Think India Foundation

Bengal plans to raise onion output

KOLKATA : Availability of locally produced onions in West Bengal is set to improve starting this year.

A vendor arranges onions at a wholesale vegetable market in Kolkata

The State Government is planning to supply seeds at subsidised rates to farmers to grow onions in the kharif season (June-end October). Read more

Source : www.thehindubusinessline.com

Tea-coffee war brewing, national drink tag at stake

New Delhi : An intense rivalry brewing between India's tea and coffee sectors, as each vied for national drink status, has been simmered by the commerce ministry as it took the decision to not promote one drink over the other. 

Tea promoters were left with an especially bad aftertaste as a parliamentary standing committee on commerce had recommended national status for tea. The panel had said the recognition would help the export market for the beverage. Read more

Source : www.hindustantimes.com

Rice at Re.1 per kg for poor families in Karnataka

Bangalore : 

Thirty kg of rice per month will be sold at Re.1 per kg for BPL (below poverty line) families across Karnataka from June 1, newly sworn-in state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced here Monday.

"The subsidised rice scheme will benefit 9.82 million (98 lakh) BPL families living in rural and urban areas and will cost the exchequer Rs.460 crore (Rs.4.6 billion)," Siddaramaiah told reporters at Vidhana Soudha soon after assuming office. Read more

Source : www.business-standard.com 

Water crisis: Eateries leave citizens hungry in Kochi

KOCHI: Lunch was not a very sumptuous affair for employees and the public in general who depend on city eateries on Tuesday. In fact, many had no choice at all as a majority of restaurants in the city downed their shutters due to water shortage.

Around 60% of the 1,800 restaurants, including small and medium ones, remained closed till 3 pm. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Book to promote NE cuisine industry released

GUWAHATI – North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India is looking towards developing the cuisine industry of the region that is unique in flavour and taste and also boasts of an exceptional cookingprocedure.

As a step towards promoting the region’s cuisine, the NEZCC has published ‘Food Trail: Discovering Food Culture of Northeast India’ - a first-of-its-kind anthology on food culture of Northeast India. Read more

Source : www.assamtribune.com

Haryana may shift fair price shops to civic bodies

CHANDIGARH: In a bid to improve the public distribution system in Haryana, the state government is mulling to shift the privately-owned fair price shops to civic bodies and panchayati raj institutions.

The proposal has been made with the plan to target nearly 12 lakh BPL card holders and beneficiaries of Antyodaya scheme. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

8-16-hour power outages, water cuts cripple industry, trigger protests

Mumbai : Even as India is gearing up to face the hottest month of the season, power outages and water shortages in various states seem to be having a crippling effect on the food processing industries in the country.

The gravity of the situation can be gauged by the protests and agitations being launched in various parts of the country. While Uttar Pradesh has seen protests against power cuts by Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal in Kanpur and Kashi Biscuit and Confectionery Vyapar Mandal and Yuva Kashi Biscuit and Confectionery Vyapar Mandal in Varanasi recently, Tamil Nadu has witnessed agitation against a similar situation by presentation of memorandum by Tamilnadu Foodgrains Merchants’ Association (TFMA) to state chief minister J Jayalalitha in the first week of April. Read more

Source : www.fnbnews.com

Normal monsoon to boost growth

NEW DELHI: The forecast for normal monsoon rains have come as another shot in the arm for policymakers battling to reverse the growth slowdown in Asia's third-largest economy. Economists said the prospect of likely normal monsoon during June-September period augured well and should help boost growth, rural incomes and help in moderating stubborn food prices that have hovered around double-digits. 

The news comes close on the heels of softening global crude oil and gold prices, two of the country's largest imports, bringing temporary relief for the government trying to control a widening current account deficit ( CAD). "It will certainly help growth prospects and create potential for reduction in food prices," said D K Srivastava, chief policy adviser at Ernst & Young. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Empire of maladies: What ails urban India?

Politics, paani puri & pollution — almost anything can hold our health hostage. A map of India's top malaises

 

Empire of maladies: What ails urban India?

