country, with a population reportedly of more than 214 million in 2015 (as per UN population projections), it would have been the fifth most populous country in the world after China, India, US and Indonesia. Holding free and fair elections in such a large state is a proud moment for democracy, which is supposed to be for the people, by the people. One of the key objectives of such a democratically elected government is to adopt policies that can quickly alleviate hunger and poverty and create an environment where people can enjoy peace and prosperity.
Central panel on doubling farmers’ income mulls major reformsedit
A committee formed by the Centre to double farmers’ income by 2022 is considering major reforms in the agriculture sector like adopting a profit-centric approach, aiming at higher productivity and reducing cost of cultivation.
What farmers want from policy-makersedit
Agriculture is not a profitable business in India. About 70 per cent of the country’s farmers are struggling to make ends meet. In 2012-13, the NSSO’s ‘Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households’ showed that farmers who own 1 hectare or less of land see an average monthly income of ₹5,247, which doesn’t even suffice to meet their household expenses.
Central panel on doubling farmers’ income mulls major reformsedit
Govt committed to development of cooperatives: Agri Minedit
The government is committed to the development and strengthening of the cooperatives that have provided a direct and indirect employment to about 23.86 millions people in many sectors of the economy, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.
Agriculture Traders Feel Pain as Plentiful Harvests Persistedit
Years of bumper grain harvests, coupled with low prices and diminished volatility in many markets, are making it tougher for the world’s biggest agriculture companies to make money buying and selling major crops like wheat, corn and soybeans. Now, firms including U.S. processor Archer-Daniels-Midlands Co. and Chinese food giant Cofco Corp. are restructuring or scaling back their ambitions.
India’s Wheat import highest in decade, rises above five million tonneedit
India is the third largest producer of wheat across the globe after the European Union and China. Despite the fact, since mid-2016, the country has purchased more than five million tonnes of wheat. This is considered to be nation’s largest annual purchase in a decade. Thereafter, to meet the supply shortages of two years due to lower production, the country began an import campaign.
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare delivers the 55th convocation address of IARI Students trained in agriculture to come to forefront for bringing Second Green Revolution,: Shri Radha Mohan Singhedit
The Union Minster of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Sri Radha Mohan Singh has said that for bringing the second Green Revolution in the country, students trained in agriculture will have to come to forefront and devote their knowledge and skills to agriculture and farmers welfare. Shri Radha Mohan Singh stated this on the occasion of 55th Convocation of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi, today.
India’s agriculture exports plunge 6%edit
India’s agriculture exports declined by almost 6 per cent from $10.81 billion during April to November 2015-16 to $ 10.20 billion for the same period this fiscal, according to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority data. Experts cited demonetisation, along with high Indian export prices and government’s removal of export incentives, as some of the major causes for the dip.
Commercialisation of agricultureedit
Indian agriculture is still characterised by the subsistence farming where the income of the farmer is just sufficient to meet the requirements of their family. This is mainly because of the small size of their farms. It is here pertinent to mention that more than ninety per cent of the farmers in the country are marginal and small with land holding size less than 2 hectares. Such small land holdings are also fragmented and thus become an obstacle in farm mechanisation and improvement efforts and hence require more labour, time efforts and money.
Agriculture College to focus on rainfed cropsedit
The Agriculture College and Research Institute at Kudumiyanmalai will focus on research programmes on rainfed crops and jack fruit cultivation with a view to utilise the potential of the district. The district accounts for a large rain-fed area and is suited for millets and pulses. The college would take up research projects in these areas. The horticulture wing of the college will focus on jack fruit suited for the red soil in the belt, Senguttuvan, Dean of the Institute told ‘The Hindu’ on Thursday.It is only in Palur near Cuddalore that research on jack fruit is being conducted, he said. Research on quality vegetables particularly brinjal would be taken up in course of time. “The brinjal variety ...
Three million drones estimated to be shipped in 2017: Reportedit
Agriculture was considered to be the first big commercial drone market, but pricing and economic dynamics around tighter yields and returns on investment mean that the commercial agricultural drone market is not growing at the pace of other commercial drone markets. Gartner predicts that through 2020, the high cost sensitivity of the agriculture market will limit drone adoption to 7 percent of commercial market growth.
WhatsApp-like App Does the Ground Work for Farmersedit
The Economic Times The Economic Times
Before the start of the next crop planting season, third generation farmer Krishna Balegayi — who has been farming for 25 years — is sure to take the help of an Android app to better his yield. Bengaluru-based startup Nubesol technologies has created a WhatsApp-like messaging app through which farmers can chat with eminent agricultural scientists, and discuss the factors contributing to poor yield.
Up to 50% loan interest waived off for farmersedit
Chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Monday announced to waive off up to 50% of the interest on loans which have not been paid by the farmers for the past 10 years. Famers, who have failed to repay their loans and the dues for over 10 years old as on July 1, 2016, will now have to pay only 50% of the due interest.
Traditional paddy helps strike gold in the time of droughtedit
These are the words that one associates with farming these days. However, amidst the gloom, a woman farmer, who refused to give in to the vagaries of nature, is a beacon of hope for the distressed. While paddy crops in various districts were damaged, A Gandhi, from Sundarappatti, who cultivated traditional paddy on her one acre field, has bagged a decent harvest of 2,650 kg, and that too, without using fertilizers.
