The government today reviewed the prices and availability of sugar in domestic market in the backdrop of strong industry demand for allowing exports. An empowered group of ministers (EGoM) on food, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, however, did not take any decision in this regard due to the absence of three key ministers -- Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar , Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and Food Minister K V Thomas. "Sugar was...

Despite partial decontrol of two classes of fertilisers from April last year, the total fertiliser subsidy requirement for the fiscal is likely to go up by about Rs 10,000-15,000 crore from the Rs 54,981 crore already provided as fertiliser consumption has shot up due to a good monsoon. Besides, importers of phosphatic and potash fertilisers have recently raised prices in line with rising global prices. The finance ministry is likely to...

The 50-year-old farmer knew from experience that his onion crop was doomed when torrential rains pounded his fields throughout September, a month when the Indian monsoon normally peters out. For lack of modern agricultural systems in this part of rural India, his land does not have adequate drainage trenches, and he has no safe, dry place to store onions. The farmer, Arun Namder Talele, said he lost 70 percent of...

Inflation in vegetables to come down to 7% by March Modernisation of agricultural marketing is important when dealing with inflation in the long run, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the planning commission, said here today. “The present system of intermediation is high costs and an efficient supply chain. Stress has to be laid on ensuring that farmers are able to realize higher margins, while consumers are able to get cheaper commodities”,...

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked states to waive local taxes, including octroi, as well as reform the outdated Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Act, or Mandi Act, to help control a runaway food inflation. The Prime Minister also called for dovetailing organised retail chains with farm supply chains. “Supply chains need to be strengthened and these need to be dovetailed with organised retail chains for quicker and more efficient distribution of farm...