Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
State begins procuring maize directly from farmersedit
West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation Limited (WBLDCL) has started procurement of maize directly from farmers belonging to Self Help Groups (SHGs) or Farmers’ Producer Company (FPC) for utilising the same in the production of poultry feed. The main objective of the project is to encourage the farmers to cultivate maize as an alternative agriculture in low rainfall areas and less fertile lands so that the farmers are economically benefited.
India’s fight for food security at WTOedit
The 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will be held in Abu Dhabi from February 26 to 28. India’s main focus at this conference will be to defend its right to purchase food grains from its farmers at minimum support prices (MSPs) without violating the WTO’s Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) rules. India buys grains for later distribution to the poor under its public stock holding (PSH) system.
Budget
Govt may increase agri-credit target to Rs 22-25 trn in interim Budgetedit
The government is likely to announce in the upcoming interim Budget a substantial increase in the agricultural credit target to Rs 22-25 lakh crore for the next fiscal and ensure every eligible farmer has access to institutional credit, according to sources. The government’s agri-credit target is Rs 20 lakh crore for the current fiscal.
Paddy in India
Odisha: Paddy procurement delay leaves farmers frustratededit
Farmers have resorted to distress sale due to the alleged delay in procurement of paddy in some districts. Farmers of Kendrapara expressed resentment alleging that the millers and agents are purchasing paddy at rates below the government-fixed prices, causing significant financial setbacks to them. Mahendra Das, a farmer from Kandarapatia village, said the challenges of reaching the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society (PACS) at Ramanagar, are enormous.
Stubble Burning
Punjab to seek ₹500 crore from Centre for paddy stubble managementedit
The Punjab agriculture department has decided to seek ₹500 crore grant from the Centre for in-situ and ex-situ management of paddy stubble in the harvest months of October and November this year, according to department officials privy to the development. Punjab to seek ₹500 crore from Centre for paddy stubble management The demand is being prepared as part of the action plan for crop residue management (CRM) for which the union agriculture ministry has asked for requisition.
Uncategorized
India sends pesticides to Afghanistan to ensure food securityedit
The Indian assistance will ensure food security in Afghanistan and Central Asia, according to the Afghan ministry of agriculture and irrigation. The Afghan ministry expressed its gratitude towards India and said that the assistance will assist to fight locusts within the country and prevents those coming from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.