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The Budget 2024-2025 announcement by Union Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> saw productivity and resilience in <keyword id="19931887" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="agriculture" source="keywords">agriculture</keyword> being prioritised above all else. With a desire to turn focus on <keyword id="19934969" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers" source="keywords">farmers</keyword>, or Annadatas, ₹1.52 lakh crore has been allocated for agriculture and its allied sectors. This is quite an increase from the Interim Budget announcement of ₹1.27 lakh crore in February 2024. It is being speculated that this substantial focus on the agricultural sector stems from the BJP's vote share dipping in semi-urban and rural areas during the recent Lok Sabha elections. In fact, when Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword> returned for a third term in office, the first file he signed was for the release of the 17th instalment of the PM <keyword id="22000840" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kisan-nidhi" source="keywords">Kisan Nidhi</keyword> scheme, ET reported. However, the government's commitment to transforming agriculture and potentially the lives of Indian farmers could lead to the agricultural sector growing at 3.7% in the current fiscal, compared to 1.4% last year, as per the CII. <h2>Key initiatives in agriculture</h2>Transforming Agriculture Research The government is set to conduct a comprehensive review of the agricultural research framework, with an emphasis on enhancing productivity and developing climate-resilient crop varieties. Funding will be allocated on a challenge basis, including to private sector initiatives. This research will be overseen by domain experts from both governmental and non-governmental organizations. Release of New Varieties A total of 109 new high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticulture crops will be introduced for farmers to cultivate. Promoting Natural Farming In the next two years, the government plans to transition one crore farmers to natural farming practices, supported by certification and branding efforts. This initiative will be carried out through scientific institutions and willing <keyword id="20030597" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gram-panchayats" source="keywords">gram panchayats</keyword>, with 10,000 bio-input resource centers to be established based on need. Missions for Pulses and Oilseeds To achieve self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds, the government will strengthen their production, storage, and marketing. As outlined in the interim budget, a strategy is being implemented to attain 'atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) for oilseeds like mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean, and sunflower. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111930255" title="Economic Survey calls for urgent agricultural reforms; cites growth hurdles" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Vegetable Production &amp; Supply Chains Large-scale clusters for vegetable production will be developed near major consumption centers. The government will support Farmer-Producer Organizations, cooperatives, and startups to streamline the vegetable supply chain, including collection, storage, and marketing. Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture Building on the success of a pilot project, the government, in partnership with states, will facilitate the implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture over the next three years. This year, a digital crop survey for Kharif crops will be conducted in 400 districts, integrating details of six crore farmers and their lands into registries. Additionally, Jan Samarth-based Kisan Credit Cards will be issued in five states. Shrimp Production &amp; Export Financial support will be provided to establish a network of Nucleus Breeding Centres for shrimp broodstocks. NABARD will facilitate financing for shrimp farming, processing, and export. National Cooperation Policy A new National Cooperation Policy will be introduced to promote systematic and comprehensive development of the cooperative sector. This policy aims to fast-track rural economic growth and create large-scale employment opportunities. <h2>Budget allocation highlights</h2><ul><li>PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi: Will be retaining its allocation of ₹60,000 crore to provide direct financial assistance to 11.8 crore small and marginal farmers.</li><li>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: Allocated funds to provide crop insurance to four crore farmers, protecting them from adverse weather conditions.</li><li>e-NAM Expansion: Integration of 1,361 mandis into the e-NAM platform to enhance market efficiency and transparency, benefiting 1.8 crore farmers with an expected trading volume of ₹3 lakh crore.</li></ul><h2>Government committed to Polavaram irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh</h2>The Finance Minister said that the government is fully committed to financing and expeditiously completing the Polavaram irrigation project, which is considered a lifeline for Andhra Pradesh and its farmers. <h2>Future directions</h2>The government aims to increase public and private investment in post-harvest infrastructure and supply chains, promoting aggregation, modern storage, and efficient processing to reduce losses and improve food security. Additionally, the dairy and fisheries sectors will see significant development, with initiatives to boost productivity and exports, contributing to a sustainable and prosperous agricultural ecosystem. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111951205" title="Budget 2024-25: Changes to tax slabs, increased standard deduction and other changes to direct taxation" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

What does Union Budget 2024-2025 have in store for farmers and the agricultural sector?

