Page 3 - Agriculture

Trouble in Paradise: Why are Tafe and AGCO fighting over Massey Ferguson?

Tafe and AGCO have been allies for 64 years. Tafe is the single largest shareholder in AGCO and AGCO holds nearly 21% in Tafe

Massey Ferguson row: Tafe-AGCO brand battle reaches US shareholders

American firm responds, says Chennai company's interests 'misaligned'

Fixing minor issues faced by farmers can raise income by 20%: Chouhan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said addressing seemingly minor issues faced by farmers could increase their income by up to 20 per cent. Meeting members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Independent) as part of his 'direct dialogue' (seedha samvad) initiative launched on September 24, Chouhan discussed various challenges affecting the agricultural sector. Asserting that the service of farmers is the worship of God, Chouhan said: "....These problems may seem small, but solving them can increase farmers' income by 10 to 20 per cent." In the meeting, BKU representatives raised concerns about contaminated factory water and ways to replace burnt transformers in short time, an official statement said. Discussion covered reducing crop costs, ensuring fair prices, and preventing waterlogging. Besides, use of excessive pesticide, its impact on health, and access to government schemes like PM Fasal Bima Yojana were discussed. Quality seeds and pesticides were provid

Driving towards net zero: India's strategic push for sustainable trucking

India's net-zero carbon strategy has focused intensely on sectors such as automotive, power, steel, aviation, cement, and agriculture, which collectively contribute significantly to carbon emissions

Modi lists out Centre's pro-farmer steps in Sonipat; attacks Cong on quota

He said the Centre also hiked customs duties on the import of edible oils, to benefit farmers

Talking stock: Will sugar turn sweeter in coming year as supply stabilises?

The sugar supply situation that has turned positive in the last few months will continue to remain comfortable next season as well

ICAR should focus on converting waste to wealth, urges Prez Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday asserted that secondary agriculture could significantly enhance the rural economy, urging the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to focus on converting waste into wealth. "Secondary agriculture has the potential to boost the rural economy. ICAR should work towards this goal to increase farmers' income," she said while addressing the centenary celebrations of the ICAR-National Institute of Secondary Agriculture (NISA) here as the chief guest. Highlighting the export potential of Indian lac, which is in high demand in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, the President noted that Jharkhand accounts for 55 per cent of the country's total lac production. "Jharkhand's lac production is a vital source of income for the tribal community," she emphasised. Murmu also expressed her deep respect for the region, saying, "Visiting the land of tribal icon Birsa Munda feels like a pilgrimage to me." Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Governor Santo

Centre drops private participation in grain procurement from PM-AASHA

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to meet farmers' groups every Tuesday to hear grievances; expects higher kharif output despite surplus rains

Subsidy on P&K fertilisers to raise farmers' income: Agri Minister Chouhan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said the government's decision to provide subsidy of Rs 24,475 crore on phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for rabi season would help reduce input cost for farmers and enhance their income. He also welcomed the Cabinet's approval to continuation of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) scheme till 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs 35,000 crore. Welcoming the decision of subsidy on P&K nutrients, Chouhan said in a social media post on 'X', "this will ensure availability of fertilisers to farmers at affordable rates". The Cabinet's decision would also give new impetus to the government's commitment to reduce production cost, increase income of farmers and make farming a profitable business, the minister added. Chouhan said the PM-AASHA scheme will not only help in giving remunerative prices to farmers for their produce but will also control the price volatility of essential commodities. The ...

Tracking the fields: Kharif acreage surpasses 5-year average, shows data

Sowing for most crops is complete, and the final harvest of some is either entering or about to enter the markets in the coming weeks, traders said

Old lending practices a constraint in catering to agri sector: RBI dy guv

He highlighted that institutional credit to agriculture reached an all-time high of Rs 25.10 trillion during FY24

PM Modi lauds change in agri export policy, says will boost farmers income

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded recent changes in agricultural export policies, stating that easing export norms on basmati rice and onions, and increasing import duties on some edible oils will boost farmers' incomes and create rural jobs. On Friday, the government scrapped a USD 950 per tonne minimum export price (MEP) for basmati rice and removed a USD 550 per tonne MEP on onions, according to government statements. The government on Saturday raised import duty on crude palm oil to 20 per cent and on refined sunflower oil to 32.5 per cent, aiming to support domestic oilseed farmers and processors. In a post on X, Modi said the government is leaving no stone unturned to support farmers who work tirelessly for the country's food security. "Whether it is reducing the export duty on onions or increasing the import duty on edible oils, many such decisions are going to greatly benefit our food producers. While these will increase their income, employment opportunities

