Qrius

A number of states have announced farm loan waivers over the last two years. The quantum of such waivers is already in excess of Rs 1.2 lakh crore. Following the recent state elections, economists fear that more such waivers at the state and central level may be considered. In the report released today, the group of economists said that loan waivers divert spending away from other priorities such as building out infrastructure in the agriculture sector.

Entrepreneur India

Recent government policies, such as the Model Contract Farming Act, aim to promote contract farming in the agriculture sector. Opportunities in contract farming include: Poultry contract farming, with expected growth in meat consumption, Services for contract farming community such as easier access to agri-inputs, technology, credit.

TNS

Particulate matter (PM 2.5) is released from industries, vehicles, brick kilns and crop burning. Its emissions are high when farmers in India and Pakistan practise stubble burning after harvesting rice. According to a study, farmers burn 30-90 percent of crop residue in India (Punjab) (Lohan et.al 2017) whereas Pakistan (Punjab) constitutes for 72 percent to the smog formation in the region (Irfan et.al 2015).

Hindustan Times The Times of India

While the early pollution warning system has been installed in Delhi and would help alert authorities of dust particles being blown in from west Asia, the Union government has also allocated funds to tackle pollution from stubble burning in northwest India