Farm News Today

Best Agrolife Secures CIBRC Registration for Paddy Crop Formulation Best Agrolife Ltd (BAL), a leading agrochemical manufacturer in India, has secured registration for its formulation tailored for paddy cultivation¹⁷. The Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) granted the registration to Seedlings India Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BAL¹⁷. The formulation, branded as Defender, combines Pymetrozine 30%, Dinotefuran 10%, and Pyraclostrobin 20%, providing dual-action protection against insect pests and fungal diseases in paddy crops¹⁷. The company plans to commence commercial production and sales of the formulation from May 2024¹⁷. Basmati Exports Set to Reach Record High India’s basmati shipments are set to cross the $5 billion-mark during the current fiscal year. The surge in shipments has been attributed to increased market supplies and government measures. Non-basmati rice prices have also fallen by about 10% in March, making the staple food grain more a...

Millet Cultivation Boosts Incomes of Uttarakhand Farmers A recent study by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) has revealed that the government’s push for millet crops in Uttarakhand has led to an increase in annual incomes of nearly three-fourths of the millet growers in the state by about 10 to 20 per cent. This is a significant development, considering the potential of millet as a climate-resilient and nutritious crop. Farmer Protests Over MSP Impact Crop Loans In regions witnessing farmer protests over the Minimum Support Price (MSP), there has been an uptick in crop loans. This indicates the financial stress faced by farmers and underscores the importance of resolving the ongoing disputes over agricultural pricing policies. NSAI Concerned Over Cottonseed Price Increase The National Seed Association of India (NSAI) has expressed concern over the meagre increase in the price of Bt cottonseeds for the upcoming kharif season. The association warns that this could threaten the sup...

  Drone Technology: Enhancing Farm Traceability and Reducing Pesticide Usage Drone technology is revolutionizing the agricultural sector by enhancing farm traceability and reducing pesticide usage. Drones equipped with advanced sensors and imaging capabilities are providing farmers with a new way to monitor their crops and make informed decisions about their irrigation and pest management practices. This not only helps in reducing the overall pesticide usage, thereby reducing the cost and environmental impact, but also improves the quality and yield of the crops. AI in Agriculture: Breaking Barriers Despite Data Dilemmas and Digital Divide Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize agriculture in India. Despite challenges such as data dilemmas and digital divide, AI can provide solutions for crop forecasting, pest detection, and yield prediction, among others. However, for AI to be effectively implemented, issues related to data collection, storage, and analysi...