Life sciences major Bayer launches ForwardFarm for first time in India

Worldwide, Bayer has 29 such farms across the globe, and the first one was just launched in India

Lulu Group aiming to up agri sourcing from India to Rs 15,000 cr in 2 yrs

UAE-headquartered retailer Lulu Group is looking to increase the quantum of Indian agri procurements to Rs 15,000 crore in the next two years as it expands its network globally, a top company official said on Tuesday. Its Chairman and Managing Director M A Yusuff Ali told reporters that the company plans to have a special focus on the organic good procurement and sees the value of such goods going up to Rs 2,000 crore in a year. "About Rs 10,000 crore imports (of agri products) we are doing every year. We are looking to increase it to Rs 15,000 crore within two years because we are also expanding our footprint in many countries," he said. The imports primarily include commodities such as fruits, vegetables, rice, tea, sugar, spice and millets, he said, pointing out that the produce goes to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and other far-east countries. Ali said his group has tied up with the Indian government-promoted Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export ...

Punjab govt to procure over 11,000 CRM machines to check stubble burning

The Punjab government has issued sanction letters for procuring 11,052 crop residue management (CRM) machines to help farmers manage paddy straw, said Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian on Tuesday. Khuddian also said 5,534 CRM machines have already been acquired so far by farmers in the state. Of these, 4,640 machines were purchased by individual farmers, 745 by registered farmer groups, 119 by cooperative societies and 30 by farmer producer organisations, he said in a statement. He further said super seeder machine leads the pack among CRM machines, with 4,945 sanction letters issued for this equipment. The minister said the department received 21,830 applications from farmers, cooperative societies and panchayats seeking subsidies for different crop residue management (CRM) machinery during the Kharif season 2024-25. Khuddian also mentioned that 163 custom hiring centres have been established across the state to facilitate small and marginal farmers in accessing CRM ...

Urad, moong sowing area rise during week ended Sept 6, shows data

Overall, kharif crops have so far been planted in 109.23 million hectares of land, which is higher than the 106.92 million hectares planted during the same period last year

Chhattisgarh farmers surpass sowing target hoping high paddy price

Though the state has surpassed the paddy sowing target, it is yet to achieve the overall kharif crop sowing target for the season even as the sowing has come to a halt

Controlling chemical contamination in agri raw materials must: FSSAI

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Saturday asserted that controlling chemical contamination in agricultural raw materials is essential for advancing the food industry. FSSAI executive director Inoshi Sharma said enforcing Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in crops, fruits, and spices presents a significant challenge. Speaking at an event organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce here, she stressed the need for regular audits and the rejection of non-compliant produce at farm gates. Sharma also underscored the importance of educating buyers about the detrimental effects of excessive pesticide use, which can lead to contamination in raw materials. She announced plans to form a committee with representatives from various ministries and departments to address this issue. Furthermore, Sharma emphasised the necessity for accurate labeling and the avoidance of misleading claims by Food Business Organizations (FBOs). She advocated for a culture of 'Self-Compliance' amo

India key market for Syngenta, focus on innovation for farmers: CEO Rowe

Global agricultural company Syngenta considers India one of its most important markets worldwide with a strong focus on bringing innovation to Indian farmers and enhancing food security, according to CEO Jeff Rowe. In an interview with PTI, Rowe highlighted the unique challenges and opportunities in the Indian market. "The rapid growth of the market is both a challenge and an opportunity. While it brings some hurdles, the opportunities far outweigh the challenges," he said. Syngenta's offerings are tailored to meet the specific needs of Indian farmers. "We have some of the best new products that we are bringing to the market. As a global company operating in over 100 countries, we prioritize bringing our innovations to India early," he stated. The company's expansion plans in India focus on introducing new production practices for more sustainable, effective, and profitable farming. Rowe sees potential across India but noted the northern region's importance as the country's ...

Syngenta may look to increase manufacturing under Make in India: CEO

Rowe talks about Syngenta's strong presence in India for a long time