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30.7.13 Fair symbolising blossoming of maize begins Himachal Pradesh Governor Urmila Singh Sunday inaugurated the annual Minjar Fair, a centuries old traditional Hindu fair that symbolises the blossoming of maize in this historical town located on the banks of the River Ravi. The week-long fair opened with the hoisting of the “Minjar” flag. (The ‘minjar’ refers to silk tassles that glow like maize blossoms in the sun). Praising the people for preserving the state’s rich cultural heritage, Urmila Singh said: “Fairs and festivals offer Himachal Pradesh its identity, and showcase the rich culture of ‘Dev Bhoomi’ or land of gods.” Stressing the need to protect the natural environment, the governor said it was extremely important to sensitise people to the vulnerability of the environment, especially since the hill states are especially prone to natural disasters. “We all should contribute towards keeping the hills clean, green and safe,” the governor said. Earlier, the people of the area, mainly farmers, gathered at the historic Lakshmi Narayan and Raghuvira temples and offered holy ‘minjars’ The fair is associated with the monsoon, in which the farmers pray for heavy rain for a good harvest. The fair will conclude with the immersion of minjars in the River Ravi. The fair is believed to have first started in the 10th century to mark the victory of king Sahila Varma over the king of Kangra. The defeated king had presented blossoms of maize and paddy to Varma.

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Another tale has it that a sage in the Champavati temple on the banks of the Ravi performed a week—long ‘yajna’ that changed the course of the river. This enabled the people to visit the Hari Rai temple across the river. During the fair, people adorn themselves with ‘minjars’ on their colourful costumes and pray for timely rain and a bumper crop. The embroidery on the ‘minjars’ is done mostly by Muslims.IANS Water comes too late for these coconut trees Empty at the top:Enumeration of fallen trees was not undertaken in many villages despite farmers seeking explanation repeatedly at monthly grievances meets— PHOTO : R.M. RAJARATHINAM. River Cauvery is all set to carry water in the next few days, and most farmers will forget the dispute and drought to go work in their fields. But for the coconut growers in Karur region and elsewhere there will be no respite from agony as the tress have withered in the prolonged drought. ``It is a common sight these days to see coconut trees with withered crowns even along the banks of River Cauvery. Those raised nearby the irrigation channels too have got dried. If that is the case of trees nearby waterfronts, the plight of those that are far off can be easily imagined,’’ points out R.Sivashanmugham, a coconut grove owner belonging to Vangal in Karur taluk. There was no flow in the river for more than six months and the hot sun battered the trees for months on end. With borewell levels dipping by the day and water becoming a precious commodity, there was no way to irrigate the trees that became easy catch for pest attacks to loose their

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crowns in these parched lands, point out another farmer T.Chinnathambi of Velliyanai showing his withered coconut grove. First the nuts shrunk, then flowers withered, followed by stunted growth of shoots. Still there was no sign of rain or water and slowly death surrounded the trees in Karur district as they fell in the full view of their growers who were not able to save even a fraction of their treasured grove . It is estimated that one third of the entire coconut tree population has lost its life while another quarter is on its twilight. Enumeration of fallen trees itself was not undertaken in many villages despite farmers seeking explanation repeatedly at the monthly grievances day meets. But nothing more than comforting words was forthcoming from the officials. Drought had its day and officials could not echo the farmers’ demand for compensation to the felled coconut trees. The “high level ministerial team’’ that toured the district is yet to think about the distraught coconut growers. Officials of the Department of Agriculture had counselled coconut growers to go in for insurance and some farmers had heeded their advice but most were not in a condition to do so while others were nourishing their doubts on the insurance companies attitude, resulting in insurance not being a ready compensation for the affected farmer who continues to rue his fate even as water flows down Cauvery and others get down to work. ‘Adequate seeds available for samba and thaladi’ As there is no kuruvai (short-term crop) this year in canal-irrigated areas in Cauvery delta districts, adequate samba and thaladi seeds have been kept

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ready for distribution to farmers, said K.Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, here on Monday. He told presspersons that CR1009 varieties of seeds are kept ready in agriculture department extension centres. Tamil Nadu Agriculture University and its affiliated research centre, Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI) at Aduthurai, have ADT39, ADT43, CO49 and CO51 seeds. “Farmers can be supplied with samba seeds without any problem,” the V-C said. As water is going to be released on August 2 from Mettur dam, farmers should use water efficiently for samba and thaladi cultivation, the VC said. Direct sowing could be taken up wherever possible as it had given good results in the past. Mixed reaction from farmers There was mixed reaction from farmers of Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts over the advancement of the date of opening of the Mettur dam for samba cultivation to August 2 from August 12 by the government. While a section of farmers welcomed the move, others felt that advancement of date would lead to confusion. Sundara Vimalanathan, secretary, Thanjavur District Cauvery Farmers Protection Committee, said that the move would help recharge the already depleting groundwater. “Farmers can take up early samba crop and government also can achieve its foodgrain production target.” However, S. Ranganathan, secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Welfare Association, said farmers were a little bit confused over the announcement as they did not have time to take up preparatory work for cultivation.

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P.R. Pandiyan, State council member of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said while the release of water from Mettur dam was always welcome, sufficient time for planning and avoiding wastage should also be considered. “We hope that proper regulation will make the water release fruitful,” Mr. Pandiyan said. Tiruchi Special Correspondent writes: Mahadanapuram V. Rajaram, working president of the Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association, said “though we understand and welcome the decision, farmers are not ready as yet to begin cultivation. Given the heavy flow into the Mettur dam and the prospect of good north-east monsoon, the government should take adequate precautionary measures against possible flooding,” he said. Farmers, traders await opening of banana ripening units The stock room and ripening chambers (with doors closed) inthe Artificial Banana Ripening Unit at Mohanur in Namakkal district.— Photo: M.K. Ananth Two years after completion of the construction of the Artificial Banana Ripening Unit (ABRU) at Mohanur in Namakkal, farmers and traders are still waiting for its inauguration. Foundation stone for the units in Mohanur, Tiruchi, Chinnamosur (Theni) and Srivaikundam (Thoothukudi) was laid by former Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S. Arumugam – virtually from Mohanur – on January 3, 2011. Funded by the National Agriculture Development Project, a sum of Rs. 2 crore – at Rs. 50 lakh for each unit – was set aside. Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Banana Growers Federation G. Ajeethan said that construction of the

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units in Namakkal and Tiruchi was completed, while construction of such units in the two other districts was yet to be over. “Banana is cultivated on an area of 5,000 acres in this district of which the major area under cultivation is in Mohanur, Paramathi and Velur blocks. Inaugurating the ABRU will greatly benefit farmers here who incur heavy loss through the conventional ripening method called fumigation where raw banana is ripened using smoke. Some traders and farmers even unethically use carbide stones for ripening,” he said. He added that a tenth of the fruits was damaged in those processes due to the mode of transport and handling the fruits. “The government allotted funds for ripening units to help farmers avoid losses and to help consumers get good quality bananas. In ABRU, ethylene is equally sprayed on banana in a controlled condition that preserves the fruit’s quality and extends its shelf life,” Mr. Ajeethan added. Deputy Director of Agriculture Business Department (Namakkal) R. Viswanathan said that the ABRU in Mohanur was handed over to the Salem Marketing Society on July 7, 2011. “This facility is waiting for the society to spend Rs. 8.5 lakh to procure crates and other handling equipment that are required for ripening banana,” he added. Secretary of the Salem Marketing Committee E. Annadurai said that major equipment in the ABRU were installed only a month ago. “Soon after installation, we requested the Director of Agriculture Marketing to allot funds for handling the equipment to put the ABRU to use. We are expecting it to reach us in a couple of weeks, after which it will be inaugurated,” he said.

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Watermelons no longer just a summer staple Hybrid varieties have brought prices of the fruit down Old and the new:The ‘ice box’ variety of watermelon are darker, more oblong and lighter than the regular seasonal variety.— Photo: K. Gopinathan Watermelons are no longer that summer fruit to savour in the sizzling heat. New hybrid varieties available across the State mean that melon lovers get their favourite fruit throughout the year. The size of the fruit has also shrunk into what is called the “ice box” variety. These watermelons are oblong, greener in colour, and lighter to carry. According to adviser to the Horticulture Department S.V. Hittalmani, the arrival of high-yielding hybrid varieties and encouragement to farmers through the subsidy scheme for drip irrigation and mulching (where the crop is planted on an elevated bed over a polythene sheet to prevent rotting and the spread of diseases during monsoon) have ensured steady supply of the fruit. Karnataka produces about one lakh tonnes of melons annually over 35,000 hectares. It is grown in Chitradurga, Chamarajanagar, Mysore, Mandya, Raichur, Kolar, Haveri, Bellary and parts of Chikmagalur. “Farmers in Kumta and Ankola in Uttara Kannada are also growing watermelons now in paddy fields after the rains. It is quite a shift for watermelon cultivation, which was earlier mostly taken up in dry river beds,” Dr. Hittalmani said.

