24 July, 2013 TNAU FELLOWSHIP K. Gomathi, M.Tech. (Food Processing and Engineering) student of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, has been awarded the Post-Graduate Scholarship by All India Council for Technical Education for an amount of Rs. 8,000 per month for 24 months. Gomathi has worked on ‘The Effect of Ohmic Heating on Rheological Properties of Papaya Pulp’ under the guidance of K. Thangavel, Professor, Department of Agricultural Processing, TNAU. Don’t just go green, grow green Many Bangaloreans are turning to gardening to beat stress and veggie prices

Proud gardener:Jayanagar resident Vijay Satish admires his handiwork.— PHOTO: NIHARIKA HEMA RAJ

Do tomatoes, instead of onions, bring tears to your eyes? Are you uneasy about all those chemicals in your veggies? Do you ache to bring a green relief from the concrete eyesores that hem you in? Perhaps a solution could be turning a corner of your home into a kitchen garden. Garden City has always had gardening enthusiasts. But, as gracious homes with vast backyards make way for glass-and-chrome edifices, Bangaloreans are looking at more modest spaces to have a go at gardening. So today’s green thumbs have a go at it through vegetable and fruit patches they grow in their backyards, terraces and even balconies. Kitchen gardens don’t cost much and don’t require a lot of time too. Depending on the varieties you want to grow, just an initial investment of Rs. 2,000 can get to started. Jayanagar resident Vijay Satish says his organic garden meets 90 per cent of his kitchen needs. He is proud of his brinjal, cucumber, chillies, coriander, fenugreek, tomatoes, beetroot, turnip, carrots and radish. “I go to the market only for potatoes and onions!” He even experiments with exotic varieties of vegetables like broccoli, Chinese cabbage, brown zucchinis, purple capsicum to name a few. He minimises the costs of his terrace garden by recycling almost everything he can lay his hands on — plastic sheets, disposal barrels, even noodles cups. Ask him if having green fingers is a prerequisite, he replies: “It’s not rocket science: anybody can do it. But gardening certainly requires patience and self-motivation.” Online communities

Social networking sites like Facebook are proving to be a great boon for enthusiasts who want to make their house greener but don’t know where to start. Members of online groups share their experiments, pictures and techniques, creating a pool for newer members to learn from. Mr. Laxminarayan, an active member of the group Organic Terrace Gardening on Facebook, has been terrace-gardening for almost four years now. “I started it to reduce job stress.” His Facebook group boasts a membership of more than 5,900 — almost 3,000 of them are from Bangalore — members from across the country and even abroad. B.N. Vishwanath of the Garden City Farmers’ Trust observes the trend really picked up after 2005 with a number of young doctors, engineers, BPO employees and working couples wanted to experiment with greenery in their homes. His NGO can be contacted on 9845627217. URBAN RITES Many Bangaloreans are turning to gardening to beat stress and veggie prices Driverless tractors till high-tech farm

Klaus Muenchoffphoto: AFP As the harvest nears, the employees of German farmer Klaus Muenchhoff are busy making the final checks on imposing tractors ready to roll into the golden fields. But these tractors are steel monsters with a difference — driverless and satellite-guided, they can operate on the fields with an accuracy of a few centimetres. Impervious to fatigue and indifferent to poor visibility, they reduce distances travelled by each vehicle, saving their owner fuel costs and improving crop yields. The Muenchhoffs have tilled this 1,000 hectare farmland that grows wheat and rapeseed for nearly 200 years. However, his work has changed radically since he turned to “precision agriculture”, which started in the United States in the 1980s and employs cutting-edge technologies to separately manage each plot rather than uniformly treat an entire field. Besides the GPS guided tractors, Muenchhoff has set up optical sensors that can measure the nutritional status of plots and scanners that assess a plot's soil composition, thus reducing fertiliser consumption. There is an ecological aspect, but the main focus is economic. On his computer, he scrolls through charts, tables, digital maps and satellite photos. A problem is that the equipment still doesn't come cheap. Some high-tech combine harvesters can cost up to half a million euros. These innovations are feeding hopes of overcoming the challenge of exploding global food needs expected in future.

Will the machines take over the farm one day? “I don't see that happening,” said Muenchhoff. “They facilitate the work, that's all. They don't make decisions. I make the decisions.”AFP New portal for farmers launched eFresh to connect farmers with prospective entrepreneurs Good news for farmers and those engaged in food processing sector. A new web portal eFresh, a multilingual portal, has been launched on Tuesday to connect farmers with prospective entrepreneurs. The web portal, billed as one stop source of information by its promoters, has been designed to meet the requirements of all stakeholders in the food chain from farmers to processors. The portal would consist of technical information related to crops, including soil testing, weather reports, crop information, irrigation facilities, food safety and quality of primary produce. In addition, effort has been made to incorporate use of hi-tech methods in horticulture, medicinal plants, plastic mulching, nurseries and related information on the portal. eFresh managing director Srihari Kotela, who announced the joint venture with ICICI-backed IKP Centre for Advancement of Agriculture Practices, also announced the launch of another portal eFreshtenders.com, aimed at bringing all live tenders at one place in the exclusive domain of agriculture, food processing, food safety and solar energy related projects floated by the government. Centres

The portal embarked upon setting up of farmers’ development centres in different places, including Guntur, Karimnagar and Chittoor to educate farmers on best practices with advice from 40 experts in the field Probe into activities of organic farming mission Minister of State for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda on Tuesday told the Legislative Council the State government will order an inquiry into the alleged irregularities of the Karnataka State Organic Farming Mission that was constituted during the Bharatiya Janata Party regime. Replying to Bharatiya Janata Party member Bhanuprakash during Question Hour, the Minister said there were allegations of irregularities in utilising grants worth Rs. 500 crore. However, the irregularities had been checked to some extent by “wise bureaucrats” by preventing the utilisation of the entire quantum of funds, he said. He accused the mission of adopting an “exclusive policy” rather than being inclusive, while promoting the scheme among farmers. “The mission had about 300 groups of farmers per taluk. There were disparities as not all the farmers were allowed to be part of this group,” he alleged. “Instead of promoting a comprehensive organic farming system, the mission only took up a few components of the system,” he said and said following various complaints, the mission had been transferred from the Agriculture Department to the Horticulture Department and re-launched as Amruthabhoomi project in 2012-13 itself,” he said. It will now be critically reviewed for ensuring better implementation, he said.

Looking for balance The Minister announced that the government would now promote sustainable agricultural practices involving a balance between organic and inorganic farming depending upon the availability of resources. Agricultural universities had been asked to work in this regard. Kharif sowing completed on 1.88 lakh hectares Chitradurga district has received 236.88 mm rainfall till date As the district received good rainfall in the last one month, farmers have completed sowing on 1,88,550 hectares of land, recording 52.6 per cent of the targeted 3,58,500 hectares for kharif season, till July 22. According to the Department of Agriculture, sowing had been completed on 34,872 hectares in Challakere taluk against the targeted 99,200 h. In Chitradurga taluk, sowing completed on 49,143 h (66,500 h targeted) and in Hiriyur, sowing completed on 14,627 h (49,200 h targeted). In Holalkere taluk, sowing completed on 47,195 hectares (54,900 hectares targeted), followed by Hosadurga taluk with sowing completed on 27,995 hectares (60,500 hectares targeted) and Molakalmur taluk with sowing completed on 14,718 hectares (28,200 hectares targeted). The target for jowar was 8,300 hectares, of which sowing had been completed on 3,479 h. Target for millets was 46,800 h and sowing completed on 8,085 h, and target for maize was 83,100 h, of which sowing had been completed on 86,038 h. Target for Red gram was 14,000 h, while sowing had been completed on 5,455 h. Till July 22, the district received 236.8 mm rainfall against the normal 194.4 mm, followed by Challakere with 189.3 mm

(147.4 mm normal), Chitradurga with 406.6 mm (255.3mm), Hiriyur with 161.6 mm (174.8 mm), Holalkere with 339.8 mm (257.9 mm), Hosadurga with 191.3 mm (178.3 mm), and Molakalmur with 131.8 mm (152.4 mm). Plan to evict farmers opposed Members of the Dalit Vimochan Manava Hakkugala Vedike and farmers on Tuesday took out a procession and staged dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here, seeking fulfilment of their various demands, including the formation of a separate committee to look into a move by the Forest Department to evict farmers from the land they are currently cultivating. For over five decades, several Dalit families were cultivating small pieces of agricultural land in many parts of the district and it was their only means of livelihood. As all members of these Dalit families were illiterates, they were fully dependent on agriculture. However, recently, notices were issued to these farmers stating that the land belonged to Forest Department and wanted to plant saplings there. The officials had warned that if the farmers failed to shift within the stipulated date, they would be forcibly evicted. If these farmers were evicted, then they would be left without any means of livelihood, they said. They urged the State government to form a separate committee to look into bagair hukum lands and take steps to issue property rights to Dalit farmers cultivating the government lands. The government should take back the land encroached by some influential people and money power. The State government should instruct the officials to strictly implement the Prohibition of Transfer of Certain Lands (PTCL) Act 1978 and protect the interests of

