farmers | DD News

July 27, 2026 11:54 PM

Kharif sowing reaches 787.37 lakh hectares

The total area sown under kharif crops stood at 787.37 lakh hectares as of July 24, 2026, compared with 826.19 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year, registering a decline of 38.82 lakh hectares, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. Among major crops, rice was sown across 234.43 lakh hectares, down from 240.62 lakh hectares during the same period in 2025, a decrease of 6.19 lakh hectares. The area under pulses also declined to 84.57 ...

July 24, 2026 2:45 PM

Saving soil, securing farms: How India is strengthening soil health through science, sustainability and technology

Recognising soil as a strategic national resource critical to food security, agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods, India is accelerating efforts to promote scientific soil management through sustainable farming practices, digital technologies and climate-resilient agriculture. According to the government, healthy soil forms the foundation of India's agricultural economy, which supports more than 46 per cent of the country's workforce. With nearly 59 per cent of India's reported geogr...

July 23, 2026 10:44 AM

India successfully exports 12.5 tonnes of Dashehari and Langra mangoes to Dubai by sea, boosting farmers’ returns

India has achieved a major milestone in fresh fruit exports with the successful shipment of 12.5 tonnes of Dashehari and Langra mangoes from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, to Dubai by sea, demonstrating the commercial viability of a new export protocol developed jointly by the ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (ICAR-CISH) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The consignment, exported in a 40-foot refrigerated container, was sent by S...

July 21, 2026 6:26 PM

Kharif sowing area crosses 658 lakh hectares as of July 17

The total area sown under kharif crops stood at 658.19 lakh hectares as of July 17, 2026, compared with 700.47 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Tuesday. The latest figures show that while rice sowing has remained largely stable, acreage under pulses, coarse cereals, oilseeds and cotton has declined compared to the same period in 2025. Rice cultivation covered 166.41 lakh hectares, marginall...

July 16, 2026 5:12 PM

ICAR develops 386 improved crop varieties in a year, majority climate-resilient: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed 386 improved crop varieties across 44 crops over the past year, with 94 per cent being climate-resilient and 29 biofortified, said Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday. Speaking at the 98th Foundation Day celebrations of ICAR in New Delhi, Chouhan described the premier agricultural research institution as the "trailblazer of India's agricultural transformation", crediting its scient...

July 13, 2026 4:30 PM

Shivraj Singh Chouhan to hold high-level talks with West Bengal CM on agriculture, rural development

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will undertake a two-day visit to West Bengal on July 13 and 14 to review key agriculture and rural development programmes, hold high-level discussions with the state government, and interact directly with jute farmers, agricultural scientists and women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Chouhan will arrive in Kolkata on the evening of July 13 and hold a dinner meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Suve...

July 8, 2026 4:24 PM

Centre steps up El Niño preparedness as monsoon improves; weekly reviews, contingency plans underway for Kharif season

Even as concerns persist over the possible impact of El Niño on the southwest monsoon, the Centre has intensified its preparedness measures with weekly monitoring, district-level contingency plans, seed reserves and enhanced farmer support initiatives to safeguard the ongoing Kharif season. The government's preparedness was reviewed at the highest level during a meeting chaired by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr. P.K. Mishra on July 7, where senior officials from more than 15 mini...

July 5, 2026 2:16 PM

Shivraj Singh Chouhan releases Rs 25,863 crore first instalment to states for rollout of VB-G-RAM-G

Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday released the first instalment, or Mother Sanction, of ₹25,863 crore to states for the implementation of the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G-RAM-G], while reviewing the rollout of the flagship rural employment scheme with Rural Development Ministers of states and Union Territories through a video conference. Describing the nationwide launch of VB-G-RAM-G as a major administrative achievem...

July 4, 2026 4:21 PM

Govt raises onion procurement price by 13% to ₹2,125/quintal to boost farmer returns

The Centre on Saturday increased the procurement price of onions for the Price Stabilisation Buffer by 13 per cent, raising it from ₹1,875 per quintal to ₹2,125 per quintal with immediate effect. The revised rate, effective from July 4, is aimed at ensuring better returns for onion farmers while strengthening the government's buffer stock procurement through NAFED and NCCF. According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, onion production for 2025-26 is estimated...

June 30, 2026 10:51 AM

Shivraj Singh Chouhan to attend ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ concluding ceremony in Haryana today

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit Bawal in Haryana's Rewari district on Tuesday to attend the concluding ceremony of the month-long nationwide 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan', where he will interact with farmers, agricultural scientists and experts. The Union Minister will begin his visit by touring an exhibition showcasing agriculture-related models and stalls highlighting modern farming practices, soil health management, crop pr...