Kisan Sabha – Page 31 – हर कदम हर डगर, आपका हमसफर

MoU signed between space and agriculture departments to develop Krishi Decision Support System

The agriculture ministry is developing Krishi-DSS, a decision support system, on the lines of Gati Shakti, using RISAT-1A and VEDAS of Department of Space

NEW DELHI : The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Department of Space signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the Krishi-Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS) using geospatial technologies and related databases for enhancing evidence-based decision making capability of all the stakeholders in the agriculture sector.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is developing Krishi-DSS, a decision support system, on the lines of Gati Shakti, using RISAT-1A and VEDAS of Department of Space. This will enhance the evidence-based decision-making capability of all the stakeholders in the agriculture sector by way of integration with MOSDAC and BHUVAN (Geo-platform) of ISRO and systems of ICAR.

Addressing the occasion, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that a new dimension is being added in the field of agriculture. “Revolution is being initiated in the agriculture sector through space science. The agreement between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Space will further enhance the strength of the agriculture sector. If this knowledge reaches the farmers, their production and productivity will increase. The quality of production will increase and export opportunities will also increase.”

Tomar added that the agriculture sector is very important in our country and in the whole world. “Along with livelihood, this sector is working to speed up the country’s economy and provide employment to a large population.”

He said that earlier the sector had suffered due to lack of knowledge and private investment. “The amount of change, knowledge and investment needed in this area has not happened. This is the reason why the agriculture sector has not progressed as much as it should.”

The minister added that in the year 2014, when the Prime Minister took over the work, he had a desire to take the country forward. “Work was done to connect it with new dimensions. Because of this, all the departments including the Department of Space changed their working methods, fixed targets and planned effective targets. Its effect is visible in the country today. Agriculture Department is also working on AgriStack. Work is being done to increase the income of the farmer and to save him from losses by forecasting.”

Tomar said that crop estimation, allotment to states, survey to declare an area dry, disaster assessment, – all these tasks will become easy after adopting technology. “This technology is very beneficial for the agriculture sector as well as the country. After the completion of AgriStack, there will be a revolutionary change in the field of agriculture. “

A technical workshop was also organized by ISRO as part of the event, wherein case studies and potential applications were demonstrated using RISAT-1A data for the benefit of the user community. RISAT-1A data is received, processed and disseminated by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad, through its Bhoonidhi Geoportal.

Earlier in the day, Tomar and Union Minister Jitendra Singh released the data products and services of RISAT-1A satellite for the user community.

Space satellites herald agritech revolution, will mark next breakthrough for Indian agri sector: Jitendra Singh

Singh said some of the unique operational applications which RISAT-1A offer include revolutionary radar images which is high-end, strategic technology mainly used for defence

Space satellites herald AgriTech revolution and AgriTech startups which will mark the next major breakthrough for India’s Agriculture sector after the green revolution of yesteryears, said Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the data products and services of RISAT-1A satellite for the user community, the minister said that satellite imaging, remote sensing from Department of Space, Genetic and Agri yield technologies from Department of Biotechnology, irradiation and preservation of shelf-life techniques from Department of Atomic Energy and food fortification research in CSIR labs will change the face of agriculture in India along with drones and geospatial data mapping.

Singh added that some of the unique operational applications which RISAT-1A offer include revolutionary radar images which is high-end, strategic technology mainly used for defence. “In this case it will be widely utilized for civilian use in agriculture sector. Data from RISAT-1A include Kharif crop sowing prospect, estimating crop damage severity levels, forest cover mapping and water body mapping etc.”

He said that under the Modi government’s Svamitva scheme, geospatial technology along with drones will survey all the over 6 lakh Indian villages and at the same time, pan-India 3D Maps will be prepared for 100 Indian cities. “The trinity of geospatial systems, drone policy and unlocked space sector will be a game-changer for Indian agriculture in both augmenting the farmers income and realizing the vision of the $5 trillion economy.”

