No Rule Change in PM-KISAN; Payment Holds Linked to Verification Issues
Reports suggesting that husbands have been excluded from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) are incorrect. There has been no rule change disallowing payments to male farmers in cases of jointly-held agricultural land. Under PM-KISAN, all eligible landholding farmer families receive ₹6,000 annually, paid in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each. The scheme […]
Maharashtra Farmers Turn to AI for Better Sugarcane Yields
Baramati, Pune For sugarcane farmers struggling with erratic weather, droughts and pests, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a new lifeline. The Agricultural Development Trust (ADT), Baramati, in partnership with Microsoft, has launched the “Farm of the Future” project to guide farmers with data-driven decisions. Under the scheme, weather stations have been installed in fields to […]
Farmers to Hold Mahapanchayat at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on August 25
New Delhi: Nearly four years after their year-long agitation forced the repeal of three farm laws, farmers are preparing for another major show of strength in the national capital. On August 25, a Kisan Mahapanchayat will be held at Jantar Mantar to demand a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other pending issues. […]
Dattatray Bharane: A Farmer’s Son Takes Charge of Maharashtra’s Agriculture Ministry
In Maharashtra’s political corridors, it was more than just a cabinet reshuffle—it was a nod to the roots of farming. Dattatray Bharane, once the state’s Sports Minister, is now Maharashtra’s new Agriculture Minister, replacing Manikrao Kokate, who will now head the Sports Ministry. Both leaders are from the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress […]
Cabinet Clears ₹6,520 Cr for PM Kisan Sampada Yojana: Boost for Food Processing and Safety
In a move that could transform India’s food processing sector and benefit millions of farmers, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a total outlay of ₹6,520 crore for the ongoing Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY). This includes an additional ₹1,920 crore, aimed at strengthening food preservation, cold chain infrastructure, […]
India-UK CETA: A New Chapter for Indian Agriculture and Farmers
In a small grape vineyard near Nashik, farmer Anil Patil looks hopeful. For years, he has grown table grapes, selling mostly in local markets and occasionally to domestic traders who export. “We always heard about foreign markets paying premium prices,” he says. “Now, with this new agreement, it feels like those doors are finally opening […]
Centre Cracks Down on Fake Fertilisers: States Told to Act Swiftly
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan take action to protect farmers from the growing threat of fake and substandard fertilisers. He has written to the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories, calling for strict action and a statewide campaign to clean up the fertiliser supply chain. For the farmer in the field already […]
Kharif Sowing Rises Slightly to 89.29 Lakh Hectares in 2025: Agriculture Ministry
Pointers Total kharif sowing in 2025 reached 89.29 lakh hectares, up by 1.48 lakh hectares from 2024. Rice area increased to 4.53 lakh hectares from 4.00 lakh hectares last year. Pulses saw a gain of 0.47 lakh hectares, led by urd and moong beans; arhar declined. Bajra cultivation surged by 0.83 lakh hectares, but maize […]
‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ Concludes: Over 1 Crore Farmers Reached, Focus on Natural Farming Ahead
The 15-day nationwide ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ aimed at strengthening farmers’ knowledge and advancing agricultural practices concluded on June 12 with a formal event in Bardoli, Gujarat. The campaign, launched under the vision of ‘Lab to Land’, connected scientists and farmers across the country through direct outreach programs. Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, […]
Seeds of Change: India Becomes First Nation to Approve Genome-Edited Rice
India has officially entered the global spotlight by becoming the first country to develop rice varieties using genome editing technology. The government hails this move as a leap toward sustainable agriculture. However, while the science may be groundbreaking, experts and farmers are divided over what this means for the future of Indian farming. Union Agriculture Minister […]