Amidst predictions by FAO of a record world cereal production of 2279.5 million tonnes during 2010-2011, the bad news is that drought conditions may bring down Russia's domestic wheat production to 50 million tonnes in the current year from 63.7 million tonnes in 2008-09. Russia has already imposed a temporary ban on wheat exports. This has pushed up international prices of wheat contradicting the prediction of FAO's Food Outlook 2010...

The United Progressive Allianace (UPA) government at the Centre has asked the Union Agriculture Ministry to provide diesel subsidy to farmers along with the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Minister of State for Petroleum Jitin Prasada announcing the new method said, now the government wants to provide compensation to farmers on diesel along with the MSP. Mr Prasada asked his ministry to consider making a provision for the increased price of diesel, while...

Anand Sharma rules out loss of jobs or displacement of small vendors A re-orientation of the policy framework was the need of the hour and enhanced foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail would transform the rural economy and generate massive employment and opportunities for both rural and urban youth. This was stated by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma here on Wednesday. This was his first comments to a discussion...

The fertiliser sector in India has been through difficult times in recent years. Stagnant production, no fresh investment and poor financial health of the units were accompanied by high level of import, imbalanced use of nutrients and deteriorating soil health. Mounting subsidy bill posed a serious fiscal management problem to the government. Industry has been pursuing with the government for appropriate reforms to ensure health and growth for both the...

Kerala Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran has come out strongly against the suggestion of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) that the Union government withdraw from grain procurement, storage and distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and outsource these to private operators. FICCI makes the suggestion in a study report, which was released a few days ago. In a statement here on Monday, Mr. Divakaran...