Wheat sowing picked up pace during the week ended December 22, crossing the normal acreage for the first time this season, according to data shared by the agriculture ministry on Friday.The crop had been planted in around 30.86 million hectares, which was around 575,000 hectares less than the area covered during the same period last year.
Normally, wheat is sown in around 30.73 million hectares. Normal area is the average area under a crop in the last five years.With wheat sowing in full swing, though in its last leg, the acreage of this key crop is expected to push up further in the coming weeks, officials said.In Madhya Pradesh, the wheat acreage is slightly lower than last year as on December 22, but it is way over the normal acreage. The drop could be due to reporting delays.A good wheat crop will help the government rein in cereal inflation in the coming months, provided the weather remains favourable till harvest time.The data also showed that among other crops, sowing of gram continued to drag in the major growing states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Karnataka, while in Madhya Pradesh, the area covered is more than last year.The drop in acreage in Maharashtra could be due to insufficient rains and dry weather. In oilseeds, sowing of mustard is over , and the acreage is almost 2 per cent more than last year at 9.52 million hectares.Overall, rabi crops have been planted in around 60.68 million hectares till December 22, which is 2.76 per cent less than the area covered during the same period last year.Meanwhile, the water levels in reservoirs continued to remain lower than last year and also the 10-year average levels during the week ended December 21 due to low rains. This could impact irrigation in some parts.In a related development, the government has decided to allow import of edible oils and masur at nil duty till March 2025 to check rising prices.Farmers’ convention on MSP in JanFarmer groups under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), in a two-day meeting of its coordination committee, has decided to convene an all-India convention in Punjab in January to press for legalising of minimum support price (MSP) for all crops and its procurement and freeing farmers from the debt trap.
Kolkata: Electronics technology and AI tools can function as a facilitating mechanism to the agriculture sector in the country, from harvesting to sorting technology, and help reduce the farmer’s cost and enhance their incomes, Secretary in the Union Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) S Krishnan said in
“There is harvesting, post-harvesting technology and sorting-Electronics and ICT. These are productive enhancing technologies. We also talk about value-added agriculture in fruits and vegetables which means you can apply technology more effectively and control those factors in GreenHouse through sensors,” Krishnan said. MeitY is running a project on how to pluck apples in Kashmir.
“Around 20% of India’s GDP is generated from agriculture while 50-60% population is engaged in agri sector,” he said.
Krishnan emphasized on the transformative potential of technology in the agricultural sector and highlighted the importance of employing technology in an ethical and inclusive manner for the advancement of society.
He noted that the technological solutions developed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) have yielded lasting improvements in agricultural productivity in the country.
C-DAC-Kolkata, in collaboration with the University of Calcutta, kicked off a two-day conference ‘International Conference on Systems and Technologies for Smart Agriculture (ICSTA 2023)’ on Tuesday. The conference focuses on transformative advancements in the field of agriculture.
Centre Head & senior Director of C-DAC Kolkata Aditya Kumar Sinha said, “ICSTA 2023 is a pivotal event that bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and sustainable agricultural practices. By bringing .together experts, scientists, and industry leaders, we aim to foster a collaborative environment to help innovation in the agriculture sector for sustainable development.”
ICSTA 2023 functions as a platform for the scientific community and industry to deliberate on agricultural practices that preserve earth’s natural resources, elevate crop quality, protect the environment, and mitigate health hazards for farmers through the integration of electronics and ICT technologies.
The conference, organized by MeitY, highlights research and applications, showcasing emerging technologies and information management for the betterment of the agricultural sector.
Special focus of the conference was Vision-guided AI-enabled Robotic Apple Harvester, IoT Solution for Poultry Farm Practice, Electronics Platform to Monitor Cattle Health and Milk Quality, AI-based Air Quality Monitoring System (AQ-AIMS) for Mine and Cement Industries, and e-Quality – Electronic Quality Assessment Solution for Agricultural Commodities for eNAM.
The conference was inaugurated by S. Krishnan and distinguished guests Vice Chancellor of Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Dean- Faculty of Engineering and Technology(University of Calcutta) Debatosh Guha, among others, attended the conference. The General Chair of the conference was Alokesh Ghosh, Associate Director of C-DAC, Kolkata and Amlan Chakraborty, Director A.K. Choudhury School of IT-University of Calcutta.
