Trials have already been carried out for this product and it has been registered under the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO). Further, the parties have the intention to run trials and seek FCO approval for eventual sales of another two micro nutrient products, which presently are not sold in India.

The scope of the MOU is limited to the three products specifically stated therein as outlined above and does not apply to any other products of the range of Yara Speciality plant nutrients in India.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About Yara International

Yara International ASA is a leading chemical company that converts energy, natural minerals and nitrogen from the air into essential products for farmers and industrial customers. As the number one global supplier of mineral fertilizers and agronomic solutions, we help provide food for a growing world population. Our industrial product portfolio includes environmental protection agents that safeguard air and water purity and preserve food quality. Yara's global workforce of more than 8,000 employees represents great diversity and talent enabling Yara to remain a leading performer in its industry. Please visit www.yara.com

The company has reported net sales at Rs 274.34 crore during the first quarter ended 30 June 2008, as against the net sales of Rs 148.97 crore during the previous corresponding quarter ended June 30 2007.

The Reserve excluding revaluation reserve stood at 31st March 2008 of Rs. 8089.89 lakhs.

On paid up capital of Rs 870.13 lakhs, the earnings per share stands at Rs 2.39 for the first quarter ended 30 June 2008 against Rs. 0.99 for corresponding period of last F.Y.

Director of the company, Mr. Anil Agrawal said “Sanwaria Agro is focusing on its premium soyoil brands/value added products to contribute 10-15% of sales in the next one to two years from 3-4% currently. The spread of consumer retail chains across the country is helping the company in establishing its reach in more states. ”

Financial highlights for the year 2007-08

The company has achieved net sales of Rs 938 crore for the year ended 31st March 2008 as against net sales of Rs 445 crore during the previous year ended 31st March 2007.

The company’s net profit increased by 81.39 per cent to Rs 54 crore for the 12 months ended March 31st, 2008 as compared to Rs 12 crore during the year ended March 31st, 2007.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About Sanwaria Agro Oils Ltd (SAOL)

Enjoying a market share of 5% in term of soyabean crushing, Sanwaria Agro Oils is one of the India’s leading seed processing and solvent extraction Bhopal based company. Near to the country’s soya belt, the company has It has two (2) solvent extraction & refinery units at Itarsi & Mandideep both in the State of Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) in India with combined installed Solvent Extraction capacities of 1500 TPD and Refining capacities of 150 TPD. Further in order to meet the growing demand for Soy meal and Soy oil SAOL has leased out additional capacity of solvent extraction of 650 M.T. per day in October 2007 situated at Vidisha, M.P. The company following its policy of having a nation wide retail and distribution backbone for its brands Narmada , Sulabh & Sanwaria expanding marketing network in northern states like U.P., Bihar, Punjab, Hariyana, and Delhi.

SAOL also has 8.4 MW (14 X 600kW) wind power plant of which three (3) wind power plants have been installed at Tenkasi in the State of Tamil Nadu, having a power generating capacity of 1.8 MW (3 X 600kW), while the balance 6.6 MW (11 X 600kW) of wind power plant are installed at Dewas in M.P.

MTI: Every country and industry goes through phases of economic peaks and valleys,just as capital markets go through bullish and bearish phases.

It is known that every country has a set of controllable and uncontrollable factors, but sadly for Sri Lanka (and even much of the world) the current price of fossil fuel greatly extends beyond the countries influencing ability. It is therefore important to look towards opportunity, and capturing a profitable share of the Green Revolution is one exciting place to start. Companies like Hirdaramani, Brandix and MAS (all in the apparel industry) have taken some bold steps in this direction and will certainly have lucrative paybacks in the not so distant future. Carbon Trading also remains an area ofvast opportunity. Indeed it may be possible for Sri Lanka to take the lead in experimenting with a Carbon Neutral Village concept; in turn acting as a case study for the rest of the world.

Capturing a share of the Green Revolution – experimenting with the concept of a Carbon Neutral Village

Q: It’s not just fuel prices; we are also negatively impacted by a food crisis that is affecting much of the world. Why is this happening and what can we in Sri Lanka do about this?

MTI: There are many reasons for the current global crisis, among them are: use of agro land for bio-fuel; an explosion of basic commodities and utilities consumption, caused by a rapid expansion of a middle class in the developing countries; a lack of investment in agriculture; unproductive agro middlemen in developing markets; and arguably the exploitation of commodities and futures markets.

An idea to toy with; first, public private partnerships (PPP). Give the private sector the confidence and vehicle to invest. This will also help channel scarce resources to critical sectors.

Private sector infrastructure investments amount to only 1% of total agriculture infrastructure investments in the developing world. Quite simply, a lot of projects are just not bankable in rural areas due to lower usage rates. PPP must be the primary framework for continued infrastructure improvement with governments offering environments that encourage the private sector to take more of a leading role in these partnerships.

Q: But what can we do in countries like Sri Lanka to negate the effects of the food crisis?

MTI: Many governments around the world are working on short-term measures like subsidies, price controls, profit controls, and fertilizer subsidies. However the only sustainable way is to execute a commercially viable, long-term agriculture policy and strategy.

Many governments around the world are working on short-term measures; there is a need for a commercially viable agribusiness policy and strategy

Q: What do you mean by commercially viable, long term agri-business policy?

MTI: First, we need to appreciate the inefficient agriculture production systems in most developing countries, Sri Lanka included. Most farmers operate on a very small scale and are nowhere near the economies of scale needed to compete with efficient global producers, nor have we invested in agro technology and competencies. Most farmers suffer from their next generation not wanting to be in the ‘family business’; with youth leaving rural areas, in search of more glamorous white collar jobs in the city. Overall, it is a ‘catch 22’ situation and needs radical action if we are to avoid a massive and unprecedented food crisis.

The inefficient agro production system in developing countries: lacks scale and serious investment in technology and competency development

Q: What can governments and businesses do to ensure food prosperity, avoiding a food crisis?

MTI: First, any agriculture strategy of a country has to be based on a sound commercial viability. What I mean is that it must be a profitable and sought after business to be in. Here are a few measures that can form part of a countries agricultural strategy.

Provide solid incentives for corporate entities to invest in large scale agro projects for the local market, after which exports can follow. Specifically, this should include agro-enabling access to finance, land, procurement and technology and competency development. A major drawback in Sri Lanka is that agribusiness just does not appeal to any of our large corporate and conglomerate organizations. The government must also play a pivotal role in food security, instigating food tractability systems that will allow access to higher value markets such as the US and EU.

Q: What happens to the small farmer if large corporates get into agriculture?

MTI: Certainly, there is no way the small farmer (the backbone of the agro economy) can be neglected. As I articulated earlier, it is implied that we need a co-operative model, in which small farmers still are part-owners, but exists within a framework of a large scale production model. The New Zealand Dairy industry is a good example. The entire industry is configured towards a common dairy brand that has given it the strength to dominate world markets. In this situation, dairy farmers are all shareholders that reap the rewards of value addition long after their primary producer role within the supply chain is over.

My reference to corporate does notrestrict us to the Colombo based blue-chips, it could well be a cooperative of rural farmers who are equipped with the skills to set up large-scale agro projects.

The New Zealand Dairy Farming model has benefitted the farmer through an efficient co-operative system and common branding

Q: What else is needed to attract large-scale investments in Agriculture?

MTI: Make it glamorous! We have awards for top exporters, top managers, top businesses and most respected entities; the list goes on. When will we recognize the contribution of agriculture? Additionally, basic agro commodity production will not be sufficient. We need to encourage value addition and continued movement up the value chain.

Agricultural subsidies in the EU and US result in surplus production of food goods at elevated production costs. While this may not be good for US and EU consumers who will pay more, at face value it seems a great deal for the developing world who receive the surplus in globally food aid. Is this the reality of the situation for Sri Lanka?

While this seems a good deal, in reality it is not. Simply, it has pushed local producers out of the market in some areas and has resulted in a lack of industry growth within some developing regions. When the logistical costs of food aid sky rockets (oil), demand then falls on local producers who have never had the profit margins to progress their industry despite comparative advantages like cheap labor. Accordingly, Sri Lanka has a lack of supply chain infrastructure as well as a low production capability.

Q: Any parting words?

MTI: Think about how your food gets to your plate.

We may well see the Renaissance of agriculture and an era in which the farmer is king.

Revolutions are born on an empty stomach.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

MTI Consulting is a fast growing, international strategy consultancy with operations in Bahrain, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, UAE and UK. MTI has provided consulting solutions to clients in over 275 projects in 33 countries across 5 continents.

At MTI, we work with our clients to research, develop and implement profitable business and marketing strategies. Over a period of ten years, the company has acquired a reputation for delivering unique and dynamic solutions that have impacted the bottom line of businesses worldwide.

