Agriculture A to Z: Ag Progress visitors treated to truck pull, horse show as annual expo comes to a close

By Matt Morgan

ROCK SPRINGS — Barry Stillman traveled more than 160 miles to visit family in Centre County and attend the final day of Ag Progress Days.

The three-day event sponsored by Penn State is designed to spotlight technological advancements in agricultural equipment and techniques, and connect residents with the farming community. 

Stillman, of Mitchell, Md., attending Thursday for the first time and was immediately drawn to the loud engine noises of the antique tractor pull. 

This was his first tractor pull in 20 years, but he said the memories came flooding back.

“It’s fun because I’m into high-performance cars and seeing it on the tractor end is pretty neat,” Stillman said. 

Farther up Main Street at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center, spectators were watching a different sort of pull.

No loud engines or smoke accompanied the miniature horse show, but onlookers including Tom Hughes were treated to the small animals jumping over hurdles and pulling carts carrying their owners. 

Hughes, of State College, has been attending Ag Progress Days on and off since the event’s inception 44 years ago.

He was watching the horses with his granddaughters, but said the animals aren’t the only interesting feature of the expo.

“It does a good job of covering agriculture from A to Z in the state, which is pretty impressive,” he said.

Even with new advancements in farming technology around every corner, Ag Progress offers a throwback to the roots of the trade.

The Pasto Agricultural Museum features farming tools from the era before electricity and engines to give spectators an idea of the farming process before the high-tech machinery, curator Rita Graef said.

“You’ll find not just old farm and household objects,” she said of the museum. “You’ll find stories that bring them to life.”

The museum is also open every Sunday after football games and will feature extensive exhibits on various antique agricultural themes, Graef said.

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Godapani murder stirs up agriculture department subsidy scam

GUWAHATI: The murder case of the agriculture department's superintendent engineer, Godapani Pathak, who was abducted and killed more than a month ago, is yet to be closed. It has, in fact, blown the lid off a subsidy scam in distribution of farm machinery in the department.

"There is a subsidy scam going on in the agriculture department. The government provides subsidies on machinery like tractors, power tillers and pump sets for farmers, but the benefits do not reach the beneficiaries. On paper the subsidies are doled out but there are no lists of beneficiaries," a source said.

Pathak was inquiring into anomalies in the subsidies given on farm machinery in Dhubri district.

The source added, "It is suspected that the machinery is sold in the open market for a price slightly lower than the actual cost, but the subsidies are never transferred to the buyers," the source said.

The agriculture department has now asked all its district offices to submit list of beneficiaries of subsidized power tillers, hand pump sets and other farm machinery. The source added that the department is also now examining the volume of the subsidy scam and several officials are scanner.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has said on record that the investigation so far points towards involvement of some officials of the agriculture department in the murder of Pathak through hired killers from Kamatapur Liberation Organization.

The agriculture department's rules binds farmers legally not to sell subsidized farm machinery after procuring them from the department. The rules say that the district agriculture officer will sanction the application of farmers for farm machinery and arrange the procurement and supply. After the machinery is commissioned, the agriculture department will arrange for release of payment.

Under the Assam Agricultural Competitiveness Project (AACP), the state gives 50% subsidy each on shallow tube wells, low-lift pump, 30% on tractors, power tillers, 80% on sprinkler irrigation.

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Agriculture fair showcases products designed to reduce labour

TNN 

COIMBATORE: A five day agricultural trade fair, 'Agri Intex 2012' began on Wednesday at CODISSIA in the city. Firms exhibited agricultural equipment designed to reduce the use of labour in agriculture.

Farmers at the exhibition said that due to severe labour shortage, they would consider buying such machines. P Aruchamy, from Udayampalayam who owns 2 acres of land, said that though he cannot afford the machines, the acute labour shortage is forcing him to think about procuring suitable machines.

Officials from firms which develop agricultural infrastructure say that it may take time to convince farmers to buy such machines, but eventually they believed that they would come around.

Rajesh Chikkara, assistant manager of 'Class' an agricultural machinery manufacturer, said that these are products which can reduce dependence on labour and increase the efficiency. "We have a machine called the 'Paddy Panther 14', which can eliminate labour to a great extend. Planting an acre of land with paddy will take 3 to 4 labourers a full day. This machine can plant 3 to 4 acres of land in a day," he said.

For many companies, the focus is on attracting the young. S Muralitharan, an official of 'Redlands' another agricultural manufacturer, said that their firm is planning to make an air conditioned cabin for their machines. "This will appeal to youth," he said.

