Cyclone Warning Issued as Storm ‘Ditwah’ Forms in Bay of Bengal

The Bau Kisan Samman 2025 ceremony was held in Patna today to honour the vital contributions of women farmers in Bihar’s agricultural economy. The event, organised by the Bihar Agriculture Department in collaboration with local panchayats and farmer cooperatives, recognised the labour, innovation and resilience of female cultivators across multiple districts. Hundreds of women farmers from regions including Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Madhubani and Bhagalpur attended the programme, where they were felicitated with certificates, shawls and traditional tokens of appreciation. Agriculture Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted the indispensable role women play in farm operations from sowing and harvesting to pest management and livestock care and said Bau Kisan Samman aims to elevate their status and visibility in rural development dialogue. The ceremony also included dialogues on improved access to credit, quality seeds, micro-irrigation technology and market linkages, aimed at strengthening economic outcomes for women farmers. Demonstrations on climate-resilient farming practices and organic cultivation were part of the programme, along with testimonies from awardees who shared experiences of successful crop diversification, cooperative marketing and farm-based entrepreneurship. Officials emphasised that empowering women in agriculture not only enhances productivity but also improves household nutrition, financial inclusion and community wellbeing. The Bau Kisan Samman event is expected to be followed by district-level outreach camps to connect women farmers with extension services and agricultural schemes. Attendees praised the initiative as a step toward greater recognition and equity for women in farming, noting that such honours inspire youth and encourage sustained engagement in agriculture.© Images used for illustrative purposes only. Copyrights belong to their respective owners.

As part of its push for sustainable agriculture and improved soil health, the Bihar government launched a large-scale soil-testing initiative in 2025, having tested nearly 200,000 soil samples across the state. The programme designed to inform fertiliser usage, improve crop yields and mitigate long-term soil degradation has expanded access to soil analysis labs and distributed soil health cards to farmers. Officials said the data will help customise fertiliser recommendations, cut unnecessary chemical use and support environmentally sound cultivation practices. Agriculture experts welcomed the expanded testing, noting it’s critical for balanced nutrient management, boost in productivity and reduction of input costs for farmers.© Images used for illustrative purposes only. Copyrights belong to their respective owners.

India is gearing up for what agricultural officials believe could become a record wheat-planting season for the upcoming cycle. Improved soil moisture resulting from widespread rainfall in October has encouraged farmers to expand acreage for wheat cultivation. Preliminary estimates suggest a potential 5 percent rise in plantation compared to last year.Higher minimum support prices and better procurement guarantees are also motivating farmers to shift from less profitable crops. States such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have already reported a strong start to sowing activities.Government agencies are coordinating storage capacities and transportation systems to handle an expected rise in output. Officials say that if weather remains favourable, India may strengthen its food-grain reserves and stabilise domestic prices.Economists believe this upcoming cycle could reduce import dependence and provide buffer stocks for emergencies. However, experts caution that unpredictable winter weather and pest-related risks remain important factors.The agriculture ministry is monitoring progress across key zones, while advisory teams are guiding farmers on fertiliser use and water management. Expectations are high that the new cycle will strengthen rural income and further secure India’s food-security framework.© Images used for illustrative purposes only. Copyrights belong to their respective owners.