RICE
KRBL ties up with agro firms for inputs to farmers
KRBL Ltd, a rice exporting firm, has set up an `Agri Services Division' under Farm Management Services (FMS) comprising agriculture experts such as entomologists, pathologists, soil scientists and agri-extension workers to strengthen its ... More

PESTICIDES
As monsoon plays truant — Agro-chemical firms pin hopes on exports
If domestic sales get affected on poor rains, the companies could look at the overseas markets. More

RUBBER
Mixed trend in rubber prices
SHEET rubber RSS 4 lost 25 paise to close at Rs 66.50, while the domestic rubber prices showed a mixed trend on Thursday. The retreating monsoon kept the buyers inactive as the market appeared to be slipping slowly into a sellers' mode. All the ... More

TEA
Iran lifts ban on India tea; exports set to resume
WITH the Iranian Government lifting the ban on import of Indian tea, a delegation from that country, which is visiting India, has expressed interest in buying orthodox tea. According to sources in the domestic tea industry, the ban was lifted ... More

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Gold may test support levels
GOLD prices moved lower on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve Chairman speaking to congressional committee painted an optimistic picture about the US economy and dismissed recent signs of fragility and reiterated that the central bank would ... More

AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
Icrisat to boost legumes output in Philippines
THE International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) has initiated a new project with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources (PCARRD) to enhance the adoption of the institute's peanut, ... More

SPICES & CONDIMENTS
Spices export doubles in Q1
EXPORT of spices during the first quarter of the current fiscal has more than doubled in terms of volume, while, in value, it has increased by Rs 172.55 crore. Chilli continued to perform well with a substantial increase in exports by 25,250 ... More

NATURAL CALAMITIES
Tackle drought, States urged
THE Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has urged the State Governments to take up immediate steps to tackle the looming drought. The retarding monsoons have pushed back the prospects of the agriculture sector with ... More

STANDARDS & BENCHMARKS
Exporters concern over new European food law
AFTER the US bio-terrorism law, Indian exporters are now dreading the European General Food Law, which comes into effect from January 1, 2005. According to a statement by EAN India (a non-profit organisation under the Ministry of Commerce), ... More