Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Area under water-guzzling paddy falls by 4L acres in Pbedit
The Times Of India – Online
In a heartening development in water-stressed Punjab, cultivation area under the water-guzzling non-basmati paddy crop has come down by over four lakh acres (1.62 lakh hectares). In comparison, area under the less water-guzzling basmati crop has increased by 1.97 lakh acres (79,000 hectares). Taking both into account, area under basmati and non-basamaati paddy shrunk by 2.08 lakh acres (83,000 hectares). As basmati is sown late, when monsoon has already set in and evapotranspiration (ET) ratio has down, it consumes less water. For less consumption of underground water, paddy transplantation through water-saving direct seeded rice (DSR) technique too has increased to 6 lakh hectares from the previous 5 lakh hectares. In this technique, 12% ...
Settlement of agricultural debt in Punjab: Rhetoric versus realityedit
Hindustan Times – Online
The burgeoning farm debt in Punjab is a concern not only for economists and sociologists but also for the central and state governments. Political parties tend to make considerable noise about this issue, especially in the build-up to the Vidhan Sabha elections. The fragmented farmer and agricultural labour organisations have been sporadically protesting but the subject has paled into insignificance after the farmers’ ongoing agitation against the three central farm laws. The latest official figure from Nabard is ₹71,305 crore of farm debt from the organised sector alone is in the hands of about 15 lakh families. This does not include the debt from the unorganised sector, more particularly the arhtiyas (commission agents-cum-moneylenders), the amount ...
Agriculture sustains growth, but what about the whole year?edit
Down To Earth – Online
India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021-22 grew 20.1 per cent, according to data released by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) August 31, 2021. April-June 2021 became the fourth consecutive quarter of economic growth, indicating a revival after two waves of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. All the eight industry types that MoSPI took note of reported growth over the corresponding period of 2020-2021. In the year-ago quarter — coinciding with the first national lockdown to prevent the pandemic — agriculture was the only “industry type” to report a growth of 3.5 per cent; the overall economy contracted 22.4 per cent.
Govt. Policies
Get 50% to 80% Subsidy on Agriculture Machinery; Apply before 7th Septemberedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
Good News for Farmers. Haryana Government is providing 50% to 80% subsidy on the purchase of various agricultural machines under the Crop Residue Management Scheme. Farmers willing to apply for this subsidy can register online on the portal of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department till September 7. Subsidy Available on These Machines:Under Crop Residue Management Scheme, various agricultural machines and machines like Custom Hiring Center, Belig Machine, Straw Baler, Super SMS, Happy Seeder, Rotary Slasher, Shrew Master, Paddy Straw Chopper, Mulcher, Rotary Slasher, Reversible MB Plow, Super Grant will be given for seeder, zero till, seed drill, tractor driven and automatic crop reaper cum binder equipments.
Monsoon + Indian Agriculture
Rains fill up reservoirs, no major damage to crops in APedit
Deccan Chronicle – Online
The rainfall caused by the southwest monsoon in recent days has not caused any major damage to crops in Andhra Pradesh while it helped major reservoirs fill. According to planning department data, AP received a rainfall of 424.8mm against the normal rainfall of 405.3mm with a deviation of 4.8 per cent from June 1 to Aug. 31. Out of 670 mandals, 73 received large excess rainfall, 149 excess, 343 normal, 104 deficient and one mandal reported large deficient rainfall. District like Guntur, Chittoor, Kadapa and Anantapur received excess rainfall followed by Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Prakasam and Kurnool districts received normal rainfall while Nellore reported deficient rainfall.
Stubble Burning
Team formed under the chairmanship of ADM will stop stubble burningedit
Jagran – Online
A committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of ADM to prevent stubble burning in the district. Along with this, the officers of Agriculture Department organized seminars in all Nyaya Panchayats. The farmers were informed about the damage caused by stubble and the action taken. Deputy Agriculture Director Vijay Kumar informed that public awareness campaign is being run for stubble management. Under this, seminars were organized in all the 71 Nyaya Panchayats of the district. During this, the block and district level officers and employees made the farmers aware. It is said that due to the burning of stubble, the nutrients of the soil get destroyed along with the pollution. Low production is due to poor ...
Unchecked stubble burning can offset air pollution gainsedit
The New Indian Express – Online
With the stubble burning season beginning from November, authorities are worried regarding air pollution as its gravity depends on cooperation of neighbouring states. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is expected to start around September 20 which mostly goes up to November end. The Central environment ministry has alerted the agencies and stakeholders concerned of preparing in all the northern states. Last year, the Aam Aadmi Party government tried its unique eco-friendly method — -a bio-decomposer spray — developed with the help of Pusa Institute. Started on a pilot project basis, the Delhi government advocated its use to Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh but it did not generate enough interest.
Tractor industry
Escorts sells 5,693 tractors in August 2021edit
Business Standard – Online
Escorts Agri Machinery (EAM) in August 2021 sold 5,693 tractors as against 7,268 tractors sold in August 2020. Domestic tractor sales in August 2021 were at 4,920 tractors as against 6,750 tractors in August 2020. This year August sales is not strictly comparable with last year same month sales because of existence of pent-up demand last year, post COVID-19 national wide lockdowns. As we enter festive season months, we see farmer sentiment strong and enquiry level building up, driven by favourable macroeconomic factors, reasonably good water level of reservoirs, good pace of Kharif sowing and continued support by the Government in Agri sector.