News for 'Agriculture Organization of the United Nations'

Tariffs cut, $30tn market: India, US unveil interim trade pact

Tariffs cut, $30tn market: India, US unveil interim trade pact

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

The agreement addresses non-tariff barriers and promotes increased trade in technology products and cooperation between the two countries.

Jaishankar urges BRICS to defend free trade amid tariff war

Jaishankar urges BRICS to defend free trade amid tariff war

Rediff.com27 Sep 2025

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called on Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) to defend the multilateral trading system amid increasing protectionism and tariff volatility during a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

'Trump Is A Businessman, He'll Get A Deal Done'

'Trump Is A Businessman, He'll Get A Deal Done'

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

'You can't have a one-sided deal. If you have a lopsided deal then it won't be sustainable.'

'Modi is standing like a wall': PM's strong message to Trump amid tariff row

'Modi is standing like a wall': PM's strong message to Trump amid tariff row

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

Amid uncertainty over trade talks with the US, Prime Minister Modi asserts India's commitment to protecting the interests of farmers and fishermen, vowing no compromise on their behalf.

A Deal Is Possible Only On Trump's Terms

A Deal Is Possible Only On Trump's Terms

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

For India, the challenge is to strike a balance between tactical necessity and economic priorities, point out Pravin Krishna and Monil Sharma.

Indian team to soon visit Washington again for trade talks

Indian team to soon visit Washington again for trade talks

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

An Indian commerce ministry team will soon visit Washington for another round of talks on the proposed trade agreement with the US to iron out differences in sectors, like agriculture and automobiles, a government official said on Thursday.

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

The US Trade Representative noted that India's average applied tariff rate stood at 17% per cent, the highest of any major world economy.

Food prices still high in developing nations: UN

Food prices still high in developing nations: UN

Rediff.com17 Jul 2009

The United Nations on Friday expressed concern that food prices continue to remain high in developing countries, hurting millions of poor in both rural and urban areas.

Modi 3@1: Challenges, Opportunities Ahead

Modi 3@1: Challenges, Opportunities Ahead

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

There are challenges galore before him, and it is not going to be easy. In the next four years, he has to conjure a system that changes the optics about him and the BJP both nationally and internationally so that he can ride back on his own, claim the top slot, and not have to lean on a coalition, asserts Ramesh Menon as Modi 3.0 completes a year in power.

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

'I am not an aspiration-oriented politician.' 'This is the time to redefine politics.' 'Politics of power is not real politics.'

Speculation rife as CPI-M set to pick new general secy

Speculation rife as CPI-M set to pick new general secy

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is set to elect its next general secretary, with speculation rife over who will lead the party. Leading contenders include M A Baby, backed by the party's Kerala unit, and Ashok Dhawale, who enjoys support from the West Bengal lobby. Other potential candidates include Mohammed Salim, B V Raghavulu, and Brinda Karat. The election will take place at the 24th CPI(M) congress in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

India's Rigid Food Inflation Bites Harder

India's Rigid Food Inflation Bites Harder

Rediff.com18 Apr 2023

Nearly a third of an average Indian citizen's consumption budget is spent on food.

How much does it cost to feed your family?

How much does it cost to feed your family?

Rediff.com8 Jul 2008

A look at the goods, from wheat to chicken, that are driving a global crisis--and raising food prices in your neighborhood.

'China To Gain Most From Trade Wars'

'China To Gain Most From Trade Wars'

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

'If you compare the data from 2017 and 2023 of the US imports from the world and China, you will see that the US was a complete loser in the trade war, and China was a complete gainer.'

World's top 10 exporters and importers of food

World's top 10 exporters and importers of food

Rediff.com15 Mar 2011

Food inflation is rampant the world over. In Tunisia -- and to some extent in Egypt -- it actually led to the toppling of the government following riots over high food prices. West Asia and North Africa too have seen similar -- and huge -- protests over the hardships people are faced with due to runway inflation.

