-The Times of India VIJAYAWADA: Farmers in the proposed Andhra Pradesh capital region are putting up a strong resistance to the AP government's plans of land pooling as many of them were recently declared ineligible for farm loan waiver. According to the initial lists of beneficiaries circulated in local banks, a majority of farmers in the region were declared ineligible for loan waiver thanks to new restrictions imposed by the government. For...

-The Indian Express For the last 10 years, farmers in India benefited from both increased production and higher price realisations - leading to rising rural incomes and declining poverty rates. That happy story may now be near its end - which could be the precursor to a renewed crisis in agriculture. The main reason is declining global prices for most agri-commodities (see Table 1). Over the last five-six months, corn, wheat and...

-PTI Chandigarh: The illegal practice of burning paddy stubble has been going on unabated in some parts of Punjab and Haryana despite a government ban on it causing air pollution and health-related issues, agri-experts said. According to Vice Chancellor of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Dr B S Dhillon, stubble burning is causing multiple problems that include affecting the soil health, besides causing environmental pollution. "Hazy weather was witnessed recently which could have...

-The Hindustan Times Sangrur (Punjab): Notwithstanding the government's ban on burning of paddy stubble, the practice continues unabated, causing serious threat to human health and soil fertility. Respiratory issues and allergies are common complaints due to the burning of paddy stubble which leads to smog.Smoke from the burnt paddy stubble has covered the sky in most parts of the district, reducing visibility on highways and causing respiratory problems. Despite several steps taken by...

-The Hindu VISAKHAPATNAM: It is estimated that crop in 2,300 ha has been damaged. Most of the cane grown in the area is used for making jaggery. Even if some of the cane can be used to make jaggery, the units are in no condition to work as there is no power. Sugarcane, paddy, cashew, casuarina - anything that came in the way of the severe cyclonic storm Hudhud met with the...