Rabi acreage increases by 6% in 2017edit
In pulses, the total area covered till Friday was around 15.97 million hectares, which was 1.60 million hectares more than last year and 1.20 million hectares more than the average area covered under the same period in last five years. In any case, compared to the last normal Monsoon year of 2013, the area covered under pulses is 0.16 million hectares more. The rabi rice acreage was projected at 3.39% less this year than the same period last year. According to agriculture ministry data, the cereals have been planted on around 5.76 million hectares, which was 3.44% less than the same period last year.
India protests against WTO chief’s assessment of agriculture proposaledit
On Monday, Azevedo, who is also the chair of the trade negotiations committee, gave his assessment on outstanding issues in the Doha agriculture dossier, including the possible outcomes for the Buenos Aires meeting. He said several issues such as the permanent solution for public stockholding programs for food security, the special safeguard mechanism (SSM) to curb unforeseen imports of agricultural products in developing countries, and export restrictions had been discussed in the run-up to the WTO’s 10th ministerial meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, over two years ago.
Hyderabad-based Sathguru to start $100 million fund for food, agriculture startupsedit
Hyderabad-based consulting organisation Sathguru Management Consultants is raising $100 million to start an Innovation in Food and Agriculture Fund (IFAF) that will be managed by their fund management company Sathguru Catalyser Advisors. They plan to invest approximately $8 million each in eight to 12 companies for a significant minority stake. The fund is on a lookout for companies that are engaged in adopting technology solutions to address complex issues impacting agriculture, food and nutrition in India, with the first deal expected to close by mid-2017.
Govt nod for professional agency to manage pulses buffer stockedit
The government has approved engaging a professional agency for efficient management of buffer stock of pulses, being created for use in times of price rise, Parliament was informed today. As on February 1, around 9.71 lakh tonnes of pulses have been procured and contracted for imported towards building the buffer. The aim to build a buffer stock of 20 lakh tonnes. “Government has approved engaging professional pulses buffer management entity for efficient management of the buffer stock,” Minister of State for Food C R Chaudhary said in his written reply to the Lok Sabha.
Centre forms panel to work for doubling farmers’ incomeedit
The Centre has constituted a committee to achieve the target of doubling the income of farmers by March 2022, Parshottam Rupala, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, told the Lok sabha on Tuesday. In a written reply to a question, he also informed that a survey finding could not establish any significant adverse effect of demonetisation on input availability, market arrivals of produce and area sown in the Rabi season.
Castor farmers rake it in with new farming methods, cropping patternedit
“Farmers can cultivate castor seed on a reduced area and yet get higher yield by following the new cropping pattern as suggested by SEA. In the last 10 years, costs have risen 60 per cent, mostly on fertilisers, pesticides and water. The new technique saves costs to a great extent as it cuts the consumption of all these inputs,” said Maganbhai Patel, a leading castor farmer. The Dantiwada Agriculture University has provided GCH 7, a new hybrid variety of castor seeds, free of cost to farmers.
Stubble burning in 2016 highest in 3 years in Haryana: Studyedit
STUBBLE BURNING in Haryana was higher in 2016 compared to the previous two years, a new study has found. This has set alarm bells ringing for anti-pollution officials in the state because of its serious implications for air quality in the entire region, including the national capital.
Green fodder cultivation to be promoted in Tiruchi districtedit
With the drought triggering a short supply of fodder for cattle, the Animal Husbandry Department is gearing up to meet the demand at least to a certain extent by implementing a subsidy scheme to promote cultivation of green fodder and also by opening dry fodder depots in the district.
Paddy registers fall in yield, qualityedit
The paddy cultivated on a research field by the students of Tamil Nadu Agriucltural University (TNAU) – Anbil Dharmaigam Agricultural College and Research Institute at Navalur Kuttapattu near here, has registered a fall both in terms of yield and quality following the failure of North East monsoon.
Export of soybean meal increases by 446.38 per centedit
The export of soybean meal and its other value added products during January 2017 is 1,55,164 tons compared to 28,398 tons in January 2016 showing an increase of 446.38% over the same period of last year, according to figures released by Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) on Monday.
Rabi planting up 6%, chana may stabiliseedit
Rabi crop planting is 6% higher than last year, official data show, signalling a bumper harvest, moderate prices and lesser dependence on imports if the weather remains favourable. Farmers have planted wheat in 318 lakh hectares, 7% higher than last year, which can raise output close to a record, officials said. Cargill India chairman Siraj Chaudhry said higher planting shows the situation is returning to normal after a good monsoon.
Nabard rolls out Rs 5,900 cr for area based plan in Odishaedit
Rural infrastructure lender National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard), has rolled out a sector specific plan to address the needs of the credit requirement in Odisha with an outlay of Rs 5,912 crore. The ‘Sectoral Development & Banking Plan’ aims at providing comprehensive credit to six identified sectors. Out of total outlay of Rs 5,912.23 crore, the bank loan component is Rs 4,729.78 crore.