Syntek Xtreme Fuel Treatment, a liquid which its manufacturers say will increase fuel efficiency and performance of vehicles. Mohan Murali, an executive of the firm said that if a millilitre is mixed with four litres of fuel, this would increase the mileage by 10 to 15 percent.

The exhibition also included show pieces made from coconut products. MG Prabhakaran, an official from the coconut board said that they conduct free training programmes for those interested in developing products from coconuts. Ravindran said that art work is in great demand. Though there are many artists who make such products in Kerala and Orissa, not many people in Coimbatore develop such products, he said. "Coimbatore is an ideal city to make such products as it is filled with coconut farms," an official said.

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ESCAP report: UN urges Pakistan to subsidise agriculture

AGAINST ODDS: 4% is Escap’s projected growth for Pakistan this year, based on last year’s provisional growth figure of 2.4%. DESIGN: ALI DARAB

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations (UN), in its latest report on Asia, has advised Pakistan to provide agricultural subsidies and introduce modern technologies to increase per acre yield, arrest rising food prices and alleviate hunger.

The Economic and Social Survey for Asia and Pacific (Escap) – launched by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in 32 countries across the region – has said in its flagship report that Pakistan faces increasing risk from rising food prices that directly affect the most vulnerable sections of the population.

The report suggests that the best way to bring food prices under control in the long term is to increase agricultural productivity.

“The country should continue to support rural development; a green revolution based on modern technology and new seed varieties; subsidised supplies of inputs such as fertilisers; and provision of credit to farmers,” it says.

Escap’s recommendations are in contrast to the advice given by the International Monetary Fund and other lending agencies as well as the US to Pakistan, who call for greater fiscal consolidation.

The report also lists Pakistan as one of the two South Asian countries where growth will accelerate in the current financial year; although this growth will not create more jobs.

“China remains the powerhouse of the region, despite slowdown of growth from 9.2% to 8.6% – but India and Pakistan are two countries where growth has accelerated this year,” said Clovis Freire, an official of the Development Policy section of Escap, while speaking at a launching ceremony here in a local hotel.

He said that in Pakistan, 4% growth is expected this year; against 2.4% growth in the previous fiscal year.

The Escap report launching coincides with the release of provisional growth estimates by Pakistani authorities. This year, the economy grew by 3.67% against revised growth figures of 3.04% last year, according to provisional estimates from the National Accounts Committee. The UN’s projection of 4% growth is based on last year’s provisional growth figure of 2.4%.

Freire said inflation will remain stubborn, and according to Escap’s assessment, is expected to hover at 12% this year. He said the biggest challenge faced by Pakistan was a resolution to the energy crisis.

To address energy shortages, Pakistan needs to urgently setup viable energy projects, minimise transmission and distribution losses, increase oil and gas exploration, and incentivise renewable energy resources, Escap has suggested.

The Escap report also says that: “A major share of the fiscal deficit is being financed by domestic sources; resulting in rapid rise in domestic public debt; which in turn is fuelling concerns about macroeconomic stability and monetary management.”

The Escap report confirms that the world has entered a second phase of recession – this time due to the European debt crisis. “Amid global turbulence, the Asian region’s growth will slow down to 6.5% against last year’s growth of 7%,” said Dr Noeleen Heyzer, Under Secretary General of the UN.

Commenting on Escap’s findings on Pakistan, NUST Business School Dean Dr Ashfaque Hasan Khan said that inflation remained high due to higher food and energy prices and high government borrowing for financing the budget deficit. Dr Ashfaque said large budget and current account deficits were expected this year, and financing of the twin deficits was the biggest challenge for the government.

He said sharp fluctuations in commodity prices were raising concerns about increasing hunger and poverty. He said Pakistan should focus more on increasing per acre agricultural productivity instead of fixing a wheat support price, which is inflationary.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2012.

Agricultural tool manufacturers demand withdrawal of GST

South Asian News Agency (SANA)

DASKA, (SANA): The manufacturers of agriculture implements and machinery have appealed to the government to withdraw 16 percent General Sales Tax (GST) on agriculture tools and machinery in the interest of the industry.

Executive member of Pakistan Agricultural Machinery Implements Manufacturers Association (PAMIMA) and Executive member of Engineering Development Board Muhammad Iqbal Mughal while talking to SANA exclusively here on Wednesday said that the government has already reduced General Sales Tax (GST) from 16 percent to 5 percent on tractors, but 16 percent GST on agricultural machinery and inputs still stands.

He regretted that the sale of agri-tools and machinery dropped to 60 percent, adding that farmers prefer using traditional modes of agriculture due to lower costs. He has appealed to the government to exempt agri-tool and machinery from 16 percent General Sales Tax (GST) for smooth growth of the industry and agri-sector.

