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Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Bhandara farmers adopt natural farming for sustainable yields
1 2 Bhandara: Over 75 farmers from Bhandara taluka adopted natural farming techniques to boost sustainable crop production, following a field-level Kisan Goshti programme held at Pahela village on July 14. Ajaykumar Raut, Deputy Project Director of Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Bhandara, informed attendees during the event. The initiative, organised by the Maharashtra agriculture department under ATMA, aimed to promote eco-friendly farming practices. Raut, addressing the gathering at the taluka seed multiplication farm, emphasised that natural and integrated farming methods could ensure sustainable yields while minimising costs. "Farmers must study integrated pest and disease management, use sticky traps, and monitor pest intensity to reduce chemical inputs. Keeping records of production costs and yields will help maintain a balanced budget," he said. The programme began with a tribute to Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh, with attendees garlanding his portrait. Dr. Prashant Umbarkar, an entomologist at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sakoli, guided farmers on rice nursery management, pest control measures, and the use of bio-pesticides. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like South Australia Residents Born 1945-1985 With No Life Insurance Could Be Eligible For This Golden Insurance Undo He stressed the importance of technical know-how in reducing chemical dependency. Vrushali Deshmukh, district soil survey officer, highlighted soil as the "soul of the land" and urged farmers to use compost and green manure to enhance soil health. "Balanced fertiliser use based on soil health cards will improve soil properties," she said. Progressive farmer Tanaji Gopal Gaydhane, a Krishi Bhushan awardee, shared his experience with organic farming. He advised farmers to diversify into vegetables, orchards, and poultry, alongside minimising chemical fertilisers. "Using sticky traps and biological pest control methods ensures sustainable production," he said. Another Krishi Bhushan awardee, Prakash Gopichand Maske from Mau Dawa, explained the benefits of soil solarisation and lunar cycle-based pest management for crops like bitter gourd and brinjal. Padmakar Chakole, Director of Aarogya Jyoti Farmer Producer Company, Parsodi, encouraged farmers to use natural inputs like humic acid, trichoderma, dashparni extract, and saptadhanya slurry to cut costs and achieve sustainable yields. Dadabhai Wahane, a progressive farmer with an agriculture degree, provided insights on integrated pest and nutrient management for crops like cucumber and okra. The event, attended by 75 to 90 farmers, including women and representatives of farmer producer organisations, was chaired by Pahela sarpanch Mangalatai Thavkar. Key attendees included panchayat samiti member Achaltatai Chavle, Krishi Bhushan farmer Devanand Chaudhary, and Congress Vice-President Subhash Bhau Ajabale. Taluka agriculture officer Namdev Kashid delivered the introductory remarks, while Satish Vairagade moderated the event. Mandal agriculture officers Ashok Jibhkate, Arun Harode, and others ensured smooth coordination. The programme underscored Bhandara's push towards sustainable agriculture, aligning with the state's Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Organic Farming Mission, which supports 8,991 farmers across 37,702 acres for organic certification.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Need to accelerate domestic Natural Rubber production: Arun Mammen, Chairman, ATMA
India's Natural rubber (NR) consumption is projected to reach 20 lakh tonnes by 2030 and there is a need to accelerate domestic production, Arun Mammen, Chairman Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), said. 'In FY25, domestic NR production stood at 8.7 lakh tonnes, while consumption was 14.1 lakh tonnes, resulting in a deficit of over 5 lakh tonnes,' he said in an interview. 'This underscores the need for sustained long-term investments in plantation development, tapping, and productivity enhancement,' Mr. Mammen said. Accelerating domestic natural rubber (NR) production is a national priority, given the strategic importance of NR to multiple sectors, especially the tyre industry. Bringing additional area under rubber cultivation—especially in non-traditional regions like the North East—is key. Several North Eastern state governments are proactively supporting this agenda, he said. Mr. Mammen pointed out in a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership, the INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) project was launched by ATMA member companies (Apollo, CEAT, JK Tyre, and MRF) in collaboration with the Rubber Board of India. The project aims to develop two lakh hectares of new rubber plantations across the North East and West Bengal. Over 1.25 lakh hectares have been brought under cultivation in the first four years. ATMA member companies have committed ₹1,100 crore to the project, he said. A significant opportunity lies in improving production by tapping nearly 2 lakh hectares of untapped rubber plantations, including 1 lakh hectares in Kerala alone. Union Commerce & Industry Minister has recently emphasized this opportunity during stakeholder consultations in Kerala, Mr. Mammen said. Rubber trees take approximately six to seven years from plantation to tapping, Mr. Mammen said. He also pointed out inverted duty structure on NR is one of the key challenges. 'While tyres can be imported at concessional or zero duty rates under various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), natural rubber—our primary raw material—attracts a Basic Customs Duty (BCD) of 25% or ₹30/kg (whichever is lower). This is among the highest globally and severely impacts cost competitiveness, particularly when global rubber prices are low. Addressing inverted duty structure is essential to support domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports of finished products,' he said. In the last three to four years alone, the industry has invested approximately ₹27,000 crore across greenfield and brownfield projects. As per a PwC Vision Document, the industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11–12% till 2047, Mr. Mammen said.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
One Day for Farmer initiative implemented in Kolhapur district
