Indian Farmers

Maharashtra govt suspends farm loan recovery in rain-affected tehsils

The Maharashtra government has announced relief for farmers who suffered losses due to rains in 34 districts of the state, with steps including rationalisation of loans from cooperatives and suspension of recovery for a year. A government resolution (GR) issued on Friday stated that 347 tehsils in the state witnessed large-scale damage to crops, farmland and houses, deaths, loss of cattle and other animals. The GR announced the rationalisation of loans from cooperatives, suspension of farm loan recovery for a year, and waiving of exam fees for students of Classes 10 and 12 in the affected tehsils. Electricity bills for three months will also be waived, it stated. As per the GR, the state agriculture department's assessments have revealed that crops on 65 lakh hectares were damaged due to the rains from June to September. Heavy rainfall and floods in September severely affected Marathwada and adjoining regions. Earlier this week, the state government announced a compensation packa

Shah assures Centre's aid to Maharashtra as floods hit 6 mn hectares crops

Home Minister Amit Shah says the Centre will extend all assistance to farmers after heavy rains and floods damaged standing crops on 6 million hectares of farmland across Maharashtra

Supreme Court seeks Centre's response on plea to curb yellow pea imports

The Supreme Court on Thursday sought response from the Centre on a PIL seeking import curbs on yellow peas, which is considered a substitute to pulses, on the grounds that its supply is affecting the livelihood of farmers growing pulses. A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N Kotiswar Singh issued notice on a PIL filed by 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' and asked advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the farmers' body, to examine whether there is sufficient production of pulses in the country. "We are inclined to issue notice but the net result should not be that the end consumers suffer," the bench said. Bhushan said the import of yellow peas at a cheaper price of Rs 35 per kg is affecting the farmers growing pulses like 'tur dal' (pigeon peas), 'moong dal' and 'urad dal' who get a MSP of Rs 85 per kg. "There have been numerous reports of expert bodies, including those of the government, which have asked the government to not import yellow peas as it would impact large-scale

Govt exploring alternative export markets to shield farmers from US tariffs

The government is actively exploring alternative export destinations and import substitution strategies to protect farmers from the impact of US tariffs, D K Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science) at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), said on Monday. "The government is trying to have all alternatives to protect the interests of farmers. As far as exports are concerned, the concerned ministries are already exploring alternative countries for the export of various commodities," Yadava said at a media briefing about the ongoing event 'Dialogue Next' organised by the US-based World Food Prize Foundation for the first time in India. The remarks came in the backdrop of the Trump administration imposing a steep 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering America. On imports of genetically modified soybean and maize, as well as milk and milk products, Yadava said the government has "a very clear stand" and is identifying alternative import sources. The official sai

Maharashtra leads in FPO ease of doing business; Madhya Pradesh loses crown

Maharashtra has overtaken Madhya Pradesh as the state with the most supportive ecosystem for Farmer-Producer Organisations, according to the latest SOFPO report

Rajasthan govt mulling new policy for farmer-producer organisations

The Panch-Gaurav program focuses on one crop, one plant species, one product, one tourist spot, and one sport in each district

MSP demand is of all Indian farmers, not just Punjab-Haryana: Dallewal

Samyukt Kisan Morcha leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Monday said legal guarantee on minimum support price for all crops is a demand of farmers from across the country and not just those from Haryana and Punjab. He made the remarks at the 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' being held at the Jantar Mantar here, with farmers from different parts of the country in attendance. The mahapanchayat is focusing on three key issues -- a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) on all crops, ensuring agriculture, dairy, poultry and fisheries sectors are kept out of any proposed agreement with the US, and withdrawal of police cases registered against farmers during the 2020-21 agitation. "In today's mahapanchayat, we tried that farmers from across the country arrive here to put forth our demands... We want to tell the government that the demand for MSP is not only by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana, but also by farmers across the country," Dallewal said. The SKM has urged farmers and supporters to

Govt policy must reward sustainability for India's small farmers: Syngenta

Government policies must incentivise sustainable farming to support India's smallholder farmers, as they face intensifying climate challenges like erratic monsoons, droughts, and floods, according to Swiss crop protection firm Syngenta Group Chief Sustainability Officer Petra Laux. Smallholder farmers account for 80 per cent of the agricultural sector. With agriculture contributing 25 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but receiving only 5 per cent of climate transition funding and subsidies rewarding climate-smart practices are critical to drive change, Laux said. In an interview with PTI, she said uncertain crop prices discourage smallholders from using sustainable methods. The lack of premiums for climate-smart crops, unlike niche organic markets, limits progress. Globally, consumer reluctance to pay more hinders adoption, and scaling emission reduction projects, like Syngenta's methane-focused initiative near Delhi for export markets, face challenges. "There's no pre

