Page 19 - Agriculture

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

Govt charts plan to boost exports of 20 'high potential' agri products

India's share is about 2.5 per cent in global exports, and the government wants to increase it to about 4-5 per cent over the next few years

Uttar Pradesh's sugar rush: Parties sweeten deal for cane growers

5 million sugarcane farmers on radar of contesting parties

Action plans for 20 agri products to boost exports likely in 3-4 months

The government is formulating action plans for as many as 20 agricultural products including banana, mangoes, potato and baby corn with a view to further boost export of these commodities, a senior official said on Tuesday. The action for each of these products is likely to be ready in the next 3-4 months, Additional Secretary in the department of commerce Rajesh Agarwal said. He said that the action plan will be discussed with all the stakeholders including states for further action. These commodities hold huge potential to further increase exports as there is a good production of these items with high quality standards and they are completive in the global markets. "We have identified 20 products. At present, India's share is low in global exports. We are working on a detailed action for all these products," Agarwal added. India's share is about 2.5 per cent in the global exports and the aim is to increase it to about 4-5 per cent in the coming years. These commodities include

Direct seeded rice cultivation shows big promise for small farmers

Over 47 per cent of small farmers got higher rice yields through the direct seeded method, shows study

A tale of two farmer protests: Why 2020 agitation won a stupendous victory

The 2024 has been a different story. What changed?

India moved fewer people to non-agri jobs than most neighbouring nations

Change in employment ratio is also worse than its key peers

Average mustard yields can jump by 35% with right practices: SEA study

The yield increases were realised using innovative farming practices and advanced technology

Govt asks traders to avoid buying new-season wheat to shore up state stocks

India, the world's biggest wheat consumer and grower after China, banned exports in 2022 and is keen to bolster stocks and tame prices that surged after dry weather hurt output in 2022 and 2023

Centre orders mandatory declaration of wheat stock position from April 1

The Union government said that the move is in a bid to manage the overall food situation and prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation

Govt to begin procurement of 500,000 tonnes of rabi onion in 2-3 days

Amid concern over likely fall in mandi prices in view of extension of onion export ban, the government on Tuesday assured farmers that it will start procurement of 5 lakh tonnes of rabi onion in next 2-3 days to protect their interest. Last week, the commerce ministry extended the ban on onion export till further orders. The ban on onion shipment was valid till March 31. "We want to assure farmers that their concern will be taken care of. ...We will begin procurement of 5 lakh tonne of rabi (winter) crop in the next 2-3 days for maintaining a buffer stock," Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh told reporters. The onion export ban is affecting traders and not farmers as average mandi (wholesale) prices are ruling currently at around Rs 13-15/kg in Maharasthra, which is almost double from the previous year level, he said. "Even if prices crash, we will protect the interest of farmers," he added. The secretary said the government normally buys onion for the buffer stock at a

Vishwas Agri Seeds' Rs 26 crore SME IPO to open Mar 21: Check issue details

The brand "Vishwas" enjoys a strong presence in the market, the company claims, as over the years it has developed a robust network of distributors across states like Gujarat, Rajashtan and MP

Farmers to hold homage meets to spread agitation as protest enters deadlock

No tractors have been allowed in the 'mahapanchayat' while not more than 5000 people have been allowed to gather

Wheat stocks decline to 7-year low on poor procurement, shows data

The last time wheat stocks were below the current levels on March 1 was back in 2017. It had then dropped to 9.42 million tonnes

India achieves 11.6% ethanol blend with petrol in first 4 months of 2023-24

ISMA has appointed Deepak Ballani as its new Director General

Chhattisgarh launches scheme to provide input assistance to farmers

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday launched 'Krishak Unnati Yojna' to provide input assistance to farmers and released Rs 13,320 crore to 24.72 lakh cultivators. The scheme was launched at a function at Saryu Prasad Agrawal stadium in Balod district. Speaking on the occasion, Sai said another guarantee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been fulfilled with the launch of this scheme. Input assistance worth Rs 13,320 crore was transferred to the bank accounts of 24.75 lakh farmers under the Krishak Unnati Yojana, he said. Of these cultivators, 24.72 lakh sold paddy this year in the kharif marketing season 2023-24 at minimum support price, and they were paid the difference amount of Rs 13,289 crore, the chief minister said. Similarly, more than Rs 31 crore was paid to 2,829 farmers producing paddy seeds through the seed corporation, he said. "The state government fulfilled its promise to farmers, by disbursing pending paddy bonus of two years (2014-15 and 2015-16