Kisan Sabha – Page 22 – हर कदम हर डगर, आपका हमसफर

Horticulture’s significance in India and its effects on the agricultural industry

The importance of horticulture in India cannot get overstated.. Since 2012–2013, the output of horticulture has surpassed that of food grains, and it currently accounts for almost 35% of the total value of crops produced in the agriculture sector.

Fruit, vegetable, floral, medicinal, and aromatic plant, mushroom, plantation, and forestry cultivation are just a few of the many activities that go under the umbrella term “horticulture.” Animal raising is not a focus of horticulture, in contrast to agriculture. Agriculture’s subdivision is mainly known as horticulture. Millions of people in India depend on horticulture for their nourishment and financial stability.

Horticulture: What is it?

Growing plants and vegetables for food, medicine, and other purposes is the focus of horticulture, a significant subfield of agriculture. It encompasses all aspects of agricultural production, from cultivating crops in massive enterprises to growing flowers and vegetables in a family garden. In horticulture, plants, their growth and development, and their interactions with the environment are all studied.

Horticulture is a unique area of study since it mixes concepts from plant biology, agronomy, soil science, and other fields. Horticulture’s primary objective is to ensure the development of beautiful, healthy, and aesthetically attractive plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Horticulture’s significance in India

Horticultural crops are essential for the Indian population’s food security and nutrition. Particularly for the residents of rural and tribal areas, they provide as a significant source of nourishment. The main sources of vitamins and minerals in the diet of the Indian population are fruits and vegetables.

Another significant source of revenue for farmers in horticulture. It gives them the chance to diversify their sources of income. Another significant source of raw materials for the food processing sector is horticulture. Horticulture accounts for a significant portion of the raw materials used in the manufacture of food items in India.

Horticulture’s significance may also get observed in the way it contributes to environmental preservation. Planting trees and other vegetation helps to preserve soil fertility, minimize air pollution, and absorb carbon dioxide. Additionally, it aids with energy and water conservation.

Horticulture plays a significant role in the growth of the rural economy. It offers a means of creating money and jobs in rural communities. As a result, it raises rural residents’ standards of living and contributes to the reduction of poverty.

In India, horticulture is a significant source of employment, especially for women and members of underrepresented social groups.

As India’s horticulture industry has grown, it has produced a number of value-added goods and services, including processing and packaging facilities, which have boosted the sector’s competitiveness.

Given that a sizable amount of India’s horticultural product gets exported to other nations, horticulture is also a key source of foreign cash for the nation.

The National Horticulture Mission and the Horticulture Development Programs are two of the policies and initiatives the Indian government has put in place to encourage the expansion and development of the horticulture industry.

Wrapping it up

Due to the diversification aspect and the fact that it is far more lucrative than the agriculture sector, India’s horticulture industry has enormous potential. The Indian government has recently developed many programmes and made plans to improve the industry.

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Gujarat govt announces relief package for farmers hit by unseasonal rains

Synopsis

Under this package, farmers who lost 33 per cent or more of their total crops will get the financial assistance in addition to the compensation provided by the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) as per norms.

The Gujarat government on Thursday announced a relief package for farmers who suffered losses due to unseasonal rains in several parts of the state in March. The relief package for providing “assistance” to the affected farmers was cleared in the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel earlier in the day, said Health Minister and spokesperson of the state government Rushikesh Patel.

The health minister called the relief offered under this special package the “highest ever”.

He said the relief package was announced after a loss-assessment survey was carried out in 13 affected districts – Rajkot, Junagadh, Banaskantha, Arvalli, Tapi, Patan, Sabarkantha, Surat, Kutch, Amreli, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad.

Under this package, farmers who lost 33 per cent or more of their total crops will get the financial assistance in addition to the compensation provided by the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) as per norms.

For crops like wheat, chana, mustard, banana and papaya, farmers will get Rs 13,500 from SDRF and an additional assistance of Rs 9,500 per hectare from the state government, said the health minister.

In all, each farmer will get an assistance of Rs 23,000 per hectare but with a cap of a maximum of two hectares, he said.

For the damage to horticulture produces like mango, guava and lemon, the state government will pay Rs 30,600 per hectare with an upper limit of two hectares. This compensation includes Rs 18,000 per hectare from SDRF and Rs 12,600 from the state coffers, said the minister, adding that the state will pay a minimum assistance of Rs 4,000 to eligible farmers.

