Coffee Exports Rose Nearly 2 Percent To 4 Lakh Tonnes In 2022

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March 15, 2023

Coffee exports to rose nearly 2 per cent to 4 lakh tonnes in 2022

Coffee shipments from India (Asia’s third-largest producer and exporter) increased 1.66 per cent to 4 lakh tonnes in 2022 as instant coffee exports and re-exports increased, according to the Central Coffee Board (founded in 1942 and is looked after by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry). In 2021, exports were 3.93 lakh tonnes.

Numerical Data of Coffee :

In 2022 coffee exports were higher at Rs.8,762.47 compared to the previous year’s Rs.6,984.67. India ships both Robusta and Arabica varieties as well as instant coffee. As per the board’s latest data, shipments of Robusta coffee decreased slightly to 2,20,974 tonnes in 2022 from 2,20,997 tonnes in the previous year.

Arabica coffee exports also declined by 11.43 per cent to 44,542 tonnes from 50,292 tonnes. It has been observed that the exports of instant coffee have risen to 16.73 per cent which is 35,810 tonnes in 2022 from 29,819 tonnes in 2021. In 2022, 99,513 tonnes of coffee were re-exported, up from 92,235 tonnes the previous year, according to data.

Coffee Producing States and Export:

Coffee production in India is dominated in the mountainous regions of the south Indian states, with Karnataka accounting for 71% (Kodagu alone produces 33% of India’s coffee), followed by Kerala at 21% and Tamil Nadu (5% of total production at 8,200 tonnes). Apart from this, the new emerging non-traditional areas are Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on the east coast of the country, and a third region comprising the states of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India, popularly known as the “Seven Sister States of India.”

Indian coffee is considered the best coffee in the world, grown in shade and not in direct sunlight. There are about 2,50,000 coffee farmers in the country, 98% of whom are smallholders. In 2009, Indian coffee accounted for only 4.5% of global production. Nearly 80% of Indian coffee is exported; 70% goes to Germany, Russia, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Greece, the Netherlands and France. Italy accounts for 29% of exports. Most of the exports are shipped through the Suez Canal. Italy, Germany and Russia are the major export destinations for Indian coffee. Some of the major exporters are CCL Products India, Tata Coffee, ITC Ltd, Olam Agro, Vidya Herbs and Sucden Coffee India.

Conclusion

India’s coffee production has now spread to more regions of India. This has influenced India’s large-scale production and export of coffee. Even after the decrease in the export of Robusta and Arabica coffee, India has benefited from the increasing export of instant coffee to other nations.

First time in India, FSSAI sets Regulatory Standards for Basmati Rice

By

Rakshitha HR

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March 15, 2023

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Identity standards for basmati rice have been specified by FSSAI to ensure Food and Safety Standards. These first-ever amendment regulations have been notified in Gazette India and will come to force from 1st August, 2O23.

The amendments aim at preventing the interest of customers and ensuring that the basmati rice has an original fragrance as per its variety. The types of basmati rice which come under this amendment are brown basmati rice, milled basmati rice, parboiled brown basmati rice, and milled parboiled basmati rice.

New Standards for Basmati Rice :

Must have a natural fragrance characteristic of basmati rice
Free of artificial colorants, polishing agents, and artificial fragrances
Identity and quality parameters include the average size of grains and their elongation ratio after cooking, maximum values for moisture, amylose content, uric acid, defective/damaged grains, and adventitious presence of other non-basmati rice, etc.

Heritage of Basmati rice :

Basmati Rice is a superior-quality rice variety grown in the foothills of the Himalayas on the Indian subcontinent exclusively known for its long grain size, fluffy texture, unique aroma, and flavor. It has got its uniqueness due to the agro-climatic conditions of the specific geographic areas where it is cultivated, and the method of harvesting and processing of the rice. It is a widely consumed rice variety both domestically and globally. India alone accounts for two-thirds of the world’s supply.

Basmati rice is grown in specific areas of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Conclusion :

The new amendment regulation will prove to be a significant step in increasing the status of Basmati Rice globally as well as internally. This will prevent the fraud used to degrade the value of basmati rice in the eyes of people.

Agricultural Infrastructure Fund: Boosting Agri Sector

By

Deepika M

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March 15, 2023

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agriculture infrastructure fund AIF Scheme — agri infrastructure fund

The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India announced Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme on 15th May 2020 for farm-gate infrastructure for farmers. The main objective of AIF is to mobilize a medium-long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects relating to post-harvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets through incentives and financial support in order to improve infrastructure in Indian Agriculture.

Scheme Overview

Scheme Name: Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme
Other Name: National Agricultural Infra Financing Facility
Scheme Implemented Year: 2020
Scheme Modified Date: 01.02.2021
Scheme Fund allocated: Rs. 1 lakh crore
Type of Government Scheme: Central Sector Scheme
Sector Scheme: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Website to apply: https://agriinfra.dac.gov.in/
Helpline No: 011-23604888
Scheme Type: National Scheme
Covered States: The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund covers all states across India, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

AIF Scheme Features

AIF was launched as a part of the Rs. 20 lakh crore stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 crisis
Agri Infrastructure Fund Scheme is managed and monitored through an online Management Information System (MIS) platform

Multiple Post-harvest infrastructure types and community farming assets eligible under AIF includes:

Post-harvest Infrastructure: Storage Parks-Modern silos, Warehouses, Integrated pack-houses, Cold chain infrastructure, Community drying yards, Refridgerated transportation
Community farming assets: Custom Hiring Centers, IoT/Precision farming assets

Multiple types of stakeholders eligible under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme:

STAKEHOLDERS	BENEFICIARY
Farmers	Individual farmers
Farmer Groups	Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) Joint Liability Groups Self Help Groups Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACs)
Agri-entrepreneurs	Individual business owners like millers, food processing units, merchant, storage providers, exporters, etc. Supply chain players Smart farming
Large businesses	FMCG players Exporters Food processors Equipment manufacturers
State agencies	Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) Federations of FPOs, SHGs, Cooperatives State Warehousing Corporations

Funding Pattern:

Category	Remarks
Funding Institutions	Scheduled Commercial Banks Scheduled Cooperative Banks Small Finance Banks Regional Rural Banks Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
Size of Fund	Rs. 1 lakh Crore – Will be provided by banks and financial institutions as loans to eligible beneficiaries
Interest Subvention	3% per annum up to loan amount of Rs. 2 Cr (NABARD loans for PACS at 1% post subvention)
Duration	Available for period of maximum 7 years
Moratorium Period	Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 2 years
Loan Disbursement (6 years)	FY 2020-21: Rs.4000 crores sanctioned FY 2021-22: Rs.16000 crores (of the balanced amount) FY 2022-23 to 2025-26: Rs.20000 crore per year
Period of Financial facility	Upto 2025 – 26 (6 years)
Credit Guarantee	Under Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme for loan up to Rs.2 Crore

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Benefits:

The improved marketing infrastructure will help farmers to sell their products directly to a larger base of consumers which increases value realization for the farmers. This helps farmers by improving their overall income
Farmers can decide when to sell in the market and improve realization with the access to modern packaging and cold storage system
With the given fund source, entrepreneurs will push for innovation in the agricultural sector by leveraging modern technologies like IOT and AI. This will also improve avenues for collaboration between entrepreneurs and farmers

Latest News about the AIF Scheme:

Disbursal of funds to strengthen agriculture infrastructure through setting up of warehouses/silos and other projects under the Rs. 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) has been slow as Primary Agri Cooperative Societies (PACS) have been lagging in setting up the much required infrastructure.
Cabinet approved modifications in the guidelines of AIF Scheme which focuses to help achieve multiplier effect in driving investments.

