Media Monitor
| Category | Stories |
|---|---|
| Agriculture Industry | 31 |
| CLAAS Global Mentions | 2 |
| Dairy Farming | 10 |
| Farm Mechanization | 2 |
| Technology in Agriculture | 7 |
| Govt. Policies | 17 |
| Monsoon + Indian Agriculture | 12 |
| Paddy in India | 34 |
| Stubble Burning | 6 |
| Uncategorized | 2 |
Agriculture Industry
Bayer to take agri services 2 million Indian farmers by 2025edit
The Financial Express – OnlineGerman agritech major Bayer CropScience will expand its better life farming (BLF) programme in the country to cover as many as 2 million smallholder farmers by 2025. BLF, which comprises assorted farming services. will be reinforced with support from a clutch of firms and lenders including International Finance ...
Bayer and Crystal in partnership to launch Curbix Pro Kollar for the benefit of Indian Paddy Growersedit
The Week – Online
Bayer CropScience and Crystal Crop Protection Limited came together in 2018 to embark on a collaborative project to enhance the productivity of rice and cotton farmers in India. Under this collaboration, Bayer provided Crystal access to newer innovations, and Crystal, based on their manufacturing and development strength, helped bring new solutions to the Indian market. Today, Bayer CropScience and Crystal Crop Protection Limited have launched the product, Curbix Pro and Kollar, respectively, to aid farmers in tackling plant hoppers, ensuring that the best crop protection practices are implemented.
Greener pastures: Akashayakalpa Organic on a mission to empower farmersedit
The New Indian Express – Online
There is a sanctity about agriculture. It makes the farmer a medium between the soil and the soul. But in today’s materialistic world, this time-honoured vocation is losing to trendier opportunities, with the young abandoning lands tilled by their forefathers. Responding to this, Akashayakalpa Organic came into being in 2010, with a mission to reignite a farming fervour in younger generations.
Climate Change: Closing the Gap Between Deliberative Rhetorics & Lived Realitiesedit
The Quint – Online
Amid the larger pall of gloom in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic over recessionary concerns and geopolitical tensions, a buzzword that has captured the policy discourse is ‘K-shaped’ recovery. Time and again, for example, reports depict the dichotomy of rising demand for SUVs and high-end residential sales sitting alongside sluggish sales of scooters and more affordable housing.
Advanta Partners with nurture.farm to Launch Nutrifeed Germination Scheme for Forage Cropsedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
Advanta and nurture.farm collaborate to launch its Nutrifeed Germination Scheme. This scheme is a trailblazer in the truest sense and aims to protect farmers (dairy farmers) from germination failure of forage crops (it’s Forage Millet Hybrids Nutrifeed), thus helping them sustain themselves during periods of crises. As a part of the risk cover, the farmers are compensated if the seed does not germinate within 15 days of sowing. For the unversed, forage crops include Sorghum, Millet, and Corn. Germination failure in the case of these crops leads to widespread losses for farmers; thus, this scheme helps bridge essential gaps.
Bayer sees more than doubling of accessible markets and potential to shape regenerative agriculture on more than 400 million acresedit
ANI News – Online
Bayer today announced its Crop Science Division will capitalize on opportunities presented by the shift to regenerative agriculture to grow in adjacent markets in addition to its core business of seeds, traits, crop protection and digital. At its 2023 Innovation Summit, the company identified growth potential in segments like crop fertility, biologicals, biofuels, carbon farming, precision application services as well as digital platforms and marketplaces, all of which are serving the needs of agriculture.
Haryana maize growers suffer losses as prices fall 50% below MSPedit
Hindustan Times – Online
The reports from mandis from northern districts of the state reveal that in the absence of government agencies, private buyers are buying maize crop at ₹900 to ₹1,400 a quintal against the MSP of ₹1,962 fixed for the 2022-23. Maize growers in Haryana suffer huge losses as they have to sell their produce to private buyers around 50% below the minimum support price (MSP) fixed by the Centre.
How to put Indian agriculture back on growth pathedit
Fortune – India
Providing a source of livelihood to 70% of rural households, the Indian agriculture sector has grown at an average rate of 4.6% over the last six years. However, despite our country rapidly emerging as a large exporter of agricultural products, the growth rate of Indian agriculture and allied sectors has dropped to 3% in 2021-22 from 6.8% in 2016-17. While multiple factors – like fragmented landholdings, sub-optimal mechanisation, and low productivity – have impeded the growth of the sector, a slew of indicators suggest the sheen is wearing off Indian agriculture.
What is Agri Mall? UP CM Yogi Adityanath Announced to Set-Up ‘Agri Mall’ In Lucknowedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
The Uttar Pradesh government, under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath, has announced plans to establish a modern and advanced “Agri Mall” in Lucknow during 2023. The government aims to create a state-of-the-art facility spanning 8,000 square meters and consisting of seven floors, dedicated to facilitating the marketing and sale of agricultural products.
In a green agri push, cabinet nod likely for PM-Pranam, 2 schemesedit
Hindustan Times – Online
India’s Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers is set to propose a cash incentive scheme called PM-Pranam, which rewards states for reducing their consumption of chemical soil nutrients. The ...
Women Farmers And Technology: Key to Driving Agri Revolution in Indiaedit
Krishi Jagat – Online
When farmer Malho Marndi first adopted new, mechanised planting practices on half of her sixteen-hectare farm in Odisha, the other villagers called her “mad”, perhaps concerned about the potentially negative impacts it would have on her operational costs and yield. Marndi‘s quick adoption of new agricultural innovations, including seed drills that mechanically transplant crops such as rice, maize and wheat, instead had the opposite effect, turning her into a model farmer that others now emulate.
Suriname woos Indian agri firms to boost farmingedit
Mint – Online
Suriname is moving to attract Indian agro-processing firms in a bid to develop its agricultural sector, one of its major earners. The country’s president, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, and its agriculture minister Parmanand Prahlad Sewdien have visited India this year pitching the country’s agricultural sector to Indian firms.
Why agri plastics are bigger threats than they appear to beedit
Down To Earth – Online
Plastics have caused an agricultural mirage in India today. The agrifood system is increasingly becoming dependent on plastics. Agricultural value chains used 12.5 million tonnes of plastic products globally in 2019, reported the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). FAO expressed its pressing concerns about the increasing use of plastics in agriculture. Their report sought attention to the higher amount of microplastics in the soils than in the oceans. Moreover, it also foregrounds the urgent need for improved handling and regulation of the millions of tonnes of microplastics generated through food and other agricultural activities.
Why we need to look beyond the farm to achieve sustainability in agri-food systemsedit
Down To Earth – Online
Agriculture has become a point of focus in the past few years in the context of climate change. This focus is not misplaced, as agricultural activities are responsible for 19-29 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 14 per cent of India’s total GHG emissions. To sustainably develop our food system, the scientific community, policymakers and civil society have dedicated most attention to production of food, with various interventions like the development of new hybrid varieties, the introduction of water-efficient irrigation systems and switching away from chemical inputs.
