thailands-attorney-general-files-charges-against-former-pm-yingluck-over-rice-subsidy-scheme

Thailand's Attorney General files charges against former PM Yingluck over rice subsidy scheme

Bangkok, Feb 19 (ANI): Thailand's attorney general filed charges against Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday over a bungled rice subsidy scheme. The former Premier in indicted in the case that could see her jailed for up to a decade if found guilty. However, Shinawatra denies charges. The Supreme Court will decide whether or not to accept the case on March 19. The ex-premier has defended the rice scheme as a necessary subsidy to help poor farmers who historically receive a disproportionately small slice of government cash. Feb 19, 2015
pm-narendra-modi-launches-the-soil-health-card-scheme

PM Narendra Modi launches the 'Soil Health Card' scheme

Suratgarh, Feb 19 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched the "Soil Health Card" (SHC) scheme for analyzing the soil in Suratgarh, Rajasthan. Speaking at the launch, Modi said transforming agriculture through scientific methods is very important. The step to issue soil health cards to farmers will ensure that they are aware of the quality of soil and use right fertilizers. Also, the scheme will help in keeping a check on overuse of fertilisers on farm land and will be provided to over 14 crore farmers. Feb 19, 2015
anna-hazare-to-protest-against-govts-ordinance-on-land-acquisition

Anna Hazare to protest against govt's ordinance on land acquisition

Ralegan Sidhi, Feb 15 (ANI): Social activist Anna Hazare said on Sunday that he will protest against the Central government's ordinance on land acquisition. Hazare said that the BJP government has done injustice to poor farmers by allowing their land to be acquired for industrial purposes without their permission. He added that he along with farmers from northern India will hold a protest against the ordinance and request the government to remove it. Feb 15, 2015
strawberry-farming-proves-to-be-a-big-hit-in-west-bengal

Strawberry farming proves to be a big hit in West Bengal

Siliguri, Feb 15 (ANI): Farmers in West Bengal were yielding profits from strawberry cultivation. Strawberry farming has become a hit among villagers of Patiramjote area in Siliguri district. Many young farmers are taking it up due to less investments and maximum results. A farmer Rajib Das said he plucks around five kilograms of strawberries every day. He added that demand rose within short span of time, which also resulted in good money. A strawberry expert was invited to West Bengal to see if strawberry farming was possible in the state. The expert pointed out four districts where strawberries could be grown and state's biotechnology department started working on it. The biotechnology department is also giving training to farmers so that they can easily grow strawberries. Meetings have been organised with the farmers and other people to give information on the crop. Feb 15, 2015
activists-in-odisha-protest-against-land-ordinance

Activists in Odisha protest against land ordinance

Bhubaneswar, Feb 15 (ANI): Activists in Bhubaneswar city of Odisha held protest against the proposed ordinance to amend the Land Acquisition Act. The central government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi passed an urgent executive order in December last year to ease land-acquisition rules in sectors like power, housing and defence to kick-start hundreds of billions of dollars in stalled projects, though investments are unlikely to flow in immediately. The protest was being held under the National Alliance of People's Movement. A land rights activist Prafulla Samantra said the ordinance is draconian, and a heinous conspiracy to snatch lands from the peasants in the interest of the national and multinational corporates. He further said if the ordinance is passed then the peasants will be uprooted from their land and will add to the number of street beggars. Meanwhile, another activist Manohar Chowhan said the earlier bill was in favour of the farmers. Feb 15, 2015
modi-exhorts-farmers-to-make-use-of-technology-to-increase-farm-production

Modi exhorts farmers to make use of technology to increase farm production

Baramati, Feb 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday batted for use of technology in farming for better production and higher yields. He was speaking to farmers in Baramati in Maharasthra after laying the foundation stone for the Centre for Excellence for Vegetable Production. Modi called upon the farmers to embrace latest technology to make Indian agriculture globally competitive. About 70 percent of Indian population is employed in agriculture sector and majority of them still do farming in traditional style. But farmers face environmental problems such as depleted groundwater because of intensive pumping for irrigation, soil degradation and soil salinity. Feb 14, 2015
it-happens-cattle-fair-in-tamil-nadu-draws-large-number-of-enthusiastic-farmers

It happens : Cattle fair in Tamil Nadu draws large number of enthusiastic farmers

Coimbatore, Feb 13 (ANI): A cattle fair held to spread awareness among people about the preservation of livestock drew enthusiastic response from villagers in Tamil Nadu. The fair, held at Samathur on the outskirts of Pollachi town in Coimbatore district, also drew animal lovers from abroad. Villagers dressed in traditional attire brought hundreds of cows and bulls of different breeds at the fair ground. A member of Vanavarayar Foundation, which organised the event, Shankar Vanavarayar said the idea was to create awareness about the importance of livestock in agriculture. A cattle specialist from New Zealand, Doctor John Henry Niezen said the fair offered opportunities to farmers to share their ideas and thoughts with each other about the health of animals. He said cattle shows are very common in western countries. Local bulls of Kangeyam region stole the limelight. The bulls are known all over the world for their superior strength and easy adaptability in any condition. The fair is the first of its kind being held in the region. Organisers were overwhelmed with the response. About 700 cattle of nine native breeds were on display. The animals were later judged on fitness. Prize money was also announced for the cattle in different categories. Feb 13, 2015
anna-hazare-to-hold-rally-against-land-acquisition-bill-in-new-delhi-politicos-react

