Agriculture In India

Centre's draft farm policy looks to restore state autonomy in agri-markets

Following the repeal of the 2021 farm laws, a new policy looks to pass the baton of enacting wide-ranging agricultural reforms to states, a position that they held earlier

Natural farming in mission mode, but is it a workable alternative?

While the government is looking to push natural farming, which is different from organic farming, contrasting studies question the scalability and viability of the practice

India's soil nutrient ratio improves marginally, but can it hold the line?

The main culprit for the degradation of the nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio is the overuse of urea as a main fertiliser because of its low price, which has been static for almost a decade

Edible oil body SEA urges govt to lift ban on commodity futures trading

Edible oil industry SEA on Monday called on the government to lift a ban on futures trading in key agricultural commodities, including crude palm oil and soyabean, citing significant financial impact on its members. The ban, first implemented in December 2021 on seven agricultural commodities, has been extended multiple times with the current extension running through December 20, 2024. The Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) has appealed to five ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, arguing that the absence of futures trading has hindered price risk management and market development. "The industry was hopeful that the suspension would be lifted to enable smoother operations, but the continuation of this restriction has further weakened an essential risk mitigation tool," SEA President Sanjeev Asthana said in a representation made to the ministers. SEA emphasised that studies have shown futures trading does not significantly

SC panel highlights rising debt, stagnant yields in agricultural crisis

A Supreme Court-appointed panel on farmers' grievances and protests has filed its interim report, listing reasons for agrarian distress which among others include stagnant yield, rising costs and debts and inadequate marketing system. The high-powered committee, constituted on September 2 under former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Nawab Singh to resolve the grievances of farmers agitating at the Shambhu border, also suggested solutions including examining the possibility of giving legal sanctity to Minimum Support Price and offering direct income support. While forming the committee, the SC had observed farmers' protest should not be politicised. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan on Friday took the interim report on record and praised the committee for its efforts and framing of the issues to be examined and defuse the agitation. In its 11-page interim report, the panel said, "It is a well-known fact that the farming community in the country in general and that o

30% of India's soil degraded, urgent action needed: Agri Minister Chouhan

Agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed on the pivotal role of soil health in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) such as zero hunger, climate action, and life on land

Agriculture minister Shivraj Singh holds meeting with farmers' union

Discussion was aimed to address crucial issues that affect the farmer communities and analyse the challenges faced in agriculture sector

Climate-smart tea seed introduced to counter high-temperature impacts

A body of the tea industry has come out with a climate-smart seed variety which can withstand high temperatures and yield quality crops, an official said on Sunday. The new seed stock 'TSS 2', introduced by the Tea Research Association (TRA), will help the industry prepare itself to counter the negative effects of climate change, he said. The TRA is funded by the Ministry of Commerce and the tea industry. The new seed variety has been introduced at a time "when tea production is down by 80 million kgs till now in 2024 due to extreme heat and climatic factors," TRA secretary Joydeep Phukan told PTI. Extreme heat is making a significant impact on tea plantations in Assam and north Bengal, the two largest tea-producing regions in the country. "To combat the effects of climate change, TRA released the first climate-smart tea seed stock TSS 2. The new seed variety can withstand high temperatures and the new seed stock can produce high-quality tea," he said. The traditional tea-growing

UPPSC Agriculture Services Prelims Result 2024 is out, here's how to check

The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has declared the Combined State Agriculture Service (Prelims) Exam 2024 results today. Here's the steps to check and download

Walmart Foundation provides $2.78 mn grant to promote tech in agriculture

Walmart Foundation has provided three new grants totalling USD 2.78 million to advance technological innovation in India's agriculture sector. With the Walmart Foundation funding, the National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN), Cornell University in support of the Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition (TCI) and Precision Development (PxD) collectively aim to reach over 3,00,000 farmers in India, according to a statement. Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. These grants aim to enhance farmer livelihoods, increase market access and promote sustainable agricultural practices, thereby contributing to the Walmart and Walmart Foundation goal of reaching 1 million smallholder farmers by 2028 across India's agriculture sector, it added.

