The Times of India

Arijit Mitra, 39, CEO and founder of Bengaluru-based Greentech Life, explains how current farming practices are rendering vegetables tasteless and low in nutrition. “Commercial farmers use NPK — nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium — fertliser to grow everything. NPK just makes vegetables bigger, blander and poorer in nutrition. This, and rampant use of pesticides, is contributing to the spread of lifestyle diseases. People are slowly realising this and hence want to grow their own food,” says Mitra.

The Financial Express

New technologies, ever-changing skills requirements and outdated curricula are challenging India’s higher education system in its efforts to equip graduates with job-ready skills. “Our workforce needs skills aligned to technology shifts and market needs,” says Vanitha Narayanan, chairman, IBM India. Narayanan has over 29 years of experience working in IBM across several countries. (IOT, AGRI, CLOUD)

The Wire

A noteworthy feature of the management of MAHAFPC is the team of young educated farmers who are steering the organization. Yogesh Thorat, Managing Director, is one of the key promoters of one FPC in Ahmednagar. He is also the lead person in the formation of the apex organization. A graduate in agriculture and postgraduate in management, he represents the new face of farmers, those who have close connections with the community but are also linked to the changing dynamics of the market.

The Hindu

Chief Minister Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has said that an exclusive budget for agriculture will be introduced in the State Assembly from next year with a view to enhance the funds substantially for the sector. At a review meeting on agriculture, Mr. Rao announced formation of 2,500 clusters with 5,000 acres under each one of them for higher yields. An Agricultural Extension Officer will be appointed for each cluster to formulate plans and educating farmers on scientific methods of cultivation.

Morung Express

Echoing his sentiments, Mahender said: “Only the rain god can save us. We fear that our paddy seeds would become dry if it doesn’t rain soon. We are praying to God to save our lives.” The state Agriculture Department has already alerted the districts and asked the officials concerned to prepare for cultivation of optional crop that require less water.

Nyoooz

An adequate monsoon has prompted the agriculture department to scale up the cultivation of gourd and other vegetables through inter-cropping in the district. Elaborating on the plans, officials noted that they are mulling the introduction of inter-cropping in over 5,000 hectares in the upland orchard plantations.

The New Indian Express

An official note here stated that the Development of Humane Action (DHAN) and Dr Vadivelu, retired dean, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, both experienced in forming farmers’ groups, would be State consultants to handle the entire FIG/FPG/FPO formation process. Small and marginal farmers in contiguous areas would be identified and grouped as Farmers Interest Groups (FIG). Five FIGs will be integrated into Farmer Producer Group (FPG). Each FPG would have at least 100 farmers. About 10 such groups in a contiguous area would later be federated into Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO).

Orbit Collection Business Standard Business Standard Smart Investor Shafaqna Green Ecosystem News Boss Biz News Index Trading Calls

Companies such as Monsanto, Mahyco, and others engaged in agricultural research fear a major hurdle to fresh investment in agricultural research, especially in India, when the PPVFRA dispenses with the requirement of licences from the technology provider.