Area of summer crops expands by 21.58%
The area under cultivation of summer crops has gone up by 21.58% from last year to 80.02 lakh hectares. The rise is primarily due to sharp increase in pulses area, which has gone up by almost 70% from last year, raising hopes of a good harvest and extra income for farmers.
The met department has also forecast that monsoon will hit Kerala on its scheduled date of June 1.
“Like last year, the agriculture is growing steadily during Covid-19 pandemic. The focus is on increasing pulses and oilseeds production and we are on the right path,” said a senior agriculture ministry official.
Covid induced weekend lockdowns hit poultry industry
The Covid induced weekend lockdowns have impacted the poultry industry as Saturdays and Sundays are the two days of the week when chicken sales pick up. Sales of chicken have fallen 25%-30% since beginning of April with prices falling more than 40% in southern, western and northern India.
Possibility of sharp rise in wages threatens prospects of tea companies in Assam: ICRA
The possibility of a sharp increase in wages threatens the prospects of tea companies having estates in Assam in FY22 after a good FY21, according to rating agency ICRA NSE -4.03 %.
As per the notification issued by the Assam government on February 23, the state government had notified an interim enhancement of wages for tea plantation workers by Rs. 50 per day with effect from February 22, 2021, till finalisation of the revised minimum wages proposed earlier.