The hot temperature if persists in March may not only reduce the wheat crop yield but also heat up the commodity prices, said <keyword id="6359483" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="crisil" source="Orion">CRISIL</keyword>. The rabi wheat crop yield will be impacted if the temperature is high in March. The crop yield will be on a par - or marginally lesser - than last year's low, said CRISIL in a report. According to the report, in <keyword id="6357713" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="uttar-pradesh" source="Orion">Uttar Pradesh</keyword>, accounting for about 30 per cent of <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>'s wheat production, the eastern part is expected to have relatively good yields on-year because of timely sowing after harvest of <keyword id="50318" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kharif" source="Orion">Kharif</keyword> paddy. On the other hand, western Uttar Pradesh could see a marginal decline due to late sowing - majorly in the sugarcane belt - if high temperatures persist in March. In Punjab and Haryana (together accounting for about 25 per cent of India's wheat production), late-sown wheat is in the flowering stage, while the early sown lot is in the milking stage. High temperatures are detrimental to grain formation in both these stages, CRISIL said. Similarly, in <keyword id="6355554" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="madhya-pradesh" source="Orion">Madhya Pradesh</keyword> (about 20 per cent of India's wheat production) late-sown wheat is at the milking stage. According to CRISIL, Bihar (about 5 per cent of India's wheat production) saw early sowing and the crop there is at the grain formation/maturation stage. Therefore, it could be impacted relatively less. Though such abiotic factors cannot be managed very effectively, farmers in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh are said to have initiated spraying of crop nutrients such as bio-stimulants and specialty fertilisers, which should help them cope with the heat wave to some extent. "While wheat prices have been on a downward trend in the past 20 days, if these high temperatures persist for the next 20 days, there could be a turnaround in prices," CRISIL said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indian-workers-with-digital-skills-contributing-508-billion-to-countrys-gdp/articleshow/98153304.cms">Indian workers with digital skills contributing $508 billion to country's GDP</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/sell-off-by-fiis-does-not-impact-markets-retail-participation-is-more-important-says-sebi-executive-director/articleshow/98153452.cms">Sell off by FIIs does not impact markets; retail participation is more important, says SEBI executive director</a>

