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Rs.1.91croretodistributefarmequipment
DHARMAPURI, December 28, 2013 ‐ Under the National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP), Rs. 1.91 crore has been allocated to distribute farm equipment to 399 farmers in the district in the current financial year, said K. Vivekanandan, District Collector here on Friday. Addressing at the monthly grievances redress meeting of farmers at the Collectorate Mr. Vivekanandan said that during the last two years 1,071 farmers were given farm equipment under the programme, and other schemes costing Rs. 3.19 crore. During the current financial year, 222 farmers were given farm equipments worth Rs. 85.40 lakh, including Rs. 34.39 lakh as subsidy. Sixty nine farmers were
given farm equipment, including tractors and harvesters, worth Rs. 60.25 lakh, including Rs. 23.63 lakh as subsidy. Mr. Vivekanandan said that the Chief Minister has announced Vision 2023 to double the agriculture production and treble the income of the farmers. Various schemes being implemented based on this policy in the agriculture sector, he added. Receiving the documents and key of the tractor, C. Vaiyapuri of Jammanaalli, said that he would use the tractors for removing weeds and digging irrigation canals on his land. He would give tractor for rent for agriculture purposes. P. Ramar, District Revenue Officer; K. Murugesan, Executive Engineer, Agriculture Engineering Department; K. Renuka, Joint Registrar, Cooperative Societies; representatives of farmers’ association participated in the meeting.
FarmersventtheirireatmeetingDINDIGUL, December 28, 2013 ‐ Owing to proper maintenance of goats, the number of lambs delivered by them in the district had risen to 30,000, said Collector N. Venkatachalam. Addressing an agriculturists’ grievance day meeting here on Friday, he said while the farmers had been taking good care of the goats, the Department of Animal Husbandry was giving the animals medical care. With effective preventive measures, foot‐and‐mouth disease was under control, he pointed out. Reacting to a complaint, the Collector warned of stern action against those who sunk borewells illegally. Farmers from Sirumalai hills complained that their crops were destroyed often by Indian gaurs and other wild animals. The Collector said trenches would be dug along the reserve forests to prevent entry of wild animals into agricultural lands.
Personal Assistant (Agriculture) to Collector A. Karthikeyan said the district received only 450.91 mm of rain, 47 per cent less than the annual average of 836 mm. As many as 2,065 rain‐fed tanks had completely gone dry, 95 per cent of the total 91,485 tanks in the district had turned dry and five per cent of wells had very little water that it could be pumped for an hour or two. If there was rain in January, agriculture officials would supply fertilizers and seeds to the farmers through extension centres, he added. Earlier, the officials explained various subsidy‐linked schemes to the farmers. Chellappa, a farmer from Oddanchatram, complained that subsidy was given only to those with big holdings. It was of no use to small and tiny farmers. The government guidelines were not followed properly by officials while disbursing subsidy, he charged. Horticulture Deputy Director P. Ramanathan refuted his claim saying the beneficiaries were selected in a proper manner for releasing subsidy. Reacting to their complaints, Mr. Venkatachalam advised farmers not to make complaints all the time. Such a habit would discourage officers who were sincere in their efforts and worked for the welfare of farmers.
FarmersgheraoofficialsERODE, December 28, 2013 ‐ Hundreds of farmers of Sathyamangalam area who have been affected by the disconnection of power to motor pumps attached to wells in patta lands along the embankments of Bhavani river gheraoed officials for over half an hour after start of the farmers’ grievances redress meeting here on Friday. The farmers who are dependent on water drawn from the wells through pipelines for irrigating fields to a distance of up to 20km said they have been pushed to a state of desperation due to the snapping of power connection to their motor pumps. They said their very survival would be at stake since their lands would dry up without water. The land they irrigated was not in the ayacut areas of Arakankottai and Thadapalli canals, the farmers said, explaining that disruption of water supply at a time when harvest of paddy, sugarcane, banana and turmeric crops was nearing would turn them into defaulters of loans they had taken from nationalised banks and private financiers for deepening wells and laying pipelines to their fields after fulfilling the norms of the Highways and other departments. They demanded that the disconnected lines to pump sets in 1,500 wells be restored. Officials maintained that the Public Works and Electricity Departments had disconnected the power lines to comply with a court order. District Revenue Officer S. Ganesh promised the farmers that their plight would be conveyed to the High Court and prevailed upon them to disperse. After the meeting resumed, representatives of farmers’ associations sought action by the district administration for letting water from the Bhavani Sagar Dam for second crop in Lower Bhavani Project canal’s ayacut areas. Representatives of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam and other forums wanted farm loans to be strictly streamlined through cooperatives. The farmers brought to the knowledge of the district administration, surreptitious drawing of water from the 59th mile of the LBP canal by lorries. The farmers requested for adequate compensation for those who had lost cattle due to Foot and Mouth Disease and pleaded for priority for the affected farmers in identification of beneficiaries under free cattle distribution scheme. They wanted the Animal Husbandry department to take preventive steps to stall outbreak of blue tongue disease in goats. The farmers wanted Rs. 10 more for buffalo milk and Rs. 5 more for cow milk.
� Farmers demand that power supply be restored � Officials say supply they are implementing a court order
Farmerswalkoutofmeeting,demandhigherpriceforcaneTHANJAVUR, December 28, 2013 ‐ State Advised Price for cane is Rs.100 less than last year’s price
IN NO MOOD FOR A COMPROMISE:Sugarcane farmers raising slogans demanding higher procurement price for sugarcane at the farmers' grievances meeting convened by Collector N. Subbaiyan in Thanjavur on Friday.— PHOTO: B. VELANKANNI RAJ Farmers of Thanjavur district staged a walkout from the monthly grievances day meeting here demanding increase in the procurement price of sugarcane to Rs. 4,000 a tonne. The Tamil Nadu Government, they
alleged, had betrayed them this year by announcing a State Advised Price (SAP) which was Rs.100 less than last year’s price. Last year, the Centre had fixed the “fair and remunerative price” (FRP) of Rs. 1,700 while the State government announced a SAP of Rs. 650 a tonne. In all, Rs. 2,350 per tonne was the price of sugarcane last year. This year, the Centre has fixed the FRP at Rs. 2,100 a tonne but the State government has reduced the SAP to Rs. 550, inclusive of the transportation cost of Rs. 100. Farmers would now get Rs. 2,650 a tonne. As the prices of fertilisers and other inputs had gone up, the procurement price was not adequate. “The State and Union governments should announce a price of Rs. 4,000 a tonne,” they said. Holding sugarcane in their hands, they staged a demonstration at the Collectorate. N. Subbaiyan, District Collector, who presided over the meeting, said samba paddy crop had been raised on 1,07,077 hectares of land in the district. Of this, directly sown area was 2,652 hectares of land. Samba harvest had begun in the district and had so far been completed on 262 hectares of land. Thaladi had been raised on 25,588 hectares of land. It had been planned to raise pulses this year on 43,000 hectares of land in the district. One hundred and fifty two tonnes of ADT3, ADT5, and Vamban three black gram seeds have been kept in the agriculture extension centres and distributed among farmers. Under seed village scheme, seeds are given at 50 per cent subsidy.
� State government reduced SAP by Rs. 100 this year � Farmers demand Rs. 4,000 per tonne of sugarcane
Protectcropsfromdisease,officialsadvisefarmersTIRUVARUR, December 28, 2013 ‐ Samba and thaladi crops in a matured stage in Tiruvarur district A total of 1.28 lakh hectares of land have been covered under samba cultivation during the current season in the district. Direct sowing was done on 70,264 hectares of land. Of the 58,148 hectares covered under transplantation method, 23,842 hectares were covered under conventional method and SRI
method of cultivation was adopted on 34,306 hectares, District Collector S. Natarajan said while addressing the farmers grievances day meeting here on Thursday. A total of 18,394 hectares of land had been brought under Kuruvai cultivation in the district during the current season — SRI method 12,176 hectares, direct sowing 274 hectares, and transplantation method 5,944 hectares. Thaladi transplantation has been completed on 18,358 hectares of land, — 8,693 hectares under conventional method and 9,665 hectares under SRI. The samba and thaladi crops are in an advanced matured stage. They are prone to some kind of disease. The Collector advised farmers to take up crop protection strategy by applying pesticides. The Collector said the district experienced a rainfall of 150.74 mm. so far in December, against a normal rainfall of 175.28 mm. Referring to the extension of financial assistance to farmers, Mr. Natarajan said the nationalised banks had targeted to extend crop loans to the tune of Rs. 1,81,138 lakh. Thanjavur District Central Cooperative Bank targeted to provide Rs. 6,500 lakhs worth crop loans, of which 5,062.10 lakh had been distributed to 17,755 farmers, Rs. 2,341 lakh as jewellery loans to 6,772 farmers. The Kumbakonam District Central Cooperative Bank targeted to extend Rs. 7,500 lakh as crop loan and had so far sanctioned Rs. 6,846.89 lakh to 20,762 farmers as crop loans, and Rs. 2,497.17 lakh as jewellery loan to 4,803 farmers. The government recently opened 62 direct procurement centres in the district in addition to 16 centres existing. During the kharif season, 2013‐14, 16,928 tonnes of paddy had been procured by these centres.
