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The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Arecanut farmers gain competitive prices through auction at Bhavani regulated market
Arecanut (betelnut) cultivators in the district are now obtaining remunerative prices for their produce, thanks to the auction mechanism introduced at the regulated market in Bhavani. The nut, commonly chewed with betel leaf and paan, is cultivated across more than 6,500 acres, primarily in areas along Bhavani River, including Ammapettai, Athani, Kallipatti, Gobichettipalayam, Sathyamangalam, and the hilly region of Talavadi. The arecanut harvest season spans from August to April, with the 'Mohitnagar' and 'Inter C Mangala' varieties accounting for 90% of total production. Earlier, local traders fixed prices directly in the fields, often leaving farmers unaware of the prevailing market rates. A decline in yield due to intense heat, coupled with the inability to secure competitive prices, had discouraged many from continuing cultivation. To address this, ICAR – Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), MYRADA, Gobichettipalayam, partnered with the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Limited (CAMPCO), Mangaluru, to strengthen market linkages. They emphasised the strong demand for arecanut and encouraged farmers to resume and scale up cultivation. 'The area under cultivation has expanded since then, and KVK coordinated with the Erode Marketing Committee, after which procurement began at Varanapuram, seven kilometres from Bhavani,' said P. Alagesan, Head and Senior Scientist at KVK. He stressed that informed farmers, aware of market dynamics and sales channels, were less dependent on intermediaries. 'Farmers are increasingly showing interest in arecanut cultivation,' he added. Auctions began at the Bhavani Regulated Market on December 20, 2024, and are now held every Friday. Arecanut from neighbouring areas such as Vazhapadi and Edappadi in Salem, and the foothills of the Kolli Hills in Namakkal, is also brought to the market. Prior to the auction, the produce is graded, and traders quote prices based on quality. Payments are transferred directly to farmers' bank accounts within a day, ensuring efficient and transparent transactions. D. Thiruselvan, a farmer from Karattadipalayam in Gobichettipalayam, who has been cultivating arecanut on his six-acre farm for 25 years, said farmers were now receiving better returns. 'We can store our produce at the godown on the market premises and sell it later when prices are favourable,' he said. Instead of selling green (raw) or unprocessed arecanut at lower rates, farmers now process it, removing the husk, and sell it either as chali (dried whole arecanut) or appi (partially dried and cut), which yields higher profits. He also urged authorities to expand procurement to other markets to reduce transport costs for growers. At last week's auction, dried arecanut fetched ₹175 per kg, chali ₹380 per kg, and appi ₹450 per kg. Traders from Coimbatore, Vazhapadi, and Anthiyur purchased these grades and sold them in bulk to markets in Mangaluru and Kerala. R. Savithiri, Deputy Director and Senior Secretary of the Erode Marketing Committee, told The Hindu awareness campaigns were under way to encourage farmers to bring their produce to the auction. 'The auction system promotes transparency, ensures fair pricing, and builds confidence among arecanut growers,' she said. She added that the initiative not only improved farmer incomes, but also enhanced market awareness and price stability. Currently, Bhavani is the only location in the district where arecanut auctions are held. Following farmers' requests, auctions for green and fruit arecanut were introduced on Tuesdays starting May 27.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Scientists teaching farmers new techniques to increase production: Shivraj
Motihari: Union minister of agriculture and farmers welfare on Monday said that more than 2,000 scientists would visit around 700 districts to teach over 1.5 crore farmers the use of modern technologies in allied farming under nationwide 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' (VKSA). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Aiming to transform agriculture and fisheries by promoting advanced technologies in the sector, the central govt has launched nationwide VKSA, being held from May 29 to June 12, as part of which Chouhan was in the state on the day. "Our government has connected the agricultural scientists with farmers to make them aware of new techniques to raise production," he said while addressing a meeting of farmers in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Piprakothi in East Champaran district, adding this was the place where Mahatma Gandhi held his satyagraha for the first time against the British tax on poor farmers. "This place is the 'karmabhoomi' of Bapu. I am also a servant of people and have been doing work for the betterment of farmers and workers," he said. He also laid the foundations stones of several agricultural projects worth Rs 6 crore on the premises of the KVK at Piprakothi. "The teams of scientists will visit your doorstep to make you aware of modern technologies in allied farming," he told farmers. He praised the KVK of Piprakothi for doing "commendable work among the farmers" and being the foremost in Bihar. Besides, he praised the work done by former agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, who is also the Purvi Champaran MP. Singh said that the KVK at Piprakothi stands at the same place where farmers were once tortured by the "saheb of the kothi" (British officer). Now, it has turned into a temple for farmers, he said. State jal shakti minister Raj Bhushan Nishad, cane industry minister Krishnanandan Paswan and agriculture secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal were also present at the function. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Motihari: Union minister of agriculture and farmers welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said that more than 2,000 scientists are visiting around 700 farms across villages to teach the farmers about the use of modern techniques in allied farming under nationwide 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' (VKSA). Aiming to transform agriculture and fisheries by promoting advanced technologies in the sector, the central govt has launched nationwide VKSA, being held from May 29 to June 12, as part of which Chouhan was in the state on the day. " Our government has connected the agricultural scientists with farmers to make them aware of new techniques to raise production," he said while addressing a meeting of farmers in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Piprakothi in East Champaran district, adding this was the place where Mahatma Gandhi held his satyagraha for the first time against the British tax on poor farmers. "This place is the 'karmabhoomi' of Bapu. I am also a servant of people and have been doing work for the betterment of farmers and workers," he said. He also laid the foundations stones of several agricultural projects worth Rs 6 crore on the premises of the KVK at Piprakothi. "The teams of scientists will visit your doorstep to make you aware of modern technologies in allied farming," he told farmers. He praised the KVK of Piprakothi for doing "commendable work among the farmers" and being the foremost in Bihar. Besides, he praised the work done by former agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, who is also the Purvi Champaran MP. Singh said that the KVK at Piprakothi stands at the same place where farmers were once tortured by the "saheb of the kothi" (British officer). Now, it has turned into a temple for farmers, he said. State jal shakti minister Raj Bhushan Nishad, cane industry minister Krishnanandan Paswan and agriculture secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal were also present at the function.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Scientists teaching farmers new techniques to raise production: Shivraj
