News for 'US Department of Agriculture'

Social stock exchange sees its first listing

Social stock exchange sees its first listing

Rediff.com14 Dec 2023

Social stock exchange (SSE) saw its first listing on Wednesday, with SGBS Unnati Foundation becoming the first entity to take this route to avail financing. The foundation - engaged in vocational training of youth - raised Rs 1.8 crore from four investors. These include brokerage firm Zerodha and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard).

Maha's Yavatmal sees 5 farmer suicides in 3 days over suspected crop loss

Maha's Yavatmal sees 5 farmer suicides in 3 days over suspected crop loss

Rediff.com19 Aug 2023

A local official confirmed the incidents but said the causes of these suicides were yet to be ascertained.

M&M shifts to high gear with Rs 37K cr investments

M&M shifts to high gear with Rs 37K cr investments

Rediff.com17 May 2024

Automotive (auto) major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), which is readying to launch nine sport utility vehicles (internal combustion engine/ICE), seven Born Electric Vehicles (BEVs), and seven light commercial vehicles by 2030, has outlined an investment of Rs 27,000 crore in its auto business between 2024-25 (FY25) and 2026-27 (FY27). Over the next three years, the company will deploy Rs 37,000 crore, including its auto business, farm business (Rs 5,000 crore), and service business (Rs 5,000 crore).

Deficient Rains Threaten Kharif Crop

Deficient Rains Threaten Kharif Crop

Rediff.com4 Sep 2023

Any long dry spell could cause moisture stress in the standing crop during the crucial maturing stage and also make it prone to pest and disease attacks.

Rice Economy Faces Turmoil as El Nino Turns Up Heat

Rice Economy Faces Turmoil as El Nino Turns Up Heat

Rediff.com15 Sep 2023

In the coming months, globally as well as in India, rice might remain a hot potato.

'Minister has converted ED into an extended arm of the BJP'

'Minister has converted ED into an extended arm of the BJP'

Rediff.com11 Jan 2024

'Now the political boss decides, and the ED acts.'

Intense summer heat to add to election fever, warns IMD

Intense summer heat to add to election fever, warns IMD

Rediff.com2 Apr 2024

India is set to experience extreme heat during the April to June period, with the central and western peninsular parts expected to face the worst impact, the IMD said on Monday as the country prepares for seven-phase general elections from April 19.

Will It Be Normal Monsoon This Year?

Will It Be Normal Monsoon This Year?

Rediff.com27 Apr 2023

The IMD defines a normal monsoon as one which delivers between 96 and 104 per cent of the 50-year average rainfall for the season.

2023: 2nd Warmest Year Since 1901

2023: 2nd Warmest Year Since 1901

Rediff.com12 Jan 2024

The five warmest years in Indian weather history have occurred in the past 14 years -- the others being 2009, 2017 and 2010, in order of intensity.

Govt ushers in de-layering in bureaucracy, jt secretary reports to secretary

Govt ushers in de-layering in bureaucracy, jt secretary reports to secretary

Rediff.com29 Mar 2023

The Centre has taken a major step towards increasing efficiency in decision-making by empowering joint secretaries to report to secretaries directly, officials said on Wednesday.

Gold Loans On RBI, Finance Ministry Radar

Gold Loans On RBI, Finance Ministry Radar

Rediff.com28 Mar 2024

Loan against gold as a product is catching on fast. Let's keep the momentum going, but aim for sustainable growth. A few bad apples should not ruin the brunch, argues Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

How drones can give wings to farmers

How drones can give wings to farmers

Rediff.com13 Nov 2022

So far, the drones that were considered important for the agriculture sector were nature-made winged-insects - a key component of the bee-based natural pollination cycle. The new-age drone is a whirring machine with rotors that can help farmers plan and grow and manage their crops. For the farm sector in India, which has had low levels of mechanisation, the impact of drones can be tremendous. The use of drones can help it leapfrog to modernisation in the same way that mobile phones helped India overcome its traditional lack of connectivity.

Mizoram: 9 out of 11 MNF ministers lose to ZPM

Mizoram: 9 out of 11 MNF ministers lose to ZPM

Rediff.com4 Dec 2023

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) has faced a rout as it could win only 10 seats, while the main opposition ZPM bagged 27 seats in the 40-member House.

Gujarat farmers to get Rs 1,500 govt aid to purchase smartphones

Gujarat farmers to get Rs 1,500 govt aid to purchase smartphones

Rediff.com21 Nov 2021

The Gujarat government has decided to provide financial assistance of up to Rs 1,500 to farmers in the state for purchasing a smartphone, as per a notification issued by the state agriculture department.