The northern and southern most states of the country are facing some trouble in their head and heart. Over 55 per cent of the population suffers from some form of mental trauma in Kashmir, owing to decades of political turmoil. In Chennai, the prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease — one of the leading causes of death globally — is 11 times higher today than it was in the 1960s. And there we have it. Though middle class, urban India growing at a phenomenal rate (in three years, there'll be 53.3 million such households), invests generously in the wellness industry — pegged at Rs 49,000 cr — the rampant lack of well-being in our cities is surprising. Mirror spoke to researchers, doctors and residents across India to examine this disconnect, and ask them a simple question — what ails us and why? The answers were wide-ranging. Some connections, such as that between oral cancer and tobacco were apparent, others like the one between air pollution and infertility we wouldn't have guessed. In each case, however, experts stressed that while solutions are at hand, implementation through improved healthcare facilities and individual care is needed. Read more

 

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

The Arriving Millions

Multitudes have to be connected to modernity for our great leap forward

A group of BPO recruits at a training session in Uttarakhand

It has become a cliche to speak of India as a land of paradoxes. The old joke about our country is that anything you say about India, the opposite is also true. We like to think of ourselves as an ancient civilisation but we are also a young republic; our IT experts stride confidently into the twenty-first century but much of our population seems to live in each of the other twenty centuries. Quite often, the opposites coexist quite cheerfully. One of my favourite images of India is from the last Kumbh Mela, of a naked sadhu, straight out of central casting, with matted hair, ash-smeared forehead and scraggly beard, a rudraksha mala around his scrawny neck and a distant gaze in his eyes, for all the world a picture of timeless other-worldliness, chatting away on a mobile phone.

Young Indians are growing into such a paradoxical India. What are the prospects for the expansion of the participative political space in tomorrow’s India, say over the next two decades? To me this desirable objective requires both growth and equity. It is happening, but there’s still a lot that needs to be done before we get there. Read more

Source : www.outlookindia.com

Vaddem lake fish not fit to eat: Kuvelkar

VASCO: Vaddem's residents have been warned against consuming any fish from the lake, where, a week ago, dead fish were found afloat. "The fish are not fit for human consumption," Dr Vikas Kuvelkar, health officer, Urban Health Centre, Vasco, told TOI on Thursday.

He said the fish could have died due to lack of oxygen as the water is shallow and the temperatures are high, as well as the pollution caused by dumped wastes. Read more

Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

K'taka polls: Cong promises rice at Re 1 a kg, interest-free farm loan

The party is seeking to return to power after a gap of seven years

The Congress on Wednesday unveiled a series of promises to the citizens of Karnataka, including 1 kg rice at Re 1 with a maximum of 30 kg for below poverty line card holders, interest-free loans to farmers and free laptops to pre-university students, if it returns to power. Assembly elections are being held on May 5.

The party, which is seeking to return to power after a gap of seven years, has also promised to develop an 8-lane expressway between Bidar in the North to Chamarajanagar in the South to promote industrial development. Connectivity with major ports and airports, industrial townships, promotion of garments, textiles, engineering, automobile industries and creation of 5 million jobs are some of the other promises included in the party's pre-poll manifesto. Read more

Source : www.business-standard.com

Amity School students contribute to societal issues during "Youth Power 2012-13"

Noida (UP) (ANI): It was impressive to witness the youth of the country talking so passionately and vociferously about the issues afflicting our society -"Supporting senior citizens", "Banning plastics", "Sanitation and hygiene issues", "Respecting Heritage" and "Food Adulteration" during Grand Finale of "Youth Power 2012-13" at Amity University Campus, Noida.

"Youth Power" was launched in the year 2008 by The Global Times, Youth Newspaper of Amity Group with the mission to sensitize the youth towards social issues. Read more

Source : www.newstrackindia.com

The best days are behind the Fish Canteen in Bangalore

Cubbon Park has always meant different things to different people. To some, it is a colonial relic, to others a botanical treasure trove. A lovers’ glade to some and joggers’ park to others.

Serving of nostalgia: The Fish Canteen in Cubbon Park, run by the Karnataka Fisheries’ Development Corporation, was once the only place in Bangalore where one was guaranteed fresh fish. Photo: Karan Ananth

Through the late 1980s and 1990s, Cubbon Park was also the go-to place for fish lovers of the city, thanks to the Fish Canteen run by the Karnataka Fisheries’ Development Corporation. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

‘Urbanisation, unplanned growth main cause for BP’

BANGALORE : The Department of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday observed World Health Day, albeit on a small scale owing to the poll code of conduct which has been put in place.

A doctor examining a participant at a camp to mark World Health Day in Bangalore on Sunday. Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Following the theme set by the World Health Organisation — Blood Pressure or Hypertension, the programme for the day started off with a blood pressure camp. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

Pickles, papads, junk food raise risk of hypertension: Experts

MUMBAI: The urban Indian's diet, pickled with takeaways from fast-food joints and instant foods that are ready in a jiffy at the end of a long working day, could worsen the present epidemic of hypertension due to its high proportion of salt. In a city where every fourth adult is believed to have hypertension, experts said the focus should be on reducing salt intake in the daily diet. 

