Page 27 - Agriculture

Centre aims zero stubble burning in current season: Agriculture Minister

The Centre aims to work towards achieving zero paddy stubble burning incidents in the current season, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Friday. To achieve this, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi governments presented their action plan and strategies for preventing paddy stubble burning at an inter-ministerial meeting on Thursday. Stubble burning is a process of setting on fire the straw stubble, left after the harvesting of paddy. It is a common practice in October and November primarily in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. "The aim in the current season is to work towards achieving zero stubble burning," Tomar said. The Centre is providing sufficient funds under Crop Residue Management (CRM)scheme to the four states and they must ensure proper utilization by providing machine to farmers in a timely manner, he said in a statement. There is a need for proper monitoring at the state level to ensure proper utilization of the machines and the use of ...

Govt forms panel to suggest ways to rationalising, right-sizing ICAR

The government has constituted a high level committee to suggest ways for rationalising and right-sizing of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). In a written reply to Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar replied in the affirmative when asked whether the government has constituted a high powered committee to restructure the ICAR to make the organisation stronger. The 11-member panel is chaired by Additional Secretary (Department of Agricultural Research & Education) and Secretary, Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the committee is to make recommendations for rationalisation and right-sizing of ICAR to transform it into a more dynamic, lean and efficient organisation, the minister informed.

Best Agrolife consolidated net profit jumps to Rs 90.5 cr in June quarter

Agro chemical firm Best Agrolife Ltd on Monday reported an over two-fold jump in its consolidated net profit at Rs 90.5 crore for the June quarter of the current fiscal. Its net profit stood at Rs 40.12 crore in the year-ago period. Total income rose to Rs 616.75 crore in the April-June period of 2023-24 fiscal from Rs 464.07 crore in the corresponding period a year ago, according to a regulatory filing. Vimal Kumar, Managing Director of Best Agrolife Ltd, said the company has achieved remarkable growth momentum, with revenue from operations growing by 32 per cent despite the headwinds that the agrochemicals industry has been facing. "Additionally, our EBITDA margins of 21 per cent can be attributed to the increasing contribution of speciality, niche, and patented products to our overall revenue," he said.

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IoTechWorld Avigation gets DGCA certification for new agri-drone model

Agri-drone maker IoTechWorld Avigation on Wednesday said it has received certificate from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its new indigenous product 'AGRIBOT A6' which is more advanced and compact than previous model. In a statement, Gurugram-based IoTechWorld said its indigenously designed and manufactured 'AGRIBOT A6' drone has received the 'Type Certificate' from the DGCA. Type Certificate for drones is an official document issued by the DGCA certifying that a specific type of drone meets all the technical parameters and safety standards for operation in India, it added. IoTechWorld Co-Founder and Director Deepak Bhardwaj said the newly launched model is 30 per cent more compact compared to the previous model of 'AGRIBOT' and much more stable and reliable. He said the company has not increased rate for this new product despite advanced design. "AIF (Agriculture Infrastructure Fund) is available for AGRIBOT A6 in which 90 per cent collateral free loan is availab

Telangana has highest per capita income among all Indian states: MoSPI

Based on constant prices, Haryana topped the list with a per capita income of Rs 1,81,961 in 2022-23

AP EAMCET/EAPCET counselling 2023 registration begins, link to apply

The online registration process for the AP EAMCET/EAPCET Counselling 2023 has begun on eapcet-sche.aptonline.in/EAPCET

Garuda to tie up with Goa agri dept for promoting use of drone in farming

Drone maker Garuda Aerospace will collaborate with Goa's Department of Agriculture to conduct a drone yatra, an initiative boosting the usage of drones in this sector. The company in a statement said that the Goa Agriculture Department has invited them to collaborate in conducting the initiative of the Drone Yatra aiming to create awareness and promote the adoption of drone technology in agriculture. "This collaboration signifies a joint commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technology for the betterment of agricultural practices in the state. Through their innovative technology, farmers can now utilize Nano Urea spraying, maximizing efficiency, and productivity," the company said. The official said that the Drone Yatra in Goa is specially tailored to empower farmers with knowledge about the latest advancements in precision agriculture. "By utilising Nano Urea spraying through Kisan Drones, farmers can optimise the use of resources, minimise environmental impact, and ultimately ...

Total kharif acreage tops last year's level for first time this season

A pick up in paddy sowing should ease some concerns on the inflation front that prompted a clampdown on exports this week

Agri sector can scale new highs with AI, other emerging technologies: WEF

The agriculture sector in India can be transformed by promoting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, according to a new World Economic Forum report. Releasing the phase-1 report of the 'Saagu Baagu' ('agriculture advancement' in the Telugu language) being implemented by the Telangana government in collaboration with it, the WEF said its AI for Agriculture Innovation (AI4AI) initiative has helped more than 7,000 chilli farmers get access to agritech services in the first phase. These agritech services include AI-based advisories, soil testing, produce quality testing and e-commerce -- all in the project's pilot phase. The state government plans to scale existing and additional agritech services in phase II (from 2023 onwards) to 20,000 chilli and ground nut farmers in three districts. The digital public infrastructure will also be introduced in phase II, while in phase III (by 2025), the target is to reach 1,00,000 farmers in the state. The projec

17,176 PACS registered to function as common service centres: Amit Shah

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday said 17,176 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) have been registered so far to function as Common Service Centres (CSC) for providing over 300 services like banking, insurance and Aadhaar enrolment in rural India. Shah said there are around 95,000 PACS across the country and soon all will be on-boarded to start CSC operation. In the next few years, he said around 3 lakh new PACS will be established which will provide these services from the start itself. The minister was addressing the 'National Seminar on Delivery of CSC services through PACS' here. "Today both PACS and CSC are getting united. This will not only increase the facilities of the poor, but also will give new energy and new strength to the rural economy," Shah said. He informed that around 17,176 PACS have got their registration done to function as CSC till Thursday afternoon. Out of this, 6,670 PACS have also started transactions. In the coming 1-2 weeks, the remaini

