Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Maharashtra govt releases ₹894 crore as crop insurance for farmersedit
The state government released Rs893.83 crore as insurance for farmers whose crops was damaged due to hailstorm and unseasonal rains in the 2015-16 rabi season. The state government released the amount which will be distributed to 26.88 lakh farmers in various parts of the state. The highest compensation, Rs402 crore, will be distributed to 13 lakh farmers. Farmers in Aurangabad and Pune divisions will get Rs340.57 crore and Rs 107.36 crore respectively. Farmers in Marathwada district had lost soyabean and other crops due to the rains.
As global food demand rises, climate change is hitting our staple cropsedit
While increases in population and wealth will lift global demand for food by up to 70% by 2050, agriculture is already feeling the effects of climate change. This is expected to continue in coming decades.
India considers reinstating 25% wheat import taxedit
Cropping patterns: Diversification dilemma on the groundedit
Crop diversification and moving away from the entrenched paddy-wheat cycle has been the buzzword among Punjab’s policymakers for at least two decades now. It will remain so even when the next government takes over in a couple of weeks’ time. But on the ground, farmers are still planting paddy during kharif and wheat in the rabi season as before. Some have gone in for diversification, but not the way policymakers, both in the state government and the Centre, would want them to. There’s no better example of this ‘diversification dilemma’ than spring season maize; and it should be an eye-opener for future policymaking.
Monsoon faces fresh El Nino threatedit
Once again the Indian monsoon is under the shadow of the weather phenomenon known as El Nino. There is a 50% chance of El Nino occurring later this year, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) said. Consequently, once again Indian agriculture, which suffered two back-to-back droughts (2014-15, 2015-16) will be beset by uncertainty. Farmers in parts of India have been in the grip of a drought for a third year. Any impact on agricultural production can potentially also have a fallout on food inflation.
Kerala Budget 2017-18: Expecting no miraclesedit
Massive allocation is made for agriculture in the budget. But agriculture is almost extinct in Kerala. The state government has initiated a Green Kerala Project. Massive amounts were allocated for campaigns, advertisements and propaganda but nothing much is being done on the ground.
Maharashtra govt to focus on smart agriculture, food processingedit
Climate resilient agricultural practices coupled with greater thrust on promoting investments in food processing sector to improve lives of farmers is likely to get greater impetus in the forthcoming state budget. Highly placed sources in the government revealed to The Indian Express, “Agriculture sector will remain the highest concern of the state budget this year too.” However, unlike last year when the prime concern related to relief for the drought hit, the focus in 2017-18 would be on sustainable agriculture.
Technology in Agriculture
M&M shifts gears to drive automotive and farm business growthedit
The well diversified Mahindra and Mahindra group has put in place a clear strategy for future growth of its flagship automotive and farm equipment business. The plan involves a three-plank strategy: globalisation, technology and customer centricity. “Our businesses are shifting their focus over the years in line with the changes happening around it,” said Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M). In the past the focus was on products, cost and reach. Presently we are focusing on offering solutions, experience and a larger purpose.