Page 5 - Agriculture Sector

Govt won't tolerate irregularities in agriculture sector: Shivraj

The government does not tolerate irregularities and will take action if anyone is found guilty of indulging in corruption, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Tuesday amid allegations of corruption in Maharastra's agriculture department. Chouhan was responding to an allegation levelled by NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, who quoted a minister and an MLA of Maharashtra of talking about alleged corruption to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore in the state's agriculture department. "This is for the first time I am hearing. I don't know what is the real position. But if there is any irregularity anywhere, we will conduct an inquiry and action will be taken against the guilty," he said in the Lok Sabha. Replying to another question, the minister said that so far 23 states and union territories have implemented the centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) while the rest are yet to accept it. "It is the largest crop insurance scheme in the world. Some states

Maharashtra govt contemplating use of AI in agriculture sector: Ajit Pawar

The Maharashtra government is considering the use of artificial intelligence (AI) on an experimental basis in the agriculture sector to boost productivity and reduce production costs for farmers, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Monday. During a review meeting here, Pawar directed the state agriculture department to work with the cooperation department to assess the technical and financial feasibility of the project. State Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, Minister of State for Agriculture Ashish Jayswal, Minister of State for Cooperation Pankaj Bhoyar, President of the All India Grape Growers Association Kailas Patil, and other senior officials attended the meeting. Pawar said, "As crucial factors like crop health, soil carbon levels and soil health can be monitored using AI, we can use it on an experimental basis in the agriculture sector to boost productivity and reduce product cost for farmers." He said the transformation has to be practical and financially viable f

Economic Survey: Consistent 5% farm growth can help absorb surplus labour

It suggested policy reforms to discourage overproduction of cereals while boosting output of pulses and edible oils

Union Budget 2025: What Economic Survey says about the agriculture sector

The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights 3.5 per cent growth in India's agriculture sector, with a strong focus on horticulture, livestock, and fisheries as key growth drivers

Govt may consider agri subsidies via direct benefit transfer: Shivraj Singh

The government is trying to bring policy-level changes for simplifying agriculture, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said and indicated that providing subsidies on fertiliser, seed and farming equipment through direct benefit transfer could be considered in the future. In an interaction with farmers, who were invited to witness the Republic Day parade as special guests, at his residence here on Monday, the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister said the government spends up to Rs 2,00,000 crore on fertiliser subsidies. "The fertiliser subsidy that the government gives costs to the tune of Rs 2,00,000 crore. A sack of urea costs Rs 265 to the farmers, but it costs Rs 2,400. The subsidy goes to the company. The fertilizer is also used for other purposes... If there is a reliable system, farmers can be given the subsidy directly in their accounts," Chouhan said. "The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi's cost comes to around Rs 60,000 crore, if the fertilizer subsidy is given throu

Will Budget 2025 signal bold decisions for the agriculture sector?

Critics say that so far, the Modi government, in its third term, has resisted from making any bold or path-breaking initiatives for the farm sector

Growth in agri credit may top 13% in FY25: Nabard chairman Shaji KV

Nabard chair Shaji KV says rise shows declining reliance on informal sources

Govt hikes crop insurance scheme allocation, subsidy for DAP fertiliser

Also, Rs 824.77 crore fund has been created to foster innovation and technology in the agriculture sector

Drop in nano-urea sales has fertiliser companies holding their breath

Nano urea sales dropped by a steep 43.2 per cent in FY24 from the previous year, despite production capacity rising by almost 59 per cent in that period

ICAR, governing body members in bitter war of words over key appointments

With the current Director General of ICAR set to retire in February 2025, Badaravada described the transition as a "golden chance" to reform the organisation

Here's why Best Agrolife share was buzzing in trade on December 16; details

The rally in Best Agrolife share price came after the company announced that it has been assigned a patent for an invention, "Syndergistic Pesticidal Composition" for 20 years

UPL-SAS sees tech, climate solutions for growth after $200 mn investment

UPL-Sustainable AgriSolutions (UPL-SAS) is spearheading a transformative approach to Indian agriculture, leveraging technology, digital innovations, and a holistic strategy to address the complex challenges facing the country's farming ecosystem, CEO Ashish Dobhal revealed in an exclusive interview. With agriculture spanning 400 million acres and involving 130 million farmers, 80-85 per cent of whom are smallholders, the company is reimagining its role from a crop protection product seller to a comprehensive solution provider. "Each state has its own nuance, cropping pattern, and cultural nuances of farming," Dobhal explained, underscoring the intricate landscape of Indian agriculture. Emerging from a challenging period, Dobhal confidently asserted that "the worst of the industry downturn is behind us." UPL-SAS, a subsidiary of UPL Ltd, is implementing a multi-pronged strategy to revitalize its performance with key strategic priorities. These priorities include developing crop ...

