Page 19 - Agriculture

Will send 1K students to China for agriculture training: Pakistan PM Sharif

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced sending as many as 1,000 students of the country to China for advanced training in the agriculture sector as it strives to increase output, according to a media report on Sunday. The premier, who concluded his five-day official visit to China, made the announcement during a visit to Yangling Agricultural Demonstration Base in Xi'an city on Saturday, Radio Pakistan reported. The 72-year-old also invited China's North West Agriculture and Forestry University to open a campus in Pakistan. He directed the Pakistan ambassador to China and relevant authorities to finalise the matters with the Chinese authorities in this regard, Geo News reported. The prime minister toured various parts of the facility and was shown Pakistani products at the Pakistan Pavilion, the report said. Sharif also visited the modern plant production factory where he oversaw a demonstration of the vertical method of agriculture, it said. Pakistan is striving to

Will Centre succumb to pressure of rising prices and allow wheat import?

A drop in state procurement has fuelled the buzz about impending imports. Will that really be necessary?

Govt revises upwards wheat output to record 112.92 mn tonne for 2023-24

The government has revised upwards wheat production at record 112.92 million tonne for the 2023-24 crop year (July-June) in its third estimate. The output, which has been revised upwards by 0.91 million tonne from the second estimate, is also higher than the previous record high of 110.55 million tonne achieved in the 2022-23 crop year, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday. Wheat, the main rabi (winter) crop, has been harvested and over 26 million tonne has already been procured by the central government at minimum support price. In its third estimate, the agriculture ministry has projected increase in rice output to 136.7 million tonne for 2023-24 from 135.75 million tonne in the previous crop year. However, the total foodgrain output is estimated slightly lower at 328.85 million tonne as compared to the level achieved in 2022-23 but higher by 21.1 million tonne from the last five years' average of 307.75 million tonne. Among pulses, tur output is pegged higher at 3.38 millio

Garuda Aerospace aims to sell 50,000 agri, consumer drones in coming years

Drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace Pvt Ltd has inaugurated its first exclusive drone showroom in the city as it plans to sell 50,000 agricultural and consumer drones in the next few years. The city-based company, backed by cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has served over 750 clients across the country. In a statement on Tuesday, the company said it has received the Directorate General of Civil Aviation approval for manufacturing of small and medium drones. "We pride ourselves on the impactful intelligence our drone solutions have to offer. We have 750 + satisfied clients all around India with 350 finished projects and 50 designed works. Our team includes 200 plus employees, with a group of advisory board members, expertise heads for various departments, and well-versed pilots," company CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash said in the statement. "Garuda Aerospace has sold 2,500 drones so far, out of which 2,000 are agri drones. We plan to sell 25,000 agri-drones in the next two years and

India's sugar consumption might touch 30 million tonnes next season

India's annual sugar consumption growth rate of 2.2 per cent is significantly higher than the world average which is closer to 1 per cent

Uttar Pradesh govt eyes rural economy push through agri-tourism sector

The supplementary aspects of agri-tourism such as horticulture, apiculture, floriculture, and perfumery give a fillip to the rural economy

The debate: Have the paddy planting laws fulfilled their purpose?

The debate becomes relevant in the light of a recent paper by ICAR's NAIP, which says over-extraction of groundwater has continued in spite of the two Acts

FAO highlights potential of AI revolution in transforming agrifood system

Artificial Intelligence is not just a technological shift but is driving a fundamental economic and social transformation at the broadest level, Qu said, noting that FAO recognises its power

Tackle depleting ground water, low investment in research in 'Amritkaal'

The country needs to do more innovations and bring the power of scale to small and marginal farmers

Research bodies call for slashing CCEs to hasten farm yield estimates

Studies are being done on how number of CCEs could be lowered without compromising on accuracy, credibility

Two govt insurance schemes for fisherfolk to be merged from June

Coverage of Rs 2 lakh was offered under PMSBY while a coverage of Rs 5 lakh was offered under GAIS

India likely to export almost 18 million tonnes of rice in 2024-25: USDA

Supplies increase year to year on record production at 527.6 million tons that more than offsets lower beginning stocks

Eyes on Earth: Data helps farming and industry

Earth observation data can drive $3.8 trn in economic benefits while supporting climate change initiatives

Uttar Pradesh govt plans to promote agri startups, introduce AI in farming

The Yogi Adityanath government is also planning to host a global farmers' summit 'Krishi Bharat' in November 2024 in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry

Every rupee invested in agri research yields Rs 13.85, says study

After research comes agriculture extension activities which give the second best return on investment at 7.40 rupees for every one rupee invested

Govt to conduct digital crop survey across India using AI to assess acreage

The initiative will assist in developing more accurate farm production forecasts, and facilitating timely implementation of suitable trade policy measures

Govt buys 19.6 mn tonne wheat, more than annual demand for welfare schemes

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 year. This is mainly due to lower purchases in Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. "Government's procurement is going on smoothly, Till now, we have procured 196 lakh tonne whereas the annual requirement of Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes is 186 lakh tonne," FCI CMD

India needs stable govt to achieve goal of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047: FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday underscored the need for a stable government to achieve the goal of becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047. "Our Prime Minister has set a target that by 2047, we need to reach the destination of a developed India," she said while addressing students of GITAM University here. "We have to make efforts, so the GDP grows, and the benefits reach to all. GDP growth doesn't happen automatically; efforts are required at micro and macro levels and on the ground," she said. The image of the country is also important, along with the ranking of your GDP, she said, adding that all these factors matter, along with per capita income calculations. "Unless the GDP is widened, we are not going to be able to meet the demands of the economy. We need investment, services to grow, educational institutions, and money for people to buy houses, start businesses," she added. She also criticised former Finance Minister P Chidambaram for questioning the developmental pac

Govt allows exports of specified quantity of white onion via three ports

Easing export ban, the government on Thursday permitted overseas shipments of a specified quantity of white onion from three ports. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a notification said that the exporter shall have to get the certificate from the Horticulture Commissioner, Government of Gujarat, certifying the item and quantity of white onion to be exported. "Exports of up to an aggregate quantity not exceeding 2,000 MT (tonnes) of white onion has been allowed through the specified ports, taken together, with immediate effect," it said. The exports are allowed from Mundra Port, Pipavav Port and Nhava Sheva/JNPT Port. Exports of onion -- a politically sensitive commodity -- are banned in general. However, the government allows specified quantities of shipments to friendly nations on their requests. DGFT is an arm of the commerce ministry, which deals with norms related to imports and exports. On December 8 last year, the government banned exports of onion with a v

Bayer partners govt's CSC, Gram Unnati for last-mile agri inputs delivery

Bayer CropScience on Wednesday said it has tied up with the government's Common Service Center (CSC) and agri-tech firm Gram Unnati to facilitate last-mile delivery of agri-inputs to smallholder farmers in India. As part of the memorandum of agreement, smallholder farmers will be able to access timely crop advisory, transfer of good agricultural practices and access to premium Bayer products through CSC's online portal. Gram Unnati will facilitate farmer mobilization and ensure market linkages. In the first phase, the partnership will support farmers in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, it said in a statement. The CSC scheme, a collaborative e-governance platform, is part of the Digital India programme. The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) aims to facilitate the delivery of government, private and social sector services to Indian citizens through the CSC network. It supports linkages, connecting villages in India through high-speed internet and scaling the