Eligibility criteria extended to include more beneficiaries
Number of projects per beneficiary is increased from 1 project to 25 projects

APMCs can setup multiple projects in same location of various types
Duration of the Scheme extended from 4 to 6 years (Extended Upto 2023-33)

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Drawbacks:

Issues in loan disbursal in AIF is one of the drawback of the scheme.

Disbursal of fund is slow under AIF as PACs have been lagging in setting up of much-required infrastructure. Conditions specified by the PACS to disburse credit, based on the physical progress of the projects, is the reason for the poor progress with only 4% of sanctioned amount disbursed.

How to Apply:

Online application process setup for the National Agriculture Infrastructure Fund scheme is simple.

If you are eligible to avail this scheme, you can register online in AIF portal
Go to the browser and type https://agriinfra.dac.gov.in/Home/Login
In the top right corner of the page, you can see ‘Beneficiary’. Click it and under that click on ‘Registration’
Fill in your details: Name, Mobile Number and Aadhaar Number
Then, click on ‘Send OTP’. Enter the OTP received in your mobile number and then click on ‘Verify’
Fill your other details which includes Beneficiary type and Address and click on ‘Submit’
You will then get ‘Registration Successful’. You will also get your Unique Beneficiary Registration Number. Save it for future use
Then, Go the Homepage. Click on ‘login’ seen on the top right corner of the page
Type your Email/Beneficiary ID and click on ‘login’ below
On the left side of the page, click on ‘Loan Applications’
Fill the details asked I.e., Project Details (Project name, Description, Project cost, Annual Revenue), Project Address, Project Geo-location, Loan Details. Then upload the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and then click on ‘submit’. Now your application is successfully submitted
Post submission of application, it will be reviewed by the ministry and eligible applications will be approved
After the approval by Ministry, application will be transferred digitally to the selected bank or credit appraisal
Bank will review your project for viability and accordingly sanction the project
You will receive message to your registered mobile number at all stages with status update

Documents Required For Agri Infra Fund:

Application form of Bank’s loan or Customer Request Letter for AIF Loan duly filled and attested
Passport size photographs of the promoter/partners/director
Identity Proof – Aadhaar card/PAN card/Voter ID Card/Driving license
Address Proof
Residence: Aadhaar card/PAN card/Voter ID Card/Driving license/Electricity bill/Passport/Latest property Tax Bill
Business Office/Registered Office: Electricity Bill/Latest Property Tax Receipt/Certificate of Incorporation in case of Companies/Certificate of Registration in case of partnership firms
Proof of Registration
In case of company: Article of Association
In case of Partnership: Certificate of Registration of Firm with Registrar of Firm
In case of MSMEs: Udyog Aadhaar Copy/Certificate of Registration with District Industries Centre (DIC)
Income Tax return for last 3 years (if available)
Audited Balance Sheet of last 3 years (if available)
GST Certificate (if applicable)
Land ownership records
ROR Search Report of the company
KYC documents of the company/firm/promoter
Copy of bank Statement for last 1 year (if available)
Repayment track record of the existing loans (Loan Statement)
Net worth Statements of promoter
Detailed project Report (DPR)
Local authority permissions, Building sanction, Layout plans/estimates (As applicable)

Conclusion:

Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) a.k.a National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility Scheme aims to provide financial support for agriculture entrepreneurs in order to improve infrastructure in Indian Agriculture. The Scheme will facilitate modernization and setting up of key elements of the Agri value chain.

For more government schemes supporting sustainable farming, check out the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana – PKVY Scheme.

Management Of Mites In Chilli

By

Deepika M

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March 15, 2023

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Chilli, scientifically known as Capsicum annuum is one of the most important spice crops in India. It is commonly known as ‘Mirchi’ in India. It is widely cultivated for its pungent and non-pungent fruits in almost all parts of the country. Sweet pepper, bell pepper and green pepper are also grown in our country. India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of chilli in the world. Andhra Pradesh was the largest producer of chilli in the year 2022 with an estimated production volume of about 7 lakh metric tons. It is followed by Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.

Chilli crop attacked by yellow mite causes heavy yield loss. Mites are considered as the most destructive and serious pests in chilli. Its infestation can lead to about 20–80% yield loss in chilli. Among different species of mites, yellow mite/broad mite is found to cause severe destruction in chilli crop.

Scientific name of yellow mite: Polyphagotarsonemus latus

Symptoms of mites in Chilli:

Downward curling and crinkling appearance of affected chilli leaves
Leaves become brittle and blister patches appears on the under surface of the leaves
Affected leaves shows inverted boat shaped appearance
In few cases, petiole of the infested leaves become elongated and this is often referred to as “rat tail” symptom
Cluttering of younger leaves at the tip of the branch
In certain cases, affected leaves shows dark green appearance
Drying of growth tips, shedding of buds and defoliation of leaves occurs in case of severe infestation
Leads to stunted growth and death of the plant

Damage stage of insect: Nymph and adult

Stage of occurrence: Seedling to fruiting stage

Preventive Measures for mite infestation:

Grow mite tolerant varieties
Chilli crop can be bordered by 3 – 4 rows of maize
Maintain field sanitation by removing and destroying crop residues and weeds
Avoid water stress and water logging conditions
Timely pruning of infested leaves or removal of plants with symptoms
Adopt overhead irrigation with sprinklers
Reduce excessive use of chemicals
Adopt crop rotation with non-host crops like legumes and cucurbits
Regular monitoring of the crop to detect the infestation early
Spray neem seed kernel extract or neem oil at 10 days interval
Use natural predator like predatory mite, Amblyseius ovalis

ETL: 5-10 mites/leaf

Management of Mites in Chilli:

