1.   

Govt likely to reduce minimum export price of non-basmati rice

The commerce ministry may reduce the minimum export price (MEP) of non-basmati rice after exports failed to pick up, said a ministry official who declined to be named. The government had allowed limited exports of non-basmati rice after a bumper crop in 2010-11. India had banned exports of rice, except the costlier basmati variety, to beef up supplies in the domestic market and cool down soaring prices in April 2008.

2.   

India can easily meet world's protein demand

With the largest livestock population in the world, India can meet the world protein demand very easily. This will improve upon the economic levels of animal breeders,meat workers, processors and exporters, said Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Harish Rawat. He was speaking at the inaugural session of National Conference for Mayors here on Tuesday.

3.   

Meat & poultry sector needs Rs 4-5K crore investment: Government

An investment of around Rs 4,000- 5,000 crore is required in the meat and poultry processing sector, a senior official from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) said today. "The meat and poultry processing industry requires an investment of Rs 4,000-5,000 crore," MOFPI Secretary Ashok Sinha told reporters here.

4.   

Rice output in kharif season to cross 90 mn tonne: Rawat

The rice crop in the ensuing kharif season (2011-12) is expected to surpass 90 million tonnes, Minister of State for Agriculture Harish Rawat today said. "The crops prospects are very bright, already we have had a record rabi crop and wheat has touched 84 million tonnes," Rawat told reporters here.