Seed makers worry over illegal Bt cotton usage
Fear unauthorised Bt-3 cultivation may increase 10-15% during next kharif season
Fears over farmers cultivating unauthorised and illegal genetically-modified cottonseed called Bollgard-III or ‘Bt-3’, haunts the seed industry and farmers leaders as cottonseed units gear up for the Kharif season starting June.
Industry sources said that the illegal seeds could comprise 10-15 per cent of the total cottonseed area in the country during the next kharif. “It was a bit lower last year but on good demand, they might swarm the market with huge volumes,” a top executive of a seed company, on the condition of anonymity, told Business Line.
30% price surge takes colour off turmeric exports
No demand for shipments at current prices of around ₹9,000, say traders
Export prospects of turmeric have been affected following a 30 per cent increase in its prices since the beginning of this month across various primary agricultural markets in the country.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare data, turmeric prices increased to ₹8,294 a quintal for the finger variety on Friday at Erode in Tamil Nadu as against ₹6,250 on February 2. Prices of the bulb variety increased to ₹7,649 from ₹5,994 during the same period.
Kerala to launch online fish delivery portal
Fancies chances with nimbler private players
Public sector Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation has launched Parivarthanam, to deliver seafood to the consumers’ doorstep, and set up a dedicated portal.
The initiative has been launched with a view to improving the socio-economic conditions of coastal communities by forging closer links with industry and enhancing the livelihood skills of the youth along the coastline, an official spokesman said.
