The Hitavada

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. The same holds true for Maharashtra Government’s ‘Gaalmukt Dharan, Gaalyukt Shivar Yojana’ (silt-free reservoirs, fertile farmland). The scheme is working wonders for the farmers in Katol and Narkhed tehsils that come under ‘dark zone’ as far as groundwater level is concerned.

The New Indian Express

M S Swaminathan, founder MSSRF, Darez Ahamed, mission director, TN National Health Mission attended along with representatives from the State Planning Commission, Department of Social Welfare, ICDS and health, research institutions, NGOs and nutritionists.

Daily Excelsior

In the light of the report of the Director Agriculture Kashmir, the then Financial Commissioner Agriculture Production Department Pramod Jain vide Government Order No.103-Agri dated March 29, 2017 constituted a committee to enquire into the complaints of corruption against M Y Masoodi, the then Incharge Deputy Director Law Enforcement. The committee headed by Director Finance and comprised of Director Law Enforcement and Deputy Secretary to Government was directed to submit its report/findings within a period of 10 days so as to pave the way for necessary action.

Telangana Today

It uses application programme interface to provide information via text messaging, voicemail and mobile apps about the changing weather conditions and also provide insights on the right time to sow among other things. Elaborating on the adoptability in agriculture, Cherian Thomas CEO World Vision India said, “It is just about providing technologies but what is also important is providing the right kind of technologies for the right kind of problems and that is what makes the difference.”

Financial Chronicle

At a time when opposition was attacking the government over dal prices, as there was also an apprehension of retail inflation crossing 6 per cent, Modi concentrated on a long-term plan to avert such a situation in pulses,” an official who was closely involved in discussions at the prime minister’s office said. The immediate plan was to encourage farmers to increase the area. So, the government announced a big hike in minimum support prices (MSPs) of pulses. The Centre also directed Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to motivate farmers for growing pulses, he said.

The Hindu

As the Centre has proposed to introduce disbursal of fertilizer subsidy directly to the beneficiary farmers by introducing e-purchase across the country from June 1, the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies and the fertilizer traders have been provided with Point of Sale instrument. According to Collector M. Karunakaran, the fertilizer stockists / traders in the district should have Aadhaar Card, the Identity Number given by Department of Agriculture and Point of Sale for enabling cashless purchase of fertilizers as the Union Government had proposed to give fertilizer subsidy directly to the farmers from June 1.

North East Today

The government on Wednesday decided to set up Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Assam at a cost of over Rs 155 crore to promote agri-education and realise second green revolution in the north eastern region.

The Economic Times

Khandu conveyed this to Union minister of state for agriculture & farmers welfare, Sudharshan Bhagat who called on him at his office today, an official communique informed. Stating that technological support in agriculture and horticulture is crucial to boost farm output, the chief minister requested the Union minister to consider for a full-fledged agriculture university and a centre of excellence for horticulture in Arunachal.

The New Indian Express

Ramachandra, a lemon grower, has decided to try his luck. The borewell machine digs down to 500 feet, then 600 feet. It is a staggering 1,000 feet and the villagers heave a collective gasp. Where to now? But Ramchandra is adamant. Jittery, he asks his family whether he should dig deeper, not knowing if he can really afford it.

Business World

The first two years 2014-15 and 2015-16 of NDA Government at the Centre were marked by deficit rainfall and widespread droughts. As a result, agriculture sector did not witness perceptible growth in output and farmers’ income in these two years. The years 2016-17 is witnessing significant recovery with record production of cereals, pulses, and many other crops. It is also important to point out that agriculture sector did not see any significant break in the growth trend during the last 45 years.

PR Newswire

The Agricultural Enzymes Market is growing rapidly owing to factors such as cost savings and increasing demand for biofertilizers. The trend towards sustainable industrial agriculture has created opportunities for agricultural enzyme manufacturers to generate significant revenues by developing enhanced and high-quality products for customers.

