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<ul><li>Around 40,000 farmers marched into Mumbai from <keyword id="42738" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nashik">Nashik</keyword> covering over 180 kilometres. </li><li>Last year the <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword> government announced a loan waiver to the tune of Rs 34,022 crores of which only around Rs 12,381 crore has been transferred into bank accounts. </li><li>The Economic Survey of Maharashtra has forecasted a negative agriculture growth of (-) 8.3% in 2017-18.</li></ul>Around 40,000 weary farmers marched into Mumbai from Nashik covering over 180 kilometres with the sole intention of getting the Maharashtra government to heed to a list of their demands that include: 1) 100% waiver of their loans as well as electricity bills. 2) Implementation of the <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/what-is/swaminathan-commission-report-and-how-is-its-implementation-relevant-farmer-protest-madhya-pradesh-4694949/" data-type="tilCustomLink">Swaminathan Commission recommendations</a>. 3) Better rates for crops. 4) The announcement of minimum support price for agriculture produce. 5) Pension scheme for farmers. 6) Land rights for farmers. Led by the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) — the farmers’ collective of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) — these farmers have been adversely affected by the poor rainfall and erratic climate conditions. The Economic Survey of Maharashtra has forecasted a negative agriculture growth at (-) 8.3% in 2017-18 and the primary cause of poor yields can be attributed to droughts, inadequate pricing policies and poor water management. Maharashtra followed Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Punjab last year to announce a loan waiver to the tune of <a href="http://www.livemint.com/Politics/A61IDl1h10pb3cLrQUsl6M/Maharashtra-farm-loan-waiver-Rs12381-crore-reaches-account.html">Rs 34,022 crores of which only around Rs12,381 crore has been transferred into bank accounts</a>. Together, the large-scale farm debt waivers of all the three states amounted to around <a href="http://www.livemint.com/Politics/HcS9M9n9rus7h5JiLQC2ZM/How-will-farm-loan-waivers-impact-the-Indian-economy.html" data-type="tilCustomLink">Rs 77,000 crore or 0.5% of India’s 2016-17 GDP</a>. The decline in “agriculture and allied activities” has pulled down Maharashtra's economic growth to 7.3% in 2017-18 (down from 10% in 2016-17). But can India really afford these large-scale <keyword id="604781" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="loan-waivers">loan waivers</keyword>? If the current states that have offered loan waivers — Uttar Pradesh (UP), Punjab and Maharashtra — were to be joined by other major states like Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to extend one-third of farm loans waivers in their respective states, then the combined amount of farm debt waivers before the 2019 elections would inflate to Rs 2 trillion. Which is not too much of a dent, but if all the Indian states started to follow suit — which they probably will — and offered waivers to cover half of all farm debt instead of just one-third then the total waiver amount will increase to a whopping Rs 6.3 trillion. For a country that is already facing a significant bad loan problem, not to mention a burgeoning fiscal deficit, this move might prove drastically unfeasible. What’s more, if they fail to correct the root of the problem, it will only herald another frenzy of waivers in the near future as agricultural productivity continues to decline.

