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WTO Rulings...

For instance, two years ago, many developing countries cheered a WTO ruling declaring US agricultural subsidies illegal. Indigent farmers in India will never know the difference though. The WTO ruled that billions of dollars in US subsidies to cotton farmers were illegal. In the post WTO era, ever since agriculture was opened up to "free" global trade, world prices of cotton have witnessed a sharp and steady decline. Despite the avowal by developed nations, the post WTO era has not seen reductions in subsidies for farmers of rich developed countries like the U.S. or in the European Union. At the same time, the little protection that the farmers of developing nations have had are gone. Import duty on cotton in India, for instance, stands at a meager 10%. Even that import duty could be waived if the importer promises to export the yarn in return. Tens of textile mills are taking the advantage of this leeway. Also regulations on inputs and seeds have been long withdrawn.

Notes Devinder Sharma, a policy analyst: "A complicated and veiled system of tariffs allows western countries to protect their tiny farming populations while millions of farmers in developing countries are swamped under a tide of cheap imports." While cotton prices have declined by more than 60 percent since 1995, U.S. subsidies to its barely 25,000 cotton farmers reached 3.9 billion dollars in 2001-02, double the level of subsidies in 1992. Interestingly, the value of subsidies provided by American taxpayers to the cotton barons of Texas and elsewhere in 2001 exceeded the market value of cotton output by 30 per cent.

To put this figure into perspective, as an Oxfam report puts it, that subsidy was nearly twice the total U.S. foreign aid given to sub-Saharan Africa. It is also more than the combined GDP of Benin, Burkina Faso and Chad, the main cotton producing countries of the sub-Saharan Africa. India too is among the countries worst hit by the rising U.S. subsidies for its own farmers and lifting up of whatever little protection Indian farmers enjoyed. There is no study on the losses India suffered in terms of export earnings due to the depressed world cotton prices.

But in one sample, Oxfam estimates that sub-Saharan African countries lost $305 million due to US subsidies in crop year 2001. There is also dramatic fallout in that the subsidies deepen the poverty in the developing world. An International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) report in 2005 focused on Benin indicates that a 40% reduction in farm-level cotton prices leads to a 21% reduction in income for cotton farmers and results in an increase in rural poverty of 6-7 per cent.

From a share of 18.16% in 1998-99, America's share in world exports jumped to 38.96% in 2002-03. Indian cotton imports rose sharply in the same period, crushing the local cultivators. In 2004-05, global prices were around 50 cents per pound, the seventh year in succession that they were below the long-term average of 72 cents per pound. Even the most efficient producers are now operating at a loss, unable to cover the costs of production. Marketing projections by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) suggest that prices will remain "chronically depressed in the foreseeable future". Forecasts point to a modest recovery, but prices look likely to remain at 50-60 cents per pound until 2015 if present conditions continue. Estimates by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), using its World Textile Demand Model, indicate that the withdrawal of American cotton subsidies would raise cotton prices by 11 cents per pound, or by 26 per cent.

But farmers in developing countries cannot get a realistic price for their cotton because the subsidies in U.S. help their farmers grow surplus cotton, and that surplus crushes the cultivators in a country like India.

India's soybin (SOYA) trade hub.

India's soy trade hub.
Farmers will be enthused to switch over from other crops as soyabean prices have been historically high in the past one year,"
Madhya Pradesh grows 65 to 70 per cent of the country's soyabean output. Other key growing provinces include Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

soyabean prices over the past 12 months to June were 13,500 rupees per tonne, about 35 per cent higher than the 10,000 rupees a tonne in the previous year.
Domestic prices had soared on the back of a near eight per cent drop in soyabean production to 4.97 million tonnes during the previous winter season from a year earlier, the association said. The drop was due to poor monsoon rains.
Winter crops are sown in June and July and harvested in November and December. Rice, groundnut and soyabean are the season's main crops.
"We expect a 15 to 20 per cent rise in area under soyabean in Maharashtra as some farmers may shift from cotton and sugarcane cultivation in anticipation of better returns," Maharashtra cultivated soyabean over 1.22 million hectares last winter. But area expansion would depend on sufficient rains during the monsoon season,adding that a delay of more than a week in the arrival of rains in June would not have a significant impact on production. "Soyabean sowing will begin after about a week and continue till July 15. A delay of one week will hardly make any difference," The crucial June-September southwest monsoon hit the southern state of Kerala on Sunday, more than a week behind schedule.
Weather officials said monsoon rains were progressing gradually to other regions."Normal period of monsoon for Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat is around June 15. In the present scenario, it could arrive in these places around June 20,"

