Page 5 - Indian Agriculture

Is it time for India to abandon GMO crop fears?

The govt has said that adopting new farming tech, like GM crops, is key to food security for the country and cut import bill. Is it time for India to adopt genetically modified crops at a large scale?

Govt lifts ban on exports of organic non-basmati rice

The government on Tuesday lifted the ban on exports of organic non-basmati rice, including broken rice after the easing of domestic supplies moderated prices. The government had, in early September, banned the export of broken rice with an aim to increase domestic availability. This followed a 20 per cent duty on the export of non-basmati rice aimed at shoring up domestic supplies after prices surged in retail markets. In a notification, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said the export of organic non-basmati rice, including organic non-basmati broken rice, will now be governed by rules that prevailed before the September ban.

Are the fears over GM mustard overblown?

Biotech regulator GEAC has recommended the environmental release of genetically-modified mustard. But not all are happy with this decision. So what are the concerns around GM crops?

PM to bring together 13,500 farmers, 1,500 agri startups on one platform

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the two-day event -- PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022 -- on Monday at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.The event would bring together more than 13,500 farmers from across the country and around 1,500 agri startups, an official statement said. More than 1 crore farmers from various institutions are expected to attend the event virtually. The Sammelan will also witness the participation of researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders.Prime Minister will inaugurate 600 Pradan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PMKSK) under the ministry of chemicals & fertilizers. The statement said under the scheme, the fertiliser retail shops in the country will be converted into PMKSK in a phased manner. It said PMKSK will cater to a wide variety of needs of the farmers and provide agri-inputs (fertilisers, seeds, implements); testing facilities for soil, seeds, fertilisers; generate awareness among farmers; provide information regarding

Stubble burning: Unhappy with Punjab govt plan, farmers want compensation

Farmers have indicated that they will continue with the practice unless the govt compensates them suitably for the expenses they will incur by adopting alternative methods of disposing of crop residue

Govt to lift 51.8 mn tonnes rice in 2022-23, double coarse cereal purchases

Rice procurement a tad higher than 50.98 mn tonnes in 2021-22; market sources say this could be a sign that govt does not expect a major drop in Kharif rice output

Prof Abhijit Sen: A lifelong champion of the poor and marginalised

Coined the term 'technology fatigue' in relation to agriculture

Paddy dwarfing: Everything you need to know about SRBSDV Fiji virus

Scientists have decoded the mystery disease afflicting paddy crops in Haryana and Punjab

Paddy acreage deficit goes down from 15% to 6% in a span of 14 days

The saving grace is that unlike wheat, rice stocks in the central pool are much higher than required

Paddy acreage still down 13%, triggers final output fall concerns

In several states, farmers have already moved on to other short-duration crops such as pulses and coarse cereals abandoning paddy

Sharad Pawar makes strong pitch for GM crops to improve food security

Former Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has made a strong pitch for use of genetically modified (GM) crops, saying ignoring advances in crop science could adversely affect the country's food security

Delhi govt, IARI to provide training for urban farming from August

The Delhi government along with the Indian Agricultural Research Institute will provide training in urban farming to the citizens from August for growing fruit and vegetables for self-consumption

Fertiliser prices likely to come down as India secures supplies till Dec

Fertiliser demand usually peaks between April and June for the kharif harvest; between October and December for the rabi sowing season

Southwest Monsoon arrives in Kerala three days ahead of scheduled date

Met dept confirms that conditions have been satisfied for declaration of onset; 10 of 14 monitoring stations report rainfall of 2.5 mm or more in past 24 hours

Pending crop insurance claims to be paid by March-end: Raj minister

Kataria said on Wednesday that the pending amount of insurance claims of farmers till 2020 would be paid by March 31 under the Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme

India's recovery gathers pace on good agri show, falling Covid cases: S&P

India faces a permanent loss of output versus its pre-pandemic path, suggesting a long-term production deficit equivalent to about 10 per cent of GDP

India's $500 billion Budget to spur growth leaves little for the poor

The budget -- among India's most highly anticipated and closely watched events -- didn't have major proposals to address the job losses, hunger, and rising pressures on the farming and rural sectors

MSP regime underwent changes to assure price at 1.5 times making cost: FM

Stressed that the government is committed to farmers' welfare, Finance Minister Sitharaman said the MSP regime has undergone a "sea change" to assure price at least 1.5 times of production cost

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait demands separate budget for agriculture sector

On Budget day, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said that the government should provide a separate budget for farmers to address various issues of the farming community

Notice sent to 220 tractor owners, opposition says move to threaten farmers

Around 200 tractor owners have been issued notices by the Uttar Pradesh police, prompting senior SP leader Ram Govind Chaudhary to allege that the move was meant to threaten the farmers