by Shahu Pawar | Oct 5, 2025 | Farming
Farmers in Bhadauna village, Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, are learning to cultivate distinctive varieties of turmeric — including black turmeric, kasturi turmeric, lakadong turmeric, as well as traditional turmeric — through sustainable organic farming methods. This hands-on training covers everything from land preparation, seed selection, planting, irrigation, to post-harvest processes such as curing, drying, packaging, and marketing.
Leading this initiative is Utkrishit Pandey, a former Assistant Commandant of the Shastra Seema Bal (SSB), who has adopted and is imparting organic farming techniques learned from an institute in Karnataka. Pandey’s seven-acre farm serves as a practical model for farmers from several districts across Uttar Pradesh to acquire skills that reduce input costs while improving income and soil health.
Pandey explained that growing these unique turmeric varieties organically takes around eight to nine months. One of the vital practices includes the use of natural manure sourced from cow urine and dung collected locally. This approach aims not only to increase farmers’ earnings but also to promote biodiversity and eco-friendly farming practices that restore soil fertility.
“We are also cultivating and promoting ‘kala namak’ rice — a heritage variety from eastern Uttar Pradesh — alongside these turmeric varieties,” Pandey said. The organic farming focus is widely embraced by the majority of farmers in the region, who have reported improved living standards as a result.
This initiative represents a broader movement toward sustainable agriculture in the state, enhancing the production of high-value crops through traditional yet scientifically guided organic methods, which appeal to both domestic and niche markets for organic turmeric products. Farmers in Bhadauna village of Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh, are gaining hands-on training in organic farming for unique turmeric varieties, including black turmeric, kasturi turmeric, lakadong turmeric, and traditional turmeric. Under the guidance of former SSB official Utkrishit Pandey, who learned organic cultivation techniques from a Karnataka-based institute, farmers are mastering sustainable methods covering land preparation, seed selection, planting, irrigation, and post-harvest processes like curing, drying, packaging, and marketing.
Pandey, devoted to promoting eco-friendly farming that reduces input costs and supports soil health, emphasized the cultivation of these special turmeric varieties alongside ‘kala namak’ rice, a heritage crop from eastern UP. He noted that organic turmeric cultivation takes about eight to nine months and relies on natural manures such as cow urine and dung sourced locally.
This initiative not only helps farmers improve their incomes but also nurtures a sustainable agricultural system that protects the environment and restores soil fertility. The adoption of organic turmeric farming is rising steadily among local farmers, contributing to better living standards and opening opportunities in niche organic produce markets.
by Shahu Pawar | Oct 5, 2025 | Policies
According to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 10,786 farmers and agricultural workers ended their lives in 2023. Maharashtra accounted for the highest proportion with 38.5% of suicides, followed by Karnataka at 22.5%. Together, these two states contributed more than 60% of the tragic incidents.
The report classifies the victims as 4,690 farmers or cultivators and 6,096 agricultural laborers. Among the farmers who died by suicide, 4,553 were male and 137 female. Among the farm workers, 5,433 were male and 663 female. Farm suicides represented 6.3% of the total suicides in the country, which reached 1,71,418 in 2023.
Following Maharashtra and Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh (8.6%), Madhya Pradesh (7.2%), and Tamil Nadu (5.9%) also reported significant numbers of farmer suicides. Meanwhile, states and territories including West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and a few others reported no suicides linked to farming, though some experts question the accuracy of these figures.
The All India Kisan Sabha President, Ashok Dhawale, criticized the central government’s policies, blaming them for the ongoing crisis. He expressed concerns that waiving import duties on cotton, a key crop in many affected regions, could worsen the situation. Dr. Dhawale urged the government to acknowledge the systemic nature of the problem and take robust action, noting that despite over 10,000 suicides annually in the farm sector over the past three years, the response has been inadequate.
He also pointed out discrepancies in the data from various states, suggesting that reported numbers might underrepresent the true extent of the crisis, particularly in states like West Bengal. The activist accused the government of prioritizing corporate interests over the welfare of farmers, highlighting the urgent need for policy changes to address mental health and economic pressures in rural India.
by Shahu Pawar | Oct 4, 2025 | Editors Pick, Farming, Food
India has achieved a landmark in agriculture, registering an all-time high foodgrain output of 353.96 million tonnes for the 2024-25 season. This record includes 117.51 million tonnes of wheat and 149.07 million tonnes of rice, marking substantial growth over the previous year and reflecting the resilience of Indian farmers and advances in farm practices.
Central Role of Storage Infrastructure
With rising demand for both raw and processed food, robust storage systems are essential for year-round supply, food security, and preventing wastage. Modern warehouses, steel silos, and cold storage facilities—supported by dedicated government schemes—are enhancing the ability to maintain buffer stocks and facilitate stable supply through the Public Distribution System. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State agencies currently possess 917.83 lakh metric tonnes of covered and CAP storage capacity for central pool grains, complemented by 8,815 cold storage units with a collective capacity of 40.21 million metric tonnes for perishables.
