News Analysis India

Tag: farmer

  • Gujarat date farmers see red as Bangladesh raises import duty

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: Bangladesh’s decision to raise import duties on Gujarat’s renowned Kutchi ‘Dates’ has dealt a severe blow to date palm farmers in the region. The import tax on Khaarek (Dates) from Rs 10 per kilogram has surged seven times to Rs 80 per kg. This significant increase has led to a halt in exports to Bangladesh, leaving Kutch farmers facing a surplus of unsold stock.

    Kutchi Khaarek is among the distinctive food products that Gujarat’s Kutch region exports to various countries worldwide. However, this year has been particularly challenging for Kutch farmers.

    On one hand, they had to endure the adverse impacts of the BiparJoy storm, and on the other hand, continuous rains have severely hampered Khaarek production. Now, with the steep rise in import duties by Bangladesh, the situation has become even more daunting for the farmers.

    The heightened import duty on Kharek from Rs 10.83 to Rs 80 has led to increased prices, making it unaffordable for people in Bangladesh, thereby causing a cessation of exports. Jamal Shaikh, a Kutchi Khaarek exporter, highlighted the sudden escalation in taxes by the Bangladesh government. In 2021, the tax was 10.83 paise, which rose to Rs 33 in 2022 and eventually reached 64.50 rupees in the new budget of 2023, only to be raised to Rs 80 shortly after.

    This drastic change has had a significant impact on the economics of the trade. For instance, the tax payment on a full truck of Khaarek increased from Rs 3.5 lakh in 2022 to Rs 6.5 lakh in 2023, and further to 8.5 lakh rupees after the subsequent week. Consequently, Bangladeshi importers are reluctant to conduct business under such circumstances.

    AHMEDABAD: Bangladesh’s decision to raise import duties on Gujarat’s renowned Kutchi ‘Dates’ has dealt a severe blow to date palm farmers in the region. The import tax on Khaarek (Dates) from Rs 10 per kilogram has surged seven times to Rs 80 per kg. This significant increase has led to a halt in exports to Bangladesh, leaving Kutch farmers facing a surplus of unsold stock.

    Kutchi Khaarek is among the distinctive food products that Gujarat’s Kutch region exports to various countries worldwide. However, this year has been particularly challenging for Kutch farmers.

    On one hand, they had to endure the adverse impacts of the BiparJoy storm, and on the other hand, continuous rains have severely hampered Khaarek production. Now, with the steep rise in import duties by Bangladesh, the situation has become even more daunting for the farmers.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The heightened import duty on Kharek from Rs 10.83 to Rs 80 has led to increased prices, making it unaffordable for people in Bangladesh, thereby causing a cessation of exports. Jamal Shaikh, a Kutchi Khaarek exporter, highlighted the sudden escalation in taxes by the Bangladesh government. In 2021, the tax was 10.83 paise, which rose to Rs 33 in 2022 and eventually reached 64.50 rupees in the new budget of 2023, only to be raised to Rs 80 shortly after.

    This drastic change has had a significant impact on the economics of the trade. For instance, the tax payment on a full truck of Khaarek increased from Rs 3.5 lakh in 2022 to Rs 6.5 lakh in 2023, and further to 8.5 lakh rupees after the subsequent week. Consequently, Bangladeshi importers are reluctant to conduct business under such circumstances.

  • NHRC issues notice to UP govt over farmer’s ‘suicide’

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Police and the chief secretary of the state over the ‘suicide’ of a 45-year-old farmer after police allegedly forced a compromise with the perpetrators of the kidnapping and rape of his minor daughter.

    The commission has sought a report on the matter from the police and the chief secretary within four weeks.

    It said it has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report, according to which the man committed suicide after the police allegedly forced a compromise with the perpetrators of the kidnapping and rape of his minor daughter in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh.

    The victim reportedly belonged to a Scheduled Caste (SC) community.

    “The commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, calling for a detailed report within four weeks,” it said in a statement.

    The report should also include the present status of the matter and disbursement of the monetary relief to the victim under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995.

    The commission would also like to know about the action taken against the delinquent officer responsible for the tragedy, it added.

    According to the media report published on May 19, the girl was kidnapped by the accused persons when she was going to meet her father at a farm on May 9.

    Her father got a police complaint lodged the next day but the police, instead of registering an FIR, allegedly forced a compromise between the survivor and the accused.

    The police allegedly neither called nor informed the victim’s parents and closed the matter, according to the report.

    Upset over the developments, the girl’s father allegedly committed suicide on May 17.

