Page 22 - Farmers

178,000 farmers attend orientation programme on agriculture schemes in J&K

At least 1.78 lakh farmers from 1,626 panchayats of Jammu and Kashmir took part in an orientation programme which has been organised in six rounds to create awareness about various agricultural schemes of the government, officials said. The 'Kisan Sampark Abhiyan' has been rolled out under the Holistic Agriculture Development Plan (HADP) with 29 proposed projects with an outlay of Rs 5,012 crore to be implemented in the next five years. The latest round, which was conducted from 29th May to 31st May, saw massive participation of farmers. "A total of 1.78 lakh farmers have participated in the orientation programme under the Kisan Samapark Abhiyan during the six rounds of the programme which began from 24th April," Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture Production department (ADP) Atal Dulloo said. He said that it saw massive participation of farmers. "The programme has covered a total of 1,626 panchayats in six rounds conducted so far. The department in J&K is currently engaged in

WHO stresses on policies to help tobacco farmers shift to growing food crop

On the eve of World No Tobacco Day, WHO on Tuesday called upon its partners to support governments in developing policies to help tobacco farmers shift to growing food crops that would provide them with a better life culminating in supporting national economies and ensuring food security. Effective tobacco control involves tackling demand and supply as envisaged in the WHO Framework on Tobacco Control (FCTC), said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia. While the focus of tobacco control programmes is on reducing tobacco demand, the strategies to reduce its supply need to be balanced with the demand reduction for achieving an overall reduction in tobacco use prevalence, she said. The theme of this year's World No Tobacco Day is "We need food, not tobacco". The campaign aims to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers and encourage them to grow sustainable and nutritious crops. It also aims a

Haryana 'khaps', farmer outfits throw their weight behind wrestlers

Haryana's 'khaps' and farmer outfits were among the organisations which appealed to the protesting wrestlers on Tuesday not to immerse their medals in the Ganga, before the athletes called off the move. The wrestlers had announced they would immerse their medals in the river in Haridwar as a mark of protest to demand action against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who they alleged sexually harassed women grapplers. But the wrestlers did not carry out the threat after farmer leaders sought five days' time from them to resolve the issue. Earlier, Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda also appealed to the wrestlers against immersing their medals in the river, saying the awards they have won for the country were not favours from any person or any government. "The country that celebrates your victory is standing with you even today. Don't get disappointed! We appeal to you, come back! Change the decision of immersing the medals in the Ganga," the

Farmer leaders going for Mahila Maha Panchayat in Delhi detained in Haryana

Several farmer leaders in Haryana were detained briefly when they tried to proceed towards Delhi with their supporters for a 'Mahila Maha Panchayat' in support of the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) claimed on Sunday. Security was heightened at Haryana's borders with Punjab and Delhi, and barricades were put up at many places. Farmers, mostly women, tried to move in groups towards the national capital. Some farmers from Punjab also tried to join their Haryana counterparts in moving towards Delhi. In Haryana, many farmer leaders were detained inside their homes early on Sunday for a few hours. The police also stopped hundreds of farmers at the Haryana-Punjab border near Ambala City in the morning. In Kurukshetra, BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni was detained under relevant provisions of the law, a police official said. The outfit claimed some other farmer leaders were detained in different parts of Haryana to prevent them from reac

Farmers in UP ready to take up black wheat cultivation amid absence of mkt

A large number of farmers in Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh are willing to grow black wheat even as the absence of a local market for the crop is proving to be a deterrent for many. Black wheat is a different kind of wheat which comprises high quantity of anthocyanin, an antioxidant pigment. The presence of this pigment in the wheat leads to an increase in its nutritional value. "This time, black wheat was produced in over 250 acres by more than 200 farmers in the district. At the local level, the wheat is being bought at Rs 6,000 per quintal, while in the bigger cities, it is being sold from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per quintal. The district administration is making efforts that the farmers benefit at the local level," Shahjahanpur DM (district magistrate) Umesh Pratap Singh told PTI. Prem Shankar Gangwar, a resident of Tilhar, said that this time he grew black wheat on an experimental basis on one acre of land, and also set up a (food) processing unit for the crop, in which

Hard work of farmers establishing UP as 'economic superpower': Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the hard work of farmers is establishing the state as an "economic superpower" in the country and highlighted that villages are now moving ahead with technology. Referring to the nine years of the Narendra Modi dispensation, he also said in these years, the nation has seen farmers and labourers becoming the agenda of a government for the first time in history. Inaugurating a campaign to link farmers with the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, the chief minister said that "a total of 2.63 crore lakh farmers" in the state have joined the central scheme and "Rs 55,800 crore has been transferred to the bank accounts of our farmers in the state under the scheme so far". "Despite this, we heard from some farmers that the money is not reaching them. In view of this, the process of Aadhaar authentication is being started on a large scale, so that 100 per cent eligible farmers can benefit from this scheme," he said. Adityanath also .

