Banks hesitate in lending to farmers in Uttar Pradesh; fertilizers and seeds in short supply Farmers in Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh know at least one person they can count on in times of doubt or crisis. Manoj Kumar, 30, has been working with farmers for eight years, travelling to villages, discussing their problems, advising them on matters of farming and finance. These days he is

Press Trust of India / New Delhi November 09, 2008, 14:50 IST

Amid complaints of fertiliser shortage in certain parts, the Centre has decided to organise video-conferencing with state agriculture departments on a daily basis to ensure adequate supply in the Rabi season.

Prashant K Sahu / New Delhi November 04, 2008, 0:21 IST

Alarmed at the prospect of not meeting the annual farm credit target of Rs 2,80,000 crore for 2008-09, the finance ministry has asked banks to undertake special drives to enhance credit flow to agriculture. Finance Minister P Chidambaram will also raise the issue when he meets the chiefs of public sector banks here tomorrow.

Vishnu Pandey / Kanpur November 01, 2008, 20:55 IST

A severe fertiliser shortage is threatening the timely sowing of potato and allied crops such as mustard in the

Patna: Bihar Agriculture Minister Nagmani on Tuesday said farmers would be given 50 per cent subsidy on the high yielding variety of seeds for Rabi crops -- wheat, gram and masur. Mr. Nagmani said initially two farmers from each of 45,000 villages in the State would be provided seeds at a subsidised rate under the Chief Minister Rapid Seed Extension Programme starting on October 16.