    Also read: Drought caused by climate change linked to farmer suicides, says report

    NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Police and the chief secretary of the state over the ‘suicide’ of a 45-year-old farmer after police allegedly forced a compromise with the perpetrators of the kidnapping and rape of his minor daughter.

    The commission has sought a report on the matter from the police and the chief secretary within four weeks.

    It said it has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report, according to which the man committed suicide after the police allegedly forced a compromise with the perpetrators of the kidnapping and rape of his minor daughter in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The victim reportedly belonged to a Scheduled Caste (SC) community.

    “The commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, calling for a detailed report within four weeks,” it said in a statement.

    The report should also include the present status of the matter and disbursement of the monetary relief to the victim under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995.

    The commission would also like to know about the action taken against the delinquent officer responsible for the tragedy, it added.

    According to the media report published on May 19, the girl was kidnapped by the accused persons when she was going to meet her father at a farm on May 9.

    Her father got a police complaint lodged the next day but the police, instead of registering an FIR, allegedly forced a compromise between the survivor and the accused.

    The police allegedly neither called nor informed the victim’s parents and closed the matter, according to the report.

    Upset over the developments, the girl’s father allegedly committed suicide on May 17.

    Also read: Drought caused by climate change linked to farmer suicides, says report

  • Maharashtra farmer earns only Rs 2.49 net profit on sale of 512 kg onions

    By PTI

    PUNE: A farmer from Maharashtra’s Solapur was in for a rude shock when he got to know that he has earned a profit of merely Rs 2.49 against the sale of his 512 kg onions to a trader in the district.

    The farmer, 63-year-old Rajendra Chavan who resides in Barshi tehsil of Solapur, said his onion yield fetched a price of Rs 1 per kg at the Solapur market yard and after all the deductions he received this paltry sum as his net profit last week.

    Talking to PTI, Chavan said, “I had sent 10 bags of onions weighing more than five quintals to an onion trader in Solapur for sale. But after deducting charges towards loading, transport, labour and others, I received a net profit of just Rs 2.49 from him. The rate the trader offered me was Rs 100 per quintal. The overall weight of the crop was 512 kg and the total price he got for the produce was Rs 512,” he said.

    “After deductions worth Rs 509.51 against labour, weighing, transportation and other charges, I received a net profit of Rs 2.49. This is an insult to me and other onion-growers in the state. If we get such returns, how will we survive?” he asked.

    (Photo | Ravindra Kumar Adi Twitter)

    He said the onion farmers need to get a good price for the crop and the affected farmers get compensation.

    While Chavan claimed that the produce was of good quality, the trader said it was low-grade.

    “The farmer had brought only 10 bags and the produce was also of low grade. That is why, he got Rs 100 per quintal rate. So after all the deductions, he got Rs 2 as net profit,” the trader said.

    He added that the same farmer had received good returns in the recent past by selling more than 400 bags to me.

    “This time he brought the remaining produce that was hardly 10 bags and since the prices have gone down, he got this rate,” he said.

    Speaking to PTI, farmers leader and former MP Raju Shetti said that the onion hitting the market now is a ‘kharif’ produce and cannot be stored for a long time and that is why the shelf life of the product is short.

    “This onion needs to be sold in the market immediately and exported out. But due to glut, the prices of onions have nosedived in the market,” he said.

    He added that this onion is not being purchased by NAFED, so the only option is that the government should make the market available for this ‘kharif’ onion.

    “The government’s export and import policy regarding onions is not consistent. We had two permanent markets – Pakistan and Bangladesh, but they preferred buying onions from Iran instead of us due to the inconsistent policy of the government. The third market is Sri Lanka, but everyone knows their situation and no one is taking risks to send their produce,” he said.

    He added that the government should buy this onion or give subsidies to farmers.

    PUNE: A farmer from Maharashtra’s Solapur was in for a rude shock when he got to know that he has earned a profit of merely Rs 2.49 against the sale of his 512 kg onions to a trader in the district.

    The farmer, 63-year-old Rajendra Chavan who resides in Barshi tehsil of Solapur, said his onion yield fetched a price of Rs 1 per kg at the Solapur market yard and after all the deductions he received this paltry sum as his net profit last week.

    Talking to PTI, Chavan said, “I had sent 10 bags of onions weighing more than five quintals to an onion trader in Solapur for sale. But after deducting charges towards loading, transport, labour and others, I received a net profit of just Rs 2.49 from him. The rate the trader offered me was Rs 100 per quintal. The overall weight of the crop was 512 kg and the total price he got for the produce was Rs 512,” he said.

    “After deductions worth Rs 509.51 against labour, weighing, transportation and other charges, I received a net profit of Rs 2.49. This is an insult to me and other onion-growers in the state. If we get such returns, how will we survive?” he asked.

