The area under wheat during the on-going rabi season has been reported higher at 239.79 lakh hectares (lh) in top four producing States — Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana until Friday in the on-going season against 237.37 lh in the year-ago period, up by 1 per cent. These four States together share 75 per cent of the country’s total wheat acreage.

 

After exceeding the season’s normal area of 307.32 lh last week, pan-India wheat acreage further narrowed the deficit to about 4 lh until Friday. Latest data show that wheat acreage has reached at 320.54 lh compared with 324.58 lh year-ago. The deficit was 2 per cent until December 22. Sowing of wheat with late varieties will continue till the first week of January, officials said.

 

The area sown under all rabi crops during 2023 reached 629.65 lh until December 29, which is over 97 per cent of the normal area of 648.33 lh. As it is still down by 3 per cent from 646.16 lh during the same period a year ago, the season may end with a deficit of 1-2 per cent mainly due to decline in pulses acreage, experts said.

 

Lentil up a tad

Rabi pulses acreage has reached 142.49 lh compared with 153.22 lh, down by 7 per cent as gram (chana) acreage has been consistently lower throughout. Lentil (masur) has improved to 18.68 lh, a tad higher from 18.02 lh year-ago. The sowing area of major rabi pulse gram is down by 8 per cent at 97.05 lh from 105.8 lh. So far, 96 per cent of normal area of 100.92 lh under gram has been covered.

 

Mustard acreage continued its march ahead throughout the season to 97.29 lh as of December 29, up 2 per cent from 95.63 lh in the corresponding period last year. All rabi oilseeds acreage has been reported at 104.96 lh, higher from 105.15 lh a year ago, in which groundnut area is down by 1.02 lh at 3.32 lh. Though groundnut is a kharif crop, it is also grown on about 7 lh during winter, mainly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

 

Paddy acreage slips

Paddy acreage reached 14.36 lh against 16.57 lh year-ago and maximum area has been reported from Tamil Nadu at 10.45 lh. The normal area under winter paddy is 52.5 lh and the government expects to achieve normal area or more.

 

In coarse cereals, the sowing area has reached 47.29 lh, up by 1 per cent from 46.64 lh. Jowar acreage has been reported at 21.04 lh, lower from 21.19 lh and maize reached a tad higher with area of 17.53 lh against 17.51 lh year-ago. Barley sowing is up 9 per cent at 8.01 lh against 7.32 lh year-ago.

Days after allowing duty-free import of masoor (lentil), the Indian government on Thursday extended by another year the free import policy, without quantitative restrictions, on tur (pigeon pea) and urad dal (black matpe) till March 2025, potentially helping higher domestic supply and keeping prices under control.

 

'The free import policy of urad and tur stands extended up to March 31, 2025,' the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. The free import policy for these pulses was valid until March 2024.

 

The government had allowed the import of tur, urad and moong dal under the ‘free category’ with effect from May 15, 2021 and it was valid till October 31, 2021. Subsequently, it got extended as domestic production was hit with lower rainfall in key producing states.

 

The Centre on December 21 extended the import duty exemption on masur dal (lentils) by another year till March 31, 2025. Import of lentils are being allowed duty-free to help contain inflation. In the normal course, imports attract 30 per cent Customs duty. 'The extension of duty exemption by an year will benefit the importers and will boost the supplies,' Bimal Kothari, Chairman, India Pulses and Grains Association had said.

 

Rabi area down

The imports of masur have seen a considerable increase in the current financial year with a section of consumers of tur dal shifting to masur dal in the recent months. Pulses led by tur dal have turned expensive this year with the erratic monsoon impacting the domestic output and fuelling food inflation. According to the trade estimates, the high price of tur dal has seen demand destruction of around 15-20 per cent with consumers shifting to other pulses.

 

The overall acreage under the rabi pulses was down at 137.13 lh over 148.53 lh a year ago, largely on account of dip in chana acreages. According to agriculture ministry estimates, tur production is likely to rise from 33.12 lakh tonnes (lt) in kharif 2022 to 34.2 lt in kharif 2023, though it is way off the target of 43 lt fixed for current year. Experts doubt the production estimates as there was a decline in acreage.

 

The ministry has estimated main kharif season urad production this year to drop to 15.05 lt from 17.68 lt previous kharif. In total urad production the kharif season contributes 75 per cent while Rabi crop provides another 25 per cent.

 

The already strong India-UAE ties transcended to a truly multilateral level in 2023 with the announcement of the strategically important India-Middle East Economic Corridor and the expansion of the BRICS grouping to include the key Gulf nation.

