The Hindu Business Line : Thursday, August 14, 2008

AGRI-BIZ & COMMODITIES

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT: Outlay on farm research scant, says RBI study
Declining farm size and environmental stress pose threats. New Delhi, Aug. 13 Notwithstanding the high concern over reversing the decline in agricultural investment, credit and irrigation by the authorities in recent years, public expenditure ...

GOLD & SILVER: Q2 gold demand drops 47%
Consumer spending down due to growing inflationary pressures. Mumbai, Aug 13 Led by a 47 per cent decline in demand for gold in India, the yellow metal appears to be losing its sheen globally too. The World Gold Council (WGC) report says the ...

JUTE: Industry fears dilution of Jute Packaging Act
Panel moots easing norms to 75% for foodgrains, 70% for sugar. The Left Front’s withdrawal of support to the UPA Government at the Centre may cost the jute industry dearly, it is apprehended. The industry feels that the Centre may accept ...

CULTIVATION: Reclamation of paddy fields takes its toll
Reclamation of paddy fields and wetlands in a consumer State, which has to depend on other States for more than three-fourth of its food grain requirements, not only deprives the State of its potential for rice production but also inflicts ...

SPICES & CONDIMENTS: Cardamom prices decline
Arrivals increase, quality of offerings inferior. Kochi, Aug 13 The cardamom prices have witnessed a declining trend last week at auctions held in Kerala and Tamil Nadu on increased arrivals. The average price dropped to Rs 580 a kg last week ...

CULTIVATION: Heavy rains spur farming in Gujarat
With heavy and incessant rains lashing across many parts of Gujarat during the last two days, sowing has been completed in 87 per cent of the cultivable area and the State Government expects to reap a good harvest this year, official reports ...

CLIMATE & WEATHER: Active monsoon may continue for another week
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 13 The monsoon drenchers exploding over Konkan and Gujarat may not have needed the spark from the dynamics associated with a vortex (strong whirl in air) or a mid-tropospheric cyclone (MTC). ...

EVENTS: Kochi set to host Rubber Summit
Kochi, Aug. 13 The country’s first Rubber Summit with its focus on making India a global rubber power will bring together rubber industry leaders and experts from across the world at Kochi. ...

TEA: 18-week low volume at Coonoor tea auctions
An analysis of the catalogues of various brokers indicates that volume offered for sale No: 33 of the auctions of Coonoor Tea Trade Association (CTTA) concluding on Thursday totals 11.22 lakh kg. There will be no auction on Friday because of ...

RUBBER: Spot rubber gains on short covering
Kottayam, Aug. 13 Spot rubber prices made sharp gains on Wednesday. The acute shortage of the raw material and panic short covering kept the market activities on fire. ...

SPICES & CONDIMENTS: Near-term pepper futures hit Rs 14,000
Kochi, Aug 13 The pepper futures market on Wednesday moved up on bullish activities. ...