-The United Nations After three months of stability, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization's (FAO) Food Price Index declined in December, meaning the index fell over the course of 2014 for the third consecutive year. The 1.7 per cent fall in December, which comes after the index had appeared to bottom out last month, was credited to continued large supplies and record stocks, combined with a strong US dollar and falling...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI/AMRITSAR: Vegetable prices have begun to hurt again, ahead of elections in the capital. The reasons attributed for the spike in prices this time are reduced supplies due to unseasonal rainfall and Exports to Pakistan. Retailers in the capital say vegetable prices started rising around 10 days ago. On Monday, tomatoes were selling for Rs 40-50 per kg, around 10-20% higher than just two weeks ago. "Production this...

-The Hindu Business Line Bearish price trends in the global market, poor rainfall took toll on farmers in 2014 Farmers in the country were hit by a double whammy in 2014. Even as poor monsoon affected kharif output, lower commodity prices, largely influenced by a bearish trend in the global market, aggravated the agrarian crisis this year. In addition, the uncertainty over the vagaries of nature, largely through frequent unseasonal rains, compounded...

-The Hindu Business Line   The CAG report details how these have neither helped industrial development nor boosted the economy Nearly a decade after the Special Economic Zones Act was brought into force, it is evident that the move has not helped industrial development. After examining SEZs in terms of background and objectives, fiscal incentives and facilities, approval process and administration, as well as life cycle, State-wise distribution and overall performance, parts of a...

-The Times of India DEHRUDUN: The rich aroma and distinct taste of the Dehradooni basmati may be a thing of the past as early as the next couple of years. The grain, which made the term 'basmati' synonymous with good quality rice, is being edged out by other hybrid varieties as well as rapid urbanization which has shrunk the fields where it is grown. Confirming that the Dehradooni basmati, known as...