-The Economic Times   A repeat of the 2008 rice crisis that led to riots in the developing world cannot be ruled out as the cost of other agricultural goods surge, a research group has warned. The International Rice Research Institute said the global rice market was delicately balanced as the grain had managed to avoid huge price rises thanks to stable weather in rice growing regions. The cost of wheat surged 121...

Pawar said the excess wheat is not to be opened for export until it is assessed how much grain will be needed for distribution under the National Food Security bill Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar Monday said the government will take a final view on lifting the export ban on wheat and non-basmati rice after assessing foodgrains requirement under the proposed National Food Security Act. Last month, Pawar had said that the government...

It is the improper mode of application, violating the law and regulations, that is responsible for the apparent adverse toxic effects of endosulfan. FROM a scientific perspective, an extremely pertinent question in the endosulfan story is why adverse health effects similar to those seen in the villages of Kasaragod district in Kerala have not been reported from other parts of the country where the pesticide is used in much larger...

The Empowered Group of Ministers is likely to meet soon to consider a proposal from the Agriculture Ministry to allow wheat exports in the wake of bumper production. "The EGoM is expected to meet in a week or 10 days," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia said here today. The ministers panel is headed Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and comprises Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar , Commerce and Industry Minister...

-The Economic Times   India's grain bins are overflowing and the forecast for a normal monsoon promises another bumper crop, but political disagreement over a bill to secure food rights for the poor means the country is expected to steer clear of large-scale exports. Shipments from the world's second-biggest producer of wheat, sugar and rice could come as a relief for governments across Asia who are trying to combat food-led inflation,...