Page 4 - Agriculture

Centre hikes non-urea fertiliser subsidy to ₹37,952 cr for rabi 2025

Hike to compensate for rising import price of sulphur, phosphorus and DAP

Best of BS Opinion: SME IPOs' heady rise masks irrational exuberance

Today's editorials examine the risks around SME listings as well as investments into the AI ecosystems; our columnists bat for automation in agriculture, and for avenues to attract scientific talent

Maha govt okays ₹648 cr relief for crop damage, aid extended to 3 hectares

The Maharashtra government has sanctioned Rs 648.15 crore for the distribution of relief to farmers affected by excess rainfall and floods during this year's monsoon, officials said. The relief limit too has been extended from two hectares to three hectares as a special measure, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav-Patil announced on Tuesday. The decision aims to provide immediate financial assistance to rain-affected farmers and a necessary government resolution (GR) has been issued, he said in a statement. So far, the Relief and Rehabilitation Department has sanctioned around Rs 8,139 crore to assist farmers affected by natural calamities during the current kharif season, Jadhav-Patil said. The decision will benefit 6,12,177 farmers and cover 6,56,310.83 hectares of affected crop area, he said. The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division (districts of Beed, Latur, Parbhani, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Hingoli, Nanded) will get Rs 346.31 crore for 3,58,612 farmers,

India braces for higher fertiliser prices as China suspends exports

India is preparing for higher fertiliser prices ahead of the crucial rabi (winter) crop season after China suspended exports of urea and specialty fertilisers from October 15, a senior industry official said on Tuesday. China, which had only recently resumed fertiliser exports from May 15 to October 15 with increased inspections, has now suspended the export window until further notice, affecting not just India but global markets as well. The suspension covers specialty fertilisers like TMAP (Technical Monoammonium Phosphate) and Urea-solution products like AdBlue, as well as conventional fertilisers such as DAP and urea. "China has closed the export window from October 15 not only for India but the entire world market," Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA) President Rajib Chakraborty told PTI. "I believe the export suspension will be for the next 5-6 months," he said. India imports about 95 per cent of its specialty fertilisers, including phosphates like TMAP and ...

Serving farmers is serving God, says Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan

Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said that serving farmers is serving God, and asserted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, doubling the income of every farmer is our goal. He said that building a glorious, self-reliant, prosperous India is our goal. We will not compromise on the interests of Indian farmers. Our country is full of wealth and grains. We have to increase crop production. Addressing a public meeting at Acharya Narendra Dev Inter College in Pathardewa in Deoria district, Chouhan said, "Serving farmers is serving God. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, doubling the income of every farmer is our goal. Building a glorious, self-reliant, prosperous India is our goal. We will not compromise on the interests of Indian farmers. Our country is full of wealth and grains. We need to increase crop production." He urged the farmers to use good seeds for a good harvest. Those who sell faulty ..

Stubble burning incidents decline 68% across North India, shows data

Experts say a combination of factors, including delayed harvest of paddy, availability of machines and strict penal provisions, has led to the drop

FM Sitharaman inaugurates Farmers Training Centre in Karnataka under MPLADS

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inaugurated a Farmers' Training and Common Facility Centre under the MPLAD scheme here. The centre in Kasapura village aims to train self-help groups (SHGs) and farmers through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to enhance value addition to their agricultural produce, officials said. The facility has been set up in collaboration with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), they added. Launched in 1993, the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme allows MPs to propose development projects in their constituencies for community assets such as roads, drinking water, and sanitation. Fully funded by the government, these projects aim to address local needs through durable infrastructure implemented by district authorities. "Together, these efforts will enable both groundnut and tamarind value chains to thrive, while also strengthening Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) with marketing support. A

We're building global innovation bridge between St Louis and India: Bio-STL

Bio-STL and AgVaya launch Global AgXelerate to connect Indian agri-tech and bioscience startups with global markets and investment opportunities

Govt revises Per Drop More Crop scheme guidelines to boost micro-irrigation

The Centre has introduced new flexibility under the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme to encourage micro-level water storage and conservation projects. The Union Agriculture Ministry has revised the guidelines for the scheme, expanding the "other inventions" section. Now, states and Union territories can plan micro-level water management activities, such as diggi construction and water harvesting systems-based on local needs, the ministry said in a statement. These systems can be developed for individual farmers as well as community use, ensuring sustainable water availability for micro-irrigation. Earlier, funds for such activities were limited to 20 per cent of the total allocation for each state/UT and 40 per cent for northeastern states, Himalayan states, and UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. "Now, states/UTs have been given greater flexibility to exceed these limits as per their specific requirements," the ministry said. These initiatives aim to help farmers adopt ...

Rabi season: Farmers keen on gram, mustard sowing as wheat estimates fall

Good rainfall and soil moisture drive farmers in Rajasthan to shift from wheat to mustard and gram this Rabi season, with acreage for both crops set to rise.