Commercial Agriculture: Exploring the Business of Commercial Farmingedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
Commercial agriculture refers to the practice of growing crops and raising livestock for profit rather than for subsistence or personal consumption. It entails utilising advanced technologies and methods to maximise output, reduce costs, and increase profits. Commercial agriculture is the backbone of the world’s food supply, supplying the vast majority of the food consumed by people worldwide.
In Telangana, Experimenting With a Low-Cost Way To Improve Soil Fertilityedit
The Wire – Online
The parched air was redolent of a hot sun baking the ragi-coloured soils crispy dry. I was in Pastapur, a village on the Telangana-Karnataka border, trying to figure out how to make it to the Aranya permaculture farm and witness the largest ongoing biochar experiment in India, involving over 400 tonnes of Bt cotton biomass. Charcoal that is used to improve the soil’s qualities is called biochar. It is a known soil amender, can help retain water and nutrients for a longer time in the soil and is world-over considered a super weapon for climate adaptation.
Cut grain procurement from states with high mandi taxes: CACPedit
The Financial Express – Online
The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices has said the procurement of grains should be reduced from the states who impose high mandi fee and other levies as this restricts inter-state trade and makes markets inefficient. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) also urged the government to take appropriate policy measures to promote rice cultivation in suitable areas and reduce the area under rice in Haryana, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh. High taxes restrict inter-state trade and makes markets inefficient, the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) said in its report on price policy for kharif crops (2023-24). “Moreover, it has not led to any discernible improvement in the mandi infrastructure,” ...
Increasing income of smallholder farmers in Indiaedit
The Hans India – Online
Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. Although its contribution to gross domestic product is now around one sixth, it provides employment to 56% of the workforce. Also, the forward and backward linkage effects of agriculture growth increase the incomes in the non-agriculture sector. However, there have been exclusion problems like problems of poverty, unemployment, inequalities in access to health and education and poor performance. Real development in terms of growth shared by all sections of the population has not taken place. One of the excluded sector during the reform period was agriculture which showed low growth and experienced more farmers’ distress. There are serious concerns on the performance of agriculture sector in the ...
Purchase price for kharif crops up 6-10.4%edit
The Financial Express – Online
The government on Wednesday hiked the minimum support prices (MSP) of the key kharif crops for 2023-24 season (July-June) by 6-10.4%, the highest increase since 2018-19. The MSP for paddy, the key kharif crop, is fixed at `2,183/quintal, up 7% on year. The higher-than-expected MSPs will drive the gross value added (GVA) in “agriculture and allied services” in the second half of the current year, as procurement begins in October. Agri GVA grew a healthy 5.5% in Q4FY23. Elevated MSPs, backed by procurement, could potentially boost rural income and purchasing power.
Heatwaves in east may hit kharif sowingedit
The Financial Express – Online
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday forecast heatwave conditions over Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the next five days, indicating a slight delay in land preparation for the forthcoming kharif crops, such as paddy and pulses. The Met department has urged farmers in these regions to commence harvesting of summer sown paddy, pulses and groundnut crops to save them from heatwaves. Farmers have been asked to provide irrigation to the paddy nursery for minimising the impact of the hot weather conditions.
170 tonnes of agriculture produce sold in a week through E-NAMedit
The New Indian Express – Online
Around 170 tonnes of agricultural produce has been sold for Rs 35.97 lakh in a single week through five regulatory markets in Madurai. Sources said about 72.86 tonnes paddy of four farmers was sold for Rs 20,50,193 on a single day at Thirumangalam Regulatory Market on June 2. The maximum price of 6.24 tonnes of rice produced by a farmer under E-NAM program in Madurai regulatory market has been fixed as Rs 3,000 per quintal and Rs 1,87,410 has been directly credited to the farmer’s bank account. Under the Minimum Support Price Based Price Support Scheme, 8.2 tonnes of copra from 12 farmers were procured at a cost of Rs 8,90,520.
Crop diversification push in Punjab hits a roadblockedit
Hindustan Times – Online
Efforts of the Punjab government to push crop diversification after wheat harvesting this year has hit a roadblock. This time the acreage of the traditional crop of cotton has touched 1.80 lakh hectares or 4.50 lakh acres, the lowest ever since 2010 while the area under summer moong or green gram has also shrunk to 21,000 hectares or 52,500 acres from 52,000 hectares or 1.30 lakh acres in 2022. Experts said a drop in cultivation of the two crops means direct stress on water when the government is trying hard to save on the natural resource.
Reconstituted panel asked to finalise agriculture policy in six monthsedit
The Times of India – Online
The state government has reconstituted a 24-member committee to work out a comprehensive agriculture policy for Goa. The committee headed by the agriculture minister Ravi Naik has farmers, scientists, agriculturists, educationists, co-operative society representatives and various stakeholders as members. The committee will suggest ways to ensure growth in agriculture, animal husbandry and dairy by aggregating and integrating all rural programmes so that farmers get a substantial return from agricultural land resources.
Farmers’ support schemes mark a dawn of a golden era in Telanganaedit
The Hans India – Online
The State government is working tirelessly for comprehensive agricultural development in Telangana State, providing quality free electricity to agriculture for 24 hours. The barren agricultural land has become green with irrigation provided by the government. The State government is providing crop investment assistance for the financial ease of the farmers who depend on the agricultural sector for their livelihood. The Telangana government has taken measures for higher yield in agriculture by adopting many new agricultural reforms.
Farmers in dilemma over growing groundnut or cottonedit
Deccan Chronicle – Online
Farmers of Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts are in a dilemma whether to grow groundnut or cotton during the Kharif season even as the monsoon is on the threshold of onset. Groundnut had once been in high demand. However, its cultivation has been falling owing to the rampant circulation of spurious seeds, whose germination is poor. Further, insurance is only available for commercial crops like cotton. In the past 25 years, profitable groundnut yields have been recorded only in seven years – 1995 (yield 1,310 kg/ha), 1998 (1,145), 2000 (1,116), 2007 (1,258), 2017 (992), 2018 (1240), and 2019 (yield 1,250 kg/ha).
Summer crop sowing in India declines by 1.54 lakh hectare in 2023edit
The Print – Online
The final area under coverage for summer crops in India has declined year-on-year, though marginally, at 70.74 lakh hectares, according to the data released by the agriculture ministry on Friday. Last year, it was at 72.28 lakh hectares, which was over two per cent higher. The ministry’s data showed that the sowing area under pulses and coarse cereals is higher year-on-year, while the acreage of rice and oilseeds is lower. Coming to pulses and coarse cereals, the area increased from 19.11 lakh hectares to 19.86 lakh hectares, and 11.73 lakh hectares to 12.10 lakh hectares, data showed. For rice and oilseeds, they declined from ...
Agriculture, fisheries subsidies on agenda at WTO meet in Paris next weekedit
Business Standard – Online
India is gearing up for a meeting with some of the trade ministers of World Trade Organization (WTO) member nations next week in Paris, where there could be discussions on crucial issues such as the public stockholding matter in agriculture, fisheries subsidies as well as WTO reforms. Government officials said the meeting will be held on the sidelines of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) meeting in Paris. The 13th ministerial conference (MC 13) will take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in February 2024. But next week’s meeting, though informal in nature, will be the right platform for countries to discuss some priorities for the next ministerial, they said.