Andhra Pradesh govt. to deploy 30 mobile rice mills to determine broken rice percentage in Godavari region from May 4

Rice millers are not entitled to directly contact the farmers for the paddy procurement process, says Civil Supplies Minister.

Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao on Wednesday said that at least 30 mobile mini rice mills would be deployed to determine the percentage of broken rice in the presence of the farmers in the Godavari region from May 4.

Mr. Venkata Nageswara Rao reviewed the paddy procurement, and challenges of the farmers and rice millers during a meeting held here in West Godavari district on Wednesday. Officials and rice millers from across the Godavari region were present.

“The 30 mobile mini rice mills will process the paddy on the field and determine the broken rice percentage before the paddy is procured by the State government. It will clear the doubts of the farmers and the rice millers on the percentage of broken rice in the Godavari region,” Mr. Venkata Nageswara Rao told the gathering.

The Minister added that the farmers are yet to understand that they should not visit the rice mills during the paddy procurement exercise, with the farmer’s role ending with handing over of the yield to the Rythu Bharosa Kendra.

In West Godavari district, we have seized two rice mills after the rice millers invited the farmers to visit the rice mills to discuss the broken rice percentage. The rice millers are not entitled to directly contact the farmers for the paddy procurement process,” said Mr. Venkata Nageswara Rao.

Gunny bags

The West Godavari Rice Millers Association has pledged to supply 20 lakh gunny bags to be supplied across the Godavari region from May 4.

On the pending payment of ₹33 crore in the Godavari region, the Minister stated that the payment was unsuccessful due to a mismatch of banking details of the farmers.

Civil Supplies Corporation Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Veera Pandyan, Joint Collectors of East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Kakinada, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema districts and rice millers were present.

Flying tractors a window into future of farming

Synopsis

Farmers have been using drones over the past 20 years mainly for aerial imaging – scanning farms from the sky with cameras to map where crops are thriving and failing. Now drones are being designed for hands-on crop management.

Early one recent morning in Vidalia, Georgia, third-generation farmer Greg Morgan launched an AG-230 drone carrying eight gallons of fungicide over a field of sweet onions. The chemical, which is essential to crop survival in this humid state, would typically be dragged and dripped from a 500-gallon tank behind Morgan’s 10,000-pound tractor. Now it fell in a fine mist from the spray jets of an 80-pound drone scudding 10 feet above his cash crop.

Vidalia Onions are a $150 million local industry that, like peaches, tomatoes and other specialty crops in the Southeast, have become increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Morgan has joined the vanguard of farmers who are turning away from tractors and toward drones as they adapt to the rising cost of chemicals and contend with hotter temperatures, heavier rains, heartier weeds and prolific pests.

Farmers have been using drones over the past 20 years mainly for aerial imaging – scanning farms from the sky with cameras to map where crops are thriving and failing. Now drones are being designed for hands-on crop management: enabled to spray herbicides, insecticides and foliar fertilisers with precision, and even to distribute seeds in planting season.

A “featherweight flying tractor” – that’s how Arthur Erickson, chief executive of manufacturer Hylio Inc., described the company’s agricultural drones. The Houston-based startup has seen demand for its drones soar over the past three years; roughly 700 of Hylio’s drones are now at work treating 700,000 acres of cropland annually.

Early adopters like 46-year-old Morgan are driving a major shift in the business of food and signaling a reality that investors and leaders of industrial agriculture should heed. Drones are poised to significantly disrupt the tractor industry, and unlike many other high-tech agricultural trends, this one is actually good for small and midsized farmers, and a big win for the planet, to boot.

In the eight months since Morgan made his $40,000 investment it has cut his fuel costs and already reduced his agrochemical usage by about 15%. Bloomberg

The Impact of Automation on the Farming Industry

A turning point in human history was the advent of agriculture. The first significant shift in the connection between completely modern people and the environment occurred when humans were able to manipulate the environment to produce enough food to support rapid population increase. Agriculture’s development sparked a broad range of innovations, from the use of fire and prepared meals to self-driving machinery.