Limitless possibilities in country for youthedit
In the first business session of the day State Bank of India group chief economic advisor Soumya Kanti Ghosh while decoding the budget, declared it populist rather than popular. He emphasized on fiscal consolidation to be of paramount importance for economy. He spoke on Indian industry, agriculture, banking and housing sector, among other topics. Ghosh said, “Budget has added a new target for Indian economy and skill India initiative is playing crucial role for development of Indian youth.”
Focusing on domestic growthedit
Given the demonetisation undertaken by the government in November 2016, the current budget was presented at a historic moment in the Indian economy. To understand the government’s emphasis on the rural economy, we have to understand a key narrative that must influence economic policies in democratic countries.
Incessant rain brings both smiles, worries for farmersedit
Incessant rain lashed district on Sunday afternoon bringing both smiles and worries to farmers as rain during this season benefits wheat crop, it destroys standing mustard, pea and lentil crops. Even as the sky remained covered by clouds for past few days, it started lashing Bijnor around 1 pm on Saturday, and by 6 pm, 10 mm rainfall was recorded.
Farmers’ list of demands a test for candidatesedit
Assembly election candidates are having a tough time influencing farmers. There are 36 lakh farmers across Uttar Pradesh and their leaders and representatives have made a list of their demands and are putting party candidates to the test by asking them which demands were fulfilled when their party was in power and which they propose to fulfill now. The list of demands includes cheap electricity, discount on fertilisers and seeds, construction of research centres, payment of pending dues and many others.
Agriculture can be a productive occupation, says Lyngdohedit
Delivering his key note address as Chief Guest, the Minister said, “Some people take up agriculture as they do not have option. Farmers in the North East are the most marginalized section of society as they can barely make ends meet,” he said. “Since 70 per cent of the people depend on agriculture for livelihood, we need to make this occupation lucrative,” he added.
Contract farming law may cover all agriculture commoditiesedit
The proposed model law on contract farming, which Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced in his Budget speech on Wednesday, could encompass all the agricultural commodities and not restrict itself to only one or two commodities.
Can good irrigation double farm income?edit
The finance minister has reiterated that the government is committed to dou bling of farm incomes within five years. This is heartening, although we are not sure what is the base-year income one is taking to double. But deciphering his strategy from allocation of funds, three things stand out: one, irrigation seems to be a prime instrument.
How the Krishi Kalyan Cess funded flagship schemes for farmersedit
Krishi Kalyan Cess, a 0.5% cess on all taxable services introduced last year to support a drought-hit farm sector, will raise Rs 9,000 crore in 2016-17, budget documents presented in the parliament on Wednesday showed. The central government is spending money from this corpus on crucial schemes like crop insurance and interest subsidy on crop loans. The Centre also expects to collect 20% more through the same cess in 2017-18, adding up to Rs 10,800 crore, which will again be spent on these schemes.
Poor yield in maize affects farmersedit
Maize cultivators in the rain-fed region of Ariyalur and Tiruchi districts have been keeping their fingers crossed due to drought condition which had resulted in fall in quality and quantity of the produce this season.
Can good irrigation double farm income?edit
The finance minister has reiterated that the government is committed to doubling of farm incomes within five years. This is heartening, although we are not sure what is the base-year income one is taking to double. But deciphering his strategy from allocation of funds, three things stand out: one, irrigation seems to be a prime instrument.
U’khand farmers want debt-free agricultureedit
Union finance minister Arun Jaitley might have proposed sops for the agricultural and rural sectors in his budget on Wednesday, but agriculturists in Uttarakhand said measures such as making easy loans available would not do any good to ‘pahari farmers’ who, according to a state government report, were already reeling under severe debt burden.
Groundwork for growthedit
There are many goodies for the farming community. An 11 per cent increase in agri credit — ₹10 lakh crore in 2017-18, ₹452 crore towards the National Project on Soil Health and Fertility for 2017-18, and setting up of a Micro Irrigation Fund will not only help farmers but also companies in the agri-input and irrigation space.
Farmers learn ways to tap growing demand for milletsedit
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), a frontline agriculture extension centre, has organised a training programme on making value-added products from millets for farmers under the ‘entrepreneurship development programme’. After N. Sathiah, Professor and Head of Coastal Saline Research Centre and KVK explained the objectives of the programme to farmers, who aspired to set up micro level business units, S. Arokiya Mary, Assistant professor, enlightened them on the variety of products that could be made from millets at KVK here on Tuesday.
Government to procure 4 lakh tonnes of paddy this yearedit
State consumer affairs minister Saryu Roy on Tuesday said the government has set a target of procuring four lakh tonnes of paddy this kharif year. He said two lakh tonnes of paddy has already been purchased. “The state has saved Rs 700 crore in different schemes and programmes of the department,” he added.
Summer plan to boost cultivation of pulsesedit
Director for Agriculture K. Dhanunjaya Reddy has said that summer pulses programme is going to be launched by the Department of Agriculture to meet the growing demand. He took part in a workshop on the programme here on Tuesday in which a large number of farmers from six districts participated.
Farm growth rebounds 4.1% on good monsoonedit
The Survey has pegged the growth in agriculture and allied sector for the current year at 4.1 per cent, up from 1.2 per cent in the previous year. “The higher growth in agriculture sector is not surprising as the monsoon rains were much better in the current year than the previous two years,” the Survey said. The country witnessed a near-normal monsoon across various parts in 2016, except Southern Peninsula, after consecutive drought years.