Women in agriculture: Empowering and recognizing their contributionsedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
Agriculture, like every other sphere of life is not exempt from social change. And it certainly is not free from the discussions of gender roles and the disparity between the male and female sexes. Predominantly, a male dominating sector – agriculture – in the yonder years would not have invited an argument as nuanced as this. But now, our fields speak not only of crop diversity but farmer diversity as well. Indian women contribute massively to the Indian agriculture sector, particularly at the farm level but their contributions are often overlooked.
World Health Organisation has no business to talk about agriculture: Federation of All India Farmers Associationsedit
The Times of India – Online
The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) appealed to the global farming community to come together to oppose WHO’s agenda–Grow Food Not Tobacco, which advocates for the replacement of tobacco farming with alternative crops. Farming is a significant source of employment worldwide and is experiencing robust growth. According to industry estimates, the global general crop farming market expanded from $348.08 billion in 2022 to $381.76 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. The agricultural sector is thriving and is well segmented to serve human and animal consumption, as well as grow commercial crops.
Nitin Gadkari for doubling agriculture share in GDP to achieve higher economic growth, says Modi govt focussed on rural sectorsedit
The Times of India – Online
Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday pitched for doubling the share of agriculture in GDP to achieve higher economic growth as he asserted that the present government has put special focus on agriculture and rural sectors.
Govt weighs 3-8% increase in MSP for kharif cropsedit
Mint – Online
The central government is weighing a 3-8% increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for key kharif crops in 2023-24, according to two people familiar with the development. The MSP for common and grade A paddy varieties could see a 3-7% increase to the range of ₹2,100-2,200 per quintal, one of the two people said, requesting anonymity. For maize, the MSP is likely to be raised to ₹2,050-2,100 per quintal from ₹1,962 a year ago.
CLAAS Global Mentions
Analyzing the Massive Demand of the Agricultural Equipment Market in 2023: Industry Growth Rate, Future Dynamics, and Innovative Strategies by 2030 | AGCO Corp, Bucher Industries AG, CLAAS KGaA mbH, CNH Industrial N.V.Readedit
Digital Journal – Online
The recently published research report titled “Global Agricultural Equipment Market 2023” provides a comprehensive analysis of the elements driving the global business scope. The report study includes the most recent market statistics, a product and service breakdown, and an analysis of the current situation in light of predicted trends. The analysis includes market segmentation, regional data, CAGR, sales volume, and current and emerging trends.
Combine Challenge makes it to Lands End and tops £36,000edit
Farmers Weekly – Online
A team of farmers from the North West has become the first to drive a combine harvester from John O’Groats to Land’s End – and has raised thousands of pounds for charity in the process. Merseyside grower Olly Harrison and his farming pals John Branson, James Baldini and Martin Williams completed the 955-mile journey in his Claas Lexion 8700 combine, arriving at Land’s End shortly before 9am on Thursday 8 June.
Dairy Farming
Dairy sector to grow at over 6% in 2023-24: govtedit
Mint – Online
The dairy sector is expected to growth at more than 6% in 2023-24, said Union Animal Husbandry and Dairying minister Parshottam Rupala
Small dairy farmers: The backbone of Indian dairyedit
Krishak Jagat – Online
Small-scale dairy farming is the foundation of the milk industry in India, and it significantly increases and improves milk production. The dairy sector accounts for a sizeable portion of India’s rural economy and is strongly supported by the country’s small dairy farmers. It has a significant impact on the socioeconomic development of the country. As a result, it becomes their source of income and aids the rural population in maintaining their way of life, especially in light of the crucial role that small dairy farmers play in ensuring food security and the significance of dairying in India.
Dairy Food System: The Kashmir Scenarioedit
Rising Kashmir – Online
Kashmir valley provides lucrative drivers for establishment of commercial dairying, whether social, political, cultural, economical or environmental. Population growth, urbanization, emerging middle class, pressure on land and social tensions around youth unemployment rates provide the much-needed demographic drivers, while loss of agro-biodiversity, in this otherwise bio resource rich Himalayan valley, shrinking water resources and climate change provide the compelling environmental drivers.
To make youngsters self-employed, punjab govt to provide skill training to youth on dairy farmingedit
Krishi Jagat – Online
In consonance with the aim of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to make youth of Punjab self-employed, Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department will impart four-week dairy entrepreneurship training to the youth and farmers of the state. Divulging the details, Mr. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy Development said that the intent of this initiative is to impart skill training to the youth, so that, they can adopt the cooperative profession of dairy, which will give a boost to the agricultural economy.
Incentive for milk producers pending since Nov 2022edit
The Times of India – Online
The milk producers of Ballari, Raichur, Koppal and Vijayanagara districts are in trouble as the incentive given to them by the state government under the Ksheera Siri Scheme has not been released for the last eight months. In the wake of the dissatisfaction of milk producers that the unions were not giving them scientific prices, the state government started giving a fixed subsidy per litre, along with the purchase price of milk given by the unions, with the aim of encouraging dairy farming.
Fish, dairy farming to be taken up as community projects in Canaconaedit
The Goan – Online
Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar, whose Shree Balram Charitable Trust provided houses to 20 beneficiaries under the ‘Shram-Dham’ initiative at Canacona, said fish farming and dairy farming would be taken up as community projects in the taluka
From farm to glass: Unveiling the future of the milk business through trends and Insightsedit
ET Retail – Online
India’s journey from a milk-deficient nation to a resolute dairy powerhouse, surpassing boundaries with flying colors, is a testament to its extraordinary growth. The nation, once grappling with milk scarcity, has surged ahead to claim the title of the world’s largest milk producer, witnessing an astonishing surge in production over the past several decades. As we commemorate World Milk Day, it becomes imperative to revere our heritage and comprehend the patterns and intricacies that will influence India’s future, as the world’s largest milk producer. To remain at the forefront of the global dairy market, it is essential to understand and adapt to the key trends that are shaping the future of the milk industry in ...
Nourishing Hyderabad with white goldedit
Observed annually on June 1, World Milk Day provides an excellent opportunity to create awareness about the nutritional benefits of milk. In 2023, World Milk Day focuses on showcasing how dairy is reducing its environmental footprint while also providing nutritious foods and livelihoods. Milk is a complete food, essential for its rich content of vitamins and minerals, providing vital nutrients like calcium, protein, vitamin D, and potassium for overall health and well-being.
The Whole Truth About Dairyedit
The dairy aisle is where it’s all going down. Millions of acres of GMO commodity crops are harvested each year for use in livestock feed. Meanwhile, billions of dollars in venture capital funding are assisting biotech companies in developing synthetic, non-animal dairy proteins via a genetic engineering technique known as “precision fermentation.”
Mohali has a plan to curb farm fires: use stubble in industriesedit
Mohali district administration and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) have jointly prepared a plan for stubble management. As per the plan, the total area for growing paddy has been divided into two parts and a strategy has been chalked out to use the paddy stubble in industrial units.