The event was participated by John K. Schuller from University of Florida, Professor Ganesh Bora from Fayetteville State University, Phillip Bradford from University of Connecticut USA, among others.
Farming technological improvements have enabled farmers to produce more nutritious and abundant crops than ever before. This not only saves money on unused product, but it also helps to preserve the freshness and quality of your items. Take a look at these 11 commercial farming technologies.
Agriculture Technologies of the Future
Ag tech is an abbreviation for agricultural technology. This is where technical advances meet traditional agricultural methods to increase crop planting, monitoring, and growth.
These characteristics, in course, boost crop profitability due to greater productivity. While agriculture technology is a relatively new industry, it has made its mark and is undoubtedly here to stay.
Here are ten agricultural technologies to be aware of when engaging in commercial farming.
Robotic Technology
While using robots may not be an ideal practise for every farmer, they are unquestionably useful in a variety of situations. Ag tech businesses, for example, have developed robotic equipment to plough fields, plant seeds, and even help in meat processing. Furthermore, using robots is less expensive than hiring human labour, and they work more consistently. The cost of acquiring these technologies will fall over time. As a result, even tiny farms will be able to use them.
Pneumatic Spray Nozzle
Farmers lose millions of dollars each year as a result of crop failures caused by unmanaged diseases and pests. Researchers are continually experimenting with novel methods to combat the challenges that endanger commercial crops. Pioneer Ag Equipment designed pneumatically pressurised air sheer nozzles to combat a disease that was destroying orange trees in Florida. The pneumatic nozzles are utilised on their low volume air blast sprayer, which Kennco Manufacturing built for them. All types of growers with orchards and vineyards have used the sprayer to prevent or reduce the impact of diseases and pests on their crops.
Crop Monitoring Drones
Drones are utilised in agriculture for several reasons. Drones are being used to monitor crops. Because most commercial farms are large, farmers find it difficult to walk up to each crop to see how they’re doing. This work also include inspecting the soil’s condition, preparing seed planting patterns, and watering the crops during droughts. Drones provide farmers a bird’s-eye view of their crops while also employing 3D photography to assess the aforementioned parameters.
Farming Equipment Sensors
Sensors are being built into tractors and other agricultural equipment. Some of the sensors’ purpose is to track and report the machine’s health so you know when it needs to be serviced. Some sensors also use GPS for mapping, harvesting, and compensating for uneven terrain.
Processing AI Data
As technology advances, we are able to process more data than ever before. Sometimes there is more info than a single person can ever really comprehend. As a result, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are used to simplify things. This technology can assist agricultural enterprises in predicting low harvests and perhaps locating disease outbreaks. This type of data allows for operational improvements.
RFID Readers
RFID sensors, unlike the other ag gadgets on this list, are employed after the crops have been harvested. They follow the food from the farm to the store. Allowing the buyer to know exactly where their goods comes from. This technology is intended to assist clients in determining the dependability of various producers when it comes to providing them with fresh food. While it won’t stop bacterial outbreaks like the recent E. Coli outbreak in lettuce, it will make it much easier to pinpoint the source of the outbreak, whether it’s a farm or a factory. This reduces the spread of fear during an outbreak and allows it to be halted in its tracks.
Indeed, investment in modern agricultural technology has increased at a rate of more than 40% to 50%. Agro-technology and advances provide farmers improved control over crop quality control, pest management, and even the optimisation of their present practises to generate more money with the same amount of land.
These new agro-technologies have the potential to significantly increase productivity and land stewardship. Furthermore, new technologies will allow farmers to make informed decisions about new investments.
The Union government has reduced the cost of wheat supplied to cooperative agencies such as Nafed, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar to ₹1,715/quintal from ₹2,150 by agreeing to bear a subsidy of ₹435/quintal. However, there is no order yet on whether maximum retail price (MRP) of “Bharat atta”, processed from the wheat supplied by Food Corporation of India (FCI), will also see a reduction from current ₹27.50/kg, implying it is unlikely.