Standing like a wall to protect interests of farmers: PM Narendra Modi

Modi stresses the need to produce fertilisers locally

India can't beat Trump on tariffs, so it must drop its own trade walls

The only way to improve farmers' fortunes is by increasing productivity, not condemning them to penury in the name of protection

India's trade dilemma: Shield farmers, textiles or risk US cotton tariffs

Losing access to the US consumer may hurt India's farm economy more than slashing its 39 per cent average tariff on imported produce

Will explore more, no compromise on farmers' interests: Shivraj on tariffs

US imposed 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods last month and increased it to 50 per cent over import of Russian oil

Ready to pay heavy price for our farmers, fishermen: Modi on Trump tariffs

This is PM Modi's first response after Trump doubled India's tariff to 50 per cent over Russian oil imports, with the PM stressing India's agri-sector will not be compromised

Kisan Credit Card accounts in PSBs down 1.8% to 22.5 million in FY25

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget for FY26 increased the loan limit for farmers holding KCC to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 3 lakh earlier

More than 2 million farmers in Assam get ₹422 crore under PM-KISAN

Over 20 lakh farmers in Assam have received more than Rs 422 crore under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, officials said on Sunday. The amount was disbursed on Saturday as part of a nationwide programme, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi, a senior official of the Agriculture Department said. "Under the 20th instalment of the PM-Kisan scheme, more than 20.31 lakh eligible farmer families in Assam have received the benefit," he added. As per the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, eligible farming families receive Rs 6,000 annually in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each. "Nearly 20.31 lakh farmers across our state have received Rs 422.05 crore directly into their bank accounts under the PM-KISAN scheme. This timely support is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji towards ensuring dignity, security and prosperity for our Annadatas," Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora said in a

Farmers' welfare top priority under PM Modi's leadership: Shivraj Chouhan

Chouhan said that with the help of the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme, the government is ensuring that the assistance reaches directly into the accounts of the farmers

India-UK FTA: Over 95% Indian farm exports to get duty-free market access

India's FTA with the UK boosts agri and food exports with 95% items duty-free, while protecting dairy, oils, and apples. Farmers, seafood, and processed goods sectors set to gain significantly

India must protect farmers, digital ecosystem in trade pact with US: GTRI

Any trade agreement with the US must not be politically driven or one-sided and India should protect its farmers, digital ecosystem, and policy space, economic think tank GTRI said on Friday. With India's chief trade negotiator in Washington DC and the clock ticking, the next few days could determine whether India and the US settle for a limited mini-deal or walk away from the negotiating table - at least for now, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. The two sides are looking at finalising an interim trade pact before July 9, as it marks the end of US President Donald Trump's 90-day suspension of the country-specific tariffs, originally announced on April 2. "The more likely outcome is a limited trade pact - styled after the US-UK mini trade deal announced on May 8," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said, adding, "any trade deal with the US must not be politically driven or one-sided, it must protect our farmers, our digital ecosystem, and our sovereign regulatory ...

India will protect farmers' interest in US trade talks: Agri min Chouhan

India will prioritise protecting its farmers' interests while assessing potential gains and losses in the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States over agricultural market access, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said. "Our priority is to protect the interest of our farmers. India will not work closing its eyes. We will assess our gains and losses. Keeping that in mind, an agreement will be finalised," Chouhan told PTI in an interview. He was responding to a query on how India would safeguard farmers amid US pressure for greater market access for American agricultural and horticultural products. The negotiators are expected to agree on the framework for the broad contours of the first phase of the bilateral deal, expected to be signed by fall (September-October) 2025. "The discussions are ongoing between India and the US. One thing is clear, we will protect the interest of our farmers. When we talk about two nations, we need to see the overall trade," the ministe

Efforts towards farmer welfare will continue with greater vigour: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday several initiatives of his government during the last 11 years have boosted the prosperity of farmers and ensured the transformation of agriculture. He said on X, "It's our privilege to serve our hardworking farmers... We have focussed on issues like soil health and irrigation, which have been greatly beneficial. Our efforts towards farmer welfare will continue with greater vigour in the times to come." Modi said farmers were earlier forced to take loans for meeting small needs, but their lives have been made easier by his government. He cited decisions like annual cash assistance to farmers and the loan insurance scheme. Over the last few days, the prime minister has been highlighting his government's decisions pertaining to specific sectors ahead of its 11th anniversary on June 9, the day Modi took oath in 2024 for a third consecutive term in office.