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The popular Kiran variety, he said, has a market share of 50 per cent of the hybrid variety, traces its origin to a Taiwanese company. “Many Indian companies have also released their varieties to the market,” he added. Unhappy However, the availability of watermelons round the year has triggered a fall in prices, vendors claim. Javed, a watermelon vendor on Cantonment Road, who doesn’t sell the ice box variety, said: “During Ramzan, I sell a watermelon for Rs. 20 a kg, which is good, because prices sometimes drop to Rs. 10… Watermelons are available year round and for a low price in new-age vegetable and fruit markets, which is why our profits are still the same. Besides, people bargain with me, and many watermelons go bad or are wasted during transportation.” Dr. Hittalmani however said the crop gave farmers good returns. Poultry farmers seek govt.-sponsored foreign delegations to visit farms The Sultanate of Oman’s decision to allow select poultry farmers and traders of Namakkal to resume egg export to that country from this month has raised hope of improving egg export from here. Appeal Farmers have urged the government to sponsor delegations from other countries that bought eggs from India in the past, to revive egg export. The decrease in egg export worried poultry farmers and traders here as it plunged to a 10 year low following the consecutive bird flu outbreaks in Karnataka (Hesaraghatta) in October 2012, and in Bihar (Madhubani) this February.

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Two months ago, a delegation from Oman visited poultry farms attached to an egg export zone here. A. Shiva Kumar, managing director of the firm through which the eggs were being exported, told The Hindu that they had exported more than one crore eggs to Oman in July. This was more than half of the egg export from India in the previous month. He said that they had orders for five crore eggs in August. He noted that resuming trade with Oman was not an easy task. “It was the result of a series of representations to the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD), Government of India, and other departments to coordinate with the officials concerned in Oman and make them visit the farms here,” he said. From Oman The delegation led by Director of the Veterinary Quarantine Department, under Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Sultanate of Oman, visited 20 poultry farms in Namakkal from where they procured eggs on contract basis. “They checked the hygienic conditions in the farms, bio security measures and vaccination schedule. They also checked the godowns where the eggs are stored, and the packing and dispatch process,” he added. Exporters also said that the team also visited broiler farms in Palladam but were yet to give clearance for meat export. Secretary of the Livestock and Agri Farm Traders Association P.V. Senthil said that a few other firms had also invited the delegation from Oman to visit their farms. Mr. Senthil suggested that the AHD officials should

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prepare a list of farmers willing to export eggs and make arrangements for delegations to visit the farms and sponsor it. “Arrangements should be made to invite delegates from countries that stopped egg import from here, to boost our egg export.” Industry sources said that a few other Middle East countries that stopped buying eggs from India during previous bird flu outbreaks had also evinced interest in resuming trade with India. The scent of Wayanad for more tables Mechanised farming of Gandhakasala and Jeerakasala scented rice varieties begins

The aroma will now spread to more tables. Farmers in Wayanad expect to reap a golden harvest of the Gandhakasala and Jeerakasala scented rice of the district with the introduction of mechanised farming. The twin produce got the Geographical Indication (GI) certificate in 2010, but they have not been commercially exploited yet. The Wayanad District Scented Rice Farmers’ Society, a collective of traditional scented rice cultivators at Panamaram in the district, is taking the technical assistance of the Krishi Vijnan Kendra, Ambalavayal, and the Agriculture Department for the mechanisation. A. Asmath, president, Panamaram grama panchayat, launched the project recently. The GI tag prevents unauthorised use of the grain and helps promote exports. But the high input cost and low returns from the cultivation and the

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dearth of rubberised rice mills to make value-added products from the grain have come in the way of the exploitation of the potential. Mechanisation of agriculture is gaining momentum in the district because of a dearth of workers and high wages. “We have launched the project to promote the production of scented rice varieties in a sustainable way,” R. Radhamma Pillai, head of the Kendra, says. Group farming is adopted here, and machinery such as power tiller, paddy transplanter, power weeder and harvesters and threshers will be provided by the Kendra, D. Dhalin, Assistant Professor (Engineering) of the centre, says. The farmers can save Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 a hectare with complete mechanisation, he says. “This was the first time we used the paddy transplanting machine, and it was cost-effective,” K. Madhavan. a farmer at Panamaram, says. It took two to three hours to transplant paddy in about half an hectare. “During this season, we are planning to execute mechanisation on 10 hectares, and Agriculture Minister K.P. Mohanan had promised that the government will procure the entire produce,” Prof. Pillai says. Kerala Agriculture University and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) will jointly market the rice after value-addition. The government will set up a rice mill for the purpose, she adds.

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A system to check pesticide use in vegetables Traceability system to ensure food safety The State Horticulture Mission- Kerala (SHM-K) is preparing to introduce a traceability system to ensure food safety of vegetables and address pesticide contamination, a major issue in domestic horticulture produce. Mission Director K. Prathapan told The Hindu that moves were on to implement an elementary traceability system among the 50-odd farmers in Thiruvananthapuram district involved in the production of safe-to-eat vegetables, under a programme taken up by the Department of Agriculture, Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Keralam (VFPCK), Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Kerala State Horticultural Products Development Corporation (Horticorp), and the SHM-K. Across the world, traceability is emerging as a key factor in food safety and a standard business practice for the agri food sector to remain competitive in the market. It involves the ability to trace a product from production through the distribution chain right up to the consumer. The system allows authorities to trace a risk back to its source, helping them isolate the problem and prevent contaminated products from reaching consumers. Modern scientific traceability involves identification of farmlands using geo-referenced coordinates, creation of a farm registry, and bar-coding or RFID tagging for product identification and tracking of movement. “We plan to start off with a rudimentary system using plastic crates of different colours to procure vegetables produced in different clusters. The crates will be tagged to help identify the farm,” Dr. Prathapan said. The project assumes significance in the light of the public concern over the discovery of high levels of pesticide residue in samples of vegetables

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produced within Kerala as well as those imported from neighbouring states. The Pesticide Residue Research and Analytical Laboratory at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, has detected heavy load of organophosphorous pesticide in most vegetables sold through markets in the district. The farmers selected for the safe- to- eat programme are being imparted training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Experts from KAU advise them to minimise the use of chemical pesticides and adopt biocontrol agents, pheromone traps, and other safe plant protection methods instead. The produce is monitored regularly for pesticide residue, procured by Horticorp through VFPCK, and sold through Horticorp outlets under the brand name Amruth. Dr. Prathapan said the Amruth special counter, set up at the Horticorp outlet at Pazhavangady, recorded a daily business of over Rs.20,000. “The entire produce is sold out before noon. Foreign tourists constitute a good chunk of the consumers for the branded vegetables”. “The test reports of farm-gate samples of vegetables collected by KAU from April to June make this evident”. District Manager, VFPCK, Anil Kumar said farmers were responding well to the GAP methods of production. “They feel that the loss in productivity due to the adoption of gap is more than made up for by the higher price for safe-to-eat products. Some of the farmers have turned to exporters for better returns”.

