Non availability of timely credit has been a major drawback for the Agricultural sector of India. In a country which relies mostly on agriculture, constant endeavors are needed to see that rural and Agricultural credit facilities are enhanced with time. As a part of these efforts, Agricultural credit cards got introduced in the Agricultural lending system. Similarly cash credit facility was also being offered by many banks. However, a major shortfall...

The government put out a promised new price index on Friday that will capture changes in prices of goods and services sold at the retail level, helping the government and the central bank get a better grip on policy tools while tackling inflation. Central banks world over rely on retail prices while framing monetary policy, but the Reserve Bank of India has had to consider mostly the wholesale price index...

Surinder Mahato is a worried man. A small farmer on the outskirts of Bihar's capital Patna, he laboured throughout last year's drought to ensure that his farm's output of rice was not affected. But he now stares in distress at the stacks of paddy lying in his hut. 'I am waiting to sell my crop, but due to the government negligence, I am forced to sell at throwaway prices to local...

Even as everyone is celebrating the bounce in the economy with a return to 8.5 per cent growth, the jury is out on the accuracy of the Agricultural output numbers. The impressive 5.4 per cent Agricultural growth rate number is suspect if one looks at recent trends in farm productivity and output. The agriculture ministry anticipates foodgrain output to grow by 6.4 per cent to 232 million tonnes in 2010-11....

Sajha Manch – a network representing farmers' groups and voluntary organisations – appealed to the elected representatives of Panchayati Raj bodies and members of the Rajasthan Assembly here on Tuesday to exert pressure on the State Government to nullify a controversial agreement signed with bio-technology giant Monsanto of the U.S. for partnership in Agricultural research and hybrid seed production. The Sajha Manch regretted that the pact had been signed in July...