� Collector says samba cultivation taken up on 1.28 lakh hectares of land � There are 78 direct procurement centres in the district for paddy crop
Centralteam’svisitaneyewash:farmersCHITRADURGA, December 28, 2013 ‐ Expressing ire over the failure of the government in providing suitable compensation to farmers who incurred loss owing to scanty rainfall in the last four years, the farmers of Molkalmuru taluk opined that the Central team’s visit to review the situation is just eyewash. The taluk had not received ample rainfall in the last four years and the water sources including borewells had dried up. ‘No steps taken’ The Central team had not taken any steps to solve the problems of farmers even after submitting memorandums, the farmers said. They alleged that the authorities had not taken steps to include the taluk in the Upper Bhadra Project. Elected representatives make false assurances during elections and do not turn up after the polls. Zilla panchayat member H.T. Nagereddy alleged that the elected representatives had shown no keenness in convincing the Central team when it visited the taluk a few days ago. “The negligent attitude of the elected representatives during the visit of the Central team shows that they have no interest in addressing the problems of the people,” he said. Eshwariah Swamy, president of the district unit of Raitha Sangha, said farmers had lost hopes of getting compensation from the government based on the report of the Central team. He urged the authorities to take serious note of the drinking water problem in the taluk and to initiate steps to find a solution for them.
Farmersseekuninterruptedpowersupply
KAKKERA, December 28, 2013 ‐ Irate farmers lock up the main gate of the 33 KV distribution centre at Kakkera in Yadgir district on Friday in protest against the irregular supply of power to their irrigation pump sets. Hundreds of farmers from about eight villages in Surpur taluk locked the main
gate of the 33‐kV power distribution station at Kakkera for more than two hours on Friday, in protest against frequent power cuts that were affecting their agricultural activities. Demanding action Led by Mahadevappa Aski from Manjalapur, farmers from Rayagera, Godihal, Channapatna, Halabhavi, Devatkal, Konhal and Bachimatti, villages in Surpur taluk, staged a dharna outside the power distribution station, demanding uninterrupted power supply to save their withering crops. Standing crops of groundnut, paddy, cotton and others, in more than 1,000 hectares of land, had started withering due to water shortage. Farmers were unable to water their plants due to the failure of Gescom to provide uninterrupted power to pump sets. The Gescom officials had failed to keep their earlier word on providing uninterrupted power supply, they said.
FarmersseekstepstofilltanksalongHemavaticanalTUMKUR, December 28, 2013 ‐ Is there a policy to stop migration of farmers? asks MLA Legislator K.S. Puttannaiah has questioned the Union and the State governments if there were any policies that can help stop migration of farmers to cities and also prevent suicides among them. More than 2,000 farmers took out a protest march in Hebbur on Thursday demanding that the State government take steps to fill tanks along the Hemavati canal in the district. The canal is under repair and the district has not received its share of 25 tmcft of the river water. In view of this, they demanded that the river water be made available till February and also that coconut and arecanut growers be given compensation for crop loss. Addressing the agitators at Hebbur, Mr. Puttannaiah said that there was no policy to stop migration of farmers to cities. He said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was not an agricultural expert and IAS officers did not understand the problems of farmers. He said that there was no policy for the working class either. He said that governments waived thousands of crores of rupees of loans taken by industrialists and gave tax exemption to them but they have failed to provide irrigation facilities, power, seeds and fertilizers to farmers. He urged farmers to get united and fight for their rights. State president of the women’s wing of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Nandini Jayaram said that 23 per cent of the people living in villages are expected to migrate to cities by 2025 in the State. This could result in social, economic and cultural destruction of villages, she said. The government should think of keeping villages alive, as large‐scale migration of farmers could lead to scarcity of foodgrains, she said. On farmers’ suicide in Sira taluk in Tumkur district, she said that many farmers who had lost groundnut crops had committed suicide in Sira taluk. In 1994, the import tax on edible oils
was 74 per cent but in 2010, it has been reduced to 7.5 per cent. She alleged that the governments were “sacrificing the lives of farmers” by promoting imports. Working president of KRRS K.T. Gangadhar, State general secretary of KRRS Badagalapura Nagendra and district president of KRRS Govindaraju were present.
BengalgramfarmersonthewarpathONGOLE, December 28, 2013 ‐ They are seeking at least Rs.4,500 per quintal for their
produce Seeking their due:A farmer turns restive during a meeting to discuss the problems of Bengal gram growers in Ongole on Friday. Adversely hit by the EXIM policy, Bengal gram farmers in Prakasam district on
Friday constituted a committee to carry out a struggle to press for market intervention by the Central and State government marketing agencies offering at least Rs. 4,500 per quintal for their produce. With the price of the premium pulse crop plummeting to about Rs.3,000 per quintal, the farmers, who have grown hybrid varieties of Bengal gram, are saddled with over 14.5 lakh quintals in cold storages in the district. Extracting an assurance from Congress MLA from S.N. Padu B.N. Vijaykumar to lead a farmers’ delegation to Hyderabad coinciding with the Assembly session from January 3 to meet Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, the farmers at a meeting held on the Agriculture Market Committee premises resolved to stage demonstrations demanding imposition of anti‐dumping duties on Bengal gram imports. Adverse conditions Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham (APRS) district vice‐president K. Ramakoteswara Rao, who was elected general secretary of the new body, pressed for constitution of a commodity board under the Union Commerce Ministry on the lines of tobacco and spices boards to protect the farmers from adverse market conditions in the wake of indiscriminate imports from, among other countries, Australia, Canada, and Russia, and explore new markets abroad for the produce. Projected as an alternative to tobacco in view of the health hazards by the Union and State governments, the farmers took to cultivation of superior KAK2 and Mexican bold variety in over three lakh acres as it fetched a high Rs.7,500 per quintal in the year 2011. But there were no takers for the hybrid varieties of Bengal gram even at Rs.3,000 per quintal, explained APRS district secretary D. Gopinath. P. Venkata Chowdhary, who was elected general secretary of Bengal gram growers’ committee, the government should immediately release Rs.75 crore announced for market intervention and sanction further amounts for lifting the entire stock lying in 45 cold storage units in the district. The ruling Congress should take a “political decision” to rescue the distressed farmers, said Acharya N.G. Ranga Kisan Samstha secretary Ch. Seshaiah.
� APRS favours commodity board on the lines of tobacco and spices boards � Imposition of anti‐dumping duties on imports sought
NormsfordisbursementoffarmloansforrabirelaxedBERHAMPUR, December 28, 2013 ‐ Due to protest of peasants and different organisations norms for disbursement of agricultural loans for the rabi cultivation of Phailin cyclone‐hit farmers of Ganjam district have been relaxed. It may be noted that due to some newly imposed norms and rules the farmers of Ganjam district were facing problems in procurement of agricultural loans for the rabi crop after the destruction of kharif crop due to natural calamity. Acting on the directive of the State Cooperative Department, the Berhampur Cooperative Central (BCC) bank had insisted farmers to obtain encumbrance certificate from the office of the sub‐registrar while applying for rabi crop loan. This had become a major problem for most farmers who are in extreme mental stress due to the economic loss because of natural calamity. The government and administration have now accepted the demand of farmers and have decided not to press upon encumbrance certificates during disbursement of agricultural loans in Ganjam district for the rabi crop. Speaking to The Hindu , Ganjam district Collector Krishan Kumar, who also happens to be the managing head of the BCC bank, said he has already held discussions with State government regarding the issue and the State government has also agreed to relax the norms for Phailin affected farmers of the district. According to the Collector instructions have been issued to all cooperative societies linked to the BCC bank to provide loans to the farmers in the district for rabi season without pressing for the revised norms like submission of encumbrance certificates. To increase rabi productivity of farmers of Ganjam district, the State government had increased the amount for rabi crop loans to be disbursed by the bank to Rs.120 crore. Last year, the target for rabi crop loans to be provided by the BCC bank was Rs. 90 crore. But the new norm related to submission encumbrance certificate was a major hindrance for the farmers to get the agricultural loans. Odisha unit of the CPI (M) had written to the Chief Minister demanding relaxation of norms to get agricultural loans for the Phailin‐hit farmers of Ganjam district for the rabi season. The peasants’ organisation Odisha Krushak Sabha (OKS) had also protested the demand for encumbrance certificate. On Thursday both these organisations had held a protest demonstration in front of the BCC bank headquarters in the city. The protestors demanded as no such norm for sanction of agricultural loans was there in the past, so norms should not be made stringent during this hardship of farmers.
