-The Indian Express Over-regulation by government once again ensures that injustice is done to UP’s sugarcane farmers. The story of Uttar Pradesh’s sugarcane farmers facing distress due to non-payment of dues by the sugar mills is not a new one. Yet again, as against the promised payment of Rs 17,972 crore, at the state advised price (SAP) of Rs 280 per quintal, farmers have received just Rs 11,268 crore from the UP...

-The Hindu Swathes of land lie unused; peasants migrate or take their own lives as the crippling water crisis shatters their hopes. BUNDELKHAND: On the night on March 27, Musru Prajapati was up as usual, keeping vigil in his field at Khurhand village in Banda, Uttar Pradesh. Three consecutive droughts, with bouts of hailstorms and unseasonal rains, had dented his morale. He wanted to defend whatever little crop he managed to grow...

-The Financial Express With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting no respite from heat wave conditions prevailing in parts of the country in next few days, the water level at key reservoirs continues to fall. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting no respite from heat wave conditions prevailing in parts of the country in next few days, the water level at key reservoirs continues to fall. “Heat wave conditions (are) very likely...

-The Hindu Drought has devastated once-prosperous Latur. In this two-part series Sharad Vyas (text) and Vivek Bendre (photographs) report from the parched district. Latur: The water train chugging into Latur last week captured national attention. But it took the spotlight away from the daily struggle of lakhs of people facing the immediate consequences of extended drought and acute water scarcity in Latur district. The vagaries of nature have already taken their toll:...

-The Hindu Business Line The new scheme offers lower premium, more risk cover and hassle-free settlement Crop insurance schemes have not been a hit with Indian farmers in the past. High premia, limited coverage, complicated ways of assessing losses and delayed payment of compensation have kept farmers away from them. Given the high risk of crop damage in India, with significant loss in food grain production in 18 of the last 54 years...