Innovative agricultural technologies developed by farmers using their traditional knowledge and experience should be compiled and put into use in a big way, according to agriculture minister Sompal. "Our farmers have developed several new techniques to enhance agricultural productivity and production by utilising their traditional knowledge. These techniques should be collected and utilised in a big way," Sompal said at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) award ceremony here.

Sugar usage in Asia yet to recover

Sugar consumption in the Far East is unlikely to recover to pre-crisis growth rates for some time yet, an industry economist has said last week. Principal economist at the Queensland Sugar Corporation Warren Males told a sugar conference in the Philippines that Asia had been described as the engine of growth for sugar consumption. But it had been "severely affected by declining incomes" and sugar consumption fell by up to 15per cent in some countries, with Indonesia and South Korea among the hardest hit, he said.

Import tariffs put pressure on sugar

World sugar prices may come under further pressure if the key importers follow through on plans to set up a tariff wall to protect their domestic sweetener industries, industry analysts said last week. Countries in Asia like the Philippines and Indonesia are mulling spikes in tariff rates while India, the world's biggest consumer of sugar, has raised tariffs to hinder an influx of excess sugar seeking to find homes.

Manpower management to up tea yield

Land and labour productivity on tea plantations happens to be an indispensable concept given the restriction on expansion of land under tea cultivation. Top tea companies in their efforts towards enhancing productivity are trying out innovative policies to deal with the same. Almost 300 industry managers came together to discuss relevant issues concerning land and labour productivity at a one-day workshop heldrecently in Assam.

Spices exports down 17% in April- May

Spices export has fallen by 17 per cent in quantity terms for the period between April and May 1999 estimated as 36,318 tonnes compared to 43,566 tonnes during April-May 1998. In value, the decrease is 7 per cent in dollar terms while in rupee terms the decrease is marginal. Last year, export during April-May was valued at $79.65 million while in rupee terms the value was Rs 318.12 crore. During the same period in the current fiscal dollar value of the exports is estimated to be $74.45 million.

Assam plans to double fish output

Assam has drawn up a strategy to double its fish production to 3.03 lakh tonne by the year 2007-08 with an investment of Rs 594.75 crore. It has also decided to increase its milk and egg production and also its livestock population in an attempt to double its food production. The state's minister for fisheries, Bubul Das has sought the help and intervention of ICAR to achieve thisobjective.

Polypropylene, ethylene recover

The last week witnessed a rise in global polymer prices by over 10 per cent and both polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) recovered after a brief dip. Presently, the (FOB) prices of PP have moved to a range of $520-$530 per tonne from the earlier range of $475-$480. At the same time (FOB) prices of PE has moved to $600 a tonne at $610 from the earlier levels of $550-$560.

Nations gain and lose from oil prices

Oil prices have doubled from 22-year lows in December pushing some producers' debt and equity markets sharply higher, but others have seen little benefit. Venezuelan debt has rallied significantly this year, at one stage trading through that of much more highly rated Argentina, as oil prices have surged from $9.55 a barrel in December to $19.10, yet for others such as Russia and Nigeria, the halo effect is not so pronounced, analysts said. Venezuela's benchmark Bradys, DCBs, have risen from 55-7/8 at the start of the year to 75-1/2 onFriday.

Eco-friendly diesel-alcohol fuel mix

The Union ministry of environment and forests is actively considering the proposal of All India Distillers' Association (AIDA) to make mandatory the use of alcohol or ethanol as an oxygenate in admixture with gasoline or diesel fuel. AIDA has stated that India has already developed an installed capacity for production of 2,825 million litres of alcohol per year. The total requirement of alcohol for all purposes within the country including industrial potable and others is about 1,100 million litres.

Cotton yarn export ceiling hike

The recent sudden increase in the ceiling for exports of cotton yarn to non-quota countries to 300 million kg from 200 million kg, has come as a big surprise to those engaged in this business. Veteran exporters argue that chances of reaching even the earlier ceiling of 200 million kg in 1999 are far from encouraging and the enlarged ceiling may remain a far cry. In this context they point out that such export ceilingfor 1998 was fixed at 150 million kg, but actual shipments under that ceiling could not go much beyond 100 million kg, shipments to non-quota countries should rise by 100 per cent and they may go up by 200 per cent in 1998 if the revised ceiling of 300 million kg is to be reached.