Category Archives: Agriculture

Agriculture Not Be A State Subject

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CII today organized a Seminar on Reforms in the APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) Act , and its impact in the Southern States. This is an initiative of the Agri Business Sub-Committee, CII-Southern Region. Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Shankarlal Guru, Chairman-International Society for Agricultural Marketing said Agricultural sector is in urgent need of reforms by the respective State governments to help drive the economy to a higher growth rate that is expected by the policy makers, but a comprehensive agenda for reforms in this crucial sector is yet to emerge. Hence, the need for Agriculture to be made a central subject and not a state subject, thus alienating it from politics, said Mr. Guru. Contract farming should be encouraged as it will help bring technology and modern practices into the agriculture sector – opined Mr. Guru.

The APMC Act in each state of India requires all agricultural products to be sold only in government – regulated markets. These markets impose substantial taxes on buyers, in addition to commissions and fees taken by middlemen, but typically provide little service in areas such as price discovery, grading or inspection. A key impact of this regulation is the inability of private sector processors and retailers to integrate their enterprises directly with farmers or other sellers, eliminating middlemen in the process. Farmers also are unable to legally enter into contracts with buyers. This leaves no incentives for farmers to upgrade, and inhibits private and foreign investments in the food process sector.

Also addressing the audience was Mr. Sivakumar, Chairman Agri Business Sub-Committee, CII-Southern Region and Chief Executive – Agri, ITC Ltd. Said that Agri business in India is at a transition point. Having sailed through the shortage economy to an economy with surplus in grains, it is important that Governments at the Centre and State recognize the need for inclusive growth to take agriculture forward in India. Setting the context for the day’s discussion, Mr. Sivakumar emphasized that in spite of employing about 57% of the population of the country, agriculture on contributes 27% to the GDP of India. This distortion makes agriculture not a lucrative employment generator and hence, keeping with the global view, India needs to carve out opportunities in agri-exports sector. Contract farming and direct marketing to retail chains and processing units are the need of the hour he said.

Regulations to keep pace with these needs are required, which need alternative marketing mechanisms. Hence, reforms in the APMC Act are recommended in various fields, he added.

Making a presentation on “Aligning State Policies with emerging new marketing models”, Prof. S Raghunath from the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore, emphasized the need for an effective and efficient distribution system for agri-produce and provision for supply-demand transparency. Since the main objective of the APMC Act was to prevent exploitation of farmers by various intermediaries, reforms were required in the Act, with changing face of agriculture and the agricultural supply chain, opined Prof Raghunath. India is the largest producer of vegetable in the world, with a total share of 15% of global produce. 8% of world’s fruits are produced in India, ranking it second in the world market. In spite of this, there is a high cumulative wastage of 40% in India, informed Prof. Raghunath. Inadequate infrastructure and lack of organized supply chain were the main cause for such a disparity, he said. Thus, reforms in this sector need to catch up with the pace of development in the economy and dis-intermediation and participation of organized players in the sector will remove the lacunae, opined Prof. Raghunath.

Centre asks states to amend APMC Act

In a move to allow farmers to directly sell their produce to industry, contract farming and setting up of competitive markets in private and cooperative sector, the Centre has asked the state government to amend the Agricultural Produce Marketing Act.

Under the present Act, the processing industry cannot buy directly from farmers. The farmer is also restricted from entering into direct contract with any manufacturer because the produce is required to be canalised through regulated markets. These restrictions are acting as a disincentive to farmers, trade and industries.

The government has recently approved a central sector scheme titled Development/strengthening of agricultural marketing infrastructure, grading and standardisation.

Under the scheme, credit linked investment subsidy shall be provided on the capital cost of general or commodity specific infrastructure for marketing of agricultural commodities and for strengthening and modernisation of existing agricultural markets, wholesale, rural periodic or in tribal areas.

The scheme is linked to reforms in state law dealing with agricultural markets (APMC Act). Assistance under the new scheme will be provided in those states that amend the APMC Act.

The Centre has asked the state governments to inform as to whether necessary amendments to the APMC Act have been carried out, in order to notify the reforming states for applicability of the scheme.

Along with the Centre, the industry is also interested in the amendment to the APMC Act as it restricts the growth of trade in agricultural commodities.

The policy regime pertaining to internal trade is particularly restrictive. The agricultural sector continues to be hamstrung by a plethora of controls, which were introduced during the era of shortages, said the PHDCCI.

Meanwhile, a decentralised system of procuring wheat and rice would make the Public Distribution System more cost effective, the government has said.

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac And Ginnie Mae – Who Are They

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Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae are common names associated with federal lending and home loans. They have offerings that stem from no down payment home loans to helping dislocated residents of disaster areas, to providing assistance to the elderly. If you are any age and are considering a home loan, you’re struggling with mortgage payments and need assistance, or you’re elderly and cannot afford repairs on your home, one of these entities may be able to assist.

Who Are Fannie, Freddie and Ginnie?

The Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), better known as Fannie Mae, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), better known as Freddie Mac, are government sponsored entities (GSEs). Fannie Mae was originally a federal user established in 1938. In 1968, however, Congress passed legislation enabling the user to become a private enterprise. Freddie Mac was birthed in 1970 for the purpose of expanding the secondary mortgage market.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are private corporations owned by shareholders. The funding for their operations is achieved through the sale of mortgage-backed securities (MBS), which are sold on the open stock market. In contrast, the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), better known as Ginnie Mae, is owned, operated and insured by the U.S. Government. Created in 1968, Ginnie Mae’s mission is basically the same as Fannie and Freddie. The main difference is that Ginnie’s operations do not depend on the sale of MBS for funding. Ginnie sponsored loans are fully backed by the U.S. Government.

The purpose of the three agencies is to buy mortgages on the secondary market to free up funding for banks and lenders to make more home loans. They don’t directly provide loans to borrowers. Instead, they buy mortgages from primary lending institutions that meet their lending standards.

Many lenders receive funding for mortgages from one of these agencies. The advantages of secondary lenders are that loans can be made with lower interest rates, and money is easily moved to enable anyone anywhere in the U.S. to obtain a mortgage, as long as they meet certain criteria.

What Do Fannie, Freddie and Ginnie Have to offer?

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae all fall under the oversight of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) department. Generally, their charters are the same. They free up funding for primary lenders to make more home loans. In concert, they make housing more affordable to those who may not necessarily qualify for prime loans. Their overall mission is to assist single families, support and provide assistance to housing and neighborhood development, and generate capital in the open stock market. Their missions include making home ownership and rental housing more accessible and affordable.

Who Do Fannie, Freddie and Ginnie Offer It to?

You may become a recipient of products and services provided by Fannie, Freddie or Ginnie. One of the primary factors for consideration is your income and the geographic location in which you want to live or buy a home. If you are low- to moderate-income, you may be eligible for a no down payment home loan or low rent housing. You may be more qualified to obtain a home loan if you want to buy a home in a government designated area. These are typically areas with a significantly lower population than a metropolitan city; although, there may be other qualifications.

How does all this work? If you’re interested in buying a home, go to the Fannie, Freddie or Ginnie website and look for the link that takes you into a section about finding a lender. Follow the instructions to find a qualified lender. If you’re looking for an affordable rental, go to either website at FannieMae or FreddieMac and look for Support for renters or something about renting.

If you want to see all offerings available from each, go to the govloans website. If you’re a farmer, you’ll want to select Agriculture. For small business, you’ll want to make the Business selection. If your living situation was impacted by a disaster, like Hurricane Katrina, then you would select Disaster Relief. If you’re a Veteran, you’ll want to select Veteran. For all housing offerings, select Housing. Regardless of your home situation, Fannie Freddie or Ginnie may be able to help.

Los Angeles, Ca – Agriculture & Forestry

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Agriculture and forestry are two critical industries in Los Angeles, CA. Though it is the second-largest city in the U.S., LA was actually formerly known as the ‘breadbasket’ for the region. As industrialization grew, this focus waned and the city is currently 28th in agricultural production, with a gross production value of $278 million in 2005. In terms of forestry, the Angeles National Forest gives local residents a chance to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities.

The Citybook.com online business directory details the many industry-related businesses in the agricultural and forestry areas at http://www.citybook.com/california/los-angeles/agriculture-forestry/agriculture-forestry-19-60101-627-0-60101.htm. Subject sections include commercial fishing, hydroponics, timber and logging, and wildlife services, among others.

All of those activities are available to those to visit the aforementioned national park. Fun activities like hunting and trail walking are great for youngsters, most who of whom have grown up with their faces plastered to a TV screen. Instilling an appreciation for the beauty of nature in the young is the first step to preserving the environment, as perhaps some will carry forward that feeling into adulthood.

In addition, fishing, in particular is a great way to build patience in young people. One does not order a fish to bite on the hook, like one can instantly conjure up ready food at a fast food restaurant. It can take hours of remaining still and quiet to catch a really good fish that later will adorn the dinner table. One can find out more about such agricultural and forestry activities in Los Angeles at http://www.citybook.com/california/los-angeles/agriculture-forestry/commercial-fishing-fisheries-5199-61250-627-0-60101.htm.

Hunting/trapping is another agricultural-related skill that park visitors can engage in. Though some are not happy about animals being killed with guns, in essence it is the same activity as fishing. Besides, millions of cattle are harvested each year to feed the ravenous American appetite for hamburgers. A list of agricultural consultants who can provide additional information on all of this can be found at http://www.citybook.com/california/los-angeles/agriculture-forestry/agricultural-consultants-5189-1124-627-52142-60101.htm.

Perhaps the biggest reason to visit the park is the opportunity to camp there. It is a unique experience to sleep with a ceiling of green trees and an open sky. With so many oxygen-cleaning plants around, it allows for the delivery of fresh air to lungs that are starving for it. In fact, it is sometimes hard to get back to city life and the attendant issues of fog and smog, especially in the Los Angeles area.

