Media Monitor
Technology in Agriculture
Seeds for growth: How technology can boost Indian agricultureedit
The Indian Express – Online
Agriculture and allied sectors are central to the Indian economy. Keeping this and a sustainable future in mind, the Indian government, quite rightly, is promoting technology-enabled sustainable farming, including natural, regenerative and organic systems, during its G20 presidency.
Stubble Burning
Short-duration variety sown on 50% paddy area in Punjab may give some respite from stubble firesedit
Hindustan Times – Online
Close to half the paddy cultivation area in Punjab has been sown with a faster-maturing variety that leaves behind less stubble, potentially reducing pollution caused by farm fires in November. Typically, farmers use a variety that takes longer to mature and produces more stubble. Due to floods in July, farmers were forced to re-sow the shorter duration variety. This year, nearly 50% of the paddy area is under the faster-maturing variety. However, rice millers fear less rice yield from the new variety. Farmer unions have called for compensation for the extra effort taken to prevent stubble burning.
Tractor industry
Mahindra to showcase 7 new tractor models on August 15edit
India Today – Online
Homegrown auto major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) will unveil seven new tractors on August 15. All seven models, which will be showcased in Cape Town (South Africa), will be based on the company’s new lightweight global tractor platform, christened Oja. Earlier this year, Mahindra Tractors, which forms part of the farm equipment sector at M&M, introduced Oja as the brand name for its new range of tractors from its global tractor program, K2.