The Minister also informed that in the recent past, all the seven different departments and ministries related to science, namely, Science & Technology, Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Earth Sciences, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Atomic Energy and Space held brainstorming sessions with each of the line ministries in tune with whole of government approach.

More than 22 crore soil health cards distributed to farmers: Tomar

the government was developing infrastructure under the Soil Health Management scheme. The scheme has a provision to set up different types of soil testing laboratories

NEW DELHI: More than 22 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers across the country in two phases, said Union minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday.

Addressing the inaugural session of the National Conference on Soil Health Management for Sustainable Farming, the minister said the government was developing infrastructure under the Soil Health Management scheme. “The scheme has a provision to set up different types of soil testing laboratories. So far, 499 permanent, 113 mobile, 8,811 mini and 2,395 village-level soil testing laboratories have been established.”

Tomar added that there was a time when the policies were production-oriented. “Due to chemical farming, agricultural yield increased. But now the situation has changed. With climate change, keeping soil health intact is a big challenge.”

He said that the lack of organic carbon in the soil is a serious concern. “To meet this serious challenge and for better soil health, we have to promote natural farming, which is beneficial for the environment.”

The minister added that the Centre was working with states to promote natural farming. “The government has re-adopted the Indian Natural Farming System for Agriculture. Natural farming system is an ancient technique used by farmers for farming and at that time people also knew how-to live-in harmony with the nature.”

Tomar said that states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have made many innovations to promote natural farming. “During the last year, an additional area of 4.78 lakh hectares has been brought under natural farming in 17 States. To promote natural farming, the central government has approved the National Mission on Natural Farming as a separate scheme with an expenditure of ₹1,584 crore.”

He added that under the Namami Gange programme, the project of natural farming is going on along the banks of the Ganges, while the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and all Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Central and State Agricultural Universities and Colleges are making all-round efforts to promote natural farming. “Prime Minister Modi is committed towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

Rabi expansion boosts hopes of bumper crop, but warm winter a concern

According to the latest data from the agriculture ministry, wheat has been sown in around 25.57 million hectares, compared with 20.39 million hectares in the same period last year.

NEW DELHI : The total area under wheat cultivation jumped 25% as on 10 November, compared to the same period last year, according to fresh data, raising hopes of a bountiful crop of the main winter staple that is currently in short supply.

Acreages of most rabi or winter-sown crops stand higher than last year, farm ministry data showed. However, a warmer-than-average winter so far remains a concern for farmers because wheat needs consistently cold temperatures of around 15-16 degrees Celsius during the initial stages, analysts said.

The India Meteorological Department last week released its winter weather forecast, predicting normal to above-normal temperatures for northwest Indian states, such as Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, the main wheat growers. According to the latest data from the agriculture ministry, wheat has been sown in around 25.57 million hectares, compared with 20.39 million hectares in the same period last year.

During the full course of the rabi or winter-sown season, wheat is sown on about 31 million hectares overall.

“Farmers anticipate a high demand for wheat and a bullish market next year. This is the main reason for a jump in wheat acreage. However, warm weather remains a concern,” said Rahul Chauhan, an analyst with IGrain India Pvt Ltd, a Delhi-based commodity trading firm.

A prolonged heat wave in March, coinciding with the harvesting period, crimped India’s wheat output by 3 million tonnes, resulting in a shortfall after many years.

As a result of the heat wave, the average all-India yield of wheat declined in 2021-22 to 3,507 kg/hectare from 3,521 kg/hectare in 2020-21.

Meanwhile, the area under mustard currently is 8.92% more than in the same period last year.

The acreage of gram is nearly 3% more, the data showed. The total area under pulses is also expanding at a robust pace, currently 2.8% more than last year, according to the data.

The total area sown under rabi crops has increased from 45.7 million hectares to 52.6 million hectares. This difference of 6.8 million hectares translates to 15% more acreage this year than a year earlier.

