Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
India’s wheat planting remains steady despite record high pricesedit
The Print – Online
India’s wheat plantings remained steady despite a rally in price of the staple to a record as farmers in a key producing central state shifted to rapeseed to take advantage of even higher prices for the oilseed, farm ministry data showed on Monday. A lower-than-expected planting area in the world’s second biggest wheat producer may cap an expected rise in production, after output fell last year because of a heatwave that forced New Delhi to ban exports amid limited supplies from Black Sea region because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A rise in rapeseed output could help the world’s biggest edible oil importer reduce overseas purchases of palm oil, soyoil and sunflower oil.
Competition
India Auto Inc retails up 14% in January, all segments other than tractors log double-digit growthedit
Autocar Professional – Online
The real-world vehicle sales numbers for the first month of CY2023 are out. Total retail sales of 18,26,669 units across five vehicle categories in January 2023 reflect a 13.56% year-on-year increase (January 2022: 16,08,505 units). As per the retail numbers released today by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), all segments have recorded growth – two-wheelers (10%), three-wheelers (59%), passenger vehicles (22%), commercial vehicles (16%) and tractors (8%). The numbers are indicative of the improving economic scenario.
Technology in Agriculture
Agriculture ministry signs MoU to develop national level digital extension platformedit
Mint – Online
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Digital Green under public private partnership framework to build a national level digital extension platform. “The platform will host a digital library of curated multi-format multi-lingual content, help extension workers access and deliver curated content to farmers on time and upskill the vast network of extension workers for agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, livestock and rural livelihood missions through certified online courses,” the ministry said.
Paddy in India
Relax paddy procurement norms to help farmers in rain-hit areas: CM Stalin to PM Modiedit
The News Minute – Online
Paddy crops spread over one lakh hectares in the Cauvery delta region that were ready for harvest have submerged following unseasonal rainfall, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, February 5. CM Stalin urged the Prime Minister to relax paddy procurement norms including stipulations on moisture content. “When paddy is all set for harvest this month, heavy unseasonal rains in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Pudukkottai districts have inundated the standing crop covering one lakh hectares as per the state government’s preliminary assessment”, Stalin said in a letter to Modi.