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per lit of water)
Biological Management
Econeem Biopesticide	Azadiractin 3000 PPM	3 ml/lit water
R Mite Bio Acaricide	Plant extracts	2 ml/ lit water
Terra Might	Herbal Formulation	5 ml/lit water
Greenpeace Neemol (10000 PPM) Bio Neem Oil Insecticide	Neem Oil extracts (Azardiractin)	2 ml/lit water
Chemical management
Oberon Insecticide	Spiromesifen 22.9% SC	0.3 ml/lit water
Maiden Insecticide	Hexythiazox 5.45% EC	1 ml/lit water
EMA Gold Insecticide	Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG	0.5 gm/lit water
Godrej Hanabi	Pyridaben 20% WP	1 gm/lit water
Sedna Insecticide	Fenpyroximate 5 % SC	1 ml/lit water
Intrepid Insecticide	Chlorfenapyr 10% SC	1.5 ml/lit water
Kunoichi Miticide	Cyenopyrafen 30% SC	0.5 ml/lit water
Keefun Insecticide	Tolfenpyrad 15% EC	2 ml/lit water
Omite Insecticide	Propargite 57% EC	3 ml/lit water
Meothrin Insecticide	Fenpropathrin 30% EC	0.5ml/lit water
Magister Insecticide	Fenazaquin 10% EC	2 ml/lit water

Learn how to grow chillies successfully with our guide! CLICK HERE

Management Of Insect Pests In Cotton

By

Deepika M

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March 15, 2023

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Cotton, often referred to as “White Gold” is one of the most important cash and fibre crop of India and plays a dominant role in agricultural and industrial economy of the country. India stands 1st in the world with cotton acreage with around 120.55 lakh hectares area under cotton cultivation. However, this valuable crop faces significant challenges from pests in cotton. India produces about 5.34 million metric tonnes which is 21% of world cotton production in the year 2021 – 22. India exports about 0.68 million metric tonnes i.e., 7% of world export in the year 2021 – 22. Cotton is used to produce a wide range of products, including clothing, textiles, and medical supplies. The cotton industry also provides employment opportunities to millions of people in India, both in the farming and manufacturing sectors.

Insect pests infesting cotton can cause significant damage to the crop, leading to lower yields and economic losses. Sucking pests, leaf feeders and bollworms cause serious damage to cotton crops which if not managed at right time would lead to 40 – 50% of crop loss.

Cultivated species of cotton: Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium herbaceum, Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium barbadense

Insect Pests in Cotton

1. American Bollworm:

Scientific name of American Bollworm: Helicoverpa armigera

Damage stage of insect: Larva

Stage of occurrence: All stages

Symptoms of American Bollworm in cotton:

Larva feeds on leaves, squares, flowers and small bolls
Larva feeds on the leaves initially and later bore on to the square/boll by thrusting their head alone inside, leaving their rest of their body outside
Affected bolls shows large, circular holes at the base with presence of excreted frass outside bore hole
Single larva can damage 30 – 40 fruiting forms / bolls
Shedding of affected squares and bolls

Favourable conditions for American Bollworm infestation in cotton:

Continuous cropping, monocropping, presence of crop debris, excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers are some of the conditions favourable for American bollworm infestation.

ETL: 1 egg or 1 larva per plant

Management of American Bollworm in cotton:

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per lit water)
Mechanical Management
Tapas Helico – Cotton bollworm lure	Pheromone Lure	Funnel trap with Helio-O-lure – 6 per acre
Biological Management
Sun Bio Hanpv	Nuclear Polyhydrosis Virus 1 x 109 POB (Polyhedral Occluded Bodies)	1 ml/lit water
Vedagna Nobor (Bio insecticide)	Natural extracts	2.5 to 3 ml/lit water
Delfin Insecticide	Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki	1 gm/lit water
Control TRM Bio-pesticide	Organic blend of botanical extracts	2 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Benevia Insecticide	Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD	1.5 ml/lit water
Cigna Insecticide	Lufenuron 5.4 % EC	2 ml/lit water
Starclaim Insecticide	Emamectin benzoate 5% SG	0.5 gm/lit water
Delegate insecticide	Spinetoram 11.7% SC	0.9 – 1 ml/lit water
Plethora Insecticide	Novaluron 5.25% + Indoxacarb 4.5% SC	2 ml/lit water
Rimon Insecticide	Novaluron 10 % EC	2 ml/lit water
Fluton Insecticide	Flubendiamide 20% WG	0.5 gm/lit water
Vesticor Insecticide	Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 % SC	0.3 ml/lit water

2. Pink Bollworm:

Scientific name of Pink Bollworm: Pectinophoro gossypiella

Damage stage of insect: Larva

Stage of occurrence: Crop mid stage to end of the crop stage

Symptoms of Pink Bollworm in cotton:

Larvae feeds on flower buds, flowers and bore into cotton bolls
Typical symptom of pink bollworm attack is “Rosetted flowers”
Larvae feeds on floral parts and the affected flowers do not open i.e blind flowers
The burrowed holes are plugged by excreta of larvae due to their feeding inside seed kernels
It bores into bolls, through the lint and feeds on the cotton seeds
Premature dropping of infested buds and immature bolls
Seeds are destroyed and lint gets discoloured

Favourable conditions for Pink Bollworm infestation in cotton:

Frequent irrigation, high fertilizer application, monocropping, non-synchronization in sowing time in nearby field and delayed agronomic practices are some favourable conditions for pink bollworm infestation.

ETL: 10% of damaged flowers or bolls

Management of Pink Bollworm in cotton:

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per lit water)
Mechanical Management
Tapas Pink Bollworm Lure	Pheromone lure	Funnel trap with Gulabi fly lure at 6/acre
Biological Management
Amruth Organic Almid Liquid	Metarhizium anisopliae	2 ml/lit water
Multiplex Metarhizium	Metarhizium anisopliae	1 ml/lit water
Katyayani Organic Larvicide	Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki	10 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Proclaim Insecticide	Emamectin Benzonate 5%SG	0.4 gm/lit water
Nagata Insecticide	Ethion 40% + Cypermethrin 5% EC	2.5 ml/ lit water
Ampligo	Chlorantraniliprole (10 %) + Lambdacyhalothrin (5%) ZC	0.5 ml/lit water
Tracer Insecticide	Spinosad 44.03% SC	0.5 ml/lit water
Greenovate Miyogi Insecticide	Chlorpyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC	2 ml/lit water
Kemcron Insecticide	Profenophos 50 % EC	1.5-2 ml/lit water

3. Tobacco Caterpillar

Scientific name of Tobacco Caterpillar: Spodoptera litura

Damage stage of insect: Larva

Stage of occurrence: Occurs throughout the crop period

Symptoms of Tobacco Caterpillar:

Larva feeds gregariously on the leaves and skeletonize them leaving only the veins and midrib
Skeletonization results in ‘Papery appearance’ of leaves
Larva feeds on the leaves and bolls by making holes leading to defoliation of leaves and shedding of bolls
In case of severe infestation, only stem and side shoots can be seen standing in the field without any leaf or bolls

Favourable conditions for Tobacco Caterpillar infestation in cotton :

Warm and humid climate, late sowing, monocropping, poor irrigation management and lack of natural predators can create favourable conditions for tobacco caterpillar infestation.