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Meeting to look at solutions to problems faced by cane growers ‘Mechanisation of production can reduce the cost of cultivation’ Platform for Deliberations:M. Srinivasan, president, Indian Sugar Mills Association, and M.A. Shankar, Director of Research, UAS, Bangalore, at the 19th meeting of the Sugarcane Research and Development Workers of Southern Karnataka in Mysore on Monday.— Photo: M.A. Sriram The 19th meeting of the Sugarcane Research and Development Workers of Southern Karnataka commenced here on Monday with the objective of seeking solutions to the myriad problems sugarcane farmers and the sugar industry in the region is confronted with. The two-day conference will also look at various technologies that have either been adapted or rejected at the farm-level, water stress management, decline in crop output, impact of climate change and so on. N. Vijayan Nair, Director, Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, who delivered the theme address, said that it was important to know the status of technology adopted by the farmers and the reasons for either accepting it or rejecting it as this would help scientists reorient their research. He said there were issues related to climate change and it was pertinent to know if the farmers and the scientist community were prepared to deal with it. Major issues The two major issues for discussion during the meeting will be regarding moisture stress management owing to last year’s drought, and intercropping. Underlining the importance of intercropping in sugarcane cultivation, Mr. Nair said intercropping should be a major initiative at the farm-level. He said that contrary to popular belief, sugarcane yield had increased

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wherever it was taken up. “Farmers in the region should be convinced to take up intercropping,” he said. Though nothing much has changed as far as the use of drip irrigation was concerned, the ground situation had changed dramatically in recent years with drought, labour shortage and so on, while the cost of sugarcane cultivation had increased. This was compounded by a decline in production, said Mr. Nair. Fall in productivity Though south Karnataka had been inching towards the highest productivity per hectare it had declined in the last couple of years, he said. Comparison of yield of a particular variety when it was introduced with its current yield indicated the decline and this could be attributed to disease, said Mr. Nair. He suggested tissue culture based solutions. He also urged sugar mills to establish soil testing laboratories. Dwelling at length on the increase in cost of sugarcane cultivation, Mr. Nair said it could be reduced through mechanisation of production. M.A. Shankar, Director of Research, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, stressed the importance of adopting technology and water management apart from market linkages and convergence of scientific research with industrial application to turn around the sugarcane sector. M. Srinivasan, president, Indian Sugar Mills Association and Managing Director, Sri Chamundeshwari Sugars Ltd., presided over the meeting. Scientists from SBI, Coimbatore; UAS, Bangalore; Sir M. Visvesvaraya Sugarcane Research Institute, Mandya, and representatives of various sugar factories from the south Karnataka region are attending the meeting.

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Rain brings storage to the brim in reservoirs Storage in Siruvani, a drinking water source for Coimbatore fast improving The monsoon showers have helped considerably in improving the storage in many of the reservoirs under the Parambikulam — Aliyar Project (PAP) renewing the hopes of the farmers in Coimbatore and Tirupur districts. The showers have also considerably improved the storage in two major reservoirs, i.e., the drinking water sources for Coimbatore City i.e., Siruvani and Pilloor. Hilly terrain The continuing rain in the hilly terrain has already resulted in Sholayar reaching the full storage while the storage was fast reaching the brim in respect of Parambikulam, Aliyar and Thirumurthy. In the event of the rainfall pattern continuing for some more days, the overflowing water from Sholayar and Parambikulam is expected to improve the storage in Thirumurthy dam, which is at the lowest at present. Parambikulam is expected to overflow within the next 36 to 48 hours while Aliyar and Amaravathi might require a week’s time, sources said. The renovation of the contour canal taken up in four phases is going on now. Work for renovating the 49.3 km long canal at a cost of Rs. 185 crore was taken up in three phases on March 1, 2011. Work is being done in phases between the South West and North East monsoon. The canal with nine tunnels for a 30 km distance and the lengthiest tunnel of five km was witnessing a massive renovation after 1965.

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Till, then only repair works were carried out on a need based approach and this resulted in seepage, percolation loss bringing down the yield from the anticipated level of 18 to 23 tmcft at Thirumurthy. On completion of the works, the full anticipated yield will help in irrigating the nearly 4 lakh hectares in the four zones of the PAP ayacut. Storage in Siruvani, a drinking water source for Coimbatore City was fast improving and it was hardly four feet for overflow. The reservoir had 45.93 ft storage as against the FRL of 49.54. With the water spread area being wide, officials anticipate the reservoir to surplus within the next few days, provided the rainfall pattern improves or continues to remain steady. The other major drinking water source Pilloor was already overflowing and both Siruvani and Pilloor cater to the more than 60 per cent of the drinking water needs of Coimbatore City besides a number of wayside habitations. The monsoon showers had helped the hill areas considerably and increased the storage in the catchments of various reservoirs, while it was very disappointing in the plains. Storage in Siruvani is fast improving and it is hardly four feet for overflow Yashaswini healthcare scheme to pay Rs. 2.43 lakh to farmers The Dakshina Kannada District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has ordered payment of medical expenses ranging from Rs. 6,745 to Rs. 1.51 lakh to six farmers covered under a government medical insurance scheme. The Chief Executive Officer of the Yashaswini Cooperative Farmers Healthcare Scheme has also been asked to pay cost of litigation at Rs.

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2,000 in each case. The total amount of medical bills is Rs. 2,43,502. In its recent order, the forum asked the CEO to pay interest at the rate of 8 per cent per annum from the date of complaint till the date of payment. Benevolent scheme In its order, the forum pointed out that it was a benevolent insurance scheme of the State government to provide medical assistance to poor co-operative farmers and their family and all the complainants were its members. Justifying repudiation of the claims, scheme executives contended that the complainants took treatment in non-network hospitals without pre-authorization. The forum observed that relevant documents did not contain the list of network hospital, or gave details of pre-authorization for taking treatment elsewhere, or about any other procedure to be followed. The CEO had not produced any list of network hospitals before the forum. No list of the operation and the amount fixed was presented. Pointing out that “most of the beneficiaries are uneducated and villagers”, the redressal forum added, “In normal course, it is impossible and not practically possible for the members/ beneficiaries to go in search of the network hospitals when they fall sick.” The forum, headed by Asha Shetty, pointed out that National (Consumer) Commission had held that imposition of restriction in exclusion clause was a unilateral action and where the complainant was not told about such clause was not binding. The forum was “not convinced” that the scheme was not in insurance business.

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Consumer interest More significantly, the forum pointed out that “in order to safeguard consumer interest, six consumer rights were initially envisaged, and the right to choice is one among them.” It added, “The unexplained or unnoticed information regarding name of the network hospitals and prerequisite conditions would not be binding to the insured/ members of the scheme.” Those who filed the complaints were Paul Veigas of Kunjathabail; M.P. Laxminarayana Rao of Arasinamakki, Belthangady Taluk; Saritha of Sampaje Post, Kodagu; Lakshmi of Veerakambha; Babu Gowda of Budoly, Peraje Village; Ramachandra Bhat of Vittal Mudnoor all of Bantwal Taluk. Fruit rot disease hits areca plantations Farmers write to Minister to conduct survey, decide on compensation Fruit rot disease or ‘kole roga’ has hit arecanut plantations in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi severely due to incessant rain, and farmers fear it will affect the production during 2013-14, say farmers Taking stock of the situation, the All India Areca Growers’ Association, Puttur, on Monday wrote to Shamanur Shivashankarappa, Minister for Horticulture, requesting him to conduct a survey of plantations hit by the disease and provide compensation to the farmers. In his letter, president of the association Manchi Srinivas Achar said that the blight had hit about 75 per cent of plantations in the twin districts and was fast spreading as the rains had not receded since June. Many farmers were not in a position to spray the copper sulphate and lime mixture, a solution traditionally sprayed on arecanut bunches to control the disease.

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He said that a majority of farmers in the two districts were dependent on arecanut, a major commercial crop. Mr. Achar told The Hindu that the blight had also hit the plantations where a chemical solution having potassium phosphonate was sprayed, including his, and available in different brand names in the market, instead of the traditional copper sulphate and lime mixture. Blight severe He said that the blight was severe in Bantwal, Puttur and Sullia taluks in Dakshina Kannada. Mr. Achar said the blight had hit the plantations of farmers who have sprayed the chemical solutions and those who had not been able to spray it due to continuous rainfall. Jagannath Shetty, a farmer from Kedila village, Bantwal taluk, said that his 4.5-acre plantation had been completely hit with the disease as he was not able to spray the solution because of incessant rains. He said that he had witnessed a similar problem a decade ago. Raghavendra Bhat, a member of Kedila gram panchayat, said that plantations of many farmers in the village have been hit. According to his estimation 50 per cent of production would be hit in his village. Vasanth Bhat from Todikana village near Sullia said that the disease had spread in many plantations in his village and farmers from nearby villages told him that they were also facing the problem. State accounts for one-fourth of area under paddy in the country’ Improving paddy crop and developing rice varieties and creating awareness about how good the millets are for health are priorities of

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Acharya N.G. Ranga Agriculture University A. Padma Raju said there on Monday. AP not only accounts for one fourth of the 40 million hectare area under paddy in the country but also is No. 1 as far as varieties of rice are concerned. As much as 25 per cent of rice consuming population of the country is using the AP varieties, Prof. Padma Raju said. If even Re. 1 is given as royalty for one acre for the varieties, the university will have huge funds and take up many more programmes, he said while pointing out that Rs. 300 is the royalty for a BT variety. The university is concentrating on direct varieties since the farmer is not yet accepting hybrid varieties since rise in yield of a hybrid variety is just 10 per cent more than an ordinary variety. Hence good quality hybrid varieties are needed and the university is concentrating on it. While hybrid varieties are not finding favour with AP farmers, they are popular with farmers of States where the extent under rice was less. It was also AP that was providing hybrid seeds to the entire country, Dr. Padma Raju said. To promote millets, the university was concentrating on health awareness and introducing biscuits, noodles, etc. prepared with ragi, sorghum, soya beans and other millets. Jawar ravva mixed with idli ravva will give more strength. It was also encouraging entrepreneurs to create demand for millets. “Millets are easy to grow, and they are rain fed. There is demand for millets from foreign countries like Japan. Organic farming The agriculture university is also looking at organic farming by conducting research and trials.

