28-December-2023: Richest Dairy Farmer of India Ramesh Ruparalia, Revised Minimum Support Prices Set to Energize Coconut Farming in 2024, UGC Discontinue M.Phil. Degrees

28 December 2023

• Meet The Richest Dairy Farmer of India Ramesh Ruparalia, Who Earns 10 Cr Annually, Sells Ghee at Rs 2 Lakh

  The Richest Dairy Farmer of India Award was presented to Ramesh Ruparalia for his exemplary contribution to the field of dairy farming. The award was given on Friday, December 8, 2023, by the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Parshottam Rupala during the Millionaire Farmer of India Awards, the mega agricultural event organized by Krishi Jagran.

• UGC Issues Directive to Discontinue M.Phil. Degrees

  The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently announced the discontinuation of the M.Phil. degree, citing Clause 14 of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations 2022. According to the statement released by UGC, some universities are still accepting applications for the M.Phil. program, despite it being unrecognized. Regulation No. 14 explicitly prohibits higher educational institutions from offering M.Phil. programs. Both universities and prospective students must be aware of this recent development and adhere to the revised regulations.

• ICRA Anticipates 8-10% Revenue Growth for Indian Poultry Industry in FY2024

  ICRA has maintained its expectations for robust revenue growth at approximately 8-10% in the domestic poultry industry for FY2024. The key drivers include substantial volume expansion and a notable uptick in the market share of organized players, signaling positive trends for the sector. Following a surge in demand in the current fiscal year, there has been a noteworthy enhancement in average realizations, reaching approximately Rs 107/kg in H1 FY2024 compared to Rs 101/kg in FY2023 (Rs 96.5/kg in H2 FY2023). The upcoming festive season and cold weather are anticipated to bolster demand and further improve realizations in the remaining part of FY2024.

• Revised Minimum Support Prices Set to Energize Coconut Farming in 2024

  The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its nod to the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for copra for the upcoming 2024 season. This move is in line with the government's commitment, as announced in the Union Budget of 2018-19, to fix MSPs for all mandated crops at a minimum of 1.5 times the all India weighted cost of production.