Media Monitor
| Category | Stories |
|---|---|
| Agriculture Industry | 18 |
| CLAAS Global Mentions | 3 |
| Competition | 16 |
| Dairy Farming | 1 |
| Farm Mechanization | 3 |
| Technology in Agriculture | 3 |
| Govt. Policies | 2 |
| Harvest Machine | 1 |
| Monsoon + Indian Agriculture | 7 |
| Paddy in India | 20 |
| Stubble Burning | 2 |
| Tractor industry | 1 |
| Uncategorized | 1 |
Agriculture Industry
India to begin wheat imports after six years, to shore up reservesedit
India is poised to begin wheat imports after a six-year gap, to replenish depleted reserves and hold down prices that leaped following three years of disappointing crops, sources say, as the approaching end of general elections removes a key hurdle.
Agri dept projects kharif crops on 20 lakh ha in 4 N. Maha distsedit
The state agriculture department’s Nashik divisional officer has projected kharif crop cultivation on 20.3 lakh hectares of land in Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon, and Nandurbar districts. The kharif crop majorly includes maize, soyabean, moong, tur, cotton, bajra, urid, and paddy in the North Maharashtra region.
Why reports of agriculture’s demise are greatly exaggeratededit
Farmers may be looking for alternative avenues of income, but it is too soon to write off the significance of agriculture in rural India, data from the recently released Nabard All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) shows.
Andhra Pradesh: Vigil stepped up on sale of fertiliser, seeds ahead of Kharifedit
As the farmers are gearing up for Kharif season, the agriculture officials have increased vigil on fertiliser and seeds outlets. During the last season, the officials conducted inspections and identified that vendors are buying huge quantities of unauthorised fertilisers, repackaging them, and selling them under various names at high prices to the farmers. Following this, the officials are suggesting the farmers to purchase fertilisers at authorised outlets only.
Govt: TN became forerunner in agri production due to various schemesedit
The state government on Thursday said Tamil Nadu is self-sufficient in food production and is giving food grains to neighbouring states, thanks to the efficient schemes being implemented by the government headed by Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Farmers asked to avoid paddy crop this kharifedit
The agriculture department in NTR district is preparing an action plan for the kharif cultivation season following the timely arrival of the forecasted monsoon. Initially, authorities estimate that kharif crops will be sown across 97,340 hectares in the district. Farmers in the Krishna delta region had a difficult time due to the lack of water during the rabi season.
Why is wheat procurement low despite bumper production?edit
Wheat procurement reached 25.7 million metric tonnes (mmt) on May 17, 2024, against the government official target of 37.29 mmt fixed for the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2024-25, according to Food Corporation of India (FCI) data. The current procurement is around 31 per cent less than the target, despite a bumper production year—the government has estimated a production of 112 mmt.
Wheat purchases by govt at 25.4 mn tonnes, 1.5% lower than last yearedit
India has bought 25.4 million metric tons of new-season wheat from domestic farmers to shore up its depleted reserves, a 1.55% decline from last year, government sources said on Wednesday. Wheat purchases by the government-backed Food Corporation of India (FCI) got off to a slow start last month, but procurement picked up in recent weeks, said the sources who didn’t wish to be named as they are not authorised to talk to the media.
7 lakh acres to be under DSR cultivation: Agri deptedit
The Punjab agriculture department has set a target of seven lakh acres to be sown under the direct seeded rice (DSR) system of paddy cultivation to save water this kharif season. The last year’s target was five lakh acres but only 1.73 lakh acres witnessed paddy cultivation under the DSR method. The agriculture department has already issued the notification, allowing the farmers to sow paddy through the DSR method from May 15. For the conventional method, the department has fixed June 11 for Muktsar, Bathinda, Fazilka, Faridkot, Mansa and Ferozepur, while June 15 for the rest of the state.
Punjab agri experts raise concern over water-guzzling spring maizeedit
Spring maize, sown from February to June, has become a favourite of farmers in the state, forcing the agricultural experts to raise a red flag as the crop, which needs more water to sustain something which Punjab, with its fast-depleting groundwater table, can’t afford.