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On genetic modification of seeds, he said a new concept was developed in biotechnology for identifying genes responsible for a disease and screening them. Mettur water release advanced to August 2

Farm workers transplanting samba crop in Thanjavur on Monday. Photo:B.Velankanni Raj Inflow to the dam increases considerably The water release from the Mettur dam for irrigation, originally scheduled for August 12, has been advanced to August 2. In a statement issued here on Monday, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa stated that inflow to the dam had gone up considerably following Krishnarajasagar and Kabini dams releasing surplus water of 90,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) in the wake of heavy rainfall in the Cauvery catchment on Saturday and Sunday. If the inflow were to continue, the dam would touch full level of 120 ft by August 3. Considering the present position, the discharge of water was stepped up to 10,000 cusecs from 6,000 cusecs and this came into effect on Monday, the Chief Minister said.

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The State government had been releasing 3,000 cusecs to meet drinking water needs and it was enhanced by an equal additional quantity from July 27 for Adi Perukku festival, she added. Crosses 100 feet mark Staff Reporter from Salem writes: The water level in the dam has crossed the 100-feet mark for the 62nd time in its 79-year history. The last time it touched the mark on November 11, 2011. PWD officials said the water rose beyond the 100 feet mark at 1.27 a.m. on Monday. The level now is 100.85 feet, the inflow 88,988 cusecs and the discharge 6,801 cusecs, officials said. The storage rose by six thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft), from 58.87 tmc ft to 65.94 tmc ft. The water level touched the 16-vent surplus channel of the dam on Monday morning. Meanwhile, the inflow at Biligundlu in Krishnagiri district, the entry point to Tamil Nadu, recorded a decrease of 12,000 cusecs and continued to drop during the day. Sources in the Central Water Commission told The Hindu that the flow decreased from 85,000 cusecs at 6 p.m. on Sunday to 73,000 cusecs at 8 a.m. on Monday. Poultry farmers seek govt.-sponsored foreign delegations to visit farms The Sultanate of Oman’s decision to allow select poultry farmers and traders of Namakkal to resume egg export to that country from this month has raised hope of improving egg export from here.

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Appeal Farmers have urged the government to sponsor delegations from other countries that bought eggs from India in the past, to revive egg export. The decrease in egg export worried poultry farmers and traders here as it plunged to a 10 year low following the consecutive bird flu outbreaks in Karnataka (Hesaraghatta) in October 2012, and in Bihar (Madhubani) this February. Two months ago, a delegation from Oman visited poultry farms attached to an egg export zone here. A. Shiva Kumar, managing director of the firm through which the eggs were being exported, told The Hindu that they had exported more than one crore eggs to Oman in July. This was more than half of the egg export from India in the previous month. He said that they had orders for five crore eggs in August. He noted that resuming trade with Oman was not an easy task. “It was the result of a series of representations to the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD), Government of India, and other departments to coordinate with the officials concerned in Oman and make them visit the farms here,” he said. From Oman The delegation led by Director of the Veterinary Quarantine Department, under Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Sultanate of Oman, visited 20 poultry farms in Namakkal from where they procured eggs on contract basis. “They checked the hygienic conditions in the farms, bio security measures and vaccination schedule. They also checked the godowns

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where the eggs are stored, and the packing and dispatch process,” he added. Exporters also said that the team also visited broiler farms in Palladam but were yet to give clearance for meat export. Secretary of the Livestock and Agri Farm Traders Association P.V. Senthil said that a few other firms had also invited the delegation from Oman to visit their farms. Mr. Senthil suggested that the AHD officials should prepare a list of farmers willing to export eggs and make arrangements for delegations to visit the farms and sponsor it. “Arrangements should be made to invite delegates from countries that stopped egg import from here, to boost our egg export.” Industry sources said that a few other Middle East countries that stopped buying eggs from India during previous bird flu outbreaks had also evinced interest in resuming trade with India. A system to check pesticide use in vegetables Traceability system to ensure food safety The State Horticulture Mission- Kerala (SHM-K) is preparing to introduce a traceability system to ensure food safety of vegetables and address pesticide contamination, a major issue in domestic horticulture produce. Mission Director K. Prathapan told The Hindu that moves were on to implement an elementary traceability system among the 50-odd farmers in Thiruvananthapuram district involved in the production of safe-to-eat vegetables, under a programme taken up by the Department of Agriculture, Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Keralam (VFPCK), Kerala

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Agricultural University (KAU), Kerala State Horticultural Products Development Corporation (Horticorp), and the SHM-K. Across the world, traceability is emerging as a key factor in food safety and a standard business practice for the agri food sector to remain competitive in the market. It involves the ability to trace a product from production through the distribution chain right up to the consumer. The system allows authorities to trace a risk back to its source, helping them isolate the problem and prevent contaminated products from reaching consumers. Modern scientific traceability involves identification of farmlands using geo-referenced coordinates, creation of a farm registry, and bar-coding or RFID tagging for product identification and tracking of movement. “We plan to start off with a rudimentary system using plastic crates of different colours to procure vegetables produced in different clusters. The crates will be tagged to help identify the farm,” Dr. Prathapan said. The project assumes significance in the light of the public concern over the discovery of high levels of pesticide residue in samples of vegetables produced within Kerala as well as those imported from neighbouring states. The Pesticide Residue Research and Analytical Laboratory at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, has detected heavy load of organophosphorous pesticide in most vegetables sold through markets in the district. The farmers selected for the safe- to- eat programme are being imparted training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Experts from KAU advise them to minimise the use of chemical pesticides and adopt biocontrol agents, pheromone traps, and other safe plant protection methods instead.

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The produce is monitored regularly for pesticide residue, procured by Horticorp through VFPCK, and sold through Horticorp outlets under the brand name Amruth. Dr. Prathapan said the Amruth special counter, set up at the Horticorp outlet at Pazhavangady, recorded a daily business of over Rs.20,000. “The entire produce is sold out before noon. Foreign tourists constitute a good chunk of the consumers for the branded vegetables”. “The test reports of farm-gate samples of vegetables collected by KAU from April to June make this evident”. District Manager, VFPCK, Anil Kumar said farmers were responding well to the GAP methods of production. “They feel that the loss in productivity due to the adoption of gap is more than made up for by the higher price for safe-to-eat products. Some of the farmers have turned to exporters for better returns”. AU, ANGRAU sign MoU

Acharya N.G Ranga Agricultural University Vice-chancellor A. Padma Raju (left) exchanges documents with Andhra University V-C G.S.N. Raju after signing an MoU in Visakhapatnam on Monday.— Photo: C. V. SUBRAHMANYAM

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Andhra University and Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) here on Monday which encompasses many aspects like joint research projects, consultancy activity, software development, conducting seminars, symposia and workshops on agriculture, engineering and technology, bio-technology and ICT. Setting up collaborative centres to offer certificate and modular courses in general and computer related fields was also part of the MoU. Vice-Chancellors of AU and ANGRAU G.S.N. Raju and A. Padma Raju respectively were confident that the MoU would do a lot of good to agriculture and research in it as well as the two institutions. It may be recalled that AU and ANGRAU jointly developed a web portalwww.indiakisan.netwhich was launched by Director General of ICAR Mangalarai at Tirupati in 2005. This portal gained a lot reputation in India and abroad. Prof. Padma Raju felt the need for collaboration with the various well established departments of AU and good interaction between faculties of the two universities. The MoU was singed by Registrars of AU and ANGRAU K. Rama Mohana Rao and V. Praveen Rao respectively. Rector of AU S. Ganapathi, Principals of AU campus colleges and ANGRAU’s Dean (agriculture engineering) T.V. Satyanarayana were present.

