Mint – Online

Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary said in the Rajya Sabha on Friday that the government has constituted a committee to look into ways to strengthen the minimum support price (MSP) system for farmers. The minister said, “a committee has been formed regarding diversification, natural farming and MSP,” adding that this would includes farmer representatives, state government representatives and central government officials, according to news agency PTI report. The committee formed by the government will look into ways to strengthen the MSP system and how farmers can take benefit out of the support price mechanism, the minister further highlighted, and that the government will consider the recommendations of the committee. The minister, while responding to ...

Down to Earth – Online

The sowing dates of wheat have maximum influence on its yield, superseding all other crop management, soil and varietal factors, new research has found. Adjusting sowing dates in eastern parts of the country will increase production by 69 per cent, said a study by Cornell University, the United States. Advancing the rice crop calendar by up to two weeks is technically feasible and will help wheat productivity, it found. The greater production will help ensure food security and farm profitability as the planet warms. The research said: Better managing the annual cropping calendar will pay dividends for food security, profitability and climate resilience. The report, Time Management Governs Climate Resilience and Productivity in the ...