RICE
Global rice trade seen affected by rising prices
RISING prices and higher ocean freight costs have combined to result in a possible reduction of up to 10 per cent in world rice trade in 2004, with the contraction reflecting smaller shipments from exporters like India as well as cut in purchases ... More

HORTICULTURE/FRUITS & VEGETABLES
Fruits of toil
Pineapple from Vettilappara near Chalakkudy being loaded into a Mumbai-bound truck. This local variety is in good demand in Mumbai. Pineapple is cultivated extensively in Kerala as an intercrop in cashew and rubber plantations. ... More

WATER
TN seeks autonomous body for Cauvery
THE Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association has sought the establishment of an autonomous body to plan, execute and oversee projects that could harness available water in the Cauvery as a long-term measure to tackle the scarcity of water. It ... More

COIR
Raw material shortage cripples Kerala coir industry
The drop in the fibre production in the coastal regions in Kerala prompted setting up of a number of defibering and decorticating mills in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. More

OILSEEDS & EDIBLE OIL
Global oilseeds may rule firm on lower soya crop
Despite crop losses, global production of major oilseeds in 2003-04 is still projected at a record 338.3 mt compared with 329.5 mt last year. More