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Scindia says around 4.5 - 5% growth in agriculture vital for economy
Calling for a second green revolution, union minister of state for commerce and industry Jyotiraditya M Scindia said that with proper investment in agriculture, technical innovation and infrastructure for food processing, India could well become the food basket of the world. Scindia was addressing the APEDA Export Awards function which coincided with the celebrations of 25 years (Agriculture and Processed Foods Development Authority of India) of the Authority).
Scindia said that agriculture sector was critical for India's economy as 60-70% of the population depended on it for livelihood. We require 4.5%-5 % growth in agriculture to uplift our economy in rural areas, he added.
Complimenting the exporters for their performance, Dr Khullar emphasised that Indian agri products would have to move up the value chain in order to achieve a target of $15 billion in the next three years. He pointed out that the main challenge for the sector would be to deal with emerging range of non-tariff barriers such as sanitary and phytosanitary measures. We have to address quality and technical issues more seriously, he added. He praised traceability measures deployed in various agri-products to meet international requirements. Traceability may become another mode of banning, he warned.
Natural farming catching up in Sri Lanka
MYSORE: The zero-budget natural farming propounded by Subash Palekar has reached Sri Lanka. The natural farming technique that is fast-catching up with the farmers in South India has been taken up by farmers in the neighbouring nation.
Sharath Fernando from Sri Lanka, who partook in a meet of farmers from South Asia at Bangalore, said the Sri Lankan government is supporting the initiative. According to him, farmers in his homeland are facing agri crisis owing to overuse of fertilizers and seeds. This has pushed them to look at alternatives and Palekar's methods are gaining currency, he told reporters on Thursday.
India lifts ban on onion exports
The government today lifted a ban on the export of onions after prices of the popular vegetable crashed with new arrivals flooding the market.
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Onion prices, which touched Rs80 a kg in retail sales, is currently selling at around Rs20 a kg while wholesale prices have crashed to Rs. 4-12 kg levels in Nashik and other growing areas of Maharashtra.
The decision to lift the export ban on onion was taken at a meeting of the empowered group of ministers (EGoM) on food, headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Agriculture rebound driving India's GDP growth
Agriculture, which had dragged down growth during UPA's first term, is now helping the GDP numbers shine. Good monsoon has helped drive the growth expectations comfortably over 5 per cent, adding some new shine to the economy.
According to Advance Estimates, the government expects that the 8.6 per cent growth of the economy during the current fiscal will be powered by agriculture growing at 5.4 per cent, a big jump over 0.4 per cent last year.
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