Hot temperature to heat up prices, reduce wheat yield: CRISIL

The current retail inflationary pressures are expected to ease with fresh Kharif arrivals and a pass-through of lower input costs to consumers - also affirmed by <keyword id="30067" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rbi" source="Orion">RBI</keyword>'s inflation projections for the next two quarters, the monthly economic review for October compiled by the department of economic affairs said. On inflation, the report by the department of economic affairs said domestic prices of some food items have gone up in the wake of the rise in international prices. <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>'s grain availability was impacted by the untimely heatwaves and deficiency of the southwest monsoon in the current year. However, export restrictions have ensured that the country's needs are fully met. The department of economic affairs in its report said India's food security has remained intact. Sharp rise in tractor sales in September and October also point towards improved sentiments and an expected increase in crop area sown. The report also indicated the UNDP Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) released in October 2022 showed 41.5 crore people exiting multidimensional poverty in India during the last 15 years. India's success in reducing poverty has also contributed to a decline in poverty in South Asia with South Asia no longer remaining the most multi-dimensionally poor region. The report also deals with a global outlook, inflation, food security, poverty, health and employment and <keyword id="6354507" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="world" source="Orion">World</keyword> and monetary policy. On domestic inflation, the report said consumer price index (CPI) inflation was largely driven by food inflation with major contributors being imported food items like oil and fats during the first five months of 2022. Since June 2022 however, domestic seasonal factors have increased the inflation of vegetables, cereals and their products, which have contributed to elevating food inflation. On the global outlook, the department of economic affairs said the prospect of a global economic slowdown had led to an outflow of portfolio investments from most countries into safe-haven US treasuries. This, combined with higher policy rates deployed by the <keyword id="6355253" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="federal-reserve" source="Orion">Federal Reserve</keyword> to counter inflation, has significantly strengthened the US dollar vis-a-vis other currencies. According to the report, the depreciation of most currencies has also led to a global drawdown of foreign exchange reserves to protect their values and prevent volatility in the foreign exchange market. On food security, the report said global food security has deteriorated and India may turn out to be an outlier with proactive and pre-emptive government interventions. 2022 brought to the forefront not only the issues of macroeconomic and geopolitical risks but also the vulnerability and interconnectedness of the global food system to shocks. The geopolitical conflict and climatic events have moved the focus to the issues of fragility and over-dependence on a few countries or regions for global food security. The report said, "Russia and Ukraine are among the most important producers of essential agricultural commodities, including wheat, maize, sunflower seeds and inputs like fertilisers. Together with other countries bordering the <keyword id="391209" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="black-sea" source="Orion">Black Sea</keyword>, they constitute the world's breadbasket." The Black Sea serves as a critical supply and transit hub to move food commodities from these countries to the rest of the world. As the conflict choked the hub, the movement of food items from these countries to the rest of the world got affected, threatening people's livelihoods directly/indirectly connected with the food business in the Black Sea region. Rising economic activity has led to a decline in the unemployment rate, the department of economic affairs wrote in the report. With the recovery in economic activities across sectors, the overall employment situation has also improved, overcoming the impact of the pandemic. It added that the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) shows the urban unemployment rate for people aged 15 years and above declining from 12.6 per cent in the quarter ending June 2021 to 7.6 per cent one year later (quarter ending June 2022). This is accompanied by an improvement in the labour force participation rate (LFPR) as well, reflecting that by the time the current year was one-quarter over, the economy had come out of the grip of the Covid-19-induced slowdown, according to the monthly review. In a world where monetary tightening has weakened growth prospects, the finance ministry said India appears well-placed to grow at a moderately brisk rate in the coming years on account of the priority it accorded macroeconomic stability. It added the financial system stress in the second decade of the millennium, a consequence of the lending boom witnessed in the first decade-plus, is now behind us. It also added that private sector financial and non-financial balance sheets are healthy and incipient signs of a new personal sector capital formation cycle are visible. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rupee-gains-16-paise-to-81-54-against-us-dollar/articleshow/95758455.cms">Rupee gains 16 paise to 81.54 against US dollar</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhi-hc-grants-bail-to-yes-bank-co-founder-rana-kapoor-in-rs-466-51-cr-money-laundering-case/articleshow/95760025.cms">Delhi HC grants bail to Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor in Rs 466.51 cr money laundering case</a>

Retail inflationary pressures expected to ease with fresh Kharif arrivals: Finance Ministry

The government on Tuesday hiked the minimum support price for wheat by Rs 110 to Rs 2,125 per quintal and mustard by Rs 400 to Rs 5,450 per quintal for the current crop year with an aim to boost production and income of the farmers. The decision to increase the MSPs (minimum support prices) was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (<keyword id="56977" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ccea" source="Orion">CCEA</keyword>) chaired by Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword>. <keyword id="133827" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="msp" source="Orion">MSP</keyword> is the rate at which the government buys grain from farmers. Currently, the government fixes MSPs for 23 crops grown in both <keyword id="50318" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="kharif" source="Orion">Kharif</keyword> and rabi seasons. Sowing of rabi (winter) crops begins in October, immediately after the harvest of kharif (summer) crops. Wheat and mustard are major rabi crops. According to an official release, the CCEA has approved an increase in MSPs for six rabi crops for the 2022-23 crop year (July-June) and the 2023-24 marketing season. <keyword id="625304" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="wheat-msp" source="Orion">Wheat MSP</keyword> has been increased by Rs 110 to Rs 2,125 per quintal for this crop year from Rs 2,015 per quintal in the 2021-22 crop year. The cost of production of wheat is estimated at Rs 1,065 per quintal, the release said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rupee-rises-22-paise-to-82-08/usd-tracking-positive-domestic-equities/articleshow/94935889.cms">Rupee rises 22 paise to 82.08/USD tracking positive domestic equities</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/two-in-three-ceos-in-india-expect-a-recession-in-12-months-says-survey/articleshow/94934951.cms">Two in three CEOs in India expect a recession in 12 months says survey</a>

