Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Shri Tariq Anwar, today gave away awards to four farming communities for their outstanding contribution in conserving plant genetic resources. These awards, carrying a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh each, have been instituted by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Authority (PPV &FR).
In

Two flagship schemes of Ministry namely (i) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and (ii) National Food Security Mission introduced/implemented during 11th Plan period for the development of agriculture in the country, have been reviewed and are continuing for implementation during 12th Plan. Due to special efforts under these schemes and other schemes of the Ministry and

The Government is emphasizing on diversification of agriculture to include crops/varieties requiring less water.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities have developed several early maturing varieties of crops which perform well under moisture stress/drought conditions. In rice techniques like System Rice Intensification (SRI), direct seeded rice (DSR), aerobic rice, alternate wet and

The Union Minister for Agriculture and Food Processing, Shri Sharad Pawar visited the Indian Institute Of Spices Research yesterday to see Cardamom Research Center at Appangala, Kerala and interacted with the Scientists, and farmers. Dr M Anandaraj, Director Indian Institute of Spices Research welcomed the Minister and Dr S J Ankegowda, Head of the Cente

Under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, both Central and State Government are appropriate Government to fix, review and revise the minimum wages of the workers employed in the scheduled employments under their respective jurisdictions. The Agricultural sector falls in both Central and State Sphere and rates of minimum wages have been fixed by the Central

The National Conference for evolving the strategy for maximising kharif production began here today with a call by the Agriculture Minister to concentrate on consolidating the gains made in the 11th Plan and get equipped to face the new and emerging challenges.
Shri Sharad Pawar highlighted the fact that the annual growth rate for agriculture and

Union budget for 2013-14, presented in Parliament by Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram, on 28th February 2013 supports the agriculture sector in a big way.
While the existing provisions have been continued, a number of new initiatives have been taken for bringing in more investment to this sector, promoting growth in key areas and farmers’ welfare.
Food

A Centrally Sponsored Scheme-ATMA is presently under implementation in 614 districts of 28 States and 3 UTs. Under the scheme grant-in-aid is released to the State Designated Agency of respective States with an objective to support State Governments’ efforts of revitalization of the extension system and making available the latest agricultural technologies in different agro-climatic

The Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram has proposed an outlay of Rs. 27,049 crore for the Ministry of Agriculture in the Union Budget 2013-14. The outlay is 22 per cent over the Revised Estimates of the year 2012-13. Out of this, Rs. 3415 crore will be provided for agricultural research.
From the overall allocation of Rs.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Shri Tariq Anwar today said that agrobiodiversity plays a vital role in sustainable growth and development and one should work for efficient use of this natural and valuable resource. He was addressing the Global Consultation on Use and Management of Agrobiodiversity for Sustainable Food Security jointly