 

Around 21% of Indians are generally believed to have hypertension, while studies have shown that Mumbai's figure is higher at 25%. Read more 

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

National Food Security Bill to lead to massive PDS reforms, says KV Thomas

KOLKATA: Aiming to provide food security to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population along with a special focus on nutritional needs of children, pregnant and lactating women, the National Food Security Bill will lead to massive PDS reforms including doorstep delivery of food grains, end-to-end computerisation, leveraging "aadhaar", etc. 

National Food Security Bill to lead to massive PDS reforms, says KV Thomas

This was stated by Prof. K.V. Thomas,minister of state for consumer affairs, food and public distribution while addressing the special session on "India's food security and the second green revolution" at CII's annual general Meeting & National Conference on Wednesday. Read more

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com

Uproar in Maharashtra Assembly on development fund distribution

MUMBAI: Opposition members in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today took the government to task alleging bias in distribution of developmental funds forcing adjournment of the House for the day amid slogan shouting. 

Budgetary demands of food, civil supplies and consumer protection, public health, medical education and food and drug administration (FDA) were passed amid uproarious scenes. Read more

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com

Malnutrition high among urban poor children

COIMBATORE : Door-to-door survey conducted in 26 urban slums

A door-to-door survey by World Vision, a global development and advocacy organisation, in 26 urban slums of Coimbatore has revealed that nearly half the children in these localities suffer from some form of malnutrition. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

Cut salt intake, exercise to avoid high BP

Shruti Jain was a busy working mother juggling children, work and household chores with aplomb, until she suddenly collapsed in office one day. Diagnosed with a stroke, she had to undergo a six-month recuperation and paid a hefty fee at a private hospital.

Little did the 35-year-old marketing executive know that she had been suffering from hypertension, which had gone undetected for a long time, ultimately leading to the stroke she suffered. Read more

Source : www.dnaindia.com

Soon, all food outlets across the country to get hygiene rating

NEW DELHI: At his dhaba in south Delhi's Kidwai Nagar, Irfan has his cooks wash their hands before preparing dishes. Sweets are kept covered , he claims. As with most small eateries, Irfan's dhaba is not registered. 

All food outlets, from small dhabas to five-star hotels , will be graded according to their level of food hygiene and cleanliness.

Soon, outlets such as Irfan's may have to start complying with more stringent standards, with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) working on new norms on hygiene and cleanliness at food outlets across the country. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

India ready for a deal at World Trade Organization

NEW DELHI: India is willing to negotiate an agreement over trade facilitation at the World Trade Organization (WTO), provided the developed countries agree to its demand for talks on food security, a critical issue for poorer and even emerging economies. "We will agree to trade facilitation as much as we can but accommodation of food security is essential . We are prepared to discuss the details on food security," said a government official.

In fact, the government is trying to get other BRICS members on the same platform with commerce & industry minister Anand Sharma expected to raise the issue during the trade ministers' meeting in Durban on Tuesday. India is keen that the interests of the developing countries are not sidestepped by the US and the European Union since talks on the main Doha Round issues — agriculture, non-agricultural market access and services — are on the backburner , while the WTO leadership is pursuing a consensus on an Early Harvest Scheme at the Bali ministerial meeting scheduled for December. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

UPA exports wheat at Rs 1,700 crore loss to exchequer

NEW DELHI: At a time when the government is facing trouble maintaining its fiscal health and is set to add over Rs 1.25 lakh crore to its subsidy bill for providing food security to its poor, the UPA has burdened the exchequer further by exporting wheat at lower than its cost price — incurring an estimated loss of over Rs 1,700 crore.

The export date for wheat has now been extended till June 2013 to facilitate bulk sale as it has no storage space and the new procurement season is just ahead.

Sources in the finance ministry said the loss to the exchequer on account of exporting nearly 100 lakh tonnes of wheat at a subsidized rate has been estimated to be in the range of Rs 1,700 crore for 2012-13. The Cabinet had cleared export of wheat with subsidy, as the international prices were lower than the government's cost that includes procurement, storage and transportation. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Unhealthy India: Only proper planning can reverse worrying disease trends

Unhealthy urban lifestyles have emerged as a leading risk factor causing death and disability among Indians. “Non-communicable diseases and injuries are creating more strains on health as communicable diseases and maternal health problems become less threatening,” finds a new study.