Bigger land holdings key to preventing farmer suicides in India, activists sayedit
Only an overhaul of India’s farming policy, including addressing the small size of agricultural holdings, will help to stem the epidemic of suicides among farmers that have devastated rural communities, campaigners say. Last week, the Supreme Court asked why India’s states and the central bank have no policies to prevent suicides among farmers. It asked the government and the Reserve Bank of India to respond within a month.
Budget: Govt may hike agri-credit target to Rs 10 lakh croreedit
The farm credit target is likely to be raised by a whopping Rs 1 lakh crore to Rs 10 lakh crore in Budget 2017-18 in order to increase credit flow in the agriculture sector. According to sources, the government may increase the agriculture credit target to Rs 10 lakh crore for 2017-18 fiscal from the existing Rs 9 lakh crore.
Budget 2017: President indicates achche din ahead for farmersedit
A day before the union budget, President Pranab Mukherjee’s economic survey tried to address issues largely related to the poor, oppressed, needy, youth and the farmers. He drew a parallel to the Champaran Movement of pre-independence, which marked the rise of the indigo farmers against the British colonial government. He compared it to the poor’s struggle against black money.
Budget must focus on farmers: Swaraj Abhiyanedit
The Jai Kisan Andolan of Swaraj Abhiyan and other farmers’ organisations on Monday came together to discuss the concerns and issues of farmers in India. Demanding that the Budget should focus on farmers, Swaraj Abhiyan has decided to hold a ‘Kisan Sansad’ (Farmers’ Parliament), parallel to the presentation of the Union Budget, at Jantar Mantar.
Budget 2017: A four-point agenda for Arun Jaitley to boost farm productivityedit
The agriculture sector in India employs more than 90 million people and contributes 15.4 percent gross value addition (GVA) to the Indian economy. Agriculture has been one of the key focus areas during successive Union Budgets. The performance of the agriculture sector has remained inconsistent due to low productivity that is driven by lack of access to basic inputs as well as macro-environment issues like drought, flood, etc. This is accentuated in the poor socio-economic condition of the farmers. It is a sad state of affairs for India having an average of more than 5,000 farmers committing suicide in a year (NCRB statistics). This reflects upon the gap between policy making and implementation.
The perennial paradox of Kerala’s agricultureedit
The release of the celebrated report ‘Poverty, Unemployment and Development Policy: A Case Study of Selected Issues with Special Reference to Kerala’ by the Centre for Development Studies in 1975 heralded a wider debate on the multifaceted dimensions of the “Kerala Model” of development. One of the lingering dilemmas of the debate has been the staggered performance of the State’s agricultural sector over time. The dwindling status of the agricultural sector is evident from its declining share in the State’s GSDP from more than 52 per cent in 1960-61 to around 11 per cent in 2014-15.
Global ag tech startup investments drop 30 pct in 2016 – studyedit
Global investments in agriculture technology startups fell 30 percent in 2016 as investor interest in companies offering drones and satellite-guided farm machines cooled following the biggest capital inflow ever a year earlier, according to a study released on Tuesday. Still, the number of deals grew 10 percent from 2015 to a record 580, and the $3.23 billion invested by venture capitalists and others was the second highest annual total on record for the sector, according to the annual report from food and agriculture investment platform AgFunder.
Budget
Budget Paves Way For Long-Term Boost To Economyedit
The Budget continued from its last year’s focus to support agriculture and farmers’ incomes by announcing higher credit, increased crop insurance, greater investments in irrigation facilities etc. Additionally, the Budget also increased allocation to MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) to a record high of Rs. 48,000 crore. Although, this would not have a short term impact on rural spending, this will help uplift rural consumption over the longer run.
Agriculture, rural development given priority in Union Budget: Jaitleyedit
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said rural development holds the key for the growth of Indian economy and stressed that he has laid emphasis on the development of villages in the Budget so as to put the country among developed nations.
Ajay Mathur: The Budget needed to be greeneredit
The Union Budget, as expected, focused on rural development, agriculture and allied sectors, with allocations in these areas going up by 24 per cent, compared to the previous Budget. The prospects for India’s agriculture, and about half of the country’s workforce that depends on it, is intrinsically linked to the health of the natural resource base that sustains it.
Budget lays thrust on rural Indiaedit
Notwithstanding the Opposition’s concern over the presentation of the Union Budget before ensuing elections to five States, the fact is it is mature and pro-growth and is geared towards development of the rural and agricultural sector.
Budget gives fillip to value-added agricultureedit
The sops announced in the Budget for the agriculture and MSME sectors have come at a time when they are gearing up for a quantum leap. On realising that the traditional methods of selling agricultural produces are untenable and the benefits of value-addition, the Industries Department and Agriculture Department have already set in motion various projects for the farmer community and small entrepreneurs.
Farmers stand to benefit from Budgetedit
The budget presented by Finance minister has given a relief to affordable housing as it is a priority for this government and it was expected to get infrastructure status. Housing sector has been accorded infrastructure status by providing 100 per cent exemption on profits. It is encouraging to see that fiscal discipline has been given priority in the budget. One feels that the amnesty scheme on black money is not good enough, and would not encourage people to come forward to declare their ill-gotten wealth.