Dalit farmers. Later, they submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah through Deputy Commissioner V.P. Ikkeri. Farmers grievance meeting The monthly farmers grievance meeting will be held at the Collectorate on July 26. The meeting will be presided over by Collector T. Munusamy and is scheduled to be held at 11.15 a.m., an administration release said. — Staff Reporter Farmers seek more water With the storage at the Mettur reservoir increasing fast thanks to the heavy discharge from the Kabini dam in Karnataka over the past few days, farmers dependent on the 17 irrigation canals here have appealed to the State government to step up water release to save the horticulture crops. At present, about 3,000 cusecs of water was being discharged from Mettur to meet the drinking water requirements of towns and cities. Farmers are now demanding that the quantum of release be doubled to save the standing banana, betelvine, and sugarcane crops that are irrigated by the 17 irrigation canals in Tiruchi, Karur, Namakkal, Salem, and Erode districts. The absence of flow in the Cauvery over the past six months has put farmers of these horticulture crops under much stress and the crops in tail end areas are already said to have withered. “Now that the storage at the Mettur dam is fast rising, we request the government to release 6,000 cusecs of water to save the crops,” said

Mahadhanapuram V. Rajaram, Working president of Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association. As the water level at the Mettur dam is likely to touch 90 feet (against the maximum level of 120 feet) in the next few days because of continuing copious flow from Karnataka, the government is expected to take a decision on releasing water for samba season soon for delta farmers. 5,000 acres to be brought under drip irrigation Farmers under the well irrigation system in the district should come forward to adopt drip irrigation in a big way to bring down the quantum of water use and ensure economy in the usage of available water, said Darez Ahamed, Collector, on Tuesday. Over 32,000 farmers irrigate their fields using well water, he said at a motivation programme to sensitise farmers to drip irrigation at Perambalur panchayat union office here on Tuesday. Mr. Ahamed said that the government provides 100 per cent subsidy to a tune of Rs. 1.85 lakh for raising crop using drip irrigation in five acres of land. About 3,000 acres were covered under drip irrigation in the district last year. It has been targeted to bring about 5,000 acres under drip irrigation in the current year. Farmers to stage symbolic protest Farmers under the banner of Kuttanad Vikasana Samithi (KVS), an NGO, wearing black badges will carry a ‘body on artificial respiration' symbolising the Kuttanad package from Mampuzhakari to Ramankary on Alappuzha-Changanasserry (AC) road here on July 24. Fr. Thomas Peeliyanickal, executive director of KVS, said the works under the package have not been implemented properly by the authorities.

Farmers rush to cultivate forest produce Ram patre Mace of nutmeg is a spice product, also used by cosmetic, paint makers

Myristica dactyloides, a forest produce, is being cultivated by farmers in Dakshina Kannada.— PHOTO: YOGESH H.R. Malabar nutmeg (Myristica dactyloides), a forest produce that is fast disappearing, has now received the attention of both the government and farmers for its conservation and cultivation. Called ram patre in Kannada, its grafted saplings are now more sought after by farmers for its commercial cultivation, said Anand Gowda, an agriculturist of Harihara Pallathadkka village in Sullia taluk. Ram patre is flower petals found inside the nuts (or fruit) of Malabar nutmeg tree. The mace of the nutmeg is a spice product, also used by cosmetic and paint industries. Mr. Gowda said he has planted 300 grafted saplings in his arecanut and coconut plantations as an inter-crop in the past nine years. Their age now varied from three years to nine years. Of them, 200 trees are now yielding. The grafted trees yielded in five years unlike the saplings (trees) raised from seeds which took eight to nine years for yielding. “I harvested 84 kg of ram patre this year,” he said. It fetched him Rs. 420 a kg.

Mr. Gowda, who also manages Bhoomika Nursery in the village, said that farmers from Shimoga district, Sirsi and Kundapura have been placing orders for the saplings but he was unable to meet their demand. He said that he took up its cultivation after mite blight hit his coconut plantation a decade ago. In addition, he planted them in arecanut plantation as a precaution as yellow leaf disease (YLD) has been fast spreading in arecanut plantations in Sullia taluk though the disease has not hit his arecanut plantation. Mass cultivation of Malabar nutmeg could bring supplementary income to farmers and save a bit and set off a part of the loses because of diseases to arecanut and coconut, he said. Why grafted saplings? Mr. Gowda said that if one raised about 100 saplings from seeds, according to his experience, 60 per cent of saplings were male ones, which do not yield. Only 40 per cent female ones would yield. All the grafted saplings planted by him have been yielding. He said that the saplings raised from seeds grew very high and it required a skilled worker to climb the tree for harvesting the fruits. But grafted ones did not grow tall. “Nine year old trees in my plantations are only 20 ft. in height. They can be harvested without climbing them,” he said. Yogesh H.R., Deputy Director, Department of Horticulture, Dakshina Kannada, said that another farmer Ravi Kedilaya at Ramakunja in Puttur taluk has also done its mass plantation. Mr. Yogesh said that it could be grown as an alternative to YLD-hit palms. But the Horticulture Department does not have its saplings in its nurseries and do not have any schemes for its promotion. There was no way of

identifying the nut-bearing and non-fruit bearing ones at the sapling stage. It would be known only after it grew up. Mr. Yogesh said that about 300 to 350 flowers of ram patre would make a kg. P. Sridhar, Range Forest Officer, Puttur, said the Forest Department, which raised 3,000 saplings from the seeds in its nursery at Puttur this year, has planted all recently except 300 saplings in reserve forests in Narimogaru, Anegundi, Kanakamajalu and Kannadkka, he said. Facts about Malabar nutmeg Malabar nutmeg is listed under threatened species category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Forest Department wants to save the species whether they bear nuts or not They are found in the forests in Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu, Hassan and Shimoga districts The mace of the nutmeg is a spice product, also used by cosmetic and paint industries It is also known as kanaje ; It flowers in January and its nuts can he harvested in April-May No mechanism is now available to identify if a plant would bear fruit or not No new agricultural colleges for two years, says Minister Minister of State for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda on Monday informed H.D. Revanna (JD-S) in the Legislative Assembly that no new agricultural colleges would be opened for another two years as the government was busy recruiting staff and providing other infrastructure for the colleges already opened during the tenure of the Bharatiya Janata Party government.

The Minister echoed what the Chief Minister had informed the member earlier on another question that first grade colleges were opened, especially in Hassan district’s Holenarsipur taluk without proper financial back up. Mr. Krishna Byre Gowda said the process was on to recruit staff in the colleges. Mr. Revanna said that more than 3,000 of the 5,000 posts were vacant. He said Rs. 8,432.50 lakh and Rs.14,000 lakh were provided to four farm universities for education and under the National Agriculture Expansion scheme, respectively. Foodgrains output declines, pulses touch record level Foodgrains output this year (2012-13) has declined by 3.64 million tonnes over the previous year. Drought in parts of some States last year adversely impacted rice, wheat and coarse cereals harvest. Pulses production on the other hand, has shown a remarkable improvement at 18.45 million tonnes as against 17.09 million tonnes, the previous year. The shortfall in food grains production is, however, likely to be made up in the 2013-14 crop year with the kharif (paddy) sown area about 114 lakh hectares higher so far than last year, owing to good southwest monsoon. Sowing is still on in most States. As per the fourth advance estimates released by Agriculture Ministry on Monday, the total food grains output is 255.36 million tonnes as against 259.29 million tonnes last year. Rice output is 104.40 million tonnes compared to 105.30 million tonnes last year, while rabi (wheat) production is 92.46 million tonnes as against 105.30 million tonnes last year.

The wheat output estimates have been revised downwards from 93.2 million tonnes in the third estimates of the Ministry released in May. Still, the Ministry’s estimates are at variance with traders who claimed that the output is still lower by about four million tonnes. Procurement of wheat this season has been around 26 million tonnes against a target of 44 million tonnes as private trade had entered the market and purchased the grain. The likely output of pulses has been revised upwards in the fourth estimates to 18.45 million tonnes, which is higher than the target of 18.24 million tonnes. Pulses production last year was 17.09 million tonnes. The higher output is attributed to handsome enhancement in the minimum support price and a special thrust under the National Food Security Mission. India traditionally imports about 3 to 3.5 million tonnes of pulses to fill up the gap in demand and supply. Coarse cereals at 40.06 million tonnes are lower than 42.01 million tonnes produced in the 2011-12 crop year (July to June). In oilseeds and commercial crops, the output of oilseeds is higher at 310.06 million tonnes over 297 the previous year. While cotton and mesta outputs are lower, jute has done better than the previous year. Sugarcane output in 2012-13 is lower at 3389.63 lakh tonnes over 3610.37 lakh tonnes in the previous year. This is due to severe drought last year in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. No GM field trials till regulation gaps are addressed, says TEC final report The final report of the Technical Expert Committee (TEC) set up by the Supreme Court in a Public Interest Litigation on Genetically Modified

Organisms (GMOs) has said that it will not be “advisable” to conduct more field trials till gaps in the regulatory system are addressed. The report was much awaited as a representative of the Union Agriculture Ministry (R.S. Paroda) was added on the panel after the submission of its interim report in October last on the Court’s directions at the behest of the Ministry. The farm Ministry had objected to the absence of its representative on the panel. However, Dr. Paroda has not signed the report and there is no clarity on whether he gave a “dissenting note” or his comments were annexed to the report. He attended the meetings but did not attend the signing of the report on June 30 in Chennai, The Hindu was told by a member of the panel. Dr. Paroda was not available for comment. In its final report, the TEC has suggested that the members of the regulatory authority be free of conflict of interest, such a body be set up under the Ministry of Environment or Health. There should be a secretariat of dedicated scientists with area expertise. Stakeholder participation, need, socioeconomic considerations, societal impact, and sustainability should be some of the dimensions to be incorporated in the risk assessment and this should be done at an early stage in the risk assessment process. There is a need to include chronic and trans-generational toxicity testing. The single largest number of applications for field trials to the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is for Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis — a commonly occurring bacterium found in insect-rich habitats and soils) transgenic (including food crops such as rice and a range of vegetables).