Maharashtra farmers march to Mumbai to ask for loan waivers

The recent <keyword id="406897" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmer-protests">farmer protests</keyword> in <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword>, in which around 40,000 farmers and tribals staged a peaceful 180 km march from Nashik to <keyword id="6358070" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mumbai">Mumbai</keyword>, has been lauded for its execution by politicians and media outlets alike, with The Hindu even calling it a <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-model-protest/article23229917.ece">“model protest”</a> and the chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, saying that he was “deeply humbled” before agreeing to their demands. What really made the farmers protests stand out and ultimately successful, was its amazing public relations machine. The farmers earned the sympathy of not only the citizens of Mumbai but the rest of India, as they marched at night to avoid disruptions to urban commuters and students sitting for their board exams. There were no overt theatrics or violence, unlike the farmer protests around Maharashtra between June last year which resulted in the announcement of the 34,000 crore <keyword id="56684" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="loan-waiver">loan waiver</keyword> scheme. The organisation sponsoring the march, All-India Kisan Sabha, an ally of the Communist Party of India, left no stone unturned when it came to social media. From the very first day of the march, they posted announcements and regular updates regarding the march’s progress on Twitter, using the hashtag #KisanLongMarch. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 The march benefited from widespread media coverage. On March 12th, the Indian Express ran a <a href="http://epaper.indianexpress.com/1575825/Delhi/March-12,-2018#page/1/2">front page report</a> on the march and included interviews with 10 participating farmers on the problems they were facing. Scroll conducted <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scroll.in/videos/1718003171615889/?hc_ref=ARS9e9XHfRx2R7ilvXgedCUq-Zqf43UQC40hbD4YM2G547c0iDuf5AHHY0kBTg8_68E&amp;pnref=story.unseen-section">Facebook Live conversations</a> with farmers and Mid-Day ran a front-page headline that read, “Mumbaikars Welcome Farmers With Open Arms”. In a <a href="https://thewire.in/rights/i-walked-40km-with-the-farmers-in-maharashtra-heres-what-i-learnt">piece for the Wire,</a> Ayush Dubey, a young journalist, wrote of his experience as a participant in the march, stating “this is a real protest by a sad farmer community. They are working hard for their demands”. All news outlets explicitly mentioned that the farmers were looking for more than just debt forgiveness. It was clear that they were also calling for the implementation of property rights and minimum support prices for their produce as well as the cancellation of river-sharing agreements. Attention was also drawn to the severity of their conditions, epitomised by their bleeding, blistered feet- a sign of dignified, non-violent desperation. The public didn’t need any more convincing. Images of the march at night went viral on social media on March 11th. This achieved the holy grail from a public relations standpoint- it made a protest against the government look beautiful. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 There were also posts that highlighted the ingenuity of the farmers, making them stand out as individuals as opposed to faceless members of a crowd. The case of Lakshman Bhasre proved to be an important human interest story. Bhasre, a farmer from Nashik, had a solar panel on his head for charging phones. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 The march also received the support of prominent members of the Opposition such as Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress and Aditya Thackeray, the leader of the youth wing of the Shiv Sena. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 The success of the march, especially in terms of public relations, points to why the protests by Tamil Nadu farmers in Delhi last year didn’t amount to much. Starting in March last year, around 150 farmers from Tamil Nadu staged a protest for 144 days outside the Jantar Mantar to ask for a loan waiver, which would be financed by the Centre’s drought relief fund. Their protests also received media coverage and sympathy from statesmen like Rahul Gandhi and the chief minister of Tamil Nadu but failed to elicit the same level of public support as the long march in Maharashtra. There are likely many reasons for this. First, the numbers might have been too low to justify a full-blown media frenzy. 150 farmers feels too small compared to a procession of 40,000 farmers. Secondly, given the fast pace of the 24-hours news cycle, the 144-day protest likely lost relevance to news readers and viewers well before its conclusion. The protest also lacked a groundswell of support from beginning as the farmers from Tamil Nadu weren’t on their home turf. Being stationed in the capital, which was necessary given that it was a federal rather than a state issue, might have actually worked against their favour. Lastly, unlike their counterparts in Maharashtra, their protest tactics, which included the brandishing of skulls, the consumption of faeces and stripping, might have proved too “unpalatable” to the public. With their well-oiled public relations machine and sponsorship by a national farmers union, the Maharashtra farmers were able to wrest public support and effectively demonstrate the importance of their cause.

