Page 34 - Agriculture

Wheat output may surpass govt estimate of 112.18 mn tonnes on higher yields

India's wheat production may surpass the government's estimate of record 112.18 million tonnes in the 2022-23 crop year (July-June) on a likely jump in crop yields in major growing states despite inclement weather affecting the grain quality in some parts, Agriculture Commissioner P K Singh said on Thursday. Weeks before the untimely rains, the government in its second estimate released in February projected wheat output at 112.18 million tonnes for the 2022-23 crop year. The previous record in wheat production was 109.59 million tonnes in 2020-21 crop year. "Overall, the wheat production is likely to surpass the estimate of 112.18 million tonne on account of better crop yields," Singh told PTI. The crop yields have improved in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh even as the untimely rainfall during the harvesting stage in the March-April period has caused damage to the grain in terms of lustre loss and high moisture, he said. The yields have improved on account of climate resistanc

Livestock, fishing see highest decadal gross value of output growth

"During 2011-12 to 2020-21, there has been a steady growth in the real output of 'fruits and vegetables'

Rajasthan farmers to get Rs 500 cr in FY24 to build greenhouses, shade nets

"In the next two years, there is a proposal to give a subsidy of Rs 1,000 crore to 60,000 farmers to promote protected farming," the official said

UPL's profit declines by 42% in March quarter as raw material costs surge

The Mumbai-based company's revenue from operations rose 4.5% to 165.69 billion rupees, with its Latin American operations raking in about 39% of the total revenue

Odisha govt inks pact with ICRISAT to develop agri marketing network

The MoU was signed between the two organisations in the presence of Cooperation Secretary Sanjeeb Kumar Chadha

Alibaba Group co-founder Jack Ma turns up in Japan as college professor

Jack Ma is expected to conduct research, in sustainable agriculture and food production. He will also give seminars on entrepreneurship and innovation

Govt making efforts to boost production, consumption of millet: Tomar

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday said the government is making efforts to boost the production and consumption of millets. He was speaking after inaugurating the 'Millets Experience Centre (MEC)' at Dilli Haat, INA, in the national capital. Co-operative NAFED in collaboration with the agriculture ministry established this centre to create awareness about the benefits of millet and encourage its adoption among the general public. Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Nafed MD Rajbir Singh were present at the event. "We are making efforts to enhance production, yield, processing and consumption of millers in the country," Tomar said. The minister highlighted that there are multiple health benefits of consuming millet as it is nutritious. Tomar said millets are climate resilient and can be grown in less water and with minimal use of fertilisers and pesticides. He said an increase in the production of millet will also boost the income of farmers, especially

Compensation for crop damage to farmers goes up in Madhya Pradesh

The Congress has alleged the state government is trying to deceive farmers by presenting incorrect figures in the survey of crops

Need to improve crop productivity to meet demand of the world: Tomar

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday stressed on the need to improve crop productivity as the country requires to increase farm production to meet domestic requirement and export to global markets. The minister inaugurated a Summit on Farm Machinery Technology organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Tractor and Mechanization Association (TMA). Addressing the event, Tomar highlighted that the agriculture production has increased substantially over the years thanks to the hardwork of farmers and scientists as well as policies of the government. He said the country's population will rise by 2050, and therefore there is a need to prepare a roadmap to meet the requirement of foodgrains and other farm products. "...we do not have to rest on our laurels, rather we have to prepare a roadmap keeping in view the requirement of the population that will increase by 2050...," Tomar said. With the growing importance of India in the world, Tomar said there

With El Nino looming large, Centre to prepare contingency plan for farmers

The agriculture ministry has reportedly set up a system for advisory services and forecasts for the main agricultural belt of India based on the rainfall scenarios

Rajasthan to provide Rs 444 cr for barbed wire fencing on agri fields

The Rajasthan government has decided to provide Rs 444.40 crore to one lakh farmers for putting up barbed wire fences to protect crops from stray animals, according to an official statement on Saturday. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal to construct a total of 40 million meters of barbed wire fencing. He has also approved reducing the minimum limit for fencing to 0.50 hectares due to the small size of the holdings of the farmers belonging to Scheduled Tribe communities. Following this, community participation in fencing will now get more grant than before. In the 2023-24 financial year, about Rs 444.40 crore will be spent on fencing. Of this, Rs 391 crore will be borne from the Farmers Welfare Fund and Rs 25 crore from the state scheme 'Grant for crop protection through wire fencing'. The remaining Rs 28.40 crore will be spent from the National Food Security Mission, the statement said. Notably, Gehlot had in the 2023-24 budget announced to continue the wire ...

