-Press Trust of India   The food ministry has opposed the proposal of the Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP) to hike the support price of paddy by R160 per quintal to R1,160 per quintal for 2011-12 crop year. Paddy minimum support price (common grade) was at R1,000 per quintal last year. The CACP, which suggests minimum support price (MSP) of 40 agri-commodities, has recommended support price for paddy (common grade)...

After Bihar complained against the clandestine experiments of GM food crops in the state, it is Madhya Pradesh's turn now. State agriculture development minister Ramkrishn Kusmaria has written to the Centre against the clearance by Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) to GM Maize trials in the state. GEAC is the statutory authority under the environment ministry to clear trials and introduction of genetically modified crops. It had come under flak from...

The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices may recommend higher prices in its report. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) may recommend higher minimum support price (MSP) for cotton and sunflower in its report. “Cost of production for most crops have gone up by 10-30 per cent over the last year, due to higher inputs costs like labour and fodder. Cotton has fetched higher market prices compared to its MSP...

After the sanctioning of education loans, the public and private sector commercial bankers have shown almost no interest in sanctioning farm loans this year. The farmers in Madhya Pradesh continue to face financial strain and have stayed away from bankers. But the bankers consider last year’s debt waiver scheme being responsible for the low agri credit flow. While state-owned cooperative bankers moved ahead in sanctioning and disbursing priority sector advances, private...

India is expected to witness 5.4 per cent growth in the farm sector in the current fiscal 2010-11 as indicated by substantial expansion in area and production of major crops in both Kharif and Rabi seasons, official sources said today. "In the first half of 2010-11, farm sector has achieved growth of 3.8 per cent, rebounding from -0.1 per cent and 0.4 per cent in the previous two years," an official...