Agriculture
China tightens controls on gene modified crops
CHINA, which has been the first Asian country to commercialise genetically modified plants, has now become more stringent and critical in evaluating the environmental and bio-safety aspects of transgenics.

Bengal seeds corp bags NPC award
WEST Bengal, which has been increasing its production mainly through the introduction of high-yielding variety (HYV) strains of rice and wheat, has won recognition with one of its corporations - The West Bengal State Seeds Corporation (WBSSC) - bagging the first prize from the National Productivity Council (NPC) for 1997-98 and 1998-99.

Wheat exporters denied free hand
AT a time when the Union Government has been forced to phase out quantitative restrictions (QRs) on imports, the Centre seems keen on continuing with uncalled for restrictions on exports of agricultural commodities. The latest to join the list of commodi ties permitted for export under a quantitative ceiling is wheat.

SBOT launches mustard futures
THE Sopa Board of Trade (SBOT) has quietly flagged off futures trading in mustard/rapeseed oil, seed and its cake and is now planning to launch futures in sugar and gram, a top SBOT official said on Wednesday.

Food & Dairy Products
KSE eyeing foreign majors for milk products business
THE Kerala-based cattle feed manufacturers, KSE Ltd, is planning to foray into milk products business in a big way and is holding talks with foreign milk product majors for sourcing technology.

Tea
Hard times for Kerala tea industry
THE tea industry in Kerala is perhaps passing through one of its worst period in its long history. The repercussions of WTO regulations, South Asian Preferential Trade Agreement and the Indo-Sri Lanka free trade agreements are challenging the very existe nce of the industry leaving practically no hope for its survival.

Tea output recovers; smart rise in orthodox grades
A SIZEABLE increase in orthodox grade marks tea production this season, up to July.

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