Anna Hazare to hold rally against Land Acquisition Bill in New Delhi, Politicos react

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): Politicos reacted on Thursday as anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare will be addressing a rally of farmers opposed to the Land Acquisition Bill introduced by the central government on February 24 in New Delhi. BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao said that everyone has their own right to protest. Anna's supporter Sunita Godhara said that the rally is a one day revolution where farmers from all section will join. AAP leader Dilip Pandey said that Anna Hazare won't like to have any political interference in the rally; hence, AAP will not participate in the rally. Feb 12, 2015
maoists-call-for-shutdown-in-jharkhand-over-land-acquisition-ordinance

Maoists call for shutdown in Jharkhand over land acquisition ordinance

Ranchi, Feb 12 (ANI): Maoists called for a 24-hour shutdown on Thursday in Jharkhand state against central government's land acquisition bill. Rebels blew up railway tracks in Gomoh, Bokaro and Dhanbad regions of the state. The shutdown had an impact as no public transport was available for daily commuters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government passed an urgent executive order in December last year to ease land-acquisition rules in sectors like power, housing and defence to kick-start hundreds of billions of dollars in stalled projects, though investments are unlikely to flow in immediately. The Maoists, also known as Naxals in India, are inspired by the political philosophy of China's late Chairman Mao Zedong. They say they are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers. Feb 12, 2015
arunachal-pradesh-aims-to-export-quality-mandarin-orange

Arunachal Pradesh aims to export quality Mandarin orange

Arunachal Pradesh, Feb 08 (ANI): Mandarin Orange is the oldest cultivated major fruit of Arunachal Pradesh. If occupies over 45 per cent of total area under fruit crops and contributes about 57 per cent of total fruit production in the state. Area expansion in Mandarin orange is being taken up in Siang district, Lohit, Dibang Valley, East Kameng districts and Dambuk valley. Recently, a two-day long orange festival under the theme ‘poetic in nature’ was held at Dambuk valley. The Festival was held inside an orange orchard with around 200 orange trees attracting the local people as well visitors from other districts. Chief Minister Nabam Tuki inaugurated the event. Various cultural troupes from different tribes like Adis, Misings and Idus performed their colorful traditional dances and songs. American artist Scott Moses Murray, Guru Rewben from Manipur, Taba Chake from Arunachal Pradesh and many other music bands enthralled the audience with their music. The pro-active approach of the government to promote horticulture will give boost to the economic and social upliftment of farmers in the state. Feb 8, 2015
cattle-fair-in-tamil-nadu-draws-large-number-of-enthusiastic-farmers

Cattle fair in Tamil Nadu draws large number of enthusiastic farmers

Pollachi, Feb 07 (ANI): A cattle fair held to spread awareness among people about the preservation of livestock drew enthusiastic response from villagers in Tamil Nadu. The fair, held at Samathur on the outskirts of Pollachi town in Coimbatore district, also drew animal lovers from abroad. Villagers dressed in traditional attire brought hundreds of cows and bulls of different breeds at the fair ground. A member of Vanavarayar Foundation, which organised the event, Shankar Vanavarayar said the idea was to create awareness about the importance of livestock in agriculture. A cattle specialist from New Zealand, Doctor John Henry Niezen said the fair offered opportunities to farmers to share their ideas and thoughts with each other about the health of animals. Feb 7, 2015
security-officials-defuse-18-landmines-in-jharkhand

Security officials defuse 18 landmines in Jharkhand

Khunti, Feb 07 (ANI): In a joint operation, army and police in Jharkhand recovered and defused 18 landmines in Khunti district. The landmines were spread across a muddy route, mainly used by security personnel. Police is investigating the matter further. The Maoists, also known as Naxals in India, are inspired by the political philosophy of China's late Chairman Mao Zedong. They say they are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers. Feb 7, 2015
alternative-farming-gives-ray-of-hope-to-aurangabad-farmers

Alternative farming gives ray of hope to Aurangabad Farmers

Aurangabad, Feb 06 (ANI): Two brothers in Maharashtra have cultivated sweet limes in lieu of regular winter crops through innovative technique, using less water. The duo - Anil Chaudhary and Sunil Chaudhary - of Aurangabad district have come up with alternative farming of sweet limes to keep their cultivation going and earn their bread and butter. Anil planted around 1,500 sweet limes saplings in his eight acres of dried farm by taking loan from a bank. He connected his farm to a water body through pipe line which is situated 5-6 km away from his farm to save his cultivation from getting dried up. He said the farmers should not succumb to depression of not repaying the loans. India has two crops: Kharif - which is sown in summer and harvested during winter and Rabi - which are sown in winter and harvested in summer season. Feb 6, 2015