In an order issued by Food Ministry to FCI, it has been mentioned that the Committee of Ministers (COM), headed by Home Minister Amit Shah has approved a subsidy of ₹435/quintal on the reserve price of wheat of ₹2,150 allocated for Bharat Atta to make the effective issue price of wheat by FCI to central agencies at ₹1,715. “Necessary resources to cover the differential amount may be provided to FCI from the Price Stabilisation Fund,” the order said.
FCI is requested to take necessary action for sale of wheat to central agencies for Bharat Atta at the Issue Price of ₹1,715/quintal, the Ministry said.
Cost recovery issues
Sources said the agencies had sought the margin for conversion from wheat to atta be raised as they were not able to recover the cost at ₹6/kg while bringing the grain from FCI depot and to take it till the consumers at same price across the country. Since the government could not raise the MRP of Bharat atta, which was recently reduced to ₹27.50/kg from ₹29.50, the only option was to make wheat available at cheaper rate, the sources said.
The cooperatives — Nafed, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar — were last week directed to ensure total sales of 1.5 lakh tonnes of atta per month. These agencies have hitherto lifted 86,084 tonnes of wheat, with approximately 54,000 tonnes subsequently sold as atta.
In order to increase the availability of wheat and rice in the open market, FCI has been offloading the grains in the market through weekly e-auction since June 28.
The Spices Board has come out against firms or entities conducting cardamom auctions without obtaining a license, saying that it is illegal and any violation in this regard should be dealt with seriously.
The Director (Marketing) of Spices Board, in a statement, said cardamom auction has been carried out through e-auction centres at Puttady in Idukki and Bodinayakanur in Tamil Nadu established by the Board as well as manual auctions in other states. The Board issued a license to the auctioneers to conduct cardamom auctions.
The board told stakeholders in the cardamom industry that no person will carry on business as an auctioneer or a dealer of cardamom without a license issued under the provisions of the Cardamom (Licensing and Marketing) Rules 1987 and amendments of the Spices Board Act 1986, and such order instructions issued from time to time by the Board for the development of the cardamom industry.
The Spices Board directive comes in the wake of running parallel auctions by some four to five firms without any license in Bodinayakanur, Kombai in Tamil Nadu, Kumili, and Kuzhitholu near Vandanmedu in Idukki which is impacting participation of stakeholders in authorized auction centres. Such illegal auctions have also affected farmers and dealers and are hitting price realization of the commodity, an official working with a licensed auctioneer said.
These companies started parallel auctions around two years back, forcing some individual farmers to approach the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court against the Spices Board for a legal remedy. The Central Government has also given an undertaking that necessary steps would be taken to stop the parallel auctions, the official said.
Meanwhile, cardamom prices have started moving up reaching ₹1,750 per kg mainly because of rising export and domestic demand. The ensuing Ramadan in April next year has facilitated many buyers in the Gulf countries to procure more cardamom which has given a boost to the sector, the official added.
Fundamentally, remote sensing involves inspecting terrain from a considerable distance using advanced instruments. It evaluates the physical characteristics of a plot of land, creating a picture that enables professionals to examine specific portions by estimating the radiation emitted and reflected by it.
Remote sensing is the process of learning information about an object or phenomenon without actually touching it. It is a phenomenon that has various applications, including photography, surveying, geology, forestry, and many more. However, remote sensing has been widely used in agriculture. There has recently been a surge in the usage of cutting-edge technologies in farming.
Modern agricultural operations are considerably more efficient, logical, and simplified as compared to traditional agrarian ones. Using cutting-edge technology in all aspects of cultivation, such as crop yield estimation, can result in a larger harvest and ideal production.
Farmers must take the best care of their crops possible to ensure a higher harvest. Customary systems limited monitoring over larger areas since farmers had to physically visit every piece of the field. The most recent technology has offered farmers with a number of strategies for controlling crop quality across bigger areas without much of a stretch screen.
What role does remote sensing play in agriculture?
Remote sensing photos allow for the identification of nutritional deficiencies, illnesses, water shortages or surpluses, weed infestations, insect damage, hail damage, wind damage, herbicide damage, and plant populations.
