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PM calls meet to discuss agri exports

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called a meeting on April 23 to discuss the objections raised by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar regarding exports of farm items such as sugar, cotton and milk, sources said. Last week, Pawar had shot off a letter to the Prime Minister stating that the government's export policies are hurting farmers who are being asked to subsidise the industry. In the letter, Pawar had strongly criticised the Food Ministry, headed by KV Thomas, .....

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Pawar to launch National Dairy Plan on Thursday

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is all set to roll out its ambitious, 15-year-long National Dairy Plan, envisaging an outlay of Rs 17,300 crore, with the Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, launching its first phase here on April 19. The Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, will be the chief guest at the ceremony to be held at the NDDB headquarters. The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industry, Dr Charan Das Mahant, will also be present, .....

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Pakistan, India trade likely to surge in 2013

Pakistan and India might see reasonable surge in bilateral trade in 2013 as New Delhi is most likely to liberalise its Pakistan’s specific sensitive list by that time, secretary commerce, Zafar Mehmood said here on Monday.“We are expecting that India will liberalise its sensitive list soon and will lower the tariff concessions for Pakistan’s export,” he said, while speaking exclusively with The News.One good development is that the Indian cabinet has accorded approval .....

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Wheat output likely to cross govt estimate despite unseasonal rains

Despite heavy unseasonal showers over the past few days in key producing states of Punjab and Haryana, India’s wheat output is expected to cross the government’s latest estimate of a record 88.31 million tonne in the year through June. Agriculture secretary PK Basu said although there have been sporadic damages to the wheat crop in some places, the overall output for the country won’t be affected due to record planting over 29 million hectares in 2011-12. “The weather has been conducive .....