BW Businessworld

Water one of the precious natural resources is depleting severely in India. The past few decades has witnessed a significant increase in demand for water across sectors, leaving India facing the worst water crisis in its history. It is estimated that by 2050 the per capita availability of water at national level will drop by 40-50% and water scarcity can lead to loss of up to 6 per cent of GDP by 2030. A recent study by the National Geophysical Research Institute showed that the largest depletion of groundwater in the world is happening in North India, with Delhi being the epicentre of this growing crisis. Experts say that groundwater is being pumped out 70% faster than was earlier ...

The News

Punjab Agriculture Secretary Wasif Khursheed said on Sunday provision of best quality pesticides and fertilisers to the farmers were being ensured. In a statement issued here, he said that negotiations were underway with private sector for ensuring availability of pesticide on low rates. He said that all resources were being utilised to provide fertilisers on subsidised rates to farmers and there would be no compromise on quality of fertilisers. He said that divisional directors, deputy directors and agriculture (extension) assistant directors would be responsible for black marketing of fertilisers in their areas.

The Economic Times

Being probably the first Indian listed firm to go in for back-to-back buyback of shares, the zero-debt seed company is weighing options to reward stakeholders regularly.

The Tribune

A high-power Central committee on the directions of the National Green Tribunal visited various villages of Barnala district on Saturday. The team met farmers to discuss about managing stubble without burning it. “The team included the members of various departments of the Centre and state government. They interacted with farmers to know the issues they were facing in stubble management,” said Jaswinderpal Singh Grewal, Chief Agriculture Officer, Barnala

Financial Express

India is primarily an agricultural country, as the sector provides livelihood to more than 50% of the population and contributes 17-18% to the country’s GDP. However, India lags behind many other countries as far as agricultural productivity is concerned. The reasons are several.