Farm Mechanization
Apply for subsidised machines for crop diversification, says Punjab Agri minister Gurmeet Singh Khudianedit
Hindustan Times – Online
To promote diversification and mechanization in agriculture to increase their income, Punjab agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Sunday asked the farmers to avail subsidy on various agriculture machines, under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) scheme.
Pb invites applications for farm mechanisation schemeedit
The Times of India – Online
To promote agricultural diversification and mechanisation in Punjab, state agriculture minister Gurmeet Khudian on Sunday announced the department was actively developing a strategy to amplify the initiative of offering cutting-edge machinery to farmers at subsidised rates.
Technology in Agriculture
Adoption of open-source tech into agriculture: What agritech players can make happenedit
The Times of India – Online
The world of agriculture has been undergoing a tech makeover in the past decade, and the adoption of open-source technology into the mix has further accelerated this transformation. From cost-saving advantages to flexible applications, stakeholders in the supply chain are reaping the benefits of this innovative approach to software and hardware development.
Driving Innovation through Active Farmer Participationedit
Krishi Jagat – Online
USAID’s Feed the Future Innovations Lab for Livestock Systems, in collaboration with ICRISAT, is working to transform agro-pastoral systems in Niger. Recognizing the importance of smallholder farmers’ involvement in the innovation process, they have introduced a pioneering Technology Transfer Framework.
Tech-Driven Agriculture: Unleashing New Growth Opportunities for Farmersedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
Embracing the wave of technological progress, agriculture is entering a new era where connectivity, data utilization, and sustainability are at the forefront. With the world population steadily rising, the need for food production is escalating, compelling farmers to seek ways to maximize their harvests, ensure product traceability, conserve valuable resources, and minimize environmental impact.
Farmers can now self-enrol for PM-Kisan via new mobile app with face recognitionedit
Hindustan Times – Online
Farmers will be able to enrol and monitor transactions under PM-Kisan, the Union government’s income-transfer scheme for cultivators, through a mobile app with face-recognition technology, which will avoid paper work and manual applications, agriculture minister Narendra Tomar said, launching the application on Thursday. The Android-based app is aimed at simplifying on-boarding of beneficiaries, who can now self enrol themselves. The app has an integrated e-know your customer (eKYC, essential for identification and verification) validation feature, Tomar said at the end of a review of the programme.
Telangana is the success story of Indian agritech. AI tools, soil testing, e-commerce & moreedit
The Print – Online
Globally, technology is shaping the future of food and agriculture but their total digital transformation will still take some time, especially in the Global South. Telangana, however, can demonstrate some valuable lessons as the South Indian state is integrating agritech as a critical lever to transform the agriculture sector and creating policies and public infrastructure to deliver agritech services to 100,000 farmers by 2025.
J&K being hailed as torchbearer of agri-tech startup movement in India: Dr Jitendraedit
Rising Kashmir – Online
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday said management strategies are crucial to sustaining startups. He said Jammu and Kashmir, being the birthplace of Aroma Mission (lavender cultivation), is being hailed as the torch bearer of the agri-tech startup movement in India and the value addition to India’s economy in the years to come will be done by the unexplored Himalayan resources in the North and unexplored ocean resources in the South.
Unleashing the Tech Revolution: Agri-startups Powering Indian Agriculture’s Futureedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
Agri-tech start-ups have been dubbed as a ‘ray of hope’ considering the numerous solutions that they provide for the hiccups that arise in the Indian agricultural value chain. The use of AI, IoT, Big Data Analytics, drones for farm mapping, ICT applications, and technology for weather forecasting has been incorporated and the Indian start-up scenario has firmly been manning the technological wave. The introduction of high-tech facilities in Indian agriculture has long been overdue. We are a country with immense agricultural potential- but only combined with technology will we be able to reach the same threshold as that of the first world countries.
Govt. Policies
Cabinet approves ₹3.68 trillion for fertilizer subsidy schemes for 3 yearsedit
Mint – Online
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved a bouquet of fertilizer schemes, including PRANAM scheme and Urea Gold scheme, to boost wellbeing of farmers, rejuvenate soil productivity, and ensure food security & environmental sustainability with a total allocation of ₹3.70 trillion.
State share for Centre’s residue mgmt scheme: Keep ₹140 cr ready, say Punjab agri officials to finance deptedit
Hindustan Times – Online
The agriculture department of Punjab has asked the state government to provide ?140 crore as state share for a ?350 crore crop residue management plan during the upcoming paddy harvest. The Centre has asked for a 40% contribution from the state, the first time in six years. Officials have requested that the Centre provide 100% funds for crop residue management this year and the state government contribute 40% from next year. Subsidies of 50% and 80% per machine will be offered to individual farmers and custom hiring centres, respectively.
Telangana: Rs 7720 cr released for 70L farmers under Rythu Bandhuedit
The Siasat Daily – Online
The state government on Sunday released a whooping Rs 7720 crore as funds under the 11th edition of the Rythu Bandhu scheme. This will benefit 70 lakh farmers across the state. The amount will be transferred to the farmers’ bank accounts starting today. It also brings the beginning of the Vanakalam (monsoon) season where crops are sown during the period from June to September.
Telangana minister calls for integrated agri policyedit
DT Next – Online
“India needs integrated agriculture policy for the comprehensive development of the farmers and the nation,” said Singireddy Niranjan Reddy, minister of agriculture, Telangana, on Saturday. Speaking at a two-day event organised by the Chennai-based Samunnati, he said “agriculture, if done with the right support for farmers has the potential to lead the nation into better employment, lesser poverty and overall global growth, while giving back to the end contributors (farmers) and FPOs are increasingly rising up to do the same for them.”
Pb invites applications for farm mechanisation schemeedit
The Times of India – Online
To promote agricultural diversification and mechanisation in Punjab, state agriculture minister Gurmeet Khudian on Sunday announced the department was actively developing a strategy to amplify the initiative of offering cutting-edge machinery to farmers at subsidised rates.
Karnataka set to repeal BJP’s land reforms amendment nowedit
The Times of India – Online
After deciding to repeal the agriculture produce marketing committee (APMC) and anti-conversion laws enacted by the previous BJP-led dispensation, the Congress government is now considering repealing the amendments made to the Karnataka Land Reforms Act that removed restrictions on buying of agricultural land by non-agriculturists. The government is preparing to table a bill to repeal the amendments in the upcoming budget session.
‘Him Unnati’ Scheme to Revolutionize Agriculture in Himachal: CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhuedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
Himachal Pradesh, known for its challenging topography and limited landholding, faces significant obstacles in agriculture compared to its neighboring states. In a bid to overcome these challenges and ensure the integrated development of agriculture, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced the launch of the area-based Integrated and Comprehensive Agriculture Development Scheme called ‘Him Unnati.’
Bihar to launch subsidy scheme to promote cattle farming of indigenous breedsedit
Hindustan Times – Online
Bihar’s animal husbandry department has proposed a subsidy scheme to promote cattle farming of indigenous breeds, said a senior official of dairy development directorate. The scheme envisages a subsidy of up to 75% of the cost of cowshed installation, purchase of cattle and farming management. The subsidy will be offered on purchase of Sahiwal, Gyr and Tharparkar breed of cows in the units of two, four, 15 and 20 cows.
