Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Punjab to miss crop diversification target again this yearedit
The Indian Express – Online
DESPITE ATTEMPTS by the state government to encourage crop diversification from the water-guzzling paddy crop, it appears that this year too, Punjab will miss its target due to lack of policies and no assured price on alternative crops. Punjab has completed sowing of paddy and other Kharif crops including cotton on over 19 lakh hectares till date. The state had targeted 3.25 lakh hectares, 5.37 lakh hectares and 1.50 lakh hectares under cotton, basmati and maize crops, respectively, this year. But even if this target is achieved, around 30-31 lakh hectares area is still expected to come under rice cultivation including 26-26.50 lakh hectares under paddy (non-Basmati) — which is more than double of ...
With one-day bandh, letters to Centre and stalled procurement, traders protest stock limits on pulsesedit
The Indian Express – Online
A few days after the central government announced stock limits for every stakeholder in pulses trade, traders across the country continue to protest against the move. While traders in parts of Maharashtra have called for a day-long bandh, other traders have decided to discontinue buying the produce as they will not be able to adhere to the stock limit. To curb rising prices of pulses, the central government had introduced stock limits on holding of pulses. As per the directive, wholesale traders and importers can now stock up to 200 tonnes (with a cap of 100 tonnes for a single pulse) and retailers can stock 2 tonnes of pulses. Processors and millers can stock ...
Need to increase area for pulses cultivation, say RARS scientistedit
Deccan Chronicle – Online
To meet proteins requirements, there is a need to increase the land area for cultivation of pulses not only in Telangana region but also across the nation. This was recommended by the associate director of Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) Dr Jaganmohan Rao. He was participating in the field-day programme organised under the district agricultural advisory and transfer of technology centre (DAATTC) in association with the Professor Jayashankar Telangana state agricultural university (PJTSAU) at Venkatraopally village under Boinapallh mandal in Rajanna Sircilla district on Thursday.
Major Reshuffle in Modi’s Cabinet: List of New Ministers in Agriculture and Allied Sectorsedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
On July 7 2021, there was a major reshuffle of the union cabinet. A number of key portfolios like Health, law, information agriculture and fisheries got changed in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s council of ministers. Shobha Karandlaje (Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare). Bhupendra Yadav (Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate change and Minister of labor & employment). Purushottam Rupala (Minister of Fisheries, Animal husbandry and Dairying). Murugan (MoS for fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; Information and Broadcasting). Pashupati Kumar Paras (Minister of Food processing Industries). Bhagwant Khuba (MoS New & Renewable Energy and Chemicals & Fertilizers)
Agriculture topmost priority of government: Andhra Pradesh CM Jaganedit
The New Indian Express – Online
Reiterating the government’s commitment to developing agriculture and allied sectors to ensure farmers’ welfare, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has said agriculture will always remain the topmost priority of his government. “We never compromised on farmers’ welfare even when the government was facing financial problems due to the Covid pandemic,” he pointed out. Addressing a public gathering at Rayadurgam in Anantapur district on Thursday on the occasion of the Farmers’ Day, celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Jagan said he is walking in the footsteps of his father, who believed that state will progress only when farmers and farmhands are happy.
Govt. Policies
India & EU hold dialogue to strengthen Cooperation in Agriculture Sectoredit
KNN – Online
Aiming to strengthen agriculture coorporation, a virtual meeting was held between Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Janusz Wojciechowski, Member of the European Commission, Agriculture on Wednesday. The strong momentum of the India-EU relations especially since the last India-EU Summit in July, 2020 was acknowledged. Both dignitaries expressed their condolences for the loss of lives due to COVID-19 pandemic. Union Agriculture Minister thanked the EU & its Member States for coming forward in support of India in these critical times.
Union Cabinet approves modifications to the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund to increase investmentedit
The Economic Times – Online
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved modifications in the central sector scheme of financing facility under ‘Agriculture Infrastructure Fund’ on Thursday. Eligibility has now been extended to State Agencies/APMCs, National & State Federations of Cooperatives, Federations of Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) and Federations of Self Help Groups (SHGs).
Important decisions for welfare of agriculture, farmers taken: PM Modiedit
Business Standard – Online
The government has taken important decisions for the welfare of agriculture and farmers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, while noting that a Rs 23,000 crore package has also been approved to strengthen the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. In his tweets after he chaired a meeting of the Union Cabinet, Modi noted that the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund can now be used to strengthen the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) and interest subvention will also be provided.
Monsoon + Indian Agriculture
Freaky weather in Hyderabad this monsoon baffles expertsedit
The Times Of India – Online
Freaky weather over Hyderabad this monsoon season has baffled weather experts, as the city has seen high humidity levels of over 70 per cent even when it has not rained. Three days ago, the maximum temperature rose to 35 Degrees Celsius, with weather experts attributing it to weakened monsoon activity over Telangana, before it again picked up now. Climate change experts say that overcast skies, coupled with subdued rain and rise in temperature and humidity levels is something people of Hyderabad have to come to terms with now.
Tractor industry
Tractor industry revenue to grow 7%-10% in FY22: Ind-Raedit
ET Auto – Online
Driven by volume growth and increased realisation per tractor, the domestic tractor industry is set to record 7%-10% yoy revenue growth in FY22, said India Ratings (Ind-Ra) in a report. As the fundamentals for tractor demand — the under penetration of farm mechanisation, the less availability of farm labour and continued government focus on increasing rural income and farm mechanization — remain strong, OEMs expect volume CAGR growth of 4%-8% in the medium term, the report said. The rating agency said that margins are likely to be affected by the rising input prices. Therefore, large OEMs have not revised their capex plans for FY22, which is higher than the capex incurred in FY20. However, Ind-Ra ...