The first issue in food security is India’s Hunger index. The Global Hunger Index released by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) places India 67th in rankings with a score of 24.1, far below China and below Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal. According to FAO, about 25% of world’s undernourished live in India. The proposed Food Security Act is seen as the key instrument of intervention to remedy this situation. The...

Onion prices continued to slide in the wholesale market at Gultekdi Market Yard on Monday due to excess supply of the commodity, prompting farmers to stage strong protest demanding higher procurement price by commission agents. Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) The agitation started early in the morning and farmers disrupted supply of vegetables and other commodities to the wholesale market. They were called for a meeting by the commission agents...

After the onion onslaught, milk misery. Amul has decided to raise milk prices by Re 1 to Rs 2 a litre, setting the stage for similar hikes by other producers across the country. Dairy products such as butter, ghee and cheese are likely to become dearer, too. The Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, which sells products under the Amul brand, said the higher prices would be effective from December 30 in Gujarat...

Onion prices have hit the roof across the southern states — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. From Pune, Bangalore and Chennai the retail market feedback was the worst, a kilo going for between Rs 70 and Rs 80. Prices in Hyderabad too showed a steady rising trend. At supermarkets in glitzy Banjara Hills they had touched Rs 50 a kg and market watchers feared the rates could go even...

Epidemic declared in Rajnandgaon and Bilaspur districts; 10 dead in Bilaspur State health officials have confirmed the outbreak of a malaria epidemic in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon and Bilaspur districts. While the neighbouring districts of Durg and Koriya have also reported a spurt in malaria cases, officials have embarked on a State-wide intervention programme to contain the disease. Health Secretary Vikas Sheel said 10 people had died of falciparum malaria in Bilaspur thus far,...