Latest news with #MinistryofAgricultureandFarmersWelfare
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Farmers hurt by low soybean prices shift to maize, lured by rising demand for ethanol
New Delhi: The government's aim of reducing agricultural imports and making the country self-sufficient in oilseeds seems to be facing setbacks this kharif season due to unremunerative prices for farmers and growing demand for ethanol. The area on which import-dependent crops such as oilseeds is sown has declined, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on 25 July. The area under oilseeds dropped by 383,000 hectares from last year. The fall in oilseeds sowing is mainly due to a sharp decline in the cultivation of soybean — India's main kharif oilseed crop — although there were small increases in areas under groundnut and sesamum. The total area of oilseeds cultivation dipped 2% to 16.7 million hectares, primarily due to fall in soybean area by 3.8% to 11.7 million hectares. Soybean constitutes 65% of the total area under oilseeds. Farmers said market prices are lower than the minimum support price (MSP) that the government offers to purchase soybean. However, unlike for paddy or wheat, there's no large-scale procurement infrastructure for soybean. In some states, state-run agencies may buy soybean under a price support scheme, but these are limited in scope and budget. These factors force soybean farmers to switch to crops like maize, which offers better marketability. 'For an acre, the input cost varies from ₹18,000 to ₹20,000, and the production ranges between 5-6 quintals per acre, while the market price of one quintal of soybean was between ₹4,000 and ₹4,100 — which was much below the MSP (minimum support price) of ₹4,892 for crop year 2024-25," said Ganesh Nanote, a soybean farmer from Vidarbha in Maharashtra. Although the government increased the MSP of soybean to ₹5,328/quintal on 28 May, it still failed to attract farmers to cultivate the key oilseed. Ethanol blending 'Since maize is in demand and has higher saleability than soybean, farmers are diversifying towards maize production due to its demand in the ethanol blending programme," said Nanote. India blends as much as 20% of ethanol—a byproduct of some crops—in petrol to reduce carbon emissions from use of the automobile fuel. The decline in oilseed output comes even after repeated government efforts to boost domestic production and reduce import dependence, especially after recent global supply disruptions caused edible oil prices to rise. India imports over 60% of its edible oil needs and has targeted expanded cultivation under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm. Apart from the farmers, the edible oil processing industry also faces pressure as shrinking margins due to lower oilmeal prices and uneven supply of oilseeds make it harder to operate at scale. Industry executives argued that unless oilseed cultivation is made economically viable for farmers through targeted support and stable pricing, supply-side constraints will continue to hurt both producers and processors. 'In Punjab, farmers initially picked up sunflower cultivation, but the prices were not remunerative, so they stopped," said A.R. Sharma, chairman of the Sangrur (Punjab)-based Ricela Group of Companies, which processes rice bran oil. 'Secondly, maize is widely used as a feedstock for ethanol in recent years. This has led to increased availability of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a by-product of ethanol production, primarily from maize, which is widely used in the cattle and poultry industry." The increased availability of DDGS has affected demand for traditional oilmeals and has led to a significant drop in their prices and as a result, processors are finding it difficult to offer farmers a remunerative price, Sharma added. Blow for farmers 'Last year (2024-25), the prices were not good, so we switched to maize this year as it offers better returns. The decline in earnings from soybean, coupled with rising input costs, has affected farmers badly, leading many of them to diversify," said Mahesh Kumar, a farmer from Morena in Madhya Pradesh. According to him, non-remunerative prices have come as a significant blow, especially for small and marginal farmers. Production of oilseeds stood at 41.35 million tonnes in FY23, which decreased to 39.9 million tonnes in FY24 before rising to 42.6 million tonnes in FY25. Soybean production was 14.98 million tonnes in FY23, 13.06 million tonnes in FY24, and 15.18 million tonnes in FY25. Queries sent to the ministry of agriculture remained unanswered. Cotton, a key crop for both the government's self-reliance plan and the textile industry, was sown on 10.3 million hectares as on 25 July compared with 10.5 million hectares last year. In the case of cotton sowing, Nanote — who diversified from cotton to soybean initially and is now shifting to maize — said labour shortages, poor price realisation, and outdated seed technology have pushed him to opt for other crops. The MSP of cotton for the 2025-26 crop year was increased to ₹7,710 per quintal from ₹7,121 per quintal for medium-staple cotton, and to ₹8,110 per quintal from ₹7,521 per quintal for long-staple cotton. India's cotton production stood at 33.66 million bales in FY23, declined to 32.52 million bales in FY24, and further dropped to 30.69 million bales in FY25. (1 bale = 170 kg).
