Want to know what is going on in the agricultural sector of India? Here’s a round-up of the top 10 news.

1. MP Agri Varsity Develops New Varieties Of Oats & Wheat

A state-run agricultural university in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur has developed new varieties of oats, wheat, rice, and niger crop. The Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (JNKVV) has developed two varieties each of oats and wheat, one type of rice, and three varieties of niger, which have been notified by the Centre as being suitable for production in other states as well. The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare had issued a notification in this regard, saying that the seeds of these new crop varieties will be made available to farmers shortly. This will ensure quality production of crops and increased incomes. Read more here.

2. Government Plans ₹1.4 Lakh Crore Fertilizer Subsidy For Farmers

India is likely to earmark ₹1.4 Lakh Crore in the Union Budget 2022 to compensate fertilizer companies for selling their products to farmers at lower than market prices. According to experts, the finance ministry has penciled in ₹1.4 lakh crore ($18.8 billion) as fertilizer subsidy in the budget due February 1, up from ₹1.3 lakh crore in the year ending March 31. Discussions are still going on and a final decision is yet to be taken. Read more here.

3. Assam Government To Set Up Agricultural Commission

Assam Government will set up an Agricultural Commission with experts and agricultural scientists to explore options for commercial agricultural production. It will give recommendations for increasing production and farmer’s earnings said Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He laid the foundation stone of the College of Agroforestry & Biodiversity and Bengal Florican Conservation, Research & Ecotourism Site at Naba Dihira in Baksa district. Also, he inaugurated 107 numbers Anganwadi Centres constructed from MGNREGA fund 2021-22 at the program. Read more here.

4. India Needs Green Revolution 2.0: RBI

India needs a second green revolution along with the next generation of reforms with a view to making agriculture more climate-resistant and environmentally sustainable, said an RBI article on farm sector challenges. Observing that Indian agriculture has exhibited remarkable resilience during the COVID-19 period, the article said, “New emerging challenges warrant a second green revolution along with next-generation reforms”. It also mentions that the wider use of digital technology will be helpful in information sharing and generating awareness among the farmers. Read more here.

5. Agri Exports Likely To Touch The Highest This Fiscal

The country’s export of agricultural products, including marine and plantation goods, increased by 23.21% in April-November 2021 and are expected to cross ₹3.72 Lakh Crore (USD 50 billion) for the first time this fiscal year. The ministry has taken several steps during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to push the exports. These measures include an extension of validity of various certifications beyond their dates of expiry; setting up of control rooms to resolve problems; issuance of online certificates for exports; and facilitating opening up of more testing laboratories. Read more here.

6. APEDA To Help Exporters With Railway Rake Shortage

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has stepped in to assist agricultural product exporters in resolving the issue of a rail rake shortage. APEDA has been following up with the Railway Ministry on the issue since it was brought to its attention. The shortage of rakes has arisen as the railways prioritize the transportation of coal and fertilizer. Furthermore, the government is prioritizing the movement of foodgrains intended for public distribution due to fears that the spread of the Omicron variant will result in shutdowns. Read more here.

7. Centre May Reduce Moisture Content Limit For Wheat, Paddy

A recent draft proposal by the Union government to change the moisture content limit for wheat and paddy has farmers worried ahead of the rabi procurement season that begins in April 2022. The ideal moisture content in wheat may be reduced to 12% from 14% and in paddy to 16% from 17%, according to the discussions between the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Food and Public Distribution and the Food Corporation of India (FCI), which procures food grains from farmers on a minimum support price (MSP). Read more here.

8. Kisan Call Centre To Solve Over 30 Lakh Farmers’ Issues in Jharkhand

A Kisan Call Centre, which is opened by state agricultural minister Badal Patralekh, would handle the concerns of over 30 lakh farmers in Jharkhand. Introducing the facility virtually at Ranchi, Patralekh said the initiative will assist farmers in the most rural parts of the state. Nisha Oraon, the state agriculture director, described it as a one-of-its-kind initiative, in which farmers could not only have their complaints addressed over the phone or via WhatsApp, but also receive all technical information about farming and government schemes. Read more here.

9. Pune Farmer Transforms Terrace Into Grape Farm

A farmer from Urli Kanchan village in Maharashtra’s Pune district has transformed the terrace of his house into a little grape farm to encourage urban residents. Bahusaheb Kanchan was inspired after visiting Europe in 2013 and seeing people in the country cultivating grapes and other fruits on their terraces. He stated that in 2015, he purchased five vines of grapes from the ICAR National Research Centre for Grapes which have now reached a height of 30 feet and cover an area of 1100 square feet on the rooftop. Read more here.

10. ChargeERP Introduces Journal And Cash/Bank Book In Bills & Reports

ChargeERP, the easiest, fastest, and most secure mandi accounting software from Bijak has introduced Journal and Cash/Bank Book features in their Bills and Reports Module. While Journal will record your miscellaneous transactions such as food and beverage expenses, etc., Cash/Bank Book maintains an online book to record all cash and bank-related transactions. Cash/Bank book can tell users how much money they started with, and how much are they left with at the end of the day.

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