Naveenannouncesbonusonpaddyafterprotestbyfarmers
Government will exempt two per cent each on market fee and CST, he says Akhaya Kumar (sitting) and his associate of Nabanirman Krushak Sangathan are being treated in the corridor at Capital Hospital after their hunger strike reached 19 days in
Bhubaneswar on Friday.—Photo: Lingaraj Panda Four days after a large group of agitated farmers jumped before Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s cavalcade blocking his entry into the State Secretariat here, Mr. Patnaik on Friday
announced bonus of Rs.100 per quintal over and above the minimum support price of paddy. Mr. Patnaik, who announced the bonus at a public meeting in Bargarh district, also said that the State government will exempt two per cent each on market fee and Central Sales Tax (CST) for the benefit of farmers. Claiming that he was running a farmers’ government, Mr. Patnaik said that the farmers selling their produce will get the benefit till the end of the kharif season. In fact, a decision about bonus on paddy was taken at a meeting of the State Cabinet on Thursday evening. But it was not made public in view of model code of conduct being in force for the ensuing civic polls in the Capital city. Meanwhile, convener of Navnirman Krushak Sangathan Akshay Kumar, who was on hunger strike since December 9, ended his fast following Mr. Patnaik’s announcement. Mr. Kumar was arrested along with 25 other activists of the Sangathan and remanded to judicial custody after they staged a demonstration in front of the Chief Minister’s cavalcade on December 24. The Sangathan leader, who had been lodged in the local jail after his arrest, was admitted to the Capital hospital on Friday after his health condition deteriorated. The Sangathan had demanded bonus of Rs. 500 per quintal of paddy for the farmers and monetary compensation of Rs. 2,000 per month to each family of farmers in the Phailin affected areas till the next harvest season. A large group of Sangathan activists had blocked the movement of Mr. Patnaik’s cavalcade in front of the State Secretariat by displaying national flags and squatting on the road after they were not called for a discussion even after staging a dharna for a fortnight on the Mahatma Gandhi Marg. In another development, opposition Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the State government for announcing bonus on paddy keeping an eye on the forthcoming elections. Social activists and prominent citizens have announced to stage a dharna outside the Raj Bhavan here on Saturday to demand unconditional release of the 26 Sangathan activists.
� Navnirman Krushak Sangathan convener ends fast � Congress, BJP flay government
Milletexhibition‐cum‐saletobegintodayDAVANGERE, December 28, 2013 ‐ The Department of Agriculture, Sharana Muddanna Savayuva Krishikara Balaga, Sahaja Samruda Savayuva Krishakara Balaga, and Taralabalu Krishi Vigyana Kendra will jointly organise a three‐day millet mela at Thogataveera Kalyana Manatapa here from Saturday. Over 30 organic farming groups from 14 districts will take part in the exhibition‐cum‐sale of millet. ‘Humble crop’ Talking to presspersons here on Friday, R.G. Gollar, joint director of the Department of Agriculture, and A.N. Anjaneya, convenor, SMS Krishikara Balaga, said are highly nutritious and rich in fibre, carbohydrates and minerals. Compared to other food grains, millets are rich in phytochemicals which help lower cholesterol. They are rich in antioxidants and are high in fibre. The mela will celebrate the humble millet grown organically by farmers. and will exhibit different varieties of Ragi (Finger millet), Navane (Foxtail millet), Saave (Little millet), udalu (Barnyard millet), Harka (Kodo millet), Sajje (Pearl millet), Jola (sorghum), Baragu (Proso millet) and Koralu (Brown top millet) along with red rice varieties.
Minister of Horticulture Shamanur Shivashankarappa will inaugurate. G.M. Siddeshwar, Davangere MP, will inaugurate the exhibition.
IncentiveformilkMADURAI, December 28, 2013 ‐ INCENTIVE FOR MILK PRODUCERS Collector L. Subramanian has urged cooperative society milk producers to make use of the opportunity given by the government through a directive to pay incentive of 50 to 60 paise per litre to those who provide better quality of milk. Around 23,000 milk producers attached to 792 cooperative societies had already benefitted from the incentive being disbursed from this month, he said in a press communiqué.
Govt.planstohikemilkprocurementpricePUDUCHERRY, December 28, 2013 ‐ Burden not to be passed on to consumers The territorial administration plans to increase the procurement price of milk in order to support the cattle raisers to meet the growing input costs. The move comes in the wake of hike in the procurement price of milk announced by Tamil Nadu government. As per the announcement, procurement price of cow’s milk has been increased by Rs. 3. Therefore the new procurement price for a litre of cow’s milk will be Rs. 23 and Rs. 31 for buffalo’s milk. The revision will come into effect from January 1, 2014. Ragesh Chandra, Secretary, Cooperatives, Puducherry government, told The Hindu on Friday that a proposal had been sought from the Pondicherry Cooperative Milk Producers Union (PONLAIT) to find out ways and means to increase the procurement price. A reasonable decision would be taken very soon. However, it had been decided not to pass on the burden to consumers. If the procurement price was raised, he added that the margin would take a hit. Hence, the concerned officials had been asked to suggest ways to absorb the loss. He added that out of 1 lakh litres of milk required per day for Puducherry, PONLAIT meets 80 per cent of the requirement through purchases from Aavin and a few other private diary firms in Tamil Nadu. Cattle growers of Puducherry supplied the remaining 20,000 litres. Lack of grazing fields was a major impediment, he said.
FreetrainingatTNAUCOIMBATORE, December 28, 2013 ‐ Tamil Nadu Agricultural University will conduct four agripreneurship programmes of 15 days duration in Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchi, respectively. The programmes will be conducted free with financial support from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of Tamil Nadu. Two batches of this programme will be held at the Directorate of Extension Education, Coimbatore, from January 6 to 20, 2014. One will be conducted at the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, and another at the Horticultural College and Research Institute for Women, Tiruchi, from January 6. Topics Topics such as seed production, processing and nursery, biofertilizers, biological control agents, mushroom production, bee keeping, farm implements and gadgets will be covered
in the training programme.Value addition technologies, micro‐irrigation, green house technology, etc., besides entrepreneurship skills are the other areas that will be covered. Eligibility The eligibility to apply for the training is a diploma / degree. Viable projects submitted by entrepreneurs trained in this programme will be linked to District Industries Centre and the banks for availing appropriate loan and subsidy. Those interested, can contact Head, Training Division, Directorate of Extension Education, Coimbatore, on 0422‐6611520 / the Dean, Madurai on 04252‐2422985 / the Special Officer, Tiruchi on 0431‐2918033.
Blastattackonsambacroprocksgrievancesmeeting
TIRUCHI, December 28, 2013 ‐ Farmers demand Rs. 30,000 an acre as compensation withering hopes:Farmers, who brought a sheaf of dry paddy to the meeting, airing their grievances in Tiruchi on Friday. —Photo: M. Moorthy Blast disease attack on standing samba crop, delay in announcement of
compensation to the farmers who incurred loss in yield in banana, and distraint proceedings by bank officials against defaulters of farm loans were some of the issues that came up for discussion at the farmers grievances day meeting here on Friday. Initiating a discussion on the pest attack, P. Viswanathan, State president of Tamizhaga Tank and River Ayacutdars Association, and A. Nagarajan, president of Tamil Nadu Horticulture Crop Producers Association, said that the disease had caused extensive damage to the samba crop, particularly at a time when the crop was about to mature. The farmers brought with them a few bundles of the withered crop and appealed to K. Tharbagaraj, District Revenue Officer (DRO), to recommend a compensation of Rs. 30,000 an acre to the affected farmers. When Guru Raj Singh, Joint Director of Agriculture, explained that a sudden change in weather condition caused the disease and the department had recommended measures to tackle it, farmers said that the crop had already withered away fully, particularly in Manikandam and Andanallur blocks. C. Masilamani, district president of Tamizhnadu Vivasayigal Sangam, referring to the repeated pleas seeking compensation for paddy crop, sugarcane, and banana for the past one year, said that most grievances being voiced at the meeting were oft‐repeated. The authorities should evolve a permanent solution to achieve the objectives of the meeting. When N. Veerasekaran, coordinator of Ayyan Vaikkal Ayacutdars Association, wanted additional direct procurement centres for the samba crop in and around Lalgudi, Mr. Tharbagaraj assured of prompt action. Foot‐and‐mouth disease The delay in announcing relief to cattle owners and the closure of the shandy at Manapparai evoked sharp reactions from the farmers. M.P. Chinnadurai, district president of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam, said that the closure of the shandy stood testimony to the incidence of the disease, but wondered over the delay in granting compensation. Mr. Ayyakannu said that a few commercial banks resorted to attachment proceedings, inflicting more financial loss on farmers.
