-Down to Earth The government will use its extensive network of women’s self-help groups to encourage the transition. The Andhra Pradesh government announced financial support to more than 70,000 women from scheduled castes (SC) to promote natural farming among Marginal Farmers. Natural farming excludes the application of chemicals and promotes traditional agricultural practices. It is regarded as particularly useful for smallholder farmers as it reduces dependency on purchased inputs.   A one-time subsidy of...

-The Hindu Business Line Favourable weather, soil moisture aid higher acreage Contrary to the initial expectations farmers across the country have brought more area under the rabi pulses crop, mainly chickpea or chana this season. Chickpea acreage has increased to a new high with record sowing in Maharashtra and Gujarat, while the traditionally largest producing State of Madhya Pradesh has seen a marginal increase in area. Please click here to read more.  ...

-The Hindu Business Line A majority of them take loans from moneylenders and for non-agricultural needs A few years ago when Chayatai Parkhi’s husband Ashok ended his life as he was unable to pay debt taken from banks and moneylenders, Chayatai was forced to take another loan from a moneylender to perform a series of religious rites after the cremation of her husband. Ashok had taken a loan for his daughter’s marriage...

-TheWire.in The campaign emphasised how the proposed NEP will result in budget cuts, elimination of reservations for the marginalised, fee hikes and a further rise of contractualisation and privatisation in higher education. New Delhi: More than 150 students, teachers and eminent public personalities on December 24 attended a nationwide 50-day campaign against the National Education Policy (NEP) at the Press Club of India (PCI) in the national capital. The PCI conference emphasised how...

-The Hindu Business Line Farmers say the schemes do not reach them and cost of farming is only rising The government of India facilitates State governments to reduce agricultural costs through many Centrally-sponsored and Central-sector schemes. However, the latest data available for six major schemes for the last five years show that the actual expenditure on these schemes has remained low compared to Budget estimates. Farmers have been complaining that the schemes are...