Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Unrest grows among cotton farmers as prices drop to Rs 7,000 per quintaledit
The Indian Express – Online
WITH COTTON prices showing no signs of increasing, farmers across Vidarbha, Marathwada and parts of North Maharashtra are a worried lot. As compared to Rs 12,000 per quintal it fetched last year, cotton prices this year are as low as Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 per quintal. The crisis for cotton cultivators is further compounded as unseasonal rain and hailstorm have damaged 40 per cent of crops in some districts of Vidarbha, Marathwada and north Maharashtra. A farmer leader from Vidarbha region, Vijay Jawandia, said, “There is huge unrest among the cotton farmers. Apart from low prices for the crop, the vagaries of climate change have added to their woes.”
Startup Mantra: Helping farmers reap healthy profits from soiledit
Hindustan Times – Online
We have heard stories of entrepreneurs who overcame challenges, familial resistance and embarked on their journey to establish businesses and startups. However, one young individual, Prafull Gadge, stands out as he left his “permanent” government job in the irrigation department to start his own venture Biome Technologies. Driven by a passion to explore the fertility of soil, he developed a device called the “Soilometer” that can assess soil health within three hours and at a cost of only ₹310.
Competition
Deere raises annual profit outlook on healthy equipment demand, strong order booksedit
ET Auto – Online
Deere & Co topped Wall Street profit expectations on strong sales of its tractors and precision agriculture equipment, and raised its net income forecast for the rest of the year as order books remain robust. But shares in the world’s largest farm equipment maker fell 1.7% even after the manufacturer reported a 36% rise in second-quarter profit. Analysts pointed to increasing production levels potentially translating to an oversupply of equipment. “It’s a subtle way of saying to investors ‘don’t extrapolate a better expected second-quarter into the next couple,” said Matt Arnold, equity analyst at Edward Jones.
Events
ICAR-IARI Successfully Wraps Up 5-Day Training Program on Agricultural & Industrial Waste Managementedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
On May 15th, 2023, the inauguration of a comprehensive five-day training programme on Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Agricultural and Industrial Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability took place. The program was inaugurated by renowned Padma Bhushan Prof (Dr.) R B Singh. A total of 49 participants, including 15 from various states in India and two international candidates from Korea and Nepal, registered for the training. The participants came from diverse educational backgrounds, representing a wide range of fields. Notably, 34% of the participants were women.
Uncategorized
Why India’s first cloned cow is a game changeredit
The Times of India – Online
All births are special, but Ganga’s was a milestone. The Gir calf born on March 16 this year is the first clone of a cow in India. Scientists who created Ganga at the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal, Haryana, hope cloning will spur the breeding of indigenous cows, whose numbers have dwindled with cross-breeding, adoption of high-yielding exotic breeds and exports. “Indigenous animals, such as the Gir cow, are disease-resistant and well adapted to the hot and humid climate of the country. Cloning technology has the potential to meet the requirement of higher milk-producing indigenous cattle for Indian dairy farmers,” Dr Himanshu Pathak, ...