ETL: 8 egg masses per 100-meter row

Management of Tobacco Caterpillar infestation in cotton:

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per lit water)
Mechanical Management
Tapas Tobacco Caterpillar Lure	Pheromone lure	Funnel trap with Spodo-O-lure at 6/acre
Biological Management
Terra Pillar (Bio insecticide)	Herbal formulation of Annona squamosa, Citus limon, Neem oil and Piper nigrum	50 ml per 15 lit water
All Bata Royal Larvend (Bio Larvicide)	Plant derived solution	2 ml/lit water
Sun Bio SLNPV (Bio insecticide)	Spodoptera litura Nuclear Polyhydrosis Virus 1 x 109 POB (Polyhedral Occluded Bodies)	1 ml/lit water
Delfin Insecticide	Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki	1 gm/lit water
Chemical Management
Benevia Insecticide	Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD	1.5 ml/lit water
Katyayani Chakrawarti	Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC	0.4 ml/lit water
Largo Insecticide	Spinetoram 11.7% SC	0.9 ml/lit water
Fluton Insecticide	Flubendiamide 20% WG	0.5 gm/lit water
Godrej Gracia Insecticide	Fluxametamide 10% EC	0.8 ml/lit water
Starclaim Insecticide	Emamectin benzoate 5% SG	0.5 gm/lit water
Keefun Insecticide	Tolfenpyrad 15% EC	2 ml/lit water

4. Spotted Bollworm

Scientific name of Spotted Bollworm: Earias vittella & E.insulana

Damage stage of insect: Larva

Stage of occurrence: Pre-flowering to boll formation stage

Symptoms of Spotted Bollworm in cotton:

Pest infestation during pre-flowering stage causes withering, drying and drooping of terminal shoots
Larva feeds on squares and bolls by making holes and destroys the boll by eating the seeds and filling them with excrement (rotting)
Causes flaring up of bracts
Shedding of affected squares and young bolls

Favourable conditions for Spotted Bollworm infestation in cotton:

High temperature (20-30°C), heavy rainfall, late planting and lack of crop rotation can create favourable conditions for spotted bollworm infestation in cotton plants.

ETL: 10% infested shoots or squares or bolls

Management of Spotted Bollworm in cotton:

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per lit water)
Biological Management
Multiplex Metarhizium	Metarhizium anisopliae	1 ml/lit water
Katyayani Organic Larvicide	Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki Bio Larvicide	10 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Starthane Super Insecticide	Acephate 75% SP	1.75-2.5ml/lit water
Kri-Star 5 Insecticide	Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG	0.2 – 0.4 gm/lit water
Delegate Insecticide	Spinetoram 11.7% SC	0.9 – 1 ml/lit water
Cover Insecticide	Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC	0.3 ml/lit water
Koranda Insecticide	Chlorpyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC	250-300 ml water
Nagata Insecticide	Ethion 40% + Cypermethrin 5% EC	2.5 ml/lit water
Profex Super Insecticide	Profenophos 40% + Cypermethrin 4% EC	1 – 3 ml/lit water

5. Cotton Aphids

Scientific name of Cotton Aphid: Aphis gossypii

Damage stage of insect: Nymph and adult

Stage of occurrence: Early growth stages

Symptoms of Cotton Aphids:

Tender shoots and undersurface of the leaves are mostly infested
Downward curling and crinkling appearance of leaves
They suck the sap and causes stunted growth
Development of sooty mould due to honeydew secretion giving a dark appearance to plants
In case of severe infestation, it causes blighted appearance resulting in death of the plants.

Favourable conditions for Cotton Aphids infestation:

Presence of host plants, high temperature and high humidity, high nitrogen fertilization, dense planting, insufficient moisture levels in the soil and lack of natural enemies like ladybird beetle and lacewings are some of the favourable conditions for high cotton aphids’ infestation.

ETL: 5% of infested plant

6. Leafhopper / Jassids

Scientific name of Leafhopper/Jassids: Amrasca (biguttula biguttula) devastans

Damage stage of insect: Nymph and adult

Stage of occurrence: All stages of crop but predominantly in seedling stage

Symptoms of Leafhopper / Jassids in cotton :

Nymphs and adults suck the sap from undersurface of the leaves causing yellowing of leaves
Downward curling of leaves margin and reddening sets in
In case of severe infestation, affected leaves turn bronze or brick red in colour, typically showing “Hopper burn” symptom
Leads to stunted growth of the crop

Favourable conditions for Jassids infestation in cotton:

Some of the conditions which favours leafhopper infestation includes late sowing, hot and dry weather conditions, imbalanced use of nitrogen fertilizers and insufficient moisture in the field.

ETL: 1 nymph / adult per leaf or 25% of plants in the field showing yellowing and curling symptom from the middle to upper portion of the plant

Management of Jassids and Cotton Aphids:

Product Name	Technical Content	Dosage (per lit water)
Mechanical Management
Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap	11 cm x 28 cm	4 – 6/acre
Biological Management
Amruth Alestra Liquid	Verticillium lecanii	2 ml/lit water
Econeem Plus Biopesticide	Azadiractin 10000 ppm	325-480 ml water
Chemical Management
Battalion Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 25% WG	0.5gm/lit water
Katyayani IMD – 178	Imidacloprid 17.8 % SL	0.25 ml/lit water
Ulala Insecticide	Flonicamid 50 WG	0.4 gm/lit water
Pager Insecticide	Diafenthiuron 50% WP	1 gm/lit water
Hifield AG Pyramid Insecticide	Acetamaprid 20% SP	0.5gm/lit water
Osheen Insecticide	Dinotefuran 20 % SG	0.6 – 0.8 gm/lit water
Ulala Insecticide	Flonicamid 50 WG	0.3 – 0.4 gm/lit water

To know more about Jassids – Easy & cost-effective ways to control Leaf Hoppers in Cotton Crops

7. Thrips

Scientific name of Thrips: Thrips tabaci

Damage stage of insect : Nymph and adult

Stage of occurrence: Vegetative stage

Symptoms of Thrips in Cotton:

Nymph and adult scrap the tissue and suck the sap from the epidermis of the leaves
This causes shriveling and curling up of leaves
Silvery shine can be seen on the undersurface of the leaves
This pest also as a vector of ‘Tobacco Streak Virus’ in cotton

Favourable conditions for Thrips infestation in cotton:

High temperature of about 25 – 30°C, excessive moisture in the soil, early planting, high dose of nitrogen fertilizer application and presence of alternate hosts are some of the favourable conditions for incidence of thrips infestation in cotton field.

