Outlining targets, agenda along the lines of UPA's promises in 2009 polls Agro techniques to improve land fertility, distribution through ‘land bank' Brimming with promises to revamp a wide range of sectors, including industry, agriculture, health and education, as well as bring about holistic development in the weaker sections of the society, the election manifesto that Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee released here on Monday for the coming Assembly polls in the...

Revising the Agriculture Produce Market Committee Act ( APMC Act), encouraging competition among traders and promoting efficiency in retailing are some of the steps needed to calm food inflation. These views were discussed in the second meeting of a interministerial group appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to review the inflation situation and suggest corrective measures, according to a statement issued by the finance ministry. Kishore Biyani, chairman of retail major...

The budget is more concerned about the consumer than the grower A LOOMING food crisis in the world and high food inflation rates at home made Pranab Mukherjee’s proposals to boost agriculture in his 2011 budget more keenly watched than usual. These are factors that clearly weighed with the finance minister who repeatedly said that his principal concern this year has been the continuing high food prices. The squeeze on the...

The Budget season is in full swing and allocations for various sectors being hotly debated upon both by policy makers and the public at large. What is important to remind ourselves, is that where this will lead this country of over one billion, facing challenges of balancing economic growth with social justice and equity. Food Security has moved from an issue of the poor and hungry and those who advocate their cause...

Stating that about 70% of the farming community in the country is still out of the reach of banks, MP Pralhad Joshi said co-operative banks should try to bring more farmers under the banking network, thereby giving a boost to the agricultural sector. Speaking at the 75th anniversary celebrations of Hubli Primary Co-Operative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank here on Sunday, he said whatever financial facility the government is extending towards...