Government hikes the minimum support price of wheat and mustard

Mumbai, Jan 13 () The production of coarse grains, pulses, oil seeds and sugarcane is expected to decline in the summer season of 2019-20 due to late monsoon and erratic and heavy rains later, according to a report.
 In the current assessment, coarse grains, pulses, oil seeds and sugarcane have marginally pushed themselves further in the negative region with an expected decline of 14.14 per cent, 14.09 per cent, 53.31 per cent and 11.07 per cent over the last estimate, respectively, according to a report by the National Bulk Handling Corporation (NBHC).
 "The monsoon rains had been 110 per cent over its long term average (LPA) with maximum in central India followed by southern Peninsula, northwest and northeast, respectively," NBHC head - Research and Development, Hanish Kumar Sinha said.
 Widespread floods were seen in 13 states between late July and early August 2019, due to incessant rains which caused significant dent on the acreage and production of several kharif crops, he said.
 "As per our assessment, sowing of rice and pulses has been most hit in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. After the floods receded, the sowing recovered and things started to approach to normalcy, though the entire kharif season has been delayed by about 20 to 25 days," he added.
 The real deterrent for the kharif crop came with post monsoon rains, which exceeded by 32 per cent and had maximum impact in the northwest region (121 per cent excess) and the central India region (64 per cent excess).
 According to the report, rice production in 2019-20 is expected to decline marginally by 8.21 per cent over the last year while maize is expected to decline significantly by about 11.86 per cent over the last year.
 However, jowar is likely to improve by 1.07 per cent over while Bajra is expected to decline by 1.98 per cent.
 Production of moong is projected to drop significantly by 27.38 per cent over last year, urad 18.38 per cent and tur by 10.47 per cent mainly due to crop damaged in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.
 Therefore, in the current year, there is going to be a significant shortfall in overall kharif pulses availability owing to long spell of unseasonal rains in October and November, the report opined.
 Total oilseeds (soybean, groundnut, castor seed, sunflower, sesame and niger seed) production is estimated to be 162.18 lakh tonne, which is 23.78 per cent lower than the last year's production of 212.77 lakh tonne.
 Soybean output is expected to dip significantly by 32.27 per cent and groundnut is expected decline by 9.57 per cent due to excess rains in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra towards the end of monsoon.
 Other oil seeds like sunflower to dip by 30.61 per cent and sesame by 21.48 per cent.
 In the cash crops, sugarcane output is estimated to drop significantly by 21.98 per cent while cotton is expected to increase marginally by 3.28 per cent owing to favourable growing conditions, it added. SM RUJ MR
MR

