Early harvest, emission control mean cleaner air for Delhi
Early harvesting of kharif paddy and installation of flue gas desulphurization (FGD) devices in thermal power plants in and around the National Capital Region may help improve air quality in Delhi and surroundings during winter, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) officials on Friday.
Due to early sowing of crops this kharif, harvesting is happening early in north Indian States. Besides, there is a substantial reduction in acreage of non-basmati rice (nearly four lakh hectares less as compared to last year) in Punjab and Haryana this year. This is all expected to contribute to reduction in stubble burning this year, said CPCB Member Secretary Prashant Gargava during a briefing here.
Distressed farmers in Maharashtra demand immediate compensation
Following massive damage of kharif crops due to October rains, farmers in the State have demanded ₹50,000 per hectare compensation from the government. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has ordered an immediate assessment of crop loss and damage.
Farmers producer company incubation centre to come up in Nashik
Inspired by the incubation centres nurturing start-up ecosystems in India, Nashik-based Sahyadri Farmers Producer Company, along with other partners, is all set to launch the first-of- its-kind Farmers Producer Company (FPC) Incubation Centre.
Vilas Shinde, MD and Chairman of Sahyadri, said, “Considering the strengths of the partners, we are establishing India’s first FPC incubation centre focusing on horticulture crops. The incubation program will consist of physical and virtual incubation. FPCs will be conducting their activities from the respective regions. Hence, most of the programs will be virtual. However, periodically FPCs will participate in physical programs at the incubation centre where a few FPC representatives will be physically available.”
