National
FICCI AND CII COMPETE TO WIN FARMERS
In
a drive to woo the farmer, The Confederation of Indian Industries
(CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
have launched a separate institution— Indian Farmers and Industry
Alliance (IFIA), leaving behind industry major ASSOCHAM in the rat
race. Started as a pilot project, CII would render logistics and financial
assistance support to ensure the smooth working of IFIA. At the launch
ceremony, the CII circulated a document on the studies undertaken
on various sectors like edible oil, fertiliser, tractor and food processing.
The document contained write-ups on proposed objectives of IFIA with
a concern over farmers' poor access to markets. However, Mr Sundeep
Waslekar, President, Strategic Foresight Group, a key participant
who circulated the document ‘Rethinking India's Future: Prosperity
of the Periphery’ reflected on some genuine concerns not only
for farmers but also for the economy as well. The document talks about
the three existing economies in the country-the business class, the
bike and the bullock cart economy. Also a document prepared by FICCI‘Indian
Agriculture Unbound: Making Indian Agriculture Globally Competitive’
reflected on the national agriculture policy. A frank analysis of
both the CII and FICCI documents highlighted vital issues related
to farmers like computerisation of land records, making pattadar passbook
and warehouse receipts. But main concerns like legal documents for
sourcing credit, streamlining of institutional credit flows at reasonably
interest rates, development of wastelands, cultivation of oilbearing
trees for producing bio-diesel and setting up of a chain of rural
markets as well as extending irrigation facilities and interlinking
of rivers seems to have been given a miss.
GOODRICKE
TO SET UP A SECOND TEA PLANT
Goodricke Group is planning to set up its second
instant tea plant with a capacity of 600 tonnes a year at Rs 35 crore
within the next two months. According to KS David, MD, Goodricke Group
a final decision would be taken if the company succeeds in striking
a deal through Marubeni, the Japanese trading major."At present,
we are trying to develop a special type of tea as specified by the
Japanese. Only if we succeed, we would strike the deal and thereafter
go for building a second plant," he cited. Currently, Goodricke's
instant tea plant is located in Dooars with major clients like Coke,
Hindustan Lever and few foreign companies. Meanwhile, the company
is gearing up to strengthen its packet tea business. Goodricke approximately
sold five million kilograms through packets in 2004 and is hoping
to increase the figure to six million kilograms by 2005. The company
is investing quite a heavy sum (Rs four crore) in brand building as
well.
GM
COTTON TO GET COMMERCIALISED
Monsanto is hopeful that its Bollgard II version
of genetically modified (GM) cotton would be ready for commercial
cultivation in the country in the 2006 planting season. "The
Bollgard II lines incorporated in selected cotton hybrids of Maharashtra
Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco) have completed a year of large-scale
field trials in 2004. There will be one more such round of trials
this year and if everything goes well, its commercial release would
take place during kharif 2006," said Dr MK Sharma, MD, Mahyco
Monsanto Biotech India (MMB). The company is a 50:50 joint venture
between Monsanto and Jalna-based Mahyco and an Indian licensee for
Bollgard.
contd...
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