1.   

Mukherjee underlines need for robust growth of agriculture sector

President Pranab Mukherjee today said that, to alleviate poverty, promote inclusive growth on a sustainable basis, sustain food security, increase employment opportunities and boost rural incomes, India's agriculture sector must be robust. Speaking at the 85th foundation day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) here, Mr Mukherjee said the country's agriculture sector had taken a great leap over the last few decades.

2.   

India to Export More Dairy to ASEAN

As the demand for dairy products increases from the member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) , India’s dairy sector seems poised to fill the gap, and can expect a large bump in its milk exports to the region in the near future. Milk consumption throughout the ASEAN region, especially throughout the ASEAN six majors – which is made up of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – has gone up in recent years thanks to increasing birth rates, improving diets, rapid urbanization and an increasingly health-conscious middle class in the countries.

3.   

Kharif sowing expected to increase due to good monsoons: Sharad Pawar, Agriculture Minister

Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said on Tuesday a good monsoon this season is expected to boost kharif sowing across the country. Expressing concern over rising vegetable prices, he hoped that this was a temporary phase and the situation would improve by the next few weeks. "The monsoon position is quite encouraging. We have seen sowing on over 517 lakh hectare till July 12 compared to 341.49 lakh hectare in the previous year.

4.   

Pak reaches out to India to mend bilateral ties

With PM Manmohan Singh and his counterpart Nawaz Sharif all set to meet in New York in end- September, Pakistan on Tuesday said all wings of its government have "clear policy directives'' to work for improving ties with India. Pakistani High Commissioner Salman Bashir said "sky is the limit'' over economic cooperation between the two countries as he insisted that trade with India continues to be a priority for Islamabad.