Agriculture

The Rabi crop season, vital for food security in countries like India, includes key crops such as wheat, barley, and chickpeas. Effective post-harvest management is crucial for maintaining crop quality, reducing losses, and maximizing economic returns. Timely harvesting, proper threshing, cleaning, drying, and efficient storage are essential practices that ensure the produce’s nutritional value and marketability. While challenges like infrastructure limitations and pest infestations persist, innovative solutions such as technology adoption, government support, and farmer training are helping improve post-harvest practices. By combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques, the agricultural sector can significantly reduce waste, enhance food security, and drive economic growth.

In Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, the floodplains of the Ganges, once known for producing only one crop a year due to constant flooding, are now the site of a major oil discovery. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has found significant crude oil reserves in the area and has begun drilling on land owned by the family of freedom fighter Chittu Pandey. This breakthrough, which could transform the region's economic prospects, is expected to bring substantial benefits not only to Ballia but to the entire state of Uttar Pradesh. Historically tied to India's freedom struggle, the same land now holds the promise of a brighter, more prosperous future.

A tragic road accident in Karelibag, Vadodara, on March 13 resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to seven others when an overspeeding car driven by Rakshit Chaurasia collided with multiple two-wheelers. The accused, allegedly intoxicated, was arrested after being chased by locals. The accident victims were rushed to various hospitals, and police are investigating the incident, including the possible consumption of drugs by the accused. In response to the tragedy, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) canceled its Dhuleti event in the city.

The Standing Committee of Parliament on Agriculture, headed by Charanjit Singh Channi, has recommended renaming the Union Agriculture Ministry to better reflect the role of farm workers. The panel proposed changing the name to ‘Department of Agriculture, Farmers and Farm Labourers Welfare’, emphasizing the critical but often overlooked contribution of farm labourers. The committee also called for the establishment of a ‘National Commission for Minimum Living Wages for Farm Labourers’ to address wage disparities. Additionally, the panel recommended the introduction of a free crop insurance scheme for small farmers and the inclusion of organic crops under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system. These measures aim to provide financial stability for smallholder farmers and incentivize organic farming.

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking the immediate removal of blockages on national and state highways in Punjab, where farmers have been protesting for months. The petition, filed by a social activist from Punjab, calls for directions to the Centre and authorities to ensure that highways and railway tracks remain unobstructed. It highlights the severe disruption caused by the blockades, including threats to national security and difficulties faced by the people of Punjab, particularly in medical emergencies. The petition further claims that the blockades are being exploited by anti-national forces to destabilize Punjab, a state with a critical role in the nation's security. The Supreme Court is set to hear the plea on December 9.