Kharif crops production likely to decline up to 53.3pc due to erratic weather

<keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> has embraced technology in every field of activity. It is adopting smart farming methods through technology and innovation in the agriculture sector and this may prove to be a game changer in the days to come by substantially raising farmers income. How is this method beneficial? Smart farming involves the application of sensors and automated irrigation practices. It can help monitor agricultural land, temperature and soil moisture. This would enable farmers to monitor crops from anywhere. Moreover, smart farming can help integrate digital and physical infrastructures, which would benefit small farmers. Agri-based startups can reach out to the farmers and help them gain access to such viable and cost-effective solutions. Agri-based, tech-driven startups have been very innovative in assisting farmers and revolutionising farming techniques. They have also addressed one of the most powerful headwinds (climate change) through climate-smart farming. In a unique move, the Indian government is implementing a <keyword id="12166469" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Digital-Agriculture-Mission" source="Orion">Digital Agriculture Mission</keyword> (DAM), which includes India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA), Farmers' Database, Unified Farmers Service Interface (UFSI), funding to the states on the new technology (NeGPA), revamping <keyword id="3182679" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mahalanobis-National-Crop-Forecast-Centre" source="Orion">Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre</keyword> (MNCFC), Soil Health, Fertility and profile mapping. According to a report published by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) in 2019, there were more than 450 argi-based tech-driven startups in India as of 2019. This number has skyrocketed in the last two years as the sector witnessed a surge in investments and funding. Agri-based tech-driven startups have been very innovative in assisting farmers and revolutionising farming techniques. They have also addressed one of the most powerful headwinds (climate change) through climate-smart farming. Under the NeGPA programme funding is given to the governments in various Indian states for Digital Agriculture projects using emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Internet of Things (IOT), Block chain etc. Adoption of drone technologies is being done too. To promote smart farming, the government promotes startups in the agriculture sector and nurtures agri-entrepreneurs. The 'Per Drop More Crop' component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yojana (PMKSY-PDMC) aims to increase water use efficiency at the farm level through micro irrigation technologies like drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. PMKSY is a scheme initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The <keyword id="87560" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Council-of-Agricultural-Research" source="Orion">Indian Council of Agricultural Research</keyword> (ICAR) promotes innovation, extension and education in agriculture. A total of 1,575 field crop varieties were released for different agricultural crops during 2014-21. During 2014-21, 91.43 crore agri-advisories were provided to farmers through mobiles. ICAR developed 187 mobile apps on different farm and farmer related services during 2014-21. The agriculture sector plays a vital role in enriching India's economy. Agriculture accounted for almost 17.8 per cent of India's Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2019- 20. According to the World Bank's collection of development indicators, employment rate in the Indian agriculture sector stood at 41.5 per cent in 2020. From a socio-economic standpoint, agriculture is a vital sector which requires focus and awareness at all levels. According to India Brand Equity Foundation, the rising population and changing diets have created a huge pressure on land in India. Farmers are struggling to keep up as crop yields level off, soil degradation rises, water shortage increases, biodiversity declines, and natural calamities become more frequent. Furthermore, agriculture accounts for almost 14 per cent of India's total greenhouse gas emissions. In the meantime, the NITI Aayog (erstwhile Planning Commission of India) conducted a study entitled "Efficacy of Minimum Support Prices on farmers", in 2016, which found, among other things, that MSP declared by the government has encouraged 78 per cent of the farmers covered under the study for adopting improved methods of farming such as high yielding varieties of seeds, organic manure, chemical fertilizer, pesticides and improved methods of harvesting etc. Additionally, oilseeds, pulses and copra of Fair Average Quality (FAQ) are procured from registered farmers under Price Support Scheme of the umbrella scheme of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), as per its prescribed guidelines. The Indian national Budget for 2018-19 had announced the pre-determined principle to keep Minimum Support Price or MSP at levels of one-and-half times of the cost of production. Accordingly, government has increased the MSPs for all mandated Kharif (including wheat), Rabi and other commercial crops with a return of at least 50 per cent over all India weighted average cost of production from the agricultural year 2018-19. Moreover, India's National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) is the only source of enrolment for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), on which farmer applications from various designated sources including banks/financial institutions are entered. Specific cut-off dates have been prescribed for enrolment of farmers, debit of premium, remittance of farmers' premium to concerned insurance company and uploading of data of farmers on NCIP. The <keyword id="603825" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Food-Processing-Industries" source="Orion">Ministry of Food Processing Industries</keyword> (MoFPI) has been incentivising setting of food processing industries through central sector umbrella scheme �Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and centrally sponsored scheme �PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme across all the country. Under scheme of creation of infrastructure for agro processing clusters, a component scheme of PMKSY, the scheme is aimed at development of modern infrastructure and common facilities to encourage entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach and also to create modern infrastructure for food processing closer to production areas and to provide integrated and complete preservation infrastructure facilitates from the farm gate to the consumer. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/india-must-pitch-for-rupee-as-dollar-distancing-might-be-finally-happening-sbi-ecowrap/articleshow/93513940.cms">India must pitch for Rupee as dollar distancing might be finally happening: SBI Ecowrap</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/snapchat-comes-to-india-with-exclusive-features-heres-how-much-it-costs-and-how-to-sign-up/articleshow/93513880.cms">Snapchat+ comes to India with exclusive features — here's how much it costs and how to sign up</a>

