Despite good initiatives under NDA backing out on farm reforms is a negative
he National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government adopted a two-pronged strategy to address the twin challenges of raising agricultural growth and enhancing the welfare of farmers after it came to power in 2014. Initiatives such as PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, which entail an annual payment of ₹6,000 per farmer in four installments, or the PM Fasal […]
India’s Livestock Economy is in Danger
Livestock contributes about 4.11% to the total GDP of India and 25.6% to the agricultural GDP, this sector strengthens the economic base of rural India. For example, the dairy sector alone has propelled India to become the largest milk producer globally. For example, dairy, being the largest agricultural commodity in India, contributes 5% to the […]
Activists call out FSSAI for increasing permissible level of pesticides in Indian herbs, spices
Much to the outrage of activists and scientists, the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) increased the maximum residue limit (MRL) of pesticides in herbs and spices by a whopping 10 times. The order dated April 8, 2024, revealed that the MRL of pesticides has increased substantially from 0.01 milligrammes per kilogramme (mg / […]
A scientifically-evolved and truly accountable FSSAI need of the hour
Nestle accused of varying levels of sugar content in products for India and European nations We can’t let the FSSAI to get away with it. There are 26 scientific committees that FSSAI has constituted for setting standards and yet if the norms are so relaxed it becomes obvious that the ‘conflict of interest’ is much […]
Why Farmers Are Standing Up Against Free Trade
My mom stood next to my grandfather, both crying as he emptied the bulk tank and dumped his milk in protest. It was the 1960s, and dairy farmers in Wisconsin and elsewhere who were members of the National Farmers Organization (NFO) were destroying their milk to cause shortages in supply chains and improve prices. They were desperate, […]
Time for consumers to stand in solidarity with dairy farmers-Devinder Sharma
WHAT began as a small effort to help French dairy farmers overcome distress has galvanised into a unique consumer movement, slowly spreading its wings globally. While ensuring that the agri-food industry works towards a healthy transformation leading to sustainable and regenerative farming systems, French food cooperative brand C’est qui le Patron (‘Who’s the Boss?’) has […]
Household income of small farmers from livestock increased to 16% : ICRIER study
Potential for increasing farmers’ incomes lies primarily in moving towards animal husbandry and pisciculture, finds a study led by prominent agricultural economist Ashok Gulati and three other researchers. Titled “New Deal for Agriculture for Viksit Bharat@2047”, the study, which was published by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) earlier this month, recommends five […]
PM launches ‘Bharat Pashudhan’-for livestock traceability
The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation ‘Bharat Pashudhan’ – a digital database for livestock animals in the country. Developed under the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), ‘Bharat Pashudhan’ utilizes a unique 12-digit Tag ID allocated to each livestock animal. Under the project, out of an estimated 30.5 crore bovines, about 29.6 crore have already […]
How to bring about White Revolution 2.0
The new NSSO data reveals that milk is the food item Indians are spending the most on. To sustain high consumer demand and ensure a good income for farmers, focus needs to shift from hiking procurement prices to lowering production costs at the farm-gate. Based on the most recent Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) for 2022-23, milk has […]
Is it unfair for farmers to demand a guaranteed higher price?
Historic fall in farm households’ income in 2022-23 points to the agrarian crisis which calls for multipronged policy responses For the first time in Indian history, farm households’ monthly expenditure (MPCE) has fallen below non-farm (and average) rural households, a national daily has reported (MoSPI released only a three-page brief). The HCS/MPCE being the proxy […]
