Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Crop cover: WRMS to reach out to 30 lakh farmersedit
Climate risk management firm Weather Risk Management Services Pvt Ltd (WRMS) plans to approach 30 lakh farmers across 150 districts in 2017 to connect them with the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojana (the Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme). Last year, the company had approached about 15 lakh farmers, encouraging them to opt for crop insurance.
Dry spell for farmers againedit
For farmers who have seen their fortunes ebb due to drought over the past few years, the state budget failed to meet the expectations. Though initiatives to encourage judicious use of water, achieving self-sufficiency in production of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine has been introduced, critics believe that such schemes would do too little to provide any relief for agriculture and allied sectors. Ryot organisations, whose primary demand has been loan waiver of farmers, too aren’t happy with the budget.
GOVT AIMS TO DOUBLE FARMERS’ INCOME BY 2022edit
The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh has said that development and upliftment of farmers is the first priority of the government and to achieve it, the government aim is to double the income of farmers by 2022. Singh said this on the inauguration of three days Krishi Unati Mela being held in Indian Institute of Agriculture Research.
Agriculture meet calls for productivity enhancementedit
A two-day meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Kerala and Lakshadweep has stressed productivity enhancement through climate resilient agriculture, organic-based integrated pest and disease management measures, introduction of stress-tolerant crop varieties, and hi-tech agriculture.
Farm Policy: A Carpe Diem moment for agriculture in Uttar Pradeshedit
Recalling a small incident may serve to illustrate the irony of agriculture’s poor performance in UP, despite its naturally fertile soils and water from perennial rivers. In May 2015, as head of the Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), an autonomous society under the Union Agriculture Ministry, I visited Jayapur, the adopted village of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi.
Punjab through the scanneredit
The rate of agriculture growth in the state declined over nine years, from 0.95 per cent in 2005-06 to -3.4 per cent in 2014-15, according to Punjab government data, affecting 6.3 million people of the working population engaged in agriculture, according to the 2011 Census.
Waiving crop loan not a solution, govt should adopt scientific farming for higher returns to farmers: Dr Madhav Chitaleedit
Water management expert Dr Madhav Chitale believes a loan waiver is not a solution to agrarian crisis. He says such populist measures often pitched by politicians never serve the larger objective of farmer welfare. “If any government is attempting such a decision, it can be best described as ‘tatpurta malam patti’ (temporary ointment and bandage to cover a wound’,” says Chitale.
Budget
Drought hit farmers get damp deal in Karnataka state budgetedit
For farmers who have seen their fortunes ebb due to drought over the past few years, the State budget failed to meet the expectations. Though initiatives to encourage judicious use of water, achieving self-sufficiency in production of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine and others has been introduced, critics believe that such schemes would do too little to provide any relief for agricuture and allied sectors. Ryot organisations, whose primary demand has been loan waiver of farmers, too aren’t happy with the budget.
Andhra Pradesh Budget 2017: Highlightsedit
Budget for agriculture increased to 7.73%. Agriculture loan waiver Rs 3600 crore. Rs 1,600 crore allotted to SHG loan investment. Rural development gets huge allocation with agriculture sector getting Rs 8790 crore.
Agriculture budget aims at a higher income in APedit
With an ambitious aim of switching over to mechanised cultivation in agriculture, the state government carved out a detailed plan which is reflected in the agriculture budget presented on Amaravati soil for the first time. From increasing the subsidy on mechanisation equipment to 70% from 50% to distribution of seeds through biometric system to satellite-based cultivation, the government has grand plans this year. Also, special focus has been laid on agriculture research and drought mitigation.
Budget 2017 receives mixed reactions in coastal districtedit
The budget has undermined the importance of infrastructure, especially in the power sector, Joshi said. “Though the chief minister himself had stated that there is potential for growth in Karnataka, the budgetary allocation for infrastructure does not go hand in hand in tapping the potential of the state. At a time when agriculture sector is plagued with several problems, the budgetary allocation does not give a boost to the agriculture sector. It was a populist budget presented by the chief minister. The shortcomings of the budget have eclipsed the merit of the budget,” he felt.
Technology in Agriculture
M&M-Ford pact to focus on joint techedit
Sources say the tech talk with Ford Motor Company is part of Group Mahindra’s global ambitions. The company has been focusing on global products in its auto, two-wheeler and farm equipment sectors. In tractor and farm equipment, it went in for three global deals – first with Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery in 2015, then with Finland’s Sampo Rosenlew Oy in 2016 and most recently Turkey’s Hisarlar Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi. And in two-wheelers, the Peugeot range is being lined up targeting South East Asian markets.
Double-digit volume growth can continue if monsoons supportive: Escortsedit
The Indian tractor industry could clock strong double-digit volume growth this year provided monsoons pan out as well as expected, said Bharat Madan, CFO of Escorts in an interview to CNBC-TV18. Apart from monsoons, government policies that benefit the agricultural sector like higher minimum support prices could also boost sales, he said.