Modern agriculture has undergone a dramatic transformation due to new technological developments like robots, drones, and computer vision software. Today’s farmers have access to instruments that will enable them to fulfill the needs of the expanding global population.

What is Farm automation?

Automating the crop or livestock production cycle on farms increases efficiency and is sometimes referred to as “smart farming.” A growing number of businesses are focusing on robotics innovation to create robots that can automatically irrigate plants, sow seeds, and operate tractors and harvesters. Despite the fact that these technologies are still relatively new, more traditional agriculture businesses are incorporating farm automation into their operations.

Advantages of agricultural automation

Major concerns including a growing global population, a lack of agricultural labor, and shifting consumer demands are addressed through farm automation technologies. Automation of conventional farming procedures has enormous advantages.

Consumer Advantage

Consumers’ preferences are moving to include more organic and sustainably produced goods. Produce is delivered to consumers faster, fresher, and more sustainably thanks to automated technologies. Automation boosts productivity by boosting output and manufacturing rate, which lowers costs for customers.

Labor effectiveness

Over 50% of the cost of running a farm is labour, and 55% of farmers believe a lack of workers is having an impact on their business. 31% of farmers are switching to less labor-intensive crops as a result. However, harvest robots have a lot of promise. Robotics technology allows for the automation of routine operations, which lowers labour costs and the amount of work that is required in the agriculture sector due to a labour shortage. 30 agricultural labourers might be replaced with a single strawberry robot harvester, which could pick a 25-acre area in three days.4

Reduced environmental footprint

Farm automation techniques can increase agriculture’s profitability while simultaneously lessening its environmental impact. Software designed specifically for a certain site can lower greenhouse gas emissions while lowering the usage of fertilizer and pesticides.

Issues with farm automation

Farm automation still presents several difficulties that must be solved. Farmers have a significant barrier to entry due to the high adoption costs of robotic technology, particularly in developing nations. Robotic planters, for instance, must carry heavy loads of water or pesticides; hence, the gear must be made differently, which increases the cost to make it larger. High repair expenses are also associated with such specialist equipment when it comes to technical problems and equipment failure. Farmers will need to combine their expertise and experience with these new technologies in order to properly exploit farm automation.

Looking ahead

Farm automation technology, which is still in its infancy, has the potential to completely change the agricultural industry. By advancing technology, production techniques, and software, it offers a route toward more effective and sustainable agriculture. Automation technology is becoming more advanced every year, and what was cutting edge only a few years ago will soon be mainstream and affordable. Although completely autonomous cars and agricultural equipment are on the horizon, the human element will always be a critical component of farm management.

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Arya.ag announces partnership with Shivalik Small Finance Bank to drive farmers’ financial inclusion

Synopsis

Grain commerce platform Arya.ag on Thursday announced a strategic partnership with Shivalik Small Finance Bank. With this business correspondent model partnership, Arya.ag, will further its mission to drive financial inclusion for farmers and FPOs and offer loans through Shivalik Small Finance Bank under Warehouse Receipt Finance.

Grain commerce platform Arya.ag on Thursday announced a strategic partnership with Shivalik Small Finance Bank. With this business correspondent model partnership, Arya.ag, will further its mission to drive financial inclusion for farmers and FPOs and offer loans through Shivalik Small Finance Bank under Warehouse Receipt Finance.

“Shivalik Small Finance Bank’s innovative technology-focused vision and their dedication to serving smallholder farmers perfectly align with our core objective of building trust and transparency in the agricultural value chain. Our collaboration will not only strengthen our ability to promote equitable growth in agriculture but also offer more opportunities for the smallest stakeholders to access financial resources and drive positive change in the industry” said Anand Chandra, Co-founder of Arya.ag.

“The partnership with Arya.ag will enable us to stay connected with the farmers directly. Arya.ag’s digitized processes, AI-enabled systems and customized solutions offer us the additional layer of professional assurance we require at all levels,” said Anshul Swami, MD & CEO of Shivalik Small Finance Bank.

Agritech can solve farm sector challenges: UNCDF-NITI Aayog Report

The report said that agritech start-ups can find ways to solve the problems faced by smallholder farmers who produce more than 50-60% of agricultural output in lower-middle and lower-income countries.

