-The Economic Times PUNE: Although India is known the world over for its basmati rice, there are hundreds of local non-basmati varieties that are rich in taste and aroma but still not known to urban consumers. Maharashtra is likely to be the first state to take steps for branding and marketing of these varieties. Maharashtra, a major producer of pulses but not so known for rice, has recently floated a tender to...

-The Telegraph Guwahati: Assam will implement the UPA government's National Food Security scheme from November 19, chief minister Tarun Gogoi said today. The much-hyped National Food Security Ordinance, which is expected to be tabled in the monsoon session of Parliament, will ensure access to quality food by all people in the country, especially those in the BPL category. Gogoi told reporters here that a group of ministers (GoM) has already been constituted to...

-Down to Earth Agricultural growth rate figures in the state appear to be unrealistic if one considers farm suicides and increase in number of landless farm labourers I am in a dilemma over the veracity of the data available on the state of agriculture in Madhya Pradesh. Perhaps, the reader could help me in this effort. Chances are he or she could be as befuddled as I am on the matter. In...

-The Hindu The hostility to the UPA's food security Bill from both its allies and the Opposition stems not from substantial objections to the draft law itself but from other political grouses The decision to bring an ordinance to provide food security to 67 per cent of the country's population was received with much hostility by the Opposition parties last week. The latter seemed surprised that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) could...

-The Hindu Second year of scheme to include distribution of 50 lakh seed kits in schools THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to maintain the momentum towards self-sustainability started last year through the State Agriculture Department's comprehensive vegetable cultivation development scheme, funds to the tune of Rs.56.25 crore are being set aside for the purpose this financial year. The inauguration of the second year of the scheme and a prize distribution ceremony based on last...