How falling farm prices worry BJP ahead of Haryana and Maharashtra polls

Falling prices of agricultural produce are worrisome for the BJP in Haryana and Maharashtra, where elections are due, Sanjeeb Mukherjee reports

Centre approves expansion of Agricultural Infrastructure Fund scheme

The government on Wednesday expanded the scope of Rs 1 lakh crore-Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme to make it more attractive, as part of its objective to strengthen farm-related infrastructure facilities in the country. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the "progressive expansion in central sector scheme of financing facility under the AIF to make it more attractive, impactful and inclusive", an official statement said. In a significant move to enhance and strengthen the agricultural infrastructure in the country and support the farming community, the government has announced a series of measures to expand the scope of the AIF scheme. "These initiatives aim at expanding the scope of eligible projects and integrate additional supportive measures to foster a robust agricultural infrastructure ecosystem," it added. The government has allowed all eligible beneficiaries of the scheme for creation of infrastructure covered under 'viabl

Rajasthan govt to set up animal husbandry development fund worth Rs 250 cr

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Saturday said the state government will constitute the Chief Minister's Animal Husbandry Development Fund with an allocation of Rs 250 crore to benefit cattle farmers. Sharma was addressing a delegation of Dewasi community who had come from various assembly constituencies including Sirohi and Bali to express gratitude for the announcements made for their upliftment in the state's annual budget. According to an official statement, the chief minister said that the country is agriculture-based and cattle farmers have an important contribution in the state's economy. Keeping this in mind, many gifts have been given in the budget for the empowerment of cattle farmers. Chief Minister's Animal Husbandry Development Fund will be constituted with Rs 250 crore for animal husbandry promotion, conservation and development, he said. According to the chief minister, the grant amount will be increased from 50 per cent to 75 per cent for breed developme

Decoded: What is Agristack system? How will it benefit agriculture sector?

In her Union Budget speech, Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Agristack DPI while adding that it will bring over six crore farmers under the formal land registry system

Budget 2024: Govt sets aside Rs 1.52 trn for agriculture, allied sectors

In her seventh Budget presentation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman focused on sustainable practices, digital infrastructure, and boosting production

SBI announces 11 new initiatives to mitigate risks in agri loan portfolio

The country's largest lender SBI on Thursday announced 11 new initiatives -- including enhancement of its digital banking features and opening of 35 new Agricultural Centralised Processing Cells -- to mitigate risks in its agricultural loan portfolio. On the occasion of the 69th Foundation Day, State Bank of India announced these initiatives to widen the bank's accessibility to address the banking needs of its potential customers, the lender said in a statement. SBI has enhanced its digital payment experience, with the introduction of two exciting features like tap-and-pay on the BHIM SBI PAY app and end-to-end digital loans against mutual funds on the YONO app, it added. The bank has also announced an initiative, which is a fully digital end-to-end journey for SBI Surya Ghar Loan, it said, adding that the users can opt for credit to install solar rooftops under the central government's PM Surya Ghar Scheme, offering loans for up to 10 KW capacity. The entire process will be manage

Monsoon rains a fifth below normal so far, raising agricultural concerns

Summer rains, critical to economic growth in Asia's third-largest economy, usually begin in the south around June 1 before spreading nationwide by July 8

Growth momentum to continue in FY25, better year ahead for agri

Government would decide in the FY25 budget whether the fiscal deficit target of 5.1 per cent of GDP can be lowered further to fast track India towards the fiscal glide path

Spice controversy: Norms for pesticide residue stringent, says govt

In India, pesticides are regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC)

Govt to conduct digital crop survey across India using AI to assess acreage

The initiative will assist in developing more accurate farm production forecasts, and facilitating timely implementation of suitable trade policy measures