India likely to export almost 18 million tonnes of rice in 2024-25: USDAedit
India will remain a leading player in the world rice market despite restrictions, according to a recent projection by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It accounts for almost 18 million tonnes of rice exports in 2024-25, which is around two million tonnes more than the previous year.
Agriculture department in Tamil Nadu refutes claims of poor quality millet seedsedit
Months after allegations surfaced about the adulteration of barnyard millet (kuthiraivali) seeds provided to farmers, the agriculture department officials, after performing a field test, found that the seeds had no issues. In November 2023, several farmers from Usilampatti raised concerns about adulterated barnyard millet seeds provided at a subsidized price by the agriculture department. Farmers alleged that nearly all the fields where the seeds were planted produced weeds, instead of millet crops.
TN agri department refutes claims of poor quality millet seedsedit
Months after allegations surfaced about the adulteration of barnyard millet (kuthiraivali) seeds provided to farmers, the agriculture department officials, after performing a field test, found that the seeds had no issues.
Every rupee invested in agri research yields Rs 13.85, says studyedit
As investment in agriculture research decelerated between 2011 and 2022, a recent working paper has revealed that every rupee invested in agricultural research yields a return of nearly Rs 13.85, surpassing returns from all other activities linked to farming. The working paper was published by the National Institute of Agriculture Economics and Policy Research (NIAP), an entity operating under the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), last month.
Enhancing agri-productivityedit
As India sets sail towards its vision of a developed nation by 2047, it stands on the cusp of comprehending, reassessing, and charting a road map to grow at 8-9% for the next three decades. This requires a focus on improving the key competitiveness fundamentals, i.e. labour mobilisation and labour productivity. India must enhance both to achieve upper middle-income status.
Madhya Pradesh farmers struggle to make the most of soaring wheat pricesedit
Dwarka Prasad Meena, a farmer at Bhainswa village in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district, is grappling with water scarcity that has severely impacted his wheat harvest. Despite his best efforts, yields have plummeted by at least 20 per cent on his farm. Meena, who cultivates wheat on approximately 20 acres, says that inadequate rainfall and poor irrigation systems have also affected his coriander crop. As the state prepares for the third phase of polling on Monday, the issue of dwindling wheat production has become a hot topic among farmers.
In 100-day plan, Agri Ministry plans new Centre-state body for farm policyedit
THE CENTRE IS planning to set up a National Council for Agriculture and Rural Transformation (NCART), which will act as an overarching federal body and devise policy and programmes for the agri sector, The Indian Express has learnt. According to sources, the idea, proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare as part of its 100-day action plan for the new government, is to drive “coordinated” actions in the agriculture sector.
Govt buys 19.6 mn tonne wheat, more than annual demand for welfare schemesedit
The government has bought over 196 lakh tonne of wheat so far in the ongoing 2024-25 marketing year, surpassing its annual requirement of 186 lakh tonne for all welfare schemes including the National Food Security Act. Now, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) — the government’s nodal agency for procurement and distribution of foodgrains — is making efforts to meet its target of buying 310-320 lakh tonne in the 2024-25 marketing year to augment buffer stocks and keep surplus grains for making intervention in the open market, if needed, to control retail prices. Procurement of wheat, a major rabi (winter-sown) crop, is down 11 per cent so far from 219.5 lakh tonne in the same period last ...
CLAAS Global Mentions
CLAAS’ Dairy Month contest invites selfies, with ‘cheesy’ prizesedit
With June just around the corner, CLAAS is celebrating the dairy industry during National Dairy Month with a special promotion that captures candid moments with a favorite cow to win an annual supply of premium cheese. The ag equipment manufacturer is recognizing the heart and soul of individual farmers and their families through its “Say Cheese” dairy month promotion.