ETL: 1 nymph / adult per leaf

Management of Thrips in cotton:

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per lit water)
Mechanical Management
Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap	22 cm x 28 cm	6 – 8/acre
Biological Management
Pesto Raze Bio-insecticide	Botanical Extracts	2 ml/lit water
Control TRM Bio-pesticide	Organic blend of botanical extracts	2 ml/lit water
Econeem Plus	Azadiractin 10000 ppm	2 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Summit Insecticide	Spinetoram 11.7 % SC	0.5- 1ml/lit water
Admire Insecticide	Imidacloprid 70% WG	0.3 gm/lit water
Karate Insecticide	Lambdacyhalothrin 5% EC	1.5 ml/lit water
Nurelle D Insecticide	Chlorpyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC	2 ml/lit water
Katyayani Thioxam	Thiamethoxam 25% WG	0.4 gm/lit water
Shinzen Plus Insecticide	Fipronil 5 % SC	3 gm/lit water
Osheen Insecticide	Dinotefuran 20 % SG	0.6 – 0.8 gm/lit water
Marshal Insecticide	Carbosulfan 25% EC	2.5 ml/lit water

8. Whitefly

Scientific name of Whitefly: Bemisia tabaci

Damage stage of insect: Nymph and adult

Stage of occurrence: All crop stages

Symptoms of Whitefly in cotton:

Irregular yellowing (Chlorotic spots) of leaf tissue
Severe infestation leads to premature defoliation
Development of sooty mould due to honeydew secretion
It causes poor boll opening and shedding of affected buds and bolls
It transmits “Leaf curl virus” disease in cotton

Favourable conditions for Whitefly infestation in cotton:

High temperature (27 – 32°C), High humidity, lack of natural enemies, presence of alternate host Abutilon indicum, Solanum nigrum and Hibiscus, late sowing, imbalance fertilizer application can increase the chance of whitefly infestation in cotton.

ETL: 5 – 10 nymph/leaf

Management of Whitefly in cotton:

Product Name	Technical Content	Dosage (per lit water)
Mechanical Management
Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap	11 cm x 28 cm	4 – 6/acre
Biological Management
Amruth Alestra Liquid	Verticillium lecanii	2 ml/lit water
T.Stanes Nimbecidine	Azardiractin 300 PPM (EC formulation)	5 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Karate Insecticide	Lambdacyhalothrin 5% EC	1.5 ml/lit water
Lancer Gold Insecticide	Acephate 50 % + Imidacloprid 1.8 % SP	0.4 ml/lit water
Greenovate Miyogi	Chlorpyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC	2 ml/lit water
Tychi Insecticide	Tolfenpyrad 15% EC	2 ml/lit water
Oberon Insecticide	Spiromesifen 22.9 % SC	0.3 ml/lit water
Pager Insecticide	Diafenthiuron 50% WP	1.2 gm/lit water
Ulala Insecticide	Flonicamid 50 WG	0.3 gm/lit water
Actara Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 25 % WG	0.5 gm/lit water
Tatamida SL Insecticide	Imidacloprid 17.8% SL	1-2ml/lit water
Kaitaku Insecticide	Acetamiprid 20 % SP	0.1 – 0.2 ml/lit

9. Mealybug

Scientific name of mealybug: Phenacoccus solan

Damage stage of insect: Nymph and Female adult

Stage of occurrence: All crop stages but predominant during vegetative and early flowering stage

Symptoms of Mealybug in cotton:

White fluffy mass of mealybugs can be seen on the underside of the leaves, near growing tips and stems with waxy secretions
Plants infested during vegetative stage shows distorted or bushy shoots and crinkled or twisted bunchy leaves
Affects the growing parts leading to under developed flowers producing small deformed bolls
Presence of honeydew secretion which causes black sooty mould development
Affected plants appear sick and black showing burnt appearance

Favourable conditions for Mealybug infestation in cotton:

Presence of alternate host, warm and humid climate, uncleaned equipment or tools, imbalanced fertilizer usage, lack of crop rotation, flooded conditions, presence of ants and lack of field sanitation favours mealybug infestation in cotton.

ETL: 3 – 4 Nos/leaf

Management of Mealybug in cotton:

Product Name	Technical Content	Dosage (per lit water)
Mechanical Management
Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap	11 cm x 28 cm	4 – 6/acre
Biological Management
Amruth Alestra Liquid	Verticillium lecanii	2 ml/lit water
Kaybee Mealy Raze (Bio Pesticide)	Natural Extracts	2 ml/lit water
Control TRM Bio-pesticide	Organic blend of botanical extracts	2 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Sivanto Bayer Insecticide	Flupyradifurone	2 ml/lit water
Cropnosys Chivas Insecticide Granules	Thiamethoxam 25 % WG	0.3-0.5 gm water
Hunk Insecticide	Acephate 95% SG	1-1.5gm/lit water
Confidor Insecticide	Imidacloprid 200 SL (17.8 % w/w)	0.75 to 1 ml/lit water
Hifield AG Pyramid Insecticide	Acetamaprid 20% SP	0.5gm/lit water
Token Insecticide	Dinotefuran 20% SG	0.2 – 0.3 gm/lit water
Curacron Insecticide	Profenofos 50% EC	4 ml/lit water

10. Mites:

Scientific names of Mite:

Red Spider Mite – Tetranychus neocaledonicus
Wolly Mite – Aceria gossypii
Yellow Mite/Broad Mite – Polyphagotarsonemus latus

Damage stage of insect: Nymph and adults

Stage of occurrence: All crop stages

Symptoms of Mites in cotton:

Fine webbings can be seen on the undersurface of the leaves
Mites puncture the leaf tissues from under surface and feed on the sap
Removal of plant sap with chlorophyll and other pigments results in reddish bronze discolouration on the leaves (Red spider mite)
Presence of whitish hair arising on both surface of leaf (Wolly mite)
Leaf turn upward, become brittle and results in stunted growth (Yellow mite)
Causes withering and shedding of affected leaves

Favourable conditions for Mite infestation in cotton:

High temperature and low humidity level, lack of field sanitation, dusty conditions in the field and water stress conditions i.e., over-irrigation or under-irrigation can increase the chances of Mite infestation.

