The Indian Mission to ASEAN in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is organizing the ASEAN-India Millet Festival 2023, in Indonesia from 22nd November to 26th November 2023. The inaugural session of the festival took place in the Kota Kasablanka Mall, a prominent shopping destination in South Jakarta, Indonesia. A Millet-centric exhibition is being held as part of the festival featuring participation from Millet-based FPOs, start-ups and Indian chefs.

 

Aligned with the International Year of Millets (IYM) celebrations, an aim of this festival is to raise awareness and create a market for millets and millets-based products among the ASEAN Member states i.e. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. During the festival, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is leading a delegation from India, representing a diverse set of professionals engaged in the Indian millet ecosystem, including chefs, start-ups, representatives from Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), industry leaders, state officials and more.

 

Additional Secretary at DA&FW and Head of the Indian Delegation Dr. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi provided valuable insights into millet cultivation, processing and the business potential of these ancient grains. Joint Secretary (Crops) at DA&FW Ms. Shubha Thakur showcased India's leading role in celebrating the International Year of Millets 2023 and Indian government’s initiatives to encourage adoption of millets through a captivating video, setting the stage for insightful panel discussions. Additionally, Deputy Head of BPN Dr.Andriko Noto Susanto further highlighted the remarkable prospects of millets cultivation and its role in diversifying the South Asian food basket.

 

The exhibition, scheduled from November 22nd to 26th, aims to foster collaboration between ASEAN countries, celebrate cultural and culinary diversity and promote sustainable millet practices for a healthier future.The exhibition will also feature five Indian FPOs, namely Citi Block FPC, Jewargi Taluka Millets FPC, Bhumitrajalalpur, Vaam Agro, and Lambasingi Tribal Products FPC, and two start-ups namely Taru Naturals and Sattva Millets and Food Products (Mibbles) exhibiting unique millet-added products such as millet cookies, namkeen, khakhra, cakes, and more.

 

A major highlight of the event will be the live cooking workshop from November 23rd to 26th, where celebrity chefs from India and Indonesia will showcase the culinary potential of millets, presenting dishes like Foxtail Millet Tabouleh, Mixed Millet Mathri Canopies, Millet Risotto, Millet Curd Rice, Ragi brownie and cookies each day. Chefs Vinesh Johny, Risma Widyastuti, Anahita Dhondy, Sabyasachi Gorai, and Ambika Johar will captivate the audience with a new dish daily during this period.

 

The five-day festival will contribute towards raising awareness about millets. It is also a step towards implementation of the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises adopted at the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on 07th September 2023.

 

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador of India to ASEAN Mr. Jayant Khobragade highlighted the crucial role of millets in addressing global hunger and nutrient deficiencies. Additionally, Head of the National Food Agency (Badan Pangan Nasional (BPN)) Indonesia Mr. Arief Prasetyo Adi underscored millets as a farmer-friendly and sustainable food choice for the future in the face of climate change.

 

The first panel discussion, titled 'ASEAN-India Collaboration in Millets,' moderated by Additional Chief Secretary & Agriculture Production Commissioner, Govt. of Assam Mr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani featured discussions among experts from diverse ASEAN nations on initiatives aimed at mainstreaming millets as part of IYM 2023. The esteemed list of panellists included Ms. Vilayphone Sourideth, Head of the Research Laboratory Group at the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, MAF, Lao; Ms. Raweewan Chuekittisak an expert in Action in Field Crops from the Department of Agriculture, Thailand; Mr. Rony Megawanto from the KEHATI Foundation, Indonesia and Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Assistant Director, Sectoral Development Directorate and Head of Food, Agriculture and Forestry Division, ASEAN Economic Community Department, ASEAN Secretariat. The topics explored during the insightful panel conversation encompassed knowledge transfer, seed exchange, market expansion and collaborative efforts in training farmers and chefs for millet cultivation and consumption.

 

Another engaging panel featuring Mr. Sudhansu, Secretary, APEDA, Mr. Rajendra Aryal, UN’s FAO Representative to Indonesia and Timor Leste, Mr. Sachin Sharma, ITC,Mr. Rony Megawanto, KEHATI Foundation, Indonesia and Mr. Herry Kristanto, CEO, Advanta Seeds, which was moderated by Dr. C Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR-IIMR highlighted the inherent climate-resilient qualities of millets, benefits for small farmers, initiatives combating climate change through millet cultivation, strategies for promoting and cultivating millets.

 

The day concluded with a delectable Asian-themed millet-based luncheon, showcasing the versatility and nutritional value of millets.

The 46th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission will be held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy starting from November 27.

 

The plenary discussions will take place from 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm on November 27 to 30, 2023. Three side events will be held on December 1, 2023, to discuss: implementation of Codex standards, reducing foodborne antimicrobial resistance and the Codex Trust Fund. Report adoption will take place on December 2, 2023 from 10am.

