This staggering loss has affected India's agri business Sustainable supply chains needed to link farmer to marketing centres The decline in the farm sector will hit the food and grocery retail sector too. It is estimated that the growth rate in the food and grocery retail sector will dip to 8.8 per cent during 2009-10 from 9.5 per cent during 2008-09. The food and grocery retail sector is worth Rs. 10.24 lakh crore....

The $12 billion mega steel plant project of South Korean behemoth Posco proposed to be set up near Paradip port hangs in balance between promise and protest. While chief minister Naveen Patnaik assured the South Korean president, Lee Myung-Bak, to expedite the much-delayed project, anti-plant protesters have launched an indefinite dharna opposing the project. “I assured the South Korean President that the Posco steel plant project will be expedited. Of course, our...

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha on farmers falling into a debt trap, the government came out with data that are startling. Rice farmers have suffered losses in all regions save Andhra Pradesh over three cropping years ending in 2006-07, with wheat farmers faring a little better. Even today, news reports suggest that farmers do not really gain much even as consumer prices go through the roof. This...

“States should ensure effective public distribution system”  Fiscal deficit at 6.8 per cent of GDP a challenge Dip in exports due to low demand following economic downturn in foreign markets Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said increasing food grains productivity, ensuring effective distribution of subsidised essentials to vulnerable groups and allowing duty-free import were some of the steps taken to control the spiralling prices of essential commodities. Speaking at the 109th...

On International Anti-Corruption Day (9 December), the United Nations has warned that corruption kills development, and is one of the biggest impediments to reaching the Millennium Development Goals. "When public money is stolen for private gain, it means fewer resources to build schools, hospitals, roads and water treatment facilities. When foreign aid is diverted into private bank accounts, major infrastructure projects come to a halt," said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He warned...