-The Hindu Business Line Experts say current manual methods are error-prone, moot scientific process The advance crop estimate made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare usually differs between the first and subsequent three ones before it comes out with the final estimate. However, the difference has seldom caused problems in the agricultural markets or led to complaints of not reflecting what the trade has felt is the ground reality. But some...

-The Hindu Business Line Lack of data and monitoring on cropping patterns and water use has given irrigation schemes a bad name Long before the British Raj, India was a pioneer in canal irrigation by building dams across rivers. After Independence, considering the importance of canal irrigation, the Central and State governments have been giving increased thrust to its development. Today, India is one of the countries with the largest number of...

-The Hindu Business Line Rate hike due to lower acreage, fear of crop damage Urad dal prices in the retail market have increased on an average by Rs.3-5/kg in the past one week while at some places the surge is Rs.13/kg to about Rs.110-120/kg, mainly due to overall lower acreage and fear of crop damage after incessant rains in the growing region of Madhya Pradesh. Kendriya Bhandar, a Central Government-run cooperative, has...

-The Telegraph 'Shocking that govt is trying to evade responsibility by issuing circulars that call on state governments to comply with FSSAI regulations' Jamshedpur, New Delhi: Two citizens’ alliances on Monday accused the Centre of trying to “cover up” what they have described as its “irresponsible” and “unscientific” decision to release iron-fortified rice through government food schemes and exposing vulnerable people to the potential health risks of iron overdose. The Right to Food...

-Business Standard There is a possibility of a 10-15-million tonne drop in kharif rice production due to drought in several major growing states in eastern India Wheat prices in some markets have touched Rs 2,522 a quintal and cereal inflation is expected to remain sticky in the months ahead due to low wheat stocks in central granaries. Nomura India in a report said lower rice output will put pressure on domestic rice...