 

To mark the 60th anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the session will open with three moderated panel discussions looking back on Codex achievements and toward the future.

 

Ten technical and commodity Codex committees and two FAO/WHO coordinating committees met since last year’s Codex Alimentarius Commission in November 2022, to complete work on a range of standards which have been proposed for adoption by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

India is developing sea protocols for various fresh fruits and vegetables like bananas, mangoes, pomegranates and jackfruit to promote their exports through ocean routes, a senior government official said on Tuesday.  

At present, most of these exports are happening by air route because of lower volumes and different ripening periods.  

 

The protocol includes understanding voyage time, scientifically understanding the ripening of these commodities, harvesting at a particular time and training of farmers. These protocols will be different for different fruits and vegetables.  

Additional Secretary in the Commerce Ministry Rajesh Agrawal said shipments through sea route have two advantages - cost and volume.  

 

The exercise would help boost exports of fruits and vegetables as shipments through air cargo have a positive impact on the price competitiveness of these commodities.  

'So far, we are using air routes to export these perishable goods. But now, we are trying to see how we can use the sea route to send these agri products. Now, we have started developing sea protocols,' he said.  

One of the challenges in agri exports in India has been that the majority of these goods use air cargo, and because freights are high, it reduces the competitiveness of those products, he added.  

 

To start with, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), along with other stakeholders, has developed these protocols for bananas.  

'We did dummy testing in a container, and now, for actual testing, the first container has been shipped to Rotterdam, the Netherlands.  

'We are confident that it will be successful, and once this is done and importers start accepting it, the volumes will increase in a substantial way,' he added.  

Importing countries will also have to come on board to accept those consignments.  

An increase in exports of fresh fruits and vegetables can help push shipments of agri products at a time when India has prohibited exports of non-basmati white rice and wheat.  

 

For the trial shipment of bananas, APEDA has enlisted the support of ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow, for technical assistance, while InI Farms has partnered with Del Monte for marketing and distribution in Europe and Maersk for logistics.  

Despite being the world's largest banana producer, India's export share is currently just one per cent in the global market, even though the country accounts for 26.45 per cent of the world's banana production at 35.36 million metric tonnes.  

In 2022-23, India exported bananas worth  $176 million, equivalent to 0.36 MMT.  

During April-August this year, mangoe exports rose by 19 per cent to $47.98 million.  

 

Besides the US, the major destinations include Japan, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.  

During April-October this fiscal, exports of fruits and vegetables grew by about 13 per cent to about $2 billion.

India has criticised Cairns member countries during a WTO meeting on public stockholding of foodgrain for food security purposes in Geneva, stating that members are monopolising time to discuss their submission on domestic support, an official said on Tuesday.

At a dedicated session on public stockholding on November 20, India said it would refrain from commenting as the session had been 'ambushed' by some Cairns agriculture-exporting members, the Geneva-based official said.

 

'India expressed the belief that certain Cairns members were attempting a motion to take away dedicated talks on public stockholding by monopolising time to discuss their submission on domestic support, a topic that arguably should be addressed by the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session, scheduled to convene the next day,' the official added.

 

The 19-member Cairns group lobbies for agricultural trade liberalisation. It was formed in 1986 in Cairns, Australia.

The members include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Paraguay, and Peru.

On the public stockholding issue, India is pushing the World Trade Organisation (WTO) members to find a permanent solution as the issue is important for the country which has to support its marginal farmers and feed the poor people.

Developed countries that are major agri exporters allege that foodgrain bought at MSP if offloaded in the global market can distort prices so there should be a cap on support measures. It is strongly opposed by India.

 

In India, the government procures rice at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and provides it to the poor through a public distribution system.

About 80 developing members, including the African Group, G33 Group, and Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific Group, have been assertive, emphasising that this is a high-stakes issue because an outcome on public stockholding must be at the core of any potential agriculture package at MC13.

The 13th ministerial conference (MC13), the highest decision making body of the WTO, is scheduled at Abu Dhabi in February next year.

To break the long-lasting stalemate in agriculture negotiations, the WHO chief has called for a mini-ministerial meeting on November 28.

An Iceland-based company, Geotropy Iceland, will set up a controlled atmosphere (CA) store at Tapri in Kinnaur district on a pilot basis. A pact in this regard was inked by the Himachal government and Geotropy Iceland on Saturday. 

 

Seismic activity in southwestern Iceland has decreased in intensity, but the risk of a volcanic eruption remains significant. Nearly 4,000 people were evacuated over the weekend due to the fear of molten rock reaching the surface. The Icelandic Meteorological Office states that there is a 'significant likelihood' of an eruption in the coming days. Uncertainty remains about the potential damage that could occur. Experts believe that the risk of eruption in the town of Grindavik is smaller, but residents across Iceland are shocked by the situation.

