-The Hindu Business Line Hyderabad: The news of 11,772 farmers committing suicide did not hit the headlines when the NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) released its data for 2013 early this week. The gravity of the problem somehow didn't get the attention it deserved. Perhaps, we are quite used to the numbers since they have always remained north of 10,000 in the last few years. Those who closely follow developments in Indian...

-The Times of India COIMBATORE: In light of the delayed southwest monsoon and severe rainfall deficit, agriculture experts have advised farmers to go in for short-term crops this year as they require less water. "We are telling them to move from their traditional crops and try short-term crops like pulses, millets, sunflower or maize," said K Velayutham, director of crop management at TNAU. Except for maize, the cycle for the other three...

-The Economic Times NEW DELHI: India is likely to push for an extension of the July 31 deadline for signing of trade facilitation protocol to get its food security concerns addressed in the meantime. The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take the final call on India's stand on the Bali package on Thursday. India has said that it will not sign the protocol of the trade facilitation...

-Press Information Bureau/ Ministry of Finance The agriculture sector will see a record production of foodgrains and oilseeds in the year 2013-14, according to the Economic Survey for 2013-14, released in New Delhi today. As per the third Advance Estimates, the production of foodgrains is likely to touch a record output of 264.4 million tones (mt) in 2013-14 showing an increase of 2.88% over the previous year. Similarly, oilseeds are likely...

-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...