Agriculture ministry data shows area under rice cultivation in Punjab this season reached a record high of 32.46 lakh hectares. Yet, the produce is lowest ‘since 2016’.
Debt-burdened farmers cling to paddy even as it drains soil, water, and future prospects. ‘Crop diversification is a nice buzz word but nothing’s done at the policy level.’
As devastated farmers begin to come to terms with the fallout, 4 lakh hectares of land under paddy cultivation across state is flooded. Punjab is among the biggest contributors to PDS.
Farmers say they've been camping at mandis for 15-20 days with no buyers. Rice mills blame procurement delays on lack of storage space, as warehouses still hold last year’s stock.
Delayed, erratic rains wreaked havoc on Haryana’s rice crops. With stubble-burning restrictions looming, many farmers are eyeing weather-resistant underground crops.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann thanked farmers for accepting the ban and staying away from the water-guzzling paddy variety Pusa-44. But convincing them about the larger public good is a work-in-progress.
Higher MSPs for paddy and wheat will increase burden on exchequer and discourage farmers from diversifying crops. As 2024 elections approach, there is a strong possibility of more incentives.
Virender Lather, a former ICAR scientist, says scheme launched in 2021 will harm farmers' income & India's food security, urges governor & HC to intervene.
Charkhi Dadri (Haryana): On the intervening night of 2 and 3 July, Vikram Sangwan attempted suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling of his home in Charkhi...
The underlying issue is that there hasn’t been enough of a structural change in the economy since the launch of reforms in 1990-91, despite per capita incomes multiplying nearly five-fold.
As Visakhapatnam readies a mega airport, the Andhra Pradesh government has revived its shelved Dagadarthi project, aiming to boost cargo and connectivity on the south coast.
Both the Russian and Ukrainian militaries are leaning on drones, but they’re also firing cruise and ballistic missiles, some of them relatively new and experimental.
UK, EFTA already in the bag and EU on the way, many members of RCEP except China signed up, and even restrictions on China being lifted, India has changed its mind on trade.
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