While interacting with the members of these groups Dr. Gosain found that majority of them were having local breeds of buffaloes having average milk production of seven litres and only a few had cross-bred cattle with average milk production of 10 litres per day. While addressing the seventh group comprising of 25 women and 27 dairy farmers all members of different dairy co-operative societies sponsored by Pradeshik Co-operative Dairy Federation (PCDF) Meerut he stressed today that the dairy farm families should improve the breeds of their herd through artificial insemination. so that they could earn additional profits by getting more milk through their improved dairy herd with same family labour and infrastructural facilities. He strongly mentioned that keeping elite breed of ‘Murrah’ buffaloes and ‘Karan-Fries’ cross bred cattle could be more profitable for them.

Dr. Gosain said to the members of all these visiting groups that they being members of the dairy co-operative societies have no problems in selling the cow milk and therefore should keep more cross bred cattle that would be more profitable.

Dr.D.S.Sohi Principal Scientist and Incharge of Agriculture Technology Information Centre (ATIC) who also interacted with all the members of the visiting groups could acquaint them with fodder production technologies.

Dr. Satya Pal, Mrs Saroj Mehta and Mr. Brij Kishore and Mr.D.R.Sukhija Technical officers of the KVK interacted with the trainees on different aspects of breed improvement, scientific feeding, clean milk production and primary health care. The members of different dairy co-operative societies of Meerut were shown the elite breeds of cattle and buffaloes at the NDRI Cattle Yard and interactions with the dairy farmers were also organized in villages.

Mr. Ram Pal Singh Chauan Assistant Manager milk procurement, PCDF, Gangol, Meerut who coordinated these seven visits said that the dairy farmers and farm women were immensely benefited that would lead to more milk production in the district.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

National Dairy Research Institute is a Deemed University located at Karnal, India

The USD 31 million, 100% EOU Plant conceived by Naturol BioEnergy is India’s first fully integrated Oleochemical complex with a capacity to produce 30 million gallons per year (MGPY) of biodiesel and allied products from multi feedstock such as palm crude, rapeseed, jatropha, pongamia and vegetable oil. Located strategically in the port city of Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, Naturol incorporates Desmet Ballestra’s technology, a world leader in the fields of engineering and supply of plants and equipment for the Oleochemical and biodiesal industry.

Making the announcement, Bhaskar Chalsani, CEO of Naturol Bio Energy, said “Naturol’s first shipment to Europe promises a solid start for achieving our vision of creating a major source for biodiesel to consumers around the world.” As people and their governments become increasingly concerned by the environment, green energy holds lot of promise and favor, while the cost of traditional fuel continues to rise. Bhaskar is confident, the successful commencement of it commercial production and the acknowledgement of Naturol biodiesel produce by a major European buyer will help Naturol realize its goal to become the world's most preferred Bio diesel resource.

Naturol has a production capacity to produce 10,000 tonnes per year (TPY) of pharmaceutical grade glycerin and the domestic and international markets have appreciated the quality of the product and market penetration is satisfactory.

“The Governments are grappling in almost every country as to how to best respond to climate change and discover alternative fuels that can substitute conventional fuel. For the industry and the biodiesel market Naturol’s shipment is timely and holds great promise in the future.” C.S. Bhaskar said.

“An important feature of our technology is its sustainability and the diverse multi-feedstock manufacturing capability. We have been able to successfully integrate and synchronize the first of its kind multiple process centers in our facility especially the pre treatment process and esterification methodology which is the first of its kind in the world.”

Located strategically in Kakinada SEZ, Naturol is funded by a syndicate of VC investors and financial institutions. Its investment participants include UTI VCF, Venture East Fund including SIDBI VC, IDBIL, NABARD, Andhra Bank, Central Bank of India, LIC, ICICI Bank, Andhra Bank and Axis bank.

The company is structured as a 100% Export Oriented Unit enabling tariff free imports and tax concessions. The plant is equipped to handle a variety of feedstock – Rapeseed Oil, Jetropha, Palm and has established highly capable effluent treatment plant. It has also laid an 8 km long pipeline from the plant to the port for enabling timely shipment and avoid contamination of its produce to the global market.

To address raising domestic requirements Naturol has written to relevant Indian government departments offering Naturol Biodiesal product for domestic consumption. It is awaiting approval / permissions for domestic sales through Indian oil retail majors.

Naturol has ensured their products meet the global quality and certification standards Naturol have met the strict American ASTM D 67516 and European EN 14214 specifications certified by International Accreditators such as SGS and Intertek Calebrett, UK. The Pharmaceutical Grade Glycerin – certified for Kosher and Halal and quality certified by SGS and Intertek Calebrett, UK.

Apart from its capability to use multi feedstock, Naturol’s focus is to cultivate and use Jatropha feedstock extensively in the near future. The company foresees jatropha oil as the most promising and sustainable Biodiesal feedstock for the future. To realize the dream of generating Jetropha and Pongamia feedstock Naturol has initiated efforts to encourage farming in Andhra Pradesh by helping farmers source the saplings from Naturol Nursery as well as imparting the know how.

Naturol is also aggressively pursuing backward integration opportunities in Palm and Jatropha with a global footprint and by partnership model to enable complete captive sourcing of the required feed stocks in years to come.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About Naturol BioEnergy

Naturol BioEnergy is an Integrated Oleochemical and biodiesel products producer that lays strong emphasis on 100% export utilization of feedstock. The USD 31 million Project went into commercial production recently. It has the potential to create 12 thousand jobs in Agro sector considering 2 people for every 30 acres.

Naturol BioEnergy project is based on the model, which countries like Brazil have adopted successfully helping the agro-business turn highly profitable. Initially, Naturol aims to turn 1,20,000 hectares of dry wastelands into productive land by encouraging energy crops for captive consumption. The company also intends to cover as many dry wastelands across the state and build farmers confidence to cultivate energy crops in the state.

To know more about Naturol you may visit http://www.naturol-bio.com

PR for Naturol BioEnergy
Sheela Panicker - Enright Media Relations
09498 09594 enRight@enrightpr.com

Their excellent performance has got them a series of awards and recognitions which includes IOPEA Outstanding Export Performance Award for 2005-06 for groundnuts, Spice Board Awards their excellent performance in the export of spices for the year 2005-06 and Niryat shree award by FIEO for outstanding export performance in Agro commodities for the year 2005-06

The export turnover for the year 2007-08 by EXIM Rajathi has been substantial with the export turnover of 100 million USD. The Agricultural and processed food category of commodity by Rajathi includes Onions, Potatoes & jaggery powder. It has operation across India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and exporting to China, Middle-East and several other Asean countries.

Receiving this prestigious award from the hands of the Hon’ble Minister for Commerce Shri Kamalnath at Delhi recently, Dr. N Murughasan, Chairman of Rajathi group said “It gives me immense pleasure and satisfaction to receive this prestigious award. Though we have been conferred many prestigious awards APEDA AWARD was eluding us. With our growth of 33.97% in this category against the annual export growth of 12.42% by India is satisfying. We have set to achieve 250 million USD for this year an 100% growth for this financial year.

About APEDA
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in December, 1985. The Authority replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC). APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of Agricultural and processed food. APEDA has marked its presence in almost all agro potential states of India and has been providing services to agri-export community through its head office, five Regional offices and 13 Virtual offices.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Rajathi has always been an enterprise that believes in commitment to customers. With a turnover of $ 100 million Rajathi Group of Companies, is a large conglomerate, with diversified interest in International Trade, Biotechnology, Realty, and Hospitality. With over 3 decade of expertise and experience in delivering quality Agro based products EXIM Rajathi, a 3 star trading house is the flagship offering of the Rajathi Group. The Group operates from various parts of India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Middle-East. Backed by an ambitious entrepreneur Dr. N. Murughasan, the small agro based company now stands towering as a huge and diversified successful business venture in the international market.

According to Minister of State Killeen, “The risk of serious damage being caused to European agriculture from an unsatisfactory WTO Deal must be of grave concern to everyone in Europe, producers and consumers alike. This is particularly the case at a time when food security is looming as potentially a major issue for the future.”

“After his first meeting with other European Foreign Ministers, Minister Martin said that he had serious concerns that new market realities and emerging food security issues are being ignored in the rush towards an early deal. He made it known that Ireland has profound reservations about the latest WTO papers on agriculture and non-agricultural market access. He also agreed with others present who questioned whether the objective grounds currently exist for an early WTO Ministerial meeting”, the Junior Agriculture Minister explained.

He added, “Minister Martin made it very clear that the clear imbalance in the present set of proposals makes them unacceptable to Ireland and to others. If it is to be acceptable, a WTO agreement must not undermine European agriculture. A WTO deal must deliver real benefits to Europe and to developing countries.”

