-The Economic Times PUNE: Pulses traders have demanded lifting of the decade-old ban on export of the commodity as prices of all varieties, except chana, have fallen below the minimum support price (MSP). They have cautioned that if prices continue to remain subdued, farmers might shift to other crops. “The government should allow export of pulses to support prices,“ said Bimal Kothari, vice-president of Indian Pulses and Grains Association. India had banned export...

-Vikalp The paddy cropping and harvesting season has been concluded and the Rabi crops (mainly wheat) is seeded into the vast agricultural plains of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The region is known to be highly dependent upon agriculture for livelihood and food security, but it is also known as one of the economically backward-regions of the country. The persistent negligence by the government to develop a mechanised crop procurement system (through Food...

-Down to Earth Modi government’s attempt at rationalising prices of forest products is likely to hit Adivasi farmers the most At the time when there has been demand for increasing the minimum support prices for various agricultural products, the NDA government has gone ahead and slashed the prices of forest produce on which livelihoods of several forest-dwelling tribes depend. Stating the need to rationalise the minimum support price (MSP) as they...

-Livemint.com Nearly 40% of loans taken by agricultural households come from informal sources, shows data New Delhi: Demonetisation of high value currency has impacted the rural and agriculture sectors in several ways. In the days following Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing withdrawal of Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes, trade in wholesale markets took a hit due to the acute cash crunch and farmers resorted to distress sales of perishables like fruits and vegetables....

-Livemint.com Farmers are getting paid for their produce by traders either by cheque, but many farmers are not able to encash the cheques due to currency shortages at banks Mumbai: Nearly three weeks after the partial demonetisation of Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes, cashless contracts are running the trade at Maharashtra’s major Agricultural Markets, but problems with bank liquidity persist. Farmers are getting paid for their produce by traders either by cheque or via...