-The Business Standard Agri Survey diagnoses the key problems correctly The first-ever Agricultural Survey tabled in Parliament, emulating the presentation of the Economic Survey, seems a well-meaning exercise in candid analysis of the factors that have constrained the sector’s growth. Being an inaugural report card, it has done well not to confine itself to developments during 2011-12. The long-term trends do, indeed, provide the answers to some of the key questions...

The second green revolution found a mention in the Union Budget as a big achievement for the government. But, while paddy production went up manifold in eastern India, did it help its producers? In Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s home state of West Bengal, there was agony everywhere in the last few months, as paddy and potatoes were selling cheap and pauperised cultivators were killing themselves. The government was nowhere to procure...

-The Economic Times   Could the Centre freeze the job guarantee scheme during peak agriculture season?  The controversial demand from the agriculture ministry found an echo in the Economic Survey released on Thursday, but was quickly dismissed by rural development minister Jairam Ramesh. While lauding the flagship scheme, the survey listed a few other measures as the way forward. "While the overall performance of MGNREGS has been good, there is scope for improvements...

-PTI Expressing concern over price rise in fruit and vegetables, the government today said it will focus on addressing the issue by bringing more area under horticulture as well as raising productivity levels.  "We are more or less comfortable in cereal production. The growth rate in horticultural and animal products is good and better than cereals. But we see price rise in horticulture commodities. This is the area of concern," Agriculture Secretary...

-The Indian Express   Increasing farm production and removing market imperfections would help in controlling prices of commodities, a report has said. The report on 'State of Indian Agriculture 2011-12', tabled in the Lok Sabha, said that the principal factors behind the higher levels of inflation in the recent period are constraints in production and distribution especially in high value items such as pulses, fruits and vegetables, egg and meat. Increase in prices can...