Delhi may suffer losses of Rs 2.75 trn by 2050 due to climate change

Delhi is projected to suffer losses of Rs 2.75 trillion by 2050 due to the impacts of climate change, with changes in precipitation and temperature patterns posing significant threats to the lives of the most vulnerable populations. The warning comes from the city government's draft action plan on climate change. The plan, which is pending approval, highlights "heat waves/higher temperature and heavy precipitation events over fewer number of days" as major challenges that the city will confront in the upcoming years. India introduced its National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008, following which state governments were instructed to create their own action plans. The State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) must be aligned with the strategies laid out in the NAPCC. In January 2018, the central government directed the states to revise and strengthen their SAPCCs, taking into account the evolving national and international climate action, science and policy ...

Govt to take firm decision on anti-farmer agriculture laws: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said the government will take a firm decision on the anti-farmer agricultural laws implemented by the previous BJP government in the state. Speaking to a delegation of farmers led by legislators B R Patil and Darshan Puttannaiah, who met him today, Siddaramaiah said the government will take decisions to protect the interest of farmers. The Land Reforms Act has been discussed and a clear decision will be taken within the next session. There was a discussion in the House today about the amendment of the APMC Act. He said that a separate meeting will be held to discuss the problems of farmers in detail, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's office said.

Diversification of agriculture towards energy, power need of hour: Gadkari

Stressing that diversification of agriculture towards energy and power sectors is the need of the hour, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday asked Uttar Pradesh to move ahead in hydrogen production so that the country could become an energy exporting country. The Union minister also said that Uttar Pradesh, which was once regarded as 'bimaru pradesh', is moving towards development now and hailed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for improving the law and order of the state. "Diversification of agriculture towards the energy and power sector is the need of the hour and to make our farmers prosperous, Uttar Pradesh has sugarcane farmers in large numbers. "The Narendra Modi government has made policies to change the future of the farmers and it is bringing a change," the minister said. He was speaking after jointly inaugurating two national highway projects worth over Rs 3,300 crores in the state capital with local MP and union Defence Minister Rajnath ..

Agri ministry asks banks to promote Rs 1 trillion Agriculture Infra Fund

The Agriculture Ministry on Wednesday asked banks to promote Rs 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) for creation of necessary infrastructure in the farm sector. The AIF is a financing facility launched on July 8, 2020 for creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farm assets. Under this scheme, Rs 1 lakh crore is to be disbursed by financial year 2025-26 and the interest subvention and credit guarantee assistance will be given till the year 2032-33. According to an official statement, Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja on Wednesday launched a new campaign for banks under Agri Infra Fund titled BHARAT (Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural & Agriculture Transformation). "This one month-long campaign (from July 15 to August 15) with a target of Rs 7,200 crore was launched through video conference attended by more than 100 banking executives that included MDs/Chairman, EDs of commercial banks in public and private sector, Regional Rural Banks, Small ..

Pak aims to get investment of $30-50 bn in next few yrs in agriculture: PM

Pakistan is aiming to get investment worth USD 30-50 billion in the next four to five years in agriculture under a programme to transform the economy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday. Sharif said this while addressing a seminar on agriculture and food security in Islamabad which was also attended by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir. He said that the landmark steps were being taken to exploit its full potential in agriculture and other domains under the ambit of the recently launched Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). He said the Green Pakistan Initiative, which is part of the SIFC, would be the second green revolution, paving the way for prosperity and progress in the country and the government anticipated an average investment of 30 to 50 billion dollars over the next four to five years. Our efforts are focused to enhance productivity and transform barren land into fertile ground which will significantly bolster our revenues," he said, adding that .

Uttar Pradesh govt looking to invest about Rs 3,800 cr in agri start-ups

The Centre has signed a memorandum of understanding with nearly a dozen public sector banks to provide loans under the scheme

Manipur govt to provide security to farmers doing agricultural work: Police

The Manipur government will provide security to farmers engaged in agricultural work in the ethnic strife-hit state, a senior police officer said on Saturday. Addressing a press conference at Police Headquarters here, Inspector General of Police I K Muivah said as the planting period of the agriculture season is very short, the police will provide security to farmers engaged in agriculture work. The IGP said the state had recently reduced the number of security personnel deployed on VIP duty and will utilise them in providing security to farmers doing agricultural activities. However, the farmers should contact the Superintendent of Police of their respective district before heading out for their work, the IGP said. No farmers should go out for farming if they don't have any security cover, he said. The IGP said 822 security personnel will be deployed in providing security to farmers in Imphal West district, 290 in Imphal East, 236 in Bishnupur, 147 in Thoubal, 204 in Kakching, 20

Farmers hopeful of better paddy cultivation on good monsoon rains

The paddy cultivation has started gaining momentum over the past week across the Jammu division with farmers expressing satisfaction over the good amount of rainfall under the influence of Monsoon winds and western disturbance over the region. The farmers are hopeful for better yield this year compared to the previous years. The cultivation of paddy, especially the world-famous Basmati rice, serves as the sole source of income to a majority of farmers in R S Pura, Marh and parts of Samba and Kathua districts in Jammu region. "Paddy and maize are main crops of the Jammu region which are dependent on rain waterWe had good pre-monsoon rains. The Monsoon has also set on time which is good, Joint Director, Agriculture Department, A S Reen told PTI. He said the sowing of maize that is mostly cultivated in the rain-fed hilly areas was completed sometime back and the frequent rains over the past week are a blessing for the crop. The rice cultivation in Jammu plains and some parts of hilly

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