“Ireland wants a WTO agreement as much as any other Members State but it must be fair and balanced in respect of what the EU is being asked to concede and what it is receiving in return. Minister Martin and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr Brendan Smith TD, are determined to continue working with other Member States so as to ensure that any outcome to these negotiations will not result in our key interests being sacrificed,” Minister of State Killeen concluded.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

“Enhancing reputations–Increasing exposure–Increasing understanding”

Founded in 2006, Dunphy Public Relations is a communications group led by Mark Dunphy from County Clare. Mr. Dunphy previously held the position of ‘Head of News and Current Affairs’ in Clare FM Radio.

Dunphy Public Relations has secured extensive local, national and international media coverage for clients including Clare County Council; Supply Network Shannon; The Atlantis Holiday Group; Shannon Town Council; Cliffs of Moher New Visitor Experience; Clare Museum; Digino Marketing; Renewable Energy Skillsnet; Magico.ie; Kilrush Town Council; Clonlara Wholesale; Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen; Clare County Library; and Ennis Town Council.

Minister Killeen said he welcomed the initiative to simplify the operation of the CAP, which he said the Irish government has been advocating for a number of years.

He stated he will be studying the detail of this and ensuring it progresses to the benefit of Irish farmers during the negotiations.

“My view is that the Health Check must deliver real simplification that has concrete benefits at farm level,” the Minister commented.

The Clare T.D. added that, while this is the first step by the Commission on the Health Check, he has reservations on a number of proposals, which will be pursued during the upcoming negotiations.

The Junior Agriculture Minister continued, “I will work on building alliances and understandings with Member States as well as outlining my concerns to the Commission in order to achieve progress on issues such as an acceptable and ambitious increase in milk quotas for Ireland. I will be voicing my concern at the proposed increase in the rate of modulation so that I can ensure the protection of farm payments in Ireland. I will also push for the retention of market management.”

Minister Killeen acknowledged that negotiations on the various proposals would now commence under the Slovenian Presidency and continue under the French Presidency.

He explained that the proposals would also be on the Council agenda through to the November Council and said that every opportunity would be taken to reflect Ireland’s concerns about some aspects of the proposals.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

“Enhancing reputations–Increasing exposure–Increasing understanding”

Founded in 2006, Dunphy Public Relations is a communications group led by Mark Dunphy from County Clare. Mr. Dunphy previously held the position of ‘Head of News and Current Affairs’ in Clare FM Radio.

Dunphy Public Relations has secured extensive local, national and international media coverage for clients including Clare County Council; Supply Network Shannon; The Atlantis Holiday Group; Shannon Town Council; Cliffs of Moher New Visitor Experience; Clare Museum; Digino Marketing; Renewable Energy Skillsnet; Magico.ie; Kilrush Town Council; Clonlara Wholesale; Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen; Clare County Library; and Ennis Town Council.

In the work shop, they have facilitated the information on Jatropha cultivation and prospects of Bio-Diesel. IKF Green Fuel have also done the same workshop in Nagpur on May 14, 2008, where in over 76 Agri – Graduates attended and got benefited by the business plan which we have provided in the business model through our work shop and most of the attendees have entered into our business plan for expansion of our business in the Maharashtra state. .The focus is to create general awareness about Jatropha / Biofuel among Stakeholders i.e. State Government, Agriculture Graduates, Bio Fuel Authority (BFA), Agriculture Department, Rural Development deptt. etc. and to understand the existing policy of BFA and State Government regarding Jatropha / Biofuel.

Mr. Anil Roongta, Project Director of IKF Green fuel Limited, said “Jatropha is an important source of Bio-Fuel. Bio-fuel is not only economically cheap but also an eco-friendly fuel. Mr. Roongta added that the climate of Rajasthan is immensely suitable for Jatropha cultivation. It is easily cultivable in wasteland and it can generate lot of employment opportunities for the rural youth. The company is doing Jatropha plantation in 30,000 hectare of land in Meghalaya and the company now plans to undertake this activity in Rajasthan in 50,000 hectare of land”.

The company already has started Jatropha plantation in 1000 hectare of land in district Udaipur. IKF Technologies Ltd. has a Bio-fuel refinery in Udaipur and the capacity of the refinery will be expanded to 100MT in future.The state Govt. of Rajasthan has also established a Bio-fuel Authority with policies and guidelines. The company also intends to establish Rural Business Hubs in Rajasthan with the support of Govt of India. These hubs will facilitate employment opportunities for the rural people.”

IKF Green Fuel Limited is exploring the possibility of engaging agriculture graduates either as business associates, channel partners or contractual employees or franchisees for contract farming and establish liaison with various stakeholders in Rajasthan to understand and promote the overall scenario of Jatropha / Biofuel / Waste land allocation in Rajasthan.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About IKF Technologies Ltd.

IKF Technologies Ltd. was incorporated on 22nd, February, 2000 in the name of IKF Software.com Limited to carry on the software development business and ITES-BPO activities. It is listed on Mumbai (BSE), the Calcutta Stock Exchanges and Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The company is seeking further listing on National Stock Exchange (NSE). The name of the company was changed to IKF Technologies Limited with effect from 5th July 2001. The company is being managed by Board of Directors, who are senior professionals drawn from various fields. It has won the award of "Udyog Ratan Award" by IES/ICSME in 2007 for its Corporate Excellence.

It is basically in the field of Bio Diesel, Telecom, IT Software development, Business process Outsource (BPO) and application maintenance services linking e-business with core information systems for companies worldwide. The Company is established with a prime objective of providing knowledge based IT services and solutions through its top notch professionals that enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and profitability of client's business.

It has taken a plunge in the field of telecom sector by establishing its calling card business which is expected to further strengthen the company's path of progress. It has subsidiaries in South Africa and USA and has plans for setting up offices in Romania, Swaziland and Mozambique. The Company is also in a process to start B.P.O. operations from South Africa to explore the emerging opportunities in IT and ITES field.

At present, the paid up capital of the Company is Rs. 26.81 crores and market capitalization is more than 200 Crores.

This award was instituted recently by the Indian Oilseeds and Products Exporters Association, to hounour and encourages export of oil seeds & gains from India.

EXIM Rajathi started its groundnut export in the year 1995, which noe has the credit of accounting large percentage of India’s groundnut export.Thanks to the able and astute leadership of Mr.Rajesh- Managing Director, Exim Rajathi has also won the Niryat Shree award for the year 2003-04 and also 2005-06.

Receiving this award on behalf of EXIM Rajathi, Mr.M.Rajesh, Managing Director, Rajathi Group said: “Am delighted and honored in receiving this prestigious award. An award gives you great motivation and builds your confidence to reach greater heights. It is a proud movement not only for me but also for the people who have been a part of this great continues effort in building a niche space for EXIM Rajathi in the large export map of India. We are currently also venturing into Blanching and Vaccum form packing for creating value addition”.

EXIM Rajathi’s groundnut exports accounts for 11.52% pc of India’s groundnut export. Presently the groundnuts are being exported to Indonesia, Manila, Malaysia and Srilanka.

For more than five decades, the Indian Oilseeds & Produce Exporters
Association, known as IOPEA in trade circles, has been the national agency
for promotion of export of oilseeds from India. It is an autonomous, non-profit making body, serving as the common forum for
the Indian oilseeds exporters, foreign buyers, Indian government, R&D
agencies for oilseeds in India and international agencies such as the WTO,
FOSFA, GAFTA.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About Rajathi Group

EXIM Rajathi is a 3 star trading house and a name synonymous in the agro export trade. With a turnover of $ 100 million Rajathi Group of Companies, is a large conglomerate, with diversified interest in International Trade, Biotechnology, Realty, and Hospitality. The Group operates from various parts of India, Singapore and Hong Kong. Rajathi has always been an enterprise that believes in commitment to customers. Backed by an ambitious entrepreneur Mr. Murughasan, and with 3 decade of expertise and experience the small agro based company now stands towering as a huge, successful business venture in the international market.

A first generation entrepreneur, Mr N.Murughasan an astute businessman hailing from Nagapattinam, has successfully established the diverse Rajathi Group of Companies. He started his simple export business in 1974, which has now a turnover of USD 100 million plus. Over the period the Group has started many successful ventures and has become a large conglomerate, with diversified interest in International Trade, Biotechnology, Realty and Hospitality.

Speaking on this occasion Mr.N.Murughasan said, “I am happy to receive this recognition. When exporters were dreading to trade on perishables, we, despite of risk saw a great opportunity. We refined the methodology of storing, packing and also logistics. It is very difficult exporting onions as we have to reach the same with pungency, moisture and colour intact. Our efforts have rewarded. This great honor is the outcome of the trust, integrity and ethics that we follow at Rajathi. This recognition has laid the platform to achieve greater heights in our future endeavors”.