 

The bilateral ties have witnessed qualitative and quantitative progress with Prime Minister Narendra Modi giving top priority to enhance India's relations with the UAE and its top leadership.

 

The BRICS summit in August, during which the UAE joined the group, and the announcement of the India-Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEEC) in New Delhi during the G20 summit in September were the highlights of the level of cooperation.

 

The new member nations will become part of BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) with effect from January 1, 2024. The inclusion represents a strategic step for the UAE and consolidates its global economic and diplomatic engagements.

 

The proposed IMEEC will comprise an eastern corridor connecting India to the Gulf region and a northern corridor connecting the Gulf region to Europe.

 

India will be linked to Europe by a railway line and existing ports through UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel.

 

Throughout 2023, the India-UAE relationship saw significant advancements, especially in trade, defence, and multilateral cooperation.

 

The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), implemented on May 1, 2022, significantly impacted bilateral trade.

 

In the fiscal year 2022-23, trade between the two countries reached a historic high of around USD 84.5 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 16 per cent.

 

Indian exports to the UAE also recorded remarkable growth, reaching USD 31.6 billion, a 12 per cent increase from the previous year.

 

The agreement eliminated duties on many tariff lines and covered many sectors, benefiting industries like oil seeds, beverages, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE in July 2023 marked his fifth visit to the country since being elected.

 

The visit included wide-ranging talks on bilateral relations, shared interests in promoting global growth, and further collaboration in various fields.

 

The leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, including international issues concerning COP28 and India's G20 presidency.

 

Both countries agreed to strengthen bilateral maritime security and connectivity collaboration and enhance defence exchanges, sharing experiences, training, and capacity building.

 

India and the UAE reaffirmed their joint commitment to combat extremism and terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, at regional and international levels. They emphasised the importance of promoting peace, moderation, coexistence, and tolerance.

 

The first meeting of the joint committee under the CEPA set a target to more than double non-petroleum trade to USD 100 billion by 2030. The meeting also involved discussions on various matters related to the agreement's implementation and addressing issues that could hinder its effectiveness.

 

During Prime Minister Modi's visit, delegation-level talks focused on strengthening bilateral trade, energy, defence, and food security cooperation.

 

Leaders also discussed enhancing cooperation on delivering ambitious outcomes at COP28 for sustainable development.

 

These developments reflect a deepening and multifaceted India-UAE partnership, focusing on economic growth, security, and multilateral cooperation.

 

The cooperation between India and the UAE reached its pinnacle at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.

 

PM Modi also visited Dubai for the 28th Session of the United Nations Framework Convention on the Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP28) hosted by the UAE. He met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, on the sidelines of the summit and reviewed wide ranging and vibrant bilateral ties.

 

During the year, India and the UAE collaborated closely on addressing the global challenge of climate change.

 

Both countries emphasised the urgent need to address climate change through collective global action, respecting the foundational principles of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.

 

They committed to enhancing cooperation on climate ambition, decarbonisation, and clean energy.

 

The leaders underscored the need for developed countries to fulfil their financial commitments, notably the USD 100 billion delivery plan, to support developing countries in climate action.

 

They urged international financial institutions and multilateral development banks to reform financial mechanisms to support climate change initiatives in developing countries.

 

Both countries recognised the significant impact that sustainable and environment-friendly behaviours of individuals can have on a mass scale.

 

They emphasised the importance of promoting awareness of sustainable lifestyles and nudging individuals towards environment-friendly choices.

 

Both countries also affirmed the significance of India's G20 presidency in fostering international cooperation in combating climate change. They stressed the importance of finance and technology as critical enablers in this effort.

 

Overall, India and the UAE showed a united front in their determination to ensure a successful and action-oriented COP28, aiming to build new momentum for effective climate action and international cooperation.

 

The cooperation between India and the UAE on multilateral platforms such as the G20 and BRICS evolved significantly during 2023, marked by mutual support and collaboration.

 

The UAE demonstrated strong support for India's presidency of the G20 in 2023.

 

This support indicates the UAE's priority on its relationship with India, reflecting their shared interests in addressing global challenges. The UAE's backing is crucial as India seeks to amplify and integrate the voice of the global South in the G20 agenda.

 

This expansion of BRICS with the UAE's membership underscores the growing importance of emerging economies in the global order.

 

'The UAE is committed to multilateral action, and constructive dialogue which is fostered through active platforms that represent developing and emerging economies at an international level,' the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

 

'In this regard, becoming a member of an extended BRICS grouping reflects the UAE's keenness to champion the value of multilateralism in supporting peace, and development for the benefit and the wellbeing of peoples and nations across the world,' it said.

 

On the other hand, as the host of the G20 summit in 2023, India invited the UAE to be a special guest. The invitation was extended during bilateral talks between the external affairs ministers of the two countries.

