Latest news with #Agriculture
Argaam
4 hours ago
- General
- Argaam
KSA approves rules for public utility facilities
Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture for Agriculture, Hamad Al-Khamshi, approved the guidelines for establishments located at public utility markets for vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, and fish. The guidelines shall be enforced as of the date of publication, and all relevant parties shall be notified for implementation. The guidelines supersede any previous conflicting regulations, according to Umm Al-Qura official newspaper. Under the guidelines, establishments are required to have air or plastic curtains on external entrance doors, as well as natural or artificial lighting (or both) at the premises. Artificial lighting should not alter the appearance of colors, and its intensity must suit the nature of operations. Light fixtures must be shatter-resistant or protected by covers in areas where they are directly exposed to food, equipment, utensils, or unsealed packaging materials.
NDTV
21 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
Telangana Engineering, Agriculture, and Medical Test 2025 Counselling Schedule Released, Details Here
TS EAMCET Counselling Schedule 2025: The Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) has released the counselling schedule for the Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture, and Medical Common Entrance Test (TS EAMCET). Candidates can check the counselling schedule on the official website, TS EAMCET Counselling Schedule 2025: How To Download Schedule? Visit the official website, Click on the direct link to complete the registration process with basic details. Login with required credentials. Pay the counselling fee online. Complete slot booking for document verification. TS EAMCET Counselling Schedule 2025: Important Dates Candidates will be able to fill basic details online and pay the fees for slot booking and processes from June 28 to July 7, 2025. Certificate Verification for already Slot Booked candidates July 1 to July 8 Exercising Options after Certificate Verification July 6 to July 10 Freezing of options July 10 Display of Mock Seat Allocation on or before July 13 Modification of Options, if required, otherwise Options exercised for Mock Allotment shall be considered for First Phase of Allotment July 14 to 15 Freezing of Options for First Phase Seat Allotment July 15 Payment of Tuition Fee and Self Reporting through website July 18 to July 22, 2025
Economic Times
a day ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Output of farm sector rises to Rs 29.49 lakh crore in FY24: Govt data
The agriculture and allied sector in India has witnessed substantial growth, with the Gross Value of Output increasing by 54.6% between FY12 and FY24, reaching Rs 29.49 lakh crore. While the crop sector remains the largest contributor, cereals, fruits, and vegetables dominate. Notably, banana's GVO surpassed mango's, and potato continues to lead in the vegetable group. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in Economy 1. After magnets, China now plants agriculture barrier for India The Gross Value of Output (GVO) from the agriculture and allied sector increased 54.6 per cent during FY12 to FY24 to Rs 29.49 lakh crore at constant prices, National Statistics Office (NSO) said on NSO, part of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), has released the annual publication of 'Statistical Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors (2011-12 to 2023-24)'."Gross Value of Output (GVO) from the agriculture and allied sector at constant prices has shown steady growth from Rs 1,908 thousand crore in 2011-12 to Rs 2,949 thousand crore in 2023-24, marking an overall increase of approximately 54.6 pr cent," NSO further said Gross Value Added (GVA) of agriculture and allied sectors at current prices registered a growth of about 225 per cent, increasing from Rs 1,502 thousand crore in 2011-12 to Rs 4,878 thousand crore in publication is a comprehensive document which provides detailed tables on values of output of crop, livestock, forestry and logging, and fishing and aquaculture sectors of agriculture and allied activities from 2011-12 to 2023-24 at both current and constant (2011-12) detailed publication comes after the major aggregates at all-India level have been released in the form of National Accounts Statistics on 28th February 2025, NSO to the data, the crop sector with GVO at Rs 15.95 lakh crore remains the largest contributor to total GVO (at constant prices) of agriculture and allied sectors with share of 54.1 per cent in 2023-24. Cereals and fruits and vegetables together accounted for 52.5 per cent of total crop GVO in the cereals, only paddy and wheat constituted approximately 85 per cent of GVO (at constant prices) of all cereals in states -- Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana and Haryana -- contributed nearly 53 per cent of GVO (at constant prices) of cereals in reduced share (18.6 pe cent in 2011-12 to 17.2 per cent in 2023-24), Uttar Pradesh maintained the top most position, according to the NSO the fruit group in 2023-24, constant prices GVO of banana (Rs 47,000 crore) has surpassed that of mango (Rs 46,100 crore). Mango was the top-most contributor in GVO (at constant prices) in fruit group consistently from 2011-12 to remains the top-most contributor in GVO (at constant prices) of vegetable group during 2011-12 to 2023-24. GVO of potato has increased to Rs 37,200 crore in 2023-24 from Rs 21,300 thousand crore in floriculture experienced significant growth in GVO at constant prices, nearly doubling from Rs 17,400 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 28,100 crore in 2023-24, reflecting rising commercial interest and diversification in horticulture.
