-Business Standard India's agriculture growth, measured in terms of gross value added at constant prices, slipped into negative territory in the October-December quarter (first time in FY16) because of a low kharif harvest. However, on full-year basis, the government estimates gross value added in agriculture and allied activities would rise 1.1 per cent, from negative 0.2 per cent in 2014-15, on account of good performance of livestock, horticulture, fisheries and dairy sector. But...
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Wheat farmers upset over dry spell -Bhanu P Lohumi
-The Tribune Shimla: The dry spell has left farmers of the state worried. The weather is not favourable for wheat and rabi crops. The sowing of rabi was done by mid-December and periodical rain was required to provide moisture to the crop, but the region received only 46 per cent rain from October 1 to December 31, 2015, while the deficit during January 2016 till January 18 was 83 per cent. The wheat...
More »NDA junks the ‘dumb peasant’ argument -Anil Padmanabhan
-Livemint.com Traditionally, public policy has tended to view Indian farmers as what is described in economic history as the “dumb peasant” Last week, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government launched a revamped crop insurance scheme. At first glance, the scheme, christened Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, looks mostly like a reworking of the risk cover already in place; actually, it is much more. Not only does it take a big step in de-risking...
More »Drought or no drought, farm sector adapts to low rainfall -Sanjeeb Mukherjee
-Business Standard Despite two consecutive years of deficient rains, farm growth was positive in Q2 of 2015-16 The India Meteorological Department (IMD) might have decided to drop the use of the word “drought” from its nomenclature, but even if it had not done so, it would have hardly made a difference. Studies show that Indian agriculture has, over the years, developed an inherent resistance to drought. The share of agriculture in the overall...
More »New crop insurance scheme will reduce premium 10-fold, ensure faster payouts -Sayantan Bera
-Livemint.com The move is an attempt by the government to stem rural distress as farmers are facing three successive crop failures due to inclement weather conditions New Delhi: The central government is expected to launch a new crop insurance scheme for which the rate of premium paid by farmers will be about a tenth of existing rates. The move is an attempt by the government to stem rural distress as farmers are...
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