CLAAS Academy opens doors with diverse training opportunitiesedit
Further education and training are often considered options primarily for young adults. However, with the revitalised CLAAS UK headquarters, an additional training facility named CLAAS Academy has opened doors not only to young adults but also to dealer sales members, service, and parts staff, alongside customers seeking machine operator training.
Tractor, harvester IT comes of ageedit
Their diverging directions has led to a myriad array of systems and applications that are often useful in bringing efficiencies, while also engendering brand loyalty, but often doing little to simplify the already complex business of farming. Harvesting and tractor manufacturer Claas has come to appreciate that the general mix of competing products, in some cases, might hamper, rather than encourage adoption of digital technology, so in response, has developed Claas Connect.
Competition
New Holland to Unveil New 100+ HP TREM-IV Tractor for the Indian Farmersedit
New Holland is set to launch its latest 100+ HP TREM-IV tractor in the Indian market next month. The highly anticipated launch event will take place in New Delhi during the second week of June 2024. The new tractor model, which falls under the 100+ HP category, will be a made-in-India product from New Holland. This latest addition to the company’s portfolio is designed to cater to the growing demands of Indian farmers and the agricultural sector.
Celebrating Mini Tractor Day with over 175 tractor deliveries in Nadiad by Captain Tractorsedit
On completion of 30 years of mini tractor modification, Captain Tractors organized a Grand Event (Garjana 2.0) at Nadiad with the grand launch of their new model 250 LS and celebrated “The Mini Tractor Day” with more than 175 tractor deliveries.
Goodyear India Q4 net loss at Rs 4.2 cr on weak demand for tractors, trucksedit
Tyremaker Goodyear India on Monday reported a fourth-quarter loss as sales of commercial vehicles like tractors and trucks dipped, and customers also put off refurbishing their vehicles. The Indian unit of U.S.-based Goodyear Tire’s standalone net loss stood at Rs 4.21 crore ($506,606.34) for the three months to March 31 from a profit of Rs 33.61 crore a year earlier.
CSIR unveils electric tiller to transform Indian agricultureedit
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) on Saturday launched its innovative Electric Tiller in Durgapur. Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) unveiled this cutting-edge technology aimed at transforming the agricultural landscape for small and marginal farmers, according to a press release by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
VST Tillers Tractors Ltd and Axis Bank Partners to Offer Financial Solutions to Farmers for Farm Equipmentsedit
VST Tillers Tractors Limited (VST), India’s leading farm equipment manufacturer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Axis Bank, one of the leading private sector banks in India, to offer financial solutions to the farmers for purchasing tractors and Farm Mechanisation products. As per the agreement, Axis Bank will provide financial solutions to VST’s prospective customers through its extensive network of 5370+ branches spread across geography.
Lamborghini tractors come to India | Mintedit
Italian farm equipment maker Same Deutz-Fahr (SDF) Group on Thursday introduced its premium tractor under the Lamborghini brand in India. The company is introducing a 30-horse power (HP) tractor initially under the brand and planning to expand the range to up to 70-80 HP going forward. It is yet to finalise the price of the products.
Escorts Kubota plans to invest up to Rs 4,500 crore in new plant over next 3-4 yearsedit
Farm and construction equipment manufacturer Escorts Kubota Ltd plans to invest up to Rs 4,500 crore over the next three to four years to set up a new manufacturing plant, according to its whole-time director and CFO Bharat Madan. The company is currently in talks with the Rajasthan government for a site at Ghiloth, where it intends to set up the greenfield plant to double its domestic tractor production capacity to 3.4 lakh units annually, while also setting up new engine and construction equipment lines in phases.
Sonalika Drives Into FY’25 With Staggering 11,656 Overall Tractor Sales and Gains Market Share in April’24edit
After an unprecedented success in FY’24 with the highest-ever annual overall market share, India’s No. 1 tractor export brand Sonalika Tractors is excited to have commenced its FY’25 journey with a robust new platform. The company has clocked a record 11,656 overall tractor sales and has continued to gain market share on a y-o-y basis in April’24 with its diligent efforts and perseverance.