ETL: 10 mites per sq meter

Management of Mites in cotton:

Product name	Technical content	Dosage (per lit water)
Biological Management
Control TRM Bio-pesticide	Organic blend of botanical extracts	Foliar: 1.5 to 2ml/lit water
Royal Clear Mite	100% derived from plant extracts	2 ml/lit water
R Mite Bio Acaricide	Plant extracts	1 – 2 ml/ lit water
PerfoMite	Phyto-extracts – 30%, Enzyme extracts – 5%, Chitin Dissolvers	2 ml / 1 lit water
Chemical Management
Oberon Insecticide	Spiromesifen 22.9% SC	0.3 ml /lit water
Abacin Insecticide	Abamectin 1.9% EC	0.7 ml /lit water
Maiden Insecticide	Hexythiazox 5.45% EC	1 ml /lit water
Intrepid insecticide	Chlorfenapyr 10% SC	2 ml/lit water
Danitol Insecticide	Fenpropathrin 10% EC	1.5 ml/lit water
MIT Plus Insecticide	Ethion 40%+ Cypermethrin 5% EC	2.5 ml/lit water

11. Red cotton bug

Scientific name of Red cotton Bug: Dysdercus cingulatus

Damage stage of insect: Nymph and adult

Stage of occurrence: Reproductive stage

Symptoms of Red cotton bug in cotton:

Nymph and adults suck the sap of the plant as well as the bolls
It causes red stains on the lint and hence called as ‘cotton boll stainers’
Inner boll wall have water-soaked spots and leads to rotting of bolls
Affected seeds loses viability
Staining of fibre at the site of injury is due to entry of the bacterium Nematospora gossypii

Favourable conditions for Red cotton bug in cotton:

Late planting, high temperature of above 27°C, drought stress, weed source, previous crop’s residues or presence of mulches and lack of natural enemieslike spiders and ants create conditions for red cotton bug infestation.

ETL: 10 – 15 bugs/100 plants or per m2 area

Management of Red cotton bug in cotton:

Product Name	Technical content	Dosage (per lit water)
Biological Management
Greenpeace Neemol (10000 PPM) Bio Neem Oil Insecticide	Neem Oil extracts (Azardiractin)	1-2 ml/lit water
Chemical Management
Benevia Insecticide	Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD	1.5 ml/lit water
Asataf Insecticide	Acephate 75% SP	1-1.5gm/lit water
Anant Insecticide	Thiamethoxam 25 % WG	0.3 – 0.5 gm /lit water
Anshul Chlocip	Chlorpyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC	2ml/lit water

NOTE:

Economic Threshold Level (ETL) – It is the population density at which the control measures need to be determined to prevent the increasing pest population
By checking the ETL level in the field, the above mentioned pest management approaches can be taken up to control the pest, to reduce the risk of infestation and to minimize the crop loss in the future.
However, following the preventive measures are in the first place to reduce the potential risk
Check the product’s description for finding the right time of insecticide application.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Support for Cattle Farmers

By

Mahalakshmi S

-

March 14, 2023

0

Rashtriya Gokul Mission — rashtriya gokul mission scheme

Cattle rearing has been a traditional livelihood in India and is closely related to the agricultural economy. Since December 2014, PM Narendra Modi in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare has initiated the Rashtriya Gokul Mission plan for the development and preservation of native bovine species. For the rural farmers in the country, this scheme is important for increasing milk production and productivity of bovines in order to meet the growing demand for milk.

Scheme Overview

Scheme Name: Rashtriya Gokul Mission
Scheme Implemented: 2014 (continued for 2021 to 2026)
Scheme Fund Allocated: Rs. 2400 crore
Type of Government Scheme: Central Government Scheme
Sector Scheme: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Website to Apply: https://dahd.nic.in/
Helpline No: NA
Scheme Type: National Scheme
Covered States: The Rashtriya Gokul Mission covers all states across India, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

Key Features of Rashtriya Gokul Mission

CATEGORY	REMARKS
Focused project under	National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development – NPBBD
Beneficiaries	Country’s farmers and Pastoralists
Funding pattern	100% grant-in-aid basis with few exceptions, Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme – Subsidy of Rs. 5000per IVF pregnancy For Sex Sorted Semen – Subsidy up to 50% of the cost Establishment of Breed multiplication farm – Up to 50% of the capital cost is provided by central government; 3% subsidy intervention can also be taken under AHIDF scheme on the loan amount • Cow/Buffalo Breeding Farm: Rs. 4 Crore • Pig Breeding Farm: Rs. 1 Crore • Chicken Breeding Farm: Rs. 60 lakhs • Goat breeding Farm: Rs. 50 lakhs
Implementing Agency	All agencies playing a key role in indigenous cattle development are “Participating Agencies” including Central Frozen Semen Production & Training Institute (CFSPTI), Central Cattle Breeding Farms (CCBFs), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Universities, Colleges, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Cooperative Societies.

Components of Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

Following Major Components are covered under Gokul Mission Yojana,

1. Breed Improvement by Modern Reproductive Techniques

Establishment of Embryo Transfer Technology

Sex sorted Semen Production

2. Enhancement of Production and Productivity

Progeny Testing
Pedigree Selection

3. Extension of Artificial Insemination (AI) Coverage

Establishment of Multi-purpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India (MAITRI) Centres
Strengthening of existing AI Centres
Strengthening LN storage, transport and distribution system
Training of existing AI Technicians

4. Conservation of Indigenous Breeds

Establishment of Gokul Gram/ Integrated Cattle Development
Establishment of National Kamdhenu Breeding Centres.

5. Awareness Programmes

Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme
Organization of Fertility camps
Launch of e-Gopala App
Awards to Farmer (Gopal Ratna/Kamdhenu)

Latest News about the scheme

Rashtriya Gokul Mission subsidy scheme is continued under revised and realigned scheme of the Department of AHD, with an allocation of Rs. 2400 crore, from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission Objectives

Development and Conservation of indigenous breeds.
To develop indigenous breeds including up to 40% non-descript breeds through the establishment of integrated cattle development centres called Gokul Grams.
To increase milk production and enhance bovines productivity using advanced technologies
To propagate bulls with high genetic merit for breeding purposes
To increase the coverage of Artificial insemination through strengthening breeding networks and delivering services at farmers’ doorsteps.

Gokul Mission Yojana Benefits

Rashtriya Gokul Mission Scheme helps to increase productivity, which in turn benefit all cattle and buffaloes in India, especially small and marginal farmers.
Women will also be benefited by Rashtriya Gokul Mission Yojana, since 70% of the work involved in livestock farming is undertaken by them.

Documents Required for Gokul Mission

Aadhar Card
Address proof
Age Proof
Residence Certificate
Income Certificate
Passport size photograph

How to apply for Rashtriya Gokul Mission?