A progressive manufacturer, Asif Muhammad said that due to 16 percent GST on agricultural machinery and implements the sale was not encouraging. “Though Farm Mechanization for Food Security scheme was initiated by Punjab government but due to imposition of GST the growers were reluctant to purchase new machinery and doing farming with traditional modes”.

According to available information there are 96 small and big agri- tools manufacturing units in Daska and around it. Machinery likes wheat reaper, wheat thrashers, multipurpose reaper machines and land laser levelers, besides fodder cutters and wheat sowing machines are being manufactured in the area.

Ends-SANA-AA-ZS

http://www.sananews.net/english/agricultural-tool-manuf.acturers-demand-withdrawal-of-gst/

Agriculture sector lacks efficiency, competitiveness

"Loss in efficiency is denting the country’s self sufficiency in production of
various farm goods," PTI Senior Vice President Asad Umar

By: Shahram Haq

LAHORE: Despite immense potential, the agricultural sector of Pakistan lacks efficiency and global competitiveness, former CEO of Engro Corporation and current member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Asad Umar said on Wednesday. The loss of efficiency is denting the country’s self sufficiency in production of various farm goods, he asserted.

Umar was giving a presentation to members of the Agricultural Journalists’ Association (AJA) on “Agriculture – a mainstay of Pakistan’s economy”. He claimed that production of various farm products has been as low as 90%, if compared with the global benchmark. Sugarcane yield is 40% lower, wheat yield is 20% lower, non-basmati rice yield is 40% lower, cotton yield is 20% lower and milk yield per animal is 90% lower than global standards, he added.

Pakistan, once dubbed a ‘great bread basket’, is now struggling due to these factors, and has increasingly becoming an importer of a large number of agri-commodities, he noted. At the same time, Pakistan’s agricultural sector also faces larger post-harvest losses of 40-80%, if compared with the global benchmark. This double blow — low output and high losses, diminishes the income of growers further, he explained.

Much to their dismay, agricultural credit disbursement to farmers in Pakistan declined from $3.4 billion in 2007/08 to $3.1 billion in 2010/11, said Umar. During the same period, agricultural credit in India increased from $63.3 billion to $103.4 billion, he said. Agricultural credit in Pakistan is 8% of agri-GDP; while in India, it is 31% of agri-GDP.

Water – a major input for the agricultural sector – was also overlooked; as far as increasing supply for farmers is concerned. Losses of water are as high as 40% before reaching farm gates, Umar complained. He stressed the need to plug these wastages on a priority bases. Emphasising efficient use of water for optimal benefits, Umar said irrigating an additional 5% of land can generate an extra Rs100 billion in farm incomes.

Sharing his vision about farmer cooperatives, Umar said economies of scale in agriculture can be achieved by encouraging formation of vibrant clusters of farmers.

Indian cooperatives receive around 50% of total agricultural credit disbursement and 60% of sugarcane procurement is done by cooperatives, he said. In France, 75% of agricultural producers are members of at least one co-operative, and co-operatives handle 40% of food and agricultural production, he informed.

Existing legislation in Pakistan allows formation of farmer cooperatives which can buy inputs, sell produce and obtain credit for member farmers, he pointed out. Pakistani farmers can benefit from this model by ensuring lending to cooperatives from commercial banks, and the provision of crop insurance.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2012.

April 2012 tractor sales up 43.5% - Saama

Tractor sales rose 43.5% to 528 units last month, compared with 368 units sold in the comparative period of 2011, South African Agricultural Machinery Association data showed on Tuesday.

On a year-to-date basis, tractor sales were up 38.3% to 2,763 units, from 1,998 units in the same period last year.

Combine harvester sales rose 52.4% to 64 units in April, compared with 42 units recorded in the previous comparable period.

On a year-to-date basis, combine harvester sales lifted 31.9% to 120 units, compared with 91 units previously.

The association said the fundamentals in the market still remained positive.

"Recent deliveries on government tenders continue to give the market a boost. The market is still very competitive. Crop prices are still holding up well, with stock levels being finely balanced between supply and demand. This will have a bearing on crop prices as local and international grain stocks are quite low," Saama said in a statement.

"Harvesting is only just beginning now, so farmers do not yet have a good feel for what their crops will yield. Once harvesting is proceeding in earnest, farmers will have a better idea about the quality and quantity of the current crop. This should then give the lead to the direction of the agricultural machinery market over the next few months."

Industry predictions for tractor sales for the 2012 calendar year are currently between 6,700 and 7,300 units, up to 10% down on 2011 sales.

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