Motihari: Union minister of agriculture and farmers welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said that more than 2,000 scientists are visiting around 700 farms across villages to teach the farmers about the use of modern techniques in allied farming under nationwide 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' (VKSA). Aiming to transform agriculture and fisheries by promoting advanced technologies in the sector, the central govt has launched nationwide VKSA, being held from May 29 to June 12, as part of which Chouhan was in the state on the day. "Our government has connected the agricultural scientists with farmers to make them aware of new techniques to raise production," he said while addressing a meeting of farmers in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Piprakothi in East Champaran district, adding this was the place where Mahatma Gandhi held his satyagraha for the first time against the British tax on poor farmers. "This place is the 'karmabhoomi' of Bapu. I am also a servant of people and have been doing work for the betterment of farmers and workers," he said. He also laid the foundations stones of several agricultural projects worth Rs 6 crore on the premises of the KVK at Piprakothi. "The teams of scientists will visit your doorstep to make you aware of modern technologies in allied farming," he told farmers. He praised the KVK of Piprakothi for doing "commendable work among the farmers" and being the foremost in Bihar. Besides, he praised the work done by former agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, who is also the Purvi Champaran MP. Singh said that the KVK at Piprakothi stands at the same place where farmers were once tortured by the "saheb of the kothi" (British officer). Now, it has turned into a temple for farmers, he said. State jal shakti minister Raj Bhushan Nishad, cane industry minister Krishnanandan Paswan and agriculture secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal were also present at the function.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India's growth directly linked to agri sector: Union minister
1 2 Lucknow: Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday emphasized that India's growth is not possible without developed agriculture. He was addressing farmers at a Krishak-Vaigyanik Samvad (Farmer-Scientist Dialogue) held in Sururpur, Meerut as part of the ongoing Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan 2025. The minister said, "Agricultural development is the backbone of India's growth. We have directed 16,000 agricultural scientists to directly share their research and experiences with farmers, while also drawing insights from farmers' challenges to guide future research." He added that coordinated efforts by ministers, MPs, scientists, and the agriculture department across the country would not only boost production and farmer income, but also position India as a global food provider. Chouhan also instructed the scientists of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modi Puram, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Meerut, to empower farmers through such dialogues. The event was attended by several dignitaries including Uttar Pradesh agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi, minister of state for agriculture Baldev Singh Aulakh, MPs Arun Govil (Meerut) and Dr Rajkumar Sangwan (Baghpat), MLA Ghulam Mohammad, and ICAR director general Dr Mangilal Jat. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Descubra ofertas de voos imperdíveis Voos | Anúncios de Pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo The campaign also reached Shahjahanpur, Sultanpur, Varanasi, and Lucknow. In Shahjahanpur, local leaders and scientists interacted with farmers in Niyamatpur village. In Sultanpur, MLC Shailendra Pratap Singh and KVK experts discussed modern farming in Katawan village. In Varanasi, Dr Ramesh Maurya and officials spoke on PM-Kisan, registration, and new techniques in Bariyasanpur. In Lucknow, AK Singh and scientists discussed direct paddy sowing, crop insurance, and innovations in Karanpur village. By Sunday, the fourth day of the campaign, over 3.25 lakh farmers took part in events at more than 2,700 places across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. To manage the campaign well, 38 officers have been assigned to visit two districts each on June 7 and 8.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Campaign aiming for planning for Kharif season 2025 begins
A State-level campaign aimed at facilitating preparatory agricultural planning for the Kharif season 2025 was conducted at Kanakkampalayam village in Gobichettipalayam block on Thursday. The Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have jointly proposed to organise the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' (VKSP) from May 29 to June 12. The State-level launch event was organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), MYRADA Erode, in the village. R. Thamizh Vendan, Vice-Chancellor in-charge, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, inaugurated the programme in the presence of A. Velmurugan, Assistant Director General, ICAR–NRM, New Delhi, P. Govindaraj, Director, ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, M. Kailasam, Principal Scientist, ICAR–Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, Ravindra Naik, Head, Regional Station, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Coimbatore, P.P. Murugan, Director of Extension Education, TNAU, Coimbatore, and R. Yasothai, Professor and Head, Veterinary University Training and Research Centre, Erode. Delegates visited 14 stalls set up by KVK for the benefit of the farming community. With support from IFFCO, a drone demonstration was conducted to showcase its technological benefits for farmers. During the programme, 17 Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials were released, and agricultural inputs were distributed to farmers. The objectives and benefits of various Central and State government schemes were explained to the participating farmers. A total of 542 farmers and entrepreneurs took part in the event.
