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Farmers want DBT for schemes, AI based price forecasting tools from govt
A report on the actionable points based on the concerns and problems of farmers was presented to senior agriculture ministry officials during a review meeting of the campaign called- Vikshit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan- held on Tuesday. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired the meeting.
The concerns raised by farmers were classified into different categories, namely actionable policy issues, key researchable issues based on farmers' feedback, knowledge and skill gaps identified, major learnings, and also long-term and short-term steps to be taken.
In the short term, the agriculture ministry along with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and its sister organisations plan to conduct village-wise soil and water testing camps, expand the outreach programme to twice a year, and also promote concepts such as crop residue management and quick adoption of super-seeder machines to handle paddy stubble.
In the medium-term, the officials said that work will be done for setting up village-level 'plant clinics' and seasonal advisory centres.
The minister had said that such clinics could see the light of the day sooner than later.
These clinics could become part of the existing agriculture extension activities soon. Also, as a long-term goal, officials identified revamping the agriculture extension activities in the country.
On DBT, sources said the officials in the agriculture ministry feel that as of now, financial assistance for lots of schemes, such as farm mechanisation, goes directly into the bank account of farmers, but input subsidies, such as fertilisers, are routed through intermediaries (companies).
The companies, in turn, ensure that fertilisers are sold to the farmers at rates lower than actual market price.
A rough calculation by experts some years back showed that if all input subsidies are transferred through DBT, it would mean direct transfer of around ₹23,000-₹24,000 per hectare at 2022-23 levels to farmers.
Govt approves potato research centre
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to set up the International Potato Centre's South Asia regional unit in Agra with a financial support of ₹111.5 crore.
The major objective of this investment is to increase food and nutrition security, farmers' income, and job creation by improving potato and sweet potato productivity, post-harvest management and value-addition, an official release said.
Potatoes have the potential to generate significant employment opportunities in production, processing, packaging, transportation, marketing, and value chain, the release added.
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Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Indian Express
Explained: Biostimulants that aid plant growth, now under the Centre's scrutiny
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan last week wrote to Chief Ministers of all states to immediately stop the 'forced tagging' of nano-fertilisers or biostimulants along with conventional fertilisers. Chouhan highlighted complaints that retailers are not selling subsidised fertilisers like urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP) to farmers unless they purchase biostimulants. He also said that many farmers had recently raised complaints about the inefficacy of biostimulants. 'It is necessary to review biostimulants thoroughly to see how much benefit the farmers are getting from it; if not, then permission to sell it cannot be given,' he said. The substances stimulate physiological processes in plants and help enhance the yield from a harvest. Plant-derived waste materials and seaweed extracts are at times used in their production. Officially, the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order, 1985, which regulates the manufacturing and sale of biostimulants, defines it as 'a substance or microorganism or a combination of both whose primary function when applied to plants, seeds or rhizosphere is to stimulate physiological processes in plants and to enhance its nutrient uptake, growth, yield, nutrition efficiency, crop quality and tolerance to stress… but does not include pesticides or plant growth regulators which are regulated under the Insecticide Act, 1968.' Market research firm Fortune Business Insights noted, 'The India biostimulants market size was valued at USD 355.53 million in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 410.78 million in 2025 to USD 1,135.96 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.64% during the forecast period.' Chouhan said that around 30,000 biostimulant products had been sold unchecked for several years, and even in the last four years, around 8,000 products remained in circulation. 