Under his leadership, Rajathi has bagged various prestigious awards for their performance and management in their diverse sectors like Government of India awarded Largest Agro-commodity exporter award in the year 1997, Star Trading House-GoI-2004, Niryat Shree- 2006, Spice Board Award- 2007 and many more.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About Rajathi Group

With a turnover of USD 100 million Rajathi Group of Companies, is a large conglomerate, with diversified interest in International Trade, Biotechnology, Realty, and Hospitality. The Group operates from various parts of India, Singapore and Hong Kong. Rajathi has always been an enterprise that believes in commitment to customers. Backed by an ambitious entrepreneur Mr. Murughasan, and with 3 decade of expertise and experience the small agro based company now stands towering as a huge, successful business venture in the international market.

For Further Details Contact
Perfect Relations: Soundhariya Viswanathan- 98414 85979
Rajathi Group: Sharon Christina- 99400 20666

These farmers – our real Annadaata’s – have never been included in modern growth of softwares or telecoms sector. Nobody has thought on their daily problems like sever power cuts, lack of water, lack of money for plantations, lack of roads to approach to farms & so many…. Even today he needs to walk several kilometers from his home to switch on or off Motor pumps, since its not sure when power will come and for how many hours ??? So either he needs a dedicated person for this job or do it himself even at 3 AM in the morning… Just go on field to switch on Motor pump …..

We at Remote Data Exchange, Pune have come up with a solution ….. Jai Kisan….

Hi-tech, Simplicity, Ultra low cost and Mega savings. These are the four main features of Jai Kisan, India’s only device for use of controlling Motor Pumps from any location.

As shown in the diagram, a person has to just call to Mobile kept near Motor pump and press his code to Start or Stop the Motor. He can also know weather power is actually present or not and weather the Motor pump has actually started or not...

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Remote Data Exchange, Puneis a leading Indian company working in the field of advanced electronic Identification, Automation and Tracking solutions. Founded in year 2003, we now have operations in Saudi Arabia, Dubai & USA.

Remote Data Exchange, Puneis a company with focus of R & D, Electronic Product Design Services and Distribution in India, Middle East, and American markets.Remote Data Exchangehas over5 years of expertise in designing, developing and integrating several identification, automation and tracking technologies. These includeRFID, AutoID, GPS, GPRS, 3G, EDGEand many other security & wireless technologies. Along with our expertise in Software design and Web services we can develop complete innovative solutions with ease. This is why many entrepreneurs from middle East select our technology services to develop innovative products for their customers.

You can also visit www.rdxindia.net for more information.

Japan is one of the largest foreign markets for U.S. oranges, behind Canada, China (including Hong Kong), and sometimes Korea. The United States is the chief supplier of oranges to the Japanese market, with imports from the United States far exceeding supplies from Japan’s own production and imports from other countries. In 2006, the United States shipped almost 100,000 tons of oranges, worth over $70 million, to Japan.

In the late 1980s, Japan was the largest foreign market for U.S. oranges. A key accomplishment of the 1988 Beef-Citrus Agreement between Japan and the United States was to end Japan’s quota on orange imports. U.S. orange exports to Japan peaked in 1994-95. However, in recent years, trade volumes have been below the export levels of the late 1980s and early 1990s , despite lower tariffs negotiated in the Uruguay Round (1995). Aggregate U.S. orange exports to all foreign markets have generally been between 500,000 and 700,000 metric tons per year since 1990.

Export volume to Japan has decreased somewhat since 1994, so that the Japanese share of U.S. exports has decreased, with Japan falling from the first position in 1989 to third-largest destination in 2006 (and fourth-largest in 2005).

This report investigates Japan’s orange market, especially consumption, and
factors that affect Japan’s imports from the United States.

More information:

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Prof Brian Steffenson, Professor and Lieberman-Okinow Endowed Chair of Cereal Disease Resistance at the University of Minnesota, says that incorporating some of the genes from the wild varieties into the domesticated barley could increase the range of environments in which the crop can be cultivated.

``Wild species are a treasure trove of useful genes for improving cultivated crop,´´ said Prof Steffenson, who is here attending the 10th International Barley Genetics Symposium, organized by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and Bibilotheca Alexandrina.

``Cultivated barley came from wild varieties. When barely was first domesticated some 10,000 years ago the farmers chose a variety in which seeds were non shattering type so that harvesting was easy. So the genetic diversity narrowed down leading to dramatic loss of it,´´ he pointed out.

Prof Steffenson is working on evaluating traits in wild varieties collected from nature and gene banks to look for diversity that has been left behind since first domestication.

Genebanks like that of ICARDA are extremely important to have because they preserve the biodiversity and germplasm of varieties whose habitat has now been destroyed, he said

``Cultivated barely is extremely vulnerable to some diseases and epidemics of pathogens and pests,´´ Prof Steffenson said. ``Some of the wild barley varieties when characterized have been found resistant to Ug99. The Ug99 race of the stem rust has not arrived in America but when it does, it can be devastating.´´

Agriculture scientists are endeavoring to stop the spread of the devastating fungus, which has now been found in Iran. Historically, sporadic epidemics of stem rust, also known as black rust, have plagued wheat production. An outbreak of the disease in North America in the 1950s destroyed up to 40% of the spring wheat crop. The fungus also infects barley.

Stem rust is once again on the move. In 1999, scientists discovered a new strain of the fungus in Uganda, now known as Ug99 that has defeated the resistance in varieties that were resistant to stem rust in the past. Over the past few years, Ug99 has infected crops in North and East African countries and in early 2006 it was found in Yemen.

Prof Steffension said about 30 varieties of wild barley have been identified as having resistance to stem rust, including the Ug99 strain, and all are from ICARDA.

Also, some of the accessions of wild barley collection from ICARDA planted in Minnesota have survived extremely cold temperatures, which at times goes down to –35 degrees. ``It means that we can put a new gene that can extend the range of environments in which barley can be grown as a winter crop,´´ Prof Steffenson said.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Prof Andreas Graner, Acting Director of the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research in Germany, said that the International Barley Sequencing Consortium (IBSC) consisting of eight member laboratories in Australia, Japan, Finland, Germany, United Kingdom and the United States is currently working on sequencing the barley genome.

The consortium was set up in 2006 with the objective to physically map and sequence the barley gene space, with the near-term need being the identification of the remainder of about 30,000 genes, including the 5’ and 3’ regulatory regions, and the longer-term goal an ordered physical map linked to the genetic map to accelerate crop improvement.

‘’Partners are providing active contribution toward sequencing the barley genome, which is aimed to be completed by 2012,’’ said Prof Graner, who is attending the 10th International Barley Genetics Symposium, organized by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and Bibilotheca Alexandrina.

The barley genome - with 5.3 billion letters of genetic code - is one of the largest in cereal crops and twice the size of the human genome. Barley is a true diploid, thus, it is a natural archetype for genetics and genomics for the Triticeae tribe, including rye and polyploid wheat. Highly collaborative international efforts have produced a substantial body of genetic and genomic resources in the past several years.

Prof Graner said sequencing the barley genome is important to understand the genetic architecture of the plant. ‘’The better we have deciphered the genome of the plant, the better will be our understanding of its ability to produce more and its resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Barley is cultivated in over 56 million hectares of land the world over and is the fourth most planted cereal crop. Over the last few years there has been a steady increase in barley and scientists believe that with the increasing global temperatures and the challenges posed by climate change, barley cultivation would expand even more, as this crop grows in harsh climatic conditions.

Besides being the staple food for the poor in parts of North Africa, Central and South Asia, Barley is grown as a cash crop in many developing countries and is used for malt production all over the world.

‘’There is a demand for further increase in food, feed and renewable energy sources. Our abilities to meet this demand depend on how best we can make use of our biodiversity, which is locked up in the genes. In this way genebanks like the one at ICARDA will be able to further improve their contribution to the world-wide utilization of the genetic resources by both scientists and farmers, ‘’ said Prof Graner.

Prof Graner said that sequencing the barley genome would enhance the use of biodiversity to meet the future needs of mankind. ’’Farmers will benefit by having improved varieties that can produce more yield. It would also help reduce input of fertilizers and chemical plant protection to facilitate more sustainable agriculture,’’ he added.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.org) is one of the 15 international research centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ICARDA serves the entire developing world for the improvement of barley, lentil, and faba bean; and dry-area developing countries for the on-farm management of water, improvement of nutrition and productivity of small ruminants (sheep and goats), and rehabilitation and management of rangelands. In the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, ICARDA is responsible for the improvement of durum and bread wheats, chickpea, pasture and forage legumes and farming systems; and for the protection and enhancement of the natural resource base of water, land, and biodiversity.

The Symposium has been jointly organized by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) based in Syria, and Bibliotheca Alexandrina with the support of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Agriculture Research Center of Egypt, and OPEC Fund for International Development.

