Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Govt to conduct livestock census from Oct 1edit
The 20th livestock census will be conducted from October 1 across the country and breed-wise details will be collected that will help in framing policies for breed improvement, the agriculture ministry said Friday.
States asked to ensure distribution of farm implements to tackle stubble burning in 10 daysedit
The Environment Ministry Thursday asked Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to complete distribution of agricultural implements among farmers within 10 days so as to tackle stubble burning, one of the key reasons for air pollution in Delhi in the winter.
Capt writes to Modi, wants Rs 100/quintal for farmers to manage paddy strawedit
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating his request for Rs 100 per quintal as compensation to farmers for management of paddy straw.
Punjab seeks compensation to farmers for crop residue managementedit
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating his request for Rs 100 per quintal as compensation to farmers for management of paddy straw. The compensation should be given only to those farmers who refrained from burning paddy residue, he wrote in his letter, according to an official release.
CM : Give relief to farmers not burning strawedit
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking Rs 100/quintal compensation for farmers for the management of paddy straw.“The compensation should be given only to those farmers who refrain from burning paddy residue,” the CM wrote in a demi-official (DO) letter to the PM. “The task of achieving zero stubble burning in the state is not only a Herculean one but also puts additional financial burden on the farmers,” the Chief Minister pointed out, adding that despite strict control measures, about 15 million MT (metric tonnes) of paddy straw was being burnt in Punjab annually.
Students, farmers told about crop residue mgmtedit
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Samrala, under the aegis of the PAU, organised an awareness camp for the students of Malwa College, Bondli.The camp was held under the guidance of Dr SC Sharma (Associate Director), in which around 500 students and farmers participated.
Amarinder writes to PM on compensation to farmersedit
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating his request for ₹100 per quintal as compensation to farmers for management of paddy straw.
Andhra Pradesh’s push for zero budget natural farming inspires othersedit
Use of chemical pesticides in India, including those that are banned in other countries, has been a matter of concern and a raging topic of discussion in the country. Addressing the issue, the Andhra Pradesh government has adopted a chemical-free approach with the concept of zero budget natural farming (ZBNF) and is now scaling it up to an unprecedented level to cover the entire state by 2024.
PJTSAU to monitor pest attacks on crop using dronesedit
Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with Bengaluru-based AEgis Technologies, engaged in drone manufacturing, for utilising the modern technology in agricultural operations on pilot basis. The agreement was signed by Registrar of the university, S. Sudheer Kumar, and Director of AEgis Technologies, S. Vinod Kumar, in the presence of Vice-Chancellor V. Praveen Rao. As part of the MoU, the agricultural university would utilise the technical services of AEgis in diagnosing pest and insect attacks on rice, maize and cotton crops in the State to take timely measures like spraying of pesticides with drones.
Rajasthan farmers benefited from solar water pumps: studyedit
A scientific study conducted by Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, has found mismatch between investment in solar energy sources and employment generation in the sector, but has stated that the farmers in Rajasthan have immensely benefited from the solar photovoltaic (SPV) water pumping systems.
Hopeful of agri exports crossing $40 billion by year-end, says agriculture secretaryedit
Talking about agri exports, Shobhana Pattanayak, agriculture secretary, in an interview with CNBC-TV1, said the government has brought out a new export policy and over the last few years the level of exports has been around $37 billion.
India’s Kharif crop output may hit all-time high this year; how it may impact rice exports, MSPedit
After government estimates said that Indian agriculture could be heading for bumper kharif crop harvest, experts say that it could provide a major fillip to rice exports. However, the development could potentially put increased pressure on the government to buy the crops at the MSPs, if market rates fall below the benchmark rates on bumper arrivals at mandis.
Walmart to invest Rs 1.8 bn to improve farmers’ livelihood in next 5 yearsedit
As part of its initiative to support sustainable livelihood for farmers in India, the Walmart Foundation Thursday announced investment of Rs 1.8 billion over the next five years in the country.”The Walmart Foundation, working beyond the Walmart India supply chain, will invest approximately Rs 1.8 billion ($25 million) to improve farmers’ livelihood over the next five years,” Walmart International CEO Judith McKenna said.
Why ITC’s Sanjiv Puri champions Sustainable Agricultureedit
Food is the essence of life. Apart from being necessary for survival, it is emotional, evocative and comforting. It can soothe the soul, enhance moments and turn the humdrum into joy. Most television advertising is focused around these aspects. Happy families, lunches, dinners, meetings, special moments and more. The producer of the food though, the farmers and their families, are never seen. It is almost as if they don’t exist except in newsprint when you hear of drought or floods or farm distress.
Over 6 lakh ryots to ‘forego’ cheques for Kharifedit
Over six-lakh farmers who have not availed the Rythu Bandh benefit of ₹4,000 per acre financial assistance given by the State government as input support during the kharif season that is coming to end by the month-end are likely to forego it, irrespective of the reasons.
If not agriculture minister, farmers at least know about agri-schemes: Radha Mohan Singhedit
Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said on Thursday if not his name, farmers across the country are at least aware of agricultural schemes in the current government when compared to the previous regime.Attacking the previous government for neglecting the farming community, Singh said the NDA government on the other hand has given a top priority to the welfare of farmers, and therefore raised substantially the budget allocation to Rs 2,11,000 crore in the last four years to develop agri-sector.
Technology in Agriculture
Centre asks northern states to give farmers equipment to curb stubble burning within 10 daysedit
Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday asked Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to ensure that farmers get equipment within 10 days to prevent stubble burning during the paddy harvest season, reported Hindustan Times.
NCR states given 10 days to check stubble burningedit
Union environment minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday asked Delhi’s neighbouring states to ensure that farm equipment being distributed to tackle stubble burning should be made available to farmers in the next 10 days in order to prevent stubble burning this paddy harvest season.