The amazing public relations of the farmer protests in Maharashtra

<ul><li>Rural discontent will be a key issue as <keyword id="13126" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword> goes to the polls today. </li><li>Not all of the state’s <keyword id="45092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers">farmers</keyword> have benefited from the state government’s <keyword id="56684" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="loan-waiver">loan waiver</keyword> and crop insurance schemes, with payouts from the latter being delayed due to bureaucratic inefficiencies. </li><li>In fact, even after a historic <keyword id="47282" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="march">march</keyword> last year, the demands of the state’s farmers are yet to be met. </li><li>Maharashtra is also facing an acute groundwater crisis, with groundwater levels in over 3000 villages dropping below the maximum depth of 3 metres.</li></ul>The image of Mukesh Ambanis’ 27-storey house Antilla - dubbed the world’s most expensive residence at $2 billion - towering over one of the world’s largest slums in <keyword id="6358070" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai">Mumbai</keyword> is widely considered a prime example of the kind of income inequality the developing world faces. On a more micro level, Maharashtra - India’s richest state by Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) - is also an example of rising inequality on a national level. A state that is home to Mumbai, India’s financial capital and most expensive property market, is also the home to millions of farmers who have campaigned for debt forgiveness every year without fail. What’s more, the rapidly urbanising portions of the state leaving its rural component behind. Around <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/govt-working-on-economic-model-to-bridge-rural-urban-divide-fadnavis/">60% of the state is expected to be urbanised</a> by 2030, compared to a level of 45% in 2016. Moreover, with <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/govt-working-on-economic-model-to-bridge-rural-urban-divide-fadnavis/">the bulk </a>of the state’s GDP coming from urban areas it will become harder and harder to justify the reinvestment of those funds in rural areas. Rural discontent will be a key issue as Maharashtra goes to the polls today. Not all of the state’s farmers have benefited from the state government’s <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/revised-farm-loan-waiver-norms-in-maharashtra-to-cost-rs-500-crore-more/articleshow/65588604.cms">loan waiver </a>and <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/farmers-in-maharashtra-village-finally-get-their-crop-cover-dues/article26785090.ece">crop insurance</a> schemes, with payouts from the latter being delayed due to bureaucratic inefficiencies. In fact, even after <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/maharashtra-farmers-march-to-mumbai-to-ask-for-loan-waivers/articleshow/63274299.cms">a historic march</a> last year, the demands of the state’s farmers are yet to be met. In March 2018, around 40,000 farmers marched 180 kms to Mumbai with a list of demands that included full waivers of their loans, land rights, pensions and higher rates for their crops. The BJP-led Maharashtra government duly obliged, assuring them that their demands would be met, which lend to the end of the march on March 12th. However, a year later, these promised hadn’t been executed which led to <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/demands-unfulfilled-farmers-march-mumbai-again">another march</a> in February 2019 with similar demands. It was called off after a day, however, after the government was <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/farmers-end-march-to-mumbai-after-talks-with-maharashtra-government-1997592">forced to give in again </a>- providing more concrete assurances this time in all likelihood. Maharashtra is also facing an acute <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/maharashtras-groundwater-crisis-is-so-bad-that-farmers-might-need-special-approval-to-plant-water-intensive-crops/articleshow/65578555.cms">groundwater crisis</a>, with groundwater levels in over <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-expert-team-submits-report-on-proposed-groundwater-act-ministries-to-take-final-call-5509359/">3000 villages</a> dropping below the maximum depth of 3 metres. In fact, as per draft rules issued in August last year, farmers of water-intensive crops will have to get an approval from a state-appointed committee in order to cultivate them. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-amazing-public-relations-of-the-farmer-protests-in-maharashtra/articleshow/63328247.cms">The amazing public relations of the farmer protests in Maharashtra</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/maharashtras-groundwater-crisis-is-so-bad-that-farmers-might-need-special-approval-to-plant-water-intensive-crops/articleshow/65578555.cms">Maharashtra’s groundwater crisis is so bad that farmers might need special approval to plant water-intensive crops</a>

