P. Chengal Reddy, Secretary-General of the Consortium of Indian Farmers' Associations (CIFA), is thoroughly convinced about the deployment of ICT applications in farming. He cites the e- sagu (e-cultivation) programme jointly promoted by the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-Hyderabad) and Media Lab Asia, being implemented for the last four-five years. The pilot programme covered paddy, cotton, chillies, red gram and castor in six districts of Andhra Pradesh
|
The Federation of Farmers' Associations (FFA) has joined hands with Coca-Cola for exclusive procurement of mangoes from the important markets in the district. The days when mango growing farmers in Chittoor Distict of A P were taken for a ride by middlemen from the nearby markets is over. “We used to sell for whatever price they quoted, because we did not have any information on the market price in the mandis, forget about the upcountry markets. Thanks to the SMS initiative, we are able to discover the right price,” Naidu says. “Now, I have no reason not to believe in the price quoted in the SMS as the association too is involved. BL 070610
|
| NREGA Effect: Agri and Ind Sectors in Punjab affected by labour shortage |
The Industries rely on migrant labours from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa etc. But in last few years apart from Industrial sector the primary sector which includes Agriculture and allied activities are grappling with labour shortage. But this year, Industralists believe the situation is very grim.
|
Experts believe that effective implementation of NREGA in these states(Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa etc), ongoing real estate development and various road projects in these states has attracted local labour. As a result labours are hooked to their respective states, and are averse to come to Punjab. The Government is reported to be giving subsidy to farmers to purchase paddy planters following a decline in the number of labourers from Bihar. B S 050610
|
Food inflation rose to 16.55 %
|
|
Food inflation rose to 16.55 % for the week ended May 22 on account of high prices of pulses, fruits and vegetables. On an annual basis, prices of pulses rose by 30.84 per cent, milk by 21.12 per cent and fruits by 13.74 per cent.
|
| Delay in projects, costs Rs 55,175 cr more |
|
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government poured down the drain Rs 55,175 crore belonging to the Indian taxpayer between 2004 and 2010 because it failed to deliver 495 projects on time.
|
| Over the last six years, 70 railway projects have overshot their original cost estimates, incurring as much as Rs 23,295.40 crore as additional financial requirement. The road transport and highways ministry tops the list with 150 projects facing cost overruns. B S May 28, 2010 |
Poor C/D ratio in Eastern region
|
According to the latest available Reserve Bank of India data, the credit-deposit ratio in the eastern region comprising Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Sikkim, West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was 48.9 at the end of March 2009, compared to the national average of 72.6. In the North-East the CD ratio was estimated at 35.8.
|
While bankers cite low income levels in the eastern and north-eastern part of the country, state governments also blame the lack of branches for dispensing loans as the main reason for low credit. Against the national average of one bank branch for every 15,000 persons, in the North-East the number was 21,000 and in the eastern states it was 19,000 at the end of June 2009. BS 030610
|
Punjab, Haryana seek higher MSP for paddy
|
| Punjab and Haryana have sought Rs 1,350 per quintal and Rs 1,300 per quintal, respectively as minimum support price (MSP) for kharif crop paddy (common variety) this year from the Centre citing spiralling labour and land rent cost. |
| High land rental and increasing labour cost prompted the authorities of both the es to recommend high rates of MSP compared to the existing one, experts said. |
|
| They pointed out that land rent, which is a major constituent of fixed cost, has almost doubled in Punjab and Haryana in the past two to three years. It varies from Rs 25,000 to Rs 70,000 per hectare. |
| Moreover, the labour cost has also grown substantially in the past two years because of growing shortage of workers, which led to huge jump in the cost of paddy cultivation. — PTI 110510 |
| AP Govt. recommends Rs 1646 for paddy, Rs 4,885 for cotton, Rs 5215 for tur dal and Rs 4697 for cotton for 2010-11. |
