As a consequence of the developmental programmes undertaken by the concerned agencies in the State of Himachal Pradesh, production of fruits and vegetables have shown an increasing trend over the past few decades. Inspite of this increasing trend, when we compare productivity levels with global figures, these have been found to be about 3-4 times less than the world average.

Population of Rhizopertha dominica Fab.

As against scathing attack hurled at Government by the opposition political parties as well as the left allies over galloping inflation in the country, the ruling party at the Centre does not find enough reasons to be so much worried since the weather forecast of meteorological department suggests a near-normal monsoon in the current year that could lead to increased farm production in 2008-09 successively after good harvest of the previous fiscal.

The farmers of Dhansiri subdivision have been maintaining their families by cultivation of rabi crops. More than 90 per cent people here are mainly dependent on agriculture. The areas of Assam-Nagaland border namely Nowjan, Beelgaon, Urinmghat, Sungajam, Tengani, Da-Pather, Doyang, are cultivating sugar cane, jute, mustard, potatoes, carrot, cauliflowers, onion, chillies, bringals and other green vegetables.

In the backdrop of high inflation and global food shortage forcing the likes of Wal-Mart to consider rationing of food products, Indian retail chains are trying to maintain prices of agri products at the base levels and are wooing consumers with combo-offers. Indian modern retail stores maintain that there is no shortage of food and agri products and have denied any kind of panic situation among consumers or traders.

One of the hardest concepts for a new student of monetary economics to grasp is that of a "bank run'

India, and the world, have experienced food crises before - and tackled them.

Even under adverse conditions, Punjab farmers have produced bumper crop Farmers of the state epitomise the true Punjabi spirit. Producing bumper crop year after year and surpassing national average have become a habit for Punjab, right from the days of Green Revolution. Punjab alone produces nearly 20 per cent of the entire country's wheat. The spirit and the hard work put in by the Punjab farmers have firmed up country's food security even under adverse conditions of inclement weather, militancy, diseases, pest attacks or drought.

THE government is considering a proposal to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in food retail albeit with a caveat that all companies would have to meet mandated export obligations. The Ratan Tata-led Investment Commission has favoured permitting FDI in food retail, especially fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, with export commitments.

The Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that it is necessary to procure maximum quantity of wheat on support price for ensuring success of Mukhya Mantri Annapurna Yojana, under which wheat would be supplied at the rate of Rs three per kg to poor families from fair price shops. Keeping this target in mind, commissioners, collectors and all the concerning officers must act on a war footing and make concerted arrangements for immediate payment to farmers apart from transportation and storage of wheat.

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