Farmers can utilize remote sensing data as a base map when spraying fertilizers and insecticides at different rates. By using information from remotely sensed images, farmers can treat only the affected parts of a field, recognizing problems remotely before they become visible.
Ranchers use remote sensing to locate good grazing pastures, overgrazed areas, or plant infestations. Using remote sensing data, lending institutions compare archive pictures to those of surrounding fields to evaluate the relative costs of land.
Remote sensing has numerous applications in agriculture. The following is a list of these applications.
There are numerous advantages to using remote sensing for agricultural research. The examination of crop canopies in agriculture has provided vital insight into agronomic aspects. Remote sensing is critical in crop classification, crop monitoring, and yield evaluation. Remote sensing is necessary in the realm of agronomical research due to their great sensitivity to variations in soil, climate, and other physicochemical changes.
Crop production forecasting: Researchers use it to predict crop yield and production across a specific area, as well as to forecast the amount of crops that will be grown on specific farmland over a given time span.
2 Crop damage and crop development: If there is crop damage or crop development, this technology can penetrate the field and precisely determine the extent of damage to a given crop, as well as the development of the remaining crop on the farm.
3. Horticulture, Cropping Systems Analysis: Remote sensing technology has also aided cropping systems analysis in agriculture and horticulture. This technique has primarily found application in the horticultural sector, where it enables the evaluation of flower growth patterns and the making of forecasts.
4. Crop identification: Remote sensing has also proven useful in identifying crops, especially when the crop under observation is ambiguous or exhibits other puzzling characteristics. Researchers in the laboratory analyze various agricultural aspects, including crop culture, using data collected from the crop.
5. Estimating the amount of field planted with crops: Remote sensing has also played an important role in this process. Reviewing vast expanses of locations can be a time-consuming operation when done manually.
6. Crop condition evaluation and stress detection: Remote sensing technology is essential for identifying the health of each crop as well as how well it has resisted stress. This data is then used to determine the crop’s quality.
7. Planting and harvesting dates: Because remote sensing technology is predictive, farmers may now examine a variety of data, such as weather patterns and soil types, to estimate the planting and harvesting seasons of each crop.
8. Crop yield modelling and estimation: By evaluating crop quality and farmland area, remote sensing allows farmers and specialists to forecast crop output from specific farms. This is then used to estimate the crop’s overall yield.
9. Estimating soil moisture: Measuring soil moisture without remote sensing equipment can be difficult. Remote sensing assess the level of soil moisture, which also helps in determining the sort of crop that may be grown there.
10. Irrigation monitoring and management: Remote sensing offers data on soil moisture. This information helps in planning the soil’s irrigation requirements and determining if the soil is moisture deficient or not.
Finally, the remote sensing concept and its application in agriculture have produced substantial advances in our understanding of climatic changes by quantifying the temporal states of the oceans, land, and atmosphere. Although there were other devices, they were not as accurate in detecting meteorological and climatic changes as this one was. The weather has a tremendous impact on farming and agriculture, influencing production outcomes. As a result, this method has shown to be an effective tool for producing accurate climate change predictions.
Amid widespread criticism over the abrupt and sudden order to stop using sugarcane juice for ethanol, the food ministry has announced that oil marketing companies would allocate the quantity of ethanol they intend to purchase from each distillery mentioning how much the biofuel is to be made from which feedstock. However, there is no mention of lifting the ban in the fresh order.
In a communication to all sugar mills and distilleries late at night on December 16, the food ministry said that “in continuation” to the earlier Order of December 7 that banned cane juice/syrup for ethanol, instructions have been issued to oil marketing companies (OMCs) under clause 4 and clause 5 of the Sugar (Control) Order 1966.
Accordingly, “OMCs will issue a revised allocation of Sugarcane Juice (SCJ) and B Heavy Molasses (BHM) based ethanol for ethanol supply year (ESY) 2023-24 (November-October), to each distillery, and inform the food ministry after placement of revised contracts,” the letter said.
Further, on receipt of such communication from OMCs for the revised quantity of SCJ- and BHM-based ethanol, all sugar mills and distilleries will supply ethanol strictly as per the revised quantity of SCJ & BHM ethanol and no diversion of sugarcane juice and B Heavy molasses is allowed for the production of Rectified Spirit (RS)/Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA), the ministry said.
