October 26, 2015 / como / 0 Comments
What’s all the fuss about candles made from soy wax?
With brandnames like Nature Wax, Eco-Soya, and Golden Wax, and when marketed using the terms all natural, clean burning, and renewable, you might get the impression that vegetable based waxes – in particular, soy-based waxes – are far superior and much more environmentally friendly than paraffin based waxes.
Companies name their products to evoke a certain image. Wax and candle manufacturers are no different. Who could resist Massage Romantique, Aroma Naturals, Candle-licious, Aromatic Escapes, or Soy Lucious? (I think I have floated to pristine beach on a tropical island already!)
In the United States, annually, more than one billion pounds of wax are used to make candles. By far, paraffin, extracted from petroleum, is the most common type of wax used. Since wax is basically a type of lipid – a fat – there are many sources from which it could be extracted. Prior to the 20th century, animal-derived wax, called tallow, was primarily used. Since the 1990’s, there has been an increase in the marketing of vegetable-based waxes.
Are they that much better?
Candles made from soybean wax typically burn longer than candles of the same size made from paraffin.
Soybean wax is more opaque than paraffin wax and so colors tend to appear more vivid.
All candles emit soot, and the emission is mostly a function of the wick. The soot produced by soy candles is whitish, as compared to the dark-colored soot that emanates from paraffin candles.
Are soybeans used to make soybean wax GMO-free (GMO = Genetically-modified organism)? Probably not. According to the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS), 91% of the soybeans planted in 2009 and 93% of the soybeans planted in 2010 were resistant to herbicides or insects or both through biotechnology. (Reference: Acreage 6-30-2010, from http://www.nass.usda.gov )
Are soybean waxes GMO-free? Soybean waxes are made from natural oils. There are no genetically modified markers present in the natural oils comprising or used to manufacture soy wax products.
Who owns Michael Richards’ patent? It is well known that the method for the manufacturing of soy wax was patented by Michael Richardson. The intellectual rights of this patent were purchased by Cargill, and that company manufactures soybean wax through the company Elevance. Elevance produces a variety of soywaxes; the main ones are C-1 and C-3.
Can I buy pure soy wax? Most soy wax products are actually wax blends made from soybeans and other vegetable sources, such as palm. When intended to be used for container candles, the wax is formulated to cause it to adhere well to the sides of the containers. Other soywax blends are made shrink so that they can be removed from molds
Which wax is natural? Soybean oil is extracted from a plant. 18-19% by weight of a soybean is oil. Soybeans are renewable because new plants can be grown in the same fields. Paraffin comes from crude oil. It is a fossil fuel – naturally occurring in the earth. It is renewable, it just takes millions of years to create.
Does “natural” mean “organic?” No. In fact, soybean pesticide use (nearly all of which are herbicides) ranks second only to corn. Pesticides, however, are not usually detected in the oil extracted from the soybean. Reference: Economic Research Service of USDA http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/SoybeansOilcrops/background.htm
In conclusion then, soybeans are a viable source of oil that can be made into wax for use in candles. As to whether they are as superior to paraffin candles in all the ways that the marketing implies is debatable. Whether you choose to make or purchase candles made from soybean wax is your decision.
October 26, 2015 / como / 0 Comments
Agriculture in India has a long history. Since more than 10,000 years majority of Indians are dependent on the industry. As agriculture is counted the main business of most of the people, it plays a significant role in the overall socio economic development of the country. According to the Annual Report 2009-2010 of the Ministry of Agriculture the total geographical area of India is 328.7 million hectares of which 140.3 million hectares is net sown area, while 193.7 million hectares is the gross cropped area.
Among world nations, India is the largest producer of fresh fruits. It mainly produces Sesame seeds, fennel, badian, jute, cashew nuts, pulses, ginger turmeric, mangoes, chillies and peppers. India holds the second largest population of cattle. It has around 281million cattle.
It holds the second position in producing cashew, cabbage, cotton seed, fresh vegetables, garlic, cardamom, onions, wheat, rice sugarcane, tomatoes, coconut, ground nut, tea, green peas, cauliflower, potato and inland fish.