 

It highlights the strong bilateral relations and the increasing synergy between India and the UAE in international forums.

 

Both countries have discussed various areas of cooperation, including energy, healthcare, defence, space, and climate change.

 

These discussions are part of the broader cooperation in the UN Security Council and reflect their commitment to addressing global issues collaboratively.

 

Prime Minister Modi will again be visiting the UAE to inaugurate the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi in February next year.

Litchi, the sweet and juicy fruit of India’s hot summers, is no longer restricted to Muzaffarpur in Bihar. It is now being cultivated across 19 Indian states, an official has told this reporter.

 

'It may sound ambitious but is true. Litchi cultivation for commercial purposes is going on in 19 states. We are providing technical help, plants and training to farmers with the sole aim of expanding the fruit's cultivation across India,' Muzaffarpur-based National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL) director Bikash Das told this reporter. 

 

He said farmers in other states have been taking the lead to cultivate litchi for commercial production. This was not the case a few years ago. 'NRCL scientists are visiting farmers and boosting their confidence to go ahead with litchi cultivation. This is resulting in the expansion of litchi cultivation,' Das said.

 

Litchi cultivation for commercial production has started in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Manipur, Assam, Punjab, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Mizoram. More than 0.1 million hectares of land are under litchi cultivation in India as per latest official data.

 

The NRCL is preparing thousands of litchi saplings at its nursery each year. It is doing so to supply them to farmers in different states. The centre provides saplings of its famous Shahi litchi, besides popular varieties like China, Gandki Lalima, Gandki Sampada and Gandki Yogita, to farmers in other states.

 

Das said the litchi cultivation expansion plan was based on a scientific study that found suitable soil and climate for the fruit’s cultivation in other states.

 

NRCL scientists pointed out that litchi is considered to be a very sensitive fruit as far as temperature, rainfall and humidity are concerned. Besides, it require soil suitability as well. Variations in temperature and unfriendly climatic conditions have badly hit litchi crops in recent years as the fruit can crack, becoming smaller in size and less sweet and juicy.

 

Litchi cultivation may have expanded. But it will take some time for this to transform into fullscale commercial production, Das said. Saplings planted in orchards take a few years to bear fruit.

 

The fruit mainly grows in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand. Litchi cultivation is spread across over 32,000 hectares in Bihar alone. This accounts for nearly 40 per cent of India’s litchi production. Bihar is followed by West Bengal (12 per cent of the total) and Jharkhand (10 per cent).

 

Litch was sporadically cultivated earlier in Odisha, Chhattishgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Assam. But this was not for commercial production. NRCL scientists introduced litchi cultivation on a small scale in a few pockets of Karnataka and Kerala some years back. But it was not expanded on a large scale. In Karnataka, litchi hatvest takes place in the winter, unlike summer in north India.

Around 30 companies, including 22 MSMEs, are taking advantage of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for manufacturing millet-based products, according to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The PLI for Millet Based Products (PLISMB) was carved out of the savings of the main PLI Scheme for the Food Processing Industries (PLIFPI) to encourage the use of millets in Ready to Cook/Ready to Eat (RTC/RTE).

 

According to the ministry, around 30 companies, including 22 MSMEs, are involved in the promotion of millet-based products under the PLISMBP.

 

The PLISMBP scheme -- approved in August with an outlay of Rs 1,000 crore arising out of the savings from other segments -- envisages the use of a minimum of 15 per cent millet content in the approved food products, it said in a statement.

 

Otherwise, under the PLISFPI, 176 proposals under different categories have been approved so far and about Rs 584.30 crore incentive has been released, it added.

 

India's exports to Australia have increased by 14 per cent to USD 5.8 billion in April-November this fiscal on account of healthy growth in various sectors like engineering, pharma and electronics, a senior official said on Friday. Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Rajesh Agrawal said businesses of India and Australia are gaining from the interim free trade agreement, implemented on December 29 last year.

 

He also said negotiations to widen the existing trade agreement into a comprehensive deal are 'progressing well'.

 

'We expect to have some negotiations on rules of origin during January. That is one area where we have to work out detailed product-specific rules, and it takes time,' Agrawal noted.

 

 

Foreign direct investments have risen too from Australia to India at an annual average of USD 30-40 million to USD 300 million this year, he added.

 

India's imports from Australia, however, dipped by 19 per cent to USD 11.14 billion during April-November this fiscal.

 

According to the data provided by the department, bilateral trade during the period fell 10 per cent to USD 17 billion.

