-Reuters Monsoon rains will not be enough to save the country from its first drought in three years, the weather office said on Thursday as it forecast that the El Nino weather pattern should reduce rains again in the second half of the June to September season. India, one of the world's largest food producers and consumers with a population of 1.2 billion, last suffered a drought in 2009, which forced it...

-PTI Patchy monsoon has its shadow over onion cultivation with major producing regions in Maharashtra and Gujarat witnessing drop in sowing area of the key kitchen item almost by half. Decline in area would affect supply of onion during October-December period and could trigger its price rise in the domestic market. Onion is selling at Rs 10-15 a kg at present in retail in Delhi and other parts of the country. "Almost 50 per...

-The Times of India The present food Bill legalises the injustices of a targeted distribution system A national campaign throughout the month of July on issues related to food security and against rising prices will culminate in a five-day sit-in protest in Delhi beginning today. These are issues fundamental to the well-being of the majority of our people and therefore deserve national support.   With the spectre of drought haunting the countryside, speculators, hoarders...

-The Economic Times The food and consumer affairs ministry plans stern action to curb any speculative trading of grains in the futures market after an emergency meeting slated for later this week to review the price situation. Food and consumer affairs minister KV Thomas is taking a daily stock of prices as the country grapples with a below- normal monsoon. "After reviewing the situation in the futures market, we will send the...

-The Economic Times KOCHI: An extensive dry spell has affected the sowing of chilli, turmeric, cardamom and pepper. Rains have been weak this season in southern states, where the spices are mostly grown. Chilli acreage has fallen by over 40% in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, which account for a majority of the spice cultivated in the country. Chilli farmers are finding cotton a better option as it needs less moisture. Interestingly, most growers...