Uddhav govt did nothing for farmers hit by rains, crop loss: Fadnavis

The previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government under Uddhav Thackeray did not do anything for farmers distressed by unseasonal rains and crop loss and relief was provided to them by the Eknath Shinde dispensation, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday. Addressing a gathering of BJP functionaries in Katol here, he said the Shinde government had started various farmer welfare schemes after coming to power in June last year, adding that 12-hour daytime power supply will begin for the agriculture sector soon under the CM Saur (solar) Krishi Yojana. "The Uddhav Thackeray government did not do anything for farmers hits by unseasonal rains that damaged crops. Financial assistance was provided to them by the Eknath Shinde government. The Maharashtra government has set aside Rs 3,000 crore for drip irrigation, cotton shredders and will implement four schemes for farmers," he said. Expressing confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party will win upcoming polls in the ...

Farmers block railway tracks over inadequate land acquisition compensation

Hundreds of activists of farmers' outfit Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMC) on Thursday squatted on railway tracks and blocked rail traffic at a number of places in Punjab over alleged inadequate compensation for the land acquired for the Bharatmala project. The KMC said it also registered its protest against the alleged slapping of a woman by a policeman in Gurdaspur district on Wednesday when farmers were protesting over the compensation issue. Railway officials said incoming and outgoing trains running between Amritsar and Delhi were affected for a few hours after 12.30 pm in the wake of the farmers' protest. Rail traffic was also affected a few other places in the state KMC spokesperson Gurbachan Singh Chabba said the farmers were protesting on the compensation issue in connection with the acquisition of land for the Bharatmala project and the alleged high handedness of the police in Gurdaspur district against the farmers. He said the government was acquiring the land but

Rajasthan govt to disburse Rs 22,000-cr interest-free crop loans in 2023-24

Agriculture and its allied sectors contribute over 28 per cent to the state's GSDP

Govt to set up 1,100 farmer producer organisations in cooperative sector

The cooperation ministry on Wednesday said 1,100 new farmer producer organisations will be established in the cooperative sector under a central scheme. Since February 2021, the agriculture ministry is implementing a central sector scheme titled 'Formation and promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) with a budgetary provision of Rs 6,865 crore. Under the scheme, a target of establishing 1,100 additional FPOs has been allocated to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), an official statement said. A financial assistance of Rs 33 lakh is provided to each FPO under the scheme. Further, a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakhs per FPO is provided to the Cluster Based Business Organisations (CBBO). According to the cooperation ministry, primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) --- which have a member base of around 13 crore farmers and are primarily engaged in short-term credit and distribution of seeds and fertilisers -- will now be able to undertake

PM Kisan Yojana's 14th instalment likely soon: Check if you are eligible

Under the PM Kisan scheme, eligible farmers get Rs 2,000 every three months, which is Rs 6,000 per year

Centre, state govts working towards taking technology to farmers: Tomar

Highlighting the importance of technology in the farm sector, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday said the Centre and various state governments are working towards taking technology to small farmers. Speaking after inaugurating EEI Golden Jubilee auditorium at Extension Education Institute (EEI) here, he said, "It is also needed today as to how do we link technology in agriculture sector in a big way." While big farmers in the country have access to resources, including technology and Krishi Vignan Kendras, it is the responsibility of the Central and state governments to reach the small farmers who do not have access to technology and others. "That's why the Central and state governments are working towards how digitalisation of agriculture can be increased and how to reach common farmers through digital activities," he said and added that the need of the hour is to see how every useful technology reaches the farmers. Tomar, who cited the examples of PM-Kisan

TDP will fight till justice is done to farmers affected with rains: Naidu

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will continue to fight until justice is done to farmers who suffered heavy losses during the recent untimely rains, said N Chandrababu Naidu here on Friday. Naidu made these remarks as he began Rythu Porubata' (In support of farmers) padayatra from Iragavaram in Tanuku Assembly constituency, West Godavari district. On the way, he inquired from the affected farmers on the damage to their crops and the farm products while assuring the ryots that TDP will stand by them, said a press note shared by the party. Incidentally, some affected farmers broke down while pouring out their woes to the Opposition leader. "There is no question of relenting till justice is done for the farmers. The party will continue its fight till the government purchases the entire farm products in the state," Naidu said.

