Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Government programmes to increase yield, better seeds will aid production of pulsesedit
DTE – Online
There is no verified report that the country’s farmers are ceasing pulse cultivation. The production of pulses has increased through the years, from 8-15 million tonnes till 2006-07 to 16 million tonnes in 2015-16, 23.13 million tonnes in 2016-17, 25.23 million tonnes in 2017-18 and eventually, 25.58 million tonnes in 2020-21, due to the concerted efforts of research institutions and policy. With this rise in output, pulses’ imports dipped from their highest at 6.6 million tonnes in 2016-17 to 2.5 million tonnes in 2018-19. In 2019-20, India imported 2.6 million tonnes and is expected to import 2.5 million tonnes this year.
Two years after Article 370 revocation; JK govt opens up agriculture, horticulture, allied sector to all communitiesedit
The New Indian Express – Online
Over two years after abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday opened up agriculture, horticulture, and allied sector to all communities in the Union Territory. “The Administrative Council (AC), which met here today under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, authorized the District Collectors to grant permission to an agriculturist to alienate land to a non-agriculturist subject to certain conditions and procedure for extending primary activities on larger commercial lines and reap benefits under the economy of scale,” an official spokesman said.
CLAAS Mentions
Agricultural Equipment Market Sales to Exceed 6.7 Mn Units by 2031-end, as Adoption of Smart-Modern Farm Machinery within Agriculture Sector Risesedit
FMI Blog – Online
As per a recent survey by FMI, the global agricultural equipment market is expected to total US$ 65 Bn in 2021. In response to surging demand for advanced and automated technologies in the agricultural sector, the market is anticipated to register steady demand. As per FMI, the global agricultural equipment market will expand at 4.8% CAGR between 2021and 2031 in comparison to 2.8% CAGR registered from 2016 to 2020.
Technology in Agriculture
Tech I’d like to see: ‘Vertical farming & drones in agriculture’edit
The Times Of India – Online
Concepts and technologies like vertical farming, use of drones and satellites have emerged as game-changers in agriculture over the last few years. Unlike legacy techniques, vertical farming is a technological approach that involves crop production using vertically stacked layers, thus optimising space usage. Since it is carried out in a regulated environment, it delivers a consistent output, cuts labour cost, reduces water consumption, and drives energy efficiency. Drones and satellites have played a crucial role in improving the yield and minimising waste. They have revolutionised crop monitoring, as they provide farmers with real-time data about soil quality, crop requirements, susceptibility to pests, irrigation frequency, weather assessments, and more.
Govt. Policies
Screws on combine harvester operators to prevent burning of loveedit
Jagran – Online
To prevent stubble burning in the field, the Agriculture Department has first started cracking down on combine harvester operators. Now the cutting will happen, but according to SMS (Straw Management System). If there is no SMS system in the combine harvester, then the fine will be recovered by seizing the machine concerned. There will also be an FIR. Not only this, they will also have to give an affidavit for this on a stamp of Rs 10. Also, before starting the harvesting of the crop, the stubble will not be burnt, it will also have to be given in writing to the farmer.
Monsoon + Indian Agriculture
In 48 hrs, most UP districts see above average post-monsoon rainsedit
Hindustan Times – Online
Uttar Pradesh recorded above average post-monsoon rains in the last 48 hours caused by western disturbances and cyclonic trough, which had affected daily life in several districts including Lucknow.As per the data of the IMD, the state received an average of 80mm rainfall between October 1 and 19, which was 178% more than the normal 29mm rainfall expected during this period. The rains alarmed Kharif cultivators who were planning to harvest their produce from this week. “The farmers will have to delay harvest for at least a week now. The rain will cause more damage to the farmers who have harvested their crops, but have failed to store or sell,” said agriculture economist Dharmendra Singh.
Dry spell poses threat to crop yield in kharifedit
The Times Of India – Online
The prevailing dry spell across the state is likely to pose a threat to expected crop yields this kharif season. According to information available with the state agriculture department, 325 out of 670 mandals have experienced three dry spells this season. The dry spell is calculated if there is no rain for three continuous weeks after the monsoon enters for the season. Skip Ad This year, though there was 5.8% of excess rainfall in the state, comparatively, the north coastal districts and Rayalaseema districts have experienced a greater dry spell. The state had received 513.2 mm rainfall against the average rainfall of 484.9 mm from June to the first week of October this ...
Paddy in India
Will recommend to revise paddy moisture level, assures Central teamedit
DT Next – Online
This assurance was given by the team during its visit to Thanjavur on Tuesday to review the moisture condition of paddy and submit a report to the Centre in 15 days. The kuruvai cultivation was undertaken in the Delta region in an area of 4.31 lakh acre and the harvest was under way in full swing. As the region has been experiencing rains for the past few weeks, the moisture condition of most of the paddy harvested and piled up had exceeded 20 per cent. As a result, the DPC staff refused to procure the crops citing they were beyond the prescribed moisture condition of 17 per cent.
Stubble Burning
Crop fires take India’s global contribution to GHG emissions to 12.2%edit
Business Standard – Online
A latest data analysis has shown that compared to the previous three years, there has been an increase in emissions due to crop fires in 2019-2020 by 12.8 per cent, taking India’s global contribution to 12.2 per cent. The new insights into recent trends in biomass fires, including emissions from forest and crop residue fires in India, showed a downward trend in crop fires being observed between 2016-19 citing a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to cropland fires by 11.39 per cent during the three years.
In Punjab’s Ferozepur, a biomass plant generates electricity with paddy stubbleedit
Hindustan Times – Online
Amid increasing concerns over air pollution stemming from the stubble burning practice in northwest India, a biomass power plant in Punjab’s Ferozepur has managed to generate electricity using paddy stubble. According to officials at the plant, the biomass power facility uses 600 tons of paddy stubble per day, which equates to around 2 -2.5 lakh tons of stubble per year. The initiative is being deemed favourable for farmers as well, since they get to sell their paddy to such biomass facilities, thus generating income.
Why Stubble Burning Continues To Have Delhi-NCR In A Chokeholdedit
News18 – Online
Continuing rainfall throughout the national capital and neighbouring areas brought Delhi its first “good air” day in more than five years in October but also underlined the threat that pollution in general, and stubble burning in particular, pose for its air quality with the approach of winter. Seized of the grave health risks associated with poor air quality, efforts have been made to wean farmers off the practice of burning crop residue in the Delhi-NCR region and Punjab so as to clear their fields for the next round of sowing. However, the impact of such steps have been slow to take root and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has urged that more be done to check stubble ...
Editorial: Novel approachedit
Telegraph India – Online
Credit must be given where it is due. In an innovative move, the Centre’s apex farm research body, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, has devised a scheme to encourage farmers to adopt sustainable farm practices by awarding them carbon credits. These can be traded with emissions-heavy industries, providing farmers with an alternative revenue stream. The primary objectives are to arrest biomass burning and encourage crop diversification. This timely intervention could also help reduce air pollution in the national capital region — smoke from stubble burning can account for as much as 42 per cent of air pollution in the area in winter. But while the move is well-intentioned, it needs to be backed with ...