FM Sitharaman urges farmers to utilise govt schemes for higher profits

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday urged farmers to make full use of the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) and Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) to turn agriculture into a profitable venture. Speaking after inaugurating the Farmers' Training and Common Facility Centre in Koppal district, Sitharaman, a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, said the new generation GST reforms will also benefit agrarian communities. The facility was set up using her MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund. PMFME was launched to support value addition in agricultural products. The Centre provides financial and technical assistance and helps businesses upgrade under the scheme, she said. Sitharaman added that the government aims to promote rural entrepreneurship to generate jobs in villages. "More than Rs 3,700 crore funds have been given by the Centre to states till now since 2020. Loans have been provided to farmers. Rs 11,000 cr

Fixing oilseeds MSP with oil content could trim India's bulging import bill

The CACP said that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has developed several high oil content varieties and management practices to boost oil yield in mustard and safflower

Chouhan asks officials to ensure timely fertiliser supply for rabi season

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday directed his ministry officials to ensure "smooth and timely" supply of fertilisers in the coming months as sowing of rabi (winter) crops begins. In a review meeting, Chouhan also told officials to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers to prevent any disruptions. Sowing of wheat, the main rabi crop, has started in parts of the country. The Agriculture Minister reviewed preparedness for rabi sowing, while taking stock of the condition of the kharif crops and flood-affected regions. The ministry officials informed that while excessive rainfall has affected crops in certain areas, other regions have benefited from a good monsoon, resulting in healthy crop growth. It is also "expected to boost rabi sowing and overall production," an official statement said. The reservoir storage levels across the country are better than the previous year. As of now, 161 major reservoirs hold 103.51 per cent of last year's

Soybean production expected to fall by over 2 million tonnes: Industry body

The production of soybean, known as yellow gold' among farmers, is expected to decline in the country by about 20.5 lakh tonnes this year to 105.36 lakh tonnes, an industry association has said. The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) cited the decrease in soybean acreage and productivity as well as the impact of adverse weather on the crop as reasons for the estimated fall. SOPA on Thursday released its annual report at the International Soy Conclave 2025 in Indore in the presence of hundreds of representatives of the oilseeds industry. According to the report, soybean was sown on 114.56 lakh hectares during the current Kharif season, and its production was 105.36 million tonnes, with an average productivity of 920 kg per hectare. The industry body said that during the 2024 Kharif season, soybean was sown on 118.32 lakh hectares in the country, and the production was 125.82 lakh tonnes, with average productivity of 1,063 kg per hectare. This year, the soybean crop suff

Govt looks to increase pulses production by 40% till 2030-31 crop year

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said the government has set a target to increase pulses production by 40 per cent to 350 lakh tonne by 2030-31 crop year. Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a six-year central scheme aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in pulses production, with a financial outlay of Rs 11,440 crore. The 'Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses' will be for the period from 2025-26 to 2030-31. Addressing a press conference here, the minister said the pulses production would be increased over the next six years by increasing the area under coverages as well as raising the crop productivity. He exuded the confidence that the target would be met. He also assured that the government would take appropriate decisions related to import duties of pulses for safeguarding the interests of farmers. Chouhan said the government has identified 100 blocks where the productivity is very low compared with the national average. "We are not self-sufficient

Looking to raise output of pulses 40% by 2030-31 crop year: Chouhan

The six-year Rs 11,440-crore pulses mission aims to raise output to 35 million tonnes and boost productivity through assured MSP procurement and acreage expansion

Complex fertiliser volumes likely to grow 2-4% amid geopolitical risks

Volume growth of complex fertilisers is expected to slow down to 2-4 per cent in this financial year from 9 per cent last year amid import constraints, geopolitical headwinds and a high-base effect, a report said on Thursday. Crisil Ratings in the report stated that supply disruptions have also led to a rise in raw material prices, which in turn may increase the subsidy requirement. However, credit profiles are seen stable because of steady profitability, expected additional subsidy allocation and its timely disbursement, said the report. "Volume growth of complex fertilisers is seen slowing to 2-4 per cent this fiscal after a strong 9 per cent print last fiscal because of availability issues with imported fertilisers, ongoing geopolitical disruptions and high-base effect," the report said. Complex fertilisers account for a third of the overall domestic fertiliser consumption of which nitrogen phosphorus potassium (NPK) grades comprise 55 per cent and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) ..

AIC plans expanding parametric insurance products to livestock, people

Agriculture Insurance Company of India plans to scale up weather-linked parametric insurance to livestock and income protection for agricultural workers

Inside Bihar's silent agricultural revolution: What has changed, and how

In a state where nearly 75 per cent of the population depends on agriculture, Bihar has been steadily revolutionising its rural economy by improving yields, diversifying crops, and empowering women

Andhra extends deadline for Kharif 2025 E-Crop digital survey registrations

The Andhra Pradesh government has extended the deadline for land and crop registration under the E-Crop Digital Survey for Kharif 2025 till the end of October. Agriculture Director Dilli Rao said the extension was necessary as registrations had not progressed as expected due to several field-level challenges. Out of 290 lakh land parcels, only 88 lakh, accounting for 36 percent, have been registered so far. The deadline for land and crop registration under the E-Crop Digital Survey for Kharif 2025 has been extended till October-end, said Rao in a press release. The government is determined to achieve 100 percent coverage of land parcels under the E-Crop Digital Survey this season, he said. Rap noted that the last date for registration has now been fixed as October 25, while social audit, corrections, and modifications can be carried out till October 30. The final list will be displayed on October 31. According to him, factors such as rationalisation and transfers of Rythu Seva Ke