'After I enforced stricter checks, the number has now come down to approximately 650,' he said in a statement on July 15. As biostimulants did not fall under the existing fertiliser or pesticide categories, they were sold in the open market without government approval for a long time. In India, fertilisers and pesticides are governed by the 1985 Fertiliser Control Order and the Insecticides Act of 1968, respectively. The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare issues the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and makes changes to it from time to time. However, in 2011, the Punjab and Haryana High Court made an observation. Any manufacturer producing a bioproduct claiming to be a substitute for insecticides or fertiliser, but not covered under the rules, was to apply to the respective Director General of Agriculture, in the case of Haryana and Punjab. This paved the way for states to take samples of these products and check them before allowing their sale to farmers. As the sale of biostimulants increased over the years, it caught the Centre's attention. In 2017, NITI Aayog, the government's premier think tank, and the Agriculture Ministry started working on a framework for biostimulants. Finally, in February 2021, the ministry amended the 1985 FCO and included biostimulants, paving the way for their regulated manufacturing, sale and import. The inclusion of biostimulants empowered the Central government to fix specifications. The FCO classified biostimulants specified in Schedule VI of the FCO in eight categories, including botanical extracts (as well as seaweed extracts), bio-chemicals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Every manufacturer or importer of a biostimulant shall make an application to the Controller of Fertilisers along with the requisite product information. The product's chemistry, source (natural extracts of plant/microbe/animal/synthetic), shelf-life, reports of bio-efficacy trials, and toxicity must be submitted, along with other data. The five basic acute toxicity tests are: (i) Acute oral (Rat) (ii) Acute dermal (Rat) (iii) Acute Inhalation (Rat) (iv) Primary skin Irritation (Rabbit) (v) Eye irritation (Rabbit) The four eco-toxicity tests are: (i) Toxicity to birds (ii) Toxicity to Fish (Freshwater) (iii) Toxicity to honeybees (iv) Toxicity to earthworm The FCO clearly states that no biostimulant shall contain any pesticide beyond the permissible limit of 0.01ppm. Further, agronomic bio-efficiency trials shall be conducted under the National Agricultural Research System, including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and state agricultural universities. 'Bio-efficacy trials shall be conducted at minimum three different doses for one season at three agro-ecological locations,' it states. Additionally, on April 9, 2021, the agriculture ministry constituted the Central Biostimulant Committee for five years, with the Agriculture Commissioner as its Chairperson and seven other members. Under the FCO, it shall advise the Centre on: (i) inclusion of a new biostimulant; (ii) specifications of various biostimulants; (iii) methods of drawing of samples and its analysis; (iv) minimum requirements of laboratory; (v) method of testing of biostimulants; (vi) any other matter referred to it by the central government. According to the FCO order, amended in 2021, manufacturers could make and sell biostimulants for two years if they made an application for provisional registration. Sources say that the Agriculture Ministry kept extending the two-year deadline, which allowed most of the manufacturers as of 2021 to continue making and selling biostimulants based on provisional registration. Whereas, under the regular registration, companies have to submit testing protocols to the government. On March 17, in the latest extension of the provisional certificate facility, the ministry allowed biostimulants' sale for three months until June 16. It applied to all companies manufacturing or importing a biostimulant as of March 17, for which no standards were specified. With the March 17 notification having expired, the companies having provisional certificates and stocks of biostimulants cannot sell their products in the market now, said a source. In addition to this, the Agriculture Ministry notified 'Specifications of Biostimulants' on May 26 for several crops, including tomato, chilli, cucumber, paddy, brinjal, cotton, potato, green gram, grape, hot pepper, soybean, maize, and onion. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
News18
16 hours ago
- News18
Naturally coloured cotton revival hit by funding crunch, low yields
Agency: PTI New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) India's naturally coloured cotton, which thrived commercially in the 1940s, is struggling to stage a comeback despite rising global demand for sustainable textiles and decades of government's efforts in research. The specialty crop is currently grown on just 200 acres across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, fetching Rs 240 per kg, 50 per cent more than regular cotton at Rs 160 per kg. However, farmers are hesitant to expand cultivation due to significantly lower yields. 'The productivity of light brown cotton is very low at 1.5-2 quintals per acre, compared to 6-7 quintals per acre for normal cotton. This discourages farmers from expanding the area under this crop," Ashok Kumar, Principal Scientist at ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT), told PTI. Annual production from these limited acres stands at merely 330 quintals, underscoring the challenge facing this specialty crop that could potentially transform India's textile sustainability profile. ICAR-CIRCOT is currently focusing on light brown coloured cotton. Coloured cotton has ancient roots in Indian agriculture, with cultivation dating back to 2500 BC. Before independence, red, khaki and brown varieties of Cocanada 1 and 2 were grown commercially in Rayalseema, Andhra Pradesh, with exports to Japan. Traditional varieties were also cultivated in Assam and Karnataka's Kumta region. However, the Green Revolution's emphasis on high-yielding white cotton varieties pushed