Page 18 - Agriculture
Kharif paddy sowing rises 12%; acreage of cotton and oilseeds down
The Department of Agriculture has released progress of area coverage under kharif crops as on August 8, 2025
 "Kharif paddy sowing rises 12%; acreage of cotton and oilseeds down")
Higher MSP, import curbs help moong acreage surpass last year's level
Some traders said the sowing trend clearly shows that farmers feel zero-duty imports could hurt their realisations in the coming months while it might not be the case with moong
 "Higher MSP, import curbs help moong acreage surpass last year's level")
Shivraj Chouhan to transfer ₹3,200 cr crop insurance to 3 million farmers
The PMFBY claim amount will be transferred during an event organised for this purpose in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan
 "Shivraj Chouhan to transfer ₹3,200 cr crop insurance to 3 million farmers")
Delhi High Court orders WazirX to disclose Binance acquisition details
The court has also ordered the company to disclose details of the ongoing restructuring proceedings before the Singapore High Court, as per its order dated August 5
 "Delhi High Court orders WazirX to disclose Binance acquisition details")
Govt aims 50% rise in milk procurement with White Revolution 2.0: Amit Shah
The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and 25 Milk Unions across 15 states have signed MoUs to establish biogas plants in dairy cooperatives, according to a statement
 "Govt aims 50% rise in milk procurement with White Revolution 2.0: Amit Shah")
Nabard promotes 6,215 farmer producer organisations, says FM Sitharaman
State/UT wise yearly allocation is made under RIDF on the basis of funds allocated by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from Priority Sector Lending (PSL) shortfall, FM Sitaraman said
 "Nabard promotes 6,215 farmer producer organisations, says FM Sitharaman")
Uttar Pradesh faces fertiliser supply shortage amid rising demand
The total stock comprises 918,000 tonnes of urea and 558,000 tonnes of phosphatic soil nutrients such as Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Nitrogen Phosphorus Potash (NPK)
 "Uttar Pradesh faces fertiliser supply shortage amid rising demand")
₹3,300 cr paid to Uttarakhand farmers under Kisan Samman Nidhi: CM Dhami
It takes the total amount paid so far under the scheme to the farmers of Uttarakhand to Rs 3,300 crore, he said
 "₹3,300 cr paid to Uttarakhand farmers under Kisan Samman Nidhi: CM Dhami")
PM Modi releases ₹20,500 cr to 97 mn farmers under PM-KISAN scheme
PM Modi released about ₹20,500 crore to around 97 million eligible farmers across the country from an event in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh
 "PM Modi releases ₹20,500 cr to 97 mn farmers under PM-KISAN scheme")
Centre making efforts to ensure adequate availability of fertilisers
Chouhan was speaking at an event here on the occasion of the release of the 20th installment of the PM KISAN Samman Nidhi
 "Centre making efforts to ensure adequate availability of fertilisers")
Goa to roll out new salt-tolerant paddy variety for 2026 kharif season
ICAR data shows Goa Dhan-5 was developed to improve upon earlier salt-tolerant varieties: Goa Dhan-1, Dhan-2 (2017), and Dhan-3, Dhan-4 (2019)
 "Goa to roll out new salt-tolerant paddy variety for 2026 kharif season")
Bihar, north-east states record below-normal rainfall, shows data
LPA for the two months is 422.8 millimeters while for August alone, the met department said that monsoon in totality would be normal at 94-106 per cent of LPA
 "Bihar, north-east states record below-normal rainfall, shows data")
India's DAP imports from China fall to 97,000 tonnes in July amid new rules
Anupriya Patel said DAP import from China declined from approximately 22.28 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 to about 8.47 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 as reported by fertiliser companies
 "India's DAP imports from China fall to 97,000 tonnes in July amid new rules")
PM Modi to transfer ₹20,500 cr to accounts of 9.7 cr farmers in Varanasi
Uttar Pradesh alone will see more than 23 mn farmers receive ₹4,600 crore, including Rs 48 crore to 221,000 farmers in Varanasi
 "PM Modi to transfer ₹20,500 cr to accounts of 9.7 cr farmers in Varanasi")
India's sugar output seen rising 18% to 34.9 mn tonnes in 2025-26: Isma
About 5 million tonnes of sugar can be diverted next season for ethanol production compared with 3.5 million tonnes in the current season, he said
 "India's sugar output seen rising 18% to 34.9 mn tonnes in 2025-26: Isma")
Chhattisgarh to get APEDA regional office in Raipur for agri-exports
The regional office will facilitate direct exports of fruits, vegetables, rice, GI-tagged products, millets, and other agri-commodities to international markets
 "Chhattisgarh to get APEDA regional office in Raipur for agri-exports")
Why are paddy and maize acreages seeing a big jump this kharif?
Better prices above MSP, coupled with demand from ethanol producers for their fuel-blending programme, are pushing the popularity of maize
 "Why are paddy and maize acreages seeing a big jump this kharif?")
Govt nod now must for traders buying farm produce from Maharashtra farmers
The decision taken by the cabinet also stated that taking a licence from the marketing committee or director of the marketing department will be mandatory for buying agriculture products
 "Govt nod now must for traders buying farm produce from Maharashtra farmers")
Tenant farmers can access Fasal Bima if authorised by landowners: Govt
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says tenant farmers can now access Fasal Bima and MSP schemes if authorised by landowners, marking a policy shift
 "Tenant farmers can access Fasal Bima if authorised by landowners: Govt")
Kharif sowing hits 75% of target, but pulses and cotton lag behind
Owing to deluge of cheap imports, the area under pulses is down