India is a country which produces tobacco, rapeseed, coconut and tomatoes in large amount. So, it is called the third largest producer of these produce. The Indian Agriculture Research Institute (INRI) was established in 1905. INRI was responsible for the research leading the Indian Green Revolution of the 1970s. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is the apex body in agriculture and related fields. They have to look after all researches and education of the related field. The union minister of Agriculture is the president of ICAR. The Indian Agriculture Statistics Research Institute looks after and develops new techniques, and they design the experiments, analyses data in agriculture and they develop the strategies to get maximum from animal and plant breed. However, Government of India has set up Farmers Commission to completely evaluate the agriculture program but still farmers are facing some problems.
According to World Bank : Indian Branch the allocation of water is insufficient and unsustainable. The irrigation infrastructure is deteriorating. At some places the overuse of water is currently being covered by pumping facility but as these are falling by foot of underground water each year, this is a limited resource. Secondary, farmers in India are mostly illiterate, socially economically backward or incapable of developing new ideas. They are inadequate or inefficient to implement fast and progressive actions. Farmers are facing the problems of finance and lack of marketing services for farm produce. Still as agriculture being the Indian business, future of agriculture in India is bright.
Government is taking active interest in agriculture and it is giving the highest priority to it. The Tenth Plan allocation was comparatively lower than 11th Plan. The 11th Plan is considerably higher over the 10th plan. An amount of US$19 billion has been allocated for the Ministry of Agriculture during the Eleventh Five Year Plan. Agriculture is one of the strongholds of the Indian economy and accounts for 14.6 percent of the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009-2010, and provisional percent of the total export is 10.23 percent. Moreover, the agriculture sector, provides employment of 52 to 55 percent of the work force.
As per the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) farm output will grow by 10 percent to 114 million ton (MT) in the Kharif season, while in winter season( Rabbi season) is expected to increase 2 percent that will be around 116.6 MT. According to Agricultural and processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Indias exports of fruits, vegetables, cereals and processed food products was worth US$ 1.14billion during April May 2010-11. Middle East, Asia, Africa, and South America are developing countries in which 70 percent of the Indias agriculture and processed food is being exported.
This data makes it absolutely clear that Indian Economy is largely governed by the Industry, which is still largely dependent on the uncertainties of rainfall and other natural forces. We have a social responsibility to support the agricultural industry in every possible manner.
URL: http://www.made-from-india.com/article/Agriculture-Industry-In-India-821.html
October 25, 2015 / como / 0 Comments
More and more people concerned about the safety of vegetables. Yesterday, reporters from the special sales in Shenzhen, “the vegetable” strong interest Vegetable Co., the city learned that: the company’s proximity to vegetable base, for the supermarket to occupy sale terminals, “strong interest” vegetable brand in Shenzhen and Hong Kong market, “applauded was a great success, “opened this week, also in Shenzhen Rainbow Fumin shop. Since May of this year, the company has opened in Shenzhen with four stores.
Vegetables and vegetable quality can be directly traced back to
Yi Qiang Vegetables Co., Ltd. City of vegetables available from the State Administration of Quality Supervision record check of the vegetable base, factory equipped with professional testing room, and a special inspector to conduct inspection of vegetables, the State Administration of Quality Supervision Pipi detection .
Urban Vegetable Co., Ltd. is a Hong Kong Yi Qiang Gabriel High Food Co., Ltd. to develop the mainland market, registered in Shenzhen can be traced back vegetables franchisee, is currently Hong Kong’s major supplier of high-end processing of vegetables, domestic fruits and vegetables processing plants have high Dongguan Baili 1, covers an area of 3,000 square meters, covers an area of 5000 square meters factory in Shenzhen cooperation. Major customers include supermarket chains in Hong Kong PARKnSHOP, Wellcome supermarket chain in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong International Air Catering Lufthansa Food Co., Ltd. and the Hong Kong Maxim’s Group dining restaurant chain. Bailey also is a high-Food Company Limited from outlet store are: establishment of supermarkets and Wellcome supermarkets in PARKnSHOP a total of 86 outlets. Since there is a base for the domestic vegetable Qujing, Ji’an, Liaocheng, Yangshan, Guangdong, Shanxi Yuncheng. Co-operation base located in Fujian, Chongqing, Hebei, Inner Mongolia and other places, truly integrated marketing, formed from the base to the whole process to the retail market, quality and safety traceability system, so the source can be traced back, whereabouts can be tracked to ensure the quality of vegetables safe and reliable.
