Livemint

RNAi has huge significance within the Indian context, considering the deep-seated resistance over the years to Bt cotton and other genetically modified seeds. Recently, genetically modified mustard received regulatory approval from the genetic engineering appraisal committee, only to get stalled later on account of a petition filed before the Supreme Court.

Fibre2Fashion

Apr ’17 Indian Government is working to revamp the technology mission on cotton. There already have been a series of meetings with stakeholders and researchers in this connection. The revamped cotton mission is expected to have four parts two to deal with cotton productivity under the agriculture ministry and the other two to be under the textiles ministry.

The Hindu

In the Northern reaches of Karnataka State, where arid land stretches to the horizon and droughts and floods are frequent, it is little drops of water that have helped Basavraj Patil Bardabad’s farm in Bidar district remain green. The 55-year-old had purchased a farm around eight years ago, and before “drip irrigation” was a buzz word in policy, he ensured that 5.5 acres were irrigated through an intricate series of pipes. The investment of ₹1.5 lakh paid off immediately.

Sify News

The Maharashtra Government on Sunday successfully installed first-of-its-kind automated weather stations for the farmers in the region. Being the first state in India to implement this technology, the government is aiming to install a total of 2065 units at the village/mandal level. The weather stations have been designed in a manner to accurately predict rainfall patterns and level of humidity present in the area. Furthermore, the machines are also equipped to guide farmers on the best crop available for them to cultivate.

The Hans India

In yet another move to appease the farming community, Telangana Chief Minister  K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday announced 24 hour power supply to agriculture sector from next year. Holding a meeting with Oil Palm farmers from Bhadradri Kothagudem district at Pragati Bhavan here, the chief minister said ‘ by coming year and year and half, efforts will be on to supply 24-hour power to the agriculture sector in the State.

Kractivist

We assembled to hear the opinions of the five judges who presided over the International Monsanto Tribunal. After taking six months to review the testimony of 28 witnesses who testified during the two-day citizens’ tribunal held in The Hague last October, the judges were ready to report on their 53-page Advisory Opinion.

The Indian Express

Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Minister Gaurishankar Bisen has reportedly said in a closed-door government meeting that 90 per cent of the wheat procured for distribution in his state through the PDS system is diverted illegally. The statement attributed to Bisen, who refused to elaborate on it later, comes at a time when there is talk about significant increase in wheat production in Madhya Pradesh.

The Economic Times

Mahindra & Mahindra says its farm equipment division head Rajesh Jejurikar, is on a mission. And the mission resonates with that of the government. “We will look at doubling the income of farmers,” says the 52-year-old.

The Economic Times

For insurers writing crop, fake claims is a major worry. Global reinsurance companies are squeezing capacity, because the bogus claims are hurting profitability. “The concern that reinsurers have is, if the profitability is low in a good year, what will happen in a bad year,” said Bhargav Dasgupta, managing director, ICICI Lombard General Insurance.

Your Story

At a session on startups at the Organics and Millets National Trade Fair, Karnataka’s Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and ITBT and Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge spoke passionately about bringing in tech in a big way in agriculture.

The Hindu

No restriction on depth of borewells: Collector Farmers’ representatives have urged the Public Works Department to expedite renovation and repair of irrigation canals and water courses utilising the drought condition. Raising the issue at the grievance meeting, a cross section of the farmers demanded desilting of various canals, water bodies and their inlet canals.

The Economic Times

Chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian on Friday further stoked the controversy over imposing tax on farm income and said that 29 states have option to levy tax on agriculture income and a clear distinction has to be made between rich and poor farmer.

The Indian Express

Mohali-based agriculture and food expert, Devender Sharma, said Niti Ayog had also floated a paper in this regard where they said that they want to promote direct buying from farmers. “This is a very cleverly worded statement as they want to dismantle Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs).

The Times of India

Syngenta will remain in Switzerland after ChemChina’s $43 billion planned takeover, the Swiss company’s chairman told weekly Sonntagszeitung in an interview published on Sunday. “In Switzerland we have reliable specialists with a strong work ethos. That is why we will certainly not relocate our production in Switzerland,” Michel Demare told the paper. No Swiss jobs will be lost because of the takeover, he said.

Samaj Premaya Prajatantra Sanmarg Navbharat Anupam Bharat

Work on rebuilding the shut fertiliser plants at Barauni (Bihar), Sindri (Jharkhand) and Talcher (Odisha) are expected to start within calendar year 2017 after the monsoon is over and these are expected to start production by 2020-21. The revival of the units will be undertaken by public sector units operating in the coal, and oil and gas sectors at a cost of `30,000 crore, including the defunct Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) fertiliser unit. The foundation stone for the revival of the Gorakhpur unit was laid last year.

The Hindu Business Line

Organic produce and millets grown in Karnataka will now be marketed under two new brands, as part of the State Agriculture Department’s efforts to encourage farming practices that are eco-friendly. The department has also decided to fund technology innovations in the agriculture sector and has earmarked ₹10 crore to assist start-ups.

Free Press Journal

Madhya Pradesh recorded highest agricultural growth (averaging 20%) in the country, for the last four years. The state ranked number one in terms of organic farming area in the country. Madhya Pradesh holds 1st position in wheat production, 1st position in soyabean production, 2nd position in onion production, 2nd position in orange production, 3rd position in tomato production and 5th position in maize production.

Dainik Bhaskar Amar Ujala The Financial Express

Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation (Hafed) has procured more than 1.6 7 lakh quintals of mustard seed under the price support scheme to save farmers from distress selling. The Haryana government started buying mustard seed from farmers as market prices last month fell below the minimum support price of Rs 3,700 per quintal of the crop.