 

Export sectors, which have recorded healthy growth during the seven-month period of this fiscal, include engineering, pharma, electronics, spices, coffee, textiles, marine products, cashew and plastic.

 

'We are gaining market share in Australia. Preferential duties are working in favour of industry. We are diversifying our trade basket with Australia,' Agrawal said.

 

However, exports of gems and jewellery, and handicrafts have reported a negative growth.

 

On the import side, inbound shipments of gold jumped to USD 1.56 billion during April-October 2023 from USD 436 million in the same period last year.

 

Other import sectors recording healthy growth include pulses, metals, iron and steel, wood and wood products, machine tools and newsprint.

 

Presenting the data, Additional DGFT Tapan Mazumder said that export sectors where customs duty concessions have been given under the agreement also reported positive growth.

 

Those goods included gold jewellery studded with natural diamonds, non-galvanised pipe for oil and gas, unstudded gold jewellery, skirts and dresses made of material other than silk, dresses of artificial fibres and cotton garments.

 

When asked which country is gaining more from the agreement, Agrawal said, 'We have just completed a year, it is very early to say that'.

 

Commenting on the agreement, trade expert and Hi-Tech Gears Chairman Deep Kapuria said Australia holds immense importance for India in view of India's ambition of energy transition, which is critical for achieving net zero by 2070.

 

'A deeper trade agreement with Australia would help India in securing its needs of critical minerals,' Kapuria said.

 

Russia’s Deputy PM & Trade Minister has welcomed an upcoming milestone in economic ties with India, while meeting the country’s top diplomat, currently on a five-day visit to Moscow and St. Petersburg.

 

Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov told External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that despite the challenges faced by both countries, economic ties are developing rapidly.

 

'There is no doubt that Russian-Indian trade will exceed the significant milestone of $50 billion by the end of this year, and set a new historical maximum,' Manturov remarked.

 

The discussions took place at the ‘Russia’ expo, held at Moscow’s VDNKH complex, where 89 regions of Russia showcase their economic, scientific and investment potential. According to a Russian government statement, they addressed trade, investment, banking and logistics, along with energy and food security. 'Special attention was paid to advancing priority projects in industrial cooperation,' the note added.

 

New Delhi has ramped up imports of Russian commodities including oil and coal, and also strategic items including defense equipment. Diversification of trade, and the move towards transactions in national currencies, continue to hold prominence in bilateral discussions.

 

The sides are working on alternative transaction methods after the disruption caused by Russia's exclusion from the widely used international payment system, SWIFT.

 

Following the talks, the countries signed a memorandum of understanding between Roszdravnadzor – Russia’s healthcare regulator – and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization of India.

 

Jaishankar announced a new agreement between India and Russia on the construction of additional reactors at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu.

 

Currently, the project comprises two operational reactors with 1 GW capacity each, while an additional four are under construction. They are set to be completed by 2027, resulting in a total capacity of 6 GW.

Around 30 companies, including 22 MSMEs, are taking advantage of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for manufacturing millet-based products, according to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The PLI for Millet Based Products (PLISMB) was carved out of the savings of the main PLI Scheme for the Food Processing Industries (PLIFPI) to encourage the use of millets in Ready to Cook/Ready to Eat (RTC/RTE).

 

According to the ministry, around 30 companies, including 22 MSMEs, are involved in the promotion of millet-based products under the PLISMBP.

 

The PLISMBP scheme -- approved in August with an outlay of Rs 1,000 crore arising out of the savings from other segments -- envisages the use of a minimum of 15 per cent millet content in the approved food products, it said in a statement.

 

Otherwise, under the PLISFPI, 176 proposals under different categories have been approved so far and about Rs 584.30 crore incentive has been released, it added.

 

The Government today said that India’s share of processed food exports in agri-exports has increased substantially from around 13 percent in 2014-15 to over 25 percent in 2022-23. In a statement, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries said that the food processing sector is one of the largest employment providers in the organised manufacturing sector with over 12 percent employment in the total registered sector. It added that the food processing sector plays an important role in increasing farm income and creating off-farm jobs through on- and off-farm investments in preservation and processing infrastructure.

 

The Ministry said that the government has undertaken several initiatives to give impetus to development of the food processing sector in the country. The Ministry has made significant achievements in its schemes during Financial Year 2023-24. 

 

Highlighting the achievements of Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Processing Industries Upgradation Scheme, the Ministry said that a total of 51 thousand 130 loans have been sanctioned since January this year under the credit-linked subsidy component of the scheme.

 It further said that the World Food India event which was held in November this year saw extensive participation from stakeholders across the board including more than 1200 national and international exhibitors. It added that the event also marks the signing of Memorandum of Understanding of above 33 crore Rupees.