-The Economic Times PUNE: Vegetable farmers from Maharashtra, a major producer of vegetables in the country, will not be able to get new seed varieties this rabi season. The seed companies will have to give trials of their seeds on the lands of Agricultural universities before seeking licences for marketing them in the state. The Maharashtra agriculture department has made it mandatory for the seed companies to give trial of their new...
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Punjab smells profit in basmati -Gurpreet Singh Nibber
-The Hindustan Times Chandigarh: Punjab expects profitable basmati crop this kharif season. The price of Indian basmati already has touched $136 (`8,500) a quintal in the international market, lifting the rate in the state as well. In just 15 days into the harvest season, premium basmati is being lifted for `3,500 a quintal. Last year, the price was about `2,200. Basmati exporters have, so far, bought about 1-lakh tonnes of the product in...
More »NABARD now offers loans to corporate sector-Nagesh Prabhu
-The Hindu Bangalore: In a major shift in its lending practice, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has opened a lending window to the corporate sector for construction of warehouses and creation of cold storages and cold chains. NABARD had only been granting soft loans to State governments for social sector projects. Speaking to The Hindu on Monday, G.R. Chintala, Chief General Manager (CGM), Regional Office, Bangalore, said it was...
More »Global hunger down, but millions still chronically hungry
-FAO 842 million people undernourished in 2011-13 - Developing countries make progress but more efforts needed to reach MDG target Rome - Some 842 million people, or roughly one in eight, suffered from chronic hunger in 2011-13, not getting enough food to lead active and healthy lives according to a report released by the UN food agencies. The number is down from 868 million reported for the 2010-12 period, according to the State...
More »Mihir Shah, Planning Commission member interviewed by Girija Shivakumar
-The Hindu Direct Benefits Transfer is potentially a game-changer, but with certain pre-requisites: Mihir Shah Planning Commission member, Mihir Shah, speaks to The Hindu about a wide range of issues, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and his contribution to the 12 Five-Year Plan. Excerpts: * The MGNREGA has come under criticism from many quarters, including the CAG. Do you feel this criticism is warranted? How do you...
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