Smart farming can prove to be a game changer in the coming days

New Delhi, Nov 19 () Onion production in kharif and late-kharif seasons of 2019-20 is estimated to fall 26 per cent to 52.06 lakh tonne, putting pressure on supply and prices, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Tuesday.
 The all-India average retail price of onion stood at Rs 60.38 per kg on November 15, compared with Rs 22.84 per kg on the same date last year.
 In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, he said onion is a seasonal crop with harvesting period of rabi (March to June), kharif (October to December) and late-kharif (January-March). During July to October, the supply in the market comes from stored onions from rabi season.
 "During 2019-20, there was a 3-4 weeks delay in sowing as well as decline in sown area of the kharif onion because of late arrival of monsoon. Further, untimely prolonged rains in the major growing states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh during the harvesting period caused damage to the standing crops in these regions," Paswan said.
 As a result, the minister said the production of kharif crop was affected.
 The rains during September-October also hit transportation of crop from these producing regions to consuming centres, he said.
 "This led to limited availability of kharif onions in the market and has put pressure on its prices," Paswan said.
 During the current year, the production of kharif and late-kharif is estimated to be 52.06 lakh tonne, which is about 26 per cent lower than the previous year's production of 69.91 lakh tonne in the same seasons, the minister said.
 Paswan said the government has banned onion exports and imposed stock limits to boost domestic supply and check prices. MJH HRS

Onion output in kharif, late-kharif seasons of 2019-20 may fall 26 pc to 52.06 lakh tonne: Paswan

Chandigarh, Dec 29 () To promote crop diversification in Punjab, the area under paddy cultivation has considerably reduced, with nearly 7.5 lakh acres of land shifted from paddy to alternate crops during the kharif season-2019, the state government said in a statement on Sunday.
The area under non-basmati paddy during current kharif season was 57.27 lakh acres as compared to 64.80 lakh acres in 2018.
Lauding the efforts of the agriculture department, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who also holds the agriculture portfolio, said this initiative would go a long way in conserving water as paddy is a water guzzling crop.
The chief minister said the government has aimed to shift 7 lakh acres more area from paddy to cotton, maize, basmati and fruits and vegetables with a view to restoring the water balance in the state.
The agriculture department has already shifted 7.5 lakh acres area from paddy to other crops this year. This includes about 3 lakh acres under cotton, 1.27 lakh acres under maize, 2.95 lakh acres under basmati and 17,500 acres under fruits and vegetables, he said in the statement.
Highlighting the major initiatives undertaken by the department in 2019, Viswajit Khanna, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) said, "In addition to crop diversification, the department had also launched a vigorous campaign in Kharif-2019 to motivate farmers to reduce the use of agrochemicals, especially nine agrochemicals that have negative impact on basmati grain quality".
This had brought encouraging results as the chemical residue level in basmati crop was found to be below minimum residue level (MRL), he said.
"Following this initiative, the state farmers had produced high quality basmati crop and got remunerative prices of their produce inspite of weak international sentiment owing to restrictions on exports to Iran, which is a major market for Punjab basmati," Khanna said in the statement.
To ensure judicious use of fertilisers, 24.30 lakh soil health cards have already been issued to the farmers after testing their soil and they were requested to apply need-based fertilisers as per Punjab Agricultural University recommendations, informed K S Pannu, Secretary Agriculture, Punjab.
Giving details of pesticides consumption during kharif-2019, the agriculture secretary said the productivity of crops is crossing all previous records as a result of strict vigil on sale of spurious seeds and agro chemicals.Pannu further stated that "the total usage of pesticides has registered a decline of 675 metric tonne (technical grade) during the current Kharif season, thereby benefiting the farmers to the tune of Rs 355 crore".
The usage of pesticides was 3,838 MT worth Rs 2,000 crore during kharif-2018, he added. SUN RHL
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Area under paddy crop reduces in Punjab as farmers opt for alternate crops