Dr Jaroslav Spunar, president of the International Organizing Committee of the Symposium welcomed all the participants and briefed the audience on the history and the importance of the IBGS. The Symposium, he said, was being held for the first time on the African continent. "It is expected that the Symposium will reveal many new scientific advances that will add immeasurably to our knowledge and application in barley genetics and related areas," he said.

Delivering the key note address, Dr Ismail Serageldin, Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, said in his address that feed, food and fuels had emerged as the major issuses and challenges in agriculture. Scientists, he said, should focus on genetic research to meet these challenges. He also provided perspectives for future focus of modern biotechnology and its importance to cope with major challenges facing the world.

Dr Mohamed El Nahrawy, Director Field Crop Research of the Agriculture Research Center of Egypt, said that agriculture research has improved the country's self sufficiency. Over the years there has been nearly 32 percent increase in agricultural land and some 29 percent increase in the crop area. The strategic food crop yield has increased from 8.5 million tons to 20 million tons.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Symposium, Dr Mahmoud Solh, Director General of ICARDA, called upon the scientists to develop innovative and more effective technologies to cope with the ecological transition that was affecting lives of people in many different ways.

"Today the world is facing many challenges that threaten food security, equitable development and sustainability of our natural resource based. The dry areas are particularly vulnerable to these challenges," said Dr Solh "Climate change is a serious threat to food security and to the environment. The rising temperature and its effect on hydrological cycles are an enormous threat to agriculture. The crop varieties grown today are not likely to survive in the changed climate tomorrow."

Barley is a major cereal crop worldwide, grown on about 56 million hectares in a multitude of different environments. About 15 million hectares is planted in developing countries and about 1.6 million hectares in countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

"It is the only crop option possible in very dry conditions and those with salinity problem. ICARDA has developed 190 improved varieties of barley and these have been officially released in 45 countries, '' Dr Solh said.

Dr Stefania Grando, Chair of the local organizing committee, said that there will be 14 sessions at the Symposium during which scientists will make presentations and hold discussions on germplasm, genetic resources, molecular breeding, barley genomics, barley and development, and uses of barley as food and malt.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.org) is one of the 15 international research centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ICARDA serves the entire developing world for the improvement of barley, lentil, and faba bean; and dry-area developing countries for the on-farm management of water, improvement of nutrition and productivity of small ruminants (sheep and goats), and rehabilitation and management of rangelands. In the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, ICARDA is responsible for the improvement of durum and bread wheats, chickpea, pasture and forage legumes and farming systems; and for the protection and enhancement of the natural resource base of water, land, and biodiversity.

Dr Ismail Serageldin, Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Dr Mahmoud Solh, Director General, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, Prof Dr Adel El Beltagy, Chair of GFAR and Advisor to the Minister for Agriculture, Egypt, and Dr Jaroslav Spunar, Chair of the International Organizing Committee of the IBGS, will be addressing the inaugural session

The Symposium is the most important forum for barley scientists and the industry worldwide, where results and current trends of barley research and production are presented and discussed, and future strategies are decided.

At Alexandria, scientists will deliberate on issues like global barley production, improvement of crop quality, impact of climate change and global warming on barley crop and new technologies to overcome these challenges. It will also cover a diverse range of applied and basic research on barley.

Barley is cultivated in over 56 million hectares of land the world over and it is the fourth most planted cereal crop. Over the last few years there has been a steady increase in barley and scientists believe that with the increasing global temperatures and the challenges posed by climate change, barley cultivation would expand even more, as this crop grows in warm areas.

“Barley can help people survive climate change and global warming, it is the crop of the poor people,” says Dr. Stefania Grando, ICARDA’s Principal Barley Breeder and the Chair of the local organizing committee of the Symposium.

Besides being the staple food for the poor in parts of North Africa, Central and South Asia, Barley is grown as a cash crop in many developing countries and is used for malt production all over the world.

It is for the first time that the Symposium is being held in Africa and the Middle East Region. The First International Barley Genetics Symposium was held in Wageningen, the Netherlands in 1963. In the past it was held five times in Europe (the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Czech Republic), twice in North America (USA and Canada), and once each in Australia and Asia (Japan). The last Symposium was held on 20-26 June 2004 in Brno (Czech Republic), and was attended by about 350 delegates from all over the world.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.org) is one of the 15 international research centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ICARDA serves the entire developing world for the improvement of barley, lentil, and faba bean; and dry-area developing countries for the on-farm management of water, improvement of nutrition and productivity of small ruminants (sheep and goats), and rehabilitation and management of rangelands. In the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, ICARDA is responsible for the improvement of durum and bread wheats, chickpea, pasture and forage legumes and farming systems; and for the protection and enhancement of the natural resource base of water, land, and biodiversity.

Speaking ahead of the booklet launch, Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Services, Economic Development and Planning, Clare County Council, stated, “I am delighted to the see that the local authority has played its part in establishing a framework for documenting unprotected early agricultural machinery, which played a significant role in the socio-economic development of this country over the last number of centuries.”

She added, “The West of Ireland is traditionally an agricultural region and this tradition has bequeathed a significant amount of farm machinery dating from the late 19th and early to mid-twentieth centuries. Therefore, it is imperative that we develop a strategy for the conservation and posterity of such items as seed drills, harrows, ploughs and rollers, horse carts, and harvesting and haymaking machinery.”

Commenting on the audit, Cllr. Pat Hayes, Chairperson of the Clare Heritage Forum, said, “There is a significant gap in awareness when it comes to our agricultural heritage despite its fundamental impact on the socio-economic development of this country over the last number of centuries.”

He continued, “The Clare Heritage Forum is confident that this audit and its subsequent promotion will help address that gap in Clare and also provide an effective template that can be used on a national and international level. For example, local authority heritage offices in Galway and Donegal have already followed our lead by undertaking similar studies.”

Cllr. Hayes explained that although there had been many individual efforts across Europe to collect and preserve antiquated farm machinery, no large-scale audit had ever been undertaken.

He added, “We are confident that this audit has will achieve its main objective, which is to uniquely inform as to the historical, geographical, economic and even scientific development of agricultural machinery in one county.”

“I would like to thank everyone who participated in the project, especially those who allowed old farm machinery on their land to be photographed and included in the audit. The response has been extremely positive, which reflects an awareness among the rural population of Clare of the importance or farming and farm machinery in the county’s history”, concluded Cllr. Hayes.

Following the launch of the audit, 10,000 summary booklets will be made available at schools, libraries, museums and heritage centres across County Clare.

Dr. Hugh Maguire of the Heritage Council will launch ‘Antique Farm Machinery of County Clare’ at Clare Museum, Ennis, County Clare, at 7.30pm on Monday, April 14th 2008. The launch will also include an illustrated presentation on ‘The Development of Clare Farm Machinery, 1800-1950’.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

“Enhancing reputations–Increasing exposure–Increasing understanding”

Founded in 2006, Dunphy Public Relations is a communications group led by Mark Dunphy from County Clare. Mr. Dunphy previously held the position of ‘Head of News and Current Affairs’ in Clare FM Radio.

Dunphy Public Relations has secured extensive local, national and international media coverage for clients including Clare County Council; Supply Network Shannon; The Atlantis Holiday Group; Shannon Town Council; Cliffs of Moher New Visitor Experience; Clare Museum; Digino Marketing; Renewable Energy Skillsnet; Magico.ie; Kilrush Town Council; Clonlara Wholesale; Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen; Clare County Library; and Ennis Town Council.

“Farmers who were coming to the end of existing REPS contracts later this year, and who intended to join the Organic Scheme, should get their applications in by the middle of next month”, explained Minister Killeen.

He said, “Currently REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers wanting to convert to organics and join the new Organic Farming Scheme must transform to REPS 4. I am aware, however, that the Minister for Agriculture is investigating whether it would be possible to include REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers included in the scheme. Minister Trevor Sargent has requested his Department to explore the issue with the European Commission as a matter of urgency.”

Minister Killeen added that the new Organic Farming Scheme presented an ideal opportunity for Clare farmers to make on-farm investments.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

“Enhancing reputations–Increasing exposure–Increasing understanding”

Founded in 2006, Dunphy Public Relations is a communications group led by Mark Dunphy from County Clare. Mr. Dunphy previously held the position of ‘Head of News and Current Affairs’ in Clare FM Radio.

Dunphy Public Relations has secured extensive local, national and international media coverage for clients including Clare County Council; Supply Network Shannon; The Atlantis Holiday Group; Shannon Town Council; Cliffs of Moher New Visitor Experience; Clare Museum; Digino Marketing; Renewable Energy Skillsnet; Magico.ie; Kilrush Town Council; Clonlara Wholesale; Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen; Clare County Library; and Ennis Town Council.