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Total area sown under kharif crops in India crosses 829 lakh hectares
New Delhi, July 28: The total area sown under kharif crops in the ongoing current season has increased by 4 per cent to 829.64 lakh hectares, so far this year, compared with the corresponding figure of 797.91 lakh hectares in the same period last year, data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Monday showed. The increase in sown area augurs well for higher production, which, in turn, would increase the incomes of farmers and also help to keep food inflation in check. The official figures show that the area under rice is 245.33 lakh hectares as on July 27 this year, compared to 236.16 lakh hectares during the same period last year. The area under pulses such as urad and moong has been reported at 93.05 lakh hectares as compared to 89.94 lakh hectares during the same period last year. This increase is a positive development as an increase in the production of pulses plays a key role in controlling inflation. The area covered under coarse cereals or millets such as jowar, bajra, and ragi has shot up to 160.72 lakh hectares during the current season so far, from 154.97 lakh hectares in the same period of the previous year. The sown area has gone up in the current season as better monsoon rains have facilitated the sowing in unirrigated areas of the country, which account for close to 50 per cent of the country's farmland. The area under sugarcane has also increased to 55.16 lakh hectares from 54.88 lakh hectares in the same period of the previous year. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on May 28 this year, approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 kharif crops for the marketing season 2025-26 to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their crops and incentivise production. The highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has been recommended for nigerseed (Rs 820 per quintal), followed by ragi (Rs 596 per quintal), cotton (Rs 589 per quintal), and sesamum (Rs 579 per quintal).
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PM-Kisan beneficiaries alerted against fake messages and fraudulent claims
Fake messages in the name of PM-Kisan scheme What should PM Kisan beneficiaries do? What is PM Kisan Yojana? PM Kisan Yojana scheme: When Rs 2,000 will be credited? How farmers can check their PM Kisan beneficiary status PM Kisan 20th instalment Complete e-KYC Link Aadhaar with bank account Verify bank account details Resolve pending land record issues Check beneficiary status online Update mobile number The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has released a public advisory asking beneficiaries of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to be wary of fraudulent messages and misleading claims circulating on social media platforms in an effort to prevent farmers from becoming victims of for fake messages can compromise your bank details or Aadhaar information, and even lead to your benefits being delayed or highlights that several fake messages, links, and social media posts are being spread in the name of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme. These messages often include false promises of additional benefits, fake registration links, or misleading updates that can lead to fraud or loss of personal government warns that believing or engaging with such unverified information can risk your rightful entitlements and hard-earned beneficiaries should follow status updates, and registration details only from the official PM-Kisan portal: and @pmkisanofficial (on X and Facebook)Under the PM Kisan Yojana, an income support of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments will be provided to all landholding farmer families. This is payable in three equal 4-monthly instalments of Rs 2000/- each. The fund is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the Minister Narendra Modi is likely to release the 20th instalment for eligible PM-Kisan beneficiaries this month, though an official date has not yet been announced. The 19th instalment of PM Kisan was disbursed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bihar's Bhagalpur visit on February 24, 1: Visit the official PM Kisan 2: Access the Beneficiary Status 3: Click on "Beneficiary Status"Step 4: Enter your Aadhaar Number or Account 5: Click on "Get Data"Step 6: View Beneficiary 7: Check for Payment beneficiary status will be shown on the screen when the system to a recent official PM Kisan social media post, 'Securing Farmers' Future, Enriching India's Agriculture To avail the benefits of 20th instalment of PM Kisan Farmers must complete the given mandates today.'To receive the upcoming 20th instalment, farmers must fulfill the following key requirements without delay:
Economic Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
PM-Kisan beneficiaries alerted against fake messages and fraudulent claims