What is Agri Mall? UP CM Yogi Adityanath Announced to Set-Up ‘Agri Mall’ In Lucknowedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
The Uttar Pradesh government, under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath, has announced plans to establish a modern and advanced “Agri Mall” in Lucknow during 2023. The government aims to create a state-of-the-art facility spanning 8,000 square meters and consisting of seven floors, dedicated to facilitating the marketing and sale of agricultural products.
In a green agri push, cabinet nod likely for PM-Pranam, 2 schemesedit
Hindustan Times – Online
India’s Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers is set to propose a cash incentive scheme called PM-Pranam, which rewards states for reducing their consumption of chemical soil nutrients. The ...
‘State govt to provide all help to farmers’edit
The Times of India – Online
State agriculture minister Kumar Sarvajeet said on Monday that the government is ready with monetary and other resources to provide all necessary succour to farmers to carry out their farming activities amid the prevailing drought-like conditions that has arisen due to the long spell of scorching heat and abnormally high temperature.
Agriculture Minister Visits Dhanuka Group Stall In Hyderabad; Appreciates Its Contribution In The Field Of Agricultureedit
Indian Education Dairy – Online
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar visited Dhanuka Agritech Limited’s stall at the ongoing G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting in Hyderabad and appreciated the Group’s contribution to the field of agriculture. Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Kailash Choudhary was also present on this occasion.
Will PM PRANAM scheme be a game-changer for the agricultural sector?edit
Moneycontrol – Online
The Union Cabinet is likely to approve the PM PRANAM Scheme (PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth) on June 14. The government launched the scheme to enhance its efforts towards green growth. India’s agricultural reforms, especially since 1991, have been aimed largely at doubling food output and empowering farmers. However, the government’s new focus is on the growing burden of fertiliser subsidy and soil health.
Union Minister for Agriculture, Narendra Singh Tomar lauds PM Modi on approval of MSP for Kharif cropsedit
The Economic Times – Online
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar on June 08 lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi on approving minimum support price (MSP) for Kharif crops for marketing season 2023-24. Narendra Singh Tomar said, “Under the leadership of PM Modi, Govt of India has accepted agriculture as its priority. Several decisions have been taken in the field of agriculture, to ensure that the farmers’ income increases and farming becomes easy for them. These decisions have benefitted farmers. I am delighted that PM Modi has approved the MSP for Kharif crops.
Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana norms modified to stimulate agri fundingedit
The New Indian Express – Online
In a bid to facilitate the growth of agriculture entreprenuership, the state government has introduced some changes in guidelines of Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY). Under the revised guidelines, agri-entrepreneurs can now apply for fresh capital investment subsidy (CIS) for both new projects and expansion or upgradation of existing ventures after a period of 10 years from the date of availing full limit of capital subsidy. In a bid to encourage self-reliance and financial independence among agri-entrepreneurs, the revised guidelines now permit self-financed projects exceeding Rs 10 lakh to be included under MKUY.
Focus on agriculture exports to raise income of farmers: AP Minister to exportersedit
The New Indian Express – Online
Agriculture Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy has said the State is taking all measures to ensure more income to farmers with less investment.“There is a great demand for agricultural products sans pesticide residue in the international market. They need to take up organic cultivation for a better price for their produce,” he suggested. Inaugurating a workshop involving farmers and exporters here on Tuesday, the Agriculture Minister underscored the need to further enhance the farm product exports from the State to increase its share in the total agriculture exports from India.
CM KCR’s Revolutionary Agriculture Policies Lauded by Energy Ministeredit
Krishi Jagran – Online
The efforts and decisions implemented by Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao have brought about a revolutionary change in the agricultural sector of Telangana, according to Energy Minister G Jagadish Reddy. Speaking at the tenth anniversary celebration of Telangana’s Formation Day at Rythu Vedika in Endlapally, Suryapet mandal, Minister Reddy highlighted the significant improvements in irrigation facilities and the subsequent increase in agricultural productivity.
Monsoon + Indian Agriculture
Scanty monsoon hits paddy sowing in stateedit
The Times of India – Online
Scanty monsoon rainfall has badly affected the sowing of paddy seeds this kharif season with farmlands going dry and majority of farmers still remaining dependent on traditional sources of irrigation. The monsoon still eludes large parts of the state although it arrived on time for the first time in 17 years. Paddy is planted in over 36 lakh hectares of land in all the 38 districts across the state.
Pre-monsoon showers in Punjab good for paddy: Agri expertsedit
Hindustan Times – Online
The cloudy weather and intermittent rainfall during the past one week in Punjab that has led to fall in temperatures has become a cause of boon for the paddy crop as it helps in lesser requirement of water for irrigation and supports saplings and seeds take roots easily.
Karnataka farmers forced to buy tanker water for crops due to delayed monsoonedit
Hindustan Times – Online
The delay in the arrival of the monsoon by 15 days has posed a significant challenge for farmers in Belagavi taluk who primarily cultivate paddy. To protect their crops, farmers are resorting to purchase water from private suppliers to irrigate their paddy saplings. The cost of buying water has added to the already increased expenses for seeds and fertilisers. As the underground water level continues to drop, private water vendors have raised their prices, now charging farmers double the amount compared to the previous month. Earlier, farmers paid ₹500 for a tanker containing 2,000 litres of water, but now they are shelling out ₹1,000 for the same quantity.
Slow progress of monsoon may hit key crops’ yieldsedit
Mint – Online
The slow progress of the monsoon and the spectre of scanty rains may combine to shrink the production of paddy, corn, and soya bean, even as the clock is ticking for farmers to finish kharif sowing. Lower production tends to drive up prices and limit farm sector growth.
Lack of rain may badly impact paddy cultivation in district: Agri Officalsedit
The Times of India – Online
The absence of rainfall in the first three weeks of June has delayed paddy plantation across Pune, triggering concern among farmers about major losses. The process of planting paddy saplings, the main kharif crop, has been hampered severely in tehsils like Bhor, Velhe, Maval, Mulshi, Junnar and western regions of Khed and Ambegaon in the district.
The great Indian monsoon gambleedit
Mint – Online
For people in the southern village of Pallassana in Kerala’s Palakkad district, the arrival of the south-west monsoon last week was more than a mere weather phenomenon—it’s the promise of a lifeline. Yet, in this idyllic corner of the country, full of lush green fields of paddy, the farming community’s success and failure hinges beyond just the rain-laden clouds.
Delayed monsoon: Centre asks districts to be ready with contingency plans in case of drought-like conditionsedit
Down To Earth – Online
While private weather forecaster Skymet Weather Services on June 13 confirmed a ‘below normal’ southwest monsoon with a 60 per cent chance of drought, the Union Agriculture ministry, in a meeting on June 12, has asked different states on their preparedness with regards to their contingency plans in case the monsoon progress is sluggish.