Brand Story: Swaraj Launches New Campaign for Tractor ‘Target 630’ Featuring Cricketer MS Dhoniedit
Swaraj Tractors has released a new campaign starring Swaraj’s esteemed customer and brand ambassador, MS Dhoni. The advertisement captures the ease and efficiency of using the Swaraj Target 630 in horticulture, inter-row cultivation, puddling & other farming activities, enabled due to its advanced features & powerful engine.
New Holland Announces India’s First Ever 100+ HP Trem-IV Tractoredit
New Holland, a prominent player in the agricultural machinery industry, has made a new announcement for Indian farmers. The company has announced the launch of India’s first TREM – IV 100+ HP tractor, marking a significant advancement in the country’s farming sector. With this launch, New Holland hopes to close a long-standing gap in the market by giving farmers access to a heavy-duty model that complies with TREM-IV standards.
VST ZETOR launches three new tractors in range of 41to 50 HPedit
VST ZETOR, the joint venture between VST Tillers Tractors and HTC Investments a.s (Owner of the ZETOR brand), announced the launch of three best-in-class higher HP tractors in the country today. The three new tractors launched in the range of 41 to 50 HP are VST ZETOR 4211, VST ZETOR 4511, and VST ZETOR 5011. These products are jointly developed by VST & ZETOR after rigorous testing and technological integration post taking valuable inputs from the farming community in India.
VST Zetor launches new range of tractorsedit
VST Zetor Private Ltd, the joint venture between VST Tillers Tractors Ltd and HTC Investments, on Monday announced the launch of three “best-in-class” tractors in the higher horse-power range. In a statement, the company said, the three new tractors launched in the range of 41 to 50 HP are VST Zetor 4211, VST Zetor 4511, and VST Zetor 5011. These products are jointly developed by VST and ZETOR after rigorous testing and technological integration after taking valuable inputs from the farming community in India.
New Holland Announces Booking for India’s First 100+ HP Trem IV Tractoredit
New Holland, a global leader in agricultural machinery, has set the Indian farming community abuzz with the announcement of the booking launch for the country’s first-ever 100+ horsepower (HP) tractor with Trem IV emission technology. The unveiling of this groundbreaking agricultural marvel marks a significant milestone not only for New Holland but also for the Indian agricultural sector as a whole.
Mahindra & Mahindra April tractors sales remain mutededit
Mahindra & Mahindra’s farm equipment sector sold 37,039 tractors in month of April 2024 compared to 36,405 units in April 2023, recording a growth of 2%. Domestic tractors sales were at 35,805 units, higher by 1%. Exports rose 23% to 1,234 units over last year. Commenting on the performance, Hemant Sikka, President Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said We have sold 35805 tractors in the domestic market during April 2024, a growth of 1% over last year. Government’s Wheat procurement operations are going on in full swing with good mandi arrivals, keeping the rural cash flows healthy. IMD’s forecast of above normal monsoon rains and festivals in the month of April have helped bring positivity ...
Top 10 Popular Swaraj Tractors in India: Price and Specificationsedit
This Swaraj tractor for farmers is the most popular in India. The tractor comes with 48 HP, 3 cylinders and a powerful 3136 CC engine capacity for advanced performance. It also has 8 Forward + 2 Reverse gearboxes with single / dual clutch for smooth gear shift. Along with this, it has an optional dry disc and oil immersed brakes for slowing down or stopping the tractor motion.
Escorts Kubota witness flattish tractor and construction equipment growth, expects rebound post electionsedit
Escorts Kubota Limited agri machinery business division reported flattish year-on-year (YoY) growth in the month of April selling 7,515 tractors as against 7,565 tractors sold in April 2023. The company attributed the development to the impact from ongoing elections, low reservoir water levels, decreased haulage activities, and moderate rabi output, despite the festive season shifting to April this year.
