Dairy paradox

Conditions are ripe for an upturn in India's dairy sector. The government has lifted its ban on the export of milk powder at a time when increasing demand is sending prices of dairy products skyrocketing globally. If the market worked on a straightforward play of demand and supply, Indian producers--most of them small-scale operators--would have been cheering.

Sugarcane growers in Uttar Pradesh short changed

Sugarcane growers in Uttar Pradesh feel sold out to mills Frustration is growing among sugarcane growers in Uttar Pradesh. First private sugar mills refused to begin crushing and now the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has directed mill-owners to pay farmers Rs 110 per 100 kg of the sugarcane against the government's price of Rs 125.

Skimmed milk

The government ought to defend the interests of the small producer

Indian farmers get short shrift as country imports wheat

In February this year, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar announced that the country could export wheat in the near future. "If the current weather persists and the country's wheat production exceeds 72.5 million tonnes, I will allow exports," he said. But the minister seems to have done a volte-face on his statement. India has entered the wheat market all right, but as an importer.

India bans export of non-basmati rice

the Union government increased the minimum support price of wheat, paddy, sugarcane, mustard, rapeseed and other agricultural commodities on October 9. The announcement was made after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the prime minister, accepted the recommendations on the minimum support price (msp) by the Commission of Agricultural Cost and Prices.

Indian farmers get short shrift as country imports wheat

In February this year, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar announced that the country could export wheat in the near future. "If the current weather persists and the country's wheat production exceeds 72.5 million tonnes, I will allow exports," he said. But the minister seems to have done a volte-face on his statement. India has entered the wheat market all right, but as an importer.

Reduce pasta prices, say Italians

Pasta-loving Italians observed a one-day 'no-pasta-buying' strike on September 13. The move was to protest against the recent 20 per cent rise in the price of Italy's national dish.

South Asia

Second deluge Less than a month after monsoon rains battered the country, a second wave of flooding that began on September 10, is further affecting parts of Bangladesh. According to government officials, the overall death toll from flooding since July had risen to 840, forcing over half a million from their homes.

Andhra salt-makers want recognition as farmers

"Why shouldn't salt-making be classed as agriculture?" asks R Potharaju. "Both require land, water and sunshine, and are subject to vagaries of nature," he reasons. Potharaju is convenor of the Prakasam District Salt Farmers Forum.

Supermarket giants Tesco, Asda threatened

Two supermarket giants--Tesco and Asda--in the UK have been accused of sending "threatening" e-mails to suppliers, farmers and dairy producers, to keep their prices low. The Competition Commission's Inquiry, instituted in May to study supermarkets behaviour towards food producers and farmers, revealed this recently. Tesco and Asda are part of four major retail outlets in the UK. The other two are Sainsbury's and Morrisons.