The TEC pointed out that the safety of Bt transgenics with regard to chronic toxicity had not been established and this needs to be done before it can be considered safe. In this regard, the largest deployment of transgenics worldwide is in soybean, corn, cotton, and canola, all of which are used primarily for oil or feed. Nowhere are Bt transgenics bring widely consumed in large amounts for any major food crop that is directly used for human consumption. The TEC found no compelling reason for India to be the first to do so. PG programmes of TNAU in the ODL mode PG PROGRAMMES OF TNAU IN ODL MODE Tamil Nadu Agricultural University will offer three post-graduate degree programmes at the Directorate of Open and Distance Learning ODL). According to a release, MBA, M.Sc. (Sugarcane Technology), and M.Sc. (Environmental Management) will be offered to those who have a degree in any discipline. Applications for these programmes are being issued and the last date for submission of filled in applications is August 14. They can be downloaded from the university website www.tnau.ac.in For details, contact 94890-51046 / 94421-11048; or e-mail toodl@tnau.ac.in; or Director, ODL, TNAU, Coimbatore – 641003, the release adds. Central team to study damage to coconut crop in Mysore division Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has informed the former Prime Minister and JD (S) national president H.D. Deve Gowda that a five-member team would visit coconut plantations in the Mysore division. The

team headed by Horticulture Commissioner Gorakh Singh will study the intensity of the damage to the crop and submit a report to the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC). Mr. Deve Gowda, in his letter to Mr. Sharad Pawar on July 15, said that six crore coconut trees spread over 11.7 lakh acres of land in Mandya, Ramanagaram, Bangalore Rural, Tumkur, Hassan, Chikmaglur and Chitradurga districts had been affected by disease. He also requested Mr. Pawar to bail out both coconut and arecanut growers, who were on the verge of committing suicide. In his reply to Mr. Deve Gowda on July 19, Mr. Sharad Pawar said that the team would make its recommendations to the DAC before July 28. The team will study district-wise extent and intensity of disease-afflicted coconut plantations, establish the causes and assess damage, suggest prophylactic measures to contain the spread of disease and treatment of affected coconut plantations, suggest ways to improve productivity of crop, assess the number of affected coconut growers and provide an estimate regarding the quantum of assistance required to replace affected coconut trees, and recommend an action plan for replacement and rejuvenation of coconut plantations. In the Legislative Assembly, Revanna and K.M. Shivalinge Gowda (both JD-S) raised the issue of dried up coconut trees. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra replied that the Union government had set apart Rs. 2,275.64 crore for coconut rejuvenation scheme, including Rs. 478.50 crore subsidy component. Sugarcane R&D workers to meet

The 19th meeting of Sugarcane Research and Development workers of southern Karnataka will be held at B.N. Bahadur Institute of Management Sciences on Hunsur Road here on July 29 and 30. Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore; University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore; Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya Sugarcane Research Institute, Mandya; and the sugar factories from southern Karnataka have jointly organised the meeting. UAS vice-chancellor K. Narayana Gowda will deliver the introductory address. — Staff Correspondent Focus on agri projects The Chengalayi panchayat will launch various agricultural projects during the 2013-14 financial year. A press release issued here on Tuesday said that the panchayat’s development plan for the year earmarked Rs.8.37 lakh for paddy cultivation, Rs.5.75 lakh for plantain cultivation and Rs.5.58 lakh for vegetable farming. Awareness programmes and training classes would be conducted to popularise agricultural activities, the release said. — Special Correspondent Forestry college closed Classes at the Kerala Agricultural University’s College of Forestry have been suspended until further notice. Five students have been suspended pending inquiry into charges of breach of discipline and preventing the faculty from discharging their duties. The College was closed with effect from 5 p.m. on July 22 following an agitation launched by a section of

students against disciplinary action against those allegedly involved in clashes during the valedictory function of the KAU Arts festival held in the last week of June. “On Monday, a group of students barged into the room of the Dean and pressed their demands in an aggressive manner. This disrupted the functioning of college. A meeting of the staff council, urgently convened in the chamber of the Dean, unanimously decided to close the college indefinitely. Students have been asked to vacate the hostels,” stated an official release issued by the KAU. Engagements Kerala Agricultural University and Endowment Committee: Planning Board member C.P. John to deliver eighth endowment lecture on ‘Prospects of Kerala agriculture in 21st century,’ at seminar hall, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2 p.m. Weather

INSAT PICTURE AT 11-30 hrs. Observations recorded at 8-30 a.m. on July 23

Max Min R TR

New Delhi (Plm) 32 26 9 314 New Delhi (Sfd) 33 26 1 386 Chandigarh 33 27 2 437 Hissar 35 27 0 234 Bhuntar 31 21 6 262 Shimla 23 17 3 449 Jammu 34 26 21 404 Srinagar 32 21 0 115 Amritsar 35 27 0 253 Patiala 33 27 0 441 Jaipur 32 26 0 277 Udaipur 32 24 14 361 Allahabad 33 27 24 528 Lucknow 30 25 48 476 Varanasi 36 27 10 340 Dehradun 32 23 5 1655 Agartala 36 26 9 438 Ahmedabad 34 23 30 440 Bangalore 26 20 1 309 Bhubaneshwar 31 24 14 453 Bhopal 27 24 3 650 Chennai 31 25 tr 299 Guwahati 34 26 1 488

Hyderabad 25 21 35 390 Kolkata 33 27 17 540 Mumbai 30 25 27 1514 Nagpur 30 25 14 922 Patna 35 28 1 155 Pune 26 22 6 403 Thiruvananthapuram 29 23 14 695 Imphal 32 23 6 429 Shillong 27 18 tr 481 The columns show maximum and minimum temperature in Celsius, rainfall during last 24 hours (tr-trace) and total rainfall in mm since 1st June. RAINFALL South west Monsoon has been active over Himachal Pradesh and east Rajasthan. The axis of Monsoon trough at Sea level chart passes through Anupgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Tikamgarh and thence southeast-wards. RAINFALL: Rain/thundershowers have occurred at most places over Uttarakhand, at many places over Himachal Pradesh and east Rajasthan, at a few places over west Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and at isolated places over rest of the region. The chief amounts of rainfall in cm are: (5 cm and above) HIMACHAL PRADESH: Kangra Aero 20, Dharamshala 11, Nurpur, Gohar and Jogindernagar 7 each, Kasog, Sundernagar, and Shimla Aero 5 each, JAMMU AND KASHMIR: Katra 7 and Kathua 5, PUNJAB: Ranjit Sagar Dam 9 , Madhopur 8 and Shahpur Kandi 5, EAST RAJASTHAN: (6 cm and above) Chhoti Sadri 9, Dausa 8, Jhazapur, Sahada, Dungarpur and Sapotra 7 each, Bhungra, Anta, Beir, Devel, Dug, Jhalarapatan and Kota 6 each, WEST RAJASTHAN: Khivensan 6, Bhinmal

5, EAST UTTAR PRADESH: Kakrahi 11, Bansi 9 and Haidargarh, Sawayajpur and Lucknow Airport 5 each and WEST UTTAR PRADESH: Bareilly and Kalpi 5 each. . FORECAST VALID UNTIL THE MORNING OF 25th July 2013 : Rain/thundershowers may occur at many places over Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and east Rajasthan. Rain/thundershowers may occur at a few places over rest of the region outside west Rajasthan where it would be at one or two places. HEAVY RAINFALL WARNING: Heavy rainfall may occur at one or two places over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on 25th July.. Heavy rainfall may occur at one or two places east Rajasthan on 24th and 25th July FORECAST FOR DELHI AND NEIGHBOURHOOD VALID UNTIL THE MORNING OF 25th July 2013: Generally cloudy sky. Light rain /thundershowers may occur in some areas

Rs 2 as compensation for crop damage in Haryana Rs 2 as compensation for crop damage? Yes, that is what one of the Green Revolution states, Haryana, is offering its farmers as compensation for crop damaged during 2011 rains. TOI is in possession of cheques for such amounts issued to farmers by the Haryana government as damages to farmers. The crops, mainly wheat, were damaged due to waterlogging following heavy rains in 2011. Following this, the state government had ordered a special survey to assess the losses. However, after the survey and almost two years' wait, several farmers received compensation cheques of modicum amounts. Satyanarayan and Tekchand, residents of Paharipur village in Jhajjar district, were given Rs 2 and Rs 3 respectively as compensation for their damaged crop. A resident of Paharipur village, Vijender Singh, 40, who received a cheque of Rs 30, told TOI on Tuesday that several farmers have decided not to claim the amount as they would have to open a bank account to claim the paltry sum. "Even photocopy of the cheque costs more than the compensation amount. Not only this, for a bank account, we have to go to the nearby town and we have to pay more travel charges than the

