-The Tribune 70% India imports almost three-fourths of its annual domestic consumption of edible oils KHARIF harvesting operations are going to begin soon. Agricultural production is likely to surpass last year’s record production by 7-8%. The higher production inevitably puts downward pressure on market prices. The problem of low harvest prices has been compounded by the steep fall in the GDP growth rate in the first quarter of 2020-21; it will reduce...

-Down to Earth Several states have different levels of capabilities. Some states like Haryana and Punjab are historically in a better position to procure, while others like Bihar have limited capabilities Farmers’ protests about low harvest prices were a recurrent issue during the harvest period. A record harvest of paddy and other crops was expected during this harvest period. Market arrivals begin from October and end until December across India. Significant efforts from...

-Society for Social and Economic Research Monograph 20/3 Key Messages Lack of planning and preparation by the Central government for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a massive blow to India’s economy and has caused enormous hardships to working people of the country. Harvesting of Rabi crops • Unplanned and sudden imposition of the lockdown resulted in a massive and unprecedented disruption to agricultural activities such as harvesting, sale of agricultural produce, and purchase...

-Hindustan Times The department officials said the idea of storing wheat on the premises of rice mills could not materialise because they already have an excess paddy stock. Chandigarhh: In the wake of a stalemate with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) over finalisation of storage rates for covered area plinths (storage in open), the Punjab food and civil supplies department has decided to store wheat produce in the state’s grain markets...

-The Hindu Coupled with a delay in Paddy procurement, rains are adding to the farmers’ woe as they struggle to find shelter for their stock. BHUBANESWAR: Hundreds of farmers hit by slow pace in Paddy procurement are staring at huge losses as their paddy stocks are exposed to unseasonal rain in Odisha. The State has been receiving widespread rain due to western disturbance since Tuesday. Eighteen of 28 meteorological observation stations in the...