Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Heatwaves Are Going to be India’s Biggest Challenge Over Next 10 Yearsedit
News 18 – Online
The last 200 years have seen unprecedented growth in industrialisation. This coupled with doubling of world population from about 4 billion to 7.9 billion over the last 45 years has led to increased pressure and consequent interference with the environment, leading to doubling of natural disasters over the last 20 years. A key adverse impact has been heatwaves. Recently, India pulled out of its global commitment to make up for the wheat supply to the world on account of the Russia-Ukraine conflict as its own production estimates had to be revised downwards. The downward correction was on account of intense heat spell during the end of the Kharif crop cycle, which adversely impacted wheat production. ...
India’s Policy Flip-Flop On Wheat Exportsedit
Inventiva – Online
In the year ending in March 2022, India, the world’s second-largest producer of wheat, exported an unprecedented 8.2 million tonnes. In the current fiscal year, which ends in March 2023, the government claimed India might export anywhere between 10 and 15 million tonnes. Less than five million tonnes of export contracts have been signed thus far. After previously claiming that its decision to prohibit wheat exports would assist solve a global supply shortage caused by the conflict in Ukraine, India has now justified the move. The restriction was implemented by the Indian government two weeks ago due to worries that an early heat wave had damaged the nation’s harvests and raised local prices to record levels. ...
Union Agriculture Minister Inaugurates Centenary Year Celebrations of NDRIedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, today launched the 100th anniversary celebrations of the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal (Haryana). Speaking on the occasion, Tomar stated that India ranks first in the world in terms of most agricultural products, and that maintaining product quality is even more important in this situation. “India is also at the top of the world in terms of milk production, but we must continue to work hard.” Farmers’ labour and scientists’ research have made unprecedented contributions to this monumental achievement. Our country now has access to a wide range of resources and scientific knowledge. In such a case, progress should be made quickly, a target ...
Technology in Agriculture
Good News! Agri Dept. Extends Deadline for Opting DSR Technique for Farmersedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
The Agriculture Department has once more extended the deadline from June 30 to July 4 after failing to meet its goal of bringing 12 lakh hectares under the direct seeding of rice (DSR) technique. The original date was May 31. However, only roughly 77,000 hectares have so far been covered by the DSR technique. Notably, this is the first time the state government has declared that it will offer a reward of Rs. 1,500 per acre to farmers who choose to use this water-saving method. The farmers, though, are still unimpressed and concerned about an abundance of weeds in the crop. The lack of water in various Malwa regions in May can also be attributed ...
Govt. Policies
Doubling farmers’ income top priority for govt: Piyush Goyaledit
The Economic Times – Online
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said doubling farmers’ income is a “top priority” for the government along with introducing other welfare measures for the agriculturists. “Farmers, farmers’ welfare … doubling their income has been a top priority for this government,” Commerce and Industry Minister Goyal said speaking at an event of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). It can be noted that the government in 2017 had assured that it is aiming to help double farmers’ income by 2022, when the country completes 75 years of independence, through various policy interventions. The government think tank NITI Aayog had come up with a report on ...
Director Agriculture inaugurates training program for farmersedit
Rising Kashmir – Online
Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal on Saturday inaugurated farmer’s awareness cum training program in zone Lurgam of district Pulwama. According to an official, after inaugurating the program in the tribal area of the district, Dir Agriculture said that the department is committed to the development and economic security of the farmers of the tribal area. In his address to the huge gathering of tribal people, Dir said that the department has already initiated some tribal centric initiatives for the development of farmers of tribal areas. Choudhary highlighted the importance of awareness programs for the successful implementation of different centrally sponsored schemes and flagship programs. He said the awareness with respect to different interventions by ...
CCEA Approves Rs.2,516 Crore for the Computerization of 63,000 Primary Agriculture Credit Societiesedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) authorized the computerization of 63,000 functioning Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) over a five-year period with a total budget investment of Rs 2,516 crore on Wednesday. The central government’s contribution will be Rs 1,528 crore. With 130 million farmers as members, the PACS is the lowest tier of the three-tier short-term cooperative credit (STCC). According to the government, the majority of PACS have not yet been automated and are still operated manually, resulting in inefficiency and a lack of confidence. “Some states have completed standalone and partial computerization of PACS. There is no consistency in the software they utilize, and they are not linked. “It has been recommended ...
Monsoon + Indian Agriculture
Delayed Monsoon in 2022 Results in Decreased Sowing of Rice and Other Kharif Oil Seeds, Shows Government Dataedit
The Weather Channel – Online
As large parts of central and northwest India witnessed delayed monsoon, sowing for Kharif season’s mainstay rice and oil seeds has decreased compared to last year, even as that for pulses and coarse cereals has increased, even if slightly, government data showed on Friday. The southwest monsoon entered the entire country on Saturday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported. Kharif sowing has taken place over a total of 278.72 lakh hectares (ha), 15.70 lakh ha less compared to 294.42 lakh ha last year this time, a dip of 5.33%. But it is not just this year — several areas have been witnessing delayed monsoon rains for a long time now. “Rainfall has been delayed ...
Paddy in India
340 tonnes of paddy seeds sold so far in Madurai as Kuruvai season kicks offedit
The New Indian Express – Online
Following the onset of Kuruvai cultivation, the sale of paddy seeds has picked up pace across the Madurai district. With the area of cultivation likely to remain over 9,000 hectares similar to that of the previous year, more than 340 metric tonnes of paddy has been sold to farmers so far. On account of the release of water from Vaigai reservoir and sporadic rainfall, planting work has already begun in about 20% of the land. Preparations are also underway in full swing on the remaining cultivable lands. For the second consecutive year, more farmers are showing interest towards Kuruvai paddy cultivation, which is usually taken up between June and October. Speaking to TNIE, ...
Punjab’s plan for water-saving paddy technique goes awryedit
The Times of India – Online
Farmers have rejected the direct-seeded rice (DSR) technique for transplanting paddy in Punjab, completely negating efforts of the state government to save fast-depleting groundwater being used for the traditional transplantation method. Despite the Punjab government announcing a cash incentive of Rs 1,500 per acre and allocating Rs 450 crore for the purpose in the budget for 2022-23, less than 7% of the total targeted cropped area under paddy witnessed the crop being sown through the DSR method. Till June 30, the deadline fixed by the state agriculture department for sowing paddy through DSR technique, only 77,908 hectares (1.95 lakh acres) were covered as against the target of 12 lakh hectares (30 lakh acres). ...