Agriculture Industry
Seed firms see anomaly in GST levy on cerealsedit
Seed companies selling paddy, maize (corn) and millet (bajra) are perplexed over the levy of 5 per cent GST, which they say is an anomaly. Under the new norms, seeds, fruits and spores of the kind used for sowing are exempt from GST under Chapter 1209, but there is no specific mention of paddy, maize and millet. Instead, these are covered in Chapter 10, which levies 5 per cent GST on cereals sold in containers and bearing a registered brand name.
NABARD To Spend Rs 500 Crore In Himachal In 2017-18edit
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has earmarked Rs 500 crore to be spent on various rural schemes in Himachal Pradesh, a top official of the agency said. Kishan Singh, managing director of HP regional office, NABARD, told PTI that Rs 500 crore shall be spent by the financial institution in the state in 2017-18. Singh further said the money will be sanctioned on different rural schemes of bridges, roads, irrigation and water supply schemes etc.
Maharashtra farmers can fill loan waiver forms on mobile appedit
The Maharashtra government plans to launch a mobile app where farmers can fill their loan waiver forms. Around 89 lakh farmers, who will benefit from the farm loan waiver of Rs34,022 crore announced last month, are expected to fill their personal and loan-related details in the forms. The app will have a two-page form in which the farmers will have to put their personal details, including name, PAN and Aadhaar numbers, details of the loans they have taken and a declaration that the applicant is eligible for the loan waiver. It will also have details of loan waiver schemes, nearest service centres and schemes launched for farmers.(Agri)
IFFCO Looking Beyond Fertilizers for Farmers & Rural Indiaedit
To make these products available to the north eastern farmers, IFFCO will also be opening at least two IFFCO e-Bazar centers in each of the seven-sister states. On the developments, Dr. U.S. Awasthi, Managing Director, IFFCO said “We always focus on better quality products & value addition for the farmers produce and off course better competitive prices for the consumers. We want to focus on Bio-Fertilizers & Bio-Pesticides along with organic product range.”
GST for PACS ,registration within 15 daysedit
The GST Council provided relief to farmers reducing the tax rates on fertilizers from 12% to 5% and tractor parts from 28% to 18%, hours before the Friday midnight transition to the new system. Through these PACS, farmers are provided seeds, fertilizers along with agricultural loans without hassle.
Govt to bring organic farming act soonedit
The ACS said that the State Government would soon bring an organic farming act to promote organic farming in the state. He informed that the state government has decided that the licenses for industrial hemp can be distributed by the District Magistrates. The ACS further added that the World Food India is a unique opportunity for the food processing industry and it will provide the ideal platform to connect with the all key stakeholders.
Government has taken a number of measures to curb malpractices in neem coating of urea: Shri Mansukh Lal Mandaviyaedit
Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya, said that the Government has taken a number of measures to curb malpractice of using spurious/cheap oil in lieu of neem oil in neem coating of urea, which are as follows: Department of Fertilizers (DoF) from time to time has issued instructions to urea units for ensuring the quality of neem oil and to procure it from genuine neem oil manufacturers only.
Defaulting farmers to be eligible for fresh loansedit
Dainik Bhaskar Dainik Jagran Punjabi Tribune The Tribune Daily Post
“The (RBI) has promised the Punjab Government that nationalised and commercial banks will give fresh loans to farmers who have stopped repaying their crop loans in anticipation of a debt waiver. This assurance was given by top RBI officials during a meeting with a delegation of the state government in Mumbai last evening. The delegation, including FM Manpreet Singh Badal had sought the apex regulatory bank’s intervention, apprehending that the farmers’ loans would be declared bad/non-performing assets (NPA).
DBT for fertilizer subsidies to be rolled out by end of current FY: Mandaviyaedit
“Government has planned for National Roll Out of DBT for fertilizer subsidies by the end of current financial year. All the preparations for launch of DBT at National level including deployment of PoS machines are in progress as per National Roll Out Action Plan,” Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Mansukh L. Mandaviya, informed the Rajya Sabha.
Agri Distress: 55% crop insurance claims pendingedit
Farmers are suffering, and the issue is not new to India. The farmers in the country are facing a tougher time now as under the flagship Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, at least 55 percent of estimated claims haven’t received any insurance compensation, according to the latest numbers from the agriculture ministry, Mint reported.