Media Monitor
Maharashtra votes 2024: Farmers across state plough through pain of an uncertain future
In the first flush of excitement at being in power nearly ten years ago, the then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis initiated a Vision Plan 2030 for Maharashtra. In agriculture, which provides livelihood to more than half of the state’s population, the vision document promised a growth rate of 5 percent per annum, water-neutral villages, doubling farmers’ income to ₹2 lakh by 2022, improving crop productivity and yields, reforms in land transactions to attract investment, creating value addition chains and establishing competitive markets.
Agri exports fall 9% during Apr-Feb 2024 due to global, domestic factors
The country’s agriculture exports declined by 8.8 per cent to $43.7 billion during April-February period of 2023-24 fiscal due to factors like the Red Sea crisis, Russia-Ukraine war, and domestic restrictions imposed on critical items like rice, wheat, sugar and onion. According to the data of the commerce ministry, the exports stood at $47.9 billion in April-February 2022-23.
Wheat Worries: Standing guard over future pandemics
Wheat blast is a fast-acting and deadly fungal disease that threatens food safety and security in tropical areas of South America and South Asia. Wheat blast can damage the grain in less than a week from the development of the first symptoms, leaving farmers no time to act.
High demand, dip in production push millet prices up 17%
A combination of high demand, government push, social media trends and a marginal decline in production has driven up millet prices. Data released last week showed that inflation in ragi and ragi products accelerated in March to 16.6% – the second highest in over six years. The highest was 16.7% in February. “For millet, output has been flattish but higher demand due to several food industries using them has pushed up prices,” said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist, Bank of Baroda.
Wheat Arrivals, Procurement in Mandis at Their Lowest in the Last Five Years
Every year, the arrival of wheat in mandis peaks around Baisakhi, which is generally in the middle of April. This year, Baisakhi was on April 13, and both the arrivals and procurement were the lowest in the last five years. This was due to prolonged winter and delayed harvesting in Punjab and Haryana. In all likelihood, the shortfall would be made up as harvesting peaks.
India’s FY24 pulses imports hit 6-year high as red lentil purchases jump
India’s pulses imports in fiscal 2024 surged 84% year-on-year to their highest level in six years after lower production prompted India to allow duty-free imports of red lentils and yellow peas, government and industry officials said on Thursday.
New govt may kick off pesticide, seed reforms in agriculture sector
With farm Acts out of the picture, the government may look at reforming the input side of the agriculture sector — regulations and rules that govern seeds, fertilisers and plant chemicals. Sources said such a blueprint, which is aimed at making the life of farmers easier, with quicker approvals but not compromising on quality, is in the works as part of the 100-day agenda of Modi 3.0. Also, ways to administer fertiliser subsidy more effectively and cutting down on leakages and diversions to build on the success of neem-coated urea are being thought of.
No reports of impact of rains on wheat, other crops: Agriculture ministry officials
There are no reports of impact of recent rains on wheat and other main rabi crops as of now, and harvesting continues in full swing, senior agriculture ministry officials said on Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that due to fresh western disturbance, rain and hailstorms continue in many states. A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India during April 18-21 and a cyclonic circulation that lies over east Bihar, northeast Assam, Rayalaseema and south Tamil Nadu could lead to isolated heavy rainfall, thunderstorm and lightning, according to IMD.
Punjab readies for glut of wheat crop after slow start to procurement
Fifteen days after the start of wheat procurement in the current rabi season, crop arrivals are still negligible. Monday’s 57,000 tonne produce took the total arrivals in the current season to 1.41 lakh tonne.
Punjab faces kharif crop diversification challenge
According to the Punjab agriculture director Jaswant Singh, the department has set a target to cover 2 lakh hectares under cotton in the 2024-25 kharif cycle. Punjab is struggling with diversification plans by turning farmers towards the cultivation of the traditional crop of cotton.