    (Photo | Ravindra Kumar Adi Twitter)

    He said the onion farmers need to get a good price for the crop and the affected farmers get compensation.

    While Chavan claimed that the produce was of good quality, the trader said it was low-grade.

    “The farmer had brought only 10 bags and the produce was also of low grade. That is why, he got Rs 100 per quintal rate. So after all the deductions, he got Rs 2 as net profit,” the trader said.

    He added that the same farmer had received good returns in the recent past by selling more than 400 bags to me.

    “This time he brought the remaining produce that was hardly 10 bags and since the prices have gone down, he got this rate,” he said.

    Speaking to PTI, farmers leader and former MP Raju Shetti said that the onion hitting the market now is a ‘kharif’ produce and cannot be stored for a long time and that is why the shelf life of the product is short.

    “This onion needs to be sold in the market immediately and exported out. But due to glut, the prices of onions have nosedived in the market,” he said.

    He added that this onion is not being purchased by NAFED, so the only option is that the government should make the market available for this ‘kharif’ onion.

    “The government’s export and import policy regarding onions is not consistent. We had two permanent markets – Pakistan and Bangladesh, but they preferred buying onions from Iran instead of us due to the inconsistent policy of the government. The third market is Sri Lanka, but everyone knows their situation and no one is taking risks to send their produce,” he said.

    He added that the government should buy this onion or give subsidies to farmers.

  • Wheat procurement & lifting impacted in Punjab, 18 farmers have committed suicide so far

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH: The procurement operation of wheat this season in Punjab has been impacted as till yesterday different central and state government agencies, including the Food Corporation of India have purchased only 85.98 Metric Tonnes (MT) going by the trend it does not seem the state will archive it’s target, as the wheat arrivals have gone down in grain markets across the state this is due to shrivelled grain problem as no decision has been taken by the Union Government till now on giving relaxation, also farmers are holding back the crop expecting surge in prices later on as global wheat is increasing due to Russia-Ukraine war and private player purchasing the crop above Minimum Support Price (MSP). 

    Also this season till yesterday only 62.81 per cent of wheat has been lifted. Thus approximately eighteen farmers have committed suicide to date across the state this month alone due to low yield on wheat.

    As per the data with the state food and supplies department as of April 25 the total wheat procurement was 90.61 MT of this government agency purchased 85.98 MT and private traders 4.62 MT. From 2009-10 till last year, the highest private purchase was in 2014-15 which was 2.9 LMT which was 2.4 per cent. While last year also the picture as almost similar as on April 25 it was 84.17 LMT of that84.15LMT was purchased by government agencies and only 2,376 KG by private players.

     The target fixed by the Food Corporation of India for 2022-23 for Punjab is 132 lakh MT as 132.22 LMT wheat was procured in 2021-22. Going by the trend it does not seem the state will archive it’s target as it seems it will remain around 100 LMT.

    A senior official of the department said that this time the farmers are holding back wheat as they are expecting high prices after few day or months as the prices of the grain are increasing in the global markets. So they are not bringing their crop to the grain market. Also the private players this time arepurchasing more wheat from the farmers and paying them more than the Minimum Reserveprice (MSP) as they are giving them Rs 2,025 per tonne against the MSP of Rs 2,015 per quintal. The main factor is the wheat grain is shrivelled by 10 to 20 per cent thus yield of wheat is also low.

    While this time the lifting is also slow as 62.81 per cent as  51.16 lakh MT of wheat has been lifted and 30.30 MT is yet to be lifted as of yesterday by different central and state government agencies from the 2,321-grain markets and procurements centres across Punjab.

    The main reason for slow lifting is that the contracts for transportation and labour were allotted during the term of the previous government and it is alleged that the contractors who did not have the requisite number of trucks and labour for the job were given these contracts.

    ALSO READ: Wheat procurement from Punjab expected to remain below 100 lakh MT

    “If we compare with last year, the pace of lifting this year is almost similar. Every year for a few days when there is a glut in mandis within few days, the entire stock will be lifted and shifted to godowns,” said an official.

    A senior officer of FCI said that they are waiting for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution to take a decision on relaxing specifications, following which they will lift the grain. Even the direct delivery of wheat to the FCI is stalled till this issue is resolved.

    This month eighteen suicides have been reported to date across Punjab due to the low yield of wheat of these 11 in malwa region. As per the data gathered by BKU (Ugrahan) the largest farmer union of Punjab, fourteen farmers have committed suicide in different parts of Punjab till date this month.