New Delhi, Feb 19 () The government on Wednesday made its flagship crop insurance schemes voluntary for farmers with existing crop loans or those willing to take new ones, as it seeks to address the concerns raised by farmers' body and states in implementation of these programmes."The Union Cabinet has approved revamping of 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)' and 'Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)' to address the existing challenges in implementation of crop insurance schemes," an official statement said. Under the PMFBY, which was launched in February 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is mandatory for loanee farmers to take insurance cover under this scheme. The PMFBY provides comprehensive crop insurance from pre-sowing to post-harvest period against non-preventable natural risks at extremely low premium rate of 2 per cent for kharif crops, 1.5 per cent for rabi crops and 5 per cent for horticulture and commercial crops.The Cabinet approved modification of certain parameters/provisions of ongoing PMFBY and RWBCIS schemes."Enrolment under the scheme to be made voluntary for all farmers (both PMFBY/ RWBCIS)," Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told reporters here.He said currently 58 per cent of total farmers are loanee and the remaining 42 per cent are non-loanee. The number of farmers opting for these crop insurance schemes may drop immediately but the enrolment would eventually pick up, Tomar said.The minister said the government would launch a campaign for creating awareness among farmers about the need to take a crop insurance policy. These modifications will help in addressing the concerns raised about the PMFBY scheme by farmers organisations and states, he said.Among other modification, Tomar said the allocation of business to insurance firms through tender process would be done for three years as against the current policy of one to three years."Central share in premium subsidy to be increased to 90 per cent for north eastern states from the existing sharing pattern of 50:50 (Both PMFBY/RWBCIS)," the statement said.Tomar said States will not be allowed to implement these schemes in subsequent seasons in case of considerable delay in release of requisite premium subsidy to insurance companies beyond a prescribed time limit. Cut-off dates for invoking this provision for Kharif and Rabi seasons will be 31st March and 30th September of successive years, respectively. The Cabinet also approved provisioning of at least 3 per cent of the total allocation for the scheme to be made by the Centre and implementing state governments for administrative expenses. For estimation of crop losses/admissible claims in the PMFBY, two-step process will be adopted based on defined deviation matrix using specific triggers like weather indicators, satellite indicators, etc, for each area along with normal ranges and deviation ranges. Only areas with deviations will be subject to crop cutting experiments (CCEs) for assessment of yield loss.Technology solutions like Smart Sampling Technique (SST) and optimization of number of CCEs would be adopted in conducting CCEs. In case of non-provision of yield data beyond cut-off date by the States to implementing insurance firms, claims will be settled based on yield arrived through use of technology solution.The central subsidy under PMFBY/RWBCIS to be limited for premium rates up to 30 per cent for un-irrigated areas/crops and 25 per cent for irrigated areas/crops. Districts having 50 per cent or more irrigated area will be considered as irrigated area/district.States have been given flexibility to implement the schemes with option to select any or many of additional risk covers/features like prevented sowing, localised calamity, mid-season adversity, and post-harvest losses. Further, States/UT can offer specific single peril risk/insurance covers, like hailstorm etc, under PMFBY even with or without opting for base cover (Both PMFBY/RWBCIS). "As the scheme is being made voluntary for all farmers, therefore, to provide financial support and effective risk mitigation tools through crop insurance especially to 151 districts which are highly water stressed including 29 which are doubly stressed because of low income of farmers and drought, a separate, scheme in this regard would also be prepared," the statement said. The concerned provisions/parameters of scheme and operational guidelines of the PMFBY and RWBCIS would be modified to incorporate these modifications and made operational from Kharif 2020 season."With these changes, it is expected that farmers would be able to manage risk in agriculture production in a better way and will succeed in stabilizing the farm income. These changes will also enable quick and accurate yield estimation leading to faster claims settlement," the statement said. NKD MJH ANZ MR

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