Baramati: In a region where farmers either work in the fields or breed cows, milk production is the indicator for the impact of the drought on the latter section. Many dairy farmers in Baramati’s so-called dry zone have sold their cows in the absence of enough water to feed them but, because of the complexity of the equations involved, supply does not reflect whatever effect that has had on production.

Baramati is divided 40:60 between the green zone of agriculture and the dry zone where water is always short and where dairy farming is the primary source of livelihood.

It is a good news that Punjab no longer cheers for. The state is headed for a record wheat harvest of over 120 lakh tonnes this Rabi season surpassing all previous milestones. It is almost 10 lakh tonnes higher than the previous record of 110 lakh tonnes. The high production has come from better yield per acre, an average of 7 per cent more, owing to cool weather conditions and timely winter rain that also brought down the incidence of pest attack and disease.

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh is heading for a record sugar production this year. According to Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), the state has produced 69.40 lakh tonnes of sugar which is about 18% higher than the previous year. The recovery of sugar from cane has been around 9.07%. Seven sugar mills, out of over 100, are still operational in the state, hence the production is likely to increase further in the coming days.

NEW DELHI, 24 APRIL: The Union finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, has asked the sugar industry to use the latest technology for enhancing production and productivity. He said sugar plays a very significant role in India’s agricultural and industrial economy. Being one of the largest agro-based industries in India, sugar industry is critical for India’s rural development and, in turn, for the overall economic progress, the finance minister said. He said around 50 million farmers were involved in sugarcane cultivation and harvesting.

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu government is working towards producing around 183 MW of electricity from bagasse acquired from 12 sugar mills in the state from February next, State Industries Minister P Thangamani said today.

Lucknow: Mayawati’s sugarcane policy will be put to the test in these last phases of the polls the region where sugarcane is the major cash crop. Though many say Mayawati’s cane policy is better than that of previous governments, it may not reap results as corruption and anger against land acquisition are big issues. But Behenji may benefit as the Opposition couldn’t make sugarcane an election issue.

Stubble meant for a biomass power plant stacked near Nakodar.

Price unchanged since 2002; 6.52 cr poor to be affected if price increased to . 17.5 a kg. The food ministry has proposed a 30% increase in the price of sugar sold in ration shops to reduce the food subsidy bill. This will raise the monthly bill of over 6.52 crore poor families who purchase sugar from these shops.
According to the proposal, the government should charge . 17.5 a kg, up from . 13.5. The decision, to be taken by the Cabinet, is likely after elections.