compensation money," he said. "The rains had damaged wheat in 2.5 acres of our land. Now, each of the six members in the family has received Rs 30 as compensation," said Ranbir Singh, 50, another farmer from the same village. "My nephew Sandeep and his five family members got cheques for Rs 6 each as damages for the wheat crop in one acre," he claimed. Ramkishan, 60, explained the problems being faced by farmers in claiming the compensation amount even for bank account holders. "My sister Prem, who is married in Hui village in Bhiwani district, got a cheque for Rs 500. But the bank officials returned the cheque stating that she had mentioned her husband's name in the account while in the cheque, her father's name is mentioned." Ramkishan said they have decided not to realize the cheque as a new bank account would cost Rs 500. The state government claimed that compensation has been distributed at Rs 35,00 per acre. However, farmers alleged that revenue officials have given compensation to a very small portion of their land from the total area of damaged crops. "Our family got compensation for just two acres while the rains had damaged crops in 6.5 acres," alleged Ramkishan. Senior INLD leader and MLA from Ellenabad, Abhay Singh Chautala, has termed it a cruel joke on the farmers. However, chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said his government had been giving highest compensation

to farmers in the country. An official spokesperson said Rs 1.14 crore has been distributed to farmers in 3,365 acres of land in Jhajjar district. FCI confident implementing food security ordinance State-run FCI today expressed confidence of successfully meeting challenges of implementing food securityordinance. The government earlier this month had promulgated an ordinance to guarantee legal right over cheap foodgrains to 67 per cent of population. "The implementation of the landmark Ordinance will throw a number of challenges such as availability of rice and wheat, financial provisions, manpower requirement and storage and movement of foodgrains. We are fully prepared to meet the challenges and make it a success," FCI Chairman and Managing Director C Viswanath said in a statement. Food Corporation of India (FCI) procures foodgrains from farmers and distributes the same through ration shops. At present, the FCI has enough stock to meet the proposed requirement of 61 million tonnes foodgrains under the new food security programme. As on July 1, FCI had foodgrains stock of 74 million tonnes, while storage capacity was around 75 million tonnes till May this year.

Viswanath said, "We are in process of augmenting additional storage capacity under Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee Scheme. Also, a capacity of two million tonnes is planned in silos." As for the financial implications, the FCI's working capital is likely to go up to meet the requirements of maintaining the off-take of 61 million tonnes of foodgrains with a buffer reserve of four months, he said. For implementing such a mammoth scheme, FCI said it has already embarked on a recruitment drive to meet the manpower requirement. "We have already started a massive recruitment drive through Staff Selection Commission for Category-III level. By this year-end, at least 7000 candidates are expected to join in this category," Viswanath said. "Similarly, FCI is going to recruit 500 officers in Category-I and II. Also, recruitment of nearly 8600 personnel in Category-IV Watch and ward staff at the regional level is slated by the year-end." FCI's sanctioned strength at present is 45,451, out of which the actual number of men in position is 26,716 -- a shortfall of 18,735 staffers. This apart, FCI has stepped up efforts for a better synchronisation with Indian Railways for smooth movement of foodgrains to various parts of the country.

Onion prices more than double to Rs 36-40/kg in metros Onion prices have more than doubled to Rs 36-40 per kg in retail markets of metro cities in last one year, adding to the woes of consumers already burdened with overall price rise. Currently, onion is being sold at Rs 36 per kg in retail markets of the national capital and Rs 32 per kg each in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, according to the consumer affairs ministry that monitors prices of 22 essential food items. In some markets, onion is being sold at more than Rs 40 per kg depending on localities and quality, traders said. Farmers take over disputed land Social activist andNarmadaBachaoAndolan leader MedhaPatkaralong with hundreds of farmers on Tuesday took possession of the disputed 85-acre land in theShendra Industrial estate and started ploughingand sowing. Terming the acquisition of cultivable land by a private pharma major for industrial purpose as "state and corporate terrorism", Patkarhas now demanded an SIT probe into each everyland acquisition that has taken place in the city. The land acquired under the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was a bone of contention between farmers, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and a private pharma major. Farmers claimed that it was fraudulently acquired and handed over to the private company.

In view of the situation, the district collectorate called an emergency meeting of its senior officials that lasted till late in the evening, while the Aurangabad rural police deployed extra force at the spot to prevent any untoward incident. Patkar and the farmers even proposed to court arrest. However, they were not arrested as neither the MIDC nor the private firm company lodged a complaint of trespassing. Patkar said, "We demand an SIT probe into the land acquisitions and allotment process being practised by the MIDC in Aurangabad. If found guilty of malpractices, strict action should be taken against MIDC officials. We have received documents showing that the prime cultivable and fertile land was fraudulently acquired by the MIDC and later handed over to a private company. Moreover, the company has not started its operations on the land even 5-6 years after acquiring it." The protesting farmers claimed that 2.34 lakh hectares of cultivable land has been acquired for various projects of MIDC and Jhalar Kshetra, which will affect the lives of more than 300 farmers. They alleged that the land was acquired without even consulting the villagers. Moreover, in the whole deal, poor farmers are being cheated and treated badly, they alleged. The farmers said that the industries do not require soft cultivable land and could carry out their projects in rocky and non-cultivable barren land. According to sources, the pharma company is engaged in the development, manufacture and commercialization of pharmaceutical

products and has presence in over 30 countries. Despite repeated attempts, the officials of the company could not be reached for comments. Annasaheb Shinde, chief officer, MIDC, said, "No acquisition was done illegally as the MIDC had acquired 902 ha in Shendra area in 1999. Besides, the irrigation department acquired 45 ha in 2000, which later was transferred to the MIDC after we paid them." He said the MIDC will not approach the police against the farmers. "The land is currently under the possession of the private pharma company. If they wish, they may approach the police, but we are not going to lodge a complaint against the farmers for trespassing," he added. The agitators decided that further discussion on the issue would be done on Wednesday. Farmers' leader from south Karnataka left red-faced Naragund/Navalgund: Farmers' leaders from south Karnataka had to face embarrassing moments at Navalgund when they came to pay tributes to farmer martyrs on Sunday. KodihalliChandrashekhar, farmers' leader from old Mysore region, had arrived to pay tributes to the 'Veeragallu' installed in the memory of two farmers who were killed in police firing in 1980. But he was faced by local farmers who took exception to the "lip sympathy of leaders from south Karnataka". The farmers alleged that leaders from South Karnataka did not respond to the calls for agitation given by farmers

in North Karnataka, even though the latter were responsive. Chandrashekhar pacified the emotionally charged farmers and said that he was committed to participate in all their issues. He subsequently addressed a huge gathering of farmers. Leaders from all political parties and farmers' organizations visited the 'Veeragallu' erected at Nargund and Navalgund and offered floral tributes. The Martyrs' Day has also provided an opportunity to the opposition parties to attack the ruling party for "neglecting farmers", and it has been an occasion for the ruling party to reiterate its commitment to the cause of farmers. Those who paid tribute to the martyrs included Members of Parliament Prahlad Joshi and PC Gaddigoudar, former minister Basavaraj Bommai, Navalgund MLA NH Konaraddi, Naragund MLA BR Yavagal, MLA and farmers' leader KS Puttannaiah, farmers leader Kodihalli Chandrashekhar, HR Basavarajappa, Anasuyamma, JD(S) leader BV Somapur and others. In addition to them, there were representatives of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Akhila Bharathiya Vidyarthi Parishat and other organizations who paid tributes to the martyrs. Meanwhile, addressing a gathering after paying tributes to the martyrs' memorial at Navalgund, MLA and farmers' leader KS Puttannaiah said he

would fight within and outside the Legislative Assembly for the implementation of the Kalasa Banduri Nala project. Market lies vacant, vendors invade lanes A drive down the road that connectsAnandapur with EM Bypass is a nightmare. Not because it is in a bad shape, but due to encroachment that has taken over more than a fourth of the road on either side. Traffic along the stretch, popularly referred to as Ruby Market, comes to a halt once the vendors arrive in the morning. They return in the evening, choking the road once again. This, despite the fact, that Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has built an alternative market on a parallel lane. The market on the road came up about 12 years ago, soon after Ruby Hospital was set up. As residential complexes started coming up in the area, more vendors moved in. "It takes about half an hour to cover the 2-km stretch. Ideally, it should have taken a few minutes. It seems the vendors will take over the entire road," said A Basu, a local resident. Ananda Market, the alternative provided by KMC a decade ago, lies vacant. "We had moved to the market but had very few buyers there since it's in a deserted land. So, we were forced to return to the road," said Gautam Laha, a fruit-seller. Vending slots on the road are sold for anything between Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000. The money goes to the union and the police, say vendors. Those who can't afford to grease palms have to go from door-to-door delivering

goods. Though vendors have now spilled over to the lanes adjoining the Kasba Industrial Estate, a KMC official said: "It's sad that they have refused to shift even after being provided with an alternative arrangement. Unless the vendors cooperate with us, little can be done." Onion prices decline marginally The average wholesale prices inLasalgaon Agriculture Produce Market Committee, the largest onion market in the country, witnessed a drop of Rs 175 per quintal on Tuesday, amid rising apprehension that theCentral government may ban exports to control the price rise. The market opened on Tuesday after four days of holidays. Average wholesale onion prices at Lasalgaon had reached a maximum of Rs 2,450 per quintal last week, as compared to Rs 1,150 a quintal on June 4. The average wholesale onion prices in various APMCs in the district, which were in the range of Rs 2,425 to Rs 2,500 a quintal on July 18, declined to Rs 2,275 to Rs 2,375 a quintal on Tuesday. The arrival of onions, which was in the range of 5,000 quintals to 12,500 quintals on July 18, declined to a range of 2,000 quintals to 10,625 quintals on Tuesday. An official from Lasalgaon APMC told TOI, "The market reopened after four days on Tuesday with a marginal drop in average wholesale onion prices

due to fears among traders that the Central government may impose a ban on onion export to control price rise." The central government had imposed a ban on onion export in 2010 to control prices which had reached a record of Rs 3,800 a quintal in the wholesale market. The average wholesale prices of onions in Lasalgaon APMC were recorded at Rs 2,275 a quintal on Tuesday, against Rs 2,450 a quintal on July 18. The minimum and maximum prices were recorded at Rs 1,400 and Rs 2,436 a quintal, respectively on Tuesday. The arrivals declined by 1,875 quintals to 10,625 quintals on Tuesday, against 12,500 quintals on July 18. The average wholesale prices of onions in Pimpalgaon APMC were recorded at Rs 2,300 a quintal on Tuesday, against Rs 2,500 a quintal on July 18. The minimum and maximum prices were recorded at Rs 1,700 and Rs 2,516 a quintal, respectively, on Tuesday. The arrivals declined by 6,000 quintals to 7,000 quintals on Tuesday, against 13,000 quintals on July 18. The average wholesale prices of onions in Yeola APMC were recorded at Rs 2,375 a quintal on Tuesday, against Rs 2,425 a quintal on July 18. The minimum and maximum prices were recorded at Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,475 a quintal, respectively on Tuesday. The arrivals declined by 3,000 quintals to 2,000 quintals on Tuesday, against 5,000 quintals on July 18.

