-The Hindu ‘Primary sector mission' launched; due priority to drought-hit Anantapur in water grid project, says Naidu Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh): Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has underscored the need for significantly enhancing agricultural productivity to ensure food security for the ever-growing population of the country. Dr. Kalam wanted top priority accorded to organic fertilizers to ensure that the increase in productivity was sustained in the longer term. He, accompanied by Chief Minister N....

-The Business Standard Market to help farmers directly reach wholesalers and retailers New Delhi: Deepak Sharma, a third-generation farmer in Jammu, will no longer have to pay steep commissions when he next visits Delhi to sell his produce, thanks to the new market in Alipur here. Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Thursday laid the foundation stone of the Kisan Mandi in Alipur village for farmers like Sharma to sell fruit and vegetables...

-The Hindu Kalpetta (Kerala): A study conducted by scientists of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) found that heavy and unscientific application of chemical fertilizers without regular application of lime was the major reason for the spread of yellowing disease in pepper vines. The study was led by K.M. Sreekumar, Associate Professor, Department of Entomology, Agriculture College, Padnnakkad. Sugandhi project It was conducted under the four-year Sugandhi project, organised jointly by the Indian Institute of Spices...

-Capital Market 14 Crore Soil Health Cards to be Issued in Three Years; Credit Support of Rs. 8 Lakh Crore to Agriculture During 2014-15 Targeted "Finance to 5 lakh joint farming groups of Bhoomi Heen Kisan through NABARD in the current financial year", said Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Agriculture Minister, while inaugurating the National Rabi Conference. Minister said that, a very large number of landless farmers are unable to provide land title...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: After a tough summer due to sub-normal rains that led to deficit in Kharif sowing, the Centre on Wednesday asked states to focus on Rabi (winter) crops so that the possible shortfall can be made up and proposed to provide finance to 5 lakh "joint farming groups" in the current financial year. Though sowing of Kharif crops showed a steady increase last week, it could not...