Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Benefits of agri market reforms uncertainedit
LiveMint – Online
Reforms in agricultural markets are often seen as the way forward to increase competition and pass on benefits of price movements to farmers or consumers. But a recent study from Kenya shows that market reforms had limited impact on consumer welfare. Kenya had a wave of liberalization across its agriculture markets in the 1980s and 1990s.
The study, by Lauren Falcao Bergquist from University of Michigan and Michael Dinerstein from University of Chicago, provides evidence of collusion among traders, who enjoy a high degree of market power.
Focus on quality, infra pushedit
Tribune – Online
The agriculture sector showed its famed resilience even when the Covid-19 pandemic was at its peak. In an agrarian economy like that of Punjab, agricultural production and the export of produce are giving a much-needed fillip to the economy.
The export of basmati rice, kinnow and non-basmati rice sourced from the fields of Punjab, seed potato, some vegetables, honey and even processed food like chilli paste and tomato paste has seen a surge in the past year. The state’s food producers and exporters have not only consolidated their position in the overseas markets, but have also entered new markets abroad.
BJP resolution lauds agriculture reformsedit
The Tribune – Online
On a day the BJP, at its first meeting of new office-bearers, passed a resolution thanking the PM for reforms in the agriculture sector, farm unions held a massive rally in Barnala on Sunday, a clear indication that the farm stir has not lost steam and that the protesters are prepared for a long haul.
At the ‘maha rally’, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha leaders gave a call to Punjabis to reach Delhi in large numbers on February 27 when the agitation completes three months. They appealed to the women to celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8) at Singhu and Tikri.
‘ICAR changing curriculum to meet present, future needs’edit
The Hindu – Online
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has been modifying the curriculum of agricultural courses frequently, based on the present and future demands of the farm sector, Deputy Director General (Education) of ICAR R.C. Agarwal has said.
Speaking at the virtual launch of the two-day 6th national youth convention on innovation and agricultural reforms for farmer prosperity, jointly organised by Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University(PJTSAU) and All India Agricultural Students Association (AIASA) on Saturday, he said ICAR had been trying to make students self-dependent and entrepreneurs.
ICAR was funding establishment of incubation centres and experiential learning units in agricultural universities across the country, Mr. Agarwal said. He suggested the universities to maintain database of experimental ...
Technology in Agriculture
Agritech: Precision farming with AI, IoT and 5Gedit
The Edge Market – Online
For a company that grows and delivers vegetables, Boomgrow Productions Sdn Bhd’s office is nothing like a farm, or even a vertical farm.
Where farms are bedecked with wheelbarrows, spades and hoes, Boomgrow’s floor plan is akin to a co-working space with a communal island table, several cubicles, comfortable armchairs, a cosy hanging rattan chair and a glass-walled conference room in the middle.
At a corner, propped up along a walkway leading to a rectangular chamber fitted with grow lights, are rows of support stilts with hydroponic planters developed in-house and an agricultural technologist perched on a chair, perusing data. “This is where some of the R&D work happens,” says Jay Dasen, co-founder of the ...
Richer harvests: Advent of technology in agriculture sector has proven to be a game-changeredit
Financial Express – Online
Technological advancements have changed the face of every sector; agriculture is no stranger to such developments. Here are some ways in which technology can be a harbinger of hope for farmers across the Indian subcontinent:
Smart farming This umbrella concept entails the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into the spectrum of agriculture. It includes the joint application of Internet of Things (IoT), GPS, robotics, sensors and actuators amongst others. For instance, farmers can use drones to assess the health and growth of their crop. Based on the information thus obtained they can adopt preventive or corrective measures well in advance, consequently minimising loss. Further, sensors are being mounted on irrigators to promote efficient irrigation. ...
Stubble Burning
Pb farmers at risk of genotoxic damageedit
Times of India – Online
Due to excessive use of pesticides, agriculture workers in Punjab are at a greater risk of genotoxic damage, which refers to property of chemical agents that damages the genetic material within a cell causing mutations and lead to serious disorders such as cancer.Punjab, an agrarian state, is the third highest consumer of pesticides in the country. A study by Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, to assess chromosomal aberrations among agricultural workers exposed to pesticides and non-agricultural workers not exposed to pesticides suggests that chronic pesticide exposure leads to more abundant loss of chromosomes. Blood samples of 296 individuals — 148 agriculture workers and 148 non-agriculture workers — were examined and a high frequency of aberrations ...