-The Times of India JAIPUR: In 20th Livestock Census, Rajasthan government for the first time will enumerate Breed-wise details of its cattle population to improve progeny of indigenous Breeds and enhance milk production. Compilation of Breed-wise details will help government in preparing baseline data of cattle, particularly of indigenous Breed and help in their conservation. Officials of animal husbandry department claim information gathered will assist them to frame policies and focus on...

-Livemint.com Doling out farm loan waivers without addressing rural distress is just kicking the can down the road and playing into the hands of the moral hazard brigade Last week, farmers agitating for better prices for their produce of onions and pulses—prices for both of which have witnessed a steep fall in recent months—in Mandsaur district of western Madhya Pradesh turned violent. Coming in the backdrop of a similar agitation by farmers in...

-The Indian Express The proposed total ban on cattle slaughter goes against Supreme Court decisions on the matter since 1959 Less than a week ago, the Central government notified rules, many of which are as unconstitutional as they are senseless: A person is prohibited from bringing any type of cattle to an animal market for sale for slaughter. First, why is it unconstitutional? The ban on slaughter of cattle was a politically...

-Hindustan Times Sultan and Yuvraj are the centre of attraction at Kota’s agriculture fair because their semen fetches their owners more than Rs 150,000 per ejaculation. Kota: Yuvraj is no ordinary bull. Its seed fetches its owner Rs 150,000 for one ejaculation. The 9-year-old bull of Murrah Breed drinks 20 litres of milk every day to stay fit and healthy. He has so far fathered more than 200,000 calves, his owner says. Like...

-The Financial Express The agriculture ministry is not reconciled to the grip which Monsanto has on the Indian cottonseed industry owing to the immense preference for its patented, genetically-modified (GM) bollworm-resistance traits. On May 16, Additional Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta intervened in a dispute between Monsanto and its biggest (now divorced) sub-licensee, Hyderabad-based Nuziveedu Seeds. He made written submissions on behalf of the government, a week after hearings on the matter had...