-The Times of India Aurangabad: A drastic shift in the cropping pattern in Marathwada over the past three decades has further exacerbated the drought situation in the region, a study has shown. The region has faced many as 12 moderate to severe droughts and 21 mild droughts in the last 55 years. Since the 1980s, the Farmers in the region have opted out of cultivating sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra) and oilseeds...

-TheHansIndia.com Kothacheruvu (Anantapur): SC, ST Farmers in several mandals in the district are opting for solar pump sets to enjoy uninterrupted power for seven hours at a stretch for their horticulture and vegetable plantations, thanks to the Rural Development Trust (RDT) which is giving a huge fillip to solar energy. Farmers unable to purchase pump sets or go in for borewells on their own, are being encouraged to form small groups...

-PTI The Odisha government has also decided to link Aadhaar numbers of beneficiaries for availing ration under NFSA and work under MGNREGA. Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday said it has decided to make Aadhaar card mandatory for procurement of paddy in the state. This apart, the government has also decided to link Aadhaar numbers of beneficiaries for availing ration under NFSA and work under MGNREGA. “All Farmers will be paid online for paddy...

-Down to Earth A parliamentary standing committee blamed Agriculture Ministry’s skewed policy for the inequality in fertiliser usage The parliamentary standing committee on agriculture has recommended formation of a “Pesticide Development Authority” to ensure balanced use of chemical fertilisers in the wake of declining agricultural productivity. The 29th report, called “Impact of chemical fertilizers and Pesticides on agriculture and allied sectors in the country”, was tabled in Parliament by the committee. The...

-The Indian Express A senior state official said that the objective would be on environmental training focused on protecting water resources, preventing deforestation, safer pesticide use, and mitigating impacts of extreme climatic condition on farm produce Mumbai: After facing three severe drought spell in four years, Maharashtra has decided to embrace climate-smart agriculture. On August 10, the state cabinet gave its nod for an ambitious project of training Farmers in 4,900 villages...