Also, the ministry has asked all molasses-based distilleries to endeavour and make ethanol from C Heavy molasses.
Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra, who has been quoted by PTI, has clarified that the latest order gives flexibility to use both cane juice and B heavy molasses within the overall cap on diversion of sucrose up to 17 lakh tonnes (lt) in the current ESY. The decision is said to have arrived on Friday at the meeting of the committee of ministers, headed by Home Minister Amit Shah.
As much as six lt of sucrose has been diverted for making ethanol from cane juice before the ban, sources said.
Onion prices in India may fall to less than Rs 40 per kilogram as early as January, consumer affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said according to the Press Trust of India.
He also said prices would not exceed Rs 60 per kg until then.
Somebody said it will touch Rs 100 per kg, we said it will never cross Rs 60 per kg. So, all India average is now Rs 57.02 per kg this morning and it will not cross Rs 60 per kg,” PTI quoted Singh as saying on Monday (December 11).
Last week, the Union government banned onion exports until March, citing the need to make the vegetable available to Indian consumers at affordable prices.
“The government took the decision taking into account delay in kharif arrival, the quantity of onion exported and [the] global situation such as trade and non-trade restrictions imposed by major suppliers such as Turkey, Egypt and Iran,” the Union food ministry said.
The average retail price of onions in India was Rs 57.1 per kg earlier this month, almost double the average price in the same month last year (Rs 28.9 per kg), Bloomberg reported citing Union government data.
Prices were reportedly as high as Rs 80 per kg in Delhi.
Onion inflation has remained in the double-digits since July and rose to a near four-year-high of 42.1% in October, PTI’s report said.
A press release by the food ministry on Monday said that cooperative bodies under the ministry had been directed to procure seven lakh tonnes of onions from farmers for the government’s buffer stock.
It added that the government was “continuously” selling onions from its buffer stock to keep prices in check.
“Till date, about 5.10 lakh tonnes had been procured, and procurement of remaining quantity is ongoing. Onions [procured] by the government are continuously disposed in high price markets through open market sales and direct retail sales to consumers,” the ministry said.
Farmers in Maharashtra, which reportedly produces the most onions of any state in India, have protested the government’s decision to ban exports.
Consumer affairs secretary Singh reportedly said the protests were “sponsored by traders”.
“The traders take advantage of the situation in this little period. It is not just demand and supply, it is also manipulation by traders,” he said.
“Not all traders are bad, but some are taking advantage of this situation. It is not hoarding, it is speculation – spreading news of shortage. There is no instance of deliberate hoarding,” Singh was quoted as saying.
India had introduced a minimum export price of $800 per tonne on onion exports on October 28. The extension of the curbs on onion export in the form of a total ban has come three weeks ahead of the expiry of the earlier deadline.
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in parliament on Monday that retail inflation had become “stable” and was within the Reserve Bank of India’s tolerance limit.
Her remarks came a week after experts had raised concerns about rising food and retail inflation in the country.
A farmer in West Bengal’s Malda district, which is known for its mangoes, has set a record this year by growing oranges.Dipak Rajbanshi has grown around 1.5 quintal of orange in his garden.
He claimed that the oranges that he grew were tastier than the ones grown in Maharashtra’s Nagpur.He said these oranges are smaller than the Darjeeling variety, and he is still researching whether bigger oranges can be grown on Malda’s soil, and only then, he will make efforts for commercial production.”I have sold some of the oranges to fruit sellers at Rs 30-35 per kg,” said Rajbanshi, a resident of Goalpara in Old Malda.
He said he bought around 10 orange plants from a nursery in Nadia district’s Ranaghat four years back.”One of the plants died, but the others grew. The height of the plants at present is around 7 feet. This year, first the flowers started appearing on the trees, and then came the fruits. The oranges began to ripen around mid-November. About 20-25 kg of oranges have grown in each of the trees,” he said.Assistant Director of Agriculture Somojit Majumdar said it is a great initiative.”We will do everything possible to support the farmer,” he said.Malda Mango Merchant’s Association president Ujjwal Saha said, “It’s really nice to see some new fruit growing in the district. We will appeal to the district Horticultural Department to extend all kinds of support to him.