ForestofficialinspectsdamagedcropsinKuppamCHITTOOR, December 28, 2013 ‐ The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chandrabhi Malasi, arrived at Kuppam on Friday and inspected the extensively‐damaged crops due to elephants’ raids in Gudupalle and Kuppam mandals. Accompanied by the forest officials from Chittoor, Gudupalle, Kuppam and Palamaner, Mr. Malasi interacted with the farmers and gave a patient hearing to their plight. The farmers said that for the last forty days, three different herds were damaging their crops every night without giving them a breather. They deplored that the field‐level forest personnel had limited their duties to just arriving at the fields after the damage and advising them to keep indoors. Mr. Malasi assured the farmers that he would look into the aspect of extending compensation to their damaged crops after assessing the loss. Later, he reviewed the ongoing solar fencing works in Gudupalle. The field‐level officials apprised Mr. Malasi about the movement of tuskers. During the interaction, it was brought to his notice that the Tamil Nadu forest officials were chasing away the animals, preventing them from entering their natural track. Assures farmersof giving compensation after assessing the loss
WaterlevelsThe water level in Periyar dam was 115.60 feet with an inflow of 138 cusecs and a discharge of 344 cusecs. The level in Vaigai dam was 41.60 feet with an inflow of 304 cusecs and a discharge of 60 cusecs. The combined storage in Periyar credit was 2,168 mcft. There was no rainfall in the region during the last 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Friday. Water level in the Papanasam dam on Friday stood at 89.25 feet. The dam had an inflow of 436.67 cusecs and 900 cusecs was discharged. The level in the Manimuthar dam stood at 75.44 feet. The dam had an inflow of 16 cusecs and 35 cusecs of water was discharged. Kanyakumari ‐ The water level in Pechipparai dam stood at 25.60 feet, 58.75 feet in Perunchani, 13.05 feet in Chittar I, 13.15 feet in Chittar II, 4.60 feet in Poigai and 54.12 feet in Mamabazhathuraiyaru. The water level in Mettur dam stood at 70.74 feet on Friday against its full level of 120 feet. The inflow was 1,237 cusecs and the discharge 9,000 cusecs.
Weather
INSAT PICTURE AT 11‐30 hrs. Observations recorded at 8‐30 a.m. on December 27.
ANDHRA PRADESH Anantapur 30 16 0 51 Arogyavaram 28 13 0 182 Bapatla 30 19 0 583 Calingapatnam 28 16 0 990 Gannavaram 30 18 0 524 Hanamkonda 31 19 0 296 Hyderabad AP 26 14 0 253 Kakinada 30 20 0 713 Khammam 30 17 0 100 Kavali 30 19 0 559 Kurnool 30 17 0 100 Mahabubnagar 26 15 0 165 Machilipatnam 30 20 0 499 Nandyal 29 16 0 79 Narasapur 30 19 0 674 Nellore 28 21 0 441 Nizamabad 31 15 0 120 Ongole 30 20 0 535 Ramagundam 29 14 0 201 Tirupathi AP 30 18 0 372 Tuni 31 19 0 524 Vizag AP 30 18 0 716 Vizag 30 19 0 695 KARNATAKA Agumbe 30 11 0 626 Bangalore AP 27 13 0 198 Bangalore 27 15 0 244 Bagalkote 30 11 0 — Belgaum AP 29 13 0 63 Bellary 31 13 0 63 Bijapur 29 11 0 113 Chitradurga 28 15 0 55 Chickmagalur 27 13 0 70 Chintamani 27 9 0 85 Gadag 28 13 0 88 Gulbarga 30 16 0 38 Hassan 28 11 0 116 Honavar 34 19 0 266 Karwar 35 19 0 167 Madikeri 25 12 0 205 Mangalore AP 34 21 0 344 Mysore 28 18 0 183 Mandya 29 15 0 185 Panambur 36 22 0 247 Raichur 29 17 0 103 Shirali 33 19 0 428 KERALA Alappuzha 31 22 0 419 Kannur 33 22 0 336 Kochi AP 33 21 0 610 Kottayam 33 22 0 520 Kozhikode 33 23 0 311 Punalur 33 19 0 719 Thiruvanantha ‐puram AP 32 22 0 495 Thiruvanantha
‐puram City 32 21 0 521 Vellanikkara 32 22 0 457 TAMIL NADU Adiramapattinam 30 19 0 228 Chennai 29 21 0 437 Chennai AP 29 20 0 486 Coimbatore AP 30 19 0 157 Coonoor 18 7 0 603 Cuddalore 28 20 0 386 Dharmapuri 28 15 0 263 Kanyakumari 31 23 0 316 Karaikal 29 21 0 605 Kodaikanal 19 10 0 330 Madurai AP 29 20 0 296 Nagapattinam 28 21 0 582 Palayamkottai 31 22 0 335 Pamban 27 24 0 534 Parangipettai 29 21 0 601 Puducherry 29 21 0 454 Salem 30 17 0 225 Thanjavur 28 21 0 253 Tiruchi AP 29 18 0 355 Tirupattur 31 15 0 180 Tiruttani 30 18 0 321 Tondi 29 21 0 348 Tuticorin 29 20 0 307 Ooty 20 7 0 281 Valparai 27 7 0 372 Vellore 28 17 0 105 LAKSHADWEEP Amini Divi 32 23 0 203 Minicoy 32 24 0 181 OTHER STATIONS Kolkata (Alipore) 23 13 0 523 Mumbai 32 22 0 73 New Delhi 21 7 0 73 The columns show maximum and minimum temperature in Celsius, rainfall during last 24 hours (trace) and total rainfall in mm since October 01, 2013. DRY WEATHER IN ANDHRA PRADESH CHENNAI: Mainly dry weather prevailed over Rayalaseema. Dry weather prevailed over Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Karnataka, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The minimum temperature fell at one or two places over Tamil Nadu, coastal and north interior Karnataka, Kerala and changed little elsewhere over the region. They were above normal at one or two places over Telangana, markedly below normal at one or two places over north interior Karnataka, appreciably below normal at one or two places over rest of north interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu. FORECAST (Valid until Sunday Morning): Isolated light rain may occur over coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south coastal Andhra Pradesh. Mainly dry weather will prevail over interior Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Lakshadweep, north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Telangana and Karnataka. Outlook For Subsequent Two Days: No significant change.
Max Min R TR New Delhi (Plm) 21 7 0 53 New Delhi (Sfd) 21 7 tr 73 Chandigarh 19 4 0 54 Hissar 21 2 0 10 Bhuntar 18 1 0 46 Shimla 12 0 0 91 Jammu 19 5 0 146 Srinagar 10 ‐1 0 30 Amritsar 19 3 0 103 Patiala 20 4 0 12 Jaipur 23 12 0 5 Udaipur 22 9 0 55 Allahabad 25 9 0 301 Lucknow 24 5 0 42 Varanasi 24 10 0 141 Dehradun 22 5 0 52 Agartala 22 11 0 192 Ahmedabad 27 14 0 63 Bangalore 27 15 0 244 Bhubaneshwar 28 15 0 674 Bhopal 24 15 0 26 Chennai 29 20 0 462 Guwahati 23 13 0 215 Hyderabad 25 14 0 253 Kolkata 23 13 0 530 Mumbai 32 22 0 73 Nagpur 28 13 0 169 Patna 22 9 0 194 Pune 28 12 0 43 Thiruvananthapuram 32 21 0 488 Imphal 22 5 0 70 Shillong 14 5 0 77 The columns show maximum and minimum temperature in Celsius, rainfall during last 24 hours (tr‐trace) and total rainfall in mm since 1st October. MAINLY DRY WEATHER Rain/thundershowers have occurred at isolated places over east Rajasthan. Weather was mainly dry over rest of the region. Rainfall: Weather was mainly dry over the region. MINIMUM TEMPERTURE: The minimum temperatures fell in Jammu and Kashmir and changed little elsewhere. They were appreciably below normal in Punjab, below normal in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, appreciably above normal in east Rajasthan and normal in rest of the region. The lowest minimum temperature in the plains was 01.1ºC recorded at Adampur (Punjab). FORECAST FOR REGION VALID UNTIL THE MORNING OF 30th DECEMBER 2013:Rain/snow may occur at one or two places over higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh during next 48 hours. Rain/thundershowers may occur at one or two places over east Haryana, Delhi, north Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh during next 24 hours and over east Uttar Pradesh during next 48 hours. Weather would be mainly dry over rest of the region. Fog/moderate fog may occur over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and north Rajasthan with dense fog in isolated pockets of this area. WARNING: Ground frost (minimum temperature less than 04ºC) may occur over isolated pockets of north Rajasthan, south Haryana and adjoining Punjab. Dense fog (Visibility less than 200 meter) may occur over isolated pockets of north Rajasthan, south Haryana, adjoining Punjab and Uttar Pradesh during next 48 hours.