The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors 2010 Study (GBD 2010) is a collaborative project led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington. Read more

Source : www.firstpost.com

No room for corruption in Tripura, says Minister

AGARTALA : Tripura Finance, PWD and Urban Development Minister Badal Choudhary said that the Left government has managed to be in power for long in the state because it encourages the public’s participation in its working for the state.

Speaking to the AMWJU team currently on a Tripura visit, the Minister said in the previous year, the state government’s main focus was on education, putting the state in the third spot on the state wise literacy rate in the country. Read more

Source : kanglaonline.com

Inflation in urban Maharashtra rises by 9.6%

MUMBAI: The increasing prices of milk, milk products, edible oils, vegetables and fruits have been responsible for the rising Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The average CPI for April to December 2012 increased by 9.6% for urban areas over the corresponding period the previous year, states the State Economic Survey. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Cabinet clears revised Food Security Bill

NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday approved the revised Food Security Bill to provide for uniform 5 kg of foodgrains per month per person at a highly subsidised price of Rs 1-3 per kg to two-thirds of the country's population.

 

Cabinet approves revised Food Security Bill

However, about 2.43 crore poorest of the poor families covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme under PDS would get legal entitlement to 35 kg of foodgrain per family per month. Read more 

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Kozhikode Corporation to set up makeshift eateries for hygienic food

KOZHIKODE: The city residents will get 15 more makeshift eateries to savour hot Malabar cuisines made in the most hygienic condition. 

City corporation had earlier rolled out a specially designed 'Thattukada' on an experimental basis at Pottammel. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Street food delight in Delhi marking Bihar Diwas celebration

PATNA: Street food delight in Delhi with a group of twenty street food vendors from different regions of Bihar started dishing out their cuisines in Delhi at Dilli Haat. 

This street food blast would continue till March 22 under the banner of National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) in joint collaboration with NGO 'Nidan'. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Karnataka set to reap bumper mango crop

Karnataka is in for a bumper mango harvest this year, with production expected to more than double at 700,000-800,000 metric tonnes, compared to 300,000 tonnes last year.

"Despite drought in a majority of the growing regions for the past two years, the state is set for a bumper crop this year as mango is a dry-land fruit and does not require irrigation. The moisture levels were good in most of the areas, though there was drought. However, the fruit size will depend on the rains in March or early April," S V Hittalmani, additional director (fruits and flowers), department of horticulture said. Read more

Source : www.business-standard.com

Milma set for a green revolution

KOZHIKODE: Milma is planning to diversify its business into the retail vegetable market in the state. The 'milkman of Kerala' will roll out its Milma Green brand of products on a pilot basis in Kozhikode next month. It also has plans to establish a chain of high-end vegetable outlets.

The pilot project will be implemented under the aegis of Malabar Rural Development Foundation, a trust formed by the Malabar Regional Co-operative Milk Producers' Union Ltd. Milma will procure vegetables and fruits grown by the members of milk cooperative societies in Wayanad. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Govt implementing scheme to augment foodgrains storage

Mumbai: The government is implementing the private entrepreneurs guarantee (PEG) scheme to augment the covered storage capacity through private entrepreneurs, central warehousing corporation (CWC) and state warehousing corporations (SWCs), according to the minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, K V Thomas.

While providing this information in Lok Sabha, Thomas said that the FCI guarantees to hire godowns constructed under this scheme for a period of ten years, thereby, ensuring for the investor, a fair return on his investment. A capacity of about 197 lakh metric tonne as on February 28, 2013 has been approved for the construction of godowns in 19 states out of which a capacity of 141.46 lakh metric tonne has been sanctioned for construction. A capacity of 46.88 lakh metric tonne has been completed. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

VMC refuses land to Amul-maker at special rates for garden milk parlours

Vadodara The plans of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) to set up dairy parlours at 11 public gardens in the city suffered a set back last week when the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) refused to grant it land at concessional rates.

Through a proposal late last year, the federation, which markets the products of popular Amul brand, had sought land from the VMC at concessional rates to set up Amul parlours and make dairy products available to visitors in the gardens. Read more

Source : expressindia.indianexpress.com

Stroke cases increased by over 50% in Punjab, say experts

Ludhiana : High fat in the diet, changed lifestyle and alcohol consumption are major contributers to a stroke which can also be called a brain attack. In the past 10 years, in Punjab alone, the number of patients has increased by more than 50% because of all these reasons and youngsters constitute a large number of them.

