Page 15 - Farmers

Devanahalli land acquisition row: K'taka ministers meet farmer groups

Two Karnataka ministers held meetings with farmers groups in favour of and against the land acquisition for development of Palya 2nd Phase Industrial Area of Channarayapatna Hobli in Devanahalli

Farmer groups to observe 'Bharat Bandh' on February 16, says Rakesh Tikait

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait on Wednesday said farmers would observe a 'Bharat Bandh' on February 16 over several issues in the country including non-implementation of a law that guarantees MSP for crops. Besides farmers' groups, traders and transporters have also been asked to support the cause and observe a work strike that day, said Tikait, the national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU). "We have called for a 'Bharat bandh' on February 16. Several farmers' groups are part of it, including the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). Farmers should also not go to their farms on that day and strike work. Earlier also farmers skipped the day of 'Amavasya' from working on the fields. Likewise, February 16 is 'Amavasya' only for farmers. They should not work that day and resort to 'agriculture strike'. This will send a big message in the country," he told reporters in Muzaffarnagar. "We are also appealing to traders (for support) and people should also not make any purchase that day.

Govt may increase agri-credit target to Rs 22-25 trn in interim Budget

The government is likely to announce in the upcoming interim Budget a substantial increase in the agricultural credit target to Rs 22-25 lakh crore for the next fiscal and ensure every eligible farmer has access to institutional credit, according to sources. The government's agri-credit target is Rs 20 lakh crore for the current fiscal. Currently, the government provides interest subvention of two per cent on short term agri-loans of up to Rs 3 lakh for all financial institutions. This means farmers are getting a farm loan of up to Rs 3 lakh at a concessional rate of 7 per cent per annum. An additional interest subvention of 3 per cent per annum is also being provided to farmers who repay on time. Farmers can also avail long term loans but interest rate is as per the market rate. For the 2024-25 fiscal, there could be a sharp increase in the agri-credit target to Rs 22-25 lakh crore, sources said. According to the sources, there is more focus on agri-credit and the government is .

Farmers made huge contributions to make India 5th largest economy: VP

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday said farmers have made an immense contribution to make India the fifth largest economy in the world. Addressing the 38th Foundation Day programme of the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya in Raipur, he said farming is not just a means of livelihood but also a driving factor for economy and social development. "By implementing modern technologies in agriculture, the goal of ensuring food security and making India a developed nation by 2047 can be achieved," the Vice President said. He said India is developing rapidly and the contribution of youths will further accelerate the pace. Dhankhar stressed the need to use modern technology in farming. He urged students and scientists to share their knowledge with farmers and encourage them to utilise available resources. "Chhattisgarh has a rich agricultural heritage. The state is witnessing an exciting era of innovation in the field of agri technology," Dhankhar said. During the program, he .

1,500 farmers, spouses invited as special guests for Republic Day parade

In a first, about 1,500 farmers and their spouses have been invited as special guests for this year's Republic Day parade in the national capital. "This is for the first time, farmers have been invited as special guests for the Republic Day parade. About 1,500 farmers and their spouses have been selected from across the country, a senior agriculture ministry official told PTI. Farmer representatives of Farmers Producers Organisations (FPOs), beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) and micro irrigation schemes have been invited, the official added. Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda will host lunch for the farmers after the parade. Around 500 farmers were invited as special guests during last year's Independence Day.

Govt can look at taxing rich farmers, says MPC member Ashima Goyal

Having taken care of poor farmers by transferring funds into their accounts, the government can contemplate imposing income tax on rich farmers to bring about fairness in the taxation structure, Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) member Ashima Goyal has said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the interim Budget on February 1 in the Lok Sabha. "Government transfer payments to farmers are like a negative income tax. Along with that, a positive income tax can be applied for rich farmers as part of a movement to a data-rich system with low tax-rates and minimum exemptions," Goyal told PTI. She was responding to a query on whether agriculture income should be taxed in India. Asked if coalition governments or single-party regimes produced better economic growth rates, the eminent economist said growth rates depend on many things, but in judging a government it is also necessary to see what growth rate they inherited and what they left the country with. "Coalitio

Crop-killing weeds spread across US farms as chemicals lose effectiveness

Farmers say their losing battle with weeds threatens grain and oilseed harvests at a time when growers are grappling with inflation and extreme weather linked to climate change

Rabi, fruit farmers in Himachal stare at losses amid prolonged dry spell

The prolonged dry spell in Himachal Pradesh coupled with a warm winter this year has left the Rabi farmers staring at losses as the harsh weather could harm crop growth. Further, the apple orchards are also getting deprived of the required moisture and chilling hours. On Saturday, the minimum temperatures surged across the state and stayed 3-10 degrees Celsius above normal as the dry spell continued, leaving the farmers of Rabi crop, including wheat, worried. This dry spell has come as another blow to the state's farmers who already suffered massive losses due to excess rains and flash floods during the monsoon last year. Farmer said Rabi crops sown in rainfed areas during November have withered owing to the dry spell. "The rabi crops in Darlaghat and surrounding villages have got damaged and the situation is same in other villages of the district," said Kanshi Ram, a marginal farmer of Khatta village in Darlaghat. The apple plantation had been poor in 2023 and if dry weather ...

