At 215 lt, sugar output down 21% till March 15: ISMA
Sugar mills in the country produced around 216 lakh tonnes (lt) of sugar till March 15, nearly 21 per cent lower than the 274lt produced in the corresponding period in the previous sugar season, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said on Tuesday.
Indian sugar mills’ export prospects are looking up with sugar production in Thailand expected to fall by 5 million tonnes over last year’s output. Indonesia, which imports sugar from Thailand, recently decided to import from India at concessional import duty rates. According to ISMA, the exports to Indonesia is expected to pick up further soon.
Coronavirus, a thorn in the side for Kerala pineapple growers
The euphoria over a rising trend in pineapple prices has started waning, with coronavirus dampening the prospects of growers on account of a subdued upcountry demand.
It is peak period in North India, especially after the winter season and setting in of summer, but the virus scare has brought down pineapple prices to a bare minimum. The rates are now hovering in the range of ₹20 a kg for A grade, GI-tagged Vazhakulam pineapple as against ₹30 per kg in January this year.
Telangana to clear ₹16,000-cr farm loans in 4 phases
The Telangana Government has notified guidelines for the implementation of farm loan waiver for all loans between outstanding April 1, 2014, and December 11, 2018, with a cap of ₹1 lakh for each farmer.
Commercial banks have been asked to prepare a list of beneficiaries with the help of local government employees. The total outgo, estimated at ₹16,000 crore, will be disbursed in four instalments.
However, all loans below ₹25,000 will be cleared at one go.