Dairy Farming
Dharmapuri dairy farmers in TN want hay at subsidised priceedit
The recent rain may have given a new lease of life to crops, and people may heave a sigh of relief for getting a break from the heat wave, but dairy farmers are in the lurch due to shortage of hay for their cattle. They have appealed to state government to sell hay at subsidised rate. In Dharmapuri, most farmers depend on the daily revenue earned from milk production. However, the heat wave and monsoon failure last year resulted in shortage of hay.
Farm Mechanization
Marut Drones, IFFCO partner for Drone Spraying Over 5 Lakh Acre Farm Landedit
In a significant move towards revolutionizing agricultural practices in India, the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has entered a strategic partnership with Marut Dronetech Private Limited to undertake Drone as a Service (DAAS) operations across an extensive area of 5 lakh acres. This collaboration marks a pivotal step towards creating rural entrepreneurs, enhancing agricultural productivity and bringing Drone technology to the states of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana.
Maharashtra: Sky Is The Limit For State’s First Batch Of Female Drone Pilotedit
For the first time, 12 women from various self-help groups in rural Maharashtra have been trained to operate and fly drones. Taught in Bangalore, they will soon use their new skills to earn employment by area mapping, aerial surveys and agricultural spraying.
Government Extends Interim Approval for Drone-Based Pesticide Applicationedit
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (Plant Protection Division), has extended the interim approval for the application of already approved pesticide formulations through drones. The decision comes in response to a request from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) seeking an extension of the approval.
Technology in Agriculture
Raj fails to reap benefits of solar power for agricultureedit
Despite having abundant resources for solar energy and enough production to cater to needs of other states, Rajasthan has failed to utilise the green energy for its own use, especially in agriculture, which accounts for 40% of the electricity consumption in the state. Solarising the state’s about 16 lakh power connections for agriculture will not only save the govt huge power subsidies, it will also free up capacity for domestic and other consumers who face power cuts.
FAO highlights potential of AI revolution in transforming agrifood systemedit
Artificial Intelligence and the ongoing digital revolution will inevitably transform the world and its agrifood systems, making it all the more urgent that the transformations they drive benefit everyone and contribute to solving global challenges, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), QU Dongyu, said Friday at the Business Federations of the G7 (B7) meeting in Rome.
How AI and data can bring another green revolution in Indiaedit
India faces environmental challenges in agriculture, but AI offers transformative solutions. Precision farming, empowered by AI and big data, optimizes resources and boosts yields sustainably. With satellite data and predictive analytics, farmers make informed decisions. AI aids resource management and environmental conservation, but widespread adoption requires collaboration. Farmers’ active engagement with data transforms them from beneficiaries to contributors, ensuring a sustainable agricultural future driven by technology.
Govt. Policies
Agriculture dept ready to distribute seeds, fertilisersedit
Of this, 3.9 lakh hectare is irrigated, and 3.5 lakh hectare is rain-fed. Cereals, pulses, oilseeds and commercial crops are grown in the district. Cereals are grown on 2.3 lakh hectare, pulses on 0.8 lakh hectare, oilseeds on 1.4 lakh hectare, and commercial crops on 3 lakh hectare. Among cereals, maize is the major crop (grown on 1.3 lakh hectare).
Support to farmers, food security, outdated data — WTO members question India’s agriculture policiesedit
everal member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO), including Canada, Brazil, Australia, Japan, the UK, and the US, have questioned India over the 50 percent increase in the support it provided its farmers in 2022-23. Other decisions, too, by the Indian government have come under question, such as the 21 percent increase in the amount it has allocated for public stockholding for food security, whether it includes actions by states when it calculates the quantum of its food subsidy, and when it will release updated data on its farmers.
Harvest Machine
Best Power Tillers in India: Powerful Performance for Your Fieldsedit
Delving into the heart of India’s agricultural landscape unveils the indispensable role of power tillers. As the backbone of farming operations, selecting the right power tiller is crucial for maximizing productivity and efficiency. In this comprehensive guide, we navigate through the maze of options to unveil the top contenders in India’s power tiller market.