China arrests former agriculture minister Tang Renjian for corruption

The case, which has been concluded by the National Supervisory Commission, is being further processed

Natural farming in mission mode, but is it a workable alternative?

While the government is looking to push natural farming, which is different from organic farming, contrasting studies question the scalability and viability of the practice

President Murmu urges scientists to deal with agriculture sector challenges

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday called on agriculture scientists to develop and disseminate technologies in a timely manner to deal with natural disasters, adverse effects of climate change and excessive exploitation of resources. The President made the remarks while addressing the gathering at the 40th convocation of Odisha University of Agricultural and Technology (OUAT) here. She also urged the agriculture scientists to come up with ideas to protect soil, water and environment from the adverse impact of climate change. Agriculture is facing new challenges such as natural disasters, adverse effects of climate change, decreasing per capita farm size, and excessive exploitation of natural resources. To deal with these challenges, our scientists will have to develop and disseminate technologies timely. We have to emphasise on environmental protection, soil health protection, water and soil conservation, and better use of natural resources, Murmu said. She noted that climate ...

Edible oil body SEA urges govt to lift ban on commodity futures trading

Edible oil industry SEA on Monday called on the government to lift a ban on futures trading in key agricultural commodities, including crude palm oil and soyabean, citing significant financial impact on its members. The ban, first implemented in December 2021 on seven agricultural commodities, has been extended multiple times with the current extension running through December 20, 2024. The Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) has appealed to five ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, arguing that the absence of futures trading has hindered price risk management and market development. "The industry was hopeful that the suspension would be lifted to enable smoother operations, but the continuation of this restriction has further weakened an essential risk mitigation tool," SEA President Sanjeev Asthana said in a representation made to the ministers. SEA emphasised that studies have shown futures trading does not significantly

Govt should boost soil nutrients to maintain yields, say scientists

A mapping of India's soil health has shown that almost 90 per cent of the land is deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus, and 50 per cent in potassium

Air pollution: 22 FIRs lodged, 16 Haryana farmers held for stubble burning

In an effort to discourage farmers from burning crop residue, the Haryana agriculture department has implemented strict measures

Increased MSP for rabi crops will boost farmers' income, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Union Cabinet's decision to increase the MSP of six rabi crops will increase the income of farmers and they will become even more prosperous. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the price hikes for six rabi crops, with increases ranging from Rs 130 to Rs 300 per quintal for the 2025-26 marketing season beginning April 2025. "The Union Cabinet, led by Modiji, today approved the increase in MSP of rabi crops for the 2025-26 season. The MSP of rapeseed and mustard has been increased by the highest Rs 300 per quintal and the MSP of lentil has also been increased significantly by Rs 275 per quintal. These increased MSPs will enhance the income of farmers. Our farmers will become even more prosperous," Shah wrote on 'X' in Hindi. Thanking the prime minister, Shah said the Modi government is dedicated to the welfare of farmers and takes care of every concern they have. In ..

PM Modi launches projects related to agri, animal husbandry in Maharashtra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched Rs 23,300 crore initiatives related to agriculture and animal husbandry sectors at Washim in Maharashtra. Modi, who is on a one-day visit to Maharashtra, arrived at the Nanded airport in the morning, from where he was flown to Washim in a helicopter. In Washim, he offered prayers at the Jagdamba Mata temple in Poharadevi. He later paid tributes to Sant Sevalal Maharaj and Sant Ramrao Maharaj at their 'samadhis' (memorials) in Poharadevi. The PM then inaugurated Banjara Virasat Museum, celebrating the rich heritage of Banjara community. During an event held later, Modi disbursed PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi's 18th instalment of Rs 20,000 crore to around 9.4 crore farmers. With the release of this instalment, around Rs 3.45 lakh crore have been released to farmers under this scheme, officials said. The PM also launched the 5th instalment of NaMo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana disbursing about Rs 2,000 crore. He inaugurated more than 7,5