-The Hindu Business Line Tested across AP, this technique, though devoid of chemicals, has helped boost productivity and cut production costs In the last fortnight, two announcements to revive the sagging farm sector evoked differing responses. While the announcement by the government to hike minimum support price for selected crops generated political noise, a more nuanced approach by NITI Aayog seeking State governments’ support in reducing cost of crop production was...

-Firstpost.com The recent increases in minimum support prices have attracted two criticisms from two opposite sides. One is that this is less than what farmers deserve, the second is that this is populist and ignores larger macro side effects. The increase in fair remunerative price for sugarcane has also been criticised for not adequately addressing the woes of the sugar sector. Ramesh Chand, member, agriculture, NITI Aayog talks to Firstpost on...

-The Tribune The input costs of only chosen farmers are considered to decide the MSP. This is unfair to the farmers of the 'Granary of India' as their input costs are much higher than those of farmers from the rest of the country. In the Indian system, farmers are the only 'businessmen' who cannot set their own price for their products —foodgrains. Even a 'rehrhi-wala' sets his own price daily for whatever...

-Deccan Chronicle Seek a state-level intervention corporation. Hyderabad: The latest decision of the Centre to enhance minimum support price (MSP) for 14 crops has triggered a fresh debate on the cost of production and the procurement mechanism. Farmers say that the increase in MSP was a mere political decision and nothing has happened in reality, while agriculture experts agree that lack of consensus and clarity on support price is further adding to...

-Agencies (New Delhi)/ Business Standard States can promote ZBNF under the two farm sector schemes - Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar on Monday made a case for promoting zero-budget natural farming (ZBNF) in states, saying it would help double farmers’ income by 2022. Aayog member Ramesh Chand, who is an expert in agriculture, said that such methods could be scaled up nationally only after...