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India Today
12-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Is toxic weedicide only reason MP govt is refusing to procure moong at MSP?
A major political row involving farmers has erupted in Madhya Pradesh, with the state government refusing to buy moong at MSP (Minimum Support Price) this MSP for moong this year is Rs 8,682 per quintal, around Rs 1,500-Rs 2,000 per quintal higher than market prices. For the past few years, the state's farmers, especially those along the Narmada in the central region, have been sowing moong as a short summer crop between the major rabi and kharif summer moong, sown over 1.2 million-1.4 million hectares, is known to have added to farm incomes in the districts of Narmadapuram, Raisen, Sehore, Vidisha, Jabalpur, Katni, Harda and state government had been procuring the summer moong crop for the past four years. But last week, agriculture production commissioner Ashok Barnwal announced moong won't be purchased as, in his words, it is mostly contaminated with harmful weedicides. What is the role of weedicides in moong cultivation, and is that the real reason why the government decided not to buy it?The summer moong crop is sown in late March-early April as soon as the wheat crop has been harvested. Irrigation is provided through tubewells, or through dams, for which the water resources department especially releases water to support the has a two-and-a-half-month cycle, but farmers are in a hurry to harvest the crop as any delay will cost them dearly in the following kharif season, sowing for which begins in is an open secret that farmers spray moong crop with broad leaf weedicides after seed formation and ripening in the pod, which quickly readies it for harvesting using combines. This saves farmers around 10-15 days at a critical juncture when sowing for the next crop is to be why has the state government woken up to the practice of spraying weedicides, such as Paraquat, now when this has been in practice for years? There is ample material on the health hazards from consuming something treated with Paraquat, widely considered highly toxic. However, the state government has not carried out any lab tests to ascertain the presence of poisonous substances in the moong crop. Also, not all farmers use weedicides for Paraquat is not a banned weedicide in India. If weedicides are making moong hazardous, their sale outside the MSP ecosystem should also be curtailed, say do the reasons lie elsewhere? Sources in the government said that while chief minister Mohan Yadav is against the use of weedicides on crops, the government also has a financial issue to deal with. Last year, 580,000 tonnes of moong were procured at the MSP of Rs 8,558 per quintal. Of this, the Union government footed the bill for around 330,000 tonnes, as per a limit it had fixed; the balance was left with the MP government to sell in the open is not part of the public distribution system. The sale in open market caused a loss of around Rs 1,000 crore last year. It is this amount that the state government may be wanting to save. Besides the state government, the Union government also lost a little more than Rs 1,000 crore in post-procurement sale in the open is huge politics over pricing of farm produce in Madhya Pradesh as agriculture is the main economic activity. The BJP, during the 2023 election, had promised wheat procurement at Rs 2,700 per quintal but is yet to honour it. Its government has also not delivered on the promised paddy procurement the Opposition Congress has been vocal about the moong procurement issue, the state government seems to be in no mood to oblige. Now, with former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as the Union agriculture minister, farmers have their eyes fixated on him in the hope of an to India Today MagazineMust Watch
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Stubble burning cases rise more than twofold from last year in division
Indore: Indore division has reported more than a twofold rise in stubble (crop residue) burning incidents after Rabi crop cultivation this year. This increase has prompted the state govt to explore action, including depriving farmers of direct financial benefits under the 'Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana'. According to official records, all eight districts under Indore division reported a total of 1,225 incidents of stubble burning between March 15 and June 30 last year. However, the figure is more than double from March 15 and May 29 this year. Against last year, this time, a total of 3,297 incidents were reported till May 29. The maximum incidents of stubble burning were reported in Indore district, with 1,544 this year, while a total of 608 incidents were reported last year. The neighbouring district, Dhar, followed Indore by reporting a total of 1,258 incidents of stubble burning this year, compared to 470 reported last year after the Rabi season. However, three tribal-dominated districts, including Jhabua, Alirajpur, and Barwani, reported incidents in single digits this year as well as last year. Stubble burning incidents in Burhanpur, which had reported a total of six incidents last year, increased to 18 this year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo This official data was revealed and discussed on Wednesday in a divisional meeting to review the Rabi-2025 season and plan for Kharif-2025, chaired by agriculture production commissioner Ashok Barnwal in Indore. He warned that those found burning stubble would be deprived of 'Kisan Samman Nidhi'. Despite issuing warnings, imposing penalties, and even lodging FIRs against farmers involved in stubble burning in Indore and other districts, a multifold rise in incidents was reported this year. The administration fined farmers for stubble burning, with penalties ranging from Rs 2,500 to Rs 15,000, depending on the size of the land. Despite the fines, the violators view the costs of alternatives like mechanical removal as higher than the penalty, sources said. According to experts, there is no 'proper' solution that farmers currently have, nor is the govt offering them a way to get rid of stubble to prepare the agricultural field for the next year. Collectors Present Their Innovative Approach In Agriculture The divisional level meeting on Wednesday saw agriculture production commissioner Ashok Barnwal reviewing the schemes, programmes, and achievements of agriculture, horticulture, food processing, cooperation, and other related institutions. Collectors from all eight districts presented the innovations being undertaken in the agricultural sector in their respective areas. Barnwal particularly commended Jhabua collector Neha Meena for her innovative approach in agriculture, specifically for the successful production of arhar (pigeon pea) Pusa-16, which yielded excellent results. He encouraged officials to urge farmers to focus on cultivating high-value crops. The commissioner directed cooperative bank officials to expedite agricultural loan recovery. He warned against any negligence, irregularity, or indiscipline in duties, stating that strict action would be taken against defaulting officers.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
State govt aims to boost milk production
Indore: The state govt, which set an ambitious target to significantly increase its milk production, aims to contribute 20% of the nation's total output—a substantial jump from its current 9%. It is focusing on improving animal breeds through the effective and results-oriented implementation of artificial insemination programs. This directive came from Agriculture Production Commissioner Ashok Barnwal during a divisional review meeting held in Indore on Wednesday. Addressing the meeting, Barnwal extensively reviewed schemes, programs, and activities related to Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Services, Dairy Development, Fishermen Welfare, and Fisheries departments. He emphasised promoting cow rearing and ensuring that well-managed cow shelters receive maximum benefits from govt schemes and facilities. The senior officials urged all collectors of the Indore division, who attended the meeting, to prioritise efforts to boost milk production in their respective districts, stating that the state govt launched special programs to achieve this target. Barnwal also stressed the importance of improving animal breeds through the effective and results-oriented implementation of artificial insemination programs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Amazon CFD : La clave para un ingreso extra (Conoce más) Empezar ahora Registrarse Undo He directed all Zila Panchayat CEOs to make special efforts to connect more beneficiaries with poultry and goat farming activities. Furthermore, he called for increasing milk collection through dairy cooperative societies and bringing more livestock farmers into their fold. Recognising the significant potential in fisheries production, Barnwal called for the adoption of state-of-the-art techniques to make it economically viable. He specifically highlighted cage farming as a rapidly emerging and profitable method, urging its widespread adoption. Officials were directed to set district-wise targets for cage farming and ensure their timely completion. He also encouraged the biofloc method, which allows for higher production in smaller spaces. Barnwal emphasised that these modern techniques could transform fisheries into an effective means of self-employment for rural youth.
