STRENGTHEN SOIL TESTING FACILITIES TO BOOST AGRICULTURE
PRABHA JAGANNATHAN

The teams of Agriculture Department are collecting samples of fertilisers by conducting surprise checks at various agricultural institutions with a view to ensuring that farmers get only quality and standard fertilisers, official sources said.

Govt To Revisit Nutrient-Based Subsidy Ahead Of One-Yr Schedule To Force Cos To Either Pass Benefit To Farmers Or Take Subsidy Cut
Prabha Jagannathan NEW DELHI

THE government

After facing the Opposition-sponsored cut motions on urea price and fuel price hike during the recently concluded Budget session of Parliament, the government has now decided to speed up the process of implementing nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) regime.

Nayanima Basu / New Delhi May 14, 2010, 1:15 IST

The much-awaited nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) policy, which came into effect from April 1 with the objective of enhancing soil nutrition in the country, might turn out to be ineffective and unproductive for the farming community even as it was expected to reduce the government

The nearby National Fertilizers Limited might have released its effluents into the river

Nangal: Industrial wastes being dumped into the Sutlej have once again claimed aquatic life over an area of 10-12 km here.

INDIAN agriculture has come full circle from the beginning of Green Revolution. Between 1960 and 2000, the introduction of high-yielding varieties, widespread adoption of chemical inputs and a clear policy focus on food self-sufficiency resulted in quantum jump in productivity of most crops.

India is poised for a rapid economic growth

Quashing criticism over the changed structure of fertiliser subsidy, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today argued the price of urea was increased to ensure farmers got the subsidy at the maximum retail price and more investment flows into the sector.