Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
State of Economy-IV: Farm distress among major challanges for new governmentedit
Once the high-voltage Lok Sabha polls come to an end, the new government will have a major challenge of getting rural economy back on the track, especially, in the wake of forecast of delayed, below normal monsoon this year with chances of drought parts of the country.
Manipur Agriculture dept actively combating against spread of FAWedit
Agriculture department has intensified it combat against the spread of Fall Armyworm (FAW) in the state. State Agriculture Director, Laltanpuii Vanchhong said that all possible steps have been taken up to combat further infestation of the maize crop by the invasive pest which has caused extensive damages to maize cultivation in some districts of Manipur.
As agri land goes to industry, godowns run emptyedit
It has been quite a few years since the agriculture marketing department of Visakhapatnam has been alloted godowns. According to sources in the department, there are basically two reasons for it, one budgetary constraints and the other being the acquisition of agriculture land for industrial purposes in many areas. The sources said that the occupancy rate in the district is 90%, which is indicative of the fact that the reduction in area under agriculture and horticulture due to acquisition for industrial purposes is one of the main reasons for the lack of allotment of godowns.
High court forms panel to study mining effects on farm landedit
In an unprecedented case, the Gujarat high court has appointed a three-member expert committee to find out the repercussions of mining lease in agricultural lands. Agitating farmers had complained that the mining lease for limestone granted to Ultra Tech Cement Ltd would bring salinity in the area and affect their farming. The farmers, who were agitating against the grant of mining lease in Bhavnagar district, had approached the high court demanding action against the cops for the alleged custodial torture on January 2 on 54 agitating persons including women and children. The HC first ordered the registration of FIR against responsible cops as well as a judicial inquiry.
Collector sets two-day deadline for completing paddy purchaseedit
District Collector Gaurav Uppal directed the officials concerned to finish the paddy procurement within two days. On Friday , he inspected PACS IKP paddy purchasing centre at Pangal in Nalgonda. He instructed the organisers of IKP centre to complete the purchasing of existing paddy at the IKP centre and paddy that comes with recommended moisture to the centre and sent it to mills on war footing.
Officials warn traders against selling spurious seedsedit
Notwithstanding the advancement in technology that helps farmers get higher yields, and financial support from the government, the agriculture sector is still has to confront with the same challenges such as lack of minimum support price, middlemen’s sway over market and spurious seed menace — that need to be dealt with an iron hand.
Stubble Burning
In Jammu region, stubble burning goes uncheckededit
Post harvest, stubble burning is going on in rural areas despite the authorities discouraging such practices keeping in view its harmful effect on environment. Stubble on the thousands of acres of land which was under the rabi crop (wheat) is being burnt to clear the fields for the kharif crop. With the monsoon likely to hit J&K in the last week of June, farmers are making preparations for the upcoming season.