Budget 2017: Pushing The Farm Economy On The Tech Pathedit
Enhancing scale and improving efficiency of infrastructure and services delivery in rural areas has been accorded due importance in the Union budget 2017-18, along with a definitive move to transition the rural economy on a digital path. Asset creation under MNREGA (₹48,000 crore allocation), appropriate risk management mechanisms (50% coverage of crop insurance by 2019), coupled with better amenities for rural areas are some of the commendable initiatives addressed in the budget.
Budget proposals promote farm productivity: expertsedit
As the budget proposal for 2017-18 fiscal has addressed basic issues in agriculture sector including irrigation, soil health, funding, value addition and marketing sectors , experts expressed their hope that it would help to boost farm productivity and profitability in the country.
Ashok Lavasa: Govt looking at ways to lift agriculture and allied sectorsedit
A day after the Union budget for 2017-18, finance secretary Ashok Lavasa spoke on a host of issues at The Verdict, an event organized by Mint and CNBC-TV18 on Thursday, ranging from budget allocations to different sectors and the government’s focus on creating employment and supporting the rural sector.
Budget’s aim is to boost investment, empower farmers, says Piyush Goyaledit
The government will not let inflation dilute the effect of its planned doubling of farmers’ income in five years and will keep an eye on the effective tax rate of large companies for tax rate adjustments, power minister Piyush Goyal said at The Verdict, a conference organized by Mint and CNBC-TV18 on the Union budget on Thursday.
A well-intentioned Budgetedit
There is a fairly large list of programmes and schemes indicated in the Budget speech, particularly in the areas of agriculture and rural development. Many of them are extensions of existing ones. In fact, in the case of some programmes, the increase over the RE of 2016-17 is not large. For example, in the case of the MGNREGS, the allocation for 2017-18 is ₹48,000 crore as against the RE for 2016-17 of ₹47,499 crore. But the BE for 2016-17 for this was ₹38,500 crore. Nevertheless, this expenditure adds up to a substantial amount. But the impact depends on how well the allocations are spent. The pick-up in rural demand rests heavily on this.
Budget 2017: Focus on strengthening farm sectoredit
The Budget has focused on strengthening the agricultural sector and rural development. The total allocation for rural, agricultural and allied sectors for 2017-18 is ₹1,87,223 crore, 24 per cent higher than last year. India has suffered from inefficient price discovery and price realisation for farmers because of the fragmented nature of the markets. With an integrated spot and derivatives market, these prevailing gaps will be plugged.
Agriculture is the most significant beneficiary of budget: Ankur Aggarwaledit
The rise in total allocation for rural, agriculture and allied sectors for 2017-18 by 24 percent is very encouraging and would provide a much-needed boost to the rural economy. Apart from lowering interest rates on loan for farmers, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has also announced a slew of measures aimed at incentivising farming.
Activist says budget is not good for farmersedit
Jaitley has given an additional Rs 10,000 crore r the MNREGA scheme to improve liquidity in the rural economy. But Mallesh and state agriculture minister Krishna Byre Gowda point out that payments have been delayed leading to a lack of trust in the scheme. Social scientist Narendar Pani said: “Because demonetisation has failed, they have had to take up MNREGA as a quick fix bandaid.”
Budget is progressive, pragmatic and people-oriented: Finance Secretary, Ashok Lavasaedit
This is seen by avoidance of retrospectivity in taxation, targeting of government support through Aadhar, reforms in agriculture, especially the model law on contract framing, UGC reforms, proposed amendments to the Airports Authority Act, metro development to harness private investment and skills and integration of spot and derivative markets to provide remunerative prices to farmers,” said Das.
Agriculture sector banks on Budget boostedit
The agriculture credit target of Rs 10 lakh crore in the Union budget for the financial year 2017-18 will provide boost to the agricultural sector in Nashik, feel experts. The government is committed to double farmers’ income in 5 years by 2022 and for this, it has increased agricultural credit target by 11 per cent. Moreover, the government has also announced two dedicated funds for dairy development and micro irrigation with total provisions amounting to Rs 13,000 crore.
Budget 2017: Farming factsedit
I watched the Budget session in a local tea stall in Laxmapur village of Shamirpet mandal, Telangana, with farmers and farm workers around. The moment the finance minister said farmers’ incomes would be doubled, I translated it from English to Telugu (local language) for the benefit of a few of my farmer friends who were around. A women farmer Girijamma, who produces vegetables on 2 acres of land, sipping her tea, jokingly said: “That man (finance minister) doesn’t know what we earn today. How do they know whether our incomes are doubled or whether they halve by 2022?”
Punjab farmers give thumbs down to Budget provisionsedit
“The budget is far removed from reality.” That is how young Meet Pal Singh, an MBA who has set up a polyhouse in Mahalon village of Nawanshahr, dismisses the budget. The tall light-eyed youth, who is feted as a progressive farmer in the area, says the Modi government should first focus on implementing the MS Swaminathan report for farmers before coming up with a new set of proposals.
