Farm Sector

Farm wheels spin past autos powered by strong monsoon, rising MSPs, and M&M's market grip

The recent provisional gross domestic product (GDP) estimates for FY25, for instance, captured the early signs of a rural consumption boost

Agriculture and allied activities grew 4.6% in FY25, driven by strong monsoon, record rice and wheat output, and improved rabi and kharif harvests

The academy, which has been set up with a starting capital of $3 million, will seek to address critical challenges in smallholder farming

Among the commodities under discussion - especially after the US imposed tariffs on China - is soybean oil, with hopes of increased imports from the US

Advantage cotton producers, but other farm items at risk of glut from US supplies, say experts

The additional cash would be directed to developing high-yielding seed varieties, increasing storage and supply infrastructure, and boosting production of pulse crops, oilseeds, vegetables, and dairy

Indian farmers have shown their ability and, more so, willingness to embrace new technology

Retail inflation for farm workers and rural labourers eased to 5.96 per cent and 6.08 per cent, respectively, in August against the comparative figures of 6.17 per cent and 6.20 per cent recorded in July this year. The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) registered an increase of 7 points each in August 2024, reaching levels of 1297 and 1309, respectively. The CPI-AL and CPI-RL were 1290 points and 1302 points, respectively, in July. "The year-on-year inflation rates based on CPI-AL and CPIRL for this month (August 2024) were recorded at 5.96 per cent and 6.08 per cent, compared to 7.37 per cent and 7.12 per cent in August, 2023. The corresponding figures for July, 2024 were 6.17 per cent for CPI-AL and 6.20 per cent for CPI-RL," a labour ministry statement said.

Worldwide, Bayer has 29 such farms across the globe, and the first one was just launched in India

Low post-monsoon rains, which dried most of the reservoirs in several states across the country, also impacted the production of many crops

Expresses desire to share expertise, seeds and technology to make India's National Oil Palm Mission a success

In the last quarter of Fy-24, the sector grew by 1.1 per cent which was similar to the growth rate in the previous October to December quarter

But in first half of the FY, new hirings halved compared to Omicron-hit H2 of FY22

The growth stood at 5.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2022-23 which also played a part in pulling down agriculture and related sector's GVA

However, some experts said the GVA numbers could stand to be revised as the initial estimates are based on extrapolation of figures for five-six months and a final picture will emerge only around Feb

The sluggish growth in the sector can be attributed to weak harvest activity during July-September and most inputs coming from residual rabi crops

Under the revised PSS, the overall quantity of procurement by the Central Government is restricted to 25 percent of actual production of the commodity for that particular season

The Conclave will brainstorm mitigating the impact of climate change on agriculture, espousing cow-based natural farming, and promoting coarse food grains or millets

The current level of farm mechanisation in India, reckoned officially at 47 per cent, is far lower than the 60 per cent in China and 75 per cent in Brazil