Agriculture
Jute crop estimates put at 94 l bales
JUTE crop estimates for 2000-2001 (July-June) has been lowered by one lakh bale to 94 lakh bales in view of flood losses -- mainly in three districts of West Bengal.
FCI urged to buy paddy directly from AP farmers
THE crisis in Andhra Pradesh rice market can be attributed to the Centre's faulty procurement policy and relief measures can be brought about only if the Food Corporation of India (FCI) procures paddy directly from the farmers, as in Punjab, and if expor
ts are encouraged through the Kakinada port, Dr. Y. Sivaji, President of the Virginia Tobacco Growers' Association, has said. Dr Sivaji, chief proponent of the tobacco crop holiday concept, said at a press meet here on Thursday, that the paddy farmers in
the State were encountering much hardship like the tobacco farmers in selling their produce at reasonable rates and the rice millers ``are resorting to the same tricks as the tobacco trade did''. However, as paddy happens to be a food crop, a holiday co
uld not be advocated.
`Full rice genome sequencing by 2005'
THE rice genome would be fully sequenced by the year 2005, according to Dr Gurdev S. Khush, Principal Plant Breeder and Head of the Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biochemistry Division of the Manila-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
Commodities
Mathadi workers' strike hits Navi Mumbai trade
BUSINESS at the commodities market in Navi Mumbai has been affected following an indefinite strike by mathadi workers from January 1, 2001.
Plantations
Pepper prices fall
PEPPER prices dropped during the early part of this week in the spot and futures markets on lack of buying support.
Sharp drop likely in spices export
SPICES exports have witnessed a major setback during the current fiscal following an 18-per cent drop in terms of quantity, 34-per cent drop in terms of rupee value and 37-per cent drop in terms of dollar value.
