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The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Ahead of GST Council meet, cooperative bodies marketing arecanut seek tax cut to 5% on copper sulphate
With the 56th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting likely to be held in July, cooperative bodies marketing arecanut in the State have sought a reduction in GST on copper sulphate from a maximum 18% to 5%. Copper sulphate is a major ingredient in Bordeaux mixture, a fungicide used to control 'kole roga' (fruit rot disease) in arecanut plantations. The disease hits arecanut plantations when there is incessant heavy rains. The mixture is also used to control fungal diseases in crops such as coffee, rubber, cardamom, pepper, and ginger. Arecanut farmers in coastal, Malnad belts and in some districts of central Karnataka are highly dependent on copper sulphate to control the disease. Karnataka largest producer The Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Ramnath Thakur told the Lok Sabha on March 18 that Karnataka ranks first in arecanut production with 10 lakh tonnes from 6.8 lakh hectares out of a total production of 14.11 lakh tonnes from 9.4 lakh hectares in India, as per final estimate for 2023-24. A. Kishore Kumar Kodgi, president of the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (CAMPCO) Ltd, Mangaluru, told The Hindu: 'We have been writing to the Union government to revise the GST for copper sulphate from 18% to 5% since 2021, but to no avail.' Copper sulphate price up He stated that this year, CAMPCO has been selling copper sulphate to its grower members at ₹330 per kg, compared to ₹310 per kg last year. Private traders are selling it above ₹350 per kg. The price increased this year due to higher copper scrap prices and also due to the classification of copper sulphate as an industrial product rather than a fertiliser. Industrial products are taxed at 18% GST, while fertilisers attract a lower 5% GST, Mr. Kodgi said. The copper scrap, which was available at around ₹400-450 per kg (plus GST) in 2020, now costs around ₹850 per kg (plus GST). In addition, sulphuric acid, used in the manufacture of copper sulphate, which cost around ₹9,000 a tonne in 2024, now costs around ₹17,000 a tonne, pushing the prices of copper sulphate up, he said. Multiple GST rates 'Multiple GST rates (5%, 12% and 18%) on products used for the same agricultural purpose (crop nutrition and protection) create classification ambiguities and compliance challenges,' Mr. Kodgi said. Elaborating on this, he said copper sulphate is listed under Chapter 28 with HSN code 28332500 as a sulphate, attracting 18% GST. It is also categorised under the same chapter without an HSN code as a micro-nutrient, attracting a 12% GST. When classified as a fungicide under Chapter 38 with HSN code 3808, it attracts 18% GST. 'Uniform GST rate of 5% for all agricultural inputs, including copper sulphate, would ensure fairness, clarity, and affordability,' Mr. Kodgi said, adding that lower taxation will benefit many farmers. Introducing a distinct HSN code or unified classification for copper sulphate used in agriculture would eliminate interpretational issues and streamline taxation, he said. Benefit to farmers Mahesh Hulkuli, vice-president of the Shivamogga-based Malnad Areca Marketing Cooperative Society (MAMCOS) Ltd, said that if the GST rate is slashed to 5%, then cooperatives can sell copper sulphate to farmers at approximately ₹280 per kg. Then, private traders will be forced to lower their selling rate, too, he said. A delegation of arecanut stakeholders will meet Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman soon, although the cooperative institutions of Karnataka have been making this demand of the government for a long time, he said. Gopalakrishna Vaidya, president of the Sirsi-based Totagars' Cooperative Sale Society (another arecanut cooperative), said that if the GST rate is revised to 5%, it will help lakhs of small and marginal growers. 'We have given a representation on the same to Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who represents Karnataka in the GST council,' he said.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Focus on farmers prosperity, UP minister urges agri scientists
1 2 Varanasi: Union minister of state for agriculture and farmers' welfare Ramnath Thakur concluded his two-day visit to Varanasi on Thursday as part of the ongoing Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a nationwide campaign to promote sustainable agricultural practices and advanced technologies. During the concluding function held at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Kallipur, the minister urged agricultural scientists and officials to focus on farmer prosperity by reducing farming costs and working towards the goal of doubling farmers' income. He emphasized the need for communicating the latest agricultural innovations to farmers in a language they understand — directly in their fields. Addressing a gathering of farmers, the minister highlighted that sowing rice during the Rohini Nakshatra is considered auspicious and leads to better crop yields due to favorable climatic conditions. The campaign witnessed active participation from farmers across the region. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticulture), ICAR, New Delhi, directed officials to act firmly against the use of adulterated seeds and chemicals. He also stressed promoting diversified farming, including fruits, vegetables, pulses, oilseeds, animal husbandry, and fisheries. Colonel Bijendra Singh, Vice Chancellor of Acharya Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya, highlighted that Uttar Pradesh's agricultural productivity lags behind states like Punjab. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unfriendliest Countries in the World, Ranked BigGlobalTravel Undo He advised farmers to adopt practices such as timely sowing, field leveling, correct seed rates, and incorporating green manure crops like dhaincha and sunhemp to restore organic matter in soil. Water-saving techniques like sprinkler and drip irrigation and mulching were also recommended. Additionally, beekeeping was encouraged to boost crop yields by 15–20%. As part of the visit, the ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute – South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), organized field visits to demonstrate Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) technology and other climate-smart agricultural innovations. The minister visited the ISARC exhibition stalls, where he was briefed on climate-resilient rice varieties, rice-based nutritional products, and farmer-friendly technologies tailored for small appreciated ISARC's efforts in offering scalable and eco-friendly farming solutions suitable for regional conditions. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Grow heat-tolerant varieties, UP minister urgers farmers
1 2 Varanasi: As part of Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan 2025, Union minister of state for agriculture and farmers welfare, Ramnath Thakur, participated in a farmers' dialogue programme organised by the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) at Paniyara village on Wednesday. During the farmer dialogue, the minister emphasised that scientists should conduct research keeping farmer welfare in mind. He added that farmers trust scientists' advice and scientists are working hard to develop new technologies for farmers through dedicated research. Need is to reach the technologies to farmers and motivate them to adopt them. He also urged scientists to develop new heat-tolerant varieties. The minister inspected products displayed by FPOs and farmers at an exhibition in which prominent institutions such as IIVR, Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Renew Power took part in the programme that was attended by Sanjay Kumar, director of National Seed Research Institute, distinguished progressive farmer Padma Shri Chandreshkhar, village head, regional public representatives, Naveen Singh, in charge of Krishi Vigyan Kendra and senior officials from state agriculture department. The minister also inspected the paddy field demonstration of the direct seeded rice method implemented by IRRI at farmer Lallan Dubey's field in Paniyara village. DSR is a sustainable scientific method that helps save water in paddy fields while increasing production and reducing costs. The minister honoured five selected farmers and provided Digital Soil Health Cards to 10 farmers to help them get instant information about soil quality. At IIVR campus's 'agricultural waste management unit', Thakur planted a sandalwood sapling as part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. Dr Sanjay Kumar Singh, deputy director general (horticulture), ICAR, also planted a tree alongside. During dialogue with progressive farmers and FPOs, the minister gathered information about IIVR's role in the nationwide Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan. Director Rajesh Kumar said that under IIVR's leadership, in coordination with KVKs and state govt's agriculture department, scientists completed dialogue with over 52,000 farmers across six districts in 13 days, which continues unabated. The director also briefed the minister about farmers' problems gathered from scientists. Major issues addressed included crop damage from nilgai, water crisis, pest management, lack of market access and non-availability of quality seeds. The minister directed quick solutions to these problems.