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The global organic market is experiencing a remarkable surge. This is driven by increasing consumer awareness and growing demand for healthier and sustainable food options. In India as well the organic food sector is witnessing a significant shift in preferences. Consumers are seeking products that align with principles of sustainability, mindfulness and environmental consciousness.
The ready-to-eat (RTE) sector is witnessing a surge in demand for food that is convenient, organic, and nutritious. India holds a special place among the 187 nations that practice organic agriculture, With 9.12 million acres, India is home to 30 per cent of all organic producers globally. With the increase in demand for organic produce, there is a need for a robust system to validate and guarantee the authenticity of organic products. This is where certifications come in. Certifications ensure transparency and authenticity.
India’s organic market has witnessed growth especially post-pandemic. Consumers, primarily in the urban landscape have become more health-conscious and environmentally aware. Despite the promising trajectory, the Indian organic market faces challenges. There is a considerable gap in awareness and understanding of organic farming practices among consumers. Additionally, con-cerns about the authenticity of organic products persist. Certifications help in overcoming these
Trust building – Certification plays a pivotal role in the organic market. They act as a quality assurance mechanism for consumers and a market differentiator for producers. It serves as a guarantee that agricultural products meet stringent organic standards, assuring consumers of adherence to environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. Certification fosters trust in the organic label, empowering consumers to make informed choices.
Awareness
Several certifications contribute to the credibility of organic products in India. The India Organic certification, USDA Organic, and Jaivik Bharat are among the prominent standards. In a survey conducted by Rakuten Insight about the awareness among Indian consumers regarding various certifications of organic food products in September 2023, India Organic was the certification that most respondents were aware of, accounting for 74 per cent followed by the EU Certified Organic food label accounting for approximately 30 per cent of the respondents.
Lucrative opportunities – For producers, organic certification opens access to a lucrative market, as consumers increasingly prioritize health and sustainability. In the financial year 2020, the organic packaged food market size was about 11 billion Indian rupees in India. It is projected to increase to 30 billion Indian rupees in the fiscal year 2030. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for certified organic products and that is a key driver of market growth. The certifications not only cater to the domestic market but also enhance export opportunities for organic produce.
• Standardisation – The global comparison of certification standards is crucial for the harmonisation of organic trade. Collaboration between certification bodies worldwide and the recognition of certifications on the global stage contribute to establishing a consistent framework. Ultimately, certification not only ensures the integrity of organic products but also plays a vital role in shaping consumer perceptions and driving the growth of the organic market.
Challenges in the ecosystem
While the certifications stand as a hallmark for organic produce, it is important to also note that the certification ecosystem faces some challenges.
1. Certifications may be difficult for small scale producers: the rigorous upkeep of certifications poses challenges, particularly for small community farmers. For many, the adminis-trative burdens and costs involved make it a formidable endeavour.
2. Organic is no necessarily healthy: It’s crucial for consumers to recognise that the ‘organic’ label doesn’t automatically translate to ‘healthy.’ Despite the genuine efforts of most organic producers, the commercial value of the term often attracts individuals seeking financial gain rather than sustainable practices. Loopholes in certification may allow for the inclusion of additives that compromise the integrity of organic products. A certified organic label, unfortunately, doesn’t guarantee a completely organic or wholesome product. For instance, mayonnaise has oil and egg as the main ingredients. While both can be organic but mayonnaise is not necessarily healthy. Therefore, it is important for consumers to ensure mindful eating.
ertifications need additional support: In India, the certification process requires addi-tional support to align with the ethos of organic farming, urging a collective effort to refine the system. Organic certification, though a regulated process, faces scrutiny regarding its ability to reflect the overall health of the land. While it ensures the absence of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, it doesn’t inherently convey improvements in land health. The debate over the ade-quacy of organic designations prompts contemplation on the broader vision of organic farming, transcending mere certifications to uphold the well-being of animals, plants, and humans.
Certifications are important because they foster trust among consumers, and ensure transparency, paving the way for a positive impact on the sector’s growth. However, the potential pitfalls and the need for continued improvement need to be addressed to ensure unparalleled growth of the sector in India.
