Sri Lanka has decided to charge more money to bring onions and potatoes into their country. Starting Tuesday, the tax on onions went up from 10 rupees per kilogram to 50 rupees per kilogram. They also increased the tax on potatoes. This makes it more expensive to send these vegetables from places like India to Sri Lanka.
Trouble for Indian Farmers
This change is bad news for farmers in India. They grow lots of onions, but they’re already getting low prices for them. Last year, India started sending onions to Sri Lanka again after a break. Now, Sri Lanka’s new tax might make it harder for Indian farmers to sell their onions there.
Sri Lanka’s Farmers Are Happy
Farmers in Sri Lanka are excited about this decision. They’ve been asking their government to raise taxes on imported vegetables for a long time. They say it’s tough to sell their own vegetables when cheaper ones come from other countries. A special report from Sri Lanka’s food safety team helped make this happen. It showed how imported vegetables affect local farmers.
How Much Are the New Taxes?
Here are the new taxes Sri Lanka is charging:
Potatoes: 20 rupees per kilogram
Red onions: 50 rupees per kilogram
Big onions: 10 rupees per kilogram
Sri Lanka hasn’t shared an official announcement yet, but people think it’s coming soon.
India’s Help Last Year
Last year, in April 2024, India allowed 10,000 tons of onions to be sent to Sri Lanka. This was part of a friendly “Neighborhood First” plan to help Sri Lanka during their New Year celebrations. But now, Sri Lanka’s new tax could make things harder for Indian farmers who depend on selling their onions.
In Jashpur, Chhattisgarh, farmers are getting a big help! The Chief Minister, Vishnu Dev Sai, has approved three special projects to fix old irrigation systems. These projects will cost Rs 9.49 crore and make farming easier for many people.
What Are These Projects?
The government is fixing three important water projects:
Konpara (Daltoli Dam) in Farsabahar: This will get Rs 3.47 crore to repair it.
Soro Diversion Scheme in Bagicha: This will get Rs 3.46 crore to make it better.
Ankira Pond Scheme in Farsabahar: This will get Rs 2.55 crore to fix it up.
How Will This Help Farmers?
These projects will bring more water to the fields. Farmers will have enough water to grow crops all year. This means they can grow more food and earn more money. It’s like giving their farms a big drink of water to stay healthy!
Saving Water and Growing Strong
Fixing these water systems will also help save water. Even if there’s a drought, farmers can still grow their crops. This will make farming stronger and help villages earn more money. Farmers will also learn new ways to grow crops better.
The Uttar Pradesh government has made a big decision to keep Basmati rice special and safe. Starting August 1, they have banned 11 harmful pesticides in 30 districts for 60 days. This is to make sure the rice stays good for eating and selling to other countries.
Why the Ban?
Basmati rice is famous for its long grains and yummy smell. India sends a lot of it to countries like Europe, America, and others. These countries check the rice carefully to make sure it doesn’t have too many pesticide leftovers. If they find too much, they send the rice back, which is bad for farmers and India’s reputation. These pesticides can also harm people’s health.
The banned pesticides have tricky names like Tricyclazole, Buprofezin, and others. The ban is in 30 districts, like Hathras, Aligarh, Meerut, and Bareilly, where Basmati rice has a special tag called GI (Geographical Indication). This tag means the rice is unique to these places.
Why Do Farmers Use Pesticides?
Farmers use pesticides to protect their rice from diseases and bugs, like Blast Disease or Bacterial Leaf Blight. But if they use the wrong amount or spray too close to harvest time, some pesticide stays in the rice. This can cause other countries to reject it. For example, Europe allows only a tiny bit of pesticide (0.01 parts per million), while America allows 0.3, and Japan allows 0.8. Farmers need to be very careful!
What Should Farmers Do?
To keep Basmati rice safe and sellable, farmers should:
Use only pesticides suggested by agriculture experts or universities.
Use the right amount of pesticide.
Wait long enough after spraying before cutting the rice, as written on the pesticide label.