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Climate change will hit agriculture: experts Global climate change has serious implications on agriculture, Vice-Chancellors of Andhra University and Acharya N.G. Ranga Agriculture University G.S.N. Raju and A. Padma Raju said here on Monday. “We have to change according to the changes and plan for adopting mechanisms. ANGRAU is creating high temperatures (for raising crops) artificially as part of its research,” said Dr. Padma Raju during the inaugural session of a one-day seminar on agriculture productivity-global climate change, organised by the UGC-Academic Staff College of AU. He felt that Department of Meteorology of AU could help ANGRAU in the studies, and both could tap the ICAR research projects. Prof. G.S.N. Raju said glaciers were most susceptible to the climate change. The climate change would have a lot of impact on agriculture productivity, quality, its practices, soil erosion, crop diversion, changes in crop development model, increase in carbon dioxide, rainfall, spread of pests, etc. ‘Research needed’ He emphasised that Andhra University has all the technology to take up research in climate change and agriculture production. Director of the seminar N.A. Vara Prasda Reddy explained about the seminar.

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weather

INSAT PICTURE AT 14.00 hrs. Observations recorded at 8.30 a.m. on July 29th.

Max Min R TR

New Delhi (Plm) 37 29 0 322 New Delhi (Sfd) 36 29 0 431 Chandigarh 35 29 1 451 Hissar 37 28 0 234 Bhuntar 33 23 0 319 Shimla 23 18 3 527 Jammu 35 27 tr 442 Srinagar 35 24 0 133 Amritsar 36 29 0 253 Patiala 37 29 0 442 Jaipur 34 25 25 312 Udaipur 29 24 12 444

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Allahabad 31 26 4 632 Lucknow 32 24 0 491 Varanasi 29 25 1 389 Dehradun 30 25 64 1767 Agartala 28 25 12 521 Ahmedabad 31 24 44 657 Bangalore 26 19 1 313 Bhubaneshwar 33 27 tr 513 Bhopal 24 23 15 827 Chennai 37 25 2 304 Guwahati 35 26 3 547 Hyderabad 30 23 0 393 Kolkata 31 25 77 703 Mumbai 29 25 20 1819 Nagpur 29 24 tr 951 Patna 33 26 8 168 Pune 27 22 6 479 Thiruvananthapuram 32 24 0 746 Imphal 33 23 0 457 Shillong 24 17 0 531 The columns show maximum and minimum temperature in Celsius, rainfall during last 24 hours (tr-trace) and total rainfall in mm since 1st June. RAINFALL South-west Monsoon has been Vigorous over east-Rajasthan. The axis of monsoon trough on sea level pressure passes through Ferozepur, Meerut, Centre of lopar and thence South-East wards

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RAINFALL: Rain/thundershowers have occurred at most places over east Rajasthan, at a few places over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and at isolated places over rest of the region. The chief amounts of rainfall in cm are: (3 cm and above) HARYANA: Chandigarh Airport 3, HIMACHAL PRADESH: Bhoranj 8, Sujanpura Tira 7, Nurpur 5 and Hamirpur and Ghamoor 3 each, JAMMU AND KASHMIR: Katra 13, PUNJAB: Shahpur Kandi 7, R.S.Dam Site 6 and Madhopur and Phangota 5 each, EAST RAJASTHAN: (6 cm and above) Anta 34, Baran 19, Mangrol 15, Kisanganj and Nainwa 14 each, Nagarfort 13, Tonk 12, Atru and Sangod 10 each, Chipabarod, Aklera, pipalada and Piplu 9 each, Chabra, Indergarh, Manoharthana, Pachpahar, Degod and Mandana 8 each, Kapasan, Asnawar, Karauli, R.B.Dam and Kota 7 each and Kekri and Amer 6 each, WEST RAJASTHAN: Bhinmal 3, WEST UTTAR PRADESH: Lalitpur 10, Mahroni 9, Mauranipur 4 and Najibabad and Garotha 3 each and UTTARAKHAND: Haridwar and Haldwani 7 each, Dehradun 6, Nanital and Kashipur 4 each and Pantnagar 3. FORECAST VALID UNTIL THE MORNING OF 31st July 2013 : Rain/thundershowers may occur at many places over Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and east-Rajasthan. Rain/thundershowers may occur at a few places over rest of the region outside west Rajasthan where it would be at one or two places during next 24 hours and increase thereafter. HEAVY RAINFALL WARNING: Heavy rainfall may occur at one or two places over east Rajasthan during next 24 hours. Heavy rainfall may occur at one or two places over Uttarakhand and west Uttar Pradesh on 30th and 31st and over Himachal Pradesh on 31st

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FORECAST FOR DELHI AND NEIGHBOURHOOD VALID UNTIL THE MORNING OF 31st July 2013: Generally cloudy sky. Rain/thundershowers may occur in some areas

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Mettur dam to open early, Chennai to get Cauvery water in 10 days Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa has ordered the public works department to open the shutters of Mettur dam on August 2, instead of the earlier scheduled date of August 12, since the reservoir is expected to reach full storage level of 120 feet soon. This also brings cheer to water managers, as Chennai's four drinking water reservoirs can meet the demand only for a month. The Veeranam lake in Cuddalore district, now bone-dry, is expected to get Cauvery water in 10 days and augment the city's water needs. "If the quantum of water release is increased to 12,000 to 20,000 cusecs, water will reach Veeranam via Kollidam very shortly," sources said. On Sunday night, PWD officials offered floral tribute to Mettur reservoir, when the water level touched the magic 100ft. The good inflow into Mettur has increased the storage level by 14tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) in 48 hours, thanks to the heavy rains lashing the catchments of the Cauvery river in Karnataka. The state has been releasing the surplus water of about 88,000 cusecs (cubic feet per second) in the last two days and on Monday evening, the quantum touched 73,199 cusecs. In a press release, Jayalalithaa ordered the release of 4,000 cusecs of water in addition to the 6,000 cusecs of water being released for drinking water schemes and Aadi Perukku, a religious festival celebrated on the banks of the Cauvery. "Water will be released, keeping in mind the preparatory works for samba crop in the delta districts," she said. This will

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help farmers to take up medium-term thaladi and long-term samba crop, since short-term kuruvai was given a miss this year. Poor monsoon last year, coupled with Karnataka's refusal to release water hit the state's irrigation system last year. Cropland 20 times area of city ruined in floods Data compiled by the divisional commissionerate during the preliminary survey to assess the damage caused by recent floods indicates that more than 20% of the crop land in Nagpur division has been damaged. In absolute terms the affected area is 4.09 lakh hectare, or equivalent to 20 times the city's area or 40% of Nagpur district. The total crop land in the division is 19 lakh hectare. More damaging is the fact that crops in more than three-fifth affected crop land — 2.46 lakh hectare — faced more than 50% damage. Rains have also damaged roads and bridges in the region. The length of damaged roads is over 36,000 km and number of affected bridges is 112. Around 520 crore will be required to repair them. However, a close look at the figures reveals that the damage has been assessed on the lower side. The damage to crops as well as cattle, houses, etc is far higher in Nagpur district than Chandrapur and Gadchiroli. These two districts had witnessed heavier rainfall and flooding. A detailed survey may reveal the true extent of damage. In spite of having firsthand knowledge about the extent of damage, opposition parties did not allow the legislature to function on Monday and thus prevented chief minister Prithviraj Chavanfrom announcing a relief package for the affected farmers.

