Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Agrarian crisis: the challenge of a small farmer economyedit
This complacency about the misfortunes of Bharat is quite dangerous. Agriculture is still the core of our food security. With over 1.3 billion mouths to feed, imports will not solve our problem if there is a severe drought and food shortage. Those old enough will recall the desperate years of 1964-65 and 1965-66. Moreover, though agriculture now accounts for less than 15% of gross domestic product (GDP), it is still the main source of livelihood for nearly half our population. It was, therefore, reassuring to see Nitin Gadkari candidly recognize in a recent TV interview that there is a crisis in Indian agriculture. But what are the roots of this crisis? And what is ...
PM calls for focus on agriculture and clean energy researchedit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with top officials in the ministry of science and technology on Thursday and called for greater focus on technologies that will help in solving the country’s problems, particularly emphasising on agriculture and clean energy.
Revamped crop insurance scheme falters in settlement of claims in drought hit areasedit
A revamped crop insurance scheme launched by the government in 2016 has brought more crop area under insurance but faltered in its promise of faster settlement of claims and providing relief to farmers in states hit by severe drought in an otherwise normal monsoon year.
Govt. mulling new Seed Actedit
The new seed act has been contemplated as the provisions of the existing legislation are found to be outdated, Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy has said. The Minister was speaking after entering into a memorandum of understanding with Germany as part of Indo-German Cooperation on Seed Sector Development here on Thursday. The agreement envisages bilateral cooperation between the two sides for strengthening and developing sustainable agriculture.
No proposal to write off farm loans: Governmentedit
The government today said there is no proposal under consideration with regard to farm loan write-off. the Centre informed Parliament that there is a facility has been put in place for farmers to avail concessional debt.
Problem in agriculture sectoredit
The government is implementing various schemes for increasing farm production and productivity and for doubling farmers income. Policy paper was shared with the states for devising a relevant strategy so as to realise the goal of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.
GM mustard: towards food security?edit
The GM crops have been a contentious issue in India for over two decades. After BT cotton was approved in 2002, India has not been able to approve any other genetically modified crop for cultivation. The GEAC cleared BT brinjal in 2010 but was put on hold by then environment minister Jairam Ramesh following protests from civil society groups. Activists convinced the government to put an indefinite moratorium on BT brinjal.