From farm to fork the whole low-temperature storage
Urban Vegetable Co., Ltd. Yi Qiang’s “strong interest” of vegetables through the cold chain logistics storage and transportation. Vegetables from farm to fork is always kept at low temperature, the effective control of the breeding and spread of harmful micro-organisms to ensure the safety of vegetables. Data, through the cold storage and transportation of vegetables, their consumption of vegetables is small, the community, specialization, standardization of vegetable cold chain storage and transportation, to vegetables, storage, transportation and lower cost, more efficient and easier to detect and monitor .
“Agriculture super-butt” went straight to the supermarket fruit and vegetable field
Fresh fruits and vegetables off the early morning, just 56 hours can be put on the supermarket counter; radish, eggplant, green peppers, tomatoes … … filled with a variety of fresh vegetables counters. In fact, people can put into the food basket of fresh fruits and vegetables, thanks to a new basket supply chain??? Agriculture with supermarkets. This year in June, the Ministry of Commerce and other departments in the country launched the “agriculture super-docking” activities in support of major supermarket chains, agricultural products and fresh agricultural products directly to distribution companies producing docking of Farmer Cooperatives, construction, direct procurement of agricultural products base.
According to reports, the past, most agricultural products sold by the farmers, hawkers, hawkers sold to wholesale markets, wholesale markets and then sold to large buyers, and finally into the supermarket and other retail outlets. Farmers over the direct connection of farmland harvest of fresh produce, within a few hours can be put on the supermarket shelves, not only to ensure the fresh agricultural products to enter the public the first time the “food basket” and eliminating the need for many intermediate links, compression costs.
Vegetables Ltd City Yi Qiang people think that agriculture with supermarkets, direct purchase from farmers, costs decreased by 20% at least, this part of the profits can benefit consumers and farmers, supermarket naturally enhanced competitiveness. And many of the links not only the original supply, price instability and supply back to a certain extent the difficulty of direct supply by the farmers now, if there are problems you can always be found in Agrocybe, monitoring of food sources and more stronger.
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October 24, 2015 / como / 0 Comments
On the whole, the Obama administration’s new wireless plan is one of the cleanest and most uncontroversial budget proposals in recent memory and it is supported by the fact that the GOP, which is currently balking at most of President Obama’s budget proposals, has not elected to attack this one. The reason is simple; on the face of it, Obamas wireless plan intends to dramatically expand the reach of wireless access providers, and thus, the potential market as well.
Overall, bottom lines will increase, as well the wireless network, allowing access providers to begin to phase out the infamous last mile problem. DSL and Cable Internet are costly to build out and maintain, while wireless is not. With the recent FCC Net Neutrality legislation, it is clear there is a heated focus on expanding wireless infrastructure to shift the bulk of communication to the wireless model. Already, most new phone numbers are mobile. The Plain Old Telephone network is being phased out, and a home phone makes little sense in light of the convenience of cell phones.
Plan Details: The Money
Broadcast Spectrum Auction: One of the key parts of the proposal was the 500 MHz broadcast spectrum auction, currently held by television and radio broadcasters, and would be sold off specifically for licensed mobile access providers. The total cost of the program is currently estimated at $18 billion, and total revenue is $27.8 billion over 10 years, hence the Obama wireless plan will realize a $9.6 billion net gain. Some will go to the current holders of the spectrum to be sold off in exchange for voluntary surrender of the spectrum.
