FARM diary: Veggies get dearer

Prices of vegetables have further increased with a bunch of Methi now being sold at Rs 12-14,shepu at Rs 8-10,spring onion at Rs 12-14 and spinach at Rs 6-8 per bunch.

Prices of vegetables have further increased with a bunch of Methi (fenugreek) now being sold at Rs 12-14,shepu at Rs 8-10,spring onion at Rs 12-14 and spinach at Rs 6-8 per bunch. Radish has also become expensive with price going as high as Rs 16-20 per kg. Increased demand and shortage of water has brought down production of leafy vegetables. The scorching heat has also hampered quality of the produce,said a wholesaler.

Coriander: Rs 20 a bunch

PUNE: Huge demand has skyrocketed price of coriander,with a bunch being sold at Rs 15-20 in the retail market. 1 lakh and 46,000 bunches of coriander leaves had arrived in the city on Sunday and Monday respectively. According to wholesalers,the demand for coriander has gone up due to the marriage season. Its use in preparation of cold drinks like mattha has also increased the demand of the leafy green vegetable. But coriander available in the market is not enough, said Vilas Shet Bhujbal,a wholesaler.

Krishidhan gets award

PUNE: Krishidhan Seeds,a Pune-based company,bagged two awards at the third edition of the India Leadership Conclave and Indian Affairs Business Leadership Awards 2012,held in Bangalore. The company was adjudged Indias Most Promising Agricultural Biotech Company of 2012. Sushil Karwa,managing director,Krishidhan Seeds,was also recognised for his contribution to and achievements in the agri sector. He won the award for the Dynamic Entrepreneur for the Year 2012.

Agri conference at CII

PUNE: AgriVision 2020: Sustainable Agriculture, Farmer-led Inclusive Growth,was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on April 13. Addressing the gathering Dr S K Goel ,principal secretary,Agriculture & Marketing,government of Maharashtra spoke on the need for a visionary approach for sustainable agriculture by focusing on public-private partnerships,contract farming,formation of farmer Self-Help Groups. He said creating backward linkages,establishing value chains from production to marketing is important in order to see a win-win situation for both the farmers and the industry.

NABARD announces
Rs 8,000-cr credit plans

PUNE: The regional office of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development has announced a Rs 8,000 crore plan for Maharashtra for the current financial year,with primary focus on crop loans. The amount is 30 per cent more than last years Rs 6,023 crore. Out of the Rs 6,023,18crore disbursed in the previous fiscal,the share of crop loan was Rs 4,035.5 crore. Through rural infrastructure development fund,the bank has injected Rs 1,777.84 crore. The funds are utilised for construction of roads,bridges and irrigation projects, said M V Ashoke,chief general manager,Nabard regional office.

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