These points were discussed at the 8th National Stroke Conference organised by the department of neurology, Christian Medical College on Friday. Read more

Source : expressindia.indianexpress.com

West Bengal's first mega food park coming soon

The upcoming mega food park in West Bengal, first of its kind in the state, is likely to be ready by end of April this year, an official said.

The mega food park at Jangipur in Murshidabad district, promoted by the state government and five other private firms, was earlier expected to be operational by March. Read more

Source : newindianexpress.com

Most households in Rajasthan getting two meals daily: Survey

JAIPUR: Rajasthan has performed fairly well in providing two square meals in both rural and urban areas of the state. 

A survey "Perceived Adequacy Consumption in India of Food Household" released on Friday by the National Sample Survey (66th round) reports that almost each household in the state is getting two square meals throughout the year. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'Not a solution to urban poverty'

Experts studying urban poverty and inequal development have lauded the principle behind  Jayalalithaa government’s decision to open 1,000 subsidised tiffin centres to ensure nutrition for Chennai’s poor. But they have flagged a number of issues in the implementation of the plan, which has the potential to render the programme ineffective. Only if such issues are addressed can these tiffin centres effectively cater to the nutrition needs of the lower economic strata, they say.

The main impediment to the success of the tiffin centres is the government machinery itself, according to Professor SL Rao, the former Director General of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). “The principle of helping the poor and labourers with cheap food is a wonderful idea. To convert the idea into practice the government will have to procure and prepare in an efficient and hygienic manner. The process of handing over benefits to the poor is full of abuse, misuse and theft,” says Rao. “Given the experience in India, with the track record of poor implementation of such schemes, I am not in favour of the concept,” he adds. Read more

Source : newindianexpress.com

Chicken prices shoot up in Hubli

BELGAUM: It's not just onions that are expensive and moving out of kitchens. Chickens too. Broiler chicken has become expensive much to the irritation of non-vegetarians and chicken stall owners. With the hike in prices, the number of customers has come down drastically resulting in losses to chicken stall owners in the city. A couple of weeks back, a kg of chicken was Rs 140 to 150, now it is Rs 170 to 180.

Poultry farmers attribute this to shortage of birds, increase in the prices of poultry feed, and bird flu attack in Bangalore. Nearly two lakh chicken were culled durig the bird flu attack. In mid January, it was around Rs 140 per kg; it has sky rocketed to Rs 170 and Rs 180 over the past few days. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Price hike cut by 1, Nandini milk costs 27

BANGALORE: Realizing that the hike of Rs 4 per litre of Nandini milk was too steep, the Karnataka Milk Federation on Monday reduced it by Re 1, effective February 13. 

This follows a cue from chief minister Jagadish Shettar . A litre of Nandini milk in Bangalore now costs Rs 27. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Watermelons pip summer, arrive early in Chennai

CHENNAI: Watermelon, a fruit usually associated with summer, has already started to arrive in the city. The watermelon season, which usually starts only in April, is likely to last till June this year. 

Around 200 tonnes of watermelons in multiple consignments have been brought to the Koyambedu vegetable and fruit market each day over the past week. "At least 15 watermelon-laden trucks come to the city daily. Each truck carries at least 15 tonnes of the fruit," said V R Soundarajan, former executive member of Koyambedu Market Management Committee (MMC). Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Coimbatore hotels pass on hike to customers

COIMBATORE: The soaring rate of broiler chicken has begun to hit the non vegetarian platter in city households and restaurants. Chicken stalls on Wednesday were selling one kg of chicken for as high as Rs 170 as against the rate of Rs 140 two weeks ago. Some meat stalls are selling at Rs 180, claiming that prices have risen due to the increasing cost of poultry feed and the loss of several hatchlings that perished in the hot weather conditions in Western Tamil Nadu.

"Broiler chicken rates have gone up considerably since December. In mid January it was around Rs 140. It has sky rocketed to Rs 170 over the past few days. Rates were extremely low during November and December resulting in losses for broiler poultry farms and now it seems the price rise is to recover the losses incurred," said R Rajesh, Propreitor of RR Chicken Fresh, a poultry stall in Ukkadam. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

West Bengal should do more with farm products: Amit Mitra

Kolkata (IANS) : Expansion of production technology, setting up of food research centres and joint inter-ministerial initiatives are needed for proper growth and development of the agro-marketing industry in West Bengal, state Finance Minister Amit Mitra said here Thursday.