How big a role does the monsoon play in India’s agricultural production?edit
Moneycontrol– Online
It is a long-held consensus that agriculture in India is highly dependent on monsoon rains. To find out how true this is, we looked at historical data on the southwest monsoon in relation to the country’s foodgrain production.
Kharif sowing likely to be delayed as monsoon faltersedit
The Financial Express – Online
With the sluggish progress of monsoon following a late onset over the Kerala coast on June 8, the sowing of kharif crops such as paddy, pulses and oilseeds is likely to be delayed. Sowing of groundnut, soyabean and tur is likely to be delayed because of the slow progress of the monsoon so far over Gujarat, Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
Monsoon delay hits sowing of Kharif crops in Odishaedit
The New Indian Express – Online
Even as Kharif operations have started with field preparation from Akshaya Tritiya (April 22), the sowing of crops mostly paddy has been pushed back due to delay in the onset of southwest monsoon. The state government is yet to prepare its kharif (foodgrain production) plan fixing crop-wise targets and areas to be covered under specific crops for Kharif season 2023-24. This has affected planning at the district level as well.
Monsoon onset delay casts shadow on agriculture sectoredit
CNBC TV18 – Online
Uncertainty looms over India’s agriculture sector once again as it grapples with the consequences of climate change. Following extreme heatwaves and unprecedented rainfall, the possible delay in the onset of the monsoon season casts a fresh shadow over the sector. Farmers eagerly await the arrival of the monsoon for a favorable sowing season for key crops like rice, cotton, corn, soybean, and sugar cane. However, the delay in monsoon onset will significantly impact agricultural activities and pose challenges for farmers.
Monsoon may reach Kerala coast in a couple of daysedit
The Financial Express – Online
After missing its earlier forecast of the southwest monsoon onset on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said that a low-pressure area over the Arabian sea would likely develop into a depression by Tuesday, helping the monsoon advance towards Kerala coast over the next couple of days. However, the weather department refrained from a definite forecast of the start of the seasonal rains, which account for 75% of the country’s annual rainfall. No change has, however, been made to the IMD’s April 11 forecast that the precipitation this year would be in the “normal” range, at the 96% of the long-period average (LPA) ...
Paddy in India
Punjab and Haryana are unable to get out of paddy-wheat cycle; why is that?edit
Down to Earth – Online
The Haryana and Punjab governments have been encouraging cultivation of crops such as maize, cotton, sunflower and mung bean (moong) as a push for diversifying from the water guzzling paddy crop and breaking the paddy-wheat cycle. But low returns for these produce are putting a dent in the crop diversification plans.
This paddy season, Punjab to manage 15 million tonne stubble through in-situ, ex-situ methodsedit
The Indian Express – Online
With the commencement of paddy sowing in June, the Punjab government has formulated a plan to address the issue of paddy stubble during the Kharif season. The plan involves the addition of more than 20,000 Crop Residue Management (CRM) Machines to the existing fleet and the establishment of 1,000 new Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs). The estimated expenditure for this plan is Rs 350 crore, with the state government contributing 40% for the first time since the scheme’s launch in 2018.
Bayer and Crystal in partnership to launch Curbix Pro Kollar for the benefit of Indian Paddy Growersedit
The Week – Online
Bayer CropScience and Crystal Crop Protection Limited came together in 2018 to embark on a collaborative project to enhance the productivity of rice and cotton farmers in India. Under this collaboration, Bayer provided Crystal access to newer innovations, and Crystal, based on their manufacturing and development strength, helped bring new solutions to the Indian market. Today, Bayer CropScience and Crystal Crop Protection Limited have launched the product, Curbix Pro and Kollar, respectively, to aid farmers in tackling plant hoppers, ensuring that the best crop protection practices are implemented.
Scanty monsoon hits paddy sowing in stateedit
The Times of India – Online
Scanty monsoon rainfall has badly affected the sowing of paddy seeds this kharif season with farmlands going dry and majority of farmers still remaining dependent on traditional sources of irrigation. The monsoon still eludes large parts of the state although it arrived on time for the first time in 17 years. Paddy is planted in over 36 lakh hectares of land in all the 38 districts across the state.
Rains to spur paddy sowingedit
The Times of India – Online
Farmers in Punjab have welcomed the early arrival of south western monsoon as rains in various parts of the state were proving beneficial for the paddy cultivators. The early rains are also helping in saving the groundwater as most of the tube-wells remained off. Normally, tube-wells are used to fill the fields with water during paddy transplantation.
Rain pain for cotton growers, blessing for paddy farmersedit
The Tribune – Online
A breach in the Ramsara minor (sub canal) last night lead to flooding in the area. Cotton crop in about 50 acres between Bhagu and Wahabwala village was inundated. Farmers Gurpreet Singh and Kuldeep Singh said the breach occurred as the canal was overflowing due to heavy rain that lashed the region late last night. Rakesh, an employee of the Canal Department, said a JCB machine had been arranged to plug the breach.
Pre-monsoon showers in Punjab good for paddy: Agri expertsedit
Hindustan Times – Online
The cloudy weather and intermittent rainfall during the past one week in Punjab that has led to fall in temperatures has become a cause of boon for the paddy crop as it helps in lesser requirement of water for irrigation and supports saplings and seeds take roots easily.
Telangana: Paddy farmers advised to opt for short duration varietiesedit
Telangana Today – Online
Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy on Saturday appealed to Vanakalam (kharif) farmers to opt for short duration paddy varieties in view of the delayed monsoon. He had a review at his Secretariat chambers with senior officials of the department on the impact of the deficit rainfall received so far this month on the crop prospects, the status of seed and fertilizer supplies and agriculture extension activity. He directed officials to extend all possible support to paddy farmers and oil palm cultivators.
‘Haryana taking steps to convert paddy straw in income source for farmers’edit
Business Standard – Online
Haryana has been implementing proactive measures to transform paddy straw, which was once seen as an environmental hazard, into a valuable source to enhance farmers’ income, Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal said on Thursday. These measures include the announcement of a common determined rate (CDR) of Rs 2,500 per metric tonne for paddy straw, as well as the continued provision of financial support for in-situ/ex-situ techniques and the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) technique in paddy cultivation, he said.
830 Lakh Tonne Paddy Procured Benefiting 1.22 Cr Farmers: Food Ministryedit
Business World – Online
Over 830 lakh tonne paddy has been procured from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) benefitting about 1.22 crore during the ongoing paddy procurement operations of marketing season 2022-23. Payments worth Rs 171,000 crore have so far been transferred directly into their accounts, an official release from the food ministry said Wednesday. Food Corporation of India, the nodal central agency, along with other state agencies undertakes procurement of paddy under the price support scheme (at MSP). Those procured paddy is then milled to make rice and distributed to the public under various food security schemes.
Paddy crop at significant risk amidst heatwaveedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
There is an urgent need to address climate change and transition towards a nature-positive food future. As heat waves intensify and become more frequent in UP and Bihar, the paddy crop, a staple for the kharif season, faces significant risks.