Exclusive: Balancing act in Budget 2017 is a curse for the poor, writes Yogendra Yadavedit
The farming sector had reasons to expect something big this year. We are living through an era of agrarian crisis and rural distress. Let me not bore you with numbers. Enough to remind that while the share of population dependent on agriculture is going down very slowly, the share of agriculture in the country’s income is coming down rapidly.
Budget lays foundation of digital revolution in agriculture: Rajiv Tevtiyaedit
Budget 2017: Renewed focus on agricultureedit
The most important part of any Budget is to keep revenues and expenditures somewhat in sync. And Budget 2017 does that quite well. Of course, there is much that I would have liked to see but did not, from simplification of the tax code to public sector reform to improved protection of life, property and freedoms.
Farmer rights groups say Budget 2017 not pro-farmeredit
Farmer rights groups have decried what they call “the lack of anything pro-farmer in Budget 2017. They have claimed that the Budget has nothing to assure better income, nothing to lift them out of debt trap, nothing to even compensate for their losses due to demonetization.
Budget 2017 has a clear focus on agriculture, infrastructure, and digitization: Deepak Chiripal, Nandan Denimedit
“An inclusive budget with a clear focus on agriculture, infrastructure, digitization and employment generation. Medium and Small Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of the industry and generate the maximum employment. Tax cut for the MSMEs with an annual turnover of Rs 50 crore is a welcome gesture and will drive the growth engine as most of India’s companies will get this benefit of 5% tax reduction which will be a relief for them.
Budget to sustain recovery in agriculture growthedit
Indian agriculture is characterised by a cyclical trend of good growth and poor growth. The stagnant growth rate at low level combined with decline in size of land holding implies much slower growth in farm income per holding. This calls for three pronged strategy: lifting growth trajectory upward; imparting stability to production and focusing on farm income.
Farmers give thumbs up, but say implementation holds keyedit
Madhya Pradesh farmers have hailed the announcements made in the Union Budget, but at the same time felt that implementation of these measures will be crucial and a lot will depend on it. The government has set a target of agricultural loan disbursement worth Rs 10,000 crore for this financial year and at the same time increased the corpus of National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD) for its long-term irrigation fund to Rs 40,000 crore.
Union Budget 2017 to boost balanced growth: Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman, RP Sanjiv Goenka Groupedit
The finance minister has increased investment in agriculture and rural development by 24% to Rs 1.9 lakh crore. This will encourage development and improve rural incomes. The other major sector which has received the attention of the finance minister is infrastructure, including roads, airports, telecommunications, among others. A provision of R3.9 lakh crore has been made in the Budget. This investment will make up the deficiency in the development process. The two together will also encourage employment growth, which In the past two years was on a decline, particularly in industry and construction.
‘A clear focus on infrastructure and agriculture’edit
The Finance Minister has offered a fine blueprint of several small steps to further accelerate India’s economic growth, while sticking to the government’s commitment of waging a war against black money. The Budget has a pro-poor thrust and a clear focus on key sectors such as infrastructure, rural and agriculture, which can galvanise the economy through inclusive growth.
Rural, agriculture, infrastructure and housing key sectors of budget: Jayant Manglik, Religare Securitiesedit
The Budget has managed a fine balancing act between providing a boost to demand and at the same time keeping an eye on fiscal consolidation. Notably, the Budget this year was presented in the backdrop of relatively higher expectations by both – consumers and corporates, which were affected by the government’s demonetisation drive.
Does budget meet farmers’ expectations?edit
It is now widely recognised and reported that farmers in India are facing a distressing situation. During 1995-96 to 2015-16, about 3 lakh farmers in the country committed suicide due to economic distress and depression. The Election Manifesto of Bharatiya Janata Party in both 1998 and 2014 Lok Sabha election highlighted the issue of agrarian distress and promised actions to improve the economic conditions of farmers, if elected to power.
Agriculture sector has been given a boost, which will help in generating employment in that sector: ASSOCHAMedit
ASSOCHAM General Secretary D. S. Rawat said that with all the hype about lenient taxation and investment policies, the budget was unable to live up to expectations.
Budget 2017 to give fillip to agri sector: Expertsedit
Agri-industry and farm experts today hailed the Budget for 2017-18 saying that though not a “big game changer” but will give a fillip to the farm and allied sector even as they urged for better implementation of schemes.
Budget 2017: Higher spending on farming, skill development for rural economyedit
Finance minister Arun Jaitley in the budget 2017 gave a boost to rural economy, which has borne the brunt of demonetisation, by setting aside record funds for MNREGA scheme and boosting skill development.
Govt proposes a slew of pro-farmer measures in the Budget; Seeks states on boardedit
The government on Wednesday announced a slew of pro-farmer measures and proposed to increase credit flow in agriculture sector from Rs 9 lakh crores this fiscal to the tune of Rs 10 lakh crores in 2017-18 and hike the corpus of irrigation fund from Rs 20,000 crores to Rs 40,000 crores.
Budget 2017: The farm sector impactedit
Agricultural credit target for 2017-18 is fixed at Rs10 trillion, an 11% increase from the 2016-17 target of Rs9 trillion. Budgetary provision for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is at Rs48,000 crore, up from the Rs47,499 crore revised estimate for FY17.