Plentiful recreation trails provide another source of enjoyment in nature. If one is lucky, forest dwellers such as foxes, deer and groundhogs can be viewed in their natural habitats. Known collectively as wildlife, the many species can be studied through the Los Angeles Wildlife Services, listed at http://www.citybook.com/california/los-angeles/agriculture-forestry/wildlife-services-5204-61256-627-55924-60101.htm.

Two major industries, timber and logging, also have a connection to agriculture and forestry. Though they are not without controversy millions across the nation enjoy the benefits of having finely cut wood available for a multitude of home-related building projects. If some trees need to be eliminated in order to make such products available, few would argue about the ethics involved in cutting down a natural resource.

Though agriculture and forestry are not the first things that come to mind when thinking of Los Angeles, both are critical pieces of the city and states character, and discerning residents do not neglect to take advantage of them.

Jobs In Agriculture Sector

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The agriculture sector in UK is pressurizing with increasing demands and needs an also the injuries and accidents with the manure machineries and other stuff. There are safety measures taken and also vehicles recommended like ATVs and the detailed guide-book provides health and safety measures and also legal framework of agricultural jobs UK and the comprehensive farm insurance and general awareness about animal feed and the agricultural auxiliary industries.

The fields of agriculture jobs UK provide good career opportunities and also there are many courses supporting this kind of education with degrees and titles like Agriculture Development Officer or Agriculture Research Scientist who basically help in finding out ways to increase agricultural output level by increasing the quantity of soil nutrients, making plants resistant to diseases and pests and much more. There are also other responsibilities like quality check and sale of animal feed and labeling, farm management, packaging, land appraisal and so on. Other opportunities are as ranchers raising livestock for production of eggs, meat and dairy products and farmers for crop production, fishers for fishery industry and foresters for reforestation, agricultural managers to supervise daily activities and the laborers for farming, lumbering and various other tasks.

The real job description of some other job titles like a farmer mainly does plantation, growth and harvesting and ranching includes raising animals to produce milk and wool or as animal trainers, shearing/milking assistants, breeding technicians or animal veterinarians. Fishers can work as fishing boat captain, fish cleaners and trap setters and forestry includes planting, caring and cutting of trees and serving as forest industry manager, log movers, log graders, choke-setters and fallers. The agricultural science and inspection department includes research of new methodologies and technologies to reduce plant diseases, pet problems and ways to improve the fertility of the soil.

This booming industry of agricultural jobs UK is the backbone of many countries economies and hence, to enhance its growth and development, there are always career development opportunities in the field whether it be a farm manager, hatchery or greenhouse manager, or animal specialist, some scientist or inspector or forest industry manager. Everybody is allotted the basic work and there are also many coaching correspondence courses for a career in the agriculture industry. With the advent of technology, even the fields like agriculture employs new technology like the GPS- global positioning system which enhance the farmers ability to take the optimum decision and also the field of biotechnology which helps in different innovative solutions.

Briquetting Of Biomass – Create Bio Briquettes From Agriculture Waste

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Briquette fuel produced from briquetting of biomass is fairly good substitute for coal, lignite, firewood. Fuel from biomass briquetting is the process of converting low bulk density biomass into high density and energy concentrated bio briquettes. Compared to fire wood or loose biomass, bio briquette gives much higher boiler efficiency because of low moisture and higher density.
* Biomass Briquettes coal is cheaper than usual coal.
* Oil, coal or lignite, once used, cannot be replaced.
* High sulfur content of oil and coal, when burnt, pollutes the environment. There is no sulfur in biomass Briquettes coal.
* Biomass briquettes have a higher practical thermal value and much lower ash content (2-10% as compared to 20-40% in coal).
* There is no fly ash when burning briquettes fuel.
* Briquettes fuel has consistent quality, has high burning efficiency, and is ideally sized for complete combustion.
* Combustion is more uniform compared to coal and boiler response to changes in steam requirements is faster due to higher quantity of volatile matter in briquettes.
* Briquettes are usually produced near the consumption centers and supplies do not depend on erratic transport from long distances.
The composition of the Briquettes biomass varies by area due to the availability of raw materials. The raw materials are gathered and compressed into briquetting machines in order to burn longer and make transportation of the goods easier. Compared to fossil fuels, the biomass briquettes produce low net total greenhouse gas emissions because the materials used are already a part of the carbon cycle.
Briquettes in India helps processing of the material in pieces of geometrically regular and uniform in each case form, almost same mass. Biomass Briquette manufacturers create additional raw materials of fine materials whose use is inefficient and inconvenient as well as recycled waste.
This can be prevented by using biomass briquettes for electricity generation instead of other energy sources. A renewable resource can be replaced as needed without hurting the planet or the inhabitants. Biomass in India is now used by many companies as it is environment friendly. Briquetting machine price can also be high. The fixed costs with creating those products are high because of the brand-new undeveloped technologies that concentrate on the extraction, production and storage within the fuel.