Govt dumps farmers’ commission proposal

The Agriculture Department has shelved the proposal to constitute a farmers' commission as promised in the election manifesto of the Samajwadi Party. After an exercise of over a year, Agriculture Minister Raja Anand Singh said such a commission is not required. Besides addressing the problems of the farming community, the commission would have ensured remunerative prices of farmer's produce. It was to submit its report to the state government within three months of its constitution. Raj Anand Singh had in May last year announced to constitute the commission, saying it would also monitor the research being undertaken by agriculture universities and other bodies of the state and keep an account of their utility for farmers. "The commission was announced but after an exercise of nearly 15 months, I am yet to get reasons for constituting it. I was informed by the department that one such commission existed and was disbanded during the Mayawati regime. It had 80 members," Raja Anand Singh . The minister said it was ridiculous to reconstitute a farmers' commission with 80 members. "It will not serve any purpose. Even the agriculture experts in my department are not convinced about the constitution of a farmers' commission. I think it is not required," he stated. Regarding the purpose mentioned in the poll manifesto for constitution of farmers' commission, the minister said that the department is already doing the work. "It was to be related to fixing of prices of farmers' produce. We

have a separate price advisory committee which is headed by me and includes cooperative minister Shivpal Yadav. We had already given our recommendation to the central government for increasing minimum support price (MSP) of various crops. The purpose is solved," he stated. About the research work, the minister said a committee of agriculture scientists from reputed institutes and even state agriculture universities are working on it and giving recommendations to the Agriculture Department. "We are in touch with eminent scientists and there are several such committees in the Agriculture Department, so another farmers' commission is not required. We are not going for it any more," he stated.

Weather-Chennai Today's Weather

Cloudy

Wednesday, Jul 24 Max Min 33o | 26o

Rain: 0 Sunrise: 05:52

Humidity: 70 Sunset: 06:38 Wind: normal Barometer: 1005

Tomorrow's Forecast

Cloudy

Thursday, Jul 25 Max Min 34o | 25o

Extended Forecast for a week Friday Jul 26

Saturday Jul 27

Sunday Jul 28

Monday Jul 29

Tuesday Jul 30

34o | 26o 34o | 27o 35o | 27o 35o | 26o 35o | 26o

Cloudy Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast

Rain: 0 Sunrise: 05:37 Humidity: 89 Sunset: 07:17

Wind: normal Barometer: 1000

Villagers give forest new lease of life The 21-year-long drive of a group of tribals of Kakrana village has finally borne fruit.

Residents of this nondescript village situated 40 km from Alirajpur, who took up the charge of protecting the forest in their area at their own expense instead of waiting around for government assistance, have managed to turn the near barren forest into a green belt once again. And they did so through sheer determination and courage in the face of forest mafias, who had all but virtually chopped off the trees from the jungles of Avadhah. "We started the drive in 1992, when nearly all the trees of Avadhah were cut illegally by those involved in wood smuggling. We realised that if the logging is not timely contained, we will have to suffer as we are totally dependent upon the forest," said Kemat Gewale, resident of the village. After the concern, came the plan. The residents of the tribal-dominated village started collecting money to save the trees from felling. The 1000-odd residents of Kakrana appointed a chowkidar (guard) on a monthly salary of R1200 and started a 'Save Forest' drive. "We held a meeting and decided to save the trees. Subsequently, we started collecting money. In between 1992-2000, we collected R30 per month from each family in the village but later on it was raised to R400 annually," said Indra Singh (32), a private school teacher residing in the village. Thanks to two decades of constant vigil, the forest has once again turned into a green belt. Taking motivation from the Kakrana experiment, neighbouring villages have also initiated the drive in their areas. Most of the trees are of Anjan (hardwickia binata) variety and leafs of this tree are the only source of cattle fodder for the tribals.

According to an estimate, there are more than 5,000 trees around the village. The villagers have also planted hundreds of Neem trees. Before 1992, the tribals of the village made no attempts to save the trees because they believed that the trees belonged to the forest department and hence they have no rights to interfere in illegal logging but soon they realised that positive intervention is necessary. The villagers then appointed a chowkidar who looks after jungles, spread in a radius of 4 km. The chowkidar is assisted by two people from the village, alternatively, for resisting the illegal loggers of the area. "This jungle is our life. I am guarding it for the last 15 years. I usually work in the morning and evening with two other people who carry bows and arrows. The aim is to save trees for villagers and animals," said Dillu, the 50-year-old guard. Once a month all the villagers gather and discuss the current situation. "If we get any information of tree logging the whole village gathers and chases away the loggers," said Dillu. "The village has set an example in the area. The work done by Kakrana village is remarkable. We are planning to raise the village as a role model," said RS Sikarwar, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Alirajpur.

Drop in rainfall may hit Bengal rice transplantation

Delayed transplantation may affect productivity and quality of the crop. A near 25-40 per cent drop in rainfall in the key rice growing districts of Gangetic West Bengal so far during this year is likely to impact the paddy transplantation activity this kharif season. Transplantation is the process of transferring seedlings, which are grown in seed-beds, into the field soaked with plenty of water. Typically, the process of transplantation begins by July 10. According to a senior official in the State agriculture department, nearly 10-15 per cent of paddy transplantation is usually achieved by this time of the year. However, this year, transplantation has been lower in most paddy producing parts of the State. “Only five per cent of the transplantation work has taken place at Burdwan while in Birbhum and Nadia, it is still lower at just about 1-2 per cent,” the official told Business Line. West Bengal produces about 14.5 million tonnes of paddy each year in three seasons — aus, aman and boro.

The kharif paddy (aus and aman) output accounts for about 70 per cent of paddy production in the state. Delayed transplantation could affect the productivity and quality of the crop. Lower Rains Burdwan – considered to be the rice bowl of the State received 25 per cent lower rains than average this year. Rainfall has also been lower by 39 per cent in Birbhum, 31 per cent in Nadia and 27 per cent in Hooghly, according to a data provided by Express Weather. These four districts are considered to be high productivity areas in terms of paddy cultivation. The districts of North 24-Parganas, Murshidabad, Bankura, Malda, East Midnapur, West Midnapur, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Howrah are considered to be medium productivity areas. Except for Bankura, North 24 Parganas and North Dinajpur, rainfall is lower by 20-40 per cent in the other districts falling under the medium productivity areas. Production The State Government has targeted to sow paddy on close to 42 lakh hectare in 2013-14, similar to last year’s level. However, the State expects to produce two per cent higher crop at around 110 lakh tonne this year as compared to 108 lakh tonne of aman paddy last year. “If the rainfall improves then we expect a higher yield and better crop this year,” he said. Anxious Farmers Meanwhile, farmers in the State, who had suffered huge losses in 2012 due to crash in open market price of paddy (below the minimum support price

levels) and poor procurement by rice mills at the support price, are keeping their fingers crossed to get better prices for their produce this year. The Centre has hiked the minimum support price for common grade paddy by Rs 60 a quintal to Rs 1,310 for 2013-14 (July-June). “Currently we are getting close to Rs 1,380 in the open market. We just hope that the rains improve so that we can get a better crop and sell them at good prices this year,” said Salauddin Mullah, a farmer of Boromuriya village in Burdwan district of West Bengal. 2-day sugar technologists meet in Chennai The South Indian Sugarcane and Sugar Technologists’ Association (SISSTA) will hold its 43rd annual convention in Chennai during July 26-27. The event comprises a 2-day seminar and an exhibition. Several industry leaders are expected to participate including R. V. Vatnal, President SISSTA; A. Vellayan, Murugappa Group; M. Manickam, President, South Indian Sugar Mills Association; Ram Tyagarajan, Thiru Arooran Sugars; and Palani G. Periasamy, Dharini Sugars and Chemicals. Mahesh Kasirajan, Director of Sugar, and Tamil Nadu Cane Commissioner and Benhar Mahesh Dutt Ekka, Commissioner of Sugar and Cane for Andhra Pradesh, will deliver special address. Rajshree Pathy, Rajshree Sugars and Chemicals, will be felicitated. In the technical sessions, experts will present papers and discusstechnical issues relating to cane and sugar, including cogeneration and engineering aspects. Rubber supply squeeze, price hike force tyre makers to look at imports The tyre industry is looking at import of rubber on account of the squeeze in domestic availability and rise in prices.

