-The Economic Times NEW DELHI: The country is headed for good rabi season despite below normal monsoon rains, thanks to a surge of rainfall in the last week of September that replenished soil moisture, agriculture secretary Shobhana K Pattanayak has said. The late rains will benefit planting of rabi crops such as wheat and chana, Pattanayak said on Thursday. “We are expecting a very good rabi season, so that should make up...

-The Financial Express Indian agriculture’s reliance on monsoon rainfall has reduced considerably over the last few years thanks to the increase in area irrigated, although there are still pockets — particularly in east and central India — where rains still are a decisive determinant of crop. Key grain-producing states Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have most of the cropped areas under irrigation coverage (see table). Unless...

-Livemint.com India’s greatest need is for an effective cold chain solution that can integrate the supply chains for agricultural commodities from production to consumption centers, experts say New Delhi: The government is looking for solutions for preventing physical waste and loss of value of perishable agricultural commodities, according to agriculture experts. A robust cold chain supply system can increase farmers’ income manifold, experts say. In a bid to understand and develop a roadmap...

-The Indian Express The economy is on a downward spiral, is poised for a hard landing. Many in the BJP know it but do not say it out of fear I shall be failing in my national duty if I did not speak up even now against the mess the finance minister has made of the economy. I am also convinced that what I am going to say reflects the sentiments...

-Livemint.com The agriculture ministry has estimated foodgrain production at 134.7 million tonnes for the 2017-18 kharif crop season, 2.8% lower than last year New Delhi: Production of kharif crops this year is likely to be lower than last year, the agriculture ministry said in its first advance estimates, with the only exception being sugarcane. Production of foodgrains such as rice, pulses and coarse cereals is likely at 134.7 million tonnes in 2017-18, about...