Himachal Apple growers demand govt support as farm-gate prices fall to a 10-year low
Resentment is brewing among apple growers of Himachal Pradesh as farm-gate prices of the fruit fall to a 10-year low, stoking demand for federal intervention and policy support to make the business viable.
Orchard owners have asked the Centre to implement the Kashmir formula in Himachal as well to cushion cultivators from a price shock. New Delhi, through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED), buys apples from Kashmiri farmers at Rs 60, Rs 44 and Rs 24 per kg, depending on output quality.
Himachal’s apple growers want that benefit extended to them as well.
Kharif foodgrain output estimated at a record 150.50 million tonne this year, says Centre
India’s foodgrain production is likely to touch record 150.50 million tonne in the ongoing kharif season on better rice output amid good monsoon, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday. In the kharif season of 2020-21 crop year (July-June), the foodgrain output comprising rice, pulses and coarse cereals stood at a record 149.56 million tonne.
Record production is pegged in rice, sugarcane and cotton. However, production of coarse cereals and oilseeds is estimated to be lower marginally during the kharif season of this year.
Sowing of kharif (summer) crops like paddy begins with the onset of the Southwest monsoon from June, while harvesting in most of the parts commences from October.
Agricultural and processed food exports up 21.8% in April-August: Govt
The government on Tuesday said India’s export of agricultural and processed food products rose 21.8% on year in April-August with rice, fresh fruit and vegetables and cereals exhibiting growth.
The exports of products under the ambit of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) were $7.9 billion in the first five months of the fiscal as against $6.4 billion a year ago, the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.
Rice exports increased 13.7% to $3.8 billion from $3.3 billion a year ago.