The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) pointed out that the domestic rubber prices are ruling 26 per cent more than international prices and even at these levels, the required quantity and grade of natural rubber is not available. According to the association, the imports contracted now will be arriving only in August or September and that might trigger an unwarranted backlash from rubber producing interests. In a communication sent to Union Commerce Minister, Chairman of ATMA Anant Goenka, pointed out that tyre companies have no other option but to import natural rubber in the present circumstances. This disclosure, in advance, about imports is to ward off any allegations (as in the past) that rubber imports by tyre companies are meant to depress the domestic rubber market, he said. “We trust the Government would appreciate the compulsion of rubber consumers for import as it is warranted by the current situation of serious shortfall between domestic rubber availability and demand”, he said. Meanwhile, the Rubber Board has called for a meeting of stakeholders at Kottayam on July 24 to “assess the gravity of the situation”. In view of extremely limited availability of rubber and its spiralling prices, tyre companies are finding it difficult to maintain production schedules, ATMA said. The tyre Industry accounts for nearly 2/3 {+r} {+d} (65 per cent) of total rubber consumption in India. While domestic production/availability falling short of consumption during lean production season (Feb-Sept) is an expected trend, the prevailing situation of scarcity in the domestic market is unprecedented, Goenka added.

In July, the domestic prices have gone up from Rs 181 to Rs 192, a sharp increase of Rs 11 in a short span of 19 days. On the other hand the international prices have come down from Rs 164 to Rs 153 in the same period. ATMA, therefore, requested for maintaining a strategic reserve of an essential industrial raw-material such as rubber. They pointed out that Chinese Government maintains a reserve of rubber to meet the uncertainties in rubber availability and ensure that tyre manufacturing operations remain unhindered. ATMA has also reiterated that the Government may allow import of NR on a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) basis to ease the domestic availability situation. Such a dispensation was granted in January 2011, when domestic availability position warranted imports and 40,000 tonnes was allowed at a concessional rate of customs duty. Poor demand cools down groundnut oil

On the back of almost nil demand, groundnut oil price declined by Rs 10 a tin. Cotton oil also declined . According to market sources, buyers are waiting for more downfall in edible oil. At Rajkot, groundnut oil loose was traded at Rs 965-970 for 10 kg, Jamnagar line telia tin price was quoted at Rs 1,490-1,491 for 15 kg. Groundnut oil new tin declined Rs 10 to Rs 1,705-1,710. A retailer said that prices declined in the past few days but still demand was very weak. On the other hand, bulk buying from mills were also almost nil. A miller said that since last two weeks, peanut export demand was very dull so maximum stock was diverted to the mills for crushing which is pressurising the groundnut oil price. Cotton oil wash lost Rs 5 to Rs 610-613 for 10 kg while cotton oil new tin was down by Rs 10 to Rs 1,080-1,090 for 15 kg. About 8-10 tankers of cotton oil were traded from mills. Spot rubber improves Spot rubber improved despite declines in domestic futures on Tuesday. Major manufacturers were reported to be buyers up to Rs 195 a kg for RSS 4 . The commodity moved up even further on panic covering purchases as supply concerns continued to haunt the overall sentiments. Sheet rubber flared up to Rs 198 (Rs 194), according to traders. The grade improved to Rs 195 (Rs 193.50) both at Kottayam and Kochi as reported by the Rubber Board. August futures weakened to Rs 191.35 (Rs 195.96); September Rs 181.48 (Rs 185.60); October Rs 170.90 (Rs 175.35); November Rs 163.43 (Rs

166.80) and December to Rs 163 (Rs 166.06) on the National Multi Commodity Exchange. July futures closed at ¥249.5 (Rs 149.16) on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange. Spot rubber rates/kg were: RSS-4: 198 (194.00); RSS-5: 190 (188); Ungraded: 180 (177); ISNR 20: 180 (177) and Latex 60%: 162 (158). Rise in poppy seed prices likely as court extends stay on imports Supply squeeze following a Court stay on import of poppy seeds from a major supplying country appears to be pushing up the prices in the domestic market as the demand is claimed to have outstripped the supply. Upcountry trade sources told Business Line that “there were no imports from April while other origin crops would become available only from September”. The indigenous production is claimed to be very small at a time when the country’s annual demand is pegged at around 30,000 tonnes. As a result, they said, “huge shortages are likely leading to an upsurge in the prices in the coming days raising the prices even to a level of Rs 600 a kg”, they claimed. The trade said the stay by the Allahabad High Court on imports has been extended and, hence, is still in force and that might lead to further squeeze in supply. The High Court, by its order dated July 19, 2013, has directed that “the case be listed for the appropriate Bench on August 8, 2013. “Interim order earlier granted shall remain in operation till then”.

The Allahabad High Court had earlier issued an interim direction on May 16, 2013 to the Union Government and three others on a PIL that “the respondents not to allow any import of white poppy seeds from Country ‘X’ till the next date of listing, notwithstanding any licence or registration of any import sale contract. “The matter will be listed on July 1, 2013 for further orders”. The court then observed that “there would be no legitimate domestic production of that country available for import till July, 2013 i.e., the next harvest season”. India produced an estimated 18,374 tonnes of poppy seeds in 2012 and against this it is estimated to be around 4,400 tonnes in 2013 following reduction in area. Availability, according to the trade, during the period from May 2012 to April 2013 was estimated at 10,576 tonnes. The Indian Narcotic Control Board (NCB), Gwalior, is said to have granted permits for cultivating in 5,700 hectares (ha) only this year against 24,000 ha last year. Indian exports of alkaloids are to the US, Europe and Japan. During 2010-11, the country exported 1,500 tonnes to the US, whereas in 2012-13, the US would purchase only 500 tonnes. Japan also has reduced purchase from India from 1,200 tonnes to 400 tonnes, they said. Given the “reduction in sales of opium alkaloids during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014, the NCB has reduced cultivation ‘Patta by 80 per cent.’ While Pattas for cultivation of poppy in 2011-2012 were for 24,000 hectares, it is

now reduced to 5,700 ha in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014; only 20 per cent of last year”, trade sources said. Neera extraction: Karnataka to amend Excise Act The Karnataka Government has decided to amend the Excise Act, which prohibits the ban on extracting ‘Neera’ to make it a money spinner for coconut farmers in the State. The Coconut Development Board in a statement here said Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had stated this in the budget declaration related to the activities of the Government on coconut. In addition to Neera, value-added products from Neera such as palm syrup, palm jaggery and palm sugar also would be promoted, he added. For this purpose, Rs 1 crore has been allocated for Coconut Producers Company to be formed with 25 per cent contribution towards share/investment capital. As many as five coconut parks will be established in the State for the production of value-added coconut products from Neera. Expert panel report on GM crops is anti-science, says industry Bouquets as well as brickbats greeted the Supreme Court-appointed Technical Expert Committee’s (TEC) report, which recommended withholding of field trials of genetically-modified (GM) crops till the gaps in the regulatory system were addressed. Incidentally, one of the six members of the TEC — R.S. Paroda — is supposed to have made a direct submission to the Supreme Court, which has not been made public.

Terming the report as regressive and biased, The Association of Biotech Led Enterprises (ABLE) said the TEC recommendation was a troubled treatise that promised to push the country’s agriculture into an archaic age. “The industry believes the TEC report, besides being incomplete, is also anti-science and anti-research and will severely dent the future of country’s farmers besides destroying the domestic private and public sector research…This recommendation, if accepted by the Supreme Court, will put our agricultural research back by decades and will severely hamper progress,” Ram Kaundinya, Chairman, ABLE AG, said in a statement. “This report by four members of TEC can’t be considered complete as R.S Paroda’s submission directly to the Supreme Court is yet to be made public,” N. Seetharama, Executive Director, ABLE AG, said Reiterating its recommendation made in its interim report, the TEC said there should be a moratorium on field trials for Bt in food crops (those that are directly used for food) intended for commercialisation (not research) until there is more definitive information from sufficient number of studies as to the long term safety of Bt in food crops”. On the herbicide tolerant (HT) crops, TEC said “HT crops would most likely exert a highly adverse impact over time on sustainable agriculture, rural livelihoods, and environment. The TEC finds them completely unsuitable in the Indian context.” Also, on the genetic-modification of crops for which India is a centre of origin such as rice, brinjal, mustard etc, the TEC recommended “that release of GM crops for which India is a centre of origin or diversity should not be allowed”.