Budget 2017 brings nine gifts for farmersedit
As widely expected, Budget 2017 deploys a large chunk of funds to the agriculture sector. Agriculture and rural sectors have been granted Rs 1, 87,223 crore in 2017-18, which is 24 per cent higher from the previous Budget.
Implementation of Union budget a challenge, say agriculture expertsedit
By announcing Rs 10 lakh crore for the Agriculture sector in the Budget, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has painted a rosy picture for farmers. But in Karnataka, where many farmer suicides had been recorded in the last few years, the major challenge is implementation, say experts. Senior agricultural scientist M Mahadevappa said that if at least 70 per cent of the budget announced for agri sector is implemented, it will be a record.
2017 Budget Takes the Right Steps on Agriculture: Ashok Gulatiedit
As the government says that it is increasing agriculture subsidies and that its 2017 Budget will better the lives of those who are poorest and most vulnerable, particularly in the country’s rural areas, The Wire spoke to Ashok Gulati, chair professor for agriculture at ICRIER.
High agricultural credit, crop insurance scheme positive measures in Budget: Expertsedit
The Central government has taken up several measures to revive country’s agriculture economy in the Union Budget 2017-18 such as higher agricultural credit, higher allocation for irrigation projects, crop insurance scheme, agricultural experts said.
Budget 2017: How the agriculture sector will benefitedit
The total allocation for rural, agricultural and allied sectors for 2017-18 is Rs 187223 crore, which is 24% higher than last year’s. The government is committed to double farmers’ incomes in 5 years. The target for agriculture credit is fixed at Rs 10 lakh crore
Budget 2017: Bonanza for farmers & agriculture, Rs 10 lakh crore allocatededit
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced during Budget presentation on Wednesday, that total allocation for Agriculture and Farmers’ welfare will be enhanced to Rs 10 lakh crore. With better monsoon, agriculture is expected to grow at 4.1%. Target for agricultural credit for 2017-18 is set at ten lakh crore, announced Arun Jaitley
What did the budget do for agriculture?edit
The Union budget on Wednesday gave a push to market reforms in agriculture, increased funding for crop insurance and set a higher target for farm credit, as the government moved to tackle distress in rural India. The budget for 2017-18 also charged the apex rural bank, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), with implementing schemes to improve access to irrigation and develop the dairy sector.
Union Budget 2017-18 and the agrarian crisisedit
Keeping in view the problems faced by farm families, who comprise over 60% of our population, the finance minister has reiterated the government’s resolve to help farmers double their income in another four years. The various measures suggested for doubling income include distribution of soil health cards, promotion of more crop per drop, increase in availability of credit, improved post-harvest processing and value addition and market reform. In all these cases, what is important is to attend to the principal need.
Coverage
‘Energise Cultivation Of Maize’edit
Seventy per cent of rural households in India depend on agriculture as their principal means of livelihood. Jay Singh, MD, CLAAS Agricultural Machinery Pvt Ltd, wonders how unique this budget would be as compared to the previous one, owing to the developments in 2016, especially the latter half. “A collective effort by the industry players and the government is required to have a quick and long lasting impact in the agriculture sector”, Singh said.
Technology in Agriculture
Bihar emerges as a huge market for farm equipmentedit
Bihar is emerging as a big market for farm equipment as the farmers, of late, are switching over to mechanized harvesting due to huge shortage of agricultural workers in the state. According to a study conducted recently, Bihar has a market three times bigger than West Bengal as far as sale of big farming machines like threshers, combined harvesters, rotavators and straw reapers is concerned.
Mahindra Agri launches digital platform MyAgriGuru for farmersedit
Mahindra Agri Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra has announced the launch of ‘MyAgriGuru’, an advisory platform for farmers that has been introduced as a mobile app. “We have launched mobile app ‘MyAgriGuru’, a 24×7 advisory platform for farmers. Developed in English and Hindi currently, the app has been launched across India and is available on Android.
New solar model for paddy harvesting developed by studentsedit
The final year automobile engineering students of Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic here, have developed a low cost-lightweight, environment-friendly manually operated solar paddy harvester (MOSPH) suitable for small farmers. Unlike conventional paddy harvesters that require fossil fuel, MOSPH utilizes abundantly available solar energy to produce the required electrical energy to operate the paddy harvester.
Mobile App launched by company for farmers to hire farm machineryedit
Agriculture services company, EM3 AgriServices launches a mobile app through which farmers in Madhya Pradesh can place orders for renting farm equipment and services, with a built in option of paying online via the payment wallet. The company also plans to increase its Samadhan Kendras which provide agricultural farm equipment and services such as tractors, soil analysis, seedbed preparation, sowing, fertilizer application, weed/pest control, harvesting and post-harvest operations.
Agriculture from the air: Basant to Air Tractoredit
Can Indian farmers ever afford to engage an aircraft to spray seeds and fertilisers? State-owned aviation major, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) thought so when it produced 39 Basant aircraft but stopped building them after 1980. Now, the Aussies want rich Indian farmers to check out the Air Tractor, a hit with farmers Down Under.
Mahindra Sees a Bumper Harvest in Agri Tech Cosedit
But investment apart, the group is actively working in the agri tech space to harbour its startup dreams. The group has launched MyAgriGuru, an agricultural advisory platform that helps farmers manage their crops by providing information on weather, pricing, etc.
