At BANCON (annual bankers' conference) 2011 in Chennai, financial institutions explored avenues for greater participation in agriculture and rural development. There are a few areas in need of additional attention and investment. Green Revolution technologies are scale-neutral but not resource-neutral. Inputs are needed for output; therefore market-purchased inputs become important in providing soil and plant healthcare for higher yields. Social scientists point out that small and marginal farmers will be excluded...
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ICAR proposes 100 more Krishi Vigyan Kendras for larger districts in 12th Plan
-The Pioneer With an aim to bring about the second green revolution through adoption of effective scientific agricultural methods, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under Agriculture Ministry has proposed 100 more Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) across the country in the 12th Plan. In a proposal sent to the apex planning body, Planning Commission, ICAR has said that in big districts, one KVK is not effective as farmers have to travel...
More »One more farmer commits suicide
-The Hindu One more debt-ridden farmer reportedly committed suicide in Wayanad district on Tuesday morning. The Meppadi police identified the deceased as Varghese alias Raju, 45, of Pulparambil at Nedumbala Pallikkavala near Meppadi. The family members found him in a critical condition in his house on Monday night. Though he was rushed to a private hospital, he died. The police said Varghese may have consuming poison out of disappointment over crop loss. His relatives...
More »Learning from each other
-The Business Standard It is not often that the government accepts the report of a committee promptly without detailed scrutiny. But an exception has been made – and with good reasons – in respect of the report of the task force on reforming the public distribution system (PDS). The committee, headed by Unique Identification Authority of India Chairman Nandan Nilekani, has made several valuable recommendations that can cure some of the...
More »Moving beyond MSP
-The Business Standard The new grain pricing policy for 2012-13 rabi marketing season seems a half-hearted attempt to make farmers grow more oilseeds and pulses, which are in short supply. This is apparent from a hefty hike of Rs 650 to Rs 700 a quintal, or around 35 per cent, in the minimum support prices (MSPs) of oilseeds and pulses and a relatively modest increase of Rs 115, or 10 per...
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