Desk
Policy & trade
Farm policy and regulation in India and the UK: support prices, procurement, schemes, standards and the rules of trade.
From the archive
Reporting from earlier editions of The Agrotech Daily. Figures, prices and policies may have changed since.
- Policy & trade, IndiaFarmers’ protest caused a loss of Rs 814 crore toll revenue in the states of Punjab, Haryana and RajasthanNitin Gadkari said the farmers' protest cost NHAI Rs 814 crore in toll revenue up to March 16, with Rs 487 crore lost in Punjab and Rs 326 crore in Haryana.
- Policy & trade, IndiaFarmers’ unions: another strike against new farm Bills on 5 NovemberFarmer organisations meeting in Delhi called a nationwide road strike on November 5 and a 'Delhi Chalo' protest on November 26 and 27 against the three farm Bills.
- Policy & trade, IndiaReliance Industries denies any immediate plan of contract farmingReliance Industries says it has no plans to enter contract farming or buy farmland, and has asked the courts in Punjab and Haryana to protect its staff and property from vandalism.
- Policy & trade, United KingdomMPs and Lords write to British PM to talk to his Indian counterpart PM Modi over the farmers’ protestOver 100 UK MPs and Lords signed a cross-party letter, gathered by Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, asking Boris Johnson to raise the Indian farmers' protest with Prime Minister Modi.
- Policy & trade, IndiaGovt impelled to assimilate NAAS, TAAS & farmers’ union recommendations in Pesticides Management Bill 2020The government will fold recommendations from NAAS and TAAS into the Pesticides Management Bill 2020, which is to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968.
- Policy & trade, IndiaSituation of finance in agriculture in IndiaHow Indian farmers get credit, from moneylenders and cooperatives to banks and NABARD, and how outstanding farm credit rose 10.2% to Rs 12.74 lakh crore in February 2021.
- Policy & trade, PunjabAnnouncement of subsidy on wheat seeds brings smiles and happiness to the homes of farmersPunjab has approved a 2020-21 wheat seed subsidy giving farmers certified seed at half cost for up to 5 acres, with the payment credited to their bank accounts.
- Policy & trade, IndiaBan lifted on the export of Bangalore rose and Krishnapuram onionsThe DGFT has lifted the export ban on Bangalore rose and Krishnapuram onions, allowing 10,000 tonnes to be shipped through Chennai port, while the ban on most other onion varieties stays.
- Policy & trade, Andhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh government launched YSR Scheme 2020Andhra Pradesh has launched the YSR Jalakala scheme to drill free borewells for eligible farmers, with applications checked by revenue officials, the district water agency and a geologist.
- Policy & trade, IndiaCabinet approves ₹3,500 Cr subsidy for sugarcane farmersThe Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a ₹3,500 crore subsidy on 60 lakh tonnes of sugar exports at ₹6,000 a tonne, to be paid to cane farmers against mill dues.
- Policy & trade, IndiaFarmers are getting ready to show strength on March 8 and carry the protest forwardFarm unions plan dharnas at Singhu, Tikri and other protest sites on International Women's Day, 8 March, as protests surge again in Punjab.
- Policy & trade, IndiaCentre sparks hope for negotiation, offers to put farm laws on hold for a yearAfter the tenth round of talks on 20 January 2021, the Centre offered to put the three farm laws on hold while a committee deliberates, and unions agreed to consider it.
- Policy & trade, AssamNABARD projects credit potential 15.46% higher for Assam in 2020-21NABARD has projected credit potential of Rs 32,316.03 crore for Assam, 15.46% more than the previous year, with 55% of it for agriculture and allied activities.
- Policy & trade, PunjabFarmers’ protests have led to telecom tower vandalisationMore than 1,500 telecom towers were damaged or had their power cut in Punjab amid protests against the farm laws, though farm unions denied any role.
- Policy & trade, IndiaFarmers’ distrust of the Modi-led government during this pandemic is irredeemableFarmers camped in Delhi against the three farm laws say they do not trust the government's assurances on MSP, and unions have called a Bharat Bandh on December 8.
- Policy & trade, IndiaAn impending call of doom for a nation of farmers?The President's assent to three farm bills was followed by protests, a Bharat Bandh and rail blockades, as farmers voiced fears over MSP, APMCs and contract farming.
- Policy & trade, IndiaFSSAI restricts intermixed mustard oilsFSSAI has barred the manufacture of blended edible vegetable oil containing mustard oil from October 1, 2020, ending a rule that let companies add 20% of other vegetable oils.
- Policy & trade, PunjabFarmers’ railway blockade on Feb 18 forces railways to cancel trains and change routes in PunjabNorthern Railways cancelled, cut short or diverted several trains to and from Amritsar around a four-hour rail blockade called by farm unions in Punjab on February 18.
- Policy & trade, IndiaFarmers’ union: tractor parade to win hearts of people, not to conquer DelhiThe Samyukt Kisan Morcha issued guidelines for its Republic Day tractor parade in Delhi, urging protesters to stay peaceful, ignore rumours and respect police and media.