The two-day “Stem Rust Baseline Survey Workshop on Standardizing Protocols and International Collaboration” was held at ICARDA, Aleppo, Syria on 10 and11 March. The workshop was jointly organized by ICARDA, CIMMYT, FAO and Cornell University, USA under the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative.

Some 49 scientists and researchers from national agriculture research systems of Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay and Yemen, and various international research institutes attended the workshop.

Agriculture scientists are endeavoring to stop the spread of the devastating fungus, which has now been found in Iran. Historically, sporadic epidemics of stem rust, also known as black rust, have plagued wheat production. An outbreak of the disease in North America in the 1950s destroyed up to 40% of the spring wheat crop.

Stem rust is once again on the move. In 1999, scientists discovered a new strain of the fungus in Uganda, now known as Ug99 that has defeated the resistance in varieties that were resistant to stem rust in the past. Over the past few years, Ug99 has infected crops in North and East African countries and in early 2006 it was found in Yemen.

Dr Mahmoud Solh, ICARDA Director General, inaugurating the workshop underscored the need for a concerted global effort to contain the spread of the devastating stem rust, Ug99.

“We all know that Ug99 is capable of causing enormous losses to wheat production and food security in the Horn of Africa, the Nile Valley countries, West Asia, North Africa and even worldwide unless it is controlled through deployment of wheat varieties with durable rust resistance, and other means to combat the spread of disease. This effort is beyond the capacity of any one country or any one institution. This certainly needs a global effort,” Dr Solh said.

The Director General said that the biggest casualty thus far had been in Ethiopia, Kenya and Yemen. “However, the race has now arrived in Iran, a country with 6 million hectares of wheat. The pathogen is certainly moving quicker than originally anticipated. Therefore, surveillance, monitoring and tracking of this new strain is essential for establishing an integrated strategy for control of the disease.” Dr Solh said.

Dr Solh pointed out that Ug99 was confirmed in Yemen as had been predicted based on the knowledge of earlier movements of Yellow Rust. “We have the conviction that Ug99 will spread beyond Iran faster and may take additional pathways. With the long distance travel of rust spores, it is only a matter of time until Ug99 spreads further into the Near East, the Mediterranean Region including N. Africa and South Europe and possibly Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asian countries, South Asia and East Asia,” he cautioned. It is certainly a serious threat to global food security.

In October last year scientists and researchers had met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to establish an early warning system to check the spread of stem rust. Based on their deliberations researchers had set up a survey system that would help them identify spread of the fungus.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.org) is one of the 15 international research centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ICARDA serves the entire developing world for the improvement of barley, lentil, and faba bean; and dry-area developing countries for the on-farm management of water, improvement of nutrition and productivity of small ruminants (sheep and goats), and rehabilitation and management of rangelands. In the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, ICARDA is responsible for the improvement of durum and bread wheats, chickpea, pasture and forage legumes and farming systems; and for the protection and enhancement of the natural resource base of water, land, and biodiversity.

Hon’ble Minister Jim Anderton gave an overview of the flourishing New Zealand Timber industry to leading construction companies, architects and builders who attended the seminar. Mr Rupert Holborow, New Zealand High Commissioner to India and Mr Paul Vaughan, New Zealand Trade Commissioner to India, were also present on the occasion amongst a host of other senior dignitaries from the government.

The New Zealand wood industry currently generates $3.1 billion in exports (or 3.15% of GDP) with India as New Zealand’s fifth-largest export market for wood products, worth NZD$65 million in 2007.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rupert Holborow, New Zealand High Commissioner to India said, “India is now protecting its native forest and needs to import timber to meet growing demand for construction and other industries. New Zealand’s large, growing and sustainably managed plantation timber resource is an ideal answer to this need,”.

The seminar focused on New Zealand Timber Industry’s prime produce i.e. New Zealand Radiata Pine, which is one of the most exported and in demand products for construction and building. Radiata Pine from New Zealand is also certified to be a sustainable renewable resource from an ecological and usability stand point.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Smt Gandhi later visited Warangal to inaugurate the Devedula phase–I scheme – a scheme of the Irrigation & CAD Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh to provide for irrigation & drinking water in the command areas of Warangal, Karimnagar, Nalgonda, and Medak.

The Thota Venkatachalam Pushkara Lift Irrigation work was entrusted to KBL as Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor, and the scope of work involved design, supply, installation testing and commissioning of pump machinery, transformer substation, rising main (PSC / Steel Pipeline), pump house, delivery cistern etc. along with all related electrical instrumentation work inclusive of operation and maintenance contract for 3 years. The Pushkara Lift Irrigation Scheme will help irrigate 186,000 acres of land in East Godavari district and provide drinking water for cattle. Pushkara scheme will thus help in bringing a green revolution near Purushottapatnam village in East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh.

On the occasion Mr. Sanjay Kirloskar, Managing Director, KBL, said “ We have a long and meaningful relationship with the people and government of Andhra Pradesh. It has been our constant endeavor to provide innovative and cost efficient solutions to the farmer. This on time commissioning of the pumping station reinforces our commitment” Pushkar Lift irrigation scheme is the third scheme in East Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, wherein 1,86,000 acres of land will come under irrigation. Complete scheme is envisaged to lift 20 cumecs water from Godavari river.

During the execution stage, extended monsoons/ floods presented a major problem with the well being totally submerged and silted. De-silting was a major challenge, successfully encountered. This, scheme was successfully commissioned and will provide irrigation & drinking water in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The Pump house for the scheme has been constructed in immediate vicinity of a major river and has high embankments.

The Devdhula Lift Irrigation Scheme is the second largest scheme in the world in terms of total lift. It is India’s highest lift irrigation scheme. Kirloskar Brothers Limited have introduced the metallic volute pump with the head of 130 meter and capacity of 18 million litres/hour. KBL is the first Indian company to design, manufacture, install and commission this type of pump for lift irrigation application in India.

Phase I is designed for lifting 10 cumecs of water , having 2 pumps at each pump station. Intake is designed to deliver 10,000 litres /sec of water from Godavari river upto Bhimghanpur. In doing so, we have eliminated 2 pumping stations which would save Rs. 50 Crores per year by innovative and energy efficient system design.

Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. thus pledges to go a long way in partnering the people of Andhra Pradesh and the government in achieving a green revolution.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About Kirloskar Brothers Limited:

Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL) is India's largest manufacturer and exporter of centrifugal pumps with a turnover of Rs. 1340/- crores in the year 2006-07 and a CAGR of 40% over last 3 years. KBL had set itself a vision to reach top 15 Pump Companies in the world in the year 2004, and today it has achieved this vision.

The business spectrum of KBL ranges from centrifugal pumps for various applications and various sector to packaged pumping systems for Pressure Boosting, Air Conditioning, Sewage Handling, Fire Fighting, Solar Pumping to large turnkey pumping projects/solutions on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis for key sectors to a nation’s growth and economy such as Power, Water Supply and Irrigation.

Its business is organised into 6 strategic business groups namely 1) Industrial Pumps Group 2) Agricultural & Domestic Pumps Group 3) Valves Business Group 4) Projects & Engineered Pumps Group 5) Infrastructural Pumping Projects Group 6) Hydle & Special Projects Group and the international division looking after exports which go to 5 continents and 70 countries.

It has 4 manufacturing plants in Kirloksarvadi, Dewas, Shirval & Kondhapuri and the projects business groups PEPG and IPPG operate from Pune, where the Corporate Office is located. It is an ISO 9001 & 14001 Company with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and Asia's largest hydraulic research & testing centre.

Since 2003, KBL has also been eyeing and exercising the inorganic growth opportunities by taking over certain companies which will be complementing to its vision to reach top 5 Pump Companies in the world and in water business. SPP pumps, UK, Aban Constructions (now chistened as Kirloskar Construction & Engineers Ltd.,) Gondwana Engineers (water, effluent & sewage treatment company) and Kolhapur Steel (Foundry for large alloy steel castings) are a few acquisitions done by KBL in last 4 years and it is continuously eyeing appropriate & value adding acquisition opportunities in its endeavor to becoming a big Indian multinational pump company giving best techno-economic pumping solutions.

KBL is proud to have built world’s largest pumping scheme for SSNNL on the Saurashtra branch canal pumping 6,30,000 m3 water per second and has also now completed world's 2nd highest lift pumping scheme for irrigation under Godavari Project – Phase I in Andhra Pradesh.

For more information, visit www.kbl.co.in

For Further information Contact:
Puja Gentle - Sampark PR
9820473457

According to Mr. Padraig Walshe, President of the IFA, “The Living Farmland’ is in the first place a celebration of Clare’s rural landscapes and farmlands. It is an informative and beautifully illustrated book that identifies and describes the great variety of wildlife habitats in Clare, including many which are the product of farming practices.”

“The multi-agency partnership approach to producing the book points the way forward in how we can work together constructively to maintain a vibrant agriculture that protects and enhances the environment”, he stated.

