Deficient rainfall in many parts of the country has started showing stress on the progress of sowing of kharif crops. As of the first week of July, the sowing of paddy, the major food grain crop of the season, was down by about 25 per cent compared to last year, according to latest figures released by the Ministry of Agriculture. Sowing of oilseeds was down by almost 50 per cent.

Sharad PawarHailing the decision of waiving farmers

BHUBANESWAR: Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today announced full assistance to the states for modernisation of important fishing harbours and landing centres.

The Centre is providing 100 percent financial assistance for construction of major harbours and the level of assistance for minor fishing harbours and landing centres has been increased from 50 to 75 percent.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar addressing the inaugural session of National Consultation of State Fisheries Ministers in Bhubaneswar on Satur
BHUBANESWAR: Like plants moving to higher altitudes to evade effects of global warming, certain fish species, which were recorded only in Kerala too have moved northwards.

The species were recently found in West Bengal.

The Union Government will formulate separate policy for development of horticulture in hilly States of the Country, keeping in view the special geographical and topographical needs of these areas. This was revealed by Himachal Horticulture Minister, Narender Bragta after his meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in New Delhi on Friday.

Bihar CM Points To Discrepancies In Central And State Estimates To Puncture UPA

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday urged the Union Government to cover all the poor in any State in the proposed National Food Security Act and cautioned against imposing a ceiling on the number of below poverty line(BPL) families. He also favoured a system of direct cash transfer to the beneficiaries instead of a complex delivery mechanism.

BHUBANESWAR: City-based Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) will hold a two-day national consultation on growth in fisheries sector here from July 4. While all states and Union Territories (UTs) are likely to take part in it, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar would chair the meeting.

J. Balaji

NEW DELHI: Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday allayed fears about the country facing a drought this year. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the south-west monsoon was likely to resume over the remaining parts of central India and some parts of north-west India after July 1.