FORECAST FOR DELHI AND NEIGHBOURHOOD VALID UNTIL THE MORNING OF 30th DECEMBER 2013: Partly cloudy sky Very light rain/thundery development could occur in some areas. Fog/shallow fog in the morning.
WeatherChennai ‐ INDIA
Today's Weather
Sunny
Saturday, Dec 28 Max Min 29o | 23o
Rain: 0 Sunrise: 06:28 Humidity: 43 Sunset: 05:50 Wind: normal Barometer: 1012
Tomorrow's Forecast
Sunny
Sunday, Dec 29 Max Min 29o | 23o
Extended Forecast for a week
Monday Dec 30
Tuesday Dec 31
Wednesday Jan 1
Thursday Jan 2
Friday Jan 3
29o | 21o 28o | 20o 23o | 22o 25o | 22o 25o | 23o Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Overcast Overcast Cloudy
Farmerstermgrievancedaymeet'ineffective'TRICHY: All the farmers associations in the district, on Friday, termed the farmers' grievance day meet as an 'ineffective' way to bring the issues to the notice of the government. Most of the farmers raised their voice for not taking initiatives to provide compensation to the farmers who lost their cattle to foot‐and‐mouth disease. They also demanded compensation for their infected Samba paddies. The members of farmers' association in Trichy vented out their anger saying that the farmers' grievance day meets were not being held to provide solutions to farmers' problems. C Masilamani, the district president of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said, "We farmers keep raising our agricultural issues every month. But it seems the issues discussed during the meet are not brought to the notice of the government. " Following his negative remark other leaders like M P Chinnathurai of Tamilaga Vivasayigan Sangam and G K Murali of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee also followed suit. However,
officials said that necessary actions are being taken in this regard. They said that farmer's grievance day meet remained just a ritual. The farmers alleged that the government did not take any step to enumerate the death of cows due to FMD. However, Dr I Chinnathurai, the joint director of agriculture, department of animal husbandry, said action are being taken to enumerate the death of cows due to FMD. Puliyur Nagarajan, the state vice‐president of Tamil Nadu Congress Agriculture Wing demanded compensation for the crops affected with a disease called 'Neck Blast' "The farmers who spent a lot on Samba cultivation will be affected. So, the government should assess the damage in and around 1,000 acres in Trichy district and provide a compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre."
FarmerssoreovergovtnodforsandquarryingTRICHY: Even as protests against indiscriminatesand quarrying in rivers grow in intensity, the state government has given the nod for a new quarry in the river Cauvery on the Trichy‐Namakkal border. This has worried farmers of more than 25 villages in Trichy district who fear sand quarrying will affect flow of water into the irrigation canal. Members of the Kattuputhur Farmers Associationnear Thottiyam have submitted a petition to the district administration, demanding that the approval for the new sand quarry be cancelled. Association treasurer K Veluchamy said the new quarry, if opened, would have an adverse impact on agriculture in the area. "Work is in full swing to open the sand quarry in the Cauvery at Mohanur in Namakkal district as per the government order despite the fact that water flow into Kattuputhur canal from Cauvery will be affected," he said. As per the government order, sand is to be quarried to a depth of 3 feet, but farmers fear there may be indiscriminate quarrying that will deepen the river. "Once the river is deepened, water cannot flow into the Kattuputhur canal. Agriculture in around 20,000 acres in Trichy district will be hit. The government should immediately stop the process," said Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers welfare association secretary K P Gandhipithan. The government is said to have chose Mohanur for the quarry as the area is rich in sand. "The farmers are not opposing sand quarrying on the whole. They want the quarry to be shifted to some other area in the river," said P Ayyakannu of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangam.
Nutritionsource
Leafy vegetables: A farmer getting his land ready to cultivate green leafy vegetables at Muthagudem in Andhra Pradesh’s Khammam District. Green leafy vegetables are probably the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a rich in source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium) and vitamins including K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins. They also provide a variety of phytonutrients including beta‐carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which protect our cells from damage and our eyes from age‐related problems, among many others. Green leaves even contain small amounts of Omega‐3 fats. — G.N. Rao
Centre’smovetocutjutepackagingforsugarirksindustry
Jute mills’ sale set to drop as procurement norm cut to 20% Kolkata, Dec 27: According to the new provisions, 20 per cent of sugar will have to be mandatorily packed in jute bags. Currently, it is mandatory to pack 40 per cent of sugar in jute bags. As a result, sales from the 80‐odd jute mills across the country is expected to drop substantially, S. Majumdar, Director General, IJMA, said. “There has been a substantial decline in orders from Government agencies for jute bags. Further reduction in procurement will hit the industry
badly,” he told reporters during a press conference here. for different agencies The Directorate‐General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, purchases jute bags (having 50 kg capacity) for different Central agencies. Currently, the Centre procures two types of jute bags – one for foodgrains and another for sugar. In case of foodgrains, it procures 90 per cent of the total production. Full procurement According to IJMA, the Centre should restore 100 per cent procurement of jute bags for foodgrains and sugar. While, this was the practice till 2010‐11, changes were initiated 2011‐12 onwards. In 2011‐12, the mandatory procurement across both categories was reduced. In 2012‐13, the procurement for sugar only was reduced. However, Subrata Gupta, Jute Commissioner, said that the industry has been witnessing a shortage in supply of jute bags in the last couple of years. “Since supply was short and total requirement was not met on earlier occasions, the Centre decided to reduce procurement (from jute bag makers),” he said. According to the Jute Commissioner, lack of competitiveness among jute mills due to higher dependency on Government for mandatory procurement is impacting the industry.
UnseasonalrainnipsMaharashtrastrawberryprojectinthebud
Pune, Dec. 27: A fledgling project to grow strawberry commercially in the lower regions of the Sahyadris might just find itself nipped in the bud, as unseasonal rains in Maharashtra have washed away prospects of good returns for these cultivators for the second year
in a row. Around three years ago, farmers from talukas such as Wai, Koregoan and Jaoli had been inspired enough by the success of strawberry cultivation in the nearby hill towns of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, to try their hand at it. Today, an estimated 700 acres of land in these areas is devoted to cultivating the luscious, red, winter fruit. The figure in and around Mahabaleshwar is 2,500 acres, which produced 24,000 tonnes of strawberry last year. But rains in early December destroyed half the expected yield in the State and have hit harder those who have entered the fray more recently. “The prospect of better profits from this crop, especially since fruiting happens a couple of weeks ahead of that in Mahabaleshwar was what lured farmers from here to opt for strawberry,” says Umesh Khamkar, a grower from Wai. But with inclement weather bringing two consecutive bad years, the land under its cultivation is poised to drop, and farmers will opt for other crops, he says. Krishna Bhilare, a grower from Mahabaleshwar and Vice‐President of the Strawberry Growers Association says: “Though more area has come under cultivation compared to last year, rains in early December have destroyed almost 50 per cent of the crop.” He estimates this season’s production in the hill towns will be a mere 15,000 tonnes. Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani collectively account nearly 70 per cent of the total cultivation in the country. The rest comes from Wai, Koregoan, Jaoli and some parts of Nashik in Maharashtra and some parts of Himachal Pradesh.
For growers, the only silver lining is the higher price strawberry is fetching. While the beginning of the season – which stretches from November to March – had seen prices touching Rs 130 a kg, the shortage has led to prices now touching Rs 225‐250.
FreshdemandmayliftcottonRajkot, Dec. 27: Cotton price increased on Friday as fresh demand from exporters and domestic mills emerged in the market. Moreover, low supplies of kapas also resulted in prices gaining. Gujarat Sankar‐6 cotton was traded higher by Rs 200 at Rs 40,100‐200 for a candy of 356 kg.Kapas or raw cotton gained Rs 5‐7 to Rs 970‐1,000 for a maund of 20 kg in Rajkot. For gin delivery, kapas traded at Rs 1,000‐1,010.
About 65,000 bales (of 170 kg each) arrived in Gujarat and 1.75 lakh bales across the country. Traders said that there were some fresh export inquiries and domestic mills demand has increased in the past two days. A broker said that as arrivals have slowed, ginners face shortage of quality raw material. At this time, demand emerged and prices crossed Rs 40,000. Price of the fibre may rise more by Rs 500 a candy next week.
