Maharashtra Farmers Stir
Pawar meets Modi on Maharashtra farm crisis; state govt logjam continues
The meeting comes amidst speculations that the NCP may cobble together an alliance with the BJP to form the government in the state
 "Pawar meets Modi on Maharashtra farm crisis; state govt logjam continues")
Maha Vikas Aghadi govt in Maharashtra could focus on farm debt waivers
The state govt can go for a waiver of Rs 50,000 crore spread over a couple of years, said Macquarie
 "Maha Vikas Aghadi govt in Maharashtra could focus on farm debt waivers")
Maharashtra farmers, across all crops, have much to complain about
Most agricultural commodities produced in Maharashtra are trading at much lower prices than earlier and, in many cases, being not remunerative enough for its farmers, currently on a public agitation for more favourable policies. The principal crops in the state are rice, jowar, bajra (both millets), wheat and various varieties of pulses. The state is also a major producer of oilseed -- groundnut, sunflower, soybean. Among the cash crops are cotton, sugarcane and turmeric. Among vegetables, onions.There has been some improvement in prices of oilseed and gram after the central government increased their import duties. However, small and marginal farmers have generally not got much relief.The state's sugar production is estimated to increase from 4.2 million tonnes last year to 10.1 mt this year. However, sugarcane payment arrears to farmers had risen to Rs 23.7 billion as on end-February, from Rs 26.2 million last year at the same time, according to official data. With sugar prices ...
 "Maharashtra farmers, across all crops, have much to complain about")