The government has warned that anyone selling these banned pesticides will face strict punishment under the Insecticides Act of 1968.
Why Basmati Is Special?
Basmati rice is loved worldwide for its taste and smell. India is the biggest rice exporter, and Basmati is a star! It grows in special areas, including parts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, which have the GI tag. This ban will help keep Basmati rice safe, healthy, and famous around the world!
The government will help areca nut farmers whose crops were damaged by a virus, said Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He held a big meeting in New Delhi with other ministers, lawmakers, and officials to talk about problems faced by areca nut farmers.
Clearing Up Confusion About Areca Nuts
A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) caused some confusion about areca nuts from Karnataka. Some people thought it might cause cancer. The minister said scientists are testing the nuts to prove they are safe. They will share their findings soon.
Areca Nuts Are Important in India
Minister Chouhan said areca nuts have been used in India for a long time, especially in special ceremonies and traditions. They are also used in Ayurvedic and animal medicines because they have helpful substances.
Helping Farmers with Virus Damage
The minister said the government is serious about helping farmers who lost their areca nut crops because of a virus called Aerolif. Scientists are working on solutions to stop this disease and provide farmers with healthy plants. The government is also looking into ways to pay farmers for their losses.
Other Problems Being Fixed
The meeting also discussed issues like illegal imports of areca nuts, moisture problems, and price differences for different sizes of nuts. The minister promised to solve these problems in a timely way to protect farmers and the areca nut industry.
Visiting Karnataka
Minister Chouhan plans to visit Karnataka with scientists and experts to check on the situation and make plans to improve areca nut farming.
India Leads in Areca Nut Production
India is the world’s biggest producer of areca nuts, making up 63% of the global supply. In 2023-24, India grew about 1.4 million tons of areca nuts on 949,000 hectares of land. Karnataka is the top state, producing 1 million tons on 676,000 hectares. Other states like Kerala, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu also grow areca nuts. About 6 million people in India depend on areca nut farming, and the crop is worth around ₹58,664 crore.
Exports and Imports
In 2023-24, India exported 10,637 tons of areca nuts worth ₹400 crore to countries like the UAE, Vietnam, Nepal, Malaysia, and the Maldives. To protect local farmers, the government has put a 100% tax on imported areca nuts and raised the minimum import price to ₹351 per kilogram. Officials are also checking the quality of imported nuts carefully.
Support Programs for Farmers
The government has set up a scientific committee to study diseases like Yellow Leaf Disease (YLD) and Leaf Spot Disease (LSD) that harm areca nuts. In 2024-25, ₹37 crore was given to Karnataka to help with these problems. For 2025-26, ₹8.6 crore was given for special programs. A ₹63.16 crore project for 2024-27 will help manage LSD in 10 areas of Karnataka. Another ₹9.99 crore project with 16 agencies is researching areca nuts and their effects on health.
The government is also running programs to teach farmers better ways to grow areca nuts and increase their income.
Conclusion
The Indian government is working hard to support areca nut farmers by addressing virus damage, improving crop quality, and protecting the industry from illegal imports. With scientific research, financial aid, and plans to visit affected areas, Minister Chouhan and his team are committed to helping farmers and ensuring the areca nut industry stays strong. These efforts will help millions of farmers and keep areca nuts an important part of India’s culture and economy.
Pigeon pea (Arhar dal) is one of India’s most important crops. But it faces a dangerous problem – Sterility Mosaic Disease (SMD). This disease can destroy up to 90% of the crop, leaving farmers with huge losses.
Now, scientists from ICRISAT, ICAR–Indian Institute of Pulses Research, ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), Dholi have made a big discovery. They have found a special gene called “Ccsmd04” that can protect pigeon pea from this deadly disease.
They have also created 4 DNA markers. These work like special “tests” that help scientists quickly find plants with the resistance gene. This makes it faster to develop and share strong, disease-fighting seeds with farmers.
