1.   

Food ministry to step up procurement for proposed Food Law

The food ministry plans to augment wheat and rice procurement by 10 million tonnes to meet the expected demand for 70 million tonnes of foodgrain under the proposed National Food Security Act . "We have to increase the foodgrain procurement to 70 million tonnes in order to meet the requirement under the proposed bill," according to a senior official.

2.   

45 Dutch cos visit India; discuss trade in food processing, related sectors

With more than four centuries of bilateral trade relations and a strong position in the global economic matrix, India and the Netherlands are ready to strengthen their partnership in the years to come. To further strengthen the ties in areas such as agro-industry, automotive, food processing, water management, life sciences and health, a delegation comprising representatives of the ministry of economic affairs, agriculture and innovation, the Netherlands, and leading food sector companies from that country, has been on a mission to India from June 6-10 2011.

3.   

DEPB scheme to end on June 30: Revenue Secretary

The Finance Ministry Thursday said that the popular DEPB tax rebate scheme will come to an end from June 30, saving revenue for the government. "All exports will be zero-rated after Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) scheme ends. Two similar kind of schemes cannot go on.

4.   

Harmonise standards, improve market access for agriculture exports: ASSOCHAM

ASSOCHAM today called for integrating various government schemes for exports of food and agricultural products besides improving market intelligence systems so that collaborative efforts can be synergised to develop greater national and international linkages. There are many overlaps in schemes offered by various ministries and departments, and they lack supply chain approach, said The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).