To apply for the Rashtriya Gokul Mission RGM, Visit the Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department in your District
Take all the required documents with you when visiting the Office
Then, get the application form for the scheme from the respective authority
Fill in the details asked in the application form and attach the necessary documents mentioned in the form
Submit the form after filling all the required information. Your application process is completed once you submit the form.

Conclusion

Cattle rearing is an important job that provides a livelihood for many people. Cross breeding decreases the productivity of cows and results in lower milk yields. Rashtriya Gokul Mission strives to address this issue on a large scale through defined plan and effective set of procedure. The government provides an enormous amount of funding that only needs to be used wisely and in a quality direction.

Want to learn how the National Livestock Mission supports livestock farmers across India? Click here for more information.

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana – PKVY Scheme

By

Mahalakshmi S

-

March 14, 2023

0

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) motivates farmers to take up organic farming by providing them with financial assistance. Government of India implemented this PKVY scheme to promote chemical free organic farming in the country in cluster mode. PKVY is an elaborated component of Soil Health Management (SHM) under National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). The main objective of PKVY Yojna is to support and promote organic farming, thereby improving the soil health.

Scheme Overview

Scheme Name: Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
Scheme Implemented: 2015
Scheme Fund Allocated: As per central share allocation
Type of Government Scheme: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Sponsored/Sector Scheme: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Website to Apply: https://pgsindia-ncof.gov.in
Helpline No: NA
Scheme Type: National Scheme
Covered States: The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana covers all states across India, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

Features of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

PKVY scheme involves certificate generation for organic farming through Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification methods. PGS gives organic labels to farms which changes the land from conventional farms to organic farms and also helps to market their products domestically.

CATEGORY	REMARKS
Purpose	To create organic farmland with legal certification
Beneficiary	Farmers
Major Components	Modern Organic Cluster demonstrations – Aim at boosting/ promoting organic farming by creating awareness on the latest technologies of organic farming
Major Components	Model Organic Farm – It aims at demonstrating conversion of conventional land into organic farming practices in one-hectare parcels. This component also helps to spread the information on latest technologies of various units of organic inputs production through exposure visits to farmers
Farmers Cluster	50 or more farmers will form a cluster having 50-acre land to take up organic farming. For 3 years 10,000 clusters will be formed covering 5 lakh acre area under organic farming
Financial assistance	Rs 50000/ha/3years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building, incentives for inputs, value addition and marketing. Out of which Rs 31000/ha/3years is provided for preparation/procurement of organic inputs such as bio/organic fertilizers, biopesticides, seeds etc. through DBT and Rs 8800/ha/3years is provided for value addition and marketing that includes post-harvest management practices like storage
Time period for land conversion	Under PKVY scheme, to be legally qualified for PGS Certification, the farmers have to convert the land into organic farmland within a time period of 36 months

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana Benefits

PKVY Yojana is a significant motivating factor for the famers to do organic farming
The scheme stresses end-to-end support to organic farmers i.e from production to certification and marketing. It also helps in promoting domestic markets for agriculture produce including the adoption of organic farm practices
The farmers will get complete financial support under this scheme
This scheme helps the farmers to become more sustainable as there is a mixture of modern methods and traditional systems.
The scheme will provide financial aid to build clusters, get more inputs, build the capacity, marketing and other work which can add to the value
Farmers will get the fund in their bank through Direct Bank Transfer

Latest News about PKVY

According to the latest data, In PKVY scheme 32384 clusters have been formed and an area of 6.53 lakh hectare has been covered benefitting 16.19 lakh farmers.

Documents Required for PKVY

Aadhar Card
Residence Certificate
Income Certificate
Ration Card
Passport size photograph

How to apply for Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana?

Step 1: Visit the official website of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana i.e https://pgsindia-ncof.gov.in

Step 2: On the Homepage, Click on Apply Now option

Step 3: The application page will be displayed on the screen

Step 4: Enter all the required information in the PKVY registration form. (Mention all details like name, mobile number, address, email id, bank details etc.) and upload necessary documents

Step 5: Click on the Submit Button for the Final Submission of the application

Conclusion

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana PKVY is promoting commercial organic production through certified organic farming. This scheme will motivate the farmers for natural resource mobilization for input production and encourage them to do organic farming. Financial assistance will be provided to the farmers during the initial phase of transition from chemical farming to organic farming.

Explore how the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) supports agricultural growth across India. Click here for more information.

11 Major Problems Faced By Indian Farmers In Agriculture In 2024

By

Deepika M

-

March 13, 2023

3

11 Major Problems Faced by Indian Farmers in Agriculture in 2023

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The agriculture sector plays a significant role in the Indian economy. Around 60% of the total Indian population is engaged in agriculture, contributing about 18% of the country’s GDP. Farmers are plagued by several issues. These directly or indirectly affect the farmer’s life. From procurement of inputs to marketing and post-harvest activities, farmers face a lot of challenges. However, the problems faced by farmers go often unnoticed. Here are some major problems faced by farmers in India.

1. Small and Fragmented land holdings:

Indian Agriculture is mainly dominated by small and fragmented land holdings. This makes the farmers less competent. According to the 10th Agricultural Census in 2015-16, India’s total operational land holding was 146.45 million hectares and the total operated area was 157.82 million hectares. Among them, marginal and small operational holdings together (0 – 2 ha) constituted 86.2% of the total operational holdings. Due to this fragmentation of land, farmers do not generate adequate income. This is because of difficulty in mechanization, practicing usual agricultural practices like monocropping and products which leads to deterioration of land quality. This leads to high production costs and low productivity. The root cause of this problem started due to the inheritance law.

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2. Lack of Marketing and Storage facilities:

Problems faced by farmers in agricultural marketing include transportation costs, inadequate market infrastructure, price fluctuation, lack of proper market information, and the role of exploiting local traders and middlemen. Lack of storage facilities in rural areas has been a limiting factor for post-harvest losses. Nearly 16% of fruits and vegetables, 10% of oilseeds, 9% of pulses, and 6% of cereals produced are being wasted every year due to lack of storage facilities. Since most of the agricultural produce is perishable, farmers are distressed to sell the produce immediately after harvest even at lower prices. This gives them a meager income. Insufficient storage facilities make it difficult for the farmers to meet people’s demands during the off-season.

3. Poor Adoption of Mechanization:

Regardless of the expansion of mechanization in India, most of the agricultural operation is still done by labourers. The highest level of mechanization in India about 60 – 70% is observed in plowing, harvesting, threshing, and irrigation. Although machinery has been invented in seeding, weeding, and other agricultural operations, only a few farmers use it for crop production. Due to small land holdings, small farmers find it difficult to adopt mechanization. Lack of awareness among rural farmers and capital constraints create this problem.

