-Down to Earth Jaitley continues with UPA schemes on agriculture, allocates more funds The maiden budget of finance minister Arun Jaitley is disappointing for farmers as it has nothing in its kitty to address the increasing farm stress and resolve the ongoing agrarian crisis in the country. The much-awaited budget of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) neither talks about assured farm income nor gives any remedy to reduce farm...

-The Hindu Business Line Below normal rainfall will result in agricultural production declining India, predominantly an agriculture-based economy, is largely dependent on the monsoon. The agriculture sector is the backbone of the Indian economy and thus, monsoon should be considered as the backbone of agriculture. The four-month South-West monsoon season, accounts for nearly 75 per cent of the country's total rainfall and plays a crucial rule as about 55-60 per cent of...

-PTI Delay in onset of monsoon and its slow progress have led to late sowing of paddy, pulses, oilseeds and cotton, but the sowing window is available till early August and its coverage is expected to improve with progress of rains, the Government told the Lok Sabha today. Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said the Government has taken several measures to address "any situation" arising due to deficiency in rainfall. "Delay in...

-Press Information Bureau/ Ministry of Finance The Economic Survey 2013-14 released in New Delhi today has highlighted several challenges and reforms required in the agriculture sector. The Economic Survey states that as a concomitant of growth, the share of agriculture and allied sector in gross domestic product (GDP) declined to 15.2% during the Eleventh Plan and further to 13.9% in 2013-14 (provisional estimates-PE). While it still accounts for about 54.6% of...

-The Hindustan Times A Government report on Tuesday said India's green cover has increased by over 5,800 sq km (or 0.18%) between 2010 and 2012 taking into account plantations and commercial species having no ecological value. In fact, just 31 sq km increase has been recorded in dense forests. The moderately dense forests - where most developmental projects have been allowed - has witnessed a decline in cover of around 2,000 sq...