The Hindu

One of the issues faced by the farmers is scarcity of seeds. The traditional farmers used to retain the seed for the subsequent crop, but the practice has been discontinued by many under the prevailing distressing situation. The farmers are forced to depend on the Seed Corporation of India for their requirement. But the seeds have reportedly been found to contain a mix of weeds beyond permitted levels, resulting in poor yield.

The Economic Times

One, a farmer who has inherited or acquired agricultural land and has only agricultural income. Two, when an individual, say a doctor, acquires agricultural land and declares agricultural income subsequent to filing tax returns as a doctor and continuing with professional practice. Three, where a farmer becomes a government servant, say revenue officer, stops full-time farming but continues to own land and consequently has agricultural income.

Business Standard

By 2013 (they had 80 sites serving 400 villages in Bihar and UP), they saw two major trends. One, solar prices had started falling and two, customers’ aspirations had changed quite a bit they were no longer happy with 6 hours of night-time power. They saw a doubling of demand for power from customers in just a nine-month period. In 2014, the company raised another half a million in funds.)

Business World

“The success in agriculture needs to be extended to eastern India and scientific and technological interventions are required to make this a reality,” said Modi, adding that “The population is increasing but the land is not going to increase. We have to see how the productivity increases. There should be more production in less land.”

The Hitavada

Nagpur District Central Co-operative Bank (NDCCB) has adopted a policy of disbursement of loans to farmers as per their requirements. It is because of drought like situation, the recovery of agriculture loan was not possible. Those who have not repaid the loans, had given a concession of 50 percent on interest, so that they could avail new loans. 3,920 members had availed the facility and Rs 19 crores 20 lakhs were recovered from them. As farmers had given positive response to this scheme, the loan scheme has been extended till June 30, Kurve stated.

The New Indian Express

The five-year long experiments carried out by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research in association with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kayamkulam, have been successful in evolving a comprehensive farming method immune to the climatic changes and ever-escalating cost.

Anupam Bharat

Cuttack, the district collector had called the meeting for the kharif cultivation of this year. The district collector had stress to conduct exhibition and training to farmers. The agriculture dept had given the roadmap of current year kharif cultivation. The farmers required 31.125 mt tonne fertilizer and it will supply through the 190 cooperative societies.

The Indian Express

Over 1000-1100 acres of wheat crop have been reduced to ashes this season. And, nearly 700 acres of that were gutted due to short circuit in transformers and high-tension wires, which are not properly maintained, passing through the fields of Punjab. Now, farmers will be paid Rs 8,000 per acre compensation, which is not even one-fourth of the total earning of the wheat from one acre.

The Financial Express

Gupta’s first attempt at organic farming, however, failed miserably. Local farmers advised him to return to city life. His family, too, wasn’t happy with his decision to turn a farmer at that time. “For two years, I had to go through this pressure. Finally, my efforts paid off and I could get a good crop, almost on a par with the village output, but without using any chemical components,” says Gupta, adding, “My net savings were higher, as I sold my wheat at double the price, which compensated for my yield loss. I had travelled to various places in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand to see how natural areas sustain greenery without any human intervention. I adopted the ...

Sanmarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked the vision of an ‘evergreen revolution’ in farm sector while exhorting the scientific and technological community to explore possibilities of creating agriculture clusters on the pattern of industrial clusters where different areas in the country can be identified with particular crops. The challenge in the agriculture sector remains. We keep talking about green revolution-I and green revolution-II. But the goal should be ‘evergreen revolution’. We should have sustainable agricultural production and work towards removing regional imbalances,” said Modi.

Nakshatra Jyoti

Cuttack, the district collector had called the meeting for the kharif cultivation of this year. The district collector had stress to conduct exhibition and training to farmers. The agriculture dept had giventhe roadmap of current year kharif cultivation. The farmers required 31.125 mt tonne fertilizer andit will supply through the 190 cooperative societies.

The Times of India

Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) on Saturday released a document on organic farming practices, detailing cultivation methods that need to be adopted. Vice chancellor P Rajendran said that though there were 73 agricultural universities in India, KAU was the first one to prepare such an exclusive package on organic cultivation. Agriculture minister V S Sunilkumar – who released the document at the preparatory meeting of the forthcoming Organic World Congress (OWC) – said that his department would now depend on the document to aid organic farmers.

Dainik Yashobhumi

Rabi Marketing Year 2017-18 To provide the beneficial value of their produce to the farmers under the Minimum Support Price Scheme, wheat procurement target of Meerut District has been fixed at 49,000 MT.

Free Press Journal

We have much scientific expertise in genetic and biotechnological research. But research in these areas is risky. One has to make a large number of experiments before some are successful. The investment required is very large. A CPSU should be established to develop and commercialize these technologies. Let us set up a Monsanto in the public sector.

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The Kerala Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a resolution against the Union Government’s move to permit the production and cultivation of GM mustard, stating it would endanger the farming sector and the environment.

The Hindu

Honey trade to be hit Dr. Punnackad said mustard is a major forage crop for honey bees. Honey from GM crop fields will be rejected by consumers, both within and outside the country, thereby devastating the honey trade. In addition, honey bees are adversely impacted by GM crops, which may not only decrease the honey production but also crop yields in mustard and

The Times of India

The state government on Friday passed a resolution against the approval granted for commercial cultivation and production of genetically modified (GM) mustard by the Union government’s Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), terming it “a threat to agriculture sector, the farmers and the nation”. Moved by agriculture minister V S Sunilkumar, the resolution said the approval granted to GM mustard will spur similar approvals, extended one by one to around 72 crops, on which genetic modification experiments are going on.

The New Indian Express

Stating that biodiversity should be the top most concerns, Haque told EXPRESS that the Indian experience with Bt Cotton has been quite disappointing, as about 30 varieties of cotton have gone out of cultivation.

The Quint

Among the supporters, the South Asia Biotechnology Centre has asked Indian scientists to write to the Environment Minister expressing support. Bharat Char, Technology Lead at Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco), the company that licenses Bt cotton traits through a joint venture with Monsanto, and the developer of Bt brinjal, has tweeted that GM mustard is an option to increase productivity; activists must open their minds and let farmers decide.