Monsoon + Indian Agriculture
Rain leaves earth soggy, prevents pre-kharif sowing in Karnatakaedit
Pre-kharif sowing has started in Karnataka after much delay this year. Good showers in the past few weeks came as relief to distressed farmers, however, due to excess moisture in the soil at many places, sowing has not been done as per target so far.
India still expects above average monsoon rains in a boost for agricultureedit
India is likely to receive above-average monsoon rains this year, the weather office said on Monday, retaining its April forecast and keeping alive the possibility of higher farm output and economic growth in Asia’s third-biggest economy.
Plentiful rains could lift farm growth to 6% this year: Officialsedit
An above-average monsoon, expected to hit the Kerala coast on May 31, could lift farm growth to 6% this year on the back of higher output of summer crops and a base effect, a government policy-maker said on Thursday. The June-September rainy season is critical for Asia’s third-largest economy as nearly half of the country’s net-sown area heavily relies on the summer monsoon.
Rain after prolonged dry spell brings cheer, farmers hope to salvage rabi cropedit
Decent spells of rain across the state over the past week ended a prolonged dry spell that prevailed for over six months, and while it brought down soaring temperatures, it has also offered farmers a glimmer of hope. The met department has forecast more rain over the next few days before the weather stabilises. While it may not compensate for the acute deficit, it does bring much cheer.
Double whammy: Drought or rain, it’s only loss for farmers in Karnatakaedit
On the one hand, farmers in Karnataka are facing distress due to severe drought, and on the other, sudden thundershowers are bringing fear of losing standing crops and death of cattle due to lightning. Since the last week of April, heavy rain has been reported in many parts of the state, damaging crops.
Moody monsoon spells trouble for Kerala’s agriculture sectoredit
Kerala and monsoon have an intricate relationship. The state’s nature, character, and economy are deeply tied to the annual rains, which is essential for its sustenance. However, long-term changes in monsoon patterns have started having a detrimental effect on the state’s economy and environment. Adversely impacted by the erratic rainfall, paddy farmers have switched from longer-duration indigenous rice varieties to shorter-duration types and also moved to crops like banana and areca nut.
Above-normal Southwest monsoon chances bring hope for India’s agricultural sector: Geojit reportedit
Multiple meteorological organisations are predicting above-normal rainfall during this year’s southwest monsoon season in the Indian subcontinent. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts the total rainfall from June to September to be 106% of the long-period average. Last year’s southwest monsoon ended with a 6% deficit due to El Nino, causing variations in rainfall distribution. Some regions experienced shortages while others, like West Rajasthan and Saurashtra-Kutch, received ample rainfall. However, 7 subdivisions, including Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, experienced deficient rainfall.
Paddy in India
Officials race against time to meet deadline set for paddy procurementedit
On May 21, Special officer S Krishna Aditya while reviewing the progress of the procurement of the grains in Mancherial, set May 30 as the deadline for completing the process in both Mancherial and Kumram Asifabad districts.
Paddy farmers get low return for their stocksedit
With entire administration focusing on elections, paddy farmers who cultivated during the rabi season turned worst victims. Notwithstanding the promises, state govt has grossly failed to pick up the stocks from the farmers on expected lines. The poor procurement measures by the govt left the field open to private rice millers to take advantage of the situation.
Pay compensation to paddy farmers, Speaker tells Tamil Nadu CMedit
Assembly Speaker M Appavu submitted a petition to Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday demanding compensation for the paddy farmers, who suffered crop damage due to unseasonal rainfall in Panagudi, Radhapuram and Thisayanvilai areas.
Order probe into paddy procurement, demands BRSedit
BRS on Monday demanded the Congress govt to order a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge into the paddy procurement process and also cancel the tenders on fine rice procurement. Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, former chairman of Telangana Civil Supplies Corporation Sardar Ravinder Singh said, “Civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy did not answer the questions being raised by BRS and party working president KT Rama Rao on paddy and fine rice procurement.
