November 23: Foodgrain production in the country is estimated to fall short of the target of 193.50 million tonnes for 1996-97 by two million tonnes, the agriculture ministry said even while ruling out any shortfall in availability during the next year. The ministry has, however, set an ambitious target of 198 million tonnes for 1997-98 as against 193.5 for the current year and targets to achieve an average growth rate of 4.5 per cent by the end of the current plan period in 2002 ad.

Southern flight officers to stir: Flight services in the southern region are likely to be affected from Monday with the regional unit of the National Airports Authority Officers Association (NAAOA) in Chennai deciding to go on a `work-to-rule' agitation with effect from Sunday midnight to press for their 32-point charter of demands. The decision to this effect, following a directive from its national body, was taken at an emergency general body meeting of the association.

Balanced rule-based world trading sought: A balanced rule-based world trading arrangement guided by equity and reflecting the aspirations and capabilities of developing countries has been demanded by an international conference in Delhi. The rule-based world trading regime must become more balanced to reflect better the capabilities and situations of developing countries, participants in the sixth Indira Gandhi conference said in a resolution at the end of their three-day deliberations last evening.

New Delhi saves $280m by potato seed programme: The country saves about $280 every year by its indigenous potato seed programme by applying `seed plot technique' which enables healthy potato seed production in North Indian plains, a leading agro-scientist has said. This amount would be spent in importing potato seed from Europe, director of the Central Potato Research Institute GS Shekhawat said.

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