Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Explained: Why wetlands matter to world and Indiaedit
The Indian Express – Online
India has over 7 lakh wetlands and rules for their protection; yet not one of the wetlands has been notified under domestic laws, according to environmentalist Anand Arya, a petitioner in a Supreme Court case on wetlands.
Organic Farming Is The Only Way Forward In Long Run: Odisha Farmers Show Howedit
Odisha TV – Online
While most followed chemical-intensive farming practices and increased dependency on mechanical solutions have turned out to be profitable for short-term prospects but the realisation of its adverse impacts, in the long run, seems to have stirred a more likeness towards an organic approach in agriculture.
PM-KUSUM scheme expansion a boost for agri sector, job prospects: Renewable energy playersedit
The Economic Times – Online
While presenting the budget for 2020-21, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced the expansion of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme under which 20 lakh farmers would be provided funds to set up standalone solar pumps
Budget
Budget 2020 lacks vision to craft a policy and allocate suitable funds to address problems of rural Indiaedit
The Indian Express – Online
Agricultural and rural issues seem to be placed under the “aspirational India” rubric, with an assurance for crop insurance so that farming can be “competitive and liberalised”. In reinforcing the integration of the agricultural sector into the financial and market system, this government is strengthening the adverse integration of even small and marginal farmers. That such forms of integration only exploit the resources and labour of disadvantaged farmers while subordinating them to the capital, chemical inputs, and technology markets is forgotten.
Will Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcements for agriculture boost economy? No, until this happensedit
The Financial Express – Online
The Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman presented her second budget on February 1, 2020, against a dismal background of falling GDP growth, rising prices and growing unemployment.
Budget, a mixed bag for farmersedit
The Hindu Business Line – Online
While proposals on agri-warehousing and viability-gap funding are positive, MGNREGA cutbacks could have been avoided.
CLAAS Mentions
Agri industry & experts give mixed bag of response on budgetedit
Business Insider, Business Standard, Devdiscourse, Shafaqna – Online
Farm machinery maker CLAAS Managing Director Mrityunjaya Singh said: “Adoption of Model agricultural laws, agricultural credit availability of 15 lakh crore and allocation of 2.83 lakh crore will encourage farmers to adopt latest farming machinery and technology. This will upskill the farming sector in India.”
Govt. Policies
‘Rajasthan Govt To Set Up Agri-processing Unit In Each District’edit
Republic World – Online
In a meeting of managing directors of all central cooperative banks on Monday, Pawan said that proposals will be invited from all village level cooperative societies by March 2020 and the process of disbursing loans will be started as per the state government’s policy. He said that in order to increase farmers’ income through agro-processing industries, the state government has set up a fund of Rs 500 crore. Applications for setting up of agricultural processing unit has to be sent to the Agricultural Marketing Board.