Himachal farmers paying price for bad weather; loss estimated at Rs 100 cr

Changing weather patterns of dry winters and rainy summers have created double trouble for Himachal Pradesh's farmers who have suffered huge losses in seasonal crops and plants. The overall loss in agriculture crops and horticulture plants until May 9 this year was estimated at around Rs 104 crore -- 40.60 crore for agriculture crops and 63.42 crore for horticulture plants, according to data by state emergency operation centre. A prolonged dry spell after sowing of wheat seeds in winter followed by untimely rains during the summer harvest season led to huge losses for the state's wheat farmers, State Agriculture Director Rajesh Kaushik said. Wheat is harvested in 3.30 lakh hectares in the state with a production target of 6.17 lakh metric ton. Apple growers too were caught unawares by the erratic summer weather, resulting in to inadequate chilling hours for the apples. Scanty rain and snow made it difficult to maintain the moisture required for good-quality apples. To add to it, .

Banks insisting CIBIL score of farmers will face FIRs: Maharashtra DY CM

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said banks asking for CIBIL score from farmers before allotting crop loans would face FIRs. If a bank is found asking CIBIL score from farmers seeking crop loan, then an FIR should be filed against such bank. A decision is already taken by the state-level banking committee that the CIBIL score condition cannot be applied during crop loan disbursement. The Reserve Bank has also issued a circular regarding the same," Fadnavis told reporters in Amravati after holding a kharif season review meeting for the eastern region of Maharashtra. He said if some banks are going to harass farmers unnecessarily, then the government will have no other option but to register an FIR against such banks. He said some banks in Amravati have diverted the subsidy amount deposited into the bank accounts of farmers towards loan repayment. Not all the banks have been doing it, but some banks in Amaravati are found indulging in such practices. I h

Wait for probe report: WFI chief appeals to farmer and khap leaders

With the Samyukta Kisan Morcha extending support to the wrestlers' protest against him, Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has urged farmer leaders not to make the "mistake" and instead wait for the outcome of the probe into the allegations of sexual harassment made by the grapplers. Singh, the BJP MP from Kaiserganj, again claimed he was innocent and alleged that he was targeted as he had brought reforms in the selection process for wrestlers. The WFI chief made the remarks in a video posted on social media after the farmers' collective, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), on Saturday announced that it will hold nationwide protests in support of grapplers and demanded the immediate arrest of Singh. A number of SKM leaders and members visited the protest site at Jantar Mantar on Sunday and expressed solidarity with the wrestlers who have been staging a sit-in against Singh since April 23. The Morcha had spearheaded the year-long agitation against the now-repealed

WFI row: 500 farmers allowed to go to Jantar Mantar by buses from Tikri

As many as 500 farmers, who had gathered at the Tikri Border to join a protest in support of wrestlers, were allowed by the Delhi Police to travel to Jantar Mantar by buses

Farmers to gather in wrestlers' support at Jantar Mantar: Samyukta Kisan

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) on Friday said a large number of farmers will gather at the Janta Mantar here on May 8 in support of wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. A blame game erupted between the Delhi Police and protesting wrestlers on Thursday over a late-night scuffle at Jantar Mantar which led to a political slugfest and a threat by the grapplers to return their medals and awards, including Padma Shri, to the government. A large number of farmers will gather at the Janta Mantar site here on May 8 in support of wrestlers, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) said in a statement. The outfit also reiterated its demand for Singh's arrest. The SKM (non-political), a breakaway group of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha that spearheaded the year-long agitation against the now-repealed farm laws of the Centre, said farmers' organisations associated with it also unanimously passed a resolution demanding the arrest of th

Farmers, students reach Jantar Mantar after appeal for support by wrestlers

A large number of people from different walks of life, including farmers from neighbouring states of Delhi and DU students, reached Jantar Mantar on Thursday and expressed solidarity with the wrestlers protesting there demanding the arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Many of them raised slogans in support of the wrestlers, a day after a scuffle broke out between the grapplers and Delhi Police personnel. A couple of wrestlers were injured in the ruckus late Wednesday night that started allegedly over putting wooden beds at the protest site. The wrestlers also accused a policeman of manhandling them in a drunken state, but the Delhi Police denied they used force on the protesters. Several videos of the tense situation was circulated on social media and grappler Bajrang Punia at a press conference appealed to farmers and their leaders to reach the protest site Thursday morning to support them. The people who reached Jantar Mantar raised slogans like "Nari Shakti Zindabad",

Traffic in Delhi affected as Police beefed up checking in border areas

Vehicular traffic in the national capital was affected on Thursday as the Delhi Police beefed up checking in the border areas, including Singhu, following information that farmers may come to the city to express solidarity with the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar. A group of farmers coming to Delhi to express solidarity with the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar was stopped by the city police at the Singhu border, with officials saying 24 of them have been detained. After the ruckus at the Jantar Mantar here on Wednesday night, the Delhi Police intensified patrolling, increased the number of police pickets, and put heavy barricading in the border areas. They said the borders have not been sealed yet but strict vigil is being kept to check the movement of farmers. The wrestlers have levelled sexual harassment charges against Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh and have been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since April 23 demanding his ..