Amid speculation that the BJP-led central government may introduce an income support scheme, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said food surpluses have caused both food prices and farmers' income to plunge, posing a policy challenge.

The state of agriculture and a slowly shrinking balance of payments may hinder India's growth story.

Jet Airways strategic partner and Middle-east carrier Etihad, which holds 24 per cent stake in the Indian full-service carrier, is likely to provide a guarantee for the loan

Most steps advocated by governments and politicians are meant for catching votes without solving the real problems. To fix the farmers' problems, the government needs to take tough steps and go up against entrenched interests.

Rajasthan, the third state that elected the Congress to power, also declared that farm loan waiver

\"The impact of rising temperatures, reducing rainfall and declining soil health will soon take a heavy toll on agriculture.\"

Uttar Pradesh government had announced waiver for loans up to Rs 1 lakh covering about 0.86 crore farmers by spending Rs 36,400 crore. However, the actual disbursals to farmers were Rs 24,700 crore, 32 per cent lower than actual credit target.