Why This Is Important
Saves pigeon pea crops from major damage
Helps farmers grow more and earn better
Supports farming that can handle climate challenges
Keeps India’s food supply strong and secure
This is another proud achievement for ICAR and its partners, showing how science can protect farmers and make agriculture stronger for the future.
Scientists at the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have done something no one in the world has ever done before – they have raised the Giant Trevally (Caranx ignobilis), a valuable sea fish, all the way from tiny babies (larvae) to healthy adults, without catching them from the wild.
And that’s not all – for the first time in India, they have made captive-bred seeds of this fish, which means baby fish ready to grow in farms.
These fish were grown in brackishwater cages at Kollam. Brackishwater is a mix of fresh water and salty sea water. The Giant Trevally grew super fast and could handle different salt levels even better than popular fish like silver pompano and cobia.
In 2024, these baby fish were given to farmers in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Now, more coastal families can earn money from fish farming without harming the ocean’s natural fish populations.
Why It Is Important:
1. It Protects wild fish 2. It Helps fishermen and their families earn more 3. It Keeps oceans healthy 4. It Makes India a leader in fish farming
This is a proud moment for India and a big step in making our blue economy – the part of the economy that comes from the sea – more sustainable and science-driven.
Tamil Nadu has done something amazing for its farmers! Since the year 2015, the government has given over 1.5 crore Soil Health Cards to farmers. These cards tell farmers if their soil is healthy and what they need to grow better crops. This helps them use the right amount of fertilizer and take care of their land.
This news was shared in the Parliament by Minister Ramnath Thakur on August 6, 2025.
How Do Farmers Get These Soil Health Cards?
The government made a smart plan. They made sure all farmers, even small and poor ones, got their cards on time.
Special vans called Mobile Soil Testing Labs (MSTL) go to villages.
These vans collect soil, test it, and give the report with useful tips.
Farmers also get help from Krishi Sakhis (Agri volunteers) and ATMA officers who teach them in village meetings.
Before planting seasons like Kharif and Rabi, farmers get advice from Village Agriculture Groups.
Some Soils Need Extra Help
Most of the land in Tamil Nadu is healthy. But in some places, the soil has problems. For those areas, experts give special advice to fix the soil.
36 Soil Labs Are Now Very Modern
To make soil testing better, Tamil Nadu upgraded 36 big soil labs with new machines. These labs are now approved by the National Board (NABL).
The labs use high-tech tools like:
Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS)
ICP Spectrophotometer
And guess what? Farmers can now see their soil test reports online on the Soil Health Card portal!
Big step for farmers! The Madhya Pradesh government has launched a major campaign to install 10 lakh solar pumps across the state by next year. This move aims to reduce farmers’ dependence on electricity and diesel, while making irrigation easier and more affordable.
What Are Solar Pumps?
Solar pumps use sunlight to pump water from wells or underground sources to the fields. Unlike traditional pumps, they don’t require grid electricity or fuel. This means zero power cuts, lower costs, and clean energy.
Up to 90% Subsidy for Farmers
Under the “Pradhan Mantri Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana”, farmers can get up to 90% subsidy on solar pumps. The remaining 10% is paid by the farmer. This support is being provided by both central and state governments.
This makes solar pumps affordable, even for small and marginal farmers.
What Did the CM Say?
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav recently reviewed the project in a meeting with the Department of New and Renewable Energy. He directed officials to ensure that farmers get the full benefit of schemes like the PM-KUSUM Yojana, and that all related departments work together to meet the 10 lakh pump target.
Why This Matters
Reduced electricity bills
Reliable irrigation – no power cuts or diesel issues
Eco-friendly solution
Increased awareness among farmers
Future opportunity to sell extra solar energy
What’s Next?
The pump installation will be done in phases, and awareness drives will be conducted across rural areas. This campaign is expected to transform irrigation practices and empower farmers with energy independence.
This initiative isn’t just about pumps – it’s about energy security, savings, and self-reliance for farmers. With sunlight as their new partner, the future of farming in Madhya Pradesh looks bright and sustainable.