Chicken not responsible for bird flu: Study

Chicken not responsible for bird flu: Study

Rediff.com27 Mar 2008

Ducks, rice and human beings -- and not chickens are the "most significant factors" behind persistent outbreaks of bird flu, a new study has claimed. The study released by United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) found ducks, rice and people not chickens to be the "most significant factors" in the spread of the bird flue in Thailand and Vietnam.

Energy? Sunflower may be the answer

Energy? Sunflower may be the answer

Rediff.com26 Apr 2006

Soaring oil prices and growing environmental constraints is forcing the world to look for alternative sources of energy and switch to renewable bio-energy sources such as sugarcane and sunflower seeds, a United Nations agency says.

All you need to know about World Food Programme -- Nobel Peace Prize winner

All you need to know about World Food Programme -- Nobel Peace Prize winner

Rediff.com9 Oct 2020

The 2020 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the United Nations World Food Programme for its efforts to combat hunger. The Norwegian Nobel Committee said the WFP had acted "as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict". Here's what you need to know about the Rome-based organisation:

Another locust attack likely in a few weeks: Officials

Another locust attack likely in a few weeks: Officials

Rediff.com9 Jun 2020

The summer and rainy weather is favourable for locusts and they move from one place to another during this time, travelling 150 km in a day.

Modi Bluster Missing From Budget

Modi Bluster Missing From Budget

Rediff.com26 Jul 2024

With the reality of coalition politics staring the BJP in its face, this was inevitable, points out Ramesh Menon.

This eatery serves insect-only dishes. Dare to try?

This eatery serves insect-only dishes. Dare to try?

Rediff.com6 Sep 2019

Forget tofu or soy milk. Entrepreneurs out of South Africa have opened a pop-up restaurant dedicated to serving gourmet meals, all made from alternative, insect-based ingredients. Welcome to The Insect Experience which opened in Cape Town last month. Customers are treated to dishes like chickpea black-fly-larvae croquettes, polenta fries made from mopane worm flour and mealworm biscuits. Take a look.

Giant In The Earth: M S Swaminathan

Giant In The Earth: M S Swaminathan

Rediff.com5 Oct 2023

Dr Shreekant Sambrani pays tribute to M S Swaminathan, renowned agricultural scientist and a lifelong crusader against hunger who passed away in Chennai recently.

How water-efficient are your home appliances?

How water-efficient are your home appliances?

Rediff.com3 Sep 2019

The highest water-use efficiency of more than $ 50 per cubic metre is in Oceania, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Israel, Denmark, Finland, and Great Britain while the lowest is in Central and South Asia, including India, at less than $ 10 per cubic metre.

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

India's recent move to remove additional 'retaliatory' duty on eight products from the United States (US), including apples and walnuts, would not have any negative impact on the domestic producers, the government clarified, even as the issue threatened to snowball into a political slugfest between the ruling and Opposition parties. The move would, in fact, result in competition in the premium market segment, ensuring better quality at better prices for consumers, especially for apples, a senior government official said. "There were certain concerns that were being raised on the mutually agreed solution that has come in, more specific to seven-eight agriculture products where we had levied additional import duties in retaliation to the steel and aluminum measures (imposed by the US)," Peeyush Kumar, additional secretary in the commerce department, told reporters in a briefing.

'We were listed in the global top 10 start-ups in sustainability'

'We were listed in the global top 10 start-ups in sustainability'

Rediff.com8 Feb 2024

'We want to make sustainability affordable.' 'We tell everyone, don't just recycle, Craste it!'

Farm exports touched record Rs 3 lakh cr in 2020-21: Prez

Farm exports touched record Rs 3 lakh cr in 2020-21: Prez

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said the country's farm production and procurement increased during 2020-21 crop year despite the pandemic and agricultural exports reached a record level of Rs 3 lakh crore during the same period. In his address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament at the start of the Budget session, Kovind said the government is focusing on making the country self-sufficient in edible oils besides making special efforts to promote organic farming, natural farming and crop diversification. "My government is working continuously to empower the farmers and the rural economy of the country... I would like to give maximum credit to the small farmers of the country for this consistent success and strengthening of the agriculture sector," he said.

