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India is free from Bird Flu: Ministry

India has declared itself free from bird flu (H5N1) as of Dec. 29, 2011 though it said the surveillance will continue, in the vulnerable areas bordering the infected countries and in areas visited by migratory birds. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture has advised the States to maintain vigil against the disease. Outbreak of bird flu was notified on Sept. 8, 2011 in village Bhamondanga, .....

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Rice steams up on export enquiries

The rice market continued its uptrend on Wednesday following strong demand for the aromatic and non-basmati varieties in the domestic and export markets, respectively. The prices of aromatic rice increased by Rs 20-30 a quintal, while non-basmati varieties were range-bound, but within positive territory, said Mr Tara Chand Sharma, Proprietor, of Tara Chand and Sons. Following strong export demand for non-basmati .....

3.   

Rice procurement up 17%, crosses 16.7 mt

The government’s rice procurement drive for the current kharif marketing season has picked up pace during the last one month despite a decline in rice purchase from farmers in Punjab, a key paddy growing state. The latest data from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) says the government has lifted 16.69 million tonnes (mt) of rice till date for the season against 14.37 mt of purchase reported during the same period last .....

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Sri Lanka: Import of the majority of food items that can be produced locally will be banned from 2015.

Minister of agriculture Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhana said that import of many agricultural products that can be produced locally will be banned by 2015.Sri Lanka has become self sufficient in rice during the last two years. Addressing a function held in the ministry today Mr.Yapa said that  arrangements are now being made to export rice.  At the time Sri Lanka became independent, the population of the country was .....