83% of paddy buy payments made to farmers: Chauhanedit
Civil supplies commissioner DS Chauhan on Thursday said the state govt has cleared 6,000 crore worth loans taken during the BRS govt tenure. Addressing a press conference, he said paddy procurement across 7,421 centres was going on smoothly. “I personally monitored 80 procurement centres where procurement is going on swiftly. So far, 83% of paddy purchase payments have been completed and farmers are getting money within three days,” he said.
Telangana govt’s decision on superfine variety paddy sparks war of wordsedit
The state government’s decision to give Rs 500 bonus per quintal to farmers who produce superfine variety of paddy led to a war of words between the ruling party leaders and their counterparts from the opposition. During its campaign in the 2023 Assembly elections, the Congress promised to give Rs 500 bonus to farmers for every per quintal of paddy. However, in recent a Cabinet meeting, the Congress government decided to provide bonus to only superfine variety of paddy.
Bad weather condition delays paddy purchaseedit
The rabi paddy procurement process scheduled for May 25 has been delayed by a week due to inclement weather conditions in Koraput district, which have halted harvesting in several tribal areas. Sources said that farmers in Kotpad, Kundra, Jeypore, and Borigumma had cultivated around 25,000 hectare land in January this year, utilising irrigation water from the Upper Kolab project.
Officials asked to complete procurement of paddy grains by May 30edit
Special officer and director of labor department S Krishna Aditya instructed the officials to complete the process of paddy procurement by May 30. He along with collectors Badavath Santosh and Venkatesh Dhotre convened a meeting with the officials of civil supplies, revenue and relevant departments here on Tuesday.
Govt will buy every grain of paddy: Bhattiedit
Deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday appealed to BRS and BJP leaders not to create a fear psychosis among the farmers to derive political mileage and sought to assure the farmers that the govt will buy every grain of paddy, including the rain-soaked and that which has started to sprout, by paying the minimum support price. “This is ‘Indiramma rajyam’ and a farmer-friendly govt and we will continue the procurement of paddy till the last grain.
Telangana Cabinet approves Rs 500 bonus to paddy farmersedit
Fulfilling yet another poll promise made during Assembly polls, the Congress government has decided to give Rs 500 per quintal bonus to paddy farmers producing ‘sanna vadlu’ (fine quality paddy) from the upcoming kharif season (June-September). The decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at the Secretariat on Monday. The government has decided to utilise sanna vadlu procured from farmers to produce sanna biyyam (fine quality rice) for supplying to students in hostels run by welfare departments and also students in government schools.
Amid outcry, govt to procure 75L tonne paddy by June 15edit
While the opposition parties, particularly BRS, have stepped up the heat on delay in the procurement of paddy, the Congress govt has set a target of procuring approximately 75 lakh tonnes of paddy by June 15. Senior officials said that there was no prohibition on buying wet paddy, but the delay was caused by the need to dry the paddy which got wet in recent rains.
Agri officials asked to curb sale of counterfeit paddy seededit
Fearing sale of counterfeit seeds of the government-recommended PR-126 paddy variety — a short-duration variety that saves water, the department of agriculture has already ordered the chief agriculture officers (CAOs) to take proactive steps in this regard. The CAOs are learnt to have been asked to conduct raids on the premises of private seed dealers, distributors and producers so as to nip the sale of duplicate seeds.
Farmers allege pilferage of paddy grains at procurement centre in Asifabadedit
Farmers staged dharna alleging that two to three kilograms of paddy grains were being pilfered from a bag of paddy containing 40 kilograms at a paddy procurement centre Oddugudem village in Dahegaon mandal on Tuesday. Rauthu Sattaiah, a farmer, alleged that the staffers at the centre were secretly stealing around three kilograms of grains per bag by tampering with the weighing machine.
CM: Govt to procure rain-soaked paddyedit
Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday said farmers need not be worried if their paddy stocks at the procurement centres are soaked due to untimely rain and directed officials to buy the moisture-containing produce. The CM enquired about the damages caused due to strong winds, rain and lightning reported from several districts, including Adilabad, Medak and Sangareddy.
