Agriculture Current Affair 23 January 2023

3 new cooperatives to help boost exports, seed availability

The Centre’s push to reinvent cooperatives with the Union cabinet clearing proposals for setting up three cooperatives at the national level will help improve exports and availability of quality seeds to farmers, and enhance footprint of organic products in India and outside.

“Many products produced by cooperatives have a huge demand in many countries, but in the absence of an umbrella cooperative society, the export potential of cooperative services remains hugely untapped,” a senior government official said.

While national cooperatives for exports and seeds will be set up in the national capital, the cooperative for organic products will be headquartered at Anand in Gujarat. The cooperation ministry has roped in the external affairs ministry and commerce department to provide support and share studies on demands in foreign countries to help boost cooperatives’ exports.

Rajasthan govt to rent out drones to farmers to help spray fertilisers, insecticides

Low income group farmers in Rajasthan will be provided drones on rent that will help them monitor crops and spray chemicals in a wide agricultural area with less cost and time. Around 1,500 drones will be made available at custom hiring centres by the state government in two years.

Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Horticulture, Dinesh Kumar said the use of artificial intelligence and drones for agricultural work is increasing all over the world and in the state also, the government is promoting the use of technology to enable farmers increase their income and yield.

“Progressive farmers of the state have already started using drones in agriculture. In the coming time there will be a huge increase in the demand and utility of drones in agriculture,” he said.

Budget 2023: Agritech sector seeks tax sops, cheaper credit

Agritech sector executives called for tax sops and subsidised credit from the government in the upcoming Union budget, arguing that the measures would help expedite private sector investment in agriculture and enable farmers to protect their crops from the effects of climate change.

Prioritising effective warehouse management and expanding finance availability will also aid farmers in safeguarding their harvest from external threats, they said.

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