India Infoline

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.

Business Standard

A sudden rise in temperature in north India, particularly in wheat-growing Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, is worrying farmers who planted their crop late. A fall in temperature in the next few days could improve the situation considerably, but a sharp rise in day temperature during the grain filling stage could affect yields.

Live Mint

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.

 

The Economic Times

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.

The Hindu Business Line

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).

The Financial Express

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.