Digital Transformation and Decentralized Storage
Decentralized storage solutions continue to expand, with the registration of 5,937 new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and the computerization of over 73,000 PACS as of June 2025. An additional outlay of ₹2,516 crore has been approved to further digitize PACS operations, boosting efficiency, transparency, and record-keeping throughout the agricultural supply chain.
Driving Agricultural Prosperity and Nutrition Security
Efficient and scientific storage—including bulk handling steel silos—helps minimize post-harvest losses and links farms to wider markets, empowering farmers to realize better returns. This infrastructure plays a critical role in supporting the food processing industry and ensuring nutritious food reaches every household. As production volumes hit historic highs, these advancements remain central to India’s commitment to food security and economic growth.
India’s focus on modernizing storage and supply chain management is transforming its agricultural landscape, enabling both greater prosperity for farmers and robust nutrition security for the nation.
by Shahu Pawar | Oct 4, 2025 | Policies
India’s agriculture sector is getting a big boost as both Central and State governments have slashed GST rates on key agricultural equipment and related goods. The new GST rates, effective from September 22, mean that many tools and machines—such as tractors, soil preparation implements, harvesters, sprayers, and even essential spare parts—now attract just 5% tax, down from the previous 12% or 18%.
At a recent awareness rally in Bhimavaram, attended by Union Minister Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma and other leaders, farmers were encouraged to take full advantage of these reforms. Notably, the event included a tractor rally, with the local District Collector and Deputy Speaker joining in to demonstrate support for the farming community.
These GST reductions are expected to ease the financial burden on farmers by significantly lowering the cost of new equipment, spare parts, and maintenance. For example, the price of popular machines like paddy transplanters, power tillers, and small tractors could drop by thousands of rupees. Lower equipment costs enable more farmers to upgrade to modern technology, resulting in improved productivity and profitability.
Leaders at the event stressed that these new rates also apply to a range of other daily essentials and sectors like healthcare, education materials, and insurance, helping Indian households save an estimated ₹3,000–₹5,000 per month.
Officials are urging custom hiring centres and farm machinery sellers to pass these benefits on directly to farmers. Alongside reduced taxes, the move is seen as a major step toward lowering agricultural production costs, raising farm incomes, and securing a brighter future for rural India.
by Shahu Pawar | Oct 4, 2025 | Farming
Kharif sowing for the 2025 season has surpassed 1120 lakh hectares, marking an increase in overall coverage compared to last year, according to the latest data from the Agriculture Ministry. As of September 26, total area sown reached 1120.73 lakh hectares—up from 1113.72 lakh hectares during the same period in 2024.
The increase is most visible in the rice and coarse cereal segments. Rice cultivation expanded to 441.58 lakh hectares, up from 435.68 lakh hectares last year. Coarse cereals posted a significant jump, with acreage rising to 194.67 lakh hectares, compared to 182.66 lakh hectares in the previous year. Pulses also recorded a marginal uptick, covering 119.85 lakh hectares, which further strengthens the country’s food grain supply prospects.
However, the season brought mixed results for other crops. Oilseed acreage fell sharply to 190.01 lakh hectares, a decline of over 10 lakh hectares from 200.52 lakh hectares last year. Cotton also saw a reduction, with the area sown declining from 112.95 lakh hectares to 109.98 lakh hectares. Jute and mesta recorded a small dip, decreasing to 5.56 lakh hectares from 5.75 lakh hectares.
In contrast, sugarcane continued its growth trend, with sowing climbing to 59.07 lakh hectares from last year’s 57.22 lakh hectares.
These patterns reflect changes in farmers’ preferences, guided by rainfall conditions, market signals, and various government policies. While the rise in staple grains like rice, cereals, and pulses supports national food security, the drop in oilseed and cotton acreage will require attention from policymakers moving forward.
by Shahu Pawar | Oct 4, 2025 | Import / Export
In a strategic bid to manage rising prices and ensure ample domestic supply, the Indian government has extended its duty-free import policy on yellow peas until March 31, 2026. The policy, originally introduced in late 2023 and renewed several times, is now set to continue into the next financial year following the latest order issued on May 30, 2025.
Yellow peas have quickly become a key element in India’s pulse imports, with India importing 2.9 million tonnes of the legume in 2024—an impressive 45% share of total pulse imports. This surge is notable given India did not import yellow peas at all in 2023. The country has sourced most of these imports from Canada and Russia, reflecting its reliance on the global pulse market to keep prices in check and supplies stable.
The nationwide policy has played a vital role in controlling food inflation, especially as overall pulse import volumes soared to an estimated 6.63 million tonnes in 2024, almost twice the 3.31 million tonnes brought in during 2023. This spike surpassed even the previous import record set in 2017.
The government’s move aligns with expectations of a stronger domestic harvest, supported by favorable rains and improved sowing across major producing states. Official estimates forecast tur output to reach 35.02 lakh metric tonnes, up 2.5% from last year. Kharif moong is projected at 13.83 lakh metric tonnes, a 20% increase over the previous year, while chana and masur production are also expected to rise.
By continuing duty-free yellow pea imports while boosting homegrown production, the government seeks to maintain price stability for pulses and safeguard food security for millions. These measures are especially crucial for meeting the country’s dietary needs as demand for pulses continues to rise.