The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
Counseling schedule for 2025 admissions to engineering and pharmacy colleges announced; first phase from June 28
The Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test (TGEAPCET) - 2025 Admission Committee has announced the counselling schedule for admissions, that will begin with online registration, fee payment and slot booking from June 28. The meeting held on Friday (June 27, 2025) under the chairmanship of V. Balakista Reddy, chairman, Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) and A. Sridevasena, commissioner of Technical Education approved the schedule. The first phase Accordingly, the first phase of admissions will begin with online registration, fee payment and slot booking from June 28 to July 7. Certificates will be verified from July 1 to July 8 and the options can be entered from July 6 to July 10. Options can be frozen on July 10. Mock allotment of seats will be displayed on or before July 13. And, if there is a need, a chance to modify options will be provided from July 14 to 15. The seats would be allotted on or before July 18, and the candidates allotted seats have to pay their tuition fee and self report at the allotted colleges between July 18 and 22. The second phase The Second phase will begin on July 25. Those who have not attended earlier can participate in this round. The seats would be allotted before July 30. Officials said that physical reporting is mandatory after the second phase. Candidates allotted seats in this round but do not report to the college will not be eligible for the final phase of the selection process. The final phase The final phase will begin on August 5 and seats would be allotted before August 10. Students have to report at the college between August 11 and 13. No dropouts or cancellations will be allowed after the final phase. Internal sliding within the same colleges will be allowed between August 18 and 19. Prof. Balakista Reddy said that candidates should closely follow the official website for notifications and updates. Original Transfer Certificates (TC) and a set of photocopies of all documents must be submitted to the allotted college during physical reporting.
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Agriculture Minister Steenhuisen's no-show — MPs furious as wildlife reform stalls again
Parliament's patience snapped this week as Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen failed to show up to a long-awaited joint committee briefing on wildlife protection – a meeting he had personally scheduled. Instead of progress on critical reforms to end cruelty on lion farms and other abuses, MPs were met with silence from the Agriculture Ministry and a vapid, outdated presentation from the Environment Department. One MP called the no-show 'criminal'. Another asked: who benefits from this delay – because it's certainly not the animals. At what was supposed to be a joint briefing of the parliamentary environment and agriculture committees on Tuesday, 24 June, an official from Agriculture admitted they had no report to present. Although the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) did present a report – 'Progress on the Implementation of the Report of the High Level Panel on Captive Animals' – it contained little more than a rehash of information already in the public domain and references to existing and outdated statutes. It was harshly criticised by MPs for its lack of detail. The report also failed to address critical questions raised during a session earlier this month at which the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) disclosed shocking cruelty on lion breeding farms. The heated session, intended to assess progress on the implementation of the High-Level Panel (HLP) report on the management of lions, elephants, rhinos and leopards, instead exposed: The absence of any meaningful progress in the implementation of the HLP recommendations; A lack of political will in the implementation of the HLP recommendations; Failure to implement a parliamentary resolution requiring the departments to create a joint workstream on animal welfare; A complete failure of collaboration between the two departments; Extreme delays by Agriculture in drafting a new Animal Welfare Bill; and The absence of the NSPCA in a process central to its mandate. A session mired in frustration After the DFFE presented its report, the session quickly devolved into a litany of frustrations. MPs from both committees expressed dismay at Steenhuisen's no-show and the failure of his department to make a presentation, particularly given the gravity of the issues at hand. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Bernice Swarts was among the most vocal, stressing the need for tangible action rather than empty promises. 'We must really implement what we say and not just talk,' Swarts said. 'When we say departments must collaborate, we must see it in practice. We cannot have a situation where the DFFE says something is not their mandate and Agriculture claims ignorance.' She further demanded that both departments submit an MOU (between the DFFE and the NSPCA) and the draft Animal Welfare Bill to the committee secretariats by Friday, 27 June. 'We cannot allow more delays,' she said. 