    “On April 18, 38-year-old Ramandeep Singh of Bajak village in Bathinda died as he consumedpesticide on April 14 due to the low yield of the grain. While Gurdeep Singh (28) of Mansa Khurd village in Bathinda hanged himself and Jaspal Singh of Maiserkhana village also in Bathinda jumped before the train on April 20 and Randhir Singh of Bhagivander villagen also Bathinda district was found dead in a pound. Manjit Singh of Paddi Sura Singh village in Hoshiarpur district consumed position on April 23. All these farmers committed suicide due to the low yield of wheat and the government should give Rs 10 lakh per family as compensation,’’ claimed Sukhdev Singh General Secretary of BKU (Ugrahan).

    Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has appealed to the Union Government to relax the specifications for shriveled grains in the purchase of wheat in the state without the imposition of any value cut, thereby protecting the incomes of the farmers who are already impacted by low yield and severe farm debt.

    He said that despite the passage of one week since the central teams, deputed by the Ministry of Food and  Public Distribution, completed their task and submitted their report to the ministry highlighting the extent of shriveling of the grain, no decision has been taken by the Union Government. He emphasized that farming issues are required to be resolved on high priority and the delay isimpacting the procurement operations.

    BOX: Input Costs High The input costs have gone up as fertiliser,  pesticides, seeds, and diesel needed to operate tubewells and tractors have shot up substantially this year. The prices of diammonium phosphate (DAP) have increased from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,350 per 50 kg.

  • Farmers hold protest against BJP in Patiala, chase away local leader

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: A group of farmers protesting against the Centre’s farm laws on Sunday chased away a local BJP leader in Punjab’s Patiala district where a party meeting was underway.

    The incident took place as local BJP leaders and workers assembled for a meeting in Rajpura.

    Protesting farmers gathered near the venue and started raising slogans against the BJP, prompting the police to escort the party’s leaders and workers out of the building.

    When local leader Shanti Sapra was being escorted out, protesters carrying black flags chased him down the street.

    Sapra later claimed that his clothes were torn away, even as police tried to protect him.

    A few others, including local leader Bhupesh Aggarwal, took refuge in a house.

    Aggarwal alleged he was beaten up by the protesters and claimed that his life was under threat.

    The police, however, said they had deployed adequate personnel and the BJP leaders were taken out safely.

    BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh condemned the alleged “attack” on the party members and dubbed the incident a “daylight murder of democracy” under the Congress-led regime in Punjab.

    In a statement, he alleged that the party’s political rivals, under the garb of the farmers’ protest, had been trying to “throttle” the voice of the BJP in the state.

    Farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at Delhi’s borders for over seven months in protest against the three contentious agri laws.

    The three laws: The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020, were passed by Parliament in September last year.

  • Ready to take agitation across the nation: Rakesh Tikait

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  With farm agitation entering its 73rd day at the Ghazipur border, farmer leader and Bhartiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait is not ready to budge but move ahead. Talking to Siddhanta Mishra, Tikait said he is planning to attend more meetings and grow the agitation across the country

    What is the way forward for the farmer agitation?In the next few days, we will expand the reach of our agitation and will visit programmes in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The protest will continue from here and I will visit other places as well. We are getting support from everywhere and will continue our agitation till the farm laws are taken back.

    When is the next meeting with the government?The government has to tell. We are ready for talks like the way they used to happen earlier. We have a committee and system in place for scheduling talks. If they get the proposal, talks will take place.

    PM Modi recently said he is just a phone call away?Formal talks do not happen like this. The Centre very well knows how to communicate to us and our unions.

    You are becoming the face of the agitation. How big is this responsibility?I am a nobody. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha is the face of this protest and the entire farming community is to be given credit for this agitation. Our main stage and our main council is at Singhu border. Everything is happening under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha. The Ghazipur protest is a part of that.

    Was there a ‘Jawan vs Kisan’ situation at some instances during protest?Both are the same. ‘Jawan’ comes from ‘Kisan’. A soldier guards country’s border, a farmer guards their farmlands. Both are in tandem.

  • Shiv Sena farmer unemployed front started in the interest of farmers and unemployed youth

    Chhattisgarh Shiv Sena has started a two-day farmer and unemployed youth front in the interest of farmers and unemployed youth. A two-day journey will be conducted from Chhattisgarh border Deori to Raipur. The Shiv Sena has taken this front on various demands such as lateality of farmers’ crop amount, problem of gunny, proper water supply in Ravi crop, employment of local unemployed youth. Shiv Sena Kamgar Sena leader Parmanand Verma said that the state government is proving to be a failure in the matter of giving jobs to educated unemployed youth. There are many factories in Chhattisgarh, yet the youth have to go out for employment. Parmanand Verma said that the state government should employ 80 local people. Follow the minimum wage which has been implemented. Exploitation of workers in the factory should stop. The workers should get the benefit of the appropriate minimum pay scale.

