The Hindu Business Line : Monday, December 25, 2006

RICE
`Designer rice varieties must reach farmers'
Designer rice varieties, fortified with iron, zinc and vitamins, can help solve the perennial problem of nutrition deficiencies, according Prof Swapan K. Datta, Senior Agribiotechnology scientist from the Kolkata University. Prof Datta, who was ... More

CULTIVATION
Crop rotation plan mooted for Kuttanadu
The Kuttanadu Vikasana Samithi, an NGO, has drawn up an action plan to help paddy growers of the State's granary to extricate themselves from debts by improving their income. It has suggested that integrated farming system with thrust on ... More

SEEDS
Need to validate seed testing labs: Rasi Seeds MD
`Standardisation in production still the weak area' More

FLORICULTURE
Flower show begins in Mangalore
As part of Karavali Utsav, a flower show began in Mangalore on Saturday. Nearly 15,000 plants of various varieties are on display at Pilikula Nisarga Dhama at Moodshedde village in Mangalore taluk. Speaking at the inauguration ... More

HORTICULTURE/FRUITS & VEGETABLES
Potato futures fall on rise in arrivals
Production may be higher this year at 28-30 mt More

TEA
Good demand for teas in North India
Demand patterns for CTC leaf and dust categories during the week beginning December 18 were similar in all the North Indian auction centres i.e., Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri. Good liquoring and well made varieties sold at dearer rates. ... More

Replantation: Tea body for continuing subsidy scheme
"The entitlement of the subsidy should not be linked to the proposed SPTF". More

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Gold seen testing resistance, dipping
Gold futures ended marginally higher on Friday, in thin market conditions shortened by a long holiday weekend. Markets are pricing in a possible interest rate cut in the US as the macro economic data released so far suggest sagging, soft and hard ... More

Palm oil futures may head higher
Malaysian crude palm oil futures ended higher on fears of supply disruptions. Producing areas of Malaysia, mainly Johor which is one of the main producing centre, have been hit by heavy rains forcing people to flee their homes. Continued rains ... More

EDUCATION
AP wants new IIT to offer agri engg
After the Centre agreed to locate one of the three new IITs in Andhra Pradesh, the State Government wants `agriculture engineering' to be included in the academic programme of the upcoming institute. After discussing with agriculture ... More

DAIRY & DAIRY PRODUCTS
TN farmers' plea to raise milk procurement rate
The Salem-based United Farmers Association has asked the State Government to increase the milk procurement rate which will encourage producers to increase output and at the same time, buttress the farmers' income. There is a need to supplement ... More

AGRICULTURAL POLICY
TN sets up panel for agriculture development
The Tamil Nadu Government has constituted a committee to suggest measures for the development of agriculture, according to an official press release. The 15-member State-level agriculture development committee will be headed by the Chief ... More

EXPORTS & IMPORTS
`TN agri commodities enjoy potential in SE Asia'
Target Indian/Tamilian expatriates in those counties: Agri university analysis More

Cumin seed exports may cross 25,000 t
Crop failure, short supply in other nations drive the trend More