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National Research Centre for Citrus gets to the root of orange root stock The city-based National Research Centre for Citrus (NRCC) has developed a DNAfinger printing technique to detect if the root stock of a grafted orange sapling is Rough Lemon, Jamberi or Rangapur Lime. The test, devised in collaboration with biotechnology department of Indian Institute for Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore, is a tool for quality control checks on material being sold by private nurseries to farmers. The technique has been specifically designed to test if the nursery used Galgal as root stock to prepare an orange sapling, which is highly undesirable and affects the quality of the plant. Generally, private nurseries in the region are known to use Galgal plants brought from Punjab or Himachal Pradesh as root stock. NRCC director VJ Shivankar told TOI an earlier molecular marker technique developed by the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, was not very specific. So, the state government had directed NRCC to evolve a better methodology. It took the institute about two years to develop the protocol, which uses some molecular markers to identify the root stock. "To say it in technical terms, our centre has developed a biotechnological tool to identify specifically the plant used as root stock in the grafted orange plant purchased by a farmer from nurseries. Ideally, only two species, Rough Lemon, Jamberi or Rangapur Lime, should be used as root stock to graft Nagpur mandarin. But nurseries try to use Galgal, which grows much faster and looks very good," said Shivankar. Dr Anil Bonde, independent MLA from Morshi, had actually raised the issue with NRCC and state government following a hue and cry by nursery

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owners when the state government began implementing the 'Nursery Act'. The nursery owners had admitted that they used Galgal but also opposed the act, as they said they do not have seeds of the three citrus species that should be used for preparing the root stock. The state had then taken the NBPGR technology and given it to Mahabeej for implementation. TOI had done a story in May 2010 that Mahabeej had signed a MOU with NBPGR to check the root stock. But, apparently, the technique didn't work well as Mahabeej did not get specific results, and the KVK in Badnera, which also used similar method, got different results. So the work was stopped. This led Bonde to raise the issue with NRCC and state government. The department of horticulture in Maharashtra then asked NRCC to develop the technology. Besides IIHR horticulture head Aswath Chenna Reddy, the NRCC team which worked on the technique includes principal scientist in plant pathology department AK Das, along with principal scientists of horticulture IP Singh and Vijaya Kumari. "We found two specific molecular markers for Galgal, which very clearly differentiate it from other citrus varieties used as root stocks," said Das. South Africa seeks to explore citrus markets in India South Africa, world's second largest citrus producer, is keen to export its citrus products to India and China amid threats to its biggest export market in the European Union. "It is important to seek other export markets because we cannot put all our eggs in one basket," Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Tina Joemat-Petterson told the Afrikaans daily Beeld after meeting with

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representatives of the citrus industry. Petterson said she would try to convince her Indian and Chinese counterparts to import South African citrus when she meets them at a BRICS gathering later this year. The Minister emphasised though that the US and EU markets, to which almost half of South Africa's citrus products are exported, would not be neglected. The EU has warned South Africa that it would act against its exports if it finds more than five citrus items with black spots. Last year, 39 such black spots were found, but none so far this year, with the citrus season currently at its peak. Pieter Nortje, chairman of the South African Citrus Growers Association, said India did not have very stringent requirements like that of the EU, but import surcharges of between 40 per cent and 45 per cent would make the citrus products very expensive for the Indian consumer. Petterson said China had very strong conditions and she would try to convince them to modernise these. South Africa's citrus industry has consistently grown by about 7 per cent annually for the past decade and is estimated to be worth between six and eight billion rands. The country is the second largest citrus producer in the world after Spain.

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Weather-Chennai Today's Weather

Sunny

Tuesday, Jul 30 Max Min 35o | 27o

Rain: 0 Sunrise: 05:53

Humidity: 49 Sunset: 06:36 Wind: normal Barometer: 1005

Tomorrow's Forecast

Overcast

Wednesday, Jul 31 Max Min 32o | 26o

Extended Forecast for a week Thursday Aug 1

Friday Aug 2

Saturday Aug 3

Sunday Aug 4

Monday Aug 5

33o | 26o 33o | 26o 32o | 26o 32o | 26o 32o | 26o

Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast Overcast

Airport weather Rain: 0 Sunrise: 05:53 Humidity: 49 Sunset: 06:36

Wind: normal Barometer: 1005

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Mills’ continuous sales weigh down sugar

Sugar prices in Vashi spot market decline by Rs12 for S-grade lower side and by Rs11 for M-grade higher side on Monday due to slack demand and weak moral upper end. Mills continued selling but bulk and stockiest buying kept routine. Mill tender rates were down by Rs10-Rs20. More than sufficient inventory stocks in Vashi market and month end ease local demand also weigh on futures markets which rule in thin volatility. Sugar prices are under selling pressure since start of the month. Sentiment in physical market was weak said sources. Vashi base wholesaler said “As sugar output in India continued to be higher than local demand on third - fourth consecutive year and sufficient stocks held with producers and stockiest since start of the 2012 –2013 season year trend remain bearish under continuous selling pressure”. In the 2013-14 year beginning October is likely to drop 5.2 percent from a year earlier to 237 lakh tonnes, compared with a local demand of around

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230 lakh tonnes. Sugar production this year expected at 250 lakh tonnes he said”. Analyst said, Vashi market currently carries 125 – 130 truckloads of stocks hence stockiest preferred to buy as needed. Prices in other states also rule par with Maharashtra’s parity diverting Eastern side buyers to Southern states especially Karnataka. Normally they feed their requirement from Maharashtra due to price advantage but which is not favourable this year. Ample monsoon rains in cane growing states which will help cane crop recovery also weigh on sentiment. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, the top two sugar producers in India, received more rainfall than normal since the start of the monsoon season analyst said. The arrivals in the market were 63 – 64 truck loads (Each of 100 bags) and local dispatches were 61 – 62 truck loads. On Saturday evening about 10-12 mills offered tenders and sold about 38,000 – 40,000 bags at Rs 2,900-2,970 (Rs 2,910-Rs 2,980) for S-grade and Rs 2,990-Rs 3,150 (Rs 3,000- 3,170) for M-grade. On National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange sugar August -13 futures was flat at Rs 3,027 (Rs 3,027), September lower by Rs2 to Rs 3,039 (Rs 3,041) and October drop by Rs3 to Rs 3,062 (Rs 3,065). Bombay Sugar Merchants Association's spot rates were: S-grade Rs 3,040– Rs 3,132 (Rs 3,052– Rs 3,132) and M-grade Rs 3,162 - 3,311 (Rs 3,162-3,321). Naka delivery rates were: S-grade Rs 3,000 -3,050 (Rs 3,000-3,050) and M-grade Rs 3,080-3,190 (Rs 3,080-3,190).

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Spend concerns for farm operations drag turmeric

Turmeric farmers are now coming forward to sell their produce, notwithstanding lower prices. Due to rise in the water level in the Lower Bhavani Project reservoir and also the Mettur dam, farmers expect water to be released soon in the first turn canal of Lower Bhavani canal and also in the Kalingarayan canal for irrigation. So they require money for their agricultural operations. Now they have decided to sell their produce at prevailing prices. Farmers brought 5,010 bags of turmeric on Monday after about a month and sold 50 per cent of stocks, said R.K.V. Ravishankar, President, Erode Turmeric Merchants Association. On Monday, traders purchased over 1,800 bags, while stockists procured 650 bags. At the Erode Turmeric Merchants Association sales yard, the finger variety was sold at Rs 4,019-6,417 a quintal, the root variety Rs 3,853-5,866. Salem hybrid crop: The finger variety was sold at Rs 5,844-6,889, the root variety Rs 5,499-6,389. Of the 849 bags that arrived, 407 were sold.

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At the Regulated Market Committee, the finger variety was sold at Rs 5,109-6,399, the root variety Rs 4,899-5,911. Of the 575 bags on offer, 534 got sold. At the Erode Cooperative Marketing Society, the finger variety was sold at Rs 5,009-6,412, the root variety Rs 4,900-5,812. Of 745 bags put up for sale, 564 were picked up. At the Gobichettipalayam Agricultural Cooperative marketing Society, the finger variety fetched Rs 5,385-6,699, the root variety Rs 5,169-5,972. Of 551 bags offered, 266 got sold. Kharif crop prospects crush edibe oils

Imported palmolein and soyabean refined oil extended loss by Rs 2 and Rs 5 each on the fourth consecutive day on Monday, tracking bearish futures markets. Sunflower refined oil dropped by Rs 5; groundnut oil bounced back sharply by Rs 30 from three weeks low on Saturday following a sudden spurt in Saurashtra market where it increased by Rs 60 for 10 kg; sunflower