  • District administration deposited admission fee for JEE Mains student Purnima Pankera

    Collector Shri Mahadev Kavre today, student of Sankalp Shikshan Sansthan Jashpur, Ku. Entered the entry fee for Purnima Pankera. Purnima’s father Tilak Sai thanked the collector. Father Shri Tilak Sai Village Kukurbhuka came 88 percent in JEE Main. The girl has been selected at the Raipur Science Branch at the National Institute of Technology Raipur. Under the changed rules this year, the Scheduled Caste, Tribe, and other assembly economically weaker children have also been mandated to pay the prescribed fee while confirming the seat allocation by category. Kumari Purnima’s father Mr. Tilak Sai is a poor small farmer. At the time of completing the formalities of admission to the college, there was a need to deposit twenty thousand in any situation of the district, because through the publicity resolution, the Collector Jashpur Shri Mahadev Kavre immediately made available twenty thousand rupees by making it available to the concerned. Has been to complete. Purnima’s father came to the collectorate himself and met the collector and made him aware of his problems. On which immediate assistance is provided. In this way, the sensitivity of the district administration has also paved the way for the future of meritorious students to become golden. Purnima’s father Shri Tilak Sai thanked him by expressing his support to the Collector Shri Mahadev Kavre.

  • HDFC Bank offers bumper offer- huge discount on tractor, motorcycle, farmer gold loan

    HDFC Bank, the largest private bank from India, has given a bumper offer for rural areas in view of festivals. Under this, people and farmers of semi-urban, rural areas are being given huge discounts on tractors to motor cycles and gold loans. This offer has come into effect from Friday. HDFC Bank has started the ‘festive blast offer’ like every year, though this year it has tied up with the Common Service Centers (Common Service Centers-CSC) network of the Government of India, so that the bank has access to every corner of the country. And the people of rural areas can also take advantage of it. This offer is also for semi-urban areas. HDFC Bank has offered huge discounts under its plan. So that people can fulfill their dreams by taking a car, tractor, motorcycle loan. In this, 1.2 lakh registered businessmen in rural areas will also be able to provide this facility under CSC. Not only this, more than 3000 local businessmen associated with the bank will also provide this facility on behalf of the bank. Under this, discounts of up to 5-15% will be given.

  • Rs 533 crore crop insurance claim payment to 3.93 lakh farmers across the state

    26.86 lakh human working days to be created in irrigation project
    39.8.47 crores to 19.87 lakh farmers during lockdown
    Offer to pay rupees
    Development of 9,997 Bari through MNREGA

    Under the Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance in Chhattisgarh by the state government, in the Kharif year 2019, 3 lakh 93 thousand 763 farmers have been deposited the claim payment of Rs 533 crore 9 lakh as crop insurance directly into their bank accounts. Apart from this, action is being taken to pay the claim amount of about 101 crores to the farmers. It is worth noting that under the Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme, a total of 15 lakh 52 thousand farmers have been insured in the Kharif year 2019 for Rs 8,142.18 crore. For which premium payment of Rs 1139.75 crore has been paid to the insurance company. In which the contribution of farmers is 162.84 crores.
    Under the weather-based crop insurance scheme in the state, horticulture crop was insured by 11 thousand 475 farmers in the Kharif year 2019. Out of which claim of Rs 12 crore 38 lakh has been paid to 7 thousand 668 farmers and the process of payment of crop insurance claim amount of Rs 1 crore 85 lakh to 2 thousand 593 farmers is under process. Under the Prime Minister’s Agricultural Irrigation Scheme, about 24 lakh 86 thousand man days will be created in watershed related works and 2 lakh man working days in construction of minimum irrigation ponds and check-dams.
    The state government has sent an online proposal to the Government of India for payment of Rs 397.47 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Yojana after the lockdown to protect the corona virus infection in Chhattisgarh. Payment under the Public Financial Management System is being done by the Government of India in installments.
    Seed corporation of the state government is paying 5 crore rupees to the seed producing farmers. The payment of the remaining amount of 20 crores is in progress. Under the Badi Development Program of Suraji village in the state, 9 thousand 997 Baris have been approved under MNREGA in 2019-20. An amount of 10 crores has been sanctioned to the Horticulture Department under the state-funded Bari Vikas Scheme in the financial year 2019-20. Which will be used for bari development in Kharif 2020.