Punjab government decided to start paddy transplantation in two phases from June 11 and 15edit
The Punjab government has decided to conduct paddy transplantation in the state in two phases and announced that it will start from June 11 and 15. It has been decided to start direct sowing of paddy in the entire state from May 15. According to a notification issued by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Punjab by Special Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha today, paddy has been allowed to be planted in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Faridkot, Mansa, Fazilka, Bathinda, Ferozepur and the area beyond the Kandiali wire along the international border from June 11, while Moga, Sangrur, Barnala, Malerkotla, Patiala.
Telangana government to buy wet paddy at MSP, promises Uttam Reddyedit
Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday announced that the government will help the distressed farmers who were adversely affected due to untimely rains. He also said that they will procure the rain-affected paddy at minimum support price (MSP) relaxing the existing specifications.
HC: Seal restaurant and resort on paddy fields at Canaconaedit
The high court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Canacona Municipal Council’s chief officer and the South Goa deputy collector to seal the restaurant and resort operating on paddy fields at Nagorcem, Palolem, within the next two days. The division bench comprising justices Mahesh Sonak and Valmiki S A Menezes told the deputy collector to inspect the site since there is a complaint about the lack of a conversion sanad.
Pb bans Pusa-44 paddy variety cultivation, saleedit
The Punjab agriculture department has officially banned the cultivation and sale of the Pusa-44 paddy variety through a notification. This long-duration variety is known for its high water consumption and substantial stubble production post-harvest. Punjab agriculture director Jaswant Singh said that the ban currently applies only to the Pusa-44 variety, which covers a larger area in Punjab compared to other long-duration varieties like Peeli Pusa and Pusa Dogar.
Economics of Punjab’s paddy varieties: case of banned Pusa-44 and the promoted PR-126edit
As Punjab grapples with a severe groundwater crisis, there are calls for diversification away from water-guzzling crops — especially paddy, which saw a record 32 lakh hectares (lh) under cultivation last year. Agriculture scientists and economists believe that the paddy area in the state needs to be brought down by at least 10 lh.
Paddy procurement takes a hit as Vaigai water release delayed in Maduraiedit
Cultivation of samba paddy was affected, which ultimately led to a 50% drop in paddy procurement this year, as the release of Vaigai water was delayed in Madurai. Insiders from the paddy and rice trade industry stated that considering the increasing demand for paddy, action has to be taken to increase cultivable areas across the state.
Stubble Burning
UK patent for Bikaner agriculture universities low-cost stubble management machineedit
An innovative and affordable stubble chopper-cum-spreader machine, designed by four professors and a student of the Bikaner agriculture university, has secured a United Kingdom (UK) patent. The machine is expected to provide farmers an alternative to other expensive options in the future.
Stubble burning count doubles in stateedit
Data from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) shows farm fire incidents in Uttar Pradesh have doubled this season compared to the previous year. From April 1 to May 20 this year, a total of 13,727 farm fire incidents were reported, compared to 6,426 in the same period last year.
Tractor industry
Indian Army’s Innovative Anti-Tank Missile on Tractor: A Blend of Tradition and Technologyedit
Amidst India’s push for self-reliance in defence, a unique image has captured the nation’s attention. The Indian Army has showcased an Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) mounted on a farm tractor. Recently, Indian Army’s Western Command shared pictures featuring this innovative setup on X (formerly Twitter). While some lauded the ingenuity, others mocked the idea.
Uncategorized
Deep learning techniques for Hyperspectral image analysis in agricultureedit
The agricultural sector is experiencing unprecedented transformations rapidly through technological advancements. In the last decade, we have witnessed seismic shifts as drone technology has boosted crop yields by 5-10% and have slashed water usage by up to 30%. These innovations underline the industry’s brisk evolution, paving the way for hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and deep learning to further revolutionize farming practices, enhancing efficiency and sustainability.