“The increase in area is across all crops, the maximum being in wheat. Out of 6.8 million hectares increase in all rabi crops, increase in wheat area is 5.1 million hectares,” an official said, requesting anonymity because he’s not authorized to speak to the media. After wheat, the next highest increase in area is in oilseeds, a scarce set of items India imports in large quantities. The area under oilseeds increased by 750,000 hectares. The area under coarse cereals, or millets, has seen a jump of 430,000 hectares.

Wheat sowing up 25 pc so far this rabi season at 255.76 lakh hectares; oilseeds acreage up 9 pc

Synopsis

Higher area has been reported from Uttar Pradesh (20.09 lakh hectares), Madhya Pradesh (13.48 lakh hectares), Rajasthan (5.32 lakh hectares), Gujarat (2.61 lakh hectares), Maharashtra (2.43 lakh hectares), Bihar (2.24 lakh hectares), Punjab (1.32 lakh hectares) and Haryana (1.28 lakh hectares).

Wheat acreage has increased by 25 per cent so far in the ongoing rabi season at 255.76 lakh hectares mainly on higher sowing area in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the government data showed. The area under coverage for wheat, which is the major crop in rabi (winter-sown) season, stood at 203.91 lakh hectares in the same period last year.

Sowing of rabi crops starts from October.

Higher area has been reported from Uttar Pradesh (20.09 lakh hectares), Madhya Pradesh (13.48 lakh hectares), Rajasthan (5.32 lakh hectares), Gujarat (2.61 lakh hectares), Maharashtra (2.43 lakh hectares), Bihar (2.24 lakh hectares), Punjab (1.32 lakh hectares) and Haryana (1.28 lakh hectares).

Increase in wheat sowing area augurs well for the country as the domestic production had fallen to 106.84 million tonnes in the 2021-22 crop year (July-June) from 106.84 million tonnes in the previous year.

In May this year, the government banned exports of wheat to boost domestic supplies and control prices. Wheat procurement by state-owned FCI fell to 187.92 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 marketing year from 434.44 lakh tonnes due to fall in domestic output and aggressive purchase by private parties.

According to data as on December 9, paddy acreage has increased to 11.86 lakh hectares so far from 10.42 lakh hectares.

Pulses have been sown in 127.07 lakh hectares so far as against 123.77 lakh hectare, with area under gram rising to 89.42 lakh hectares from 87.28 lakh hectares.

Area under coverage for coarse cereals has risen to 36.39 lakh hectares from 32.05 lakh hectares.

In non-foodgrain category, area under coverage for oilseeds has increased to 95.19 lakh hectares from 87.65 lakh hectares. Mustard, the main oilseeds crop in rabi season, rose to 87.95 lakh hectares from 80.78 lakh hectares.

India imports about 60 per cent of its edible oils requirement. Therefore, the increase in the mustard seeds acreage will boost domestic output of mustard oil.

Total sowing area under rabi crops has increased to 526.27 lakh hectares so far from 457.80 lakh hectares in the corresponding period of the last year.

Agriculture sector remains resilient; Rabi sowing got off to a strong start: RBI

Synopsis

India’s total kharif crop production is estimated to moderate to 149.92 metric million tonnes (MMT) from 156.04 MMT in the previous kharif crop year, as per the first advance estimate. On the supply side, Das said, “The agricultural sector remains resilient. Rabi sowing got off to a strong start. The area sown so far is 6.8 per cent higher than the normal sown area (as on December 2, 2022)”.

Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das on Wednesday said the agriculture sector remains resilient, and the rabi sowing has got off to a strong start. However, India is expecting some moderation in kharif production due to uneven rainfall.

India’s total kharif crop production is estimated to moderate to 149.92 metric million tonnes (MMT) from 156.04 MMT in the previous kharif crop year, as per the first advance estimate.

On the supply side, Das said, “The agricultural sector remains resilient. Rabi sowing got off to a strong start. The area sown so far is 6.8 per cent higher than the normal sown area (as on December 2, 2022)”.