Welcoming the report, the Coalition for GM Free India has written to the Prime Minister urging that the Government act upon on the recommendations of TEC. These recommendations are science-based and well-reasoned. Therefore, we urge the Government of India to accept the well-reasoned, reasonable and sound recommendations of the TEC and to start overhauling the process of modern biotechnology regulation in India. “Vested interests should not be allowed to prevail and prevent the acceptance of this report which is based on sound science, justice and the principle of sustainability. “We look forward to the Union of India accepting these recommendations in the Supreme Court and ensuring the delivery of justice,” the Coalition said. Traders divided over chana prospects

Amid slack demand and absolute decline in buying support, chana prices in Indore mandis tumbled to a new low with chana (kanta) declining to Rs 2,850-2,900 a quintal. Chana (desi) also declined to Rs 2,600-2,700, while chana masumi ruled at Rs 3,300, chana (vishal) at Rs 2,700-2,800, while Kabuli Bitki ruled at Rs 2,800-2,900. According to a section of traders, stockists and farmers unmindful of large stock of imported chana from Australia lying on the Mumbai port had

stocked up chana with them in a large quantity hoping to sell it when prices would go as high as Rs 4,000 a quintal. According to Prakash Vora, an Indore-based chana trader, existing conditions, weak demand, huge domestic stock and large stock of chana with the NCDEX, may lead to further fall in chana prices. It would not be a surprise, if chana prices in the coming days slip to as low as Rs 2,750 a quintal, he added. However, according to another trader Sanjay Agrawal, it is speculators who have brought down chana prices to such a low purely with a motive to book profit at higher rate in the coming days. According to him, chana prices have already touched a record low and its prices may see a rebound from its current level in the coming days. However, given huge stock of domestic as well as imported Australian chana on Mumbai port and bumper production of dollar chana (chickpea) in the country this year and use of dollar chana as a substitute for the manufacturing of ‘besan’, majority of traders here do not support any bullish trend in chana prices in the coming days. Chana dal (average) in Indore mandis was at Rs 3,400-25 , chana dal (medium) at Rs 3,500-25 while chana dal (bold) declined to Rs 3,800-25. Dollar chana ruled steady at Rs 3,800-4,400 on subdued demand. On the other hand, weak export demand, dragged dollar chana prices by Rs 100 a quintal in the past one week. On Tuesday, dollar chana (42/44 count) in container ruled at Rs 5,500-25 , 44/46 count at Rs 5,300-25, 46/48 count at Rs 5,100-25, while dollar chana (58/60 count) ruled at Rs 3,600-25 a quintal. Arrival of dollar chana on Tuesday declined to 7,000-8,000 bags.

Edible oils slip on selling pressure

Weak sentiment continued in edible oils market on Tuesday on poor physical demand and bearish futures. Due to heavy rain in the city, transportation services were disturbed and brokers - traders stayed away from fresh activities. Good prospects of higher kharif oilseed crops and weak closing of Malaysian palm oil futures weighed on sentiments. In Mumbai, with a thin volume about 150-200 tonnes in palmolein during the day, activities remained subdued. Rapeseed and cotton oil dropped by Rs 3 and Rs 5 for 10 kg each . In local market during the day resellers offloaded about 150-200 tonnes of palmolein at Rs 525-526 for ready delivery. Towards the day’s close, Liberty was quoting palmolein at Rs 533 ex JNPT for August and Rs 535 ex Shapur, super palmolein Rs 570 for July-August and super deluxe Rs 590. Ruchi quoted palmolein at Rs 535 for July to September, soyabean refined oil Rs 640 upto September and sunflower refined oil Rs 810 for July-August. Allana was quoting palmolein at Rs 532-535 and super palmolein Rs 570. Gokul’s rates were Rs 535 for palmolein for July.

Soyabean arrivals were about 1-1.10 lakh bags and its prices were Rs 3,300-3,400 ex mandi and Rs 3,450-3,470 for plant delivery. Mustard seeds arrivals were 75,000 bags and the prices were Rs 2,950-3,550. Malaysia BMD crude palm oil’s August contracts settled lower at MYR 2,346 (MYR 2,355), September at MYR 2,285 (MYR 2,296) and October at MYR 2,258 (MYR 2,272) a tonne. The Bombay Commodity Exchange spot rates (Rs/10 kg) : groundnut oil 980 (980), soya refined oil 640 (640), sunflower exp. ref. 745 (745), sunflower ref. 805 (805), rapeseed ref. oil 680 (683), rapeseed expeller ref. 650 (653) cottonseed ref. oil 635 (640) and palmolein 525 (525). Limited supply, higher demand boost pepper

Pepper prices – both futures and the spot – moved up on tight supply situation and the consequent limited activities. Karnataka, which was offering at Rs 390-395 a kg delivered anywhere in India, has raised its price to Rs 400-405 , market sources told Business Line. Primary dealers said dealers from Tamil Nadu were buying from the doorsteps of growers in Idukki at terminal market prices on cash and carry basis. Add to these, there were reports of firmer market in Vietnam where the stocks have been depleted to a great extent, they said. It has raised its

price for V Asta to $6,775 a tonne (fob) while Indonesia was offering at $6,600 (fob). Sri Lanka has also raised its price for GL 525 pepper to $5,900 (fob) Colombo and 500 GL to $5,850 (fob). These reports have also aided the price rise. Arrivals continued to be very thin and today only five tonnes of pepper arrived and seven tonnes were traded. Following raising of the matching margin from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 by the India Pepper and Spice Trade Association (IPSTA) the Forward Markets Commission has permitted it to raise the daily price band (fluctuation) to Rs 1,000 from Rs 500 a quintal and that is expected to come into force from tomorrow, sources said. Aug, Sep and Oct contracts on the NMCE increased by Rs 296, Rs 608 and Rs 146 respectively to the last traded price (LTP) of Rs 40,900, Rs 41,200 and Rs 40,520 a quintal. Total open interest decreased by 14 tonnes to 97 tonnes while total turn over went up by 11 tonnes to 38 tonnes. Spot prices shot up by Rs 300 to close at Rs 38,300 (ungarbled) and Rs 40,300 (garbled) a quintal on tight supply amid good demand. Indian parity in the international market was at $6,950 (c&f) for Europe and $ 7,200 a tonne (c&f) for the US, following weakening of the rupee against the dollar. According to an overseas report today, Vietnam's market is steady/firm largely as a result of reports of heavy shipments during the first half of the year, which include imports and re-exports. Indonesia is releasing limited quantities of new crop. Buyers are reportedly watching closely. Stocks in Brazil are very thin, and shippers have not made aggressive new crop offers so far.

Upcountry orders keep turmeric stable

Spot turmeric prices were stable as some traders received upcountry orders. Because of the arrival of medium quality hybrid turmeric, all the 75 bags of hybrid finger variety were sold, but the price has not improved and remains at Rs 7,200 a quintal. At the Erode Turmeric Merchants Association sales yard, the finger variety was sold at Rs 3,799-6,573; the root variety Rs 3,596-5,850 a quintal. Salem Hybrid Crop: The finger variety fetched Rs 5,895-7,200; the root variety Rs 5,416-6,189. Of the arrival of 633 bags, 210 were sold. At the Regulated Market Committee, the finger variety was sold at Rs 5,589-6,714; the root variety Rs 5,009-6,044. Of the 148 bags arrived, 145 found takers. At the Erode Cooperative Marketing Society, the finger variety quoted Rs 5,211-6,734; the root variety Rs 5,119-6,112. Of the 517 bags arrived, 508 were sold.

At the Gobichettipalayam Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Society, the finger variety fetched Rs 5,261-6,371; the root variety Rs 4,899-5,939. All the 156 bags were traded. Slack retail buying dissolves sugar

Sugar prices ruled flat on sluggish retailers’ demand due to heavy rain. Due to disturbed train and other transportation services, presence of buyers and retail brokers were thin. Domestic futures market remained range-bound volatility as in physical market supply outstrips demand, said observer. A Vashi-based wholesaler said “due to heavy rain in city from the morning, most of the retail brokers and buyers stay away from the market as transportation services were affected. Volume was thin with need-base purchases. Less than expected demand from retailers – bulk consumers despite Ramzan and ample supply from mills in local market kept activities routine since start of the month. No one wants to take risk of bulk buying as market carries more than sufficient physical stocks. In near futures

sentiment will remain subdued or weak till new month’s demand give any positive cues.” In Vashi market, arrivals were about 64-65 truck loads (of 100 bags each) and local dispatches were restricted to about 58-60 truck loads. Vashi market currently carries inventory of about 124-125 truck loads. On Monday, about 15-16 mills sold 38,000-40,000 bags to local traders at Rs 2,930-3,000 (Rs 2,930-3,000) for S-grade and Rs 3,030-3,220 (Rs 3,030-3,220) for M-grade. Bombay Sugar Merchants Association's spot rates: S-grade Rs 3,064-3,142 (Rs 3,064-3,142) and M-grade Rs 3,192-3,321 (Rs 3,192-3,321). Naka delivery rates: S-grade Rs 3,020-3,080 (Rs 3,020-3,080) and M-grade Rs 3,130-3,220 (Rs 3,130-3,220). Range-bound trading seen in wheat futures

Wheat futures market may rule range-bound while dara wheat in physical market may rule flat in coming days, said market experts.