Beyond good rains: The making of a 'normal monsoon'

Their timeliness, distribution and spread are of vital importance for Indian agriculture

India needs to raise maize output to 44mn tonnes in 5 years to meet demand

The Centre on Tuesday said the country's maize output needs to be increased to 44-45 million tonnes in the next five years amid growing demand for the grain for ethanol production and poultry industry. Union agriculture secretary Manoj Ahuja, speaking at the 9th India Maize Summit organied by industry body Ficci here, also stressed on the need to cut down the losses in the entire value chain of maize in a systematic manner. "Currently, maize production in the country is in the range of 33-34 million tonnes. We need a quantity jump in the maize to 44-45 million tonnes in the next five years in order to meeting the rising demand for ethanol and the poultry industry," Manoj said. There is vast potential to harness in the maize value chain. Making better seed availability, providing storage and marketing linkages, public and private partnerships, among others, should be focused on amid growing threat of climate change, he added. Addressing the event, Maharasthra agriculture minister Ab

Civil society, industry take contrasting positions on pesticide ban order

The panel, it is believed, recommended retaining the ban on only three of the 27 pesticides

G20 meeting of chief agri scientists to kick-start on Monday in Varanasi

A three-day Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) under India's G20 presidency will kick-start on Monday in Varanasi and will discuss on sustainable agriculture and food systems for healthy people and planet. Agriculture research and development, including food security and nutrition, climate smart agriculture, digital agriculture, public private partnership etc., will be deliberated in the meeting being organised by the Union agriculture ministry. The 'Millets And Other Ancient GRains International ReSearcH Initiative (MAHARISHI)' is also proposed for deliberations as a G20 initiative during India's presidency, an official statement said. The MAHARISHI aims at advancing research collaborations and generating awareness about millets and other ancient grains during the International Year of Millets 2023 and after, it said. The theme of the meeting is "Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for Healthy People and the Planet.' The inaugural session will be graced by Union

Despite hoping for better prices this season, rain dampens farmers' returns

Growers are staring at lower margins due to unexpected downpour during the March harvest. However, the FCI has come to their rescue

Agritech firm NBHC appoints Vinod Kumar as Managing Director & CEO

National Bulk Handling Corporation (NBHC), an agritech company that provides post-harvest service, on Tuesday announced the appointment of Vinod Kumar as its Managing Director and CEO. He takes over the reins of the company from Ramesh Doraiswami, who is leaving the company to pursue his personal and professional interests. As the Managing Director & CEO, Kumar will be responsible for driving and overseeing the development and execution of NBHC's corporate strategy, business development, systems and policies across the company, stakeholder management, delivery excellence, nurturing talent, and leadership development. Kumar holds rich experience in finance, logistics, and related industries. He joined NBHC as the Chief Financial Officer in 2019. Last year, he was promoted to Business Head & SVP to lead the micro agri commodities lending and business correspondent services. NHBC offers procurement, storage, commodity care, collateral management, and supply-chain solutions, ...

Labour churns in March

The labour markets have been weak during the last quarter of 2022-23

Petrol, diesel sales rise as agriculture season picks up: Industry data

India's fuel demand rose in March as a pick-up in agriculture activity helped reverse a slowdown that was witnessed in the first half of the month, preliminary industry data showed on Sunday. Fuel sales soared to the highest levels in February on the back of robust demand from the agriculture sector as well as transport picking up after the winter lull. But a seasonal slowdown kicked in during the first half of March. However, there was a pick-up in the second half, which helped sales rise even month-on-month despite the high base of February. Petrol sales rose 5.1 per cent to 2.65 million tonne in March when compared with the same period of last year. Sales were up 3.4 per cent month-on-month, the data showed. Diesel, the most consumed fuel in the country, saw demand rise by 2.1 per cent to 6.81 million tonne during March when compared with 6.67 million tonne sales in the same period a year back. Month-on-month the demand was up 4.5 per cent. In the first half, petrol sales had

Food security, climate-smart approach focus areas at G20 deputies meeting

The three-day meeting of agricultural deputies of the G20 agricultural working group culminated on Friday as delegates discussed various issues, including sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition with a climate smart approach. Delegates from 19 member countries, 10 invited countries and 10 international organisations participated in the second agricultural deputies meeting (ADM) in Chandigarh. On the concluding day of the meeting, two consecutive sessions focused on drafting the communiqu by the member countries of G20 and was marked by elaborate discussions. Delegates from other invited countries and international organisations also put forth their viewpoints during the session and contributed towards an inclusive discussion on the communiqu drafting exercise, said an official statement here. After the session, secretary, department of agriculture and farmers welfare, Manoj Ahuja said he hoped the discussion on the draft communiqu and the deliberations will pave way fo