New variety Co-17018 is likely to replace existing Co-0238 variety, which is becoming unsustainable because of its susceptibility to red rot and top borer diseases.
Sugar, a politically sensitive commodity, is heavily regulated by the government. The central government also fixes the quantity each mill can sell in the open market.
The govt said the rise would boost supplies and help sugar companies to pay their dues to farmers. India also wants to double ethanol blending with gasoline.
Maharashtra and Karnataka, the country's biggest and the third-biggest sugar producing states, have had heavy rains pushing back harvests by a fortnight.
Any major diversion of corn usage towards ethanol production would severely impact India's poultry sector. Modi govt's target of E20 by 2025 needs 2G biofuels.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs raised the price of ethanol extracted from sugarcane juice to Rs 63.45 per litre from the current Rs 62.65 per litre.
Paddy, wheat farmers from Lakhimpur Kheri noted they are often forced to sell their produce to commission agents as government officials cite various excuses to avoid buying their produce.
The BKU chief remarks come in the wake of Yogi Adityanath announcing a Rs 25 per quintal hike in the purchase prices of sugarcane in UP, taking it to Rs 350 per quintal.
The issue of inequality has assumed the blazing limelight at a time when inequality in India is said to be higher than it was in the British Raj. It's a ripe situation for half-truths and incendiary statements.
Speaking at launch of economist Surjit Bhalla’s book, S Jaishankar also highlights Gen Z’s engagement with ‘reel culture’, which has 'promoted awareness, created interest in many subjects'.
Germany’s erstwhile Christian Democratic Union govt, led by Angela Merkel, prevented sale of small arms to police forces in states they perceived had ‘bad human rights record’.
A theme has not yet emerged for BJP & people see lack of a contest, which makes it unexciting. For all these reasons, 2024 is turning out to be an unexpectedly theme-less election.
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