Tag Archives | India

The Food Security Bill Takes Us Back to the 1970s as Lessons of History Are Ignored

“The passage of the Food Security Bill in the Lok Sabha is reminiscent of the early 1970s, when the simultaneous left-right lurch ended with the economy contracting by the end of the decade and subsequent help from the IMF.” http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-28/edit-page/41499945_1_food-security-bill-finance-minister-open-defecation

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Food Security a ‘Historic Opportunity’ or Mere ‘Vote Security’?

“Opposition party, BJP, labeled the bill more as “Vote security” than food security, but stopped short of opposing it.” http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/food-security-a-historic-opportunity-or-mere-vote-security-113082600926_1.html

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ICT Could Become Key Influencer Across Agri Value Chain: Nasscom

The National Association of Software Services Companies in India says increased use of ICT is key to the country’s agricultural productivity and food security success. Expansion of technologies that can support initiatives in precision farming, extension, marketing, and supply chain management is expected to increase. http://www.domain-b.com/economy/agriculture/20130813_mobile_internet.html  

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746.07 Lakh Tonne Storage Capacity for Implementation of Food Security Bill

Indian Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution stated that a combination of Food Corporation of India and state agency storage facilities equates to 746 lakh tonnes of storage capacity, enough to cover the estimated Food Security Act annual requirement of 614 lakh tonnes of grain. The Minister also discussed implementation of the Private […]

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India Prepares to Guarantee Right to Food for 800 Million People

The National Food Security Act is heavily criticized by policymakers and academics who disagree with the decision to expand a grain program already riddled with fraud and waste. In India, it is widely known that about 40% of grain in the supply chain doesn’t reach its intended end, instead rotting in storage, eaten by rodents, […]

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Two Millers Under Scanner for ‘Missing’ Paddy Worth Rs. 3 cr

Two rice millers in Punjab, India allegedly misappropriated government paddy worth more than Rs 30 million. Cases of fraud have been filed against the owners of two mills, and are under investigation by special police. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Bathinda/Two-millers-under-scanner-for-missing-paddy-worth-Rs-3-cr/SP-Article1-1108222.aspx  

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TNAU Scientists Inspect FCI Godown in Coimbatore

Scientists from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University responded to pest problems at a Food Corporation of India site in Peelamedu. While not cause of direct harm to human beings, the pests feed and multiply on stored grains and cause damage to harvests. The scientists recommended storage methods to keep the insect population from increasing. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/tnau-scientists-inspect-fci-godown-in-coimbatore/article5002854.ece

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India School Tragedy Raises Questions for Gandhi’s Food Plan

At least 23 children died in India after eating contaminated food served under the free school lunch program. The tragedy raises concern over whether quality and safety standards can be sufficiently monitored and maintained when the new Food Security Ordinance rolls out, which more than doubles the reach of government food subsidies. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/18/us-india-food-idUSBRE96H0HL20130718

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Govt to Offer Surplus Wheat in Punjab, Haryana for Sale

The Union Government will sell 8.5 million tonnes of wheat through its Open Market Sales scheme from stocks in Punjab and Haryana to alleviate overcrowded storage. http://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/govt-to-offer-surplus-wheat-in-punjab-haryana-for-sale-113071700699_1.html

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Huge Wheat Stocks at Risk in Punjab, Haryana

The storage capacity for procured grains in Punjab and Haryana is insufficient for this year’s large harvests, forcing 11 million tonnes of food grain to be kept in temporary storage. Heavy monsoons are expected to arrive early in these states, and many are worried the open air or plastic-covered storage will not be sufficient. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/11-million-tonnes-of-wheat-at-risk-in-punjab-haryana/article4914943.ece

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