ANIMALS & LIVESTOCK
Buffalo meat exports may touch 4 lakh tonnes
THE country's meat exports could touch four lakh tonnes this year in the light of the thrust provided by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority to cash in on its USP of frozen buffalo meat. "Our meat ... More

CULTIVATION
Something to cheer
Women winnowing paddy on a field in Kerala. The average farm price of paddy per quintal has currently increased to Rs 672 from Rs 659 in September 2003. But compared to other crops, the increase has been relatively small. Paddy, cultivated in ... More

RUBBER
Rubber market remains static
THE rubber market remained static on Wednesday. All the grades were flat except ungraded rubber, which lost 25 paise to close at Rs 48.25 a kg. Sheet rubber RSS 4 closed at Rs 51.50 as on Tuesday. At the international market at Bangkok, RSS 3 was ... More

TAXATION
Grain commission agents exempt from service tax
THE Finance Ministry has exempted `arhatiyas' or agricultural produce commission agents from payment of service tax. The move, officials said, makes both political and economic sense. Politically, because arhatiyas are seen as a lobby wielding ... More

SPICES & CONDIMENTS
Cardamom slides on weak demand
CARDAMOM prices declined sharply on weak demand at major auction centres in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Bulk was sold at Rs 330-340 per kg on Monday at Kumily, which is Rs 30 less than that of the last weekend price, trading sources said. Prices of ... More