This state going to polls today is the picture of India's rising inequality

A large number of <keyword id="8750874" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="millenial-farmers">millenial farmers</keyword> in villages around Nashik district of Maharashtra are making more money from alternative jobs like electrician, plumbing and fabrication than from farming itself. Most of these farmers are earning between Rs 7,000-15,000 per month from alternative jobs in construction-affiliated industry, which they said is "good enough money" to support their agriculture-dependent families. These millenial farmers, who are mostly educated till 12th standard, are gradually emerging as talented professionals, thanks to the vocational skill training intervention by PNB Housing Finance Ltd (PNBHF) as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative implemented with the support of Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) and Vivekananda Institute at Nashik. Looking at the uncertainty in agriculture, a matric-passed farmer Sagar Nivruthi Bodke (22 years), who assists his family in a 2.5-acre farm land located at Tadwade village in Trimbakeshwar Taluk, took up the 45-day free training course on fabrication at Vivekananda Institute last year. "There is not much income from agriculture. Both monsoon and markets are unpredictable. Despite efforts of entire family, the return from a piece of farm land is very low. Youth like me cannot even think of asking salary for my share of work," Bodke told . Stating that farming is becoming difficult with increased water woes in Trimbakeshwar, he said an alternative job like fabrication comes handy to sustain during off season. "Now, I have my own work. I earn Rs 14,000 to Rs 15,000 per month. My family is happy that I earn from this new job and at the same time help them in agriculture activities," he said, adding that he was able to learn fast as the course syllabus was more on practical knowledge than theory. Sharing a similar story, 20-year old Abhishek Mohan Daghar said he has become a certified electrician after getting the training at the institute and been working with a building contractor for last three months. "I am getting Rs 7,000 per month, which is not bad for a 12th Class fail youth. We have 5 acres of farm land and I help my father in agriculture and also doing electrician job," Daghar said and added that he was ready to join a company if he was offered better salary. There are many millenial farmers like Bodke and Daghar in and around Nashik who have either become entrepreneurs or got placed in companies after the training. The objective of the intervention, PNBHF Chief People Officer Anshul Bhargava said, is constantly build inroads for upgrading skills of construction workers and creating a conducive environment for them. The purpose is to improve the socio-economic condition of this community. Now, the demand for such courses is increasing not only among millenial farmers but also from youth belonging to economically weaker groups who want to acquire new skills to find job opportunities. For instance, 21-year old Vinayak Rawat (12th class pass) after the training course got placement as electrician at Chinese home appliance giant Haier in Nashik and is earning as much as Rs 15,000 per month. "I did the course in June-July 2019 and now working with Haier. My salary is Rs 15,000 per month. Gradually I started earning more money because of incentive given on marketing of the company's products," Rawat said, adding that additional skills that were taught at the training helped him deal with customers, market the company's products and earn incentives. Under this partnership, CREDAI President Satish Magar said it has been able to directly reach out to 40,000 unemployed youth from underprivileged backgrounds, helping them access entry levels job opportunities in construction affiliated industries. Since many of the existing plumbers, electricians and fabricators have picked up skills on job and are not trained at all, Vivekanand Institute Executive Officer Sandip Kuyate said, "Such courses help supply of trained workers who can provide better services keeping safety on priority." "Along with the course, we teach additional basic skills like computer, soft skills, entrepreneur development skill, financial literacy and career counselling," he said, adding that such skills give them confidence to deal with customers. As per the latest data, PNBHF has trained over 1,500 youth in electrician, plumbing and fabrication skills in the last three years in Nashik district alone, while a total 41,744 youth between 2015-16 and 2019-20 across India. There is 70-75 per cent placement after the training. Besides Maharashtra, PNBHF is offering such training courses in 10 states -- Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Orrisa. The certificate courses are recognised globally as it is accredited by the National Skill Development Council (NSDC) and Construction Skill Development Council Of India (CSDC). The courses are offered free of cost to people belonging to economically weaker sections. PNBHF is investing Rs 8,000 per candidate for the training and aims to train 13,000 persons this fiscal. Many students travel 20-25 km from Nashik city to attend classes and Vivekananda Institute is also offering hostel and meal facility here. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/mh-bud-cm/articleshow/73843286.cms">Budget does injustice to Maharashtra, Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/bjp-ruled-states-praise-pro-people-budget-others-say-it-lacks-vision-to-revive-economy/articleshow/73846584.cms">BJP-ruled states praise 'pro-people' budget, others say it lacks vision to revive economy</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/policy/news/new-government-in-maharashtra-led-by-uddhav-thackeray-sharad-pawar-and-congress-what-to-expect/articleshow/72271660.cms">Here's what to expect from the new government in Maharashtra</a>

Millenial farmers making more money from alternative jobs than farming

<ul><li>As per the state’s draft Groundwater Development and Management Rules, 2018, farmers of water-intensive crops will have to get an approval from a district-level body in order to cultivate such crops. </li><li>If it is passed by the state legislature, the ruling will extend to areas where the annual <keyword id="1046710" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="groundwater-recharge">groundwater recharge</keyword> levels are less than extraction levels. </li><li>In January this year, the Central Ground Water Board found that 57% of <keyword id="13126" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword>’s observational wells had recorded a decline in pre-monsoon groundwater levels between 2016 and 2017. </li></ul>Maharashtra’s <keyword id="46885" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="sugarcane">sugarcane</keyword> and <keyword id="6381706" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="banana">banana</keyword> farmers could be in for a rude shock in the near future. As per a draft of the state’s Groundwater Development and Management Rules, 2018, farmers of water-intensive crops will have to get an approval from a Watershed Water Resources Committee (WWRC) in order to cultivate them. The draft rules, which are currently under public consultation, are aimed at mitigating the state’s groundwater woes. The WWRC will be a district-level body comprising of a panchayat leader as well as officials from the state ministries of water, sanitation, animal husbandry and agriculture. In order to assess a farmer’s application, the body will consult with geologists from Maharashtra’s Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency. A farmer’s application is expected to take 30 days to process. If it is passed by the state legislature, the ruling will extend to areas where the annual groundwater recharge levels are less than its extraction levels. Maharashtra has 1,531 such districts where this situation exists. This is not the only measure the Maharashtra government is taking to prevent the continued depletion of groundwater, the government is also planning to <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-plans-to-hike-cess-on-groundwater-extraction/article24556643.ece">hike the cess</a> levied by Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority on the extraction through deep wells by as much as four times the original amount. A consequence of agricultural excess A groundwater crisis has been affecting the state of Maharashtra for a while now. In January this year, the Central Ground Water Board, a government agency, found that <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtras-groundwater-levels-going-down-fast-contamination-rising-5008114/">57% </a>of the state’s observational wells had recorded a decline in pre-monsoon groundwater levels between 2016 and 2017. Furthermore, the maximum acceptable level of metal concentration had been breached in wells in 20 of the state’s districts, indicating a severe contamination problem. This is largely due to the gratuitous use of chemical fertilisers and discharge of industrial effluents. Ironically, the groundwater crisis is a byproduct of Maharashtra’s agricultural drive. Between 1977 and 2007, the number of borewells in the state had increased four-fold to 2.2 million to support increasing agricultural production. This led to the an unsustainable level of groundwater extraction. The problem has been exacerbated by wasteful irrigation practices and over-production of water-intensive crops like sugarcane. And unless the aforementioned measures are implemented, it doesn’t look like the problem will abate anytime soon. Maharashtra’s production of sugarcane is expected to rise by <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/maharashtras-2017-18-sugar-production-to-touch-10-million-tonnes/articleshow/63171080.cms">37%</a> to 10 million tonnes this year.