ET Online PM Kisan fake news The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has released a public advisory asking beneficiaries of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to be wary of fraudulent messages and misleading claims circulating on social media platforms in an effort to prevent farmers from becoming victims of disinformation. How to do eKYC for PM Kisan scheme: Here are 3 waysFalling for fake messages can compromise your bank details or Aadhaar information, and even lead to your benefits being delayed or stolen. Fake messages in the name of PM-Kisan scheme Advisory highlights that several fake messages, links, and social media posts are being spread in the name of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme. These messages often include false promises of additional benefits, fake registration links, or misleading updates that can lead to fraud or loss of personal government warns that believing or engaging with such unverified information can risk your rightful entitlements and hard-earned income. What should PM Kisan beneficiaries do? Farmer beneficiaries should follow status updates, and registration details only from the official PM-Kisan portal: and @pmkisanofficial (on X and Facebook) What is PM Kisan Yojana? Under the PM Kisan Yojana, an income support of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments will be provided to all landholding farmer families. This is payable in three equal 4-monthly instalments of Rs 2000/- each. The fund is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. PM Kisan Yojana scheme: When Rs 2,000 will be credited? Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to release the 20th instalment for eligible PM-Kisan beneficiaries this month, though an official date has not yet been announced. The 19th instalment of PM Kisan was disbursed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bihar's Bhagalpur visit on February 24, 2025. How farmers can check their PM Kisan beneficiary status Step 1: Visit the official PM Kisan website. Step 2: Access the Beneficiary Status page. Step 3: Click on "Beneficiary Status" Step 4: Enter your Aadhaar Number or Account Number. Step 5: Click on "Get Data" Step 6: View Beneficiary Status. Step 7: Check for Payment Status. Your beneficiary status will be shown on the screen when the system processes. PM Kisan 20th instalment According to a recent official PM Kisan social media post, 'Securing Farmers' Future, Enriching India's Agriculture To avail the benefits of 20th instalment of PM Kisan Farmers must complete the given mandates today.'To receive the upcoming 20th instalment, farmers must fulfill the following key requirements without delay: Complete e-KYC Link Aadhaar with bank account Verify bank account details Resolve pending land record issues Check beneficiary status online Update mobile number N.R. Narayana Murthy Founder, Infosys Watch Now Harsh Mariwala Chairman & Founder, Marico Watch Now Adar Poonawalla CEO, Serum Institute of India Watch Now Ronnie Screwvala Chairperson & Co-founder, upGrad Watch Now Puneet Dalmia Managing Director, Dalmia Bharat group Watch Now Martin Schwenk Former President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz, Thailand Watch Now Nadir Godrej Managing Director, of Godrej Industries Watch Now Manu Jain Former- Global Vice President, Xiaomi Watch Now Nithin Kamath Founder, CEO, Zerodha Watch Now Anil Agarwal Executive Chairman, Vedanta Resources Watch Now Dr. Prathap C. Reddy Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Watch Now Vikram Kirloskar Former Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Watch Now Kiran Mazumdar Shaw Executive Chairperson, Biocon Limited Watch Now Shashi Kiran Shetty Chairman of Allcargo Logistics, ECU Worldwide and Gati Ltd Watch Now Samir K Modi Managing Director, Modi Enterprises Watch Now R Gopalakrishnan Former Director Tata Sons, Former Vice Chairman, HUL Watch Now Sanjiv Mehta Former Chairman / CEO, Hindustan Unilever Watch Now Dr Ajai Chowdhry Co-Founder, HCL, Chairman EPIC Foundation, Author, Just Aspire Watch Now Shiv Khera Author, Business Consultant, Motivational Speaker Watch Now Nakul Anand Executive Director, ITC Limited Watch Now RS Sodhi Former MD, Amul & President, Indian Dairy Association Watch Now Anil Rai Gupta Managing Director & Chairman, Havells Watch Now Zia Mody Co-Founder & Managing Partner, AZB & Partners Watch Now Arundhati Bhattacharya Chairperson & CEO, Salesforce India Watch Now
Hans India
18-07-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Training programme held for farmers
Kurnool: Crop diversification in agriculture is the need of the hour. A training programme was organised at KVK Banavasi for farmers of Kurnool district. The programme was organised under the 'Mandatory Capacity Building for Extension of Pilot Project on Crop Diversification on Integrated Farming System.' It was funded by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, AICRP. Dr Tejeswara Rao, Co-Principal Investigator of the project informed that crop diversification in agriculture involves growing different types of crops to increase agricultural resilience to climate change, improve soil health, reduce losses and increase income, often shifting from monoculture to crop mix and adopting integrated farming systems. Dr K Raghavendra Chowdhury, Programme Coordinator, in his address, stressed the need for soybean and bajra cultivation to increase soil fertility and farmer profitability. Dr P Sujathamma, Principal Scientist and Coordinator, DAATTC, Kurnool, explained about value addition for improved agricultural systems. Value addition in agricultural systems means converting raw agricultural products into complete or semi-finished goods, increasing their economic value, benefiting farmers through higher incomes and creating employment opportunities.