4. Credit Availability:

In the agriculture sector, availability and access to timely, adequate, and low-cost credit from financial institutional sources is more important, especially to marginal and small farmers. Along with all other inputs, capital is one of the most crucial inputs for increasing agricultural production. Access to credit is one of the factors influencing farm productivity. Farmers facing capital constraints would use fewer inputs by not investing in better technologies, machinery, and equipment in their production activities compared to others having no such constraints. This affects not only productivity but also the produce quality.

Improved credit access may facilitate optimal use of inputs and have a major impact on crop productivity. Availability of credit may allow farmers to satisfy their cash needs induced by the agricultural production cycle and requirements for consumption. Even though governments are improving agricultural credit policies, regional imbalance in credit distribution is still persistent over the years.

5. Poor irrigation facilities

80% of water consumption in India is for irrigation in agriculture. Depletion of the groundwater table is a major factor affecting agriculture. Good irrigation helps farmers to carry out timely agricultural activities. The steady decline in the groundwater table can be noticed in recent times due to its over-exploitation as 65% of irrigation uses groundwater sources. In India, irrigation facilities are limited, and the majority of farmers are still dependent on rainfall. Rainfed agriculture accounts for about 51% of the net sown area in our country and occupies nearly 40% of total production.

In the areas under irrigation, farmers mainly follow flood irrigation methods. Even though microirrigation systems are gaining importance nowadays most of their adopters are large farmers. Poor farmers are unable to afford it. Out of the total area sown in the year 2021, the net irrigated area occupies around 68.38 million hectares. Out of which the area under micro-irrigation is only 12.90 million hectares which accounts for only 18.8% of the net irrigated area.

6. Soil fertility depletion

After the Green Revolution in the 1960s, the use of chemical fertilizers has been increased. To get quicker results, farmers have started using fertilizers excessively. Excessive usage of chemical fertilizer contributes to reduced organic matter content and humus content, decreased number of beneficial insects, poor growth, increased pest attacks, and altering of soil pH which ultimately leads to low productivity.

Imbalanced use of urea leads to soil fertility depletion over a period of time. In the year 2022-23, urea accounts for more than half of the total fertilizer production (58.4%) total consumption (57.9%), and 35.9% of imports. Other causes of soil depletion include a lack of proper cropping systems and continuous cultivation. In India, the total area under the monocropping system during the year 2015-16 was approximately 52.8 million hectares, which is about 47% of the total cropped area.

7. Inadequate access to crop insurance schemes

The major problems persistent with crop insurance schemes faced by farmers include lack of proper awareness of insurance schemes, evaluation of extend of damages caused due to crop losses, inadequate coverage of insurance schemes and non-payment / delayed settlement of claims.

8. Impact of climate change

Climate change can lead to changes in weather patterns, such as increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and storms. These changes can affect soil fertility, crop yields and livestock production, leading to reduced productivity and income for farmers. Farmers may need to invest more in pest and disease management practices, which can increase their costs and reduce their profits. Heat waves can cause heat stress in crops, which affects the yield especially when they occur during pollination, pod or fruit set. Climate change can lead to water scarcity in some regions which can affect irrigation and reduce yield. Farmers may be forced to rely on rain-fed agriculture, which can be more unpredictable and vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Unpredictable rainfall affects several agricultural operations and unexpected rainfall during harvest will lead to total crop loss. Heavy rains that result in flooding can be detrimental to crops and soil. In India, around 33.9 million hectares of cropped area have been damaged due to hydro-meteorological calamities including heavy rainfall and floods between 2015-16 and 2021-22.

9. Price volatility:

Price volatility can have a significant impact on the livelihoods of farmers, especially small farmers who are more vulnerable to market fluctuations. Price volatility can lead to income instability for farmers as sudden drops in prices can reduce their income and profits. This can make it difficult for farmers to plan and invest in their farms, leading to a vicious cycle of poverty and low productivity. This situation creates uncertainty for farmers as they are not sure of the prices they will receive for their produce in the future. This makes it difficult for farmers to make informed decisions about what crops to grow, how much to produce, and when to sell their produce.

10. Poor training and extension facilities:

Agricultural extension programmes help farmers by means of transfer of technology, assisting farmers in problem-solving and contributing to rural development. But extension system in India is not equally balanced. Without adequate training and access to extension services, farmers may not be aware of the latest farming practices, techniques and technologies that can help them to increase crop yields. This results in reduced yield, which can affect farmer’s income.

Lack of training and extension services can make farmers vulnerable to pests and diseases that can cause reduced yield. Without access to information on how to prevent or mitigate these risks, losses are incurred. Farmers may not have knowledge of recent schemes, financial assistance and how to access the financial resources to invest and increase their yield due to lack of training and extension activities.

11. Limited spending on R&D by Government:

Limited spending on research and development (R&D) by Government have a negative impact on farmers in agriculture including reduced productivity, increased costs, and reduced profitability. If Government spending on R&D is limited, then farmers may not have access to new technologies and practices, improved crop varieties, leading to reduced productivity and competitiveness in the market. Government investing less in R&D may force farmers to invest their own resources in adapting to changing conditions which can be expensive. This may increase the production cost, making it difficult for farmers to compete in the marketplace. And Can Buy In Slot Gacor Boscuan303 to buy good product in gambling game.

Conclusion:

Indian farmer community is comprised mainly of small and marginal farmers who majorly face all the above challenges in agriculture. Farmers face a lot of problems in agriculture right from nature’s activities to man-made activities including climate change, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, water resource depletion, lack of capital, labour and other inputs etc. Major cause of these problems is mainly due to lack of proper awareness, less adoption of modern technologies, lack of capital or gap between farmers and government institutions. These problems cannot be fully solved but can be mitigated to some extent by following wise agricultural practices, sustainable use of resources and bridging the gap between rural farmers, government and financial institutions.

Crop Doctor

By

Rakshitha HR

-

March 13, 2023

0

Struggling to identify pests and diseases wreaking havoc on your crops? Introducing Crop Doctor, your ultimate solution for free detection of crop related problems! Using it is quite simple as well. All you need to do is scan the affected area using Crop Doctor for swift analysis and accurate identification of the problem. The Crop Doctor feature also provides precise treatment and management advice, helping you choose the right products to safeguard your crops.

Click here to explore this feature today and protect your harvest!

App Features

By

Rakshitha HR

-

March 13, 2023

0

Experience the power of BigHaat app, offering 9000+ Agri Inputs ranging from seeds, fertilizers, crop protection products, implements, and more. Discover a wide array of national and international brands, with the convenience of doorstep delivery. With the Crop Doctor feature, accurately identify pests and diseases, and get free treatment advice right from our Agri experts. Interact with fellow farmers, access Mandi price updates, and leverage weather and fertilizer calculations all within the app.

Click here to embrace change for a better farming experience with the BigHaat app today!