Maharashtra’s groundwater crisis is so bad that farmers might need special approval to plant water-intensive crops

Jaipur, Dec 4 () A six-member team from Maharashtra will be visiting Jaipur to study the state government's farm loan waiver scheme, a senior official said.
 The Maharashtra government has also decided to waive loans of farmers on the lines of Rajasthan, state cooperatives registrar Neeraj K. Pawan said.
 Pawan further noted that Cooperatives Principal Secretary of Maharashtra, Abha Shukla, Principal Secretary, Information Technology SVR Srinivas, Agriculture Secretary, Eknath Dawale will be part of the six-member study team, who will be in Jaipur on December 5.
 The team would study the loan waiver scheme implemented in the state for effective and transparent implementation.
 The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance government led by Uddhav Thackeray in its common minimum programme has promised to waive loans of farmers. 
 Managing Director of the Apex Bank Inder Singh said Rajasthan has waived crop loans of about Rs 8,000 crore as on November 30, 2018 which benefited 20.30 lakh farmers. The present state government has provided loan waiver of Rs 15,000 crore through the scheme in the year 2018 and 2019.
 He said Rajasthan has decided to waive loans of Rs 2 lakh of financially troubled marginal and small farmers taken from Central Cooperative Banks and Bhumi Vikas Bank as of November 30, 2018.
 The decision will free about 4 lakh bighas of land of nearly 70,000 farmers of the state. AG
 
 
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Maharashtra team to study Rajasthan farm loan waiver scheme

Aurangabad, Mar 31 () With the coronavirus pandemicseverely hitting wine-producing regions of Western Europe suchas France, Italy and Spain, grapes farmers in Maharashtra arelooking for new export markets including Russia.The prices of grapes have plummeted from Rs 70 per kgtwo weeks ago to Rs 10 per kg, farmers said."The area under grapes cultivation in Marathwada(central Maharashtra) is limited. In Latur district, grapesare cultivated on around 100 acres in Killari area. But thisis export-quality crop," said Nagnath Kaname, a farmer andcollege teacher."Demand from European markets is uncertain. So farmersin Latur area are looking to export to Russia. We have enoughproduction to fill 40 containers," he told ."The main problem is non-availability of transportfacilities and labor. Traders who bought grapes for Rs 70 perkg a fortnight ago are now not ready to pay more than Rs 10-12. The local retail market is closed. So we are looking fornew markets," said Sopan Kanchan, president, All India GrapesProducers Association."Grapes on 45,000 acres are lying around in the fieldsin Nashik. An acre of farm produces ten tonnes on average. Soyou can imagine the quantity," said Ashok Gaikwad, a farmerfrom Nashik, a major grapes production centre in Maharashtra. AWKRK KRK

