Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Big farmers may have to give up subsidyedit
The survey conducted by the Agriculture department in coordination with the Revenue department has found out that 60 per cent of the farmers hold less than 2.5 acres of land, 25 per cent own 2.5-5 acres, 10 per cent possess 5-10 acres and 3 per cent own land between 10 and 25 and 2 per cent have more than 25 acres of land in their possession.
Organic Farming In India: A Vision or Challenge To National Food Securityedit
India along with the other third world countries at large had been practically following an organic agriculture till the 50’s decade (World organic agriculture & TSR report). In light of the previous statement, organic farming or agrarian practices may not be called as a new state of the art technology. In fact, any traditional farming practitioner will suggest the current trend of organic farming as the repeat of the history. Organic products are developed without the support of chemical based fertilisers and pesticides.
Commercial launch of GM mustard at least two years away, govt tells SCedit
The Financial Express Daily Hunt Deccan Chronicle India Today DNA Business Standard Outlook The Hindu The Times of India Deccan Herald Hindustan Times Business Standard
The Centre On Monday told the Supreme Court that the decision for environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard crop is yet to be taken and it will take at least two years for actual commercial production to start if planted now. Stating that the apex court does not have the advantage of the scientific reports, data, details ...
Agrarian crisis: Rashtriya Kisan Manch demands formation of ‘Kisaan Aayog’edit
“The problems and plight of farmers will virtually remain the same, unless and until a kisan aayog with constitutional powers is set up,” Dixit said. He said the commission would “save” the agriculture sector. “Otherwise, Mandsaur-like situation may occur elsewhere in the country,” Dixit warned. Six persons were killed and as many injured in the police action during the farmers stir in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh, last month. On Wednesday, the Opposition parties had cornered the government in Lok Sabha over the issue of farmer suicides across the nation.
Govt should focus on structural issues of agriculture sector: Reportedit
There are no quick fixes for farmers’ distress and the government should focus on structural issues instead of resorting to short-term policy measures like farm loan waiver schemes, says an UBS report. Despite a bumper crop in the rabi season, farmers in many states are in distress because of sharp fall in prices in both domestic and global market.
Denying a government press statement issued last weekedit
The Indian Express Hindustan Times
The state government on Monday took the first step towards fund allocation for the farm loan waiver by tabling supplementary demands in the state assembly with a budgetary allocation of Rs20,000 crore for it. Though decks have been cleared for the funding so that banks can clear outstanding loans of farmers, the actual disbursement to farmers is unlikely for at least another two months.
Telangana Govt keen to encourage rich farmers to give up subsedit
Having announced financial assistance of Rs 4,000 per acre for every farmer in Telangana state from the next Kharif season in June 2018, the government is now keen to encourage “rich farmers” not to avail of the scheme, which will place a heavy burden on the state exchequer. Hard reality kicked in when the agriculture department conducted a survey of agriculture landholdings between May and July to assess the number of beneficiaries.
Where Did We Let Them Down?edit
On 14 June, the Union Cabinet met and approved an interest subvention scheme for farmers running into Rs 20,339 crore. It met again the following day to approve a 10 per cent increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for pulses, cotton and oilseeds for the 2017-18 financial year. Incidentally, the MSP for pulses has catapulted every year and yet, a lentil farmer swallowed poison in mid-June, because his earnings from his produce did not match up to his debt to the village money-lender.
IFFCO enters organic space in JV with Sikkimedit
The Hindu Business Line The Financial Express
Moving beyond its core chemical fertiliser area, cooperative fertiliser major IFFCO on Monday announced setting up of a joint venture with the Sikkim Government to enter the organic farming sector. The fertiliser cooperative will hold 51 per cent equity in the new joint venture — Sikkim IFFCO Organics Limited — where it will make an initial investment of Rs 200 crore, a company statement said. The investment will be increased to Rs 500 crore subsequently.