Bangalore Mirror

Appealing to the farming community, water resources minister MB Patil said, “We are gripped by an unprecedented drought. All our reservoirs have sufficient water only to meet potable purpose. Farmers have to understand that drinking water is more important than using water for agriculture. In the interest of the state and its people, on behalf of the government, I appeal to the farmers not to draw water from canals, rivers and remove their IP (irrigation pump) sets.”

The Times of India

North coast AP has witnessed drastic changes in cropping pattern in the last two decades and the manner in which it is being compensated, said a study by researchers from AU department of environmental sciences. Working on a project concerning climate change and its impact on agricultural productivity in north coastal AP over a period of 20 years, the researchers, who did not wish to be named, noticed that the region was using excessive ground water and encroaching on forest land for agriculture which could lead to a disaster in ecological terms.

Daily Excelsior

Rural India represents around 70 per cent of the Indian population. It is very important to engage the rural youth in a productive way in tandem by providing them credible opportunities for the growth and development. Agriculture is losing the attraction among the rural youths due to less profit. If the youths will generate extra income in agriculture then the interests of the youths in agriculture can be retained.

Huffington Post

According to the United Nations, the population of the world is expected to reach 8 billion by 2025. India accounts for 17.84% of the total world population. By 2025, India’s population is likely to exceed 1.5 billion, simultaneously raising the demand for food grains to over 300 million tonnes as against the current production (2015-2016) of 252 million tonnes.

The Hindu Business Line

Recent events — the UP government’s waiver of farmer loans, dramatic protests by Tamil Nadu farmers in Delhi and a warning from the RBI Governor against loan waivers — have once again brought farm loan writeoffs under public glare.

The Economic Times

India is an agrarian economy however over past some decades the number of farmers employed in this sector has decreased drastically. While the sector heavily relies on natural rainfall and ground water supply, there are other factors as well that are forcing them to quit this old profession.