LackofdemandmaycoolcoconutoilErode, Dec. 27: Coconut oil prices are likely to drop sharply due to lack of demand at current rates that are considered too high. R.M. Palanisamy, a coconut oil trader said: “Coconut oil price increased slightly on Friday to Rs 1,510‐1,530 for 15 kg loose pack (Rs 102 a kg). But there were no takers at these rates. The price increase is artificial and by the middle of February, the price will fall to Rs 1,200 ”. He said in the international market, prices of all edible oils are on a downtrend. With regard to copra, Palanisamy said the price has dropped to Rs 7,500 a quintal. In the Avalpoondurai Regulated Market, the first grade copra was sold at Rs 6,910‐7,465; the second grade at Rs 5,560‐7,030.
NCDEXscraps10%extramarginonguargumMumbai, Dec. 27: NCDEX has removed a 10 per cent additional margin on all short positions of January guar gum contracts, the exchange said in a notification on Friday. The bourse has also halved the additional margin on January guar seed 10‐tonne contract to 10 per cent, it said. The changes in margin are effective immediately.
SpotrubberrulessteadyKottayam, Dec. 27: Spot rubber prices were firm on Friday. The market continued to make all round gains, mainly on covering purchases amidst low supplies. Though there were some enquiries from major consuming industries, they did not appear to be as active as expected. Growers held their stocks following rumours that RSS 4 will cross Rs 180 once the tyre makers return to the counter. Sheet rubber increased to Rs 163 (Rs 162) a kg, as quoted by traders. The grade closed firm at Rs 162.50 (Rs 161.50) and Rs 159.50 (Rs 158.50) respectively, according to the Rubber Board and dealers. January futures weakened to Rs 165.54 (Rs 166.25), February to Rs 168 (Rs 168.76) and March to Rs 171 (Rs 171.83) on the National Multi Commodity Exchange. RSS 3 (spot) slid to Rs 157.49 (Rs 157.62) at Bangkok. January futures closed at ¥276.5 (Rs 163.30) on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange. Spot rubber rates Rs/kg were: RSS‐4: 163 (162); RSS‐5: 155 (153); Ungraded: 150 (147); ISNR 20: 157 (155) and Latex 60%: 122 (119).
Mixedtrendatyear‐endKolkatateasaleKolkata, Dec. 27: Tea prices were mixed at this week’s auction, the last for the year, in Kolkata. According to J. Thomas & Company Pvt Ltd, the tea auctioneers, while the average CTC price was marginally up at Rs 146.18 a kg from last week’s (Sale 51) Rs 145.13, the average price of orthodox dropped to Rs 153.58 from last week’s Rs 163.31. An estimated 80.49 per cent (72.7 per cent ) of CTC and 73.62 per cent (71.08 per cent ) of orthodox volumes offered were sold. The total offerings (packages) at the year‐end sale at the three North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Guwahati and Siliguri were 4,41,650, compared with 4,08,560 last year. The offerings at Kolkata comprised CTC/dust 1,50,,449 (1,41,721); orthodox 34,855 (21,742) and Darjeeling 7,101 (4,211). The offerings at the two other centres were, Guwahati 1,35,522 (1,30,565) and Siliguri 1,13,723 (1,10,321). Assam CTC teas maintaining quality were irregular around last levels. Medium Assams were barely steady and irregularly lower following the decline in quality. Tata Global operated, Hindustan Unilever lent useful support. Western India supported the liquoring teas. There was a fair amount of enquiry from other internal and local sections. Few tippy orthodox teas on offer sold well in line with quality.
Commitment‐basedschemetoensureadequatesupplyKolkata, Dec. 27: The Union Ministry of Textiles expects to ensure ample supply of jute bags through a commitment‐based procurement scheme. Demand from various government agencies for jute bags to pack foodgrains went up by more than 40 per cent to nearly 38 lakh bales in 2012‐13 against 27 lakh bales during the year‐ago period.
However, 80‐odd jute mills put together actually supplied close to 27 lakh bales of jute bags in 2012‐13. According to Subrata Gupta, Jute Commissioner, going by the scheme initiated in May, an agreement is signed between the Office of the Jute Commissioner and the mill owner seeking a “commitment of supply” of jute bags for a stipulated period. “Since the country has been seeing increase in production of foodgrains, there is a need to ensure adequate supply of jute bags,” Gupta told Business Line in an interview. He further explained the total requirement for procurement by government agencies is being distributed among jute mills “based on their capacity and willingness”. production capacity Previously, the mills had to meet the government’s demand for jute bags based only on their production capacity, and irrespective of their willingness to sell it to the government agencies. According to the Jute Commissioner, there has been shortage of supply due to discretionary sales after a drop in government rates for jute bags on many occasions. While the scheme offers more freedom to the mill owners, it also reduces the risk of short supply for the government agencies since there are stringent norms for defaulters. penalty for defaulters So far, it has been implemented across 63 different jute mills in the country, Gupta said. “Under this scheme, any jute mill that defaults on its commitment may be barred from supplying for two years,” he said. Anirudh Kajaria of Hastings Jute Mill in West Bengal feels such a scheme will ultimately stop mill owners from defaulting supply.
RegistrationnormstobeeasedforcottonNew Delhi, Dec. 27: In a bid to facilitate higher cotton exports from the country, the government is likely to ease export registration norms by reducing paperwork, Director‐General of Foreign Trade Anup K. Pujari said today. Exporters will no longer need to submit copies of exports contracted, Pujari said. “The notification is likely to be issued later in the day,” he said. In 2011‐12 (October‐September) marketing season, a record 13 million bales of cotton were exported, leading to spike in domestic prices, which in turn had led to a temporary ban on shipments. Though the ban was rolled back within weeks, the Government had put quantitative restrictions and allowed exports subject to registration with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Exports of the commodity are currently free and the under open general licence. In 2012‐13, the country exported close to 10 million bales amid output of 34 million bales. This year, the cotton output has been pegged at 35.3 million bales.
UpcountryordersdryupforturmericErode, Dec. 27: Spot turmeric prices in Erode markets declined on Friday as upcountry orders have dried out. “Virtually no trader has upcountry order , so they quoted a lower price and purchased only 45 per cent of the 3,500 bags that arrived. Traders were also
reluctant to buy stocks as prices dropped in the futures market by Rs 30 a quintal. Further, till January‐end they are unlikely to receive any order from North India, resulting in limited stocks being bought,” said R.K.V. Ravishankar, President, Erode Turmeric Merchants Association. At the Erode Turmeric Merchants Association Sales yard, the finger variety was sold at Rs 4,299‐5,909 a quintal and the root variety at Rs 3,756‐5,491. Salem Hybrid Crop: The finger variety fetched Rs 5,267‐6,299 and the root variety Rs 4,734‐5,791. Of the 990 bags that arrived, 210 bags were sold. In the Regulated Market Committee, the finger variety went for Rs 4,779‐5,869; the root variety for Rs 4,763‐5,631. Of the 967 bags on offer, 934 found takers. At the Erode Cooperative Marketing Society, the finger variety quoted Rs 5,089‐5,940 and the root variety Rs 4,869‐5,639 . All the 564 bags put up for sale were traded. At the Gobichettipalayam Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Society, the finger variety was sold at Rs 5,069‐5,962; the root variety Rs 4,598‐5,469. All the 156 bags were picked up.
AggressiveresalecoolsedibleoilsMumbai, Dec. 27: Prices of edible oils ruled steady on Friday with a bearish mood prevailing at the end of the day, tracking higher volatility in the futures market. Activities remained at a standstill for the third consecutive day as stockists preferred to fulfil old commitments. Sources said that reports of hike in import duty supported the morale during mid‐session, pushing up domestic soya oil futures by Rs 10 from lower level but later aggressive selling by bear operators dragged futures. Slack demand in the physical market cooled groundnut and palmolein by Rs 10 and Rs 2 for 10 kg each. Soyabean, sunflower and cotton refined oil were unchanged. Rapeseed oil increased by Rs 3.
In Saurashtra, improved arrivals of cotton and groundnut continued to weigh on sentiment. Shailesh Kataria of Riddhi Broker told Business Line: “Resellers aggressive sales at a lower price and high volatile futures markets kept stockists at bay. Resellers offloaded about 90‐100 tonnes of palmolein at Rs 568 for ready, while local refineries were quoting Rs 8 higher. Towards the day’s close, Liberty was quoting palmolein at Rs 576, super palmolein Rs 596, super deluxe palmolein Rs 616, soyabean refined oil Rs 665 and sunflower refined oil Rs 710. Ruchi quoted palmolein at Rs 575, soyabean refined oil Rs 655 and sunflower refined oil Rs 680. Allana was quoting palmolein at Rs 576, super deluxe Rs 615, soyabean refined oil Rs 665 and sunflower refined oil Rs 700. In Rajkot, groundnut oil ruled steady at Rs 1,270 for telia tin and loose (10 kg) at Rs 810 . Soyabean arrivals were 2.50 lakh bags and prices were Rs 3,630‐3,700 in Maharashtra and in Madhya Pradesh it was Rs 3,650‐3,850 ex mandi and Rs 3,850‐3,900 plant delivery. Mustard seed arrivals were 85,000 bags and its prices were Rs 3,200‐3,750. Vikram Global Commodities (P) Ltd quoted Rs 642/10 kg for Malaysia super palmolein January delivery.
