Indian Agriculture

As kharif harvest gains momentum, what's in store for crop prices?

As the Kharif harvest season intensifies, crop prices may see shifts driven by increased arrivals, inflation pressures, and recent govt interventions aimed at stabilising key agricultural commodities

India's agri-exports slip slightly, but rice and meat shipments show growth

Basmati rice exports rose sharply by 11 per cent between April and September 2024, compared to the same period in FY24 reaching $2.87 billion, aided by the recent removal of the minimum export price

Minimum support price: Need for improved methodology, institutional reforms

There are two contentious questions related to MSP. First, how is the MSP fixed? Second, how to ensure that farmers get the recommended MSP?

PM Modi to release 109 high yielding, climate resilient varieties of crops

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release 109 high yielding, climate resilient and biofortified varieties of crops at Indian Agricultural Research Institute here on Sunday, according to an official statement. The prime minister will also interact with farmers and scientists during the event, the statement said. The 109 varieties of 61 crops to be released include 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops, it added. Among the field crops, seeds of various cereals, including millet, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, fibre and other potential crops will be released, the statement said. Among the horticultural crops, different varieties of fruits, vegetable crops, plantation crops, tuber crops, spices, flowers and medicinal crops will be released, it added. Prime Minister Modi has always encouraged sustainable farming and adoption of climate resilient methodologies, the release said. He has also emphasised on promoting biofortified varieties of crops by linking them

India, Taiwan pact to facilitate trade of agri goods comes into force

An agreement between India and Taiwan to facilitate trade in organically-produced goods, including tea and medicinal plants, has come into force from July 8, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday. The mutual recognition agreement (MRA) will ease the export of organic products by avoiding dual certifications, thereby reducing compliance cost, simplifying compliance requirements by adhering to only one regulation and enhancing trade opportunities in the organic sector. It said the pact will pave the way for export of major Indian organic products such as rice, processed food, green/black and herbal tea, medicinal plant products to Taiwan. The implementing agencies for the MRA are India's Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Taiwan's Agriculture and Food Agency. "The MRA for organic products between India and Taiwan has been implemented w.e.f. July 8," it said in a statement. Under the pact, agricultural products produced and handled ...

Research, sharing practices crucial for high-yield sugarcane: Pralhad Joshi

Research and sharing of best practices among nations are crucial for high-yield, disease-resistant sugarcane varieties and innovative uses of the commodity, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Tuesday. The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution also said that sugar production is expected to be good this year depending upon the rains. He made the remarks at the 64th International Sugar Organisation (ISO) Council Meeting in the national capital. "Sharing best practices and fostering research collaboration across nations is vital. Let us work together to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant sugarcane varieties, explore innovative uses for sugarcane, and promote sustainable practices throughout the value chain," Joshi said. He said that advanced technologies across the sugar value chain should be increasingly adapted as they will be crucial for reducing waste and ensuring the sustainability of the industry. The nation is committed to actively collaborating wit

Govt focus on agri, rural incomes to sustain tractor demand: Swaraj Engines

The government's focus on improving the state of agriculture in India and several initiatives taken by it to drive higher rural incomes are likely to support to sustain the tractor demand momentum despite industry sales witnessing a decline of 7 per cent, according to Swaraj Engines Ltd. The company, which supplies diesel engines for tractors manufactured by M&M Swaraj Division, in its annual report for 2023-24, said the growing horticultural segment in the country also offers good opportunities to increase tractor penetration in the lower horsepower (HP) market. "The domestic tractor industry for FY24 at 8,75,700 units registered a degrowth of 7 per cent over last year's (FY23) 9,45,300 units mainly because of erratic and uneven rainfall distribution that impacted kharif output, coupled with the high industry base of FY23," it said. On the outlook and opportunities, Swaraj Engines in its management discussion and analysis said factors like increasing affordability with adequate ..

New non-farm jobs in Q2FY23: Higher than Q1 but below Omicron-hit Q4FY22

But in first half of the FY, new hirings halved compared to Omicron-hit H2 of FY22

Improved prospects

Post-harvest losses must be minimised

The success story of fish farming

Composite fish farming has, over the years, witnessed some major modifications. One of its notable new versions is vertical fish culture

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

Flour millers' survey predicts better wheat production over last year

Flour millers' estimate of 105.79 mt differs from the govt's 2024-25 projection of wheat production at 112 mt

Average mustard yields can jump by 35% with right practices: SEA study

The yield increases were realised using innovative farming practices and advanced technology

LIVE: Shubhkaran will not be cremated till FIR is registered, say farmers

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: Catch all the latest updates on the farmers' protest here

Rural India's Budget expectations

There is a need to reduce stress in agriculture and increase demand to ensure sustainable growth

India to push for public stockholding of food grains at WTO MC13

The official said that developed countries have demanded discussion on export restrictions-on items such as wheat-imposed by India

Can cloud seeding be the answer to India's growing problem of uneven rains?

According to the IITM report, cloud seeding is a technique in which cloud-forming particles are used to increase rainfall

Sugar firms seek court help against ban on use of cane juice for ethanol

The distillery in its petition to the Karnataka High Court said that as it produces only ethanol and not sugar from cane

Jeera prices halve after sowing increases on 2023 hopes, shows data

Experts are saying the slump could be due to expectations of a bumper crop this year. Farmers had sown the crop in a larger area after prices hit multi-year highs last year

Best of BS Opinion: Attaining self-sufficiency, Growth adjustments & more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today