Page 11 - Agriculture Sector
M&M: Rural demand, normal monsoons and higher MSP to support volumes
Capital allocation, urban volumes, new regime key factors to be seen
 "M&M: Rural demand, normal monsoons and higher MSP to support volumes")
India Inc waits for dust to settle before firming up farm strategies
The final of a two-part series looks at why investment is unlikely to be forthcoming until industry sees the new ground reality
 "India Inc waits for dust to settle before firming up farm strategies")
Monsoon rains spread over a third of India, says weather office
The rains are critical for farming, which makes up about 15% of Asia's third-biggest economy at a size of nearly $2 trillion, since about 55% of arable land in the south Asian nation is rain fed.
 "Monsoon rains spread over a third of India, says weather office")
States fear losing revenue once agriculture market reforms kick in
The first of a two-part series looks at why states such as Punjab, which depend on taxes levied on mandi transactions, are disgruntled
 "States fear losing revenue once agriculture market reforms kick in")
PMFAI opposes govt idea to ban 27 pesticides fearing biz loss of Rs 6K cr
The total market size of Indian pesticides industry is around Rs 40,000 crore, of which around Rs 18,000 crore is domestic sales
 "PMFAI opposes govt idea to ban 27 pesticides fearing biz loss of Rs 6K cr")
Govt promulgates ordinances on inter-state agri trade, contract farming
However, both of Ordinances give unbridled power to the lower bureaucracy in times of dispute between farmers and buyers that can be companies in case of the Contract agreement.
 "Govt promulgates ordinances on inter-state agri trade, contract farming")
Covid-19: Experts seek income support, cash transfer for those affected
NIPFP's Rathin Roy said that providing income support and preventing wealth disruptions is a necessary requirement in the current situation.
 "Covid-19: Experts seek income support, cash transfer for those affected")
Tamil Nadu govt amends APMC Act to allow farmers to sell produce freely
This will open up the avenues for farmers to sell their produce at e-commerce and modern markets such as Amazon, BigBasket for a better price
 "Tamil Nadu govt amends APMC Act to allow farmers to sell produce freely")
Adverse weather conditions, lockdown to hit output of Rabi crops: Report
The production of cereals, pulses and oilseeds is estimated to decline by 1.95 per cent, 2.22 per cent and 13.48 per cent, respectively, in 2019-20 compared to last year, according to the report.
 "Adverse weather conditions, lockdown to hit output of Rabi crops: Report")
Reviving the farm economy
The return of migrant workers to their villages offers an opportunity to give agribusiness a leg-up
 "Reviving the farm economy")
Agriculture, mining saved Indian economy in FY20; manufacturing bites
The farm sector is expected to perform well in FY21 as well.
 "Agriculture, mining saved Indian economy in FY20; manufacturing bites")
Locusts may not overwhelm, but India can't let guard down: FAO expert
Central and northern states aren't ideal breeding grounds and South India might not see any attack; Rajasthan will be under threat for next few months
 "Locusts may not overwhelm, but India can't let guard down: FAO expert")
Farm sector grows by 5.9% in Q4 of 2019-20; future uncertain due to Covid
As the data relates to pre-Covid lockdown period it does not reflect the real picture of distress which unfolded from April onwards in the sector
 "Farm sector grows by 5.9% in Q4 of 2019-20; future uncertain due to Covid")
Locust attack badly-timed serious infestation: Environment min official
Soumitra Dasgupta, Inspector General, Wildlife, Ministry of Environment said it is the desert locust which has attacked India in huge numbers and may lead to crop losses.
Defence reforms: Indian manufacturers looking to ride the opportunity
FM Nirmala Sitharaman had announced a series of measures to boost investments in India's defence and aerospace sector last week as part of the tranche 4 of the Rs 20 trillion economic stimulus
 "Defence reforms: Indian manufacturers looking to ride the opportunity")
Existing APMC laws restrict trade, competition: Ramesh Chand of NITI Aayog
He says that the APMC system did not evolve with changes in time and requirement
 "Existing APMC laws restrict trade, competition: Ramesh Chand of NITI Aayog")
Poor, farm sector likely to be FM Nirmala Sitharaman's next focus
Some of the sectors which have been worst affected by the pandemic and the lockdown include hospitality, tourism, aviation, logistics, e-commerce, automobiles, manufacturing and others
 "Poor, farm sector likely to be FM Nirmala Sitharaman's next focus")
Sonia launches Nyay scheme in C'garh, says farmers will become self-reliant
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also lauded the Chhattisgarh government for launching the scheme at a time when the poor and farmers were facing hardships due to the coronavirus
 "Sonia launches Nyay scheme in C'garh, says farmers will become self-reliant")
Covid-19 crisis: Slippages may jump to Rs 5.5 trillion, says India Ratings
Credit costs could touch Rs 2.7 trillion
 "Covid-19 crisis: Slippages may jump to Rs 5.5 trillion, says India Ratings")
Rs 1-trn fund, bee keeping: FM Sitharaman's 11 steps to help farmers
Government sets up Rs 1 trillion Agri-Infrastructure Fund, which will focus on short-term crop loan and investment in long-term agriculture infra
 "Rs 1-trn fund, bee keeping: FM Sitharaman's 11 steps to help farmers")
