Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
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.
Budget
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.
Technology in Agriculture
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.