The Modi government plans to use India’s central pool stock of grain like rice to match its ethanol commitments. In an undernourished country, that’s a bad policy.
National agricultural commodity export grew by nearly 25% over $15.9 billion in 2019-20. This was driven by rice & wheat exports that touched record high of almost 20 MT in 2020-21.
'Father of hybrid rice', Chinese agricultural scientist Yuan Longping died aged 90 Saturday. His invention helped transform China into a surplus grain economy.
Despite Covid risk, farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan not only harvested their crops but also sold them in mandis. Bihar and UP must learn the lesson.
Chhattisgarh is 7th in rice production, but procures much more than other states thanks to its policies. Better-paid farmers have ensured higher yield too.
The central government plans to fortify rice, the staple food of more than 70 per cent of the Indian population, with iron, folic acid and vitamin B-12.
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.
COMMENTS