RC recommendation on 27 pesticides
<p>This report is on the review of 66 pesticides under the Chairmanship of Dr. Anupam Varma. The main parameters emphasized by the Committee to review the products were uses approved under the Insecticides
Ministry Of Agriculture
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State holds 44% water in reservoirs
Pune: With reservoirs in the state collectively holding 44% water, the state government has asked all divisional commissioners to reserve water for drinking purpose and restrict its usage for non-drinking purpose. “At least 1,155 villages and 3,709 hamlets are facing severe water shortage. The state is providing water through 1,539 tankers to areas reeling under water scarcity. The state has spent Rs 248 crore to run fodder camps sheltering 1.69 lakh cattle,” a statement released by the government said.
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‘US firms to blame for opposition to GM crops’
Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday blamed companies in countries with GM technology-driven agriculture, like the United States, for the opposition to GM crops in India, adding that they don't want the country to be self-sufficient in food, especially oils. "In the US, the entire soyabean production is done with genetically modified (GM) technology. India has to import edible oils worth Rs 60,000 crore. There is growing opposition to GM technology here, though it helps to increase productivity as is evident from our cotton experience. You have adopted GM in your country but you don't let that happen in India. This is not proper and it is alarming," said Pawar.
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Export ban on processed food to go
Cabinet may clear proposal today to boost agri exports In a major fillip to India’s processed food exports, the Cabinet is set to clear a policy under which processed foods from agricultural commodities such as wheat, rice, onion and milk would not be subject to any export ban or restrictions. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) is set to clear the proposal on Thursday to exempt 14 types of processed food from the purview of export restrictions including oats, milk products, dehydrated onions, wheat and rice products.
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Govt shouldn't ban GM crop field trials: Pawar
Dismissing Parliamentary panel's suggestion to halt all field trials of genetically modified (GM) crops, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said the government can't take “luxurious decision of banning” them as such kind of farm research is important for ensuring food security. In August, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, headed by Basudeb Acharia, had recommended to the government to stop all open-field trials of transgenic crops until it develops a better system of monitoring and oversight.
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Centre releases Rs 778-crore drought aid to Maharashtra
The high-level committee for central assistance to states affected by natural calamities has approved Rs 778 crore for Maharashtra, to combat drought in a number of districts. Meeting in Delhi on Thursday under the chairmanship of Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, it also approved Rs 526 crore in drought aid to Karnataka. The Congress-NCP government here is struggling to tackle drought conditions in 145 of the state’s 353 talukas. Scarcity has been announced in 6,250 villages due to low rainfall. The government has launched multiple programmes, such as animal camps, drinking water supply through tankers and works under the state’s Employment Guarantee Scheme. It has also asked neighbouring Karnataka to release some water for relief to border districts.
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Cold wave hits rabi crop
Wheat an exception but observers say 5-10 per cent damage possible clear trend likely next month The optimism of policy makers that an increase in the rabi crop output in 2012-13 would compensate the loss of kharif production due to monsoon delay might be dashed, as a cold wave is taking a toll. Sowing has risen 2.6 per cent but even so, overall agricultural output this year might be lower than last year due tothe impact of the cold on pulses, vegetables and oilseeds. However, wheat output might get a boost due to the presence of moisture in the weather.
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Delay in drought relief from Centre leaves Karnataka high and dry
Karnataka, which has been desperately waiting for release of funds from the Centre under drought relief for 2012, stands the risk of not receiving any grants at all. This is the fear harboured by the Revenue Department (Disaster Management), which has sought Rs 11,146 crore from the Centre under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to carry out drought relief works chalked out for 2012. The department apprehends that if the High-Level Committee headed by the Prime Minister fails to set aside an amount, before the Central budget, the State stands to lose all.
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Maharashtra seeks central aid of Rs 5,000 cr to tackle drought
Reeling under drought conditions in 145 out of a total 353 talukas of Maharashtra, the state government is taking several measures including seeking central assistance and requesting neighbouring state Karnataka to release water, to tackle the crisis. The state has sought a central assistance of Rs 5,000 crore, including Rs 2,270 crore for relief measures. Last week, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who heads the group of ministers that decides on relief measures for drought-hit states, said he had received report from a Central team that recommended a financial assistance of Rs 778 crore to Maharashtra for water and related programmes.
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Time to rethink populist food subsidies, says Pawar
Speaking out against “populist measures” like the food security Bill, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Friday said wages were getting higher and the number of people Below the Poverty Line was
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In 12th Plan, private sector will have big role in agriculture
The 12th Plan will strategise on a greater role for the private sector in agriculture. With 58 per cent of the population dependent on agriculture, the growth of the sector is imperative not only for ensuring