Page 2 - Indian Farmers

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.

Farmers' body calls for investment boost to tackle climate-farming barriers

Farmers' body FAIFA on Thursday called for bridging implementation gaps and increasing investment in climate-resilient agricultural technologies, citing high initial costs, fragmented infrastructure and low farmer awareness as key barriers to widespread adoption of sustainable farming practices. The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) released a white paper titled "Nourishing the Future: A Report on Climate-Resilient Agriculture" during a national seminar in New Delhi, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable farming practices to counter climate change impacts. The report identified erratic rainfall, unseasonal droughts, temperature spikes and rising pest incidence as key threats disrupting crop cycles across major agricultural states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. Member of Parliament from Andhra Prades Putta Mahesh Kumar was present at the event. Small and marginal farmers, who comprise over 80 per cent

NCP (SP) leader Patil seeks relief for farmers hit by unseasonal rain

Maharashtra NCP (SP) president Jayant Patil on Saturday expressed concern over farmers facing losses due to unseasonal rains and demanded immediate assistance for those affected. Patil said crops have been damaged due to unseasonal rainfall in several parts of the state, and the weather department has forecast more showers in the coming days. "The state is experiencing heavy unseasonal rainfall, with hailstorms reported in several regions. This has caused significant crop damage, and the meteorological department has predicted more rainfall in the coming days. I urge the government to provide immediate assistance to the affected farmers," he said in a statement. He cited a tragic incident in Manora, Washim district, where a farmer's produce was washed away in the downpour. Patil demanded that the government take swift action to provide relief and support to the affected farmers.

What makes rural women-led agri growth - the steadiest way to progress

The women-led agricultural growth is a lesson for planners to recognise the economic potential of a women-led growth with decentralised community action

Best of BS Opinion: Policymaking must address real-life outcomes

Our editorials and columns today largely revolve around the role of policy decisions, both in government and the private sector, and how they affect the real world

Govt to include farmers not part of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi yet: Shivraj

The government is ready to provide Rs 6,000 annual cash benefit under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi to all eligible farmers who are not part of it yet, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. He asked all state governments to cooperate with the Centre in identifying such farmers and ensuring their inclusion in the scheme. "If anyone is left behind, please help us include all of them under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. We will ensure that such farmers also get the past instalments," Chouhan said during the Question Hour. All eligible beneficiaries must possess at least one piece of land, get eKYC done and register themselves at the PMKISAN portal, the minister said. He added that the fund is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000. "We will ensure that all of these farmers get their dues without even a single day of delay," he said while asserting that the Narendra Modi government is ..

Women farmers in Bihar turn to solar pumps, overcoming patriarchy, woes

Indu Devi, a 35-year-old widow from Suryahi village, knows the weight of despair all too well. When her husband was hanged over a land dispute, she was left with little more than a small patch of land and debts. But then, she heard about the concept of using solar pumps in fields for business. Despite her initial fears of how would she, a woman with no technical knowledge, operate a pump? She took the leap of faith. Today, she earns a steady income by supplying water to neighbouring fields. "It's just a switch on and off. But it has given me a way to survive," she said. In this area, Indu's story is inspirational but not unique. A number of women, as part of self-help groups (SHGs), have invested in solar pumps on their land for irrigation, transforming their lives and livelihoods. For decades, irrigation has been a major challenge in Bihar. With erratic rainfall, extreme summers amid climate change and unreliable electricity, farmers have struggled to grow crops. Diesel pumps we

Agriculture remains India's strength, but what about farmer? Experts debate

BS Manthan: Experts discussed the future of agriculture in India and whether the sector remains profitable for its participants, especially small farmers

Cordial talks held with farmers, next meeting on March 19: Shivraj Chouhan

Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi also attended the meeting on Centre's behalf

Next meeting with protesting farmers on February 22: Pralhad Joshi

This comes after Joshi met the farm leaders who are pressing on the demands of the protesting farmers sitting at the Khanauri border in the Sangrur district of Punjab

MSP logjam: Govt, farmers resume talks after a year, next round on Feb 22

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi met a section of farmers in Chandigarh

40% of Indian farmers now paying electronically, says McKinsey survey

But they're still relying on traditional farming methods, says McKinsey survey

Centre to launch toll-free farmer helpline in 2025 to address grievances

To cater to the linguistic diversity of the farming community, the helpline will support grievance registration in 22 official languages

Condition critical, say doctors as farmer Dallewal's fast enters Day 27

As Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's fast-unto-death entered its 27th day on Sunday, doctors termed his health condition "critical". Doctors attending to him at the Khanauri border protest site reiterated that Dallewal is at the risk of cardiac arrest and multi-organ failure. Dallewal, 70, has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP on crops. A statement issued by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha said following the advice of doctors, the veteran farmer leader did not come on stage on Sunday. Due to the continuous hunger strike for 27 days, his immunity has become very weak, putting him at the risk of infection, the statement said. "His hands and feet were cold. Starvation is adversely affecting his nervous system, and vital organs like liver and kidneys," a doctor who examined Dall

If talks happen, they will be with Centre: Farmers' leader Pandher

The farmers were scheduled to meet with the committee today but refused, citing several reasons, including the demand for talks with the central government

Did not expect insensitivity: Farmers refuse to meet SC formed committee

Farmers were to hold a meeting with the committee but refused to meet citing several reasons including holding talks with the central government being one of them

Parl panel suggests doubling PM Kisan Nidhi, commission for farm labourers

It also recommends implementing a robust and legally binding MSP in the country

Delhi govt reluctant, farmers losing out on central schemes: Agri minister

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Tuesday criticised the Delhi government for not implementing several central schemes meant for farmers, calling it "extremely unfortunate" that farmers in the region were being deprived of crucial benefits. Responding to a query in the Lok Sabha during the Question Hour, Chauhan urged the Delhi government to prioritise the welfare of farmers and implement beneficial schemes, particularly in areas surrounding the national capital. "I request the Delhi government to implement farmer-centric schemes for the benefit of farmers as there is agricultural land and farming activity around Delhi," he added. "The Centre works in coordination with state governments to ensure its schemes reach farmers. It is extremely unfortunate that the Delhi government is not availing of the benefits of many schemes, which is ultimately affecting the farmers," Chauhan said. Referring to the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism for organic fertilisers, th

Stopping farmers at border is undemocratic: Bhupinder Hooda slams govt

Farmers organized a march to the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border on tractors on Monday, where protesting farmers continued to remain over their various demands