With Western Europe hit by pandemic, grapes farmers pin hopes on Russia

<ul><li>Last month, <keyword id="152170" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Saudi-Aramco">Saudi Aramco</keyword> signed a joint venture agreement with three Indian <keyword id="6359072" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="oil">oil</keyword> companies to develop a $44 billion refinery in the port city of Ratnagiri, in the state of <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword>. </li><li>The proposed refinery that will require 15,000 acres of land and is targeting a daily output of 1.2 million barrels a day. </li><li>However, around 80% of the land required is currently used for mango and cashew plantations, as well as fishing.</li></ul> The expansion plans of Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company by revenue, are being threatened by an unlikely force - India’s mango farmers. Last month, the Saudi government-owned oil giant signed a joint venture agreement with three Indian oil companies -- Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum -- to develop a $44 billion refinery in the port city of Ratnagiri, in the state of Maharashtra. Thousands of farmers, however, are challenging the project by refusing to give up their land. Saudi Aramco will own a 50% stake in the proposed refinery, which will require 15,000 acres of land and is targeting a daily output of 1.2 million barrels a day. The Saudi Arabian oil giant is <a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/2018/05/12/proposed-ratnagiri-refinery-gets-another-middle-eastern-investor#gs.V4g4ztY">planning to dilute its stake</a> and bring the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) aboard. The refinery will give both companies an assured demand for their crude oil. The refinery’s Indian promoters have touted the number of jobs the project will create, estimated to be around 150,000, to no avail. To allay concerns, they have also pledged to maintain tracts for mango and cashew plantations. An uneasy trade-off The project, which has been in the works since 2015, is important to increasing India’s refining capacity and securing a steady domestic supply of oil. This is an urgent need given the high cost of importing oil and the government’s ever-widening current account deficit. However, the immediate cost to the farmers in the Ratnagiri region isn’t insignificant. Around 80% of the land that has been earmarked for the refinery is used by these farmers to grow mangoes and cashews, and by fishermen. Around <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/oil-gas/saudi-aramcos-rs-3-trillion-india-project-will-political-agitation-kill-yet-another-big-venture/articleshow/63954105.cms">22,000 farmers and 4,500 fishermen</a> are expected to be impacted. Farmers from 14 villages in the Ratnagiri area are protesting against the project. The issue has reached fever pitch, with Opposition parties like the Congress offering their support to the farmers. Even the Shiv Sena, <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/shiv-sena-to-go-it-alone-in-2019-general-elections-1803544">a breakaway ally</a> of the BJP government in Maharashtra, <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/won-t-allow-ratnagiri-refinery-to-be-set-up-at-any-circumstance-uddhav-118041201104_1.html">has opposed the project.</a> A thorn in the government’s side The civil resistance to <keyword id="6364579" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="land-acquisition">land acquisition</keyword> has been a proverbial thorn in side for the Narendra <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword> administration. A number of <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/infrastructure-narendra-modis-pet-mega-highway-projects-make-little-progress-land-acquisition-protests-cash-crunch-blamed/571909/">transport and infrastructure projects</a> have been stalled, including a <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-farmers-protest-against-bullet-train-land-acquisition-process/story-nCgyWlcO89qaKtxe3tLioO.html">landmark bullet train programme</a> in Gujarat. Taking advantage of an impasse in the recently-concluded session of Parliament, the government was able to pass <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/two-bills-passed-amid-din-in-lok-sabha-proceedings-remain-paralysed/articleshow/63313989.cms">the Specific Relief (Amendment Bill)</a> without any discussion. The bill, which is pending in the Rajya Sabha, prevents courts from imposing injunctions in cases involving infrastructure projects wherein property rights are alleged to be violated. The move followed the Modi government’s <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/business/land-acquisition-mess-will-the-real-narendra-modi-please-stand-up-2380400.html">failed attempts to water down the protection clauses in the country’s Land Acquisition Bill</a>, which was passed in 2013. Under the bill, 70% of the relevant land-owners are required to give their consent for an acquisition to go through. The promoters of the Ratnagiri project are still optimistic. For its part, the Maharashtra government is looking into the possibility of <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/vidarbha-best-location-for-proposed-refinery-ashish/articleshow/63887064.cms">relocating the project</a> to the landlocked region of Vidarbha. The refinery was initially supposed to commence operations by 2022. But now, given the current unrest, that looks highly unlikely. The land acquisition might even be delayed until the end of 2019, when both national and state elections in Maharashtra are concluded. India will have to continue to source most of its oil requirements from other countries until then.