NEW DELHI: Some of the critical challenges in the farm sector that lead to loss of income for farmers, including inadequacies in production, supply chain, weather risk and climate change, offer a unique opportunity to agritech start-ups, according to a report published by UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and NITI Aayog.

UNCDF and NITI Aayog are currently collaborating on an ‘agritech challenge’ initiative aimed at fostering cross-border partnerships to tackle development challenges and enhance the financial well-being of communities.

The agritech challenge seeks to promote business collaborations and knowledge sharing through sustainable investments, driving south-south collaboration. This will be achieved by supporting pilot projects in new markets, creating platforms for knowledge exchange between start-ups and incubators and encouraging investments in high-potential start-ups for expansion in new markets, said the report titled ‘Gearing up to solve food security challenges.’

The ‘agritech challenge’ initiative recognises the critical role of agriculture in emerging economies across Asia and Africa. The farm sector employs over one billion people globally, with more than 50% of medium, small, and micro enterprises in these economies engaged in the sector. Smallholders who own less than two hectares of land make up 82% of total agricultural land holdings and play a vital role in driving productivity, the report said.

Approximately 49% of farmland is located in low-middle-income or low-income countries. Smallholders produce more than 50-60% of agricultural output in lower-middle and lower-income countries. The initiative emphasizes the importance of sustained growth in agriculture to fuel economic growth, maintain livelihoods, and ensure food self-sufficiency in many emerging economies.

Tea planters suffering from ‘crop loss’, ‘falling’ prices in Tripura

Synopsis

Tea plantations, the second largest industry in the state after rubber, are facing “crop loss” this season due to a drought-like situation, Tripura Tea Development Corporation (TTDC) chairman Santosh Saha said.

Tea planters in Tripura are witnessing a “shortage” in production due to a prolonged dry spell in the northeastern state with “falling” prices of the crop creating pressure on margins, stakeholders said on Sunday. Tea plantations, the second largest industry in the state after rubber, are facing “crop loss” this season due to a drought-like situation, Tripura Tea Development Corporation (TTDC) chairman Santosh Saha said.

“Our production has been hit due to drought-like conditions. There is a shortage of leaves, and the volume in the auction market has also come down. It is a difficult situation for us to get profit,” he told PTI.

State-run TTDC has five estates and two manufacturing units with an annual production capacity of eight lakh kg.

Tripura produces 90 lakh kg of tea annually.

“There is no support price for tea from the government as provided for paddy. This system prevails in the whole country,” Saha said.

Unakoti district’s Manu Valley tea garden manager Prabir De said the prolonged rainless period has adversely impacted production in the state, and despite the shortage, selling price has “come down to Rs 200 per kg from Rs 300 last year”.

Manu Valley tea estate is the largest garden in Tripura, which produces more than 15 lakh kg per year.

“Now, the production cost per kg is Rs 160-170. Generally, we sell tea at Rs 300 per kg in April or May and the rate comes down to Rs 150 in October. So, it is the time we make profits and also compensate for the loss in October,” De told PTI.

Big planters can manage the loss up to some extent, but small growers are facing difficulties to deal with the situation, he said.

There are 52 private-run gardens in the northeastern state and 22 factories for manufacturing tea, but now, only 13 are in operation due to the shortage of leaves, he said.

When contacted, Tea Board factory advisory officer Tuhin Debnath said, “Assessments for crop loss are on. Now, we do not have any data. So I cannot tell the exact amount of crop loss due to drought.”

Sumedha Das, owner of Shova tea estate said, “In 2013, the cash component of a labourer’s wage was Rs 58 per day besides free rations and shelter. A worker’s wage has been increased to Rs 176 per day in addition to other incentives. The price of coal rose to Rs 20 per kg as compared to Rs 13 per kg three years ago. But the selling price of tea is not increasing.”

She pointed out that the government in neighbouring Assam disbursed Rs 63.05 crore as a financial incentive to 370 tea gardens to help them mitigate the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but so far “no incentive was given to tea planters in Tripura”.

ORGANIC VS. CONVENTIONAL FARMING: WHICH IS BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

Agriculture, which is also necessary for human survival, is the foundation of human society.It has existed for tens of thousands of years, with countless advancements made by man over time. Nowadays, conventional farming and organic farming are the two primary types of agriculture that are widely practiced around the world. Which is superior has been hotly discussed. Let’s look at both systems to grasp each system better and examine the differences between organic farming and conventional farming before we decide which type of farming is best and ponder about “organic farming versus conventional farming.”