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expeller, rapeseed and cotton refined oils up by Rs 10, Rs 5 and Rs 3 each. “Good rains have raised the prospects of better kharif oilseeds output, which will reduce our import dependence for edible oils if there is no damage to the crops,” Shailesh Kataria of Riddhi Broker said.Resellers sold 100-150 tonnes palmolein at Rs 510-512 for ready delivery, an importer sold 100-150 tonnes palmolein at Rs 512 for weekly delivery and Ruchi sold 80-100 tonnes of soyabean refined oil at Rs 621 for delivery up to August. Liberty quoted palmolein at Rs 517-518; super palmolein Rs 553 and super deluxe Rs 573. Ruchi quoted palmolein at Rs 518, soyabean refined oil Rs 621 and sunflower refined oil Rs 791. Allana quoted palmolein Rs 517-522 and super palmolein Rs 560. Gokul’s rates were Rs 515. In Rajkot, groundnut oil shot up by Rs 60 to Rs 1,470 (Rs 1,410) for telia tin and by Rs 60 to Rs 960 (Rs 900) for loose 10 kg on fear of excess rain. On the National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange, soyabean refined oil August futures dropped to Rs 640.10 (Rs 642.90), September Rs 620.75 (Rs 627.15) and October by Rs 11.70 to Rs 594.50 (606.20). Malaysia BMD crude palm oil’s August futures contracts settled at MYR 2,253 (MYR 2,260), September at MYR 2,211 (MYR 2,218) and October at MYR 2,167 (MYR 2,183). The Bombay Commodity Exchange spot rates (Rs/10 kg) were: Groundnut oil 960 (930), soya refined oil 621 (626), sunflower exp. ref. 730 (720), sunflower ref. 790 (795), rapeseed ref. oil 675 (670), rapeseed expeller ref. 645 (640) cottonseed ref. oil 630 (627) and palmolein 514 (516).

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Vikram Global Commodities (P) Ltd quoted Rs 570 for 10 kg for Malaysian super palmolein - August delivery. Pepper turns bearish on Lankan offers

Pepper ruled nearly steady on Monday on selling pressure. Consequently, two of the active contracts ended marginally down, while the third contract moved up. Reports of Sri Lankan offers at competitive rates coupled with rumours of release of some part of the pepper locked up in the warehouses resulted in creating some bearish sentiments in the market today, market sources said. Added to this, is the sun shine today which the trade believe might help increase the arrivals pushing the prices down. Sellers were there from plains at Rs 395 a kg while the buyers were at Rs 389-390 a kg. Some seven tonnes of pepper from the plains were traded at the average price of Rs 389 a kg. There was no arrival from the high ranges, they said. However, Karnataka was offering at Rs 395 and at Rs 405 delivered anywhere in the country. Against this, the landed cost of Sri Lankan pepper 500 GL would come to Rs 350, they said.

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August and September contracts on the National Multi Commodity Exchange decreased by Rs 10 and Rs 94, respectively, to the last traded price (LTP) of Rs 41,500, Rs 41,950. October contracts increased by Rs 225 to Rs 42,050. Total turnover moved up by two tonnes to close at 32 tonnes, while the total net open position declined by two tonnes to 81 tonnes. Spot prices continued to remain unchanged at Rs 38,900 (ungarbled) and Rs 40,900 (garbled) a quintal on limited activities. Indian parity in the international market was up at $7,100 a tonne (c&f) for Europe and $7,350 a tonne (c&f) for the US. OVERSEAS TREND According to an overseas report today, Sri Lanka started offering fresh black pepper 525 GL at $5,850 (cif), 550 GL at $5,975 and white pepper at $9,830 all (cif) Kochi. Rice may witness marginal fluctuations

The rice market may continue to rule around current levels with marginal fluctuations this week, said market experts. Amit Chandna, Proprietor of Hanuman Rice Trading Company, told Business Line that situation of the market was anticipated as market’s future is uncertain. According to the trade experts, following too much volatility over the last few days, bulk

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buyers are keeping themselves out and market may witness only need-based buying in coming days, he added. In the physical market, Pusa-1121 (steam) sold at Rs 8,000-8,100 a quintal, while Pusa-1121 (sela) quoted at Rs 7,600-7,800 a quintal. Pure basmati (raw) quoted at Rs 8,800 a quintal. Duplicate basmati (steam) sold at Rs 6,600 a quintal. For the brokens of Pusa-1121, Dubar quoted at Rs 3,600, Tibar sold at Rs 4,250 while Mongra was at Rs 2,900 a quintal. In the non basmati section, Sharbati (Steam) sold at Rs 4,500-4,600 while Sharbati (Sela) quoted at Rs 4,300 a quintal. Permal (raw) sold at Rs 2,300-2,350 a quintal while Permal (sela) went for Rs 2,300 a quintal. PR-11 (sela) sold at Rs 2,900 while PR-11 (Raw) quoted at Rs 2,750 a quintal. Prices of PR14 (steam) sold at Rs 3,100 a quintal. Paddy arrivals Around 4,500 bags of different paddy varieties arrived at the Karnal Grain Market Terminal on Monday from the Uttar Pradesh. About 500 bags of Pusa-1121 arrived and quoted at Rs 3,100-3,200 a quintal. Around 4,000 bags of PR arrived and quoted at Rs 1,050-1,100 a quintal. A ‘bill-box’ system to carry commodities to retailers

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Much like its world renowned Dabbawala scheme, Mumbai’s road transport has a unique system in place for moving grocery, grains and other commodities to the nook and cranny of the metropolis and its suburbs. The method that works out of the Vashi Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee yard in Mumbai covers retailers and even households over a region of 70 sq km. The system primarily serves two purposes. One, the retailer gets the product he wants from the yard where a whole range of a commodity’s grades is available. Two, it also ensures that vehicles carrying goods to retail outlets are always full. In turn, the consumer also doesn’t have to pay higher retail price that takes into account the transport charges too. The system smacks a little of monopoly, though. “A transporter has to be a member of the Retail Transport Owners Association of Navi Mumbai to enter the Vashi yard paying a one-time fee of Rs 10,000. Then, every year, he has to pay Rs 250 that goes towards maintenance of the association office,” says Dikshit Jamnadas Jani, who has been a commission agent here for over two decades. A retailer who needs a particular product or some products calls his commission agent and places the order. The commission agent, in turn, identifies the seller at the yard, collects the bill and puts it in the box provided by the transport association. Every agent knows the transport company that reaches the retailer and that makes it easy for him to drop the bill in the specified box.

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The transporters’ box has been provided in each complex of the over 100 acre-yard, where various grades of grains, pulses, sugar and grocery are available. From here, the bill is collected by a crew member of the transport organisation. Each order that a retailer has placed is then picked up from the seller’s warehouse and then loaded on to the lorry or van of the transporters. “Each retailer’s product is identified by the Mehta (accountant) who sorts out and loads the product based on the distance of the retailer,” says Abdul Ali Sheikh, General Secretary of the association. “No vehicle will leave the market yard without being fully loaded. This system ensures that,” says Jani. The transport charge is levied on a 50-kg bag basis. “We are now charging Rs 30-50 for a bag based on the distance,” said Sheikh. The levy takes into account all expenses, including loading of vehicles. “This system is such that even the loading workers’ union and retailers are part of it in deciding the transport charge,” said Jani. “It ensures that there are no disputes over the charges that are levied,” said Sheikh. For a retailer like Devraj at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre residential complex, the system ensures in reaching the premium-grade rice that his customer wants. This system has now drawn the attention of overseas officials. “Some officials have visited the yard from Bangkok and Singapore. They have taken details from us to implement it in their country,” said Sheikh. Soya rules weak despite lower arrivals

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Sluggish trend continued in soyabean and oil on weak global cues and slack demand in soyameal. Soya refined on Monday declined to Rs 618-20 for 10 kg (Rs 620-23) in the physical market. However, at Neemuch and Mandsaur lines, soya refined is trading as low as Rs 605-7. Even at this rate, buying support in soya oil continues to be weak, said Mukesh Purohit, an Indore-based soya oil trader. Slack demand and buying support dragged soya solvent to Rs 575-80 (Rs 578-82). Compared with last week, soya refined is down Rs 24, while soya solvent is also down Rs 23-30. Downtrend also continued in soya oil futures with its August and September contracts on the NCEDX closing at Rs 639.10 (down Rs 3.80) and Rs 619 (down Rs 8.15) respectively. Compared with last week, soya oil futures are also ruling lower by Rs 24. With monsoon lashing the Sate continuously for the past few days, arrival of soyabean in Madhya Pradesh mandis on Monday declined to 25,000 bags (55,000-60,000 last week). Weak global cues and slack demand dragged soyabean prices in Indore mandis to Rs 3,050-3,150 a quintal (down Rs 300 from last week). Soyabean October and November contracts on the NCEDX closed at Rs 2,884 a quintal (down Rs 47.50) and Rs 2,876 (down Rs 57). Weak demand from the crushers also dragged soyabean plant deliveries to Rs 3,200-3,275. On Monday, soyameal ruled at Rs 27,500-28,000 (Rs 33,200-300). Similarly, soyameal at ports declined to Rs 29,700 against Rs 33,000 last week.

