PM Modi, Farmers Protest, Weather News

11 February 2021

• Indian Institute of Horticultural Research inks MoU with four private firms

  The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) has signed a MoU with 4 private companies on commercialisation of IIHR technologies on 10 Feb 2021. R Shankar, Minister of Horticulture handed over the MoU copies to the representatives of the 4 companies during the ongoing National Horticulture Fair 2021 in Bengaluru.

• Exports of Non-basmati Rice increases to Rs 22,856 crore in April-December 2020

  According to the commere ministry, exports of non-basmati rice more than doubled to Rs 22,856 crore in April to December 2020-21 as compared to Rs 10,268 crore in the same period last year. The ministry in a statement said, "The exports of non-basmati has witnessed a growth of 122.61% in Rupee term and 111.81% in Dollar terms".

• Farmers in Madhya Pradesh allege Private Company cheated them with Contract Farming, took money and disappeared

  Several farmers from Betul district in Madhya Pradesh, who had signed a contract for drumstick cultivation in 2018, are now fighting to get a case registered against a firm that disappeared after allegedly cheating them. Contract farming issue has been the point of contention amid the ongoing farmers' agigation against Government’s three farm laws. The farmers had expressed fear that agri laws will remove them from their land if they failed to accept contracts with a firm permitted in the farm sector.

   

• Farmers’ protest helping Muslims and Jats mend fences in UP

  It has been observed that Muslims and Jats are mending fences in western Uttar Pradesh amid the ongoing farmers’ protest against the Government’s three farm laws. It is important to mention that relationship between the two communities had soured after the Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013, helping the Bhartiya Janata Party gain ground in the region.

• East & North-East States to Witness Rainfall Next Week: IMD

  According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), isolated rainfall could break out over Central and adjoining parts of East India, North-East India & Andaman and Nicobar Islands from next week i.e. 16 to 18 February (Tuesday to Thursday).

• PM Modi, Canadian PM held discussions on Farmers Protest

  PM Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau held telephonic conversation on 10^th Feb 2021. As per official statements from both sides, the discussion was on bilateral and global efforts to contain Coronavirus pandemic through vaccine production, multilateral cooperation & the “recent farmers’ protests” in India which has received top-level support from Canada.