Page 2 - Agriculture Sector

Shivraj Singh Chouhan lays down 6 priorities for growth of agri sector

The minister also said the agriculture sector was ignored, and priorities were misplaced during the Congress rule

MGNREGA demand dips 19% as agriculture activities pick up pace

July and August are usually considered lean months for the scheme in terms of demand for work as agricultural activities are in full swing in the rural parts of the country

Godrej Agrovet Q1 results: PAT up 28.3% at Rs 135 cr, total revenue falls

Godrej Agrovet's total revenue from operations fell 6.4 per cent to Rs 2,351 crore while total expenses fell nearly 8 per cent, led by a fall in the cost of materials consumed

Statsguru: Six charts explain the agriculture sector's next decade

In her Budget speech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a review of the agriculture research framework to increase productivity and develop climate-resilient crop varieties

WayCool lays off over 200 employees, aims to achieve profitability

The layoffs have impacted employees across Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad

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

Budget 2024: Agri sector's wish list for developed, self-reliant India

The Budget is an opportunity for the government to create an agricultural sector that will ensure food security and economic prosperity for the nation

Govt asks retailers to cut profit margins on pulses for relief to consumers

The government on Tuesday pointed out that retail prices of tur, urad and chana dals have not declined in proportion to about a 4 per cent fall in major wholesale markets in the past one month and asked retailers to charge reasonable profit margins for providing relief to consumers. The government warned that it would take stern actions against unscrupulous speculation and profiteering by market players. On Tuesday, the Department of Consumer Affairs organised a meeting with the Retailers Association of India (RAI) here to discuss the price scenario in respect of pulses. The meeting, chaired by Nidhi Khare, Secretary, the Department of Consumer Affairs, also reviewed compliance with the stock limits for tur and chana. The meeting was attended by representatives of RAI, Reliance Retail, D-Mart, Tata Stores, Spencer's, RSPG, and V-Mart, among others. RAI has more than 2,300 members, having over 6,00,000 retail outlets in the country. According to an official statement, the secretary

Pre-budget wish list: Set up Credit Guarantee Fund for agri loans, says SBI

The SBI report said that this fund is expected to boost fresh agriculture credit multiple times

On Budget table: 100% MSP for oilseeds, pulses; Centre may tweak PM-AASHA

India's dependence on imports for meeting its domestic demand for edible oils has increased during the last few decades and roughly 60 percent of domestic consumption is met through imports

Govt to review performance of FPOs as support period coming to end

The government will conduct a thorough review of the performance of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) as the three-year support period for these entities coming to an end, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan announced on Monday. Chauhan made the statement after visiting 55 FPOs who displayed their products at a fair organised at Dilli Haat INA here. The FPO Scheme, launched in 2020, is aimed to form and promote 10,000 new FPOs by 2024 with a budgetary provision of Rs 6,865 crore. Under the programme, the government provided financial assistance of Rs 18 lakh per FPO for three years, along with a matching equity grant and credit guarantee facility. However, the minister acknowledged that outcomes have been varied, with some FPOs achieving significant success while others continue to face challenges. "Some FPOs are standing on their feet in three years, while some are struggling. We will conduct a thorough review of all FPOs to understand their progress and identify gaps w

Budget: Farm bodies for higher agri R&D spend, more PM-KISAN allotment

The farmers' groups pitched for the rationalization of fertilizer subsidies and infrastructure development to boost the sector's resilience against climate change

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

Govt revises upwards wheat output to record 112.92 mn tonne for 2023-24

The government has revised upwards wheat production at record 112.92 million tonne for the 2023-24 crop year (July-June) in its third estimate. The output, which has been revised upwards by 0.91 million tonne from the second estimate, is also higher than the previous record high of 110.55 million tonne achieved in the 2022-23 crop year, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday. Wheat, the main rabi (winter) crop, has been harvested and over 26 million tonne has already been procured by the central government at minimum support price. In its third estimate, the agriculture ministry has projected increase in rice output to 136.7 million tonne for 2023-24 from 135.75 million tonne in the previous crop year. However, the total foodgrain output is estimated slightly lower at 328.85 million tonne as compared to the level achieved in 2022-23 but higher by 21.1 million tonne from the last five years' average of 307.75 million tonne. Among pulses, tur output is pegged higher at 3.38 millio

New govt needs to fight inflation while bringing back focus on farm reforms

A favourable monsoon in 2024 should keep production worries at bay

In FY23, investments in mining, construction and manufacturing fell

Low capacity utilisation meant firms had less incentive to invest: Economists

Drone Destination partners Iffco for spraying agri products on 3 mn acres

Drone company Drone Destination on Monday said it has signed an agreement with cooperative major IFFCO for spraying agricultural products on up to 30 lakh acres of farm land. According to company officials, under the agreement Drone Destination could get paid in the range of Rs 400 to Rs 800 per acre at prevailing market rates, implying that the deal will fetch a revenue of Rs 120 crore in the lower price band and up to Rs 240 at upper price band. "We have secured a mandate for agri spray over 30 lakh acres. The prevailing market rate of such agri spray is in the range of Rs 400-800 per acre depending upon the region and the crop," Drone Destination managing director and CEO Chirag Sharma said. As part of the agreement, Drone Destination will undertake drone spray in 12 states across the country. These states include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand. "We are elated to partner wit

Madhya Pradesh farmers struggle to make the most of soaring wheat prices

In poll season, dwindling wheat production is a matter of political debate

Centre orders mandatory declaration of wheat stock position from April 1

The Union government said that the move is in a bid to manage the overall food situation and prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation

BS Manthan: Finding common ground in ideologically divided farm sector

India's farm sector needs a thorough relook as the country marches towards the cherished goal of a developed nation by 2047, which the panel discussions promise to deliver