Area sown to wheat has increased by 5.36 percent year-on-year to 2.1162 lakh hectares in the first two months of the ongoing rabi(winter) season, with higher coverage being reported in rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, according to the agriculture ministry data released on Friday.

The sowing of wheat, the main rabi crop, begins in October and harvesting in March-April. Besides wheat, rice and pulses, such as gram, and as well as oliseeds like groundnut and mustard are grown in this season.

On the Indian economy, Das said the outlook is supported by good progress of rabi sowing, sustained urban demand, improving rural demand, a pick-up in manufacturing, a rebound in services and robust credit expansion.

Consumer price inflation moderated to 6.8 per cent (year-on-year) in October as expected but it still remains above the upper tolerance band of the target, he said, adding core inflation is exhibiting stickiness.

“While headline inflation may ease through the rest of the year and Q1:2023-24, it is expected to rule above the target. The medium-term inflation outlook is exposed to heightened uncertainties from geopolitical tensions, financial market volatility and the rising incidence of weather-related disruptions,” he noted.

Going ahead, he said, investment activity will get support from the government capex.

“A pick-up in the share of fixed assets in total assets of manufacturing companies was visible in H1. According to our surveys, consumer confidence has improved further. Manufacturing and infrastructure sector firms are optimistic about the business outlook. Services sector firms also expect activity to expand,” Das added.

In an interconnected world, he said, “we cannot remain entirely decoupled from adverse spillovers from the global slowdown and its negative impact on our net exports and overall economic connectivity.

The biggest risks to the outlook continue to be the headwinds emanating from protracted geopolitical tensions, global slowdown and tightening of global financial conditions, he said.

“Taking all these factors into consideration, real GDP growth for 2022-23 is projected at 6.8 per cent, with Q3 at 4.4 per cent and Q4 at 4.2 per cent. The risks are evenly balanced. Real GDP growth is projected at 7.1 per cent for Q1:2023-24 and at 5.9 per cent for Q2. Even after this revision in our growing major economies in the world,” the governor said.

India will steer celebration of International Millet Year 2023, says Prime Minister Modi

Synopsis

The Prime Minister’s message was conveyed at the opening ceremony for the International Year of Millets (IYM) – 2023 organised by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome, Italy, according to an official statement.

India will steer the celebration of International Millet Year 2023 and organise campaigns to promote the cultivation and consumption of nutri-cereals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. The Prime Minister’s message was conveyed at the opening ceremony for the International Year of Millets (IYM) – 2023 organised by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome, Italy, according to an official statement.

An Indian delegation led by Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for Agriculture, was present at the opening ceremony.

During the event, India’s ceremonial message by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conveyed by Shobha Karandlaje.

According to the statement, Modi said: “India will steer the IYM 2023 celebrations worldwide and organise campaigns to promote the cultivation and consumption of millets.”

Karandlaje conveyed the prime minister’s compliments to the UN for declaring the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

PM, through his message, thanked the global community for supporting India’s proposal to mark the International Year of Millets.

“It was mentioned that millets are good for the consumer, cultivator and climate. Millets are nutritious and can be cultivated in semi-arid zones besides consuming less water for irrigation,” the statement said.

Karandlaje, in her speech, said nations need to collaborate to develop a sustainable future, and millets will play a pivotal role in the process.

She said the IYM2023 will lead India towards food and nutritional security.

Millets are considered ‘Smart Food’ as they are easy to cultivate, mostly organic and contains high nutritional value, she said.

The IYM 2023 celebration is an opportunity for India to promote nutri-cereal millets globally and place them in the world’s ‘food map’, she added.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General, FAO, Qu Dongyu said the IYM 2023 will provide us with a unique opportunity to give visibility to crops that have great potential to strengthen global nutrition, food security, decent jobs and economies, while accelerating climate action.

In his message on the occasion, the Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar said the IYM 2023 will provide an opportunity to increase global production, efficient processing and better use of crop rotation and promotion of millets as a major component of the food basket.

Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary attended the virtual opening ceremony event.

To mark the significance of the day in India, several initiatives have been taken by the Department of Agriculture. These include an extensive social media campaign on the importance of millets in Indian context, showcasing the government’s collective effort for sustaining the momentum, citizen engagement drives involving all other ministries and several other outreach activities to celebrate IYM.

Spearheaded by the prime minister, the government of India sponsored the proposal for International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The declaration has been instrumental for the government of India to be at the forefront in celebrating the IYM.

Modi has also shared his vision to make IYM 2023 a ‘People’s Movement’ alongside positioning India as the ‘Global Hub for Millets’, the statement said.

Natural farming to be included in agricultural curriculum, says minister Narendra Singh Tomar

Synopsis

The union minister informed that 100 per cent natural farming is being done in Dang district of Gujarat. In Himachal too, farmers are fast moving in this direction. Madhya Pradesh has planned it in 5,000 villages.

New Delhi: The government will include natural farming in the curriculum of agri education, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Saturday. Tomar was speaking at the National Workshop on Natural Farming in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, according to an official statement.

Tomar noted that natural farming is the need of the hour, in which the cost is less and the produce fetches more price.

Natural farming will now be part of the agricultural education, he said.

The government is making efforts to include soon the natural farming methods in agricultural education curriculum, the minister added.

Tomar recalled the period when there was a shortage of food grains compared to India’s population.

He said chemical fertilisers were used to increase foodgrains production and meet domestic demand.

“…today we grow food grains in surplus,” he added.

Tomar said the need is to follow the principles of healthy mind, healthy food, healthy agriculture and healthy human being.

For this, he said one should move towards natural farming. He said the natural farming is the farming of perfection.

“Livestock has an important contribution in this. The dung and cow urine of a native cow is sufficient for a common farmer to work in natural farming.

“If the country adopts natural farming, then cows will not be seen on the roads, but they will be used properly,” Tomar observed.

The union minister informed that 100 per cent natural farming is being done in Dang district of Gujarat. In Himachal too, farmers are fast moving in this direction. Madhya Pradesh has planned it in 5,000 villages.

Tomar said that agriculture has an important place in our country.

He pointed out that the fertility of the soil is weakening due to chemical farming.

Friendly bacteria are being killed.

“It is our responsibility to save the country from the crisis that it is going to face after 25 years,” he said.

Therefore, Tomar said the Prime Minister has re-launched the natural farming method and it is being given the form of a mass movement.

The Union Minister said the Centre is making efforts to increase the income of the farmers.

The MSP has been increased, while crores of farmers are being given Rs 6,000 every year through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).

So far, more than Rs 2.16 lakh crore has been deposited directly into the bank accounts of the farmers. Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Rs 1.24 lakh crore has been given to the farmers in lieu of crop loss.

Farmers paid Rs 1.25 lakh crore as claims till Oct 31: Government

Synopsis

“In the last 6 years, Rs 25,186 crore have been paid by farmers as the premium, wherein Rs 1,25,662 crore have been paid to the farmers against their claims as on October 31, 2022 with Central and state governments bearing most of the premium under the scheme,” an official statement said, while clarifying on reports that a paltry sum of insurance claims being paid to the farmers in certain districts of Maharashtra.

Farmers have been paid claims worth Rs 1,25,662 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana since its inception in 2016, the government said on Thursday. Crop insurance premium totalling Rs 25,186 crore have been paid by the farmers under the scheme till October 31, 2022.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), the agriculture ministry said, the government is committed to provide comprehensive insurance coverage against crop loss on account of non-preventable natural risks.

“In the last 6 years, Rs 25,186 crore have been paid by farmers as the premium, wherein Rs 1,25,662 crore have been paid to the farmers against their claims as on October 31, 2022 with Central and state governments bearing most of the premium under the scheme,” an official statement said, while clarifying on reports that a paltry sum of insurance claims being paid to the farmers in certain districts of Maharashtra.

