The Tamil Nadu Government will seek a ban on futures trading in sugar to control sugar price, according to an official press release.

This was among the decisions taken on Friday at a meeting chaired by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi, on measures to control food prices.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government will immediately urge the Union Finance Ministry to remove sugar from the purview of futures trading.

Earlier, the Centre had stopped sugar futures to control prices and had allowed it to resume last month.

The State Government has also listed out measures to increase agriculture production and productivity and stepping up marketing.

New markets

In addition to upgrading facilities at the 154 farmers' markets, 25 new markets will be set up for farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers; cooperative stores which sell about 20 tonnes of vegetables daily in Chennai will step up sales and new outlets will be established; smooth functioning of fair price shops under the public distribution system will be ensured with adequate stocks of essential commodities; and marketing infrastructure for farm produce will be upgraded and modernised with more cold storages established and other basic infrastructure.

Rural cultivation

Rural areas close to the cities will be identified for cultivation of vegetables and farmers will be supported with quality seeds and inputs; on going scheme to expand coverage of area under pulses and oilseeds, and enhancing productivity, will be intensified; drip irrigation facilities and precision farming technique will be popularised among farmers; and output of key crops such as paddy will be assessed area wise and location-specific solutions provided to increase productivity, the release said.

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