1.   

World food prices fall for a fifth month, says fao

World food prices declined for a fifth month in November, the longest slide in more than a year, amid signs commodity prices may be “bottoming out,” the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization said. An index of 55 food items fell 0.5% to 215 points from 216 in October, the Rome-based FAO said on its website on Thursday.

2.   

India may cap rice exports on surge in shipments: Thomas

India, the world’s second-biggest rice producer, may consider banning exports of non-basmati grain after shipments reach 2 million tonne, food minister KV Thomas said. “Exports totaled 1.1 million tons as of November 28 after the government lifted a three-year ban on exports on September 9,” according to Vijay Setia, president of the All India Rice Exporters Association. Sales may total 2 million tonne by January 31, he said.

3.   

India guar seed under pressure on profit booking

Sentiments remained moderately firm for Guar even as profit booking at the higher levels brought some resistance to the rising rates. Demand got slightly affected at the higher levels Overall sentiments remained firm however due to lower productions prospects than the earlier estimates, stronger Dollar aiding exports and reports of lower stocks. Anticipations of further rise in exports in coming weeks could support the market sentiments this week also with intermittent profit booking at higher levels Arrivals of the new crop from Rajasthan and Haryana could pressurize the market sentiments.

4.   

Farmers switch over to fruit, flower cultivation for better returns

A silent revolution is underway in the rural areas of Karnal with small and marginal farmers switching over from wheat-rice cropping pattern to vegetables, fruits, flowers and spice cultivation for remunerative returns. The farmers have realised that the cultivation of rice and wheat in small landholdings is not a profitable proposition and they must diversify to other crops like seasonable vegetables, fruits and flowers for remunerative returns.