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Agri commodities' prices down on output prospects Higher production this season, more acreage for next concerns farmers, excessive rainfalls may damage crops, though

Prices of agricultural commodities have fallen sharply over the last two months on higher output estimates for the current year and better crop prospects next season, due to a favourable and evenly spread monsoon rainfall. All agri commodity prices, including the sensitive ones like oilseeds and pulses, have recorded a decline of up to 25-30 per cent since the beginning of the monsoon. Reports say 30 of 36 meteorological sub-divisions in India have received normal to excess rainfall, resulting in higher sowing of kharif crops. The price decline during the lean sowing season might be a barrier for farmers to continuing their sowing in traditional crops; they might shift to more remunerative ones.

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Maharashtra plans to improve supply chain agricultural produce “The price decline in agri commodities can be attributed to two major factors. First, the government estimated higher availability of foodgrain, on upward revision of their output in the fourth advanced estimates. Second, the acreage has been higher this season across all commodities, which raised prospects of better output next year as well,” said Prerna Desai, vice-president (research), Kotak Commodity Services. Against 250.14 million tonnes in the second advance estimates, the government revised the overall foodgrain output to 255.36 mt in the fourth advance estimates. This is against the output target of 254.24 mt. For the next season, the government hopes for a new record, on higher sowing. Data from the ministry of agriculture showed sowing had picked up in almost all crops this year. As on July 26, the sowing under kharif crops had shot up 17.8 per cent to 74.78 mn hectares as against 63.5 mn ha around the same time last year. Amid expectations of a record output this year, pulses’ prices have plunged 25 per cent in the spot market. Tur and urad are quoted at Rs 3,700 a quintal and Rs 3,200 a qtl against their minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 4,300 a qtl. Chana is hovering around Rs 2,600 a qtl, also its MSP.

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Agri ministry okays Rs 75 crore for Punjab

“What is the use of announcing the MSP when the government does not come forward to protect farmers’ interest in case the price of pulses falls below the MSP? We urge the ministry of agriculture to nominate a public sector procurement agency like Nafed (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) to start procuring pulses like they do for cotton,” said Praveen Dongre, chief executive officer, Glencore, a multinational commodity trading firm. India imports around four mt of pulses and 9.5 mt of edible oil every year. Hence, it is important to increase domestic output to contain dollar outgo, a major factor for the burgeoning current account deficit. Himat Chandra, partner at Trimurthi International, a Vashi-based pulses trader, said disincentivising farmers by not controlling price falls would result in growing dependence on imported stuff. The next few weeks would be crucial for agri crops from the rainfall point of view. “If the incessant rains continue as

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seen so far this season, the lack of sunshine would start affecting the crop negatively. So, a clear price trend would emerge in the next few weeks,” said Desai. Incessant rains damage soya crop in MP Crop damage is extensive, however, higher authorities in state secretariat say there is no big loss to the crop Persistent rains have spoiled soya crop particularly in low lying areas. Water logging has created moisture stress in some pockets of Indore, Hoshangabad and Harda division, while early sowing areas have lost crops at flowering stage in Ujjain, Shajapur, Bhopal and Khandwa districts. Indore division agriculture official said that crop damage is extensive, however, higher authorities in state secretariat say there is no big loss to the crop. Indore-based Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA) also fears crop loss due to torrential rains continue for this week. "Khandwa district have lost soya crop in 9,000 hectares," said R C Raghuwanshi, joint director in agriculture department. "The loss will be more in areas where water logging is reported," he added. There is no let-up in rain for the last two days across the state. Madhya Pradesh, which is known as soya bowl of India, is estimated to cross 8 million tonne this year too against 8.2 million tonne production last year. On the other hand M M Upadhyay, agriculture Production Commissioner and additional chief secretary of the department said, "There is no major loss to the crop but we have demanded reports from various districts." The state has received a total of 660 mm of rain so far against the estimated

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990 mm of rains for the entire season. "This rain will damage soya plants if it continues during the flowering stage. Also, it will make the crop prone to pest attack causing significant loss of crop. As of now only low lying areas have lost crop due to water logging," Rajesh Agrawal, spokesperson SOPA said. Madhya Pradesh has sown soya in 11 million hectare area against the targeted 12 million hectare. Castor seed falls by 1.1% on heavy stock piles Weak export demand was another reason behind the price fall

Castor seed prices dropped by Rs 34 to Rs 3,183 per quintal in future trading today on brisk selling by traders against adequate supply in spot markets. Marketmen said heavy ready stocks position on regular supply from growing regions aganst slackess in demand in physical markets mainly attributed the fall in castorseed prices here in future markets. Weak export demand was another reason behind price fall, they quoted, they said. At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, castorseed for August month fell by Rs 34, or 1.06% to Rs 3,183 per quintal, with an open interest of 1,31,690 lots.

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Near September contract fell by a similar margins of Rs.34, or 1.03% to Rs.3,280 per quintal in an open interest of 93,940 lots. Coriander falls by 1.2% on profit-booking Sluggish demand in the spot market also affected coriander prices

Coriander prices fell by 1.16% to Rs 5,450 per quintal in futures trade today as speculators booked profits at existing higher levels influenced by falling demand in spot markets against increased arrivals. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, coriander for delivery in September fell by Rs 64, or 1.16%, to Rs 5,450 per quintal with an open interest of 9,780 lots. The commodity in August delivery declined by Rs 60, or 1.10%, to Rs 5,375 per quintal with an open interest of 17,940 lots. Market analysts said besides profit-booking by speculators at existing higher levels, sluggish demand in the spot market led to the fall in coriander prices.

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Potato prices hit upper circuit 4% as demand picks up Fresh buying by speculators, rise in demand in the spot market helped potato futures to trade higher

Potato prices hit daily upper limit of 4% to Rs 722.50 per quintal in futures trade today as speculators created fresh positions, driven by increased buying in spot market amid fall in supplies. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, potato for delivery in August rose by Rs 27.70, or 4%, to Rs 722.50 per quintal, with a business turnover of 45 lots. Potato for delivery in September gained Rs 25.80, or 4%, to Rs 670.80 per quintal in 26 lots. Marketmen said fresh buying by speculators following a rise in demand in the spot market against restricted arrivals from producing belts mainly helped potato futures to trade higher. Crude palm oil down 1.4% on weak overseas cues Crude palm oil prices for delivery in July declined by 0.64%

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Crude palm oil prices fell by 1.44% to 476.80 per 10 kg in futures trade today on selling by speculators following weak spot and overseas markets trend on adequate stocks position. At Multi Commodity Exchange, crude palm oil for August delivery fell by Rs 7, or 1.44%, to Rs 476.80 per 10 kg, with a trade volume of 454 lots. Similarly, oil prices for delivery in July declined by Rs 3.20, or 0.64%, to Rs 492.20 per 10 kg, with a trading volume of 38 lots. Traders said selling by speculators amid a weakening overseas trend and adequate stocks position in domestic markets mainly led to the fall in crude palm oil prices in the futures trade. In Malaysia, palm oil fell to near the lowest level in more than three years on speculation that inventories in top growers Indonesia and Malaysia may reach to records as production increases. The oil fell 0.70% to $673 a tonne on the Malaysia Derivatives Exchange. Cardamom up 1.9% on spot demand Tight stocks position in the spot market, lower arrivals from producing regions influenced prices

Cardamom prices rose by 1.96% to Rs 732.60 per kg in futures trade today as traders enlarged their commitments, supported by a pick-up in export and domestic demand.

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Besides, tight stocks position in the spot market following lower arrivals from producing regions also influenced prices, traders said. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, cardamom for delivery in August rose by Rs 14.10, or 1.96%, to Rs 732.60 per kg, with a business turnover of 677 lots. Similarly, cardamom for delivery in September edged up by Rs 8.90, or 1.15%, to Rs 776.20 per kg in 157 lots.