‘The Living Farmland’ profiles the main farm habitats found in Clare, including rock, grassland, peatland, fresh water, coastal, rock, cultivated and built, woodland and wildlife corridors.

Among the topics covered by the book are hedge laying and native tree planting, the creation of man-made ponds to facilitate freshwater habitats, the management of invasive species like mink and the zebra mussel, the introduction of measures aimed at protecting species such as Lesser Horseshoe Bats and Barn Owls, and the protection of sites of archaeological and heritage importance.

The book also highlights common environmental issues confronted by farmers, including greenhouse gases, water quality and agricultural wastes, along with opportunities in renewable energy technologies.

Commenting on the background to the new publication, Ms. Doirin Graham, CEO, Rural Resource Development Ltd., explained, “Nowadays, much of the farmer’s interaction with the environment is bound by regulations, directives and a long list of requirements, focused mainly on what not to do. For that reason, we decided to produce a publication for farmers in County Clare, which would be informative, practical, of local interest and above all, be positive about farming with nature.”

Ms. Graham said that the book demonstrates there are many ways to give nature a helping hand, whilst staying true to the county’s long tradition of farming.

“As signposts clearly point to a future of farming in greater harmony with nature, much can be learned from the farmers of Clare. Our hope is that the ‘The Living Farmland’ will in some way contribute to the conservation of our beautiful living landscape and all of the magnificent creatures that dwell there”, she concluded.

The farmers profiled in the new book are Shane Casey (Fanore), Christy O’Grady (Ennis), Andrew Killeen (Doonbeg), John O’Connell (Ballynacally), Brendan Considine (Kilmurry), Martin Murphy (Kilmihil), Liam Walsh (Tulla), Sean Bugler (Scariff) and Mark Donnellan (Kilkishen).

‘The Living Farmland - A Guide To Farming With Nature In Clare’ is available at selected bookshops, as well as the Clare County Council Corporate Headquarters and local area offices, Rural Resource Development Offices in Shannon and Teagasc offices throughout Clare.

For further information please contact Rural Resource Development at 061-361144 or see www.rrd.ie.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

“Enhancing reputations–Increasing exposure–Increasing understanding”

Founded in 2006, Dunphy Public Relations is a communications group led by Mark Dunphy from County Clare. Mr. Dunphy previously held the position of ‘Head of News and Current Affairs’ in Clare FM Radio.

Dunphy Public Relations has secured extensive local, national and international media coverage for clients including Clare County Council; Supply Network Shannon; The Atlantis Holiday Group; Shannon Town Council; Cliffs of Moher New Visitor Experience; Clare Museum; Digino Marketing; Renewable Energy Skillsnet; Magico.ie; Kilrush Town Council; Clonlara Wholesale; Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen; Clare County Library; and Ennis Town Council.

Minister of State Tony Killeen T.D. said the Grant Scheme for the Development of the Horticulture Sector continued to provide wonderful opportunities for Clare crop producers to make on-farm investments.

“Since 2000, there has been a year on year increase in the level of interest in the scheme, which reflects the high degree confidence among Clare’s producers in the future of the sector”, explained Minister Killeen.

He added, "I would encourage shoppers to support local producers who are striving to meet the highest standards. By supporting them we are making an investment in our own community.”

“I would also like to compliment the two local applicants who have been successful in the grant scheme announced by my colleague Mr Trevor Sargent T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with special responsibility for Horticulture”, concluded Minister Killeen.

The grant aid provided under the scheme covers all areas of the horticultural production sector, including mushrooms, protected crops, nursery crops, field vegetables, soft fruits/apples and bee-keeping.

Horticultural output in Ireland is now valued at over EUR300m and retail sales are an estimated EUR650m.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

“Enhancing reputations–Increasing exposure–Increasing understanding”

Founded in 2006, Dunphy Public Relations is a communications group led by Mark Dunphy from County Clare. Mr. Dunphy previously held the position of ‘Head of News and Current Affairs’ in Clare FM Radio.

Dunphy Public Relations has secured extensive local, national and international media coverage for clients including Clare County Council; Supply Network Shannon; The Atlantis Holiday Group; Shannon Town Council; Cliffs of Moher New Visitor Experience; Clare Museum; Digino Marketing; Renewable Energy Skillsnet; Magico.ie; Kilrush Town Council; Clonlara Wholesale; Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen; Clare County Library; and Ennis Town Council.

In addition to planting more biotech hectares, farmers are quickly adopting varieties with more than one biotech trait. These “trait hectares” grew at a swift 22 percent, or 26 million hectares, to reach 143.7 million hectares – more than double the area increase of 12.3 million hectares. New crops were also added to the list as China reported the plantation of 250,000 biotech poplar trees. The insect-resistant poplar trees can contribute to reforestation efforts.

Further, 2 million more farmers planted biotech crops last year to total 12 million farmers globally enjoying the advantages from the improved technology. Notably, 9 out of 10, or 11 million of the benefiting farmers, were resource-poor farmers, exceeding the 10-million milestone for developing countries for the first time. In fact, the number of developing countries (12) planting biotech crops surpassed the number of industrialized countries (11), and the growth rate in the developing world was more than three times that of industrialized nations (21 percent compared to 6 percent.)

“With increasing food prices globally, the benefits of biotech crops have never been more important,” said Clive James, chairman and founder of ISAAA and the report’s author. “Already those farmers who began adopting biotech crops a few years ago are beginning to see socio-economic advantages compared to their peers who haven’t adopted the crops. If we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of cutting hunger and poverty in half by 2015, biotech crops must play an even bigger role in the next decade.”

According to the report, biotech crops have delivered unprecedented benefits that contribute toward the MDGs, particularly in countries like China, India and South Africa. The potential in the second decade of biotech crop commercialization (2006-2015) is enormous.

Studies in India and China show Bt cotton has increased yields by up to 50 percent and 10 percent, respectively, and reduced insecticide use in both countries up to 50 percent or more. In India, growers increased income by up to $250 (Rs 10,000) or more per hectare, increasing farmer income nationally from $840 million to $1.7 billion last year. It is noteworthy that for the six year period 2002-2007, there was a 125 fold increase in Bt cotton in India – this is four times the 67 fold increase for global biotech crops during the 12 year period 1996-2007. Chinese farmers saw similar gains with incomes growing an average of $220 per hectare, or more than $800 million nationally. Importantly, these studies showed strong farmer confidence in the crops with 9 of 10 Indian farmers replanting biotech cotton year on year, and 100 percent of Chinese farmers choosing to continue utilizing the technology.

While these types of economic benefits are well substantiated, the welfare benefits associated with biotech crops are starting to emerge. A study of 9,300 Bt cotton and non-Bt cotton-growing households in India indicated that women and children in Bt cotton households have slightly more access to welfare benefits than non-Bt cotton growers. These include slight increases in pre-natal visits, assistance with at-home births, higher school enrollment for children and a higher proportion of children vaccinated.

Mrs. Aakkapalli Ramadevi, is a woman subsistence farmer from Andhra Pradesh, who laboriously tills 3 acres (1.3 hectares), and is typical of a small and resource-poor farmer in India who has benefited from Bt cotton. Before the advent of Bt cotton she said “The yields were very low and we used to incur losses, so we were perpetually losing money – my entire family had to stay in the farm and we had to spend 50% of the yield on pesticide alone”. After planting Bt cotton for two years she says, “Finally, cotton cultivation has actually turned profitable.”

“It’s these types of benefits that will make crop biotechnology a vital tool in achieving the U.N. Millennium Development Goals of cutting hunger and poverty in half and ensuring a more sustainable agriculture in the future,” James said. “To reach these goals, a continued broadening and deepening of biotech crop use is crucial to meeting food, feed, fiber and fuel needs in the future.”

In 2007, the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India and China continued to be the principal adopters of biotech crops globally. While the United States continues to be the largest user of the technology, its biotech crop area represents a declining share of the global area due to a broadening adoption. [Editor’s note: see ISAAA Country Fact Sheet for additional detail on specific countries.]

“With a dozen years of accumulated knowledge and significant economic, environmental and socio-economic benefits, biotech crops are poised for even greater growth in the coming years, particularly in developing countries that have the greatest need for this technology,” James said.

According to the report, Burkina Faso, Egypt and possibly Vietnam are the next mostly likely countries to approve biotech crops in the near term. Australia is field-testing drought-tolerant wheat and two states recently lifted a four-year ban on biotech canola.

The story of Bt cotton in India is remarkable. In 6 years from 2002 to 2007, the productivity of cotton almost doubled, insecticides use cut in half and the country was transformed from a cotton importer to a significant exporter. India has recognized the importance of using biotechnology to make the country self-sufficient in food grains with the first biotech food crop, biotech eggplant, expected to be approved in the near-term. The Indian Finance Minister recently articulated the strong political will in India for biotech crops. Dr. P. Chidambaram said, “It is important to apply biotechnology in agriculture. What has been done with cotton must be done with food grains.”