Organic Farming

Organic farming is a farming method that aims to produce wholesome, healthy food while protecting the environment and the land.

Organic farmers employ crop rotation, cover crops, and biological fertilizer inputs to enhance soil quality and increase organic soil matter.

Organic farmers increase the soil’s capacity to absorb water by adding more organic matter, which lessens the effects of drought and flooding. Enhancing soil organic matter also helps the soil absorb and retain the nutrients and carbon needed to develop healthy crops, which are thus more resilient to pests and diseases.

Features of Organic Agriculture

The following are some important aspects of organic farming:

use of organic fertilizers like compost and manure.

The use of sustainable agricultural techniques like crop rotation and mixed farming

Genetically modified (GM) seeds, artificial pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers are not used in organic agriculture.

Conventional Farming

The goal of conventional agricultural techniques is to increase crop output. In conventional farming, crop quality is frequently overlooked as fertilizers and pesticides are usually used to improve agricultural output.

Conventional farmers employ pesticides to control weeds and pests as well as to provide crops with supplemental nutrition. Traditional agricultural practices are not viable since they have a negative impact on the land and environment.

The use of chemicals in traditional agriculture has a detrimental effect on the environment by creating water pollution, soil erosion, and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, all of which are harmful to human health.

Characteristics of Conventional Farming

The fertility of crops, pests, and diseases are all controlled through the use of potent pesticides in traditional farming. The following are some features of conventional farming:

Chemical fertilizer use
There is the use of chemical pesticides.
The use of chemical weed killers.
Use of genetically engineered organisms capable of producing consistent crops
Only one or two crops are grown in the same land per growing season or year.
Organic vs. conventional farming

Difference between organic farming and Conventional Farming

The main distinction between conventional and organic farming is that the latter uses chemical intervention to control weeds, and pests, and to nourish the plants. That refers to artificial fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides. Instead, organic farming depends on ecological concepts like biodiversity and composting to generate a plentiful supply of wholesome food.

It’s important to note that “organic production” goes beyond merely avoiding synthetic inputs in favor of natural ones or avoiding traditional chemical inputs altogether. Crop rotations, the utilization of composted animal manures, and green manure crops are just a few of the ancient farming methods that organic farmers utilize in ways that are economically viable in today’s society. In organic production, the interplay of management methods is the main issue and the whole system’s health get stressed. Many different tactics should get applied by organic farmers to increase soil fertility and sustain biological diversity.

Conclusion

As we can see above, organic farming offers many more advantages than conventional farming. In order to produce nutrient-rich crops and pave the way for a sustainable form of agriculture, organic farming seeks to enhance the overall quality of the soil while also taking into account the well-being of the environment and other living things.

Farmers in India still need to get educated about the effects and drawbacks of conventional farming, and there is still a long way to go in the development of organic farming.

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India’s cotton output could fall to 14-year low: Cotton Association of India

Synopsis

Lower production will reduce exports from the world’s biggest producer in the current marketing year ending on Sept. 30 and support global prices. It could also lift domestic prices and weigh on margins of local textile companies. Production could fall to 30.3 million bales, down 3.2% from the previous estimate of 31.3 million bales, Cotton Association of India (CAI) said in a statement.

India’s cotton production in 2022/23 is set to fall to the lowest level in 14 years and below domestic consumption for the second straight year as yields dropped in producing states, a leading trade body said on Wednesday.

Lower production will reduce exports from the world’s biggest producer in the current marketing year ending on Sept. 30 and support global prices. It could also lift domestic prices and weigh on margins of local textile companies.

Production could fall to 30.3 million bales, down 3.2% from the previous estimate of 31.3 million bales,

Cotton Association of India (CAI) said in a statement.

Local consumption could also ease by 2.2% from year ago to 31.1 million bales, it said.

Lower production could bring down cotton stocks at the end of 2022/23 marketing year to 1.4 million bales, the lowest in more than three decades, the trade body said.

India’s cotton exports in the year are expected to slide sharply to 2.5 million bales from 4.3 million bales a year ago, it said.