According to govt data, the area under paddy cultivation is lagging by 3.7 million hectares compared to last year in states like West Bengal, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Chhattisgarh & Odisha.
Worried that water will likely become a big political issue in Punjab in coming years, AAP govt pushing for wider adoption of 'direct seeding of rice' for paddy cultivation.
Central govt refused to procure parboiled rice produced in Rabi season, and Telangana has asked farmers not to cultivate rice. Experts say parties politicking over genuine problem.
Meanwhile, the Haryana BKU chief has said farmers will protest outside houses of MPs, MLAs of ruling BJP-JJP in the state if the govt fails to begin paddy procurement on 1 October.
Punjab govt has taken a number of steps to curb stubble burning, but has still registered 16,058 incidents between 21 September and 26 October this year.
Farmers in Punjab have to now rely on local workforce due to labour shortage after migrant workers’ exodus. Many have had to buy direct seeding machines.
Govt data says export of non-basmati rice declines by over 37% — from 50,48,000 MT in April-November 2018 to 31,41,000 MT during same period last year.
Plan for paddy states with severely depleted groundwater levels is part of 5-yr vision document that agriculture ministry will present before PM Modi this week.
Alongside buying into the grift that is dating apps, the girlies are also installing astrology apps like Astrotalk to investigate the same tired mystery—will he ever text back?
Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector in Africa, offering significant returns on investment for all involved and achieving the continent’s goals for food security, dignified livelihoods and economic growth.
Bihar is blessed with a land more fertile for revolutions than any in India. Why has it fallen so far behind then? Constant obsession with politics is at the root of its destruction.
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