Moderate buying kept dara wheat and flour prices unaltered, said Radhey Shyam, a trade expert. Only need-based buying is taking place and any major fluctuation in the prices is unlikely at present, he added. In the physical market, dara wheat prices ruled flat and sold at Rs 1,470-75 a quintal. Mill delivery was at Rs 1,470 while delivery at the chakki was at Rs 1,475. Similarly desi wheat variety ruled flat at Rs 2,600-2,700. On the NCDEX, wheat for August contracts improved by Rs 4 and traded at Rs 1,570 with an open interest of 14,260 lots. The grain had touched a high at Rs 1,577 earlier in the day. August contracts went down by Re 1 and traded at Rs 1,575. In the spot market, after witnessing a fall on Monday, wheat spot prices on the exchange improved by Rs 2.5 and traded at Rs 1,485. Flour Prices Following a steady trend in wheat, flour too ruled flat and quoted at Rs 1,725. Similarly, Chokar ruled flat and sold at Rs 1,225 a quintal.

eFresh ties up with ICAAP to strengthen agri practices helping small farmers eFresh on Tuesday also launched another web portal www.efreshtenders.com which brings to one place all live tenders pertaining to agriculture, food processing eFresh Portal Private Limited, an information source for all stakeholders in the Indian food industry, has entered into a memorandum of understanding with IKP Centre for Advancement in Agricultural Practices (ICAAP), a non-profit organisation, for improving agricultural practices to benefit small farmers. eFresh also launched on Tuesday another web portal www.efreshtenders.com, which brings at one place all live tenders pertaining to agriculture, food processing and solar energy floated by governments, institutions and organisations. According to managing director Srihari Kotela, eFresh creates connectivity between suppliers and buyers through the online trading platform. It also links input suppliers with farmers, transporters, owners of packaging and storage facilities, food processing units, wholesalers and retailers. He told mediapersons that eFresh and ICAAP would together strengthen small farmers in terms of productivity through implementation of good agricultural practices by establishing farmers development centres (FDCs) and expanding the Rythu Ratham programme. Initially, Kotela said, five FDCs would be set up in the state at an estimated cost of Rs 10 lakh each. Subsequently, these centres would be established through the franchisee route. efresh earnings are mainly based on

subscriptions and advertisements. ICAAP chief executive officer, Abdul Rahman Ilyas, said the Rythu Ratham programme was helpful in providing various services like soil testing at the doorsteps of farmers. “ICAAP is keen to scale up this model,” he added. Pulses import bill to decline 25% on higher domestic output Pulses import hit the record at 4.02 mn tonnes in 2012-13, an increase of 15% from the level of 3.50 mn tonnes in the previous year India’s pulses import bill is set to decline 25 per cent this financial year due to a record domestic output and an unabated fall in prices globally. The fall in import will save around $730 million (Rs 4,350 crore) outflow. Pulses import hit a record 4.02 million tonnes (mt) in 2012-13, an increase of 15 per cent from 3.5 mt the previous year. But the import bill shot up 41.34 per cent to Rs 13,354 crore in 2012-13 from Rs 9,448 crore in the previous year. The sharp increase in the bill was attributed to a staggering 13.6 per cent depreciation in the rupee against the dollar. “This year, however, import is set to decline by a minimum 0.50 mt or 13 per cent of the entire import quantity on bumper output estimates from local sources. Coupled with that, pulses prices have fallen by at least 15 per cent since April. Accumulatively, this will lower pulses import bill by 25 per cent,” said Bimal Kothari, vice-president of India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) and owner of Pancham International Ltd, a Mumbai-based pulses importer. The ministry of agriculture has set a target of 19 mt of pulses output for this year against 18.45 mt reported in the second advanced estimates on Monday. India’s 40 per cent pulses output comes from the kharif crop,

while the remaining from the rabi season. “The monsoon has been favourable so far with over 50 per cent of 36 meteorological sub-divisions has reported normal to excess rainfalls. Given that the trend continues in the rest of the period this monsoon season and estimates for supportive soil moisture for rabi sowing, pulses output in India may comfortably hit the record target of 19 mt,” said Pravin Dongre, president of IPGA and chief executive of the Indian subsidiary of Glencore, one of the world’s largest commodity trading companies.

Domestic as well international prices of pulses have slumped 15-20 per cent in the last three months. All varieties of pulses have fallen. Chana, for example, has plunged to Rs 2,700 a quintal from Rs 3,000 a quintal in April. Tur and urad have also declined proportionately to trade at around Rs 3,200 a quintal.

Also, tur in Myanmar is quoted at $625 a tonne today, a decline of $125 from the level of $750 a tonne in April. Similarly, urad, chana and yellow peas are currently quoted at $525 a tonne, $470 a tonne and $400 a tonne, respectively, from $650 a tonne, $570 a tonne and $460 a tonne in April. Kothari emphasises to increase yield which has been stagnated at 650 kg/hectare in India against the world average of 1,800 kg / ha. For this, however, hybridisation is going on all across the country with research is in progress to scale up pulses yield.

Ban on onion exports won't impact domestic prices Horticulture body says prices to cool down in next few weeks A section of the Department of Agriculture feels export curbs on onions would have little impact on the prices of the commodity, as the price of Indian onions is more than prices abroad and exportshave shown a slowing trend. Officials said Indian onions were priced at about $480 a tonne in the international markets, while prices of onions from Pakistan and China stood at $410 a tonne and $300-350 a tonne, respectively. “Therefore, to expect an export ban on onions to have a major impact on domestic prices is unreasonable, as exports have already slowed because of the price differential,” said a senior official. In June, India exported about 1,50,512 tonnes of onions, a 23 per cent fall compared to May and a 9.01 per cent fall compared to April. In the April-June period, onion exports stood at 5,11,616 tonnes, worth Rs 776.47 crore, around 1.09 per cent less than in the corresponding period last year. In 2012-13, exports stood at 1.82 million tonnes. The official said domestic prices of onions were lucrative for traders and farmers. Therefore, the tendency to export was low. A recent report by the Nasik-based National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) said the current rise in onion prices was primarily due to the slow release of stored onions by farmers, especially in Maharashtra, in anticipation of better prices in the coming days. It added the situation would ease in the next few weeks, as farmers would be compelled to sell stored onions in the market, as losses would rise because of high humidity conditions in Maharashtra. "The arrival of the new

crop from Andhra Pradesh, which will start from August, will also ease the situation," NHRDF said. "The Ramzan season is underway in most parts of West Asia, a big market for Indian onions. Therefore, overall international demand is slack," said a

trader from a leading export house. According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, in the last month, the average retail price across the country had risen Rs 10-20 a kg. In areas such as Siliguri, Indore, Gwalior, Dehradun and Delhi, prices rose by about Rs 20 a kg in the last month. Alarmed by the sudden and sharp rise in retail price of onions, the government is believed to have been contemplating a ban

on exports as the option of increasing the Minimum Export Price (MEP) is no longer available as the method was scrapped last year. Few days back a PTI news report quoting an unnamed government official said that the government was keeping a close watch on onion prices and was considering various options including a ban on export to control prices. Total onion production in 2012-13is expected to be 15-16 million tonnes, almost the same as last year. Potato gains by 3%, on strong demand Speculators strengthened their positions, driven by strong demand in the spot market

Potato prices climbed by 3% to Rs 669.90 per quintal in futures market today as speculators strengthened their positions, driven by strong demand in the spot market. Tight stocks availability in physical market on less arrivals from producing belts due to heavy rains further supported the upsurge in potato prices. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, potato for delivery in September climbed by Rs 19.50, or 3% to Rs 669.90 per quintal in business turnover of 392 lots. Potato for delivery in August also jumped up by Rs 16.30, or 2.30% to Rs 725 per quintal in 425 lots. Market analysts said apart from rising spot market demand, tight stocks positions on less arrivals from producing regions mainly pushed up potato prices at futures trade. Chana extend losses, down by 0.7% on subdued demand Chana for delivery in September traded lower by 0.76% Chana prices fell by 0.78% to Rs 2,806 per quintal in futures trade today as speculators trimmed their positions, driven by subdued demand in the spot market against adequate supplies. At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, chana for delivery in August fell further by Rs 22, or 0.78% to Rs 2,806 per quintal with an open interest of 1,79,230 lots. Similarly, chana for delivery in September traded lower by Rs 22, or 0.76% to Rs 2,864 per quintal in 77,420 lots. Chana prices at futures trade remained under pressure due to subdued

demand at spot markets against adequate supplies from producing regions, market analysts said. Cardamom extend gains, up 0.6% on rising demand Cardamom for delivery in September edged up by 0.08% Amid rising demand in the spot market and restricted arrivals from producing belts, cardamom prices extended gains for the second straight day by rising 0.60% at Rs 765.60 per kg in futures trade today. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, cardamom for delivery in August gained Rs 4.60, or 0.60%, to Rs 765.60 per kg in business turnover of 1,180 lots. Similarly, cardamom for delivery in September edged up by 60 paise, or 0.08% to Rs 785 per kg in 269 lots. Market analysts said besides rising demand in the spot market, tight supplies on less arrivals from producing region, mainly influenced cardamom prices at futures trade. Mentha oil up 0.9% on strong industrial demand Tight stocks availability in the physical market due to less arrivals from producing region supported the uptrend Mentha oil prices rose 0.92% to Rs 903 per kg in futures trading today as speculators enlarged their positions, tracking a firm trend at spot market on strong industrial demand. Tight stocks availability in the physical market due to less arrivals from producing region further supported the uptrend. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, mentha oil for delivery in August gained Rs 8.20, or 0.92%, to Rs 903 per kg in business turnover of 160 lots.

Similarly, the oil for delivery in July moved up by Rs 7.80, or 0.88% to Rs 890.50 per kg in 273 lots. Market analysts said the rise in mentha oil at futures trade was mostly attributed to strong demand from consuming industries in the spot market amid lower arrivals from Chandausi in Uttar Pradesh mainly led to rise in mentha oil prices at futures trade Crude palm oil up 0.1% as demand picks up Crude palm oil for delivery in August edged up by 0.08% Crude palm oil prices moved up by 0.18% to Rs 503.60 per 10 kg in futures market today as speculators enlarged their positions, driven by a rise in demand in the spot market. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude palm oil for delivery in July moved up by 90 paise, or 0.18%, to Rs 503.60 per 10 kg in business turnover of 52 lots. Similarly, the oil for delivery in August edged up by 40 paise, or 0.08%, to Rs 498 per 10 kg in 127 lots. Market analysts said increased positions created by speculators following rising demand in the spot markets, mainly helped crude palm oil prices to trade higher at futures trade.