UCC Can Wait, Personal Law Reforms Can't

UCC Can Wait, Personal Law Reforms Can't

Rediff.com8 Aug 2024

Crucial reforms in Muslim personal law, especially laws related to inheritance and adoption, need to be initiated forthwith; historically speaking, without the State's backing, hardly has any reform taken place or allowed to prevail, asserts Mohammad Sajjad.

Most of Karnataka to be declared drought-hit

Most of Karnataka to be declared drought-hit

Rediff.com13 Sep 2023

The list of drought-hit taluks will be notified, following Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's approval.

Cyclone Biparjoy won't impact advance of monsoon: IMD

Cyclone Biparjoy won't impact advance of monsoon: IMD

Rediff.com13 Jun 2023

Scientists had earlier said the cyclone pulled the moisture and convection, impacting the intensity of the monsoon and delaying its onset over Kerala.

Pulses prices stabilise as rains revive over major growing states

Pulses prices stabilise as rains revive over major growing states

Rediff.com22 Sep 2023

After a steady surge, prices of pulses, except those of urad and masoor to some extent, are showing signs of stabilising amid a revival of monsoon rains over major growing areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka, and on expectations of a rise in imports. Chana prices, which too had moved up in recent months, have dropped by almost 3 per cent since the end of August due to increased liquidation of government stocks, official data shows. Monsoon rains seem to have benefitted the standing soybean crop as well.

Govt suspends IAS officer who razed 15th century monument to build bungalow

Govt suspends IAS officer who razed 15th century monument to build bungalow

Rediff.com1 Aug 2023

According to an order issued by the MHA, departmental proceedings are being contemplated against Rai.

Day after breach, security tightened in and around Parliament complex

Day after breach, security tightened in and around Parliament complex

Rediff.com14 Dec 2023

Security personnel deployed outside the Transport Bhavan, metres away from the Parliament complex, did not allow anyone to go beyond the barricades they had put up before checking their identity cards and entry passes.

India braces for driest August in 122 years

India braces for driest August in 122 years

Rediff.com29 Aug 2023

Also, the monsoon this year may end up being the driest since 2015, which recorded a rainfall deficit of 13 per cent, they said.

Subsidised tomatoes to now cost Rs 70 per kg: Govt

Subsidised tomatoes to now cost Rs 70 per kg: Govt

Rediff.com19 Jul 2023

The Union government has reduced prices of subsidised tomatoes to Rs 70 per kilogramme from Thursday from Rs 80 per kg now to provide relief to common man from high retail prices. The Centre is selling tomatoes to people at a subsidised rate of Rs 80 a kg in Delhi-NCR and some other key cities through the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). The all-India average retail prices of tomatoes is ruling at nearly 120 per kg, although the key kitchen item is selling as high as Rs 245 per kg at some places.

SC refuses plea against foreign bulls impregnating desi cows

SC refuses plea against foreign bulls impregnating desi cows

Rediff.com4 May 2023

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to the Centre and states to take steps to ensure indigenous cows are artificially inseminated only with the semen of "pure indigenous" bulls and not those of "exotic foreign" breeds.

Kuno cheetah strays into nearby village

Kuno cheetah strays into nearby village

Rediff.com2 Apr 2023

Oban, one of the eight cheetahs brought from Namibia in September last year, strayed into the field near Baroda village, some 15-20 kilometres from KNP, from the free range area of the park into which he was released last month, Sheopur divisional forest officer (DFO) P K Verma told PTI.

On February 1, Sitharaman will equal Morarji Desai's record

On February 1, Sitharaman will equal Morarji Desai's record

Rediff.com26 Jan 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will set a record by presenting the sixth Budget in a row -- 5 annual Budgets and one interim -- a feat achieved so far only by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai. With the presentation of interim Budget on February 1, Sitharaman will surpass the records of her predecessors like Manmohan Singh, Arun Jaitley, P Chidambaram, and Yashwant Sinha, who had presented five budgets in a row. Desai, as Finance Minister, had presented five annual Budgets and one interim Budget between 1959-1964. The interim Budget 2024-25 to be presented by Sitharaman on February 1, will be a vote-on-account that will give the government authority to spend certain sums of money till a new government comes to office after the April-May general elections.

For Yamuna displaced persons, future remains tense

For Yamuna displaced persons, future remains tense

Rediff.com25 Jul 2023

Now, she fears that she will not be able to return to her humble home after officials told them that their shanties were "illegal".

National Film Awards named after Indira Gandhi, Nargis renamed

National Film Awards named after Indira Gandhi, Nargis renamed

Rediff.com14 Feb 2024

The 'Indira Gandhi award for best debut film' and the 'Nargis Dutt award for best feature film on national integration' have been retitled with the names of the late prime minister and legendary actor being dropped as part of a raft of changes for the National Film Awards, according to a notification.

