Latest news with #SoilHealthCards
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Congress government failed to address farmer issues: Telangana BJP president Ramchander
HYDERABAD: State BJP president N Ramchander Rao on Thursday slammed the Congress government and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for failing to address farmers' issues despite completing 19 months in office. Speaking at the Kisan Morcha state office-bearers' meeting at the BJP headquarters in Hyderabad, he accused the state government of neglecting farmers due to its skewed policies. He urged party workers to collaborate with the Kisan Morcha to highlight farmers' grievances and counter the Congress' 'anti-farmer' stance. He directed the Morcha members to launch agitations, gather grassroots-level feedback and promote central welfare schemes like PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, Soil Health Cards and Fasal Bima Yojana. He alleged that while the Modi government supports farmers, the previous BRS regime and the current Congress administration failed to implement these initiatives effectively. Ramchander Rao accused the Congress of creating an artificial urea shortage to gain political mileage ahead of upcoming local body elections. The BJP leader refuted the state's claims of central negligence, revealing that Telangana received 12.02 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of urea against the required 9.5 LMT for the 2024-25 Rabi season. 'Where are the remaining three LMT?' he questioned, alleging 'false propaganda' by the state government.
Hans India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
FTAs driving agri sector growth, 25 crore Soil Health Cards distributed: Piyush Goyal
New Delhi: With supportive policies, fiscal incentives, reduced tariff barriers and new market access through free trade agreements (FTAs) developed countries including Australia, the UAE, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) nations, and the UK, the agriculture sector has witnessed significant progress, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has said. Addressing the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave here, the minister stated that 25 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers to promote balanced fertiliser usage, and crop loans have been made accessible through the Kisan Credit Card initiative. Goyal said the government has consistently placed the agricultural sector at the forefront of its development agenda under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A large number of farmer families have benefitted from the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme. Additionally, 1,400 mandis have been integrated with the e-NAM platform, enabling farmers across the country to access real-time information on crop prices and enhance market linkages. 'In the fertiliser sector, the government has provided substantial subsidies to ensure that farmers receive fertilisers at affordable prices. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, timely fertiliser supply to farmers was ensured,' the minister told the gathering. He noted that India's agricultural sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience—even amid global market turbulence and declining export trends. The efforts of Indian farmers have contributed to a stable agri-export performance, with agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries exports reaching Rs 4 lakh crore. The farming community has played a key role in building an Atmanirbhar Bharat and turning the 'Local Goes Global' vision into a reality. Goyal said India's farmers have been instrumental in the global success of products such as basmati and other varieties of rice, spices, fresh fruits and vegetables, horticulture and floriculture produce, as well as in the fisheries and poultry sectors. He emphasised the government's focus on promoting digital agriculture by introducing Artificial Intelligence, geospatial technology, weather prediction systems, vertical farming, and AI-enabled tools. These innovations, he noted, would support Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai reaffirms commitment to farmers' prosperity; stresses role of soil health cards at Agri-Horti Expo
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday reaffirmed his government's unwavering commitment to the prosperity of farmers, emphasising the critical role of technology, market access, and scientific tools like Soil Health Cards in boosting agricultural productivity and income. He was virtually inaugurating the Agri-Horti Expo and Buyers-Sellers Meet, organised under the Krishi Kranti Abhiyan, from his camp office in Bagia, Jashpur district. Describing the event as a "milestone" in Jashpur's agricultural development, chief minister Sai hailed the district administration's innovative efforts and launched the Krishi Kranti campaign, which aims to connect farmers directly with national agri-businesses. Leading companies are participating in the two-day event at the Zila Panchayat complex. Through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), farmers will be able to sign crop sale agreements with these companies, bypassing middlemen and ensuring fair prices for their produce. Highlighting the importance of sustainable agricultural practices, the chief minister underscored the value of Soil Health Cards, calling them an essential scientific tool for increasing yield and reducing input costs. 'These cards help determine what crops are best suited for specific soil types and indicate the exact quantity of fertilisers required, enabling farmers to make informed decisions,' he said. He also noted that agricultural scientists are travelling across Chhattisgarh to raise awareness about soil health and best farming practices. Sai noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, central schemes like PM Fasal Bima Yojana and PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi are bolstering farmer incomes. The state government, he added, is supplementing these efforts by procuring paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal (for up to 21 quintals per acre), collecting forest produce at MSP, and promoting processing and export-oriented schemes. The chief minister also highlighted Jashpur's rich horticultural potential, citing its abundant production of jackfruit, mango, litchi, pear, and the recent introduction of apple cultivation. The district, he said, is well-positioned to become an agri-horti powerhouse in the region. In addition to agriculture, Sai pointed out the state's focus on animal husbandry, fisheries, and dairy development, noting that Jashpur is one of six districts selected for a pilot project under the Dairy Development Scheme. Expo to showcase innovation and reward excellence Farmers and FPOs are displaying high-quality organic produce, including varieties of paddy, kutki, ragi, ramtil, and chilli. Competitions for best mango and pear, as well as innovative farming techniques, are being held with prize money awarded to winning farmers to promote innovation.
Hans India
12-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Agricultural season begins in Anantapur dist
Anantapur: Marking the beginning of agricultural season, Eruvaka Pournami celebrations were held in Korrakodu village of Kuderu mandal, Uravakonda constituency. District Collector Dr Vinod Kumar V till the soil with traditional bullocks and a plough, and sowing seeds in a field. He expressed hope for abundant rainfall and a prosperous harvest this year. The Collector claimed that the government is fully committed to supporting farmers. 'Eruvaka Pournami is being held in all the districts in view of the upcoming Kharif season,' he noted. He said that distribution of groundnut and other seeds has already commenced, and the district has successfully met the assigned seed distribution targets. Highlighting the State's preparedness, he mentioned that several issues faced by farmers at the field level are being actively addressed. He added that they are expecting about 40% excess rainfall this year. He reiterated the government's promise to stand by every farmer and assured that all agricultural necessities would be made available through Rythu Seva Kendras. As part of the initiative to encourage millets cultivation, mini kits containing seeds of crops like ragi and red gram were distributed to farmers. The Collector also handed over groundnut seed packets and Soil Health Cards to them. Special Deputy Collector Tippa Naik, District Agriculture Officer Uma Maheswaramma, JD of Animal Husbandry Venkataswamy, DCO Aruna Kumari, DPM of Natural Farming Lakshma Naik, CARD NGO Nirmala Reddy, AO Vijay Kumar, MPDO Kullayi Swamy, Housing AE Ashok, APO Polerayya, AOs Bala Naik, Somashekar, Rakesh, various departmental officials, MPEOs, and farmers.
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
NRCB scientists launch campaign to promote latest banana cultivation techniques
Scientists of the ICAR- National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB) in Tiruchi have launched an awareness campaign to promote latest banana cultivation techniques among farmers as part of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA), a national pre-Kharif season outreach initiative of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The ICAR initiative is aimed at bridging the gap between agricultural research institutions and the farming community by directly transferring scientific knowledge and innovative technologies to the farmers' fields. The NRCB scientists have taken up the campaign across eight districts in Tamil Nadu, in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) officials, according to a NRCB press release. In each district, three dedicated teams visited selected villages daily, reaching out to nearly 1,200 farmers per day. The focus of the outreach was on promoting cutting-edge banana cultivation technologies such as high-density planting and tissue culture propagation, along with the integration of natural farming techniques, balanced fertilizer application, and effective utilisation of Soil Health Cards (SHC) to enhance productivity and sustainability, the release added.