PM releases Rs 20,946 cr for farmers under PM-KISAN

PM releases Rs 20,946 cr for farmers under PM-KISAN

Rediff.com2 Jan 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday released Rs 20,946 crore to 10.09 crore farmers across India as the 10th installment of financial aid under the PM-KISAN scheme and said there was a need for innovation in agriculture along with promotion of natural farming. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year is provided to the eligible farmer families, payable in three equal installments of Rs 2,000. The PM-KISAN scheme was announced in the February 2019 Budget.

MSP hike may hit India's farm exports

MSP hike may hit India's farm exports

Rediff.com16 Jul 2018

'Obviously, MSP hike raises chances of a reduction in exports. Even without an MSP hike, India's exports of a number of agri-commodities, like sugar, were unviable in the overseas markets.'

India's tough stand on WTO gets support from UN body

India's tough stand on WTO gets support from UN body

Rediff.com4 Aug 2014

India decided last week not to ratify WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement.

These Scientists Shaped India

These Scientists Shaped India

Rediff.com15 Aug 2023

I suggest we build a Vigyan Mandir (Temple of Science) with the ambience of a place of worship, so that it becomes a destination for pilgrims. We should embed on its walls bronze plaques describing each scientist mentioned here along with about a dozen of our ancient mathematicians, recommends Professor Kalyan Singhal, historian of science and technology.

Global foodgrain prices slump to 6-month low

Global foodgrain prices slump to 6-month low

Rediff.com8 Aug 2014

The fall in global prices resulted in a drastic decline in the Food Price Index compiled by the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization. Based on the prices of a basket of internationally traded food commodities, the FAO Food Price Index averaged at 203.9 points in July, down 4.4 per cent (2.1 percentage point) from a revised value in June. This level was seen earlier in January, at 203.2 points.

Global food prices jump in October

Global food prices jump in October

Rediff.com6 Nov 2015

Trend could continue on downward revision in winter harvests.

Global agri prices at 6-year low

Global agri prices at 6-year low

Rediff.com10 Jul 2015

Dairy, sugar prices fall sharply, despite El Nio fears

Mulayam, Ustad Zakir Hussain, SM Krishna get Padma Vibhushan

Mulayam, Ustad Zakir Hussain, SM Krishna get Padma Vibhushan

Rediff.com25 Jan 2023

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav is among six personalities chosen for this year's Padma Vibhushan.

How govt plans to cut down food wastage

How govt plans to cut down food wastage

Rediff.com16 Jan 2019

Centre has already started work on developing a mechanism to ensure states producing any item in excess is able to transport it to other states where there is demand

World food prices drop to 55-month low

World food prices drop to 55-month low

Rediff.com6 Mar 2015

Higher local output estimated to depress cross-border sales

Xi meets Putin, raises concerns over war in Ukraine

Xi meets Putin, raises concerns over war in Ukraine

Rediff.com16 Sep 2022

In what is seen as the first sign of China's exasperation over Russia's Ukraine war, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday raised 'questions and concerns' over the conflict in his meeting in Samarkand with Russian President Vladimir Putin who thanked Beijing for its 'balanced position' on the crisis.

What are locusts? And why are they such a big menace?

What are locusts? And why are they such a big menace?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2020

Swarms of immature pink locusts and adult yellow locusts are currrently active. Not only are fresh locusts swarms expected to arrive in the coming weeks, but even those already present in India have mated and are breeding new offspring.

UN praises IMD for 'Pinpoint accuracy' on Cyclone Fani

UN praises IMD for 'Pinpoint accuracy' on Cyclone Fani

Rediff.com4 May 2019

The powerful cyclone, strongest to hit India in 20 years, made landfall at around 8 am in India's eastern state of Odisha, killing at least 12 people.