A farm worker spraying pesticide in a paddy field near Thrissur in Kerala. Erratic rain patterns have led to reversal of fortunes for rice farmers in the country. Rice acreage has shrunk considerably in the south and west, while the north sees a fav ourable trend. Rice planting this year is overall higher at 148.88-lakh hectares against last year’s 121.18-lakh hectares, mainly due to an increase in rice planting in UP, Bihar and Chhattisgarh. Photo: K.K. Mustafah
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Crop production projected to rise in FY 09: CMIE
Mumbai (PTI): With sowing progressing at a fast pace for most crops, agricultural production is expected to increase during FY 2009, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy said in its monthly review here. "This would be the fourth straight year ... More

Construction of dams a success by changing cropping pattern
Bhopal (PTI): The construction of dams and canal networks will become a success only by changing the cropping pattern in view of the developing irrigation facilities, Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) Vice Chairman Pradeep Bhargava ... More

J&K ties up with MNCs to boost vegetable cultivation
Srinagar (PTI): Buoyed by a record vegetable production of about 7 lakh tones last year valued at Rs 700 crores, the Jammu and Kashmir government is roping in MNC firms to buy the products in bulk which would help to boost cultivation and ... More