-Down to Earth The initiative will be launched in nine districts in a phased manner over a period of five years * This is the first of its kind as no state in India has ever millets into public distribution system, mid-day meal scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services together. * In PDS, ragi will be handed over to beneficiaries based on availability and preference initially in the tribal areas In order...

-The Hindu Business Line NGO says antibiotic misuse has made these farms breeding grounds for superbugs New Delhi: New Delhi-based non-Governmental organisation Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Tuesday accused the domestic poultry industry of twisting facts from one of its earlier studies to show that chicken produced in the country was safe for consumption. Terming it a “complete misrepresentation”, CSE strongly objected to the way results of a 2014 study were...

-The Hindu Business Line New Delhi: The Agriculture Ministry has broadened the scope of the proposed Contract Farming Bill by bringing marketing and services into its ambit and cutting back on States’ role in regulating the sector, paying heed to a multitude of responses that the planned piece of legislation elicited. “On the basis of the great response it received from stakeholders, we have made many changes to the Bill. There is...

-The Hindu Rather than just increased budgetary outlays, farmers need plans that will rescue them from crop failure Similar to the last two Budgets, this year’s pro-agriculture intentions are palpable through increased outlays to the agricultural sector and initiation of various programmes. They seem impressive, but closer scrutiny shows that the measures may be of little help to stem the tide of agrarian distress. There are some real challenges confronting three...

-Livemint.com The strategy for doubling farmer incomes will differ from state to state, and from one region to another even within a state After two consecutive years of drought, in 2014-15 and 2015-16, farmers of many crops were hit by low market prices in several states in 2016-17. In view of widespread discontent, there is a sense of urgency about addressing their issues. Therefore, the conference organized by the ministry of agriculture...