Agriculture Current Affair 29 August 2020

Bengal aims to bring 60 lakh farmers under crop cover

West Bengal government is hopeful of bringing close to 60 lakh farmers under its flagship agriculture insurance scheme – ‘Bangla Shasya Bima (BSB)’ – during kharif 2020. The scheme, which was introduced in 2019, covered close to 46 lakh farmers during the rabi season.

According to Pradip Kumar Mazumder, Chief Advisor (Agriculture) to the Chief Minister, there are close to 68 lakh farmers in the State growing aman (kharif) paddy. The enrolment process for kharif 2020 will be open till September 15.

FSSAI completes nationwide quality survey of edible oils

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to intensify the crackdown against the sale of adulterated edible oil with a pan-India surveillance of both branded and unbranded products.

In a statement, the food safety authority said that a nationwide quality survey was been carried out for the first time on August 25-27. Over 4,500 samples were collected covering a total of 16 varieties of edible oils including mustard, coconut, palm, olive and blended oils.

Coconut Development Board to celebrate World Coconut Day on September 2

India is expanding the export base of coconut products and activated carbon, the most exported coconut product which is in high demand industries in the US and Europe.

During 2019-20, the export of coconut products (excluding coir items) was valued at ₹1,762.17 crores. India is the global leader in coconut production and productivity and the coconut industry is moving ahead with a steady pace, said Coconut Development Board officials. The coconut is grown in 2.15 million hectare and the annual coconut production and productivity is 21,308.41 million nuts and 9898 nuts per hectare respectively, the officials added.