Are your staple rice and wheat losing their nutrients?
Context: Today’s rice does not have the same density of essential nutrients as those cultivated 50 years ago, notes a new study. Relevance: GS-III: Agriculture Dimensions of the Article: Loss of nutrients in rice and wheat Way forwards suggested Understanding Biofortification Loss of nutrients in rice and wheat Zinc and iron concentrations in grains of […]
MSP hiked for mandated Kharif Crops
Context: In a bid to encourage crop diversification, the Central Government has hiked the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Paddy, Pulses and Oilseeds (for all mandated Kharif Crops). Relevance: GS-III: Agriculture (Agriculture Pricing), GS-II: Social Justice (Welfare Schemes) Dimensions of the Article: What is Minimum Support Price (MSP)? Why is there a need for MSP? […]
Government enhances DAP fertiliser subsidy
Context: The government has enhanced the subsidy on di-ammonium phosphate or DAP fertilisers in order to retain the selling price for farmers at the current level, following a review meeting on fertiliser prices chaired by Prime Minister. Recently, the international prices of phosphoric acid, ammonia etc. used in DAP have gone up by 60% to […]
Groundwater depletion and winter cropping intensity
Context: Study of India’s main irrigation types on winter cropped areas finds that that 13% of the villages in which farmers plant a winter crop are located in critically water-depleted regions. Relevance: GS-III: Agriculture (Agricultural Resources, Issues related to agriculture and food security) Dimensions of the Article: The current scenario on Winter Cropped Areas and […]
PLOUGH TO PLATE, HAND HELD BY THE INDIAN STATE
Context: For at least four decades now, economic policy making globally has dogmatically adhered to the notion that a progressively reduced role of the state would automatically deliver greater economic growth and welfare to the people. There are very specific characteristics of agriculture, as also crucial elements of the socio-historical context, which imply that the […]
GOVT. TO REBOOT DATED OPIUM STRATEGY
Context: The Central government has decided to rope in the private sector to commence production of concentrated poppy straw from India’s opium crop to boost their yield of alkaloids, used for medical purposes and exported to several countries. Relevance: GS-III: Agriculture, GS-III: Indian Economy (International Trade, Mobilization of Resources) Dimensions of the Article: About the […]
PAYMENT ARREARS TO SUGARCANE FARMERS REACHES 23K CRORE
Context: Halfway through the marketing season, payment arrears from sugar mills to cane farmers have almost reached Rs. 23,000 crore, leading mills to lobby for the Centre to hike the minimum selling price of sugar. Relevance: GS-III: Agriculture (Agricultural Marketing and Pricing and related issues, Food Security) Dimensions of the Article: Sugar Industry in India […]
MP’S DINDORI PROJECT: ON MILLETS PRODUCTION
Context: MP’s Dindori project shows the way forward for India as Millets pose production and consumption challenges towards achieving the food and nutritional security goals. Relevance: GS-III: Agriculture (Agricultural Resources, Food Security and Nutrition, Government Policies and Interventions related to agriculture) Dimensions of the Article: About MP’s Dindori project About Millets in India Advantages of […]
AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE MINISTRY: WRITTEN REPLIES
Focus: GS-III Agriculture, Indian Economy Introduction to Steps taken regarding Agriculture Research To promote agricultural research and education, and to make the country self- reliant in the agriculture sector, DARE/ICAR has developed a country wide network of more than 100 Agricultural Research Institutes, 75 Agricultural Universities ably supported by a network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras […]
IMMUNITY FACTOR BOOSTS GINGER, TURMERIC EXPORTS
Focus: GS-III Agriculture Why in news? The pandemic appears to have added a new sheen to the export of spices considered to boost physical immunity. Details Export of the spices like ginger, turmeric, coriander and cumin has shown a sizable increase during April-July 2020. The increased demand is seen in big markets like the USA […]