-The Indian Express We have, indeed, entered a regime of “permanent surpluses” in most crops — a reality our policymakers are unable to grasp, stuck as they are in the era of the Essential Commodities Act. If there is one thing that has changed in Indian agriculture in recent times, it is supply response — the ability of farmers to increase production when prices go up. Traditionally, the supply curve in most...

-The Hindu ‘Merchants say they have no cash. They offer low prices [for the paddy crop], which is unviable.’ BARABANKI (Uttar Pradesh): The little makeshift kiosks that dot Baruwanarendrapur’s rustic landscape, supplying it rations and other daily items, have not opened since November 9. The next nearest supply point is at Ramnagar Kasba, a good 10 km away, entailing an excruciating wait at the railway crossing on the route. Holi Gautam, a Dalit...

-PTI Farmers warned of fungal disease stripe rust or yellow rust attack on crop because of conducive weather conditions Chandigarh: Untimely rains accompanied by hailstorm and strong winds in Punjab and Haryana will hit wheat crop which was to be harvested next month, feared farm experts, saying showers at this stage were “unfortunate” for growers who were hoping for bumper yield. “Rains along with strong winds at this point of time are not...

-The Tribune Shimla: The dry spell has left farmers of the state worried. The weather is not favourable for wheat and rabi crops. The sowing of rabi was done by mid-December and periodical rain was required to provide moisture to the crop, but the region received only 46 per cent rain from October 1 to December 31, 2015, while the deficit during January 2016 till January 18 was 83 per cent. The wheat...

-The Indian Express Field reports suggest that the mustard crop — currently about 70-90 days old and at the reproductive (flowering and pod development) stage in most areas — is in good condition. Dry weather combined with unwinter-like temperatures — roughly 5 degrees Celsius above normal levels for this time — may not pose immediate worries to the rabi season crops in the fields now. But the real concern is whether...