Infrastructure: The next major part of the plan is the investment of $10.7 billion to build a public safety wireless infrastructure. This will provide police, fire, and other public services high-speed wireless access, allowing them to share video and exchange email. While a little vague, the scope of the plan is extensive and would involve dedicating the D Block of broadcast spectrum for public safety. Much of the cash would be spent on towers and infrastructure to support the use of the spectrum. The recent buyback of the Wireless Philadelphia, a multimillion-dollar effort to provide free wireless and its re-tasking to fire and police use is an example of the goal of this phase of the plan.
Other Funding: $5 billion would go to fund an expansion of the Universal Service Fund, ensuring low-income families access to wireless services, and to support companies that invest money in building private infrastructure in areas traditionally too costly to develop profitably. Safelink wireless is an example of this initiative, providing cell phones and monthly airtime to low-income American.
An additional $3 billion would be invested in research and development of wireless technologies in the education, health care, and energy sectors, which would dovetail with existing health care technology initiatives. Additional funds are already allocated in the Commerce and Agriculture Departments through the Recovery Act and will be used to fund wireless development in rural areas.
Effects of the Plan
With the deployment of DTV and the end of analog broadcast television, a starting gun was sounded and the race was on. Much of the news, beginning with Google’s attempt to enter the most recent spectrum auction and the recent FCC Net Neutrality Act has been the pole positions of the race. For many years, the federal government has supported efforts to bring telephone service to outlying areas of the country. Now the government will assist in the expansion of wireless access to replace the existing infrastructure and create a wireless broadband future.
The plan intends to be a win-win effort with commercial entities benefiting from the creation of a much larger market base, and lower cost of wireless access and America benefiting from a major step forward in technological development. Consumers will benefit by having mobile access nearly everywhere. Finally, the taxpayers will realize 9 billion dollars in revenue over the next ten years. It is rare that any federal program is this balanced and universally accepted.
October 23, 2015 / como / 0 Comments
If we go by the history of our country, agriculture, along with its allied sectors, we can unquestionably say that, it is the largest livelihood provider in India, more so in the vast rural areas. It also plays a major role in contributing a significant figure to the Gross Domestic Product of the country. Sustainable agriculture, in terms of food security, rural employment, and environmentally sustainable technologies such as soil conservation, sustainable natural resource management and bio-diversity protection, are essential for holistic rural development. Indian agriculture and allied activities have witnessed many revolutions since our independence, a green revolution, a white revolution, a yellow revolution, and a blue revolution.
The field of agriculture in India has undergone a massive and rapid transformation in the past two decades. The introduction of the policy of globalisation and liberalistaion has opened up new avenues for agricultural modernisation. This has majorly lead to commercialisation and diversification, but also triggered various technological and institutional innovations owing to investments from corporate entities. India has come a long way from a net importing country. Today India is consistently producing 250 million tonnes of food grains, 100 million tonnes of rice, 90 million tonnes of wheat, 35 million bales of cotton, and more than 18 million tonnes of pulses.
The government has taken several steps to revitalise agriculture sector and improve the conditions of farming community on sustainable basis by increasing investment, improving farm practices, rural infrastructure, delivery of credit, technology and other inputs. Some of the major initiatives taken by the Government of India include:
The Government of India plans to set up two spice parks at Sitarganj and Sahaspur in Uttrakhand with the help of Spice Board of India, said Mr Anand Sharma, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It has also opened fifth spice park at Mattupetty Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu (TN) for processing turmeric and chilli.
The government has allowed 100 per cent FDI under the automatic route in storage and warehousing including cold storages. 100 per cent FDI is also permitted for development of seeds
The government has launched an initiative to spend US$ 65.1 million to promote 60,000 pulses villages in rain fed areas for increasing crop productivity and strengthening market linkages.
HUNNARBAAZ! Skilled to Win! is a pioneering one hour weekly reality TV show on Doordarshan National that searches for India’s Best Skill Star and Best Innovator.
In the coming episode of the TV show, the discussion and learning would be done on the major concern of the country, Agriculture.