The PMFBY is the third largest crop insurance scheme in the world and tipped to become number one in coming years as around 5 crore farmer applications are being received under the scheme every year, it added.

“The acceptability of the scheme has increased amongst the farmers in the last 6 years, with share of non-loanee farmers, marginalised farmers and small farmers increasing by 282 per cent since the initiation of the scheme in 2016,” the ministry said.

The scheme is being implemented on actuarial/ bidded premium rates, however, farmers, including small farmers have to pay maximum 2 per cent for Kharif, 1.5 per cent for Rabi food and oilseed crops, and 5 per cent for commercial/horticultural crops, respectively.

Premium over and above these limits is shared by the Central and state governments on 50:50 basis except in North Eastern region, where it is 90:10 from Kharif 2020.

The scheme operates on the insurance principles therefore the extent of area insured, extent of damage occurred, sum insured are the important determinants in arriving at the claim amount.

The ministry said that digitisation and technology are playing a significant role in scaling up the reach and operations of PMFBY with precision agriculture.

Recently introduced Weather Information and Network Data Systems (WINDS), Yield Estimation System based on Technology (YES-Tech), Collection of Real Time Observations and Photographs of Crops (CROPIC) are some of the key steps taken under the scheme to bring in more efficiency and transparency.

To address farmer grievances in real time, an integrated helpline system is currently under beta testing in Chhattisgarh, the statement said. PTI MJH SHW SHW.

India eyes bumper wheat harvest in 2023 as record prices lead to more sowing

Synopsis

India, also the world’s second-biggest consumer of wheat, banned exports of the staple after a sharp, sudden rise in temperatures clipped output even as exports picked up to meet the global shortfall triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. India grows only one wheat crop in a year, with planting in October and November, and harvests from March.

India is expected to harvest a bumper wheat crop in 2023 as high domestic prices and replenished soil moisture help farmers surpass last year’s planting, while an intense heat-wave cut output this year.

Higher wheat output could encourage India, the world’s second biggest producer of the grain, to consider lifting a May ban on exports of the staple and help ease concerns over persistently high retail inflation.

Although the wheat area has almost reached a plateau in India’s traditional grain belts in the northern states such as Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, growers are planting the crop on some fallow land in the country’s west where farmers have traditionally grown pulse and oilseeds.

“Wheat prices are very attractive,” Nitin Gupta, vice president at Olam Agro India, told Reuters. “We can see a big jump in states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, where farmers could bring barren land under wheat.”

Domestic wheat prices have jumped 33% so far in 2022 to a record 29,000 rupees ($355.19) per tonne, far above the government-fixed buying price of 21,250 rupees.

The surge in wheat prices is despite the ban on exports of the grain, indicating a far bigger drop in this year’s output.

India, also the world’s second biggest consumer of wheat, banned exports of the staple after a sharp, sudden rise in temperatures clipped output even as exports picked up to meet the global shortfall triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

India grows only one wheat crop in a year, with planting in October and November, and harvests from March.

Farmers have planted wheat on 15.3 million hectares since Oct. 1, when the current sowing season began, up nearly 11% from a year earlier, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.

In Punjab and Haryana, India’s bread basket states, a lot of farmers decided to bring forward their planting, believing the early-sown varieties would be ready for harvests before temperatures tend to go up in late March and early April, said Ramandeep Singh Mann, a farmer.

Higher temperatures shrivel the wheat crop.

“In Punjab, farmers have already planted wheat on 2.9 to 3.0 million hectares of its normal area of around 3.5 million hectares,” Mann said.

To cash in on higher prices, farmers are also opting for superior wheat varieties such as Lokwan and Sharbati, the premium grades that fetch higher returns.

“Wheat area has gone up, but the crop will require lower temperatures in the weeks to come, and then the weather needs to remain favourable in March and April when the crop ripens,” said Rajesh Paharia Jain, a New Delhi-based trader.