Malaysia BMD crude palm oil’s January settled at MYR 2,611 (MYR 2,612), February at MYR 2,625 (MYR 2,626) and March at MYR 2,632 (MYR 2,634). The Bombay Commodity Exchange spot rates (Rs/10 kg) were: groundnut oil 810 (820), soya refined oil 655 (655), sunflower exp. ref. 625 (625), sunflower ref. 680 (680), rapeseed ref. oil 739 (736), rapeseed expeller ref. 709 (706) cottonseed ref. oil 615 (615) and palmolein 570 (572).
AmplestocksholdsugaronleashMumbai, Dec. 27: Sugar market ruled unchanged on the Vashi wholesale market on Friday. Continuous supply from producers and slack demand kept prices steady, as it is already ruling below cost of production. Demand was need‐based and no inventory is being built up due to ample stocks in the market. On the spot, S‐grade increased by Rs 4 a quintal at lower end and M‐grade declined by Rs 5.
Sources said that traders are hopeful that local demand will improve from next week. As of now supply outstrips demand, keeping prices under check. Producers and stockists are keen to sell old stocks at prices Rs 4‐5 lower. Demand for sugar from bulk consumers such as ice‐cream and cold drink makers usually drops during the winter. The Vashi market is carrying over 10 truckloads of stocks hence stockists are not eager to take more inventory risk. Arrivals at Vashi market were 60‐61 truckloads (of 100 bags each) while local dispatches were 58‐59 loads. On Thursday, 19‐20 mills sold 55,000‐56,000 bags at Rs 2,650‐2,750 (Rs 2,650‐2,750) for S‐grade and Rs 2,750‐3,000 (Rs 2,750‐3,000) for M‐grade. The Bombay Sugar Merchants Association's spot rates were: S‐grade Rs 2,850‐3,002 (Rs 2,846‐3,002) and M‐grade Rs 2,966‐3,172 (Rs 2,971‐3,172). Naka delivery rates were: S‐grade Rs 2,810‐80 (Rs 2,810‐80) and M‐grade Rs 2,950‐3,100 (Rs 2,950‐3,100). Uttar Pradesh rates were: Muzzafarnagar Rs 3,170 and Hapur Rs 3,250.
PeppermovesupontightsupplyKochi, Dec. 27: Pepper prices in spot and futures market moved up on tight availability and limited activities. January contracts on the National Multi Commodity Exchange gained, while they were unchanged on the IPSTA. Upcountry demand is yet to pick up. Trading activities have come to a standstill because of winter in northern States. Besides, many are out on holidays, market sources told Business Line. The upcountry markets are likely to turn
active only from next week, they said. Supplies continue to be tight, they said.
Some material came from the southern districts of Kerala with low bulk density and high moisture. It was suitable for the oleoresin industry and traded at Rs 485‐490 a kg. They are mature bolder berries but have less weight, they said. On the spot, three tonnes of ungarbled pepper arrived and that were traded at Rs 502‐505‐507. On the NMCE, January and February contracts increased by Rs 100 and Rs 267 respectively to Rs 52,950 and Rs 53,250 a quintal. Turnover increased by five tonnes to 18 tonnes while net open position remained unchanged at 22 tonnes. On the IPSTA, January and February contracts remained unchanged at Rs 53,000 and Rs 52,029 respectively. However, the turnover increased by 10 tonnes to 12 tonnes. Spot prices rose by Rs 100 to Rs 50,200 (ungarbled) and Rs 52,200 (garbled) a kg. Export prices were up at $8,850 cf for Europe and $9,100 a tonne cf for the US.
ImprovedbuyingbuoyspulsesIndore, Dec. 27: Masoor, tur and chana edged higher on improved buying support at lower rate on Friday. Masoor (bold) prices have perked up by Rs 50‐75 at Rs 4,300 a quintal in the last one week, while masoor (medium) ruled at Rs 3,900. Notwithstanding lower crop estimates , a rally appears unlikely in masoor given the abundance of cheaper imports, said a trader.
Rise in spot masoor also lifted its dal. Masoor dal (medium) ruled at at Rs 4,900‐5,000, while masoor dal (bold) was quoted at Rs 5,100‐5,200 respectively. Moong and its dal ruled firm on strong buying support from millers with moong (best) at Rs 6,000‐6,400, while moong (medium) ruled at Rs 5,400‐5,700. Moong dal (medium) was being quoted at Rs 6,800‐7,000, moong dal (bold) at Rs 7,100‐7,200, while moong mongar ruled at Rs 7,300. Urad (bold) was at 4,350, while urad (medium) ruled at Rs 3,800‐3,900. Urad dal (medium) was being quoted Rs 4,700‐4,800 (down Rs 100 from last week), while urad dal (bold) ruled at Rs 4,900‐5,000(down Rs 100 from last week). Urad mongar remained flat at Rs 5,500‐5,900. Improved demand at lower rate lifted tur prices in the past one week by Rs 100 with tur (Maharashtra) at Rs 4,200, while tur (Madhya Pradesh) ruled at Rs 3,800‐3,900. Given arrival of new tur in local mandis in just few days from now, there was comparatively slack demand in tur at its current price level.
Wheatlikelytotradeinrangesnextfewdays
Karnal, Dec 27: Wheat futures are likely to trade in the positive zone, while dara wheat may continue to rule around current levels in the coming days in the physical markets, according to trade experts Wheat futures extended profits on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange on account of buying interest on Friday. Wheat for January delivery moved up by Rs 6 to Rs 1,688 a
quintal with an open interest of 3,410 lots. The grain touched a high at Rs 1,692 earlier in the day. February contracts moved up by Rs 4 to Rs 1,654. According to trade experts, the futures market may rule higher in the coming days. In the spot market, wheat dropped by Rs 30 to Rs 1,570 a quintal. Dara wheat sold at Rs 1,610‐1,620. Around 1,000 bags of wheat arrived and stocks were directly offloaded at the mills. Mill delivery was at Rs 1,610, while delivery at the chakki was at Rs 1,620. Easy availability of stocks coupled with steady domestic demand kept wheat and flour prices unchanged, said Radhey Shyam, a trade expert. Only hand‐to‐mouth buying is taking place and the market is likely to witness a range‐bound movement for the next few days, he said. Flour Prices Following steady demand for flour, prices ruled flat and sold at Rs 1,850 a quintal. Similarly, Chokar was unchanged at Rs 1,500 a quintal.
Cardamomsurges2.04%onrisingdemand
Cardamom prices rose by 2.04 per cent to Rs 697.10 per kg in futures trade today after speculators created positions amid higher demand at the spot market. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, cardamom for the January contracts rose Rs 14, or 2.04 per cent, to Rs 697.10 per kg, with a trading volume of 622 lots. The spice for delivery in February higher by Rs 8.80, or
1.23 per cent, to Rs 719.30 per kg, with a business volume of 143 lots. Market analysts said rising demand in the spot spot market against restricted arrivals from producing regions, mainly influenced cardamom prices at futures market.
OnionexportfloorpricehalvedThe government on Thursday slashed the minimum export price (MEP) of onion by more than half to $150 a tonne, an indication that further actions were likely. The move came after Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar met Commerce Minister Anand Sharma on Wednesday, as the vegetable saw a sharp decline in wholesale prices in Maharashtra.
An official statement said: “After reviewing the situation of arrivals in the producing and major consuming mandis, retail and wholesale modal rates as well as foreign trade scenario, inter alia, it was decided to further reduce the MEP from $350 a tonne to $150 per tonne.”