Paddy sowing picking up in some areas: Agriculture Commissioneredit
Press Trust of India – Online
Sowing of paddy, the main kharif crop, is underway in areas which received monsoon rains and the planting is picking up as the monsoon progresses in different parts of the country, Agriculture Commissioner P K Singh said on Tuesday. “Paddy sowing has just started and it has been good so far in areas which have received rainfall. It is picking up as the monsoon progresses in different parts of the country
Telangana at the top in paddy production: KCRedit
The Indian Express – Online
Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday said the state has succeeded in achieving top slot in paddy production with the efforts of the state government, in a public meeting in Ranga Reddy district. The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, constructed on the Godavari basin, helped the agriculture sector on a large scale, he said. Rao also said that continuous water supply for irrigation and uninterrupted power has paved the way for progress in the state.
Peak paddy transplantation period nears: Rajasthan farm labourers make beeline for Punjabedit
Hindustan Times – Online
Farm labourers from Rajasthan, including a large number of women, are travelling to Punjab for the peak paddy transplantation period, marking a new trend. Usually, male workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh complete the work, but farmers’ growing preference for manual transplantation may be why the Rajasthan workers are in demand. Unseasonal rain in June has also played a part as it reduced the demand for mechanised direct sowing of rice.
Paddy and the price of wateredit
The Indian Express – Online
The southwest monsoon season (June-September) has registered 37.2% deficient rain so far. With most global weather agencies predicting El Niño – which typically suppresses rainfall in India – to fully set in by this month-end, the outlook for the rest of the season doesn’t look great. A weak monsoon can particularly impact paddy (rice with husk). A highly water-intensive crop, its cultivation entails preparing nurseries, where the seeds are first raised into young plants that are uprooted and re-planted around 30 days later in the main field.
Paddy transplantation: Not much change in labour charges compared to last yearedit
The Indian Express – Online
While the paddy transplantation is going on in full swing in Punjab, the labour charges for transplantation (per acre) haven’t increased as the rate is almost in the same range vis-a-vis last year. It’s in the range of Rs 2,500–Rs 4,000 per acre depending on the districts in which workers have been employed.
‘Uninterrupted power for paddy sowing’edit
The Times of India – Online
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said the state government was fully prepared for providing uninterrupted power to the farmers for ensuring smooth and hassle free sowing of paddy crop.
Fully prepared to provide uninterrupted electricity for paddy sowing: Punjab CMedit
ET EnergyWorld – Online
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said the state government is fully prepared to provide uninterrupted power to farmers for paddy sowing. In a statement issued here, Mann said like the previous year, the state government has decided to commence sowing of paddy across the state in a phased manner. Sowing started from June 10 in some parts of the state. The remaining areas will be covered on June 16, 19 and 21
Nizamabad farmers advance paddy crop season to beat climate ..edit
The Times of India – Online
While the theme of the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ meeting to be held in Hyderabad from June 15-17 is climate resilient agriculture, farmers in Nizamabad district’s Bothan and Varni areas are already paving the way for the rest of the state by advancing paddy crop season to beat natural hazards.
Heat & paddy season take power demand to 11k MWedit
The Times of India – Online
The rise in mercury coupled with the start of the first phase of the paddy season pushed the state’s power demand on Tuesday to over 11,000 MW. The maximum power demand on Monday was recorded at 9,946 MW whereas on Tuesday, the power demand touched a peak of 11,050 MW.
Centre Provides No Grant, Aid or Loan For Paddy: Chhattisgarh Ministeredit
Free Press Journal – Online
Chhattisgarh Forest and Transport Minister Mohammad Akbar has stated that the central government does not provide any grants, aid, or loans for paddy purchases. In an interaction with the media, he explained that the state government has a system for procuring paddy directly from farmers, which is then custom milled and deposited in the central pool. The central government makes payments based on the fixed rate for the deposited rice.
State plans to procure paddy by finger print verification from Novedit
Millennium Post – Online
The state Food and Supplies department is planning to introduce procurement of paddy by finger print verification through E pos machines from November in the same fashion as delivery of food grains is carried out to the beneficiaries by the ration shops across the state. The procurement begins from November and continues till August but the maximum procurement takes place during November till March.
Paddy procurement in Mancherial surges in Yasangi seasonedit
Telangana Today – Online
Despite challenges, especially from nature in the form of unseasonal rains and hailstorms, the district saw a considerable rise in procurement of paddy produced in the ongoing Yasangi season due to sustained efforts and planning made by the officials concerned. As per information provided by Agriculture officials, paddy crop was grown in 95,000 acres in this Yasangi season, reflecting a surge in the area of cultivation which used to be around 17,000 acres in the erstwhile Adilabad district.
Harvested paddy awaits procurement in Koraputedit
The New Indian Express – Online
With the staff of large area multi-purpose societies (LAMPS) staging dharna demanding hike in salaries, farmers of Koraput district stare at an uncertain fate as thousands of quintal paddy await to be lifted.
Indian rates at three-month high on low supplies, paddy price hikeedit
The Economic Times – Online
Prices of rice exported from top hub India jumped to their highest since early March this week, driven by tight supplies and a move to raise the government-mandated price for paddy, while rates for the staple from Thailand eased on lower demand. India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $388-$395 per tonne, up from last week’s $375-$380. India on Wednesday raised the price at which it will buy new-season common rice paddy from farmers by 7% to 2,183 rupees per 100 kg. “Paddy prices have gone up in the local market in the last one month anticipating a hike in support prices. It is ultimately pushing up rice export prices,” said Himanshu Agarwal, ...
Paddy Straw Management Workshop Highlights Effective Strategies to Achieve Target of Zero Stubble Burningedit
Krishi Jagran – Online
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, in collaboration with the state of Punjab and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organized a workshop on ‘Paddy Straw Management and Action Plans.’ The event, which took place at the Punjab Agricultural University campus, saw the participation of senior government officials, agricultural experts, stakeholders, and over 300 farmers.
Agri dept plans to equip smaller mills to process traditional paddy varieties in TNedit
The New Indian Express – Online
Though farmers are interested in cultivating traditional varieties of paddy, processing it into rice and selling it remains a Himalayan hurdle for the farmers in Madurai. As there are no more than a handful of rice mill facilities that can process traditional paddy varieties, the agricultural marketing department, in view of helping the farmers, has planned to coordinate with smaller mills and equip them to process traditional paddy and sell the produce at regulated markets through the e-Nam facility. According to officials from the agriculture marketing department, several consignments of traditional rice varieties, including Maplai Samba, Karuppu Kavuni, and Vaigai Kondan, have been arriving at the regulatory market for sales through the E-Nam ...
Paddy sowing in full swing in Kashmiredit
The Statesman – Online
Paddy sowing is in full swing in Kashmir Valley, which began in May and will continue till the end of June. Paddy transplantation activity can be seen in the roadside fields, particularly in Budgam and Pulwama districts. The agriculture university has in its advisory to farmers suggested transplanting 30 days old, healthy seedlings grown in traditional nursery or 25 days old grown under protected nursery conditions. Rice is the staple crop of Kashmir where several varieties of paddy are produced. The aromatic mushk budji is the native variety of rice in Kashmir. However, the high yield new varieties have pushed the native paddy to near extinction. Efforts are being made by the government agencies to ...
