1.   

NHM joins hands with Israel to share expertise in vegetable farming

To provide good quality vegetable seedlings throughout the year, the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) has joined hands with Israel to develop expertise in vegetable farming. The two nations started an Indo-Israel Centre for Excellence in Vegetables at NHM, Gharaunda near Karnal, in January 2011. The project - spread over 15 acre and doing a business of Rs 55 lakh per annum - is close to Agrom SEZ at .....

2.   

Agriculture ministry expects higher pulses production

The Union ministry of agriculture expects the total domestic production of pulses to be 2.2-2.3 million tonnes (mt) in 2011-12, as against 1.8 mt in 2010-11. According to official sources, crop area of around 600,000-700,000 hectares was lost in the kharif season due to unseasonal rains. Therefore, the government has allocated Rs 800 crore for crop-intensive zones, to lure farmers, for growing more pulses in the .....

3.   

Japan to assist Bihar in agriculture sector

Japanese prime minister Yoshihiko Noda has assured chief minister Nitish Kumar to provide all possible assistance in facilitating market linkages to the state agricultural produce by developing infrastructure and logistical support required for the purpose. On Nitish's request, Noda assured him that he would visit Bihar during his next visit to India. Noda gave his assurance to Nitish in Delhi during a meeting held there on .....

4.   

Maize prices may remain firm on surging demand

Increased demand from the poultry and starch industry is expected to keep maize prices firm. On NCDEX, the maize January contract closed at Rs 1,222 a quintal, up by 0.25% and the March contract closed at Rs 1,280 a quintal, up by 0.47%. On the Nizamabad spot market, prices were ruling at Rs 1,149 a quintal on Thursday. Despite the high price, demand from the poultry feed market has not shrunk. Though prices have eased a .....