Technology, machinery Mela heldedit
A Technology and Machinery Demonstration Mela was organized by All India Coordinated Research Project on Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (PHET) in collaboration with All India Coordinated Research Project on Plasticulture Engineering and Technology (PET), at main campus SKUAST (K), Shalimar, here.
Sonalika registers 8% growth in sales in Januaryedit
Home-grown tractor manufacturer Sonalika International Tractors Ltd registers a growth of 8 percent growth in sales in the first month of 2017. The company sold 5074 units in January compared to 4699 units in the same month last year.
Escorts hits record high on heavy volumesedit
Escorts moved to its record high of Rs 415, up 8% on the BSE, on back of heavy volumes in otherwise weak market. The stock surpasses its previous high of Rs 414 touched on October 4, 2016 during intra-day trade.
Mahindra & Mahindra introduces connected vehicle tech in its tractor Arjun Novoedit
Indian automotive manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra has introduced connected vehicle technology – DiGiSENSE, in its tractor brand ‘Arjun Novo’, informed the company in a Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) filing. The technology will be available in the 57HP – 605DI-i Arjun Novo.
Telangana Government promoting farm mechanisation in a big wayedit
The State government has been promoting farm mechanisation in a big way, asserted Agriculture Minister P Srinivas Reddy. He said the government has allocated Rs 300 crore towards subsidy of farm equipment and tractors. It was planned to distribute a total of 3,900 tractors and farm machinery. 100 per cent subsidy would be given to SC/ST farmers while others would be given 50 per cent subsidy.
Better farm pricing, rural recovery to power Mahindra & Mahindraedit
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) is set to harness the revival in rural liquidity and higher farm-gate prices to drive tractor sales, helping offset a deceleration in demand for utility vehicles after the demonetisation drive, announced on November 8.
Farm equipment firm plans unit in Telanganaedit
A Gujarat-based farm equipment manufacturing company, Shaktiman, has expressed interest in investing in Telangana by setting up its unit. A delegation of the company comprising its national head Ravi Mathur and HR head Gunakar Rao met Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy here on Saturday and explained their plans. They told the Minister that they were planning to invest up to ₹500 crore and creating direct employment for 1,000 persons.
M&M to leverage start-ups to expand tractor, small commercial vehicles bizedit
Mahindra & Mahindra, the $18-billion farm-to-financial services conglomerate, is leveraging start-ups to test the waters in new markets and expand its business. Two young start-ups — Smartshift and Trringo — within the group are at the heart of this strategy. Trringo is an online platform for tractor rentals while Smartshift is a load exchange platform that connects small commercial vehicle owners with people looking to transport their goods within the city.
Escorts Profit Jumps 11.2 Per Cent In Q3edit
Farm and construction equipment manufacturer Escorts Limited on Thursday (February 9) reported a profit of Rs 22.7 crore in the quarter ending December 31, 2016, up by 11.2 per cent as against a profit of Rs 20.4 crore in the corresponding quarter previous fiscal. It also reported a jump of 22.6 per cent in turnover at Rs 1,093 crore for the third quarter. “The profit reported is after one time loss from discontinued operations in respect of its Auto Products business of Rs 30.8 cr,” Escorts said in a statement.
Mahindra unveils Farming 3.0 & gives away Samriddhi India Agri Awardsedit
Mahindra & Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector, India’s leading tractor manufacturer, has unveiled Farming 3.0 and announced the winners of the seventh Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards (MSIAA). Farming 3.0 is a new era, which will be defined by the increased use of technology and innovation in farming, greater professionalism within the farming ecosystem, a growing consideration for the environment and higher-quality farm produce.
Harvesters become useless, Tamil Nadu ryots turn helpless with no farm handsedit
A week has passed since rains stopped, but the sorrow continues for farmers as they are unable to harvest paddy because of labour shortage. Harvesters are of no help as the crops are inclined and not suited for machine harvest.
M&M”s FES sells 14,776 units in India in January 2017edit
Mahindra Tractors, a farm equipment sector (FES) of Mahindra & Mahindra, has recorded its tractor sales numbers for January 2017. Domestic sales in January 2017 were at 14,776 units, as against 14,402 units during January 2016. Total tractor sales (domestic + exports) during January 2017 were at 15,909 units, as against 15,065 units for the same period last year. Exports for the month stood at 1,133 units.
Escorts zooms 4.2% post tractor sales dataedit
The commercial vehicles maker, Escorts, posted its Agri Machinery segment sales report on February 01, 2017. Company sold 3652 tractors in January 2017 as against 3140 tractors in January 2016, registering a growth of 16.3%.
Mahindra’s January auto sales down 9%, tractors up 3%edit
Utility vehicles sales at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd dropped 9% to 20,096 units as compared to a year ago period, the company said in a statement on Wednesday. The company’s overall domestic auto sales, including commercial vehicles and three wheelers, during the month also contracted 9% to 37,042 units over the last year.
After delay, paddy transplantation gains momentum in Odishaedit
Transplantation of paddy seedlings for the ensuing rabi season has picked up pace with the surge in temperature. Initially, the transplantation process had slowed down in the district due to severe cold, which affected the growth of the seedlings.