Farming In Nagpur

Nagpur: If the figures of area under various kharif crops are tobe believed more and more farmers are opting for soyabean instead of cotton. A huge area is shifting from cotton to soyabean. In last three years in Nagpur district the area has increased from about 2.63 lakh ha to 3.23 lakh ha. Other districts too have seen a similar shift. Biggest shift has taken place in Gadchiroli where farmers have switched from about 800 hectares to 80000 hectares (800%). The figures of increase in area under soyabean this kharif season are - Wardha district 22%, Nagpur district (40%), Chandrapur district (15%). Bhandara and Gondia districts have no cotton at all while total area sown under cotton is 1,519,00 ha ( 59%). Of this 58000 ha( 45%) is in Wardha district, 44000 ha (59%) in Nagpur district, 49100 ha (81%) in Chandrapur district and 800 ha (800%) in Gaadchiroli district.

Rain brings hope for Vidarbha farmers

The recent spell of rains in past 8-10 days has brought new hope among farmers. Those who had not sown their crops till few days back have now sown their fields and those who were waiting for the showers to see the seeds grow into plants can expect an average if not a bumper crop. Till now in Nagpur division 37 tehsils have received heavy rains while 19 tehsils have received medium and 8 tehsils little rains.

"Although it is difficult to predict the crop production in this kharif season, recent rains have definitely rejuvenated the farmers' hopes. As of now in Nagpur district only about 3-4 ,000 hectares has gone in re-sowing , the overall situation of all major kharif crops can be expected to be satisfactory," said N G Wakde, sub divisional officer, state agriculture department, Nagpur district while talking to the TOI.

As per information available with the office of the joint agriculture director, Nagpur Division, about 63% of sowing has already been completed in six districts -Nagpur , Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli . Of the expected 17,16,900 hectares (ha) land under kharif 11, 43,900 ha has been sown so far in Nagpur division.

Till July 25, 2008 sowing of all major kharif crops like soyabean, cotton, tur, rice, maize, other cereals and pulses. In fact crops like soyabean and tur continue to cover more and more area. Of these crops soyabean has covered the maximum area-6 ,61,500 H (128%) followed by tur 1,53,700 ha (107%), Maize 21,0000 (70%), other cereals 140000 ha (61%), groundnut 620000 ha (58%), cotton 1.51,900 ha (51%), linseed 210000 ha (47%), Jowar 152000 ha (16%), Urad, 200000 ha (44%) mung 240000 ha (41%), other grains 40000 ha ( 67%) and other pulses 410000 ha (45%).

Besides these crops rice nurseries have already been planted in 63,800 hectares while another 77,700 hectares area have gone into broadcatsed rice.

General Greenhouse Management


Greenhouse Construction
Climate Control in GH Structures
Greenhouse Management: Soil Sterilization and preparation, cultural practices in flower and vegetable cultivation
Irrigation and Fertigation Technology
Crop Protection
Post Harvest and Marketing
Ergonomics


Marketing of Horticultural Produce

Importance and Scope
Post-Harvest and Handling
Marketing Channels
Domestic & Export Marketing : Potential Markets & Procedures
Logistics and Planning
Marketing of Allied Products

FUNDING SCHEMES

Bank of Maharashtra
Minor Irrigation for Agriculturists scheme for purchase of various irrigation equipments.
Mahabank Kisan Credit Card scheme for cultivation of crops, meeting the short-term credit needs of farmers.
Farm Mechanisation for Agriculturists scheme for Purchase of Tractors/Power tillers, Harvesters, Threshers & other farm
implements.
Animal Husbandry scheme for Purchase of animals, Poultry- Broiler Farm, Layers Farm, Hatchery Sheep/Goat Rearing Construction
of Byre, and Purchase of Machinery Working Capital Requirements under
Scheme for Cultivation of fruit crops-mango, Pomegranate, Grapes etc.
Scheme for providing finance to set up of Agri-Clinics/Agribusiness Centers.
Scheme for Financing Farmers for Purchase of Agricultural land.
Scheme for Financing Two Wheelers to Farmers
Scheme for Providing Loans to Farmers for Purchase of consumer durables
Scheme for Hi-tech projects in agriculture.
Rural Godown Scheme (Gramin Bhandaran Yojana) for scientific storage of agricultural produce.
Minor Irrigation for Agriculturists


Purpose :
Digging of new wells, revitalization of existing well, purchase of oil engine, electric motor, pump set installation of pipe line, sprinkler, irrigation, drip irrigation, tube well, bore well, etc.
Eligibility : Agriculturist who owns agricultural land.
Amount : For new dug wells as per the NABARD Unit costs for equipments/estimates.
Repayment : Depending upon the repaying capacity 7 to 11 years.
Security : Mortgage of land, Hypothecation of movable assets and guarantors.
Other Terms & Conditions :
Proposed well should be located in white watershed area. It should not be in dark watershed area.