coloured cotton to the sidelines. The crop's inherent limitations – fewer bolls, lower weight, poor fibre strength, short staple length and colour variations – made it economically unviable for large-scale cultivation. Indian agricultural institutions have developed improved varieties, including DDCC-1, DDB-12, DMB-225, and DGC-78 by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, created Vaidehi-95, considered the most prominent among 4-5 available varieties. Between 2015-19, ICAR-CIRCOT processed 17 quintals in demonstration batches, producing 9,000 metres of fabric, over 2,000 jackets and 3,000 handkerchiefs, proving commercial viability. The environmental benefits are significant. Traditional cotton dyeing requires approximately 150 litres of water per metre of fabric, while naturally coloured cotton eliminates this requirement, potentially reducing toxic waste disposal costs by up to 50 per cent. 'Naturally coloured cotton has huge export potential. More government support is required to enhance production and value addition," Kumar said. Despite premium pricing and environmental advantages, expansion faces hurdles including lack of seed systems, pest vulnerability, and high pesticide requirements typical of cotton cultivation. 'Nobody develops varieties as production is low and the market is not visible. Even textile mills are not ready to procure small quantities," Kumar explained. The global market shows promise with growing demand from environmentally conscious brands, particularly in Europe, USA and Japan. Australia and China are investing heavily in research using traditional breeding and genetic engineering. For commercial viability, coordinated efforts are needed across the value chain '� from developing farmer-friendly varieties to creating processing infrastructure and establishing market linkages with textile manufacturers committed to sustainable practices. PTI LUX ANU ANU view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 14:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Economic Times
16 hours ago
- Economic Times
Naturally coloured cotton revival hit by funding crunch, low yields
India's naturally coloured cotton, which thrived commercially in the 1940s, is struggling to stage a comeback despite rising global demand for sustainable textiles and decades of government's efforts in research. The specialty crop is currently grown on just 200 acres across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, fetching Rs 240 per kg, 50 per cent more than regular cotton at Rs 160 per kg. However, farmers are hesitant to expand cultivation due to significantly lower yields. "The productivity of light brown cotton is very low at 1.5-2 quintals per acre, compared to 6-7 quintals per acre for normal cotton. This discourages farmers from expanding the area under this crop," Ashok Kumar, Principal Scientist at ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT), told PTI. Annual production from these limited acres stands at merely 330 quintals, underscoring the challenge facing this specialty crop that could potentially transform India's textile sustainability profile. ICAR-CIRCOT is currently focusing on light brown coloured cotton. Coloured cotton has ancient roots in Indian agriculture, with cultivation dating back to 2500 BC. Before independence, red, khaki and brown varieties of Cocanada 1 and 2 were grown commercially in Rayalseema, Andhra Pradesh, with exports to Japan. Traditional varieties were also cultivated in Assam and Karnataka's Kumta region. However, the Green Revolution's emphasis on high-yielding white cotton varieties pushed coloured cotton to the sidelines. The crop's inherent limitations - fewer bolls, lower weight, poor fibre strength, short staple length and colour variations - made it economically unviable for large-scale cultivation. Indian agricultural institutions have developed improved varieties, including DDCC-1, DDB-12, DMB-225, and DGC-78 by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, created Vaidehi-95, considered the most prominent among 4-5 available varieties. Between 2015-19, ICAR-CIRCOT processed 17 quintals in demonstration batches, producing 9,000 metres of fabric, over 2,000 jackets and 3,000 handkerchiefs, proving commercial viability. The environmental benefits are significant. Traditional cotton dyeing requires approximately 150 litres of water per metre of fabric, while naturally coloured cotton eliminates this requirement, potentially reducing toxic waste disposal costs by up to 50 per cent. "Naturally coloured cotton has huge export potential. More government support is required to enhance production and value addition," Kumar said. Despite premium pricing and environmental advantages, expansion faces hurdles including lack of seed systems, pest vulnerability, and high pesticide requirements typical of cotton cultivation. "Nobody develops varieties as production is low and the market is not visible. Even textile mills are not ready to procure small quantities," Kumar explained. The global market shows promise with growing demand from environmentally conscious brands, particularly in Europe, USA and Japan. Australia and China are investing heavily in research using traditional breeding and genetic engineering. For commercial viability, coordinated efforts are needed across the value chain ' from developing farmer-friendly varieties to creating processing infrastructure and establishing market linkages with textile manufacturers committed to sustainable practices.