Consider weather, climate while planning 'one nation, one poll': IMD

Consider weather, climate while planning 'one nation, one poll': IMD

Rediff.com7 Apr 2024

Some India states are likely to record a significantly higher number of heatwave days, according to the national weather body.

Vikram happily sleeping on the moon: ISRO chief

Vikram happily sleeping on the moon: ISRO chief

Rediff.com16 Oct 2023

ISRO made efforts to re-establish communication with rover Pragyan and lander Vikram after they were put into sleep mode in September following the onset of night on the moon.

AIIMS-Like Centre For Animals In Delhi

AIIMS-Like Centre For Animals In Delhi

Rediff.com25 Sep 2023

The Centre, for the first time, has initiated a draft proposal for setting up an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-like institute of national importance for animal health, education and research in Delhi to be called the All India Institute of Veterinary Sciences (AIIVS).

IMD warns of heat spike in northwest, central, east India for 5 days

IMD warns of heat spike in northwest, central, east India for 5 days

Rediff.com23 Feb 2023

Northwest, central and east India are predicted to record maximum temperatures three to five degrees above normal over the next five days, the India meteorological department (IMD) said on Thursday.

Gujarat braces for Cyclone Biparjoy, landfall likely near Kutch on June 15

Gujarat braces for Cyclone Biparjoy, landfall likely near Kutch on June 15

Rediff.com11 Jun 2023

The very severe cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy' intensified into an 'extremely severe cyclonic storm' and is likely to cross Saurashtra-Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts around the afternoon of June 15 as a 'very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS)', the India Meteorological Department said on Sunday.

Fadnavis gets home, finance; BJP bags key portfolios in Maha cabinet

Fadnavis gets home, finance; BJP bags key portfolios in Maha cabinet

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

Five days after the induction of 18 ministers into his cabinet, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday allocated portfolios, keeping Urban Development and 11 other ministries with himself, while giving the crucial Home Department to Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

FinMin flags El Nino risk for inflation, farm output

FinMin flags El Nino risk for inflation, farm output

Rediff.com24 Feb 2023

The finance ministry on Thursday raised concerns over the possible impact of El Nio conditions on India this year, saying if recent forecasts came true, the country could see lower agricultural output and higher inflation. "Some meteorological agencies predict the return of El Nio conditions in India this year. "If these predictions are accurate, then monsoon rains could be deficient, leading to lower agricultural output and higher prices," the ministry said in its monthly economic review.

Maha district begins issuing Kunbi certificates to facilitate Maratha quota

Maha district begins issuing Kunbi certificates to facilitate Maratha quota

Rediff.com1 Nov 2023

Amid a fresh wave of protests in Maharashtra over the Maratha quota demand, authorities in Dharashiv district of the state on Wednesday started distributing Kunbi caste certificates to the eligible Maratha community members, paving the way for their inclusion in the OBC category.

Day after Skymet's warning, IMD predicts normal south-west monsoon

Day after Skymet's warning, IMD predicts normal south-west monsoon

Rediff.com11 Apr 2023

The country can expect normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season as a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and a lower snow cover over the northern hemisphere are likely to counter the evolving El Nino conditions, the India meteorological department (IMD) said on Tuesday.

'Money lending has become prudent and conservative'

'Money lending has become prudent and conservative'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2024

'We need to be far more careful given the fact that while this is group lending, it's essentially unsecured.'

Channi keeps 14 portfolios, Amarinder's ministers retain theirs

Channi keeps 14 portfolios, Amarinder's ministers retain theirs

Rediff.com29 Sep 2021

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday allocated portfolios to the new ministers, keeping 14 departments with himself and giving home affairs to deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and health to other deputy O P Soni.

Monsoon expected to revive in September: IMD

Monsoon expected to revive in September: IMD

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

Addressing a press conference virtually, India Meteorological Department Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said September was likely to witness normal rainfall in the range of 91-109 per cent of the long period average of 167.9 mm.

Average tomato prices in Delhi drop to Rs 150 per kg

Average tomato prices in Delhi drop to Rs 150 per kg

Rediff.com17 Jul 2023

Tomato prices in the retail markets of the national capital declined to an average Rs 150 per kg on Monday from Rs 178 per kg on Sunday, according to the government data. However, e-commerce players such as Amazon, Big Basket and Otipy are selling tomatoes at Rs 170-190 per kg in Delhi-NCR. Blinkit is selling at Rs 138 per kg. The Centre is selling tomatoes at a subsidised rate of Rs 80 per kg in Delhi-NCR and some other cities through the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).