'This matter has dragged on for too long.' On Steenhuisen's absence from the meeting, an ANC Study Group report afterwards said: 'The meeting was arranged to accommodate the Minister's attendance and we view his absence in a very negative light given the importance of the issues at hand and matters to be discussed.' 'You knew the date,' snapped MP Montwedi Mothusi. 'You chose Tuesday, June 24, knowing full well the portfolio committee meets on Tuesday. This selective engagement is disgraceful.' These sentiments were echoed by other MPs, who highlighted the lack of progress on key legislative reforms, including the Animal Welfare Bill, which has been in development for nearly five years. The High-Level Panel's recommendations have existed since 2019. Yet five years later, virtually no enforceable legislation has followed. The DFFE tried to demonstrate progress, but came under fire for being vague and slow, and merely listing existing legislation. The EFF's Nazier Paulsen pressed for accountability. 'The problem isn't that the HLP isn't law. The problem is your department hasn't taken decisive action. Our biodiversity is a national heritage. You need to act like it.' Unanswered questions MPs grilled the DFFE on several fronts, with many questions left inadequately addressed. Key concerns included: The Missing MOU with NSPCA MPs repeatedly questioned why the NSPCA had not signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DFFE, despite the critical role the organisation plays in animal welfare enforcement. The DFFE's response was evasive, stating only that it was 'willing to engage further' with the NSPCA. Poulsen pointed out the absurdity of the situation: 'If the NSPCA's legislation resides with Agriculture, and Agriculture has an MOU with DFFE, why hasn't the NSPCA signed one with DFFE? This lack of coordination is unacceptable.' Delays in the Animal Welfare Bill The Department of Agriculture's failure to finalise the Animal Welfare Bill was a major point of contention. MP Lillian Manga noted, 'this matter has been dragging on for over a decade. Who benefits from this delay? Certainly not the animals, who cannot speak for themselves.' The DFFE admitted they had not yet seen the draft Bill, despite its purported progress. MP Thandi Makasi demanded clarity: 'When will this Bill be tabled? We need concrete timelines, not vague assurances.' Deputy Minister Swarts confirmed that while meetings between departments had taken place in 2024, no records had been submitted to Parliament. 'We expect registers, minutes, timelines. You can't come to Parliament and wing it.' Chairperson Dina Pule summed it up: 'Five years after the HLP, Agriculture has produced no legislative reform. How is this acceptable?' The absence of any collaboration between the departments on the drafting of the Animal Welfare Bill has been repeatedly exposed in Answers to Parliamentary Questions. Overlapping mandates MPs highlighted the confusion between the Wellbeing Forum and the Wildlife Forum, with conflicting reports on whether minutes and access were shared between the two. Questions were raised about why members of the Wildlife Forum (largely from the wildlife industry) were able to attend the Wellbeing Forum (largely conservation organisations), but the latter were barred from the Wildlife Forum. DA MP Andrew de Blocq called the DFFE's explanation 'wholly insufficient', adding, 'if there are concerns about professional interests, there are ways to address them – like non-disclosure agreements. This is not a valid excuse for lack of transparency.' He also criticised the DFFE for not mentioning the three court applications challenging various aspects of the legislation in progress. He asked why the NSPCA carried the burden of inspections without government funding. 'Is there even a single government Environmental Management Inspector (EMI) trained in animal welfare?' he asked, as to his knowledge, EMIs had no animal welfare competence. Phasing out captive lion breeding MPs were frustrated at the slow pace of phasing out captive breeding. The ministerial task team, established to explore voluntary exits and eventual prohibition, was evidently invited to the meeting only at the last minute and did not attend. According to the DFFE, 'Phase one' is under way, but no timelines for full closure were provided. MPs questioned the gap between intentions and action. Agriculture's absence and weak defence When the Department of Agriculture finally responded following questions, its contribution did little to assuage concerns. The Director of Animal Production, Joel Mamabolo, said 'the Department of Agriculture does not see the High-Level Panel report for the animals being discussed today,' a remark that drew sharp rebukes. Pule slammed the response: 'This is the problem – Agriculture doesn't even recognise its role in this process. How can we expect progress when the department responsible for animal welfare is disengaged?' As the session concluded, MPs unanimously agreed to send a formal letter to Steenhuisen expressing their disappointment. They also demanded: A copy of the MOU between DFFE and Agriculture by 27 June; The draft Animal Welfare Bill by the same deadline; and A detailed report on the progress of captive lion facility closures. Bernice Swarts summed up the mood: 'We cannot keep delaying this. The animals are suffering and the departments are dragging their feet. We need action, not excuses.' The session ended with little resolved, but with a clear message: Parliament is watching and patience is wearing thin. DM
