1.   

Rabi sowing gets boost from comfortable water level in reservoirs, normal monsoon

Comfortable water levels at the key reservoirs in the country along with a normal monsoon in most parts could push up production of wheat, pulses, cereals and oilseeds as sowing activities for rabi or winter season commence. According to the latest Central Water Commission report, total live water storage in 81 major reservoirs across the country was 118.07 billion cubic metres (BCM) against .....

2.   

Rains lay waste to vegetable crops

Vegetables cultivated in hundreds of acres of land in Vattavada, known as the vegetable bowl of Kerala, were destroyed due to decay after prolonged rains during the last week which resulted in water-logging the fields especially in the low lying areas. The farmers in Vattavada completely depend on vegetable cultivation to eke out a living and more areas had been recently brought under cultivation due to the .....

3.   

India takes the threat of rice shortfalls off the boil

The return of India to the global rice market has so far managed to cap an unnerving price rally for the grain triggered by flooding in Thailand, the world’s largest rice exporter. Rice is a staple for 3bn people in Asia, the Middle East and west Africa and its price is closely watched because of the impact on inflation and the potential for social unrest. Thailand usually accounts for nearly a third of global rice exports, but the country’s .....

4.   

National dairy plan to be launched within 6 months

The Rs 1,584-crore World Bank-funded National Dairy Plan aimed at empowering the dairy farmers is likely to be launched within next six months, a Planning Commission official said today. “The National Dairy Plan will be launched by the National Dairy Development Board. It will try to empower the farmers through producer companies and various co-operatives. May be within six months or so, it will take a .....