According to Mitra, the state needs to focus on development of value addition in food sector and substantially increase food processing plants for the growth of the agri-horticultural and food sector. Read more

Source : www.newstrackindia.com

Karnataka not to increase prices of milk

BANGALORE: State government appears to be in no mood to increase prices of Nandini milk.

Despite opposition Congress demand that milk prices needs to be increased by Rs 4 in order to bail out dairy farmers from financial slump, animal husbandry minister Revunaik Belamagi told the legislative assembly on Thursday that government would examine the proposal of hiking the prices. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Bihar aims to emulate Gujarat model in milk procurement

Inspired by the success of Gujarat's Amul which started the dairy movement in the country, Bihar has drawn up a five-year roadmap to become a major milk-producing state. Aiming to procure 44 lakh litres of milk daily, the dairy roadmap forms part of a comprehensive agriculture policy drawn up by the state for 2012-17.

"Bihar is working hard to successfully follow the Amul model of dairy," chief secretary Ashok Kumar Sinha told PTI. He said Bihar now holds the ninth position in the list of milk-producing states, Tamil Nadu being at the top. Verghese Kurien, the man behind Amul, laid the foundation of the Cooperative of Milk Production Federation (COMFED) in Bihar, which he visited twice. The managing director of COMFED, Harjot Kaur Bamhara, said that by the end of 2017, the state would be able to increase milk procurement to 44 lakh litre per day. Read more

Source : www.moneycontrol.com

Karnataka fish body opens one-stop shop for fish delights

Mysore : ‘Give a man a fish and you’ll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a life time.’ Inspired by this universally accepted saying, the Karnataka State Fish Cooperative Federation (KSFCF) has proposed about 100 restaurants in the state, keeping in mind the educated unemployed youth belonging to the inland fisherman’s community.

The first of its kind, KSFCF inaugurated their maiden store called ‘Matsya Darshini’ at Mysore. Designed on the concept of the ubiquitous ‘Darshinis’ in Bangalore, KSFCF appears to be hopeful of serving millions of fish-food lovers in Bangalore, Mandya, Chitradurga, Shimoga, Davanagere and other land locked districts. Read more

Source : www.dnaindia.com

Nabard unveils Rs 83,472 cr credit plan for Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has unveiled a credit plan of Rs 83,472 crore for the state in 2013-'14.

Chief minister Oommen Chandy released the plan, which registers a 22% growth over the previous year, at the state credit seminar here. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Mega Food Park scheme will benefit farmers and consumers alike, says government

MUMBAI: The Mega Food Park scheme launched by the Centre has received a good response with 13 hubs already under implementation, said Rakesh Kacker, secretary, ministry of food processing industries. He was addressing the 'National Summit on Mega Food Parks: An Investment Destination' in Mumbai Wednesday.

The Mega Food Park Scheme will be set up along the hub and spoke pattern. The core processing facilities will be located in a central area with processing plants at the periphery. One park will serve a cluster of three to four districts. The central processing centre will have dry warehouses, cold chain infrastructure and an irradiation centre not to mention facilities for sorting, grading and packaging. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

IIM-A's agribusiness programme rated no.1 for the second time

AHMEDABAD: The Post-Graduate Programme in Agri-Business Management (PGP-ABM) by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has been rated the number one globally for the second year in succession.

The programme has been ranked the best in agribusiness/food industry management global ranking by French business school ranking agency, Eduniversal. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Rajasthan residents least dependent on public distribution system

JAIPUR: The residents of Rajasthan is less dependent on the public distribution system for purchase of food items compared to most other states. A recent data released by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation reveals that households in the state purchase less of wheat, sugar and rice from the PDS shops and instead prefer to buy them from the open market and other sources. In rural areas, people are more dependent on the home produce and least on PDS shops. 

In a household survey, it has been revealed that PDS purchase of wheat/atta was quite low in Rajasthan and stands at just 12% of the total purchase. It has also been noted that in all the states where wheat is an important cereal, the urban areas in Rajasthan recorded the lowest consumption of PDS wheat with 6% and is only next to Gujarat (5%) and Bihar (2%). Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Rice hoarders will face tough action, warns govt

BANGALORE: The Karnataka government on Monday stepped in to check the rising price of rice and directed the deputy commissioners to monitor rice storage and take action against hoarders. 

Food, civil supplies and consumer affairs minister D N Jeevaraj told reporters here the price rise isn't benefiting farmers. "The DCs have been instructed to monitor storage at rice mills and APMC markets. If they have more rice than the permitted quantity, the district administration will seize the bags and initiate appropriate legal action,'' he said. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com