The government also said officials would meet regularly and closely monitor the arrivals, wholesale modal prices and retail prices of onion. “The government will make appropriate interventions as and when required to ensure price stability for consumers and adequate domestic availability of onions, along with price protection for farmers, with a view to balance the interests of both farmers and domestic consumers,” the statement said. Last week, the government had cut the MEP of onions by more than half to $350 a tonne from $800 a tonne. This month, the government had slashed the MEP to $800 a tonne from $1,150 a tonne. Surging onion prices were thought to be one of the prime reasons for the recent Assembly election rout of the Congress,
particularly in Delhi. On August 14, the government had imposed a floor export price of $650 a tonne and increased it to $900 in September and $1,150 in November. Wholesale Price Index‐based inflation in onion was at 100 per cent for six months ended November. It stood at 336 per cent in September and then came down to 278.21 per cent in October and to 190.34 per cent in November. Prices started crashing from late November. The average all‐India wholesale price of onion fell to Rs 28.52 a kg in December from Rs 46.08 a kg the previous month. Prices crashed severely in Nashik and parts of Maharashtra. Even after the commerce department had reduced the minimum export price to $300 a tonne last week, Pawar had asked the commerce ministry to scrap the minimum export price for onions to help boost exports. Farmers in producing states such as Maharashtra have been protesting and have made representations to Pawar for the removal of export restrictions.
Crudepalmoildown0.2%onweakglobalcues
Crude palm oil prices declined by Rs 1.40 to Rs 542.10 per 10 kg today as speculators trimmed positions, tracking a weak trend overseas. Besides, excess supplies against limited demand at the spot market also dragged the prices lower. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude palm oil for delivery in December declined by Rs 1.40, or 0.25%, to
Rs 542.10 per 10 kg in business turnover of 13 lots. Likewise, the oil for delivery in January fell Rs 1.20, or 0.21%, to Rs 545.70 per 10 kg in 50 lots. Market analysts said offloading of positions by speculators in tandem with a weakening
global trend mainly led to the fall in crude palm oil prices at futures trade. Meanwhile, palm oil for March delivery lost as much as 0.20% to 2,630 ringgit (USD 799) a metric ton on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange.
Coriandersheds1.7%onlowdemandCoriander prices fell by 1.71 per cent to Rs 7,853 per quintal in futures trade today as speculators reduced their positions on the back of sluggish demand in the spot market. At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, coriander prices for delivery in February fell by Rs 137, or 1.71 per cent, to Rs 7,853 per quintal with open interest of 16,650 lots.
The January contract lost Rs 106, or 1.40 per cent, to Rs 7,472 per quintal with open interest of 19,480 lots. Market analysts said adequate stocks availability in the physical market against sluggish demand mainly led to the fall in coriander futures prices.
Potatoweakensbyalmost2%onsubdueddemand
Potato prices fell by 1.89 per cent to Rs 970 per quintal in futures trade today as speculators offloaded their positions driven by subdued demand in the spot market. Increased supplies in the physical market following persistent arrivals from producing region against lower demand led to the fall in potato prices. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, potato for March
delivery lost Rs 18.70, or 1.89 per cent, to Rs 970 per quintal with a business volume of 271 lots. The April contract shed Rs 13.80, or 1.41 per cent, to Rs 962 per quintal, with a business volume of 45 lots. Marketmen said fall in potato prices was mostly due to offloading of positions by speculators, driven by subdued demand in the spot market.
Barleygains1.35%onfreshbuyingBarley prices improved by Rs 19 at Rs 1,424 per quintal in futures trading today following fresh buying support at existing lower levels. Marketmen said pick up in demand and restricted supply in physical markets mainly attributed the rise here in barley prices at future markets. At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange,
barley prices for June delivery advanced by Rs 19, or 1.35 per cent to Rs 1,424 per quintal, in an open interest of 110 lots. The April contract added Rs 14.50, or 1.06 per cent, to Rs 1,377 per quintal, showing an open interest of 1,890 lots. The January contract was up by Rs 12.50, or 0.89 per cent, to Rs 1,416.50 per quintal, with an open interest of 4,000 lots.
Guarseedsheds2.4%onweakspotcuesGuarseed prices plummeted by Rs 115 to Rs 4,630 per quintal in futures trading today as stockists sold on the back of weak physical markets sentiment. Marketmen said stockists offloaded their positions tracking bearish signals from the physical market, . At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, guarseed prices for April delivery lost Rs 115, or 2.42 per cent, to Rs 4,630 per quintal, with an open interest of 14 lots. The most active January contract shed Rs 65, or 1.43 per cent, at Rs 4,490 per quintal, in an open interest of 12,433 lots.
Gujaratseeshighersowingofonion,garlic,cuminTempted by their higher price in the retail market and better export potential, Gujarat’s farmers have increased sowing of onion, garlic and cumin. The sowing area of these crops has exceeding average total sowing in the past three years. As on December 16, onion sowing was done in 65,500 hectares against a total sowing (average of three years) of 53,600 hectares. In the same period last year, the sowing was in just 10,400 hectares. Ditto with mustard, cumin and garlic whose sowing exceeded the average sowing in the previous three seasons. Sowing for mustard was done in 277,400 hectares, which is 19 per
cent higher than the average of the total sowing in the past three years, while for cumin it was 397,300 hectares (14 per cent) and for garlic it was 38,400 hectares (11 per cent). The average of the total sowing for mustard, cumin and garlic in the past three years was 232,200 hectares, 349,000 hectares, and 34,500 hectares, respectively. During the same period last year, sowing area for mustard was 194,600 hectares, while for cumin it was 263,500 hectares and for garlic it was 7,400 hectares. Experts believe higher sowing in onion this year was mainly due to higher price the commodity fetched in the retail market, while for cumin, garlic and mustard, there was strong export demand. The retail price of onion had touched Rs 90‐100 per kg mark earlier this year in many parts of the country.
“Because of higher prices onion in retail market and also in export market, farmers have been tempted to go in for onion cultivation. They anticipate better prices this year. Also, because of the Centre’s export policy with regard to onion, garlic and cumin farmers are expecting
better returns,” said A M Sheikh, vice‐chancellor of Anand Agriculture University. Similar was the opinion of A R Pathak, vice‐chancellor, Navasari Agriculture University. “Higher prices of onion and garlic has definitely impacted this year’s rabi sowing pattern. Because of the price factor, more farmers in the state are going in for crops like onion, garlic and cumin,” Pathak said. He, however, expressed caution over excess output against demand which could bring down the prices. Talking about the outlook on the present rabi season in the state, Pathak said: “Because of the late monsoon, there is good amount of moisture in the soil. Plus the winter has been good. This is a very conducive environment for the rabi crops. Also, the winter chill will help in flowering of mango fruit.” Sheikh said, “The late withdrawal of monsoon and timely onset of winter is good for wheat, castor, chick pea and other rabi crops. Also, due to late rains, there is ample of water in the reservoirs for irrigation purpose. Thus overall the outlook for this years rabi season is very good.” According to the state agriculture department, sowing for rabi season 2013‐14 as on December 16 was complete in 3.25 million hectares against 2.17 million hectares in the corresponding period last year. This means, against the total sowing area of 3.57 million hectares (average of the last three years), sowing has been done in 91 per cent area.
Castorseedpricesdrop12%onweakexportdemand
Castor seed prices have decreased by almost 12 per cent in the past one week as both export as well domestic demand have come down. At the futures market, castor seed price have been declining since Monday on profit booking. At the spot market, castor price had reached to Rs 920‐925 per 20 kg bag last Thursday. But soon after that, castor seed prices started declining as demand for
export came down and now it is being traded at Rs 800‐810 per 20 kg. Prices, therefore, have decreased nearly 12 per cent or Rs 110 per 20 kg in past one week. On the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), the castor seed contract for February 2014 went down by about 16 percent during a week. NCDEX February contract was traded on Rs 4,248 per quintal on Friday while it closed on Rs 5,056 per quintal a week ago. "Earlier this week, the futures witnessed a drastic sell off. The prices have fallen due to selling pressure and reluctance on the part of traders and exporters to buy at such high prices. Profit booking is seeping into the futures contracts even though the fundamentals still look strong", said Aasif Hirani, Director, Tradebulls Securities. Delayed and lower sowing on account of unfavorable weather conditions has hampered production. Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, the two largest castor growing states, witnessed shortage of rainfall during the sowing period. Globally too, castor supplies are likely to remain tight. Sowing area was lower this year by 35‐40 per cent, coupled with decline in estimated yield due to inconsistencies in the monsoons in major growing regions. Traders estimate total availability at 1.4 million tonnes this year, as compared with 2.4 million tonnes in the previous year. The crop sown in September is harvested through picking of seed in five‐six trenches, the first of which begins in January. A Rajkot‐based castor broker said that, price of castor seed had gone up after first week of this month thanks to heavy export demand for castor oil. Moreover there was a report of lower production of castor seed which supported the price to move up. Traders said, "Improvement in selling is also one of the reasons for negative trend in castor seed. Arrival of the seed has gained in past few days after price had increased." In the first week of December, arrival of castor seed was about 32,000‐35,000 bags in Gujarat which is now around 50,000‐55,000 bags a day.
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