1.   

259 Million Tonne Foodgrain Production Likely This Year

The year 2013 has been significant for Indian agriculture. The production of foodgrains is likely to reach record level; in a year in which other economic parameters have not been too encouraging, agriculture growth is likely to surpass the target of four percent. Public Investment in the farm sector has gone up and States are constantly being incentivized to come up with new schemes. Credit flow to the sector is increasing year after year.

2.   

Food processing sector registers fast growth

The food processing sector has witnessed fast growth, employment generation and export earnings in the recent past according to the press release issued by the central government. In major indicators, the growth in this sector has been better than other industries and the economy as a whole. On its part, the ministry of food processing industries has contributed to encouraging investment into the sector, improving infrastructure, evolving better standards, removing bottlenecks and initiating R&D and skill development.

3.   

India Exports Rice Worth $3.89 Billion in April – September 2013

India has exported rice worth around $3.89 billion in the first six months of the fiscal year 2013-14 (April – December), which is about 63% of total rice exports worth $6.21 billion in the full FY 2012-13, according to official sources. India’s rice exports to Iran have increased significantly in FY 2013-14. During April – September 2013, India exported rice worth around $1.09 billion to Iran, which is already about 90% of total rice exports worth around $1.21 billion in the full fiscal year 2012-13.

4.   

Centre Seeks State Action Plan on Poultry

With the Centre all set to unveil the National Livestock Mission (NLM), the Ministry of Agriculture has asked the State Government to prepare an action plan on poultry sector. In a letter to Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra, Joint Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture Sanjay Bhoosreddy has requested to submit the State action plan for necessary financial support.