Thousands of farmers are challenging India’s refinery project with Saudi Aramco

<ul><li>At least 22 dairy infrastructure projects are now underway in five states - Haryana, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat, with a total cost of ₹31 billion. </li><li>In addition, around ₹80 billion has been allocated towards establishing a fund to equip dairy farmers with cooling technology and milk testing equipment. </li><li>Separately, the government is also drafting a plan to provide a subsidy for dairy farmer cooperatives to transition to solar power equipment.</li></ul>While the recent interim budget presented by Acting Finance Minister Piyush Goyal involved a cash handout programme for farmers, it seems that the Modi government knows that this won’t be enough to solve their problems. In line with the government’s goal to double farmers’ incomes by 2022, Radha Mohan Singh, the Union Minister for Agriculture, just <a href="http://www.pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1562782">outlined his ministry’s plans </a>to develop the <keyword id="497138" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="dairy-sector">dairy sector</keyword>. According to an official statement, at least 22 projects are underway in five states - Haryana, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat, with a total cost of ₹31 billion. In addition, around ₹80 billion has been allocated towards establishing a fund to equip dairy farmers with cooling technology and milk testing equipment as well as expanding dairy product manufacturing facilities. The projects broadly fall under three separate schemes - National Programme for Dairy Development, National Dairy Plan Phase-I, and Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme. Recent efforts are aimed at boosting procurement and production process for milk and milk products. India is the world’s largest producer of milk, according to Singh, with a total production of 176.4 million tonnes in the previous fiscal year. The government wants this to increase to 254.5 million tonnes in the next three years. India’s interim budget was met with <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/dairy-industry-hails-budget-2019-says-measures-would-increase-farmers-income/articleshow/67792204.cms">a broad degree of approval</a> from India’s dairy farmers. A highlight was the provision of a 2% interest subsidy on loans for farmers engaged in animal husbandry. Separately, the government’s ministry of renewable energy is also drafting a plan to provide a subsidy for dairy farmer cooperatives <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/government-to-announce-30-subsidy-to-milk-farmers-co-ops-in-bid-to-go-solar/story-DOj7lA3RWK4FuING2POJAO.html">to transition to solar power equipment</a>. Given the fact that power outages affect the ability of farmers to store milk, solar power could provide a solution. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/as-expected-the-modi-administration-just-launched-a-direct-benefit-transfer-scheme-for-the-nations-farmers/articleshow/67786710.cms">India's farmers will get ₹6000 a year from the Modi government</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/congress-promises-farm-loan-waiver-after-bjp-offers-minimum-income-support-in-budget-2019/articleshow/67827116.cms">There is a bidding war for farmer votes in India</a>

The Indian government’s strategy to double farmer incomes involves a ₹110 billion push for the dairy sector

Budget has nothing for Maharashtra, says ruling alliance
(Eds: with additional quotes)
Mumbai, Feb 1 () The ruling Shiv Sena, NCP and
Congress on Saturday termed as "disappointing" the Union
budget, claiming that it did not offer much to the "highest
tax-payers" Mumbai and Maharashtra.
Opposition BJP in Maharashtra hailed the Budget 2020-
21, saying it strengthens the economy and makes provision for
the welfare of all.
"The budget has left Maharashtra and Mumbai the most
disappointed. Mumbai gives highest tax, Maharashtra gives
highest tax to the Centre, but they were completely ignored,"
Revenue Minister and state Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat
told reporters here.
The budget presented by Union finance minister Nirmala
Sitharaman was "old wine in new bottle", he said.
Thorat also questioned the Union government's claim
that farmers' income would be doubled by 2022.
The agricultural growth rate should be 11 per cent to
achieve this goal, while the current rate is not moving beyond
2 per cent, the Congress leader said.
NCP MP Supriya Sule said, "Sensex plunged when the
budget was being presented in the House. It shows the budget
makes no sense."
 The Budget has introduced new slabs and reduced the
income tax rate for different slabs for individual income of
up to Rs 15 lakh per annum, if a taxpayer opts for foregoing
exemptions and deductions.
Referring to it, Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha
Kayande said there was no clarity about the option offered.
"Who would not like to get a tax benefit? If a person
is investing in LIC or mediclaim, why would the person not opt
for tax benefit? People basically make these investments for
tax benefit apart from getting insurance (cover). So there is
no clarity on this," she said.
The Sena leader also expressed concern over "closing
down" of government-owned enterprises like Air India.
"It is a major drawback. Plus, they are banking
completely on LIC. Almost 290 million people invest in LIC.
That means the government is eying public money," she added.
Water Resources Minister and NCP leader Jayant Patil
said the budget offers nothing to give a momentum to the
economy.
"Farmers too have got nothing from the budget...the
budget is mere 'jumlebaazi' (gimmick)," the former Maharashtra
finance minister said.
NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase accused the government
of "over-commitment and under-delivery" leading to loss of
faith of investors, industry and consumers.
Tapase said the current gross GDP figures do not
support the government's claim about the target of USD 5
trillion economy.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan said
the budget ignores the burning issue of unemployment and the
Union government was making no effort to increase purchasing
power of the poor and middle classes.
BJP leader and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis
hailed the budget as "progressive and reform-oriented", saying
it lays the foundation of a "new India".
"The 2020 #JanJanKaBudget lays the foundation for the
journey of Bharat to Navbharat in this new decade, of an even
more developed and modern India with a greater speed ! Kisan
Rail, Krishi UDAN are path breaking steps for our farmers and
will fulfill the ASPIRATIONS of INDIA!" Fadnavis tweeted.
Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil said the
budget takes care of all sections of society including
farmers, women, the youth, tribals, traders, employed and
others in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Sab Ka
Sath, Sab Ka Vikas, Sab Ka Vishwas' (inclusive growth with the
trust of all) slogan. ENM NSK
KRK KRK

