Department of fertilizers takes multi-pronged measures to stop diversion and black marketing of fertilizers in the country
FFS has conducted over 370 surprise inspections, filed 30 FIRs for diversion, 70000 bags seized of suspected urea etc. 112 mixture manufactures have been de-authorized due to several discrepancies and lapses in documentation. 11 persons have been jailed for diversion and black marketing of urea in the last one year.
FSSAI Operationalizes MRL of Pesticides
Based on representation received, FSSAI has issued revised Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) for pesticides widely used for crop protection in Tea plantations.
Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) (First Amendment) Order, 2023
The present Order adds two more Plant Quarantine Stations to that list. Both these stations are Land Custom Stations and are situated in West Bengal.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Application of Pesticides with Drones
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, through the Press Information Bureau, has released a press note on Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Application of Pesticides with Drones. This SOP was released on 20th April, 2023. A booklet titled “Machinery for Millets Production, Processing and Value Addition” has also been released.
Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023
The amendment mandates that the QR Code shall be placed on retail pack of insecticides (Primary or Secondary pack as the case may be) at suitable place where on scanning the QR code by scanning equipment like mobile phone, a web link or link for opening the URL of the Manufacturing company will appear, which on pressing or clicking, will take the user to the entire unique information of label and leaflet.
Bihar Tenancy (Amendment) Rules, 2023
The amendment states that any raiyat having interest on the land may file a petition for the measurement of his raiyati land. This petition shall be in form-36 and submitted to the Circle Officer of the area through offline or online medium.
Draft Insecticides (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2023
These draft rules seek to extend the timeline for complying with the requirements of qualifications as per the Insecticides Act, 1971. As per this draft rules, all retailers or dealers possessing a valid licence without prescribed qualifications shall be allowed up to 31st December, 2023 to comply with the said qualifications.
Special marketing campaign by Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium
Under the campaign SFAC aims to promote buying directly from FPO (Farmer Producer Organisation) farmers with the aim of supporting small & marginal farmers of the country.
Cabinet approves Strengthening Cooperative Movement
The Ministry of Cooperation has formulated a plan to establish viable Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in each uncovered Panchayat, viable dairy cooperatives in each uncovered Panchayat/village and viable fishery cooperatives in each coastal Panchayat/village as well as Panchayat/village having large water bodies. It will also strengthen the existing PACS/dairy/fishery cooperatives through convergence of various schemes of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
Legal Guarantee for MSP for agricultural crops
Under this policy, whatever food grains are offered by farmers within the stipulated period & conforming to the specifications prescribed by Government are purchased at MSP by the State Government agencies including FCI for Central Pool.