Kolhapur: The One Day for Farmer initiative was implemented in Kolhapur district on Saturday, with officials from various district administration departments spending the day with farmers to understand their problems. The initiative spread awareness on various govt schemes meant for farmers to the maximum number of farmers. Approximately 300 villages participated in the initiative, which was carried out in collaboration with the agriculture department, district administration, and the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA). District collector Amol Yedge, along with officials from various departments, public representatives including sarpanchs, deputy sarpanchs, gram panchayat members, office-bearers, progressive farmers, farmers in Resource Bank, the Atma Farming Advisory Committee, and groups registered with the govt system participated. Activities such as Shivar Pheri, Sheti Shala, tree plantation, and discussions and guidance sessions reached a large number of district farmers, aiming to engage with the farming community. During the initiative, guardian minister Prakash Abitkar entered paddy fields at Radhanagari and planted seedlings in Anant Chougule's field while being drenched in rain. Abitkar sat with farmers, consuming zunka-bhakri and thecha, interacting with them, and learning about their farming challenges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Campo Largo (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo "Further activities will be implemented to increase crop production after taking information from this initiative," Abitkar said. Jalindar Pangare, the district agricultural officer, said, "Information about important schemes like PM Kisan, Farmer ID under AgriStack Scheme, Prime Minister Micro Food Processing Industries, Orchard Plantation under MGNREGA, Agricultural Mechanization Scheme, Integrated Horticulture Development Mission, Bhausaheb Phundkar Orchard Plantation, Late Gopinath Munde Farmers Accident Relief Grant, and other schemes of various departments were given to the farmers. "
Hans India
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Tyre Exports Rise 9% To Rs 25k Cr
New Delhi: Tyre exports from India grew 9 per cent year-on-year to Rs25,051 crore in FY25 despite headwinds, including trade policy uncertainties and global supply chain disruptions, the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association said on Wednesday. With nearly 40 per cent of the industry's natural rubber (NR) requirement met through imports due to limited domestic availability, the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) said there is an urgent need to accelerate domestic production through focused interventions to meet rising demand. India's tyre exports in 2024-25 increased by 9 per cent year-on-year, reaching Rs25,051 crore compared to Rs23,073 crore in the previous fiscal, ATMA said, citing data released by the Ministry of Commerce. With an estimated annual turnover of Rs1 lakh crore and exports exceeding Rs25,000 crore, the Indian tyre industry stands out as one of the few manufacturing sectors in the country with a high export-to-turnover ratio, it added.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
India's tyre exports cross ₹25,000 crore in FY25 defying global headwinds
India's tyre industry continues to demonstrate robust performance on the export front, with outbound shipments surpassing ₹25,000 crore in FY25 despite global economic uncertainties, according to Ministry of Commerce data. Tyre exports rose 9 per cent year-on-year, climbing to ₹25,051 crore from ₹23,073 crore in the previous fiscal. As per the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), this growth comes amid persistent challenges such as volatile trade policies, geopolitical tensions, and disruptions in international supply chains. With an annual turnover nearing ₹1 lakh crore, the tyre industry ranks among India's most export-intensive manufacturing sectors. The growth in exports is being attributed to consistent investments in capacity expansion, improvements in manufacturing efficiency, and increased focus on innovation. Arun Mammen, Chairman of ATMA, credited the sector's resilience to its strategic expansion initiatives post the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Over the past 3–4 years, tyre manufacturers have collectively invested around ₹27,000 crore in both greenfield and brownfield projects. This underscores our long-term commitment to India's growth story,' he said. A recent industry outlook by PwC forecasts that the Indian tyre market will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11–12 per cent until 2047, driven by a combination of rising domestic consumption, strong export demand, and technological advancement. 'Even though global macroeconomic conditions remain uncertain, India's domestic market offers a solid buffer, making us more resilient to external shocks,' Mammen added. Global footprint and key markets Indian tyre manufacturers currently export to over 170 countries, with the United States accounting for 17 per cent of the total export value—making it the largest market. Other key destinations include Germany (6 per cent), Brazil (5 per cent), the UAE (4 per cent), and France (4 per cent). Farm and Off-the-Road (OTR) tyres continue to dominate the export portfolio, together contributing close to 60 per cent of the total export value. Trade risks and market diversification Commenting on emerging trade policy concerns, particularly the prospect of tariff changes in the US, Mammen noted that the industry is closely monitoring developments. 'We are firm believers in equitable trade and remain committed to expanding into new markets to reduce dependency,' he said. Indian tyre brands have also been gaining international recognition. Four homegrown manufacturers—Apollo Tyres, CEAT, JK Tyre, and MRF—were recently ranked among the 'Top 15 Strongest Tyre Brands' globally by Brand Finance. Natural rubber: A critical bottleneck Despite the export momentum, industry stakeholders caution that access to natural rubber (NR) remains a key constraint. With nearly 40 per cent of the industry's NR needs being met through imports, limited domestic availability poses a long-term challenge. To mitigate this, the industry has launched Project INROAD in collaboration with the Rubber Board of India and under the guidance of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Backed by ₹1,100 crore from four ATMA member companies, the initiative aims to expand rubber plantations by 2 lakh hectares and enhance infrastructure and skill development in rubber-growing regions. 'Even with these interventions, India will need significantly more NR to meet its projected demand of 20 lakh tonnes by 2030,' Mammen said. Notably, unlike global trends where synthetic rubber accounts for the majority of usage, Indian tyre manufacturing relies heavily on natural rubber, making up 60 per cent of total rubber consumption. According to the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG), India registered the highest CAGR in NR demand—6.15 per cent between 2020 and 2024—among all major rubber-producing and consuming countries. 'There's a pressing need to ramp up domestic NR production through focused, large-scale efforts,' Mammen emphasised.