Govt eyes doubling cash handout for women farmers ahead of Lok Sabha polls

The plan is likely to be announced in the budget on Feb. 1 and could cost the government an additional Rs 12,000 crore, said two of sources, all of whom declined to be named discussing budget proposal

Farmers' bodies organise 'mahapanchayat', demand MSP guarantee law

Samyukta Kisan Morcha and 18 farmer unions on Saturday organised a "mahapanchayat" here demanding the enactment of a law guaranteeing minimum support price for crops and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report. The gathering of farmers from across north India also announced a "Delhi Chalo" march to the national capital on February 13. "We are demanding the enactment of a law to guarantee MSP, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report according to the C2 (comprehensive cost of production) plus 50 per cent formula and loan waiver of farmers and labourers," Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Sidhupur) chief Jagjit Singh Dalewal said. In its 2006 report, the National Commission on Farmers' chairman M S Swaminathan suggested the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices to fix MSP at least 50 per cent more than the weighted average cost of production. The farmers also demanded justice for the victims of the violence in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3, 2021

Amit Shah to launch procurement portal for tur dal growing farmers

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will on Thursday launch a tur dal procurement portal that will enable farmers to register themselves for selling the commodity and receive payments directly into their bank accounts. The multi-lingual portal will streamline the entire process for tur dal growers in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka and Jharkhand, simplifying the registration, procurement and payment processes. The portal will be launched at a national symposium on 'self-reliance in pulses' to be held here in the capital. Currently, the government procures various kinds of pulses including tur dal through agencies such as Nafed and NCCF for maintaining a buffer stock. "This farmer-centric initiative aims to empower tur dal producers with better prices through procurement, streamlined processes and direct bank transfers by NAFED and NCCF, thereby boosting domestic pulses production and reducing import dependence," an official statement said. Under this initiati

BJP's lies are strongest: Kharge as he slams PM on doubling farmers' income

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the promises made by him to double farmers' income by 2022, alleging that the "BJP's lies are the strongest". In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said, "Narendra Modi ji, Today is the last day of 2023. You said that till 2022'Every farmer's income will double. Every Indian will have a house and 24x7 electricity. The economy will become USD 5 Trillion." "All this did not happen'but every Indian knows that BJP's lies are the strongest!" Kharge said. The Congress has been attacking the government over its handling of the economy and its policies regarding farmers. Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh attacked the government over not conducting the decennial census. Responding to a post on the delay in holding the census, Ramesh said, "The inordinate delay in conducting the decennial Census last due for 2021 raises several questions. It is not just related to the Covid ...

Chhattisgarh CM Deo fulfills poll promise, clears pending paddy bonus

"I am happy that we have transferred Rs 3,716 crore to more than 12 lakh farmers," the CM said

Onion in a pickle, again: Here's why the humble bulb remains so volatile

Long-term solutions such as increasing the shelf life through irradiation technologies and converting fresh onions into pro­cessed flakes are available but have not been pursued with rigour: Experts

Modi ecosystem talking on caste after silence on caste census demand: Cong

Taking a swipe at the BJP over the mimicry issue, the Congress on Thursday said the "Modi ec(h)o system" has gotten hyper-vocal talking about farmers and caste after remaining silent on issues such as caste census demand and farmers' agitation. A political row broke out on Tuesday after Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee derisively mimicked Dhankhar during the opposition's protest on the stairs of Parliament against the MPs' suspension, drawing strong condemnation from the ruling BJP. Several BJP leaders have also slammed the opposition over the issue, saying the mimicry was an insult to farmers and Dhankhar's community. In an apparent attack on the BJP, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said this is nothing but "the famed Modi 3D vision at work: Distortion, Diversion and Distraction". "The Modi ec(h)o system is completely silent on: Manipur. Over 700 deaths during farmers' agitation. Violence on women wrestlers by Delhi police and sexual harassment of wrestlers by a

Welfare of BC, women and farmers to be Chhattisgarh govt's priority: Guv

Chhattisgarh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan on Wednesday said the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs, women, farmers and rural communities require an extra-sensitive approach and these groups will continue to be a priority for the state government. In line with the ideals and principles of former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and incumbent PM Narendra Modi, the state government is dedicated to ushering in a new era of good governance in Chhattisgarh, the governor said addressing the state assembly. The first session of the newly-elected Chhattisgarh assembly began on Tuesday. The governor said, "The significant voter turnout in constituencies affected by Naxalism showcases the determined commitment of the rural and forest-dwelling communities to protect their democracy. I hope that the steadfast trust in the welfare-focused initiatives of my government continues to grow through our people-centric endeavours." Various poll promises made by the ruling Bharatiya Jan

Assam aims to attain food self-sufficiency in next two years: CM Sarma

The Assam Chief Minister said that, during the recent Assembly election campaigns in five states, he had an opportunity to see the "best practices of farmers in other states."

Bengal's Malda district, known for its mangoes, grows oranges in a first

A farmer in West Bengal's Malda district, which is known for its mangoes, has set a record this year by growing oranges. Dipak Rajbanshi has grown around 1.5 quintal of orange in his garden. He claimed that the oranges that he grew were tastier than the ones grown in Maharashtra's Nagpur. He said these oranges are smaller than the Darjeeling variety, and he is still researching whether bigger oranges can be grown on Malda's soil, and only then, he will make efforts for commercial production. "I have sold some of the oranges to fruit sellers at Rs 30-35 per kg," said Rajbanshi, a resident of Goalpara in Old Malda. He said he bought around 10 orange plants from a nursery in Nadia district's Ranaghat four years back. "One of the plants died, but the others grew. The height of the plants at present is around 7 feet. This year, first the flowers started appearing on the trees, and then came the fruits. The oranges began to ripen around mid-November. About 20-25 kg of oranges have grow

Chhattisgarh poll: 'Modi ki Guarantee' trumps Cong's promises of freebies

It seems the promises made by the BJP, which it promoted as 'Modi ki Guarantee 2023', worked in its favour as it emerged victorious in the tribal-dominated state

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