Future prospects for biotech crops globally look very promising. “I predict the number of biotech countries, crops, traits, area and farmers will all grow substantially in the second decade of adoption,” James said. “More developing countries are likely to approve the technology as it’s now possible to design regulatory systems that are rigorous without being onerous given their limited resources. The current delay in timely approvals of biotech crops like golden rice with benefits for millions is a moral dilemma where the demands of regulatory systems have often become the end and not the means.”

The report is entirely funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, a U.S.-based philanthropic organization associated with the Green Revolution; Ibercaja, one of the largest Spanish banks headquartered in the maize growing region of Spain; and the Bussolera-Branca Foundation from Italy, which supports the open-sharing of knowledge on biotech crops to aid decision-making by global society. For more information or the executive summary you may contact ISAAA South Asia office at b.choudhary@isaaa.org or log on to www.isaaa.org.

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) is a not-for-profit organization with an international network of centers designed to contribute to the alleviation of hunger and poverty by sharing knowledge and crop biotechnology applications. Clive James, chairman and founder of ISAAA, has lived and/or worked for the past 25 years in the developing countries of Asia, Latin America and Africa, devoting his efforts to agricultural research and development issues with a focus on crop biotechnology and global food security.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

ISAAA Country Fact Sheet

· India: For the third consecutive year, India experienced the highest proportional increase in 2007 of any country in the world with a 63 percent gain to total 6.2 million hectares of Bt cotton, grown by 3.8 million resource-poor farmers – this is an increase from 3.8 million hectare of Bt cotton area grown by 2.3 million farmers in 2006. These gains have taken India from having one of the lowest cotton yields in the world to being a net cotton exporter, potentially 5 million bales in 2007/2008. At a national level, Bt cotton is a major factor contributing to higher production which is increased from 15.8 million bales in 2001-02 to 31.0 million bales in 2007-08, almost a doubling in a short period of 6 years. In addition, India overtook the USA to become the second biggest cotton producing country in the world, after China. Subsistence farmer Mrs. Aakkapalli who grows 1.3 hectares of cotton in Andhra Pradesh said that before the advent of insect-resistant cotton, “We were badly off and unable to afford anything properly. Finally cotton cultivation has actually turned profitable.”

· China increased Bt cotton production by 0.3 million hectares to total 3.8 million hectares, 69 percent of the country’s cotton area. A total of 7.1 million resource-poor farmers planted the biotech crop. Further, China has 3,500 hectares of virus-resistant papaya and 250,000 Bt poplar trees which can contribute to reforestation.

· Brazil experienced the greatest absolute growth at 3.5 million hectares to total 15 million hectares of herbicide-tolerant soybeans and Bt cotton. These numbers are predicted to climb with the expected final approval and planting of biotech maize in 2008/2009. Brazil is fast emerging as a global leader in biotech crops with significant potential of applying the technology to sugarcane for ethanol production. Brazil has the largest area sugarcane globally at 6.2 million hectares.

· South Africa, the only country in Africa planting biotech crops, increased plantings 30 percent in 2007 to total 1.8 million hectares. Notably, nearly all growth came from white maize for food. Chief Mdutshane of Ixopos calls Bt white maize “iyasihluthisa” meaning “it fills our stomachs.” “For the first time the Ixopos have produced enough to feed themselves.”

· Europe surpassed 100,000 hectares of biotech crops for the first time in 2007 with 77 percent growth. In EU, 8 of the 27 countries planted biotech crops in 2007, up from 6 in 2006. Spain led the way with 70,000 hectares of Bt maize, up 40 percent over 2006 to reach 21 percent of the country’s total maize area. The collective Bt maize area in the 7 other countries – France, Czech Republic, Portugal, Germany, Slovakia, Romania and Poland – increased four-fold from 8,700 hectares in 2006 to 35,700 hectares in 2007, albeit on modest areas.

· Poland planted biotech crops for the first time and Chile joined the list to total 23 countries enjoying the benefits of these crops in 2007.

Biotech Crops’ Contribution to U.N. Millennium Development Goal and a More Sustainable Agriculture

As the U.N. Millennium Development Goal nears, it is useful to look at biotechnology’s contribution toward the goal of reducing poverty and hunger by 50 percent by 2015, and to a more sustainable agriculture in the future.

o Increasing global crop productivity to improve food, feed and fiber security and sustainability: In the first 11 years of biotech crops, yield gains in the key commodities were valued at $34 billion. Production increases will continue with the introduction of the very important drought-tolerant crops in the next decade, as well as more nutritious crops like soybeans enhanced with omega-3 oils and rice with enriched vitamin A content.

o Contributing to the alleviation of poverty and hunger: 50 percent of the world’s poorest are small farmers and another 20 percent of the rural landless are dependent on agriculture. Already biotech cotton and biotech white maize are contributing modest socio-economic benefits to these groups. The expected near-term approval of Bt eggplant in India and potential for biotech rice in China would substantially further these efforts.

o Reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture: Already biotech crops have cut pesticide use, decreased carbon dioxide emissions and saved fossil fuel use due to less tillage and spraying. In 2006, biotech crops saved 14.8 billion kg of carbon dioxide, equivalent to removing 6.5 million cars from the road. In the next decade, crops with increased drought tolerance will help limit water use and greater nitrogen efficiency will help improve use of this important nutrient.

o Mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gases: Biotech crops already contribute to reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Biotech crops that can be developed faster to meet more rapid changes in climate are in development. Further, use of biotech poplar trees, already planted in China, and faster growing trees that are in development can make a substantial contribution in the world’s need for quick re-forestation to help mitigate the effects of global warming.

o Contributing to the cost-effective production of biofuels: Biotech crops help optimize the crop and biomass production per hectare to help supply the world’s demands for more affordable food, feed fiber and biofuel products.

Currently, FloraStand supplies flowers like Roses, Gerbera, carnations, gladiolas and Heliconia etc. florists and wholesalers in Bangalore. “We have been supplying flowers to few wholesalers and florists in Chennai, Cochin and other cities in Kerala last year. These wholesalers and florists in turn supply to leading star hotels and corporates including IT companies apart from their own flower shops. With increased demand to our Roses, we decided to open our operation in Chennai by setting up our own office to supply to large number of florists in that city” states Mr.V.Mani, Managing Director.

Florastand is timing their operation start up in Chennai just ahead of Valentines day 2008 (ie. 14th Feb) in order to meet surging demands for red roses and also has plan to start retail flower shop soon.

Apart from supplying flower arrangements to corporate offices restaurants and hotels in bangalore, FloraStand also undertakes decoration assignments like Bridal decoration, ATM / Office inauguration, Car decoration etc. Florastand online http://www.florastand.com now had built a strong patronage from consumers both from India and from USA and UK with its quality of flower supply.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Rayer Flora (India) Private Limited (www.rayerflora.com), is a grower and exporter of high quality roses with farm in Hosur, 35 KM form Bangalore international airport. Rayer Flora with 4 hectares of hi-tech green houses growing over 7 million roses of various colors including red, pink, yellow, orange, white and bicolor roses, is exporting quality roses and ornamental flowers since 2004, to customers in Dubai, Sharja, Abu Dhabi, and in Australia. Rayer Flora also supplies to florists and wholesalers in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi and Kerala. Florastand is retail and wholesale bangalore florist owned by Rayer Flora.

The Conference was launched today by Minister Killeen and The Burren Life Project, which was established in 2005 to develop a new model for sustainable agriculture in the Burren.

Speaking at the offices of the European Commission in Dublin, the Minister said that the main focus of the conference would be the preservation of the unique Burren district.

Minister Killeen spoke of the ecological dangers to the Burren region.

“The landscape and flora which can be seen there are the result of thousands of years of farming and human activity where man has lived and worked in close partnership with nature. This has resulted in a unique landscape with a rich flora and fauna and a remarkable archaeological heritage. In recent times, however, modern farming practices have led increasingly to abandonment of the land and this has had adverse consequences for nature conservation and the preservation of archaeological monuments”, he explained.

The Minister continued, “Increasingly, grazing by livestock is declining as farming practices change, resulting in a growing problem of encroachment by scrub on the landscape. This results in a loss of the biodiversity of plant and animal life, including some of the rare flora for which the area is renowned, and also obscures and damages the many archaeological monuments.”

Since 2004, the European Commission and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have funded and supported the Burren LIFE Project, which provides scientific research, advice and limited funding to farmers.

“This support invaluable promotes environmentally sustainable farming and livestock practices, including scrub clearance and the repair of stone walls which, through the centuries, have played a role in assisting agriculture in the area”, said Minister Killeen

The Minister added that the upcoming