ET ME START by wishing readers of this column a very happy, peaceful, and prosperous new year.
What could I wish for Indian agriculture, a subject that has been my lifelong passion and commitment? My dream would be to see vibrant and sustainable agriculture which is climate-resilient, increases productivity, brings prosperity to peasants, and, above all, improves the real wages of farm workers who are literally at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
It is only by raising productivity that India can rein in food inflation, which has been playing spoilsport lately.
Vegetable inflation, at 29% (and potato inflation of 67%) in November 2024, has humbled the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), not allowing it to reduce the repo rate.
That is simply tragic.
The India Meteorological Department has made it clear that 2024 was the warmest year since 1901, and the temperatures were 0.9°C higher in 2024 than the long period average.
Earlier studies by scientists of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research predicted that an increase in temperature by 1°C ran the risk of reducing wheat output by 5%.
Wheat is likely to be the most impacted by heat spikes in February when grain formation is taking place.
Although the Prime Minister released 109 varieties of various crops (including wheat) that are supposed to be climate-resilient, the challenge of taking them from the scientists' labs to farmlands remains daunting.
This is because the government's agri-extension network is the weakest link in the production system.
Agri-R&D as well as agri-extension need a major boost in the coming Budget if Indian agriculture is to be climate-resilient.
この記事は Financial Express Delhi の January 06, 2025 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Financial Express Delhi の January 06, 2025 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Huge potential for processed Indian foods: Paswan PITCHING FOR TAKING Indian food products global, Union minister Chirag Paswan has said that the Indian processed food sector has huge potential for growth in the international markets. He said that the food processing ministry allocated to him by Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes with a huge responsibility. - PTI
India to enter new era in 2028, says Andhra CM Naidu INDIA WILL ENTER a new era of global leadership starting in 2028, Andhra Pradesh chief minister said on Tuesday at a CII session on the sidelines of the WEF meeting. \"From 2028, it is going to be the era of India. That is bound to happen. It will be the only country with a demographic dividend for another 20-25 years,\"he said. - PTI
Indian brands one up...
AJIMON FRANCIS, MD, Brand Finance India, pointed out that 13 out of 15 Indian brands have maintained or grown their brand value in the 2025 rankings.
South Indian Bank posts ₹342-cr profit
SOUTH INDIAN BANK has posted a 12% year-on-year growth in net profit for the third quarter at ₹341.87 crore.
Ad highlights how setbacks can shape one's journey
Why the campaign rocks: Honda's \"Unstoppable Dreams\" campaign's message—that failure is a crucial part of success—is something I deeply connect with. In a world where we often focus on achievements, this highlights how setbacks shape our journey and, ultimately, lead to the fulfillment of our dreams.
Banks run Trump 'war rooms' as bosses prepare for trade ructions
JPMORGAN CHASE & Co bankers worked through the night in a \"war room\" to assess the impact of US President Donald Trump's inauguration-day executive orders, while global markets braced for volatility following his return to the White House.
Job Market in India Needs a Boost in FY26 Budget: Rajan
Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has lauded the Narendra Modi government for doing a lot of good work on infrastructure and hoped there would be some concrete steps in the Budget to boost the job market.
Paris Pact: US pulls out again, undermines climate agenda
THE UNITED STATES will once again withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, the White House said on Monday night immediately after Donald Trump assumed office for his second term as President.
DPDP Act Will Be Outdated Before It's Passed
The Act targets entities which are complex adaptive platforms that have embedded AI in their processes. To expect them to adhere to static regulations is a mistake
66 dead, 51 hurt in Turkey ski resort fire
A FIRE AT a ski resort hotel in Turkey's Bolu mountains killed 66 people and injured 51 others on Tuesday, forcing panicked guests to jump out of windows in the middle of the night.
Puri Sees Chances of Higher US Oil Imports
THE US is currently producing around 13 million barrels of oil per day and is likely to add 1.4 million-1.5 million barrels a day into production in the short run.