Paddy purchase operations to close by June 10 in Telanganaedit
Telangana Today – Online
The Civil Supplies Corporation, which has taken up paddy procurement in the State is close to realizing its target for the season. It has started the process for winding up the paddy procurement centres with zero arrivals. Officials of the corporation tasked with the purchases are keen on continuing the operations for another one week to 10 days. As on Friday, the Corporation has purchased over 53 lakh tons of paddy offering the minimum support price from the 7100 procurement centres opened in the State for the season. Paddy arrivals up to 62 lakh tons were projected for the season. The Corporation had planned up for procuring till the last grain as assured by Chief ...
Telangana weathers climate storm with advisory on rabi-paddy timingedit
The Times of India – Online
The days of frequent climate-induced policy changes and government interventions are not far away if the recent directive to farmers by the state government to finish rabi paddy season by March is an indication. The recent unusually heavy rainfall during March-April was the trigger for the agriculture department to look for ways to mitigate farm hardship at least next year by advancing paddy crop season which currently extends till middle of April. The massive crops losses this year due to heavy rain and hailstorm, which is not normal for the season, has led to the formation of a cabinet subcommittee for crop season advancement by the state government. A few days ago, the ...
Paddy residue management: Now contribute 40% share to get funds, Centre asks Punjabedit
Hindustan Times – Online
The Centre has asked Punjab to contribute 40% of its share to get funds for in-situ and ex-situ management of paddy residue. The state government has sought ₹350 crore from the Centre this year for paddy residue management after harvesting in October and November, according to officials familiar with the matter. Paddy residue management holds significance as stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is a major reason behind the alarming spike in air pollution levels in the national capital in October and November. Farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue as the window between paddy harvesting and sowing of the next crop is short.
In Kashmir, Extreme Precipitation is Ruining Apple and Paddy Cultivationedit
The Quint – Online
May is considered to be the first month of the summer season in Kashmir. This year, however, cold weather and extreme precipitation have prolonged, disturbing farming activity in the region. During the months of April and May, cold weather coupled with rains, snow, and hailstorms, have badly affected apple orchards and paddy fields in the Valley. Apple growers say that like in the previous years, the temperature again increased in March this year, which led to the early sprouting of apples. But in April, the temperature dropped sharply due to incessant rains which affected the blossoming stage of apples and other crops.
Punjab aims to bring 5 lakh acres under DSR method this paddy sowing seasonedit
Hindustan Times – Online
This is 2.5 times more than what was achieved in the last season; a total of 71 to 74 lakh acres is expected to go under paddy cultivation; paddy transplantation, to be carried out in four phases in the state, officially begins today.
Kuttanad: the lowest point of India and the Rice Bowl of Keralaedit
The best way to experience Kuttanad is via houseboats. Every visitor here gets easily enchanted with countryside views and paddy fields. Traversing through Alappuzha backwaters via houseboats, you’ll be mesmerised with the views of the swaying coconut trees. Once here, you’ll get to experience the authentic side of rural India and the traditional country lifestyle.
Stubble Burning
This paddy season, Punjab to manage 15 million tonne stubble through in-situ, ex-situ methodsedit
The Indian Express – Online
With the commencement of paddy sowing in June, the Punjab government has formulated a plan to address the issue of paddy stubble during the Kharif season. The plan involves the addition of more than 20,000 Crop Residue Management (CRM) Machines to the existing fleet and the establishment of 1,000 new Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs). The estimated expenditure for this plan is Rs 350 crore, with the state government contributing 40% for the first time since the scheme’s launch in 2018.
BIOCHAR Soil Conditioner from Agricultural wastesedit
Mathrubhumi – Online
Smog in Delhi and neighboring areas is a major perennial issue that throws normal life out of gear. Offices and educational institutes are closed, traffic is affected and incidence of pulmonary diseases rises. One of the major causes of smog is burning of stubble in agricultural fields in neighboring areas. Stubble burning is a practice of removing agricultural waste from the field by setting on fire the straw stubble left on the land after harvesting of grains like paddy, wheat etc. in order to prepare it for the next round of seeding. Every year, stubble burning peaks during the onset of winter. In addition to pollution, soil degradation is another problem due to burning which ...
Stubble burning, a cause for concern in Sambalpuredit
Orissa Post – Online
Farmers in this part of the state are increasingly resorting to stubble burning unmindful of its harmful effects like environmental pollution and declining fertility of farmlands. Reports said several changes have been implemented in farming through the adoption of modern techniques for the benefit of the farmers. Modern equipment is also being used to help farmers sow a seed and plough the land.
Raise baler capacity in stubble burning areas, says Agri Min officialedit
The Pioneer – Online
Senior Agriculture Ministry official KAP Sinha on Friday suggested increasing baler capacity, deploying more machinery in high stubble burning areas and involving cooperative societies in Delhi and surrounding states. Addressing a workshop ‘Paddy straw management and action plans’ organised in Ludhiana, Sinha acknowledged the desire to eliminate the practice of paddy straw burning but identified obstacles hindering progress.
Punjab farmers set to stick with pollution-causing variety of riceedit
Hindustan Times – Online
PUSA 44 is an unrecommended non-basmati variety of rice, clearly tagged as an environmental hazard that takes a month longer to mature than other varieties. As a result, farmers have less of a window to clear the fields after its harvest to plant the winter wheat crop – and so, it is well known as a key contributor to the stubble burning that causes chronic air pollution over Delhi and the northern plains. The variety remains popular among rice cultivators of Punjab because of its higher yield. In 2022-23, this long-duration variety was sown on almost 1.2 million acres despite the state government trying to make farmers switch to short-duration varieties such as PR 126 ...
Environment and development coexist: Yadavedit
The Times of India – Online
Environment minister Bhupender Yadav said environment and development coexist in the country, and underlined the increase in forest cover despite various development projects being taken up in the past few years.On air pollution and the blame-game behind it, Yadav said the Centre has been coordinating with states and it resulted in 40% decline in episodes of stubble burning last year compared to 2021.
Uncategorized
Can the Indian economy sustain its momentum?edit
Mint – Online
There’s cheerful news on the economy at last. Official estimates released last week show India’s GDP grew 6.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022-23 (FY23). The higher-than-expected growth lifted the full-year growth to 7.2%, rendering almost all projections pessimistic, including those of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which had predicted 6.8% growth. Analysts are pleasantly surprised as the year saw high inflation, which forced the central bank to raise interest rates sharply, and a rise in uncertainty owing to the war in Ukraine. The 7.2% growth in FY23 came after 9.1% growth in FY22.
Indian dairy farmers unite to make India the Dairy of the Worldedit
Siasat Daily – Online
Lakhs of dairy farming members of 22 milk producer companies on Thursday pledged to boost milk production for increasing India’s share in the global output, NDDB Dairy Services said. On the World Milk Day being celebrated on Thursday across various states, lakhs of dairy farmers and their families committed themselves towards making India the ‘Dairy of the World’, NDDB Dairy Services (NDS) said in a statement.