Dainik Yashobhumi

Among the estimates of this year’s foodgrains production in the country, Food Corporation of India (FCI) has said that there is no shortage of space to keep the grains and its total storage capacity has reached 773 lakh tonnes. Giving this information, a senior FCI official said that there is no shortage of funds for procurement of grains and adequate funds are available.

Hindi Business Standard

“With the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) green-lighting approval of the genetically modified (GM) mustard, DMH-11, for commercial cultivation, India seems to have moved closer to joining the club of over 25 nations which grow gene-altered food crops. Yet, more hurdles need to be overcome before the GM mustard, developed by the Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, could reach the farmers. A formidable one among them is the stiff resistance from the detractors of the GM crops, including the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an affiliate of the saffron. MNC Monsanto monopoly will end after founding 3 new varieties of Bt cotton by ICAR. “

Down To Earth

The weed was first seen in 1993 in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Until 2008, it was scattered. In recent years, it has grown rapidly in Karbi Anglong and its lowlands. In addition to the Northeast, there are reports of this weed spreading in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, the Andaman & Nicobar islands and West Bengal. Ludwigia Peruviana grows faster in wetlands than other harmful weeds. The pre-monsoon temperature and monsoon rains help this weed grow faster. It is posing a serious problem. There is an urgent need for effective and timely management strategies, the researchers say.

Hindustan Times

The agricultural seed supplier company for Maharashtra farmers called Mahabeej, whose seed production for cotton BT get affected by hot temperature. This production was conducted at Karnataka state.

Hindustan Times

Member parliament (MP) from Patiala Dr Dharamvira Gandhi has strongly opposed the Central government’s move to introduce genetically modified (GM) mustard seeds into the agri-markets.

The Times of India

Kheti Virsat Mission (KVM) of Jaito, a Faridkot-based NGO dedicated to promote organic farming for the last few years, has opposed the use of genetically modified (GM) mustard under its programme ‘India for safe food.’ KVM executive director Umendra Dutt said they would hold a public protest on May 19 at Sector 17, Chandigarh against the GM mustard.

Hindustan Times

DMH 11 (Dhara Mustard Hybrid) is the Genetically Modified (GM) version of Mustard that was recently given a nod for commercial cultivation in India by the apex transgenic products regulatory body of the government. DMH 11 is produced by an Indian government institution and said to be commercialised by an Indian company; thus addressing the concerns of farmers of a corporate capture of agriculture.

Hindustan Times

Dave had been due to take a final decision on an application for an indigenously developed GM crop of mustard, which is similar to rapeseed. A ministry panel recently recommended allowing commercial cultivation of the oilseed. Modi has chosen Harsh Vardhan, the current cabinet minister for science and technology and earth sciences, to take on the additional portfolio of the environment, forest and climate change ministry, the president’s office said

India Today The Hans India The Economic Times

Environment minister Anil Madhav stayed the quiet RSS worker industriously at work, right until death came suddenly on Thursday morning. He left at a time he stood very close to making an unforgettable mark as the country’s environment minister, whichever way he chose, by permitting the first Genetically Modified food crop — GM Mustard — into India with his approval or rejecting it as activists and RSS bodies upped the ante.

CCF Group First Post

It has moved a Cabinet note for inter-ministerial comments on fixing MSP at Rs 4,020 per quintal for medium staple cotton and Rs 4,320 per quintal for long staple cotton for the 2017-18 crop year. That apart, sources said since much of the cotton area is under Bt cotton seeds of private companies, the government is planning to promote first generation Bt cotton variety developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and has asked National Seed Corporation to ensure sufficient supply in the ensuing kharif season. With higher MSP and normal monsoon forecast, area under cotton is expected to increase next year.

Hindustan Times

There are speculations and concerns about what it would mean to approve the cultivation of the first genetically modified food crop in India. Till now, Bt cotton, a non-food crop, has been the only GM crop cultivated in India. Similar attempts were made in 2009 to commercially release Bt brinjal, but were stalled by a moratorium in 2010 by the then minister of MoEF Jairam Ramesh.