Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
In Drought-Hit Tamil Nadu, Farmer Distress On A Highedit
In Lalgudi near Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli district, farmer SR Kannan’s two acre field is almost barren. In addition to the worst drought in Tamil Nadu in years, just before the paddy was ready for harvest, neighbouring Karnataka stopped the Cauvery waters. Mr Kannan’s near ripe crop died in front of his eyes. Now his children pay a heavy price.
State seeks funds from Centre for 27,000 farmersedit
The Mamata Banerjee government has sought financial assistance from the Centre for compensating around 27,000 farmers of Nadia and Murshidabad districts whose crops have been damaged due to Wheat Blast disease barely a month back. Around 8,000 hectares of wheat in the two districts had to be burnt to prevent the disease from spreading.
Hot days ahead but a good sign for farmers: Analystsedit
The pre-monsoon rains will be negligible this season leading to excessive heat in April and May, but this is a good sign for farmers, weather analysts said on Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department has already declared heatwave condition in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. On Monday, Barmer in Rajasthan sizzled at 44 degrees Celsius.
Punjab Agricultural University apprises farmers of agriculture weather servicesedit
The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana and the Indian Meteorological Department, Chandigarh, conducted a meeting of the research fellows of Rural. Agriculture Weather Services Project at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Noormahal on Tuesday. Surinderpal, Director, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Chandigarh, attented the meeting.
10% import duty to be levied on wheat, pulsesedit
Expecting record foodgrain production this crop year (July, 2016-June, 2017), the Centre on Tuesday imposed 10% import duty on wheat and tur or arhar dal (pigeon pea) with immediate effect— a move which is aimed at protecting interest of farmers as prices of pulses fell below the minimum support price (MSP) across key producing states.
Loan waiver leaves Indian farmers trapped in deadly debt spiraledit
An election promise to farmers in the politically sensitive state of Uttar Pradesh is coming back to haunt Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as other states demand the Union government offer an agriculture bailout package across the country.
Alappuzha budget focuses on agriculture, women & senior citizensedit
The budget presented by the Alappuzha district panchayat for the fiscal year 2017-2018 on Tuesday gave thrust to agriculture and other production sectors.
Technology in Agriculture
Tractor maker Escorts plans cost cutting, to launch VRS for staffedit
Escorts, the tractor maker which has seen a robust performance in recent quarters, will launch a series of initiatives to expand market, bring down costs and improve margins. A key initiative to cost control could come by way of a voluntary retirement scheme for a few hundreds.