BUD-LD MAHA-PARTIES

New Delhi, Jan 5 () The government on Sunday said eight states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka, have finalised action plan for agriculture export policy which aims to double such exports.
 "The Agri Export Policy was announced last year with an objective of doubling the export and ensuring doubling of farmers' income...Many states have nominated nodal agency and nodal officer. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Punjab and Karnataka have finalised the State Action Plan and other states are at different stages of finalization of the action plan," the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.
 The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been adopting a focused approach for ensuring greater involvement of the state governments for effective implementation of Agri Export Policy (AEP).
 Throughout the year APEDA held a series of meetings with state government officials and other stakeholders for preparation of state action plan which included all essential components like production clusters, capacity building, infrastructure and logistics and research and development and budget requirements for the implementation of AEP, it said.
 Several rounds of discussions were held with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandry &amp; Dairying, Ministry of Food Processing Industries and other agencies for seeking inputs for formulating a strategy to increase exports and address the existing bottlenecks in the trade.
 State level monitoring committees have been formed in many of the states. Cluster visits have been made by APEDA nodal officers to the product clusters, it added.
 The roadmap for cluster development in the clusters notified under AEP was prepared to address the identified interventions during the cluster visits.
 "As a result of cluster visits by APEDA, the cluster level committee has been constituted in the states viz. potato in Punjab, isabgol in Rajasthan, pomegranate, orange and grapes in Maharashtra and banana in Tamil Nadu," the statement said.
 APEDA organised a number of seminars and meetings for the implementation of AEP throughout the year.
 A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the National Cooperative Development Corporation to include co-operatives for active role in AEP.
 A Farmer Connect Portal has also been set up by APEDA on its website for providing a platform for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies to interact with exporters, it said. 
 Over 800 FPOs have been registered on the portal. SID RVK

8 states finalise action plan for agri export policy: Govt

Mumbai, Jan 6 () Uddhav Thackeray-led government's sweeping farm loan waiver in Maharashtra will result in an outgo of Rs 45,000-51,000 crore during the current financial year, according to a report.
 The newly-formed Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government has announced a loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh for farmers with a cut-off date of September 30, 2019. The scheme is applicable to non-defaulting farmers who have an outstanding of Rs 2 lakh or more.
 In 2017-18, 44 lakh farmers got the maximum benefit of the loan waiver while the 89 lakh farmers availed of crop loans in that year. The state has 137 lakh farmers.
 This time, at least 50 lakh or more farmers may get the maximum benefit due to an increase in ceiling limit from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
 "Going by previous experience of the same under the BJP-Sena government, the cost could be at least Rs 45,000 crore, if the farmers get the maximum benefit and complete loan waivers are unchanged from the last one. But the cost could go up to Rs 51,000 crore if the number of farmers covered increases," SBI Research said in a note on Monday.
 The note further said the cost could come down by Rs 12,500 crore if it postpones payments outstanding under the earlier waiver into the new one or decides to limit the coverage.
 The SBI Research estimates that the number of farmers who have availed of farm loan would touch 137 lakh in 2019-20, up from 134 lakh in 2017-18 when 90 lakh farmers availed of the loans, which is at 92 lakh in 2019-20.
 Of this, 90 lakh farmers will be eligible for waiver this year, as against 89 lakh in 2017-18. Of these, 44-50 lakh will get the maximum benefit of the scheme this time around, up from 44 lakh in 2017-18, according to the report. Of the total eligible farmers, 36-42 lakh will get the full benefit, up from 36 lakh in the last scheme, it added. 
 The average loan to be waived per farmer will go up to Rs 1,02,000 this year from Rs 77,318, which cumulatively involves an outgo of Rs 45,000-51,000 crore as against Rs 34,020 crore, the report said.
 Agriculture non-performing asset is Rs 1.1 lakh crore or 12.4 per cent of overall NPAs, and various states and also once by the Manmohan Singh government had announced farm loan waivers to the tune of Rs 3.14 lakh crore in the last decade.
 This means that since then the total agri NPA burden for the exchequer/banks is Rs 4.2 lakh crore and if this latest Maharashtra scheme is added, it will be at Rs 4.7 lakh crore, which is 82 per cent of industry NPA. BEN HRS

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