Years of uncertainty ahead for Iceland volcano town

Residents of the Icelandic town of Grindavik, which was evacuated due to the threat of a volcanic eruption, are uncertain about whether they will return. The town has experienced a barrage of earthquakes and significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. Even if the volcanic activity subsides, there are concerns about the long-term safety of living in the area. Volcanologists believe that this could be the start of a new era of volcanic activity in the region, leaving residents unsure about rebuilding their homes. Despite the challenges, there is a resilient community spirit among the residents.

900 tremors hit town in Iceland, scores shifted

Southern Iceland experienced around 900 earthquakes on Monday, adding to the thousands of tremors that have been occurring in the region recently. This has raised concerns about a potential volcanic eruption, leading to the evacuation of nearly 4,000 people. The uncertainty surrounding the situation and the potential damage that could occur is causing anxiety. The Reykjanes peninsula, where this is happening, is known for its volcanic and seismic activity, with recent volcanic activity occurring in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

 

The Maharashtra Nurserymen's Association, along with the Association of Environmental Horticulture and Vasu Events and Hospitality, is set to host HortiProIndia 2023, India's largest international floriculture and horticultural exhibition and conference from November 23 to 26 at the New Agricultural College Grounds, Sincha Nagar in Pune.

 

The inauguration is scheduled for 11:00 am on November 23, with Public Works Minister Dadasaheb Bhuse presiding over the event. MP Sunil Tatkare will be the chief guest, and MLA Ashok (Bapu) Pawar of Shirur-Haveli Constituency will serve as the function's President.

 

Diverse array of plants and showcase innovations in gardening

 

The exhibition will feature a diverse array of plants and showcase innovations in gardening. Farmers from India and abroad will participate, and horticulture experts will provide guidance to farmers and professionals. The event is expected to offer numerous employment and business opportunities within the horticulture sector.

 

During a press conference in Pune, Shashikant Chaudhary, President of the Maharashtra Nurserymen's Association, along with Secretary Anand Kanchan, Vasu Events and Hospitality representatives Vasant Rasane, Vishwasrao Jogdand, Santosh Shitole, Bapu Survase, Uday Patil, and Mahipal Rana, shared details about the exhibition. The event will be open to the public, and Pune residents are encouraged to visit between 10 am and 8 pm. The organisers extend an invitation to as many Pune residents as possible to explore the exhibition.

 

Saffron grown in Kishtwar area of Jammu and Kashmir saffron has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry.

 

Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar Dr Devansh Yadav broke the news on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) with picture of the certificate.

'Kishtwar Saffron brand gets GI tagged for the first time… Tagged along with Kashmiri saffron – multiple FPO brands coming up now!! Icing on the cake – certified as grade1,' the post reads.

The spice is grown in some parts of Kishtwar region of Jammu along with parts of Kashmir.

 

The legendary most expensive harvest of saffron, popularly known as Kumkum, is also a key cash crop in Jammu’s isolated mountainous district of Kishtwar.

 

Saffron cultivation is a cultural heritage that represents freshness and purity. Kishtwar’s saffron production area is called locally as Mandal.

The food authority has withdrawn a direction that asks food businesses to put 'best before date' in case of non- packaged food items, particularly, sweets.

 

According to the FSSAl, the subject needs further review by the scientific panel.

 

'The directions were issued in parity with the declarations required for the packaged food products under the erstwhile FSS (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011. Now considering that the FSS (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, has been superseded by the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, the ibid direction have been reviewed and it is observed that the same require further deliberations by the concerned 'Scientific Panel' regarding the declaration of date markings on non-packaged/loose food products,' reads the statement issued by the FSSAI.

 

The withdrawn direction was isued in September 2020, which asked the food businesses to put best before date, on loosely sold food items. However, the FBOs may continue to declare 'best before date' on non-packaged sweet/loose sweet containers/tray on a voluntary basis.

Some of the countries that have been allowed to receive Indian white rice on government-to-government (G2G) deals are seeking waiver of customs duty on the cereal’s consignments. 

 

African countries are the main ones seeking duty-free imports of rice from India, trade sources said.

 

Customs officials imposed a 20 per cent duty on white rice consignments of 5,300 tonnes from Visakhapatnam port last month to Port Louis in Mauritius.  

 

FTA exemption

'Some of the buyers who are getting rice through G2G deals are arguing why India should impose an export duty for such deals.' an exporter said on condition of anonymity.

 

Official sources said while white rice exports, which are G2G deals since the Centre has banned its shipments, are levied a 20 per cent export duty, no tax is imposed on consignments heading to nations with which India has a free trade agreement (FTA). 'India is not imposing export duty on countries which have entered into an FTA with it. That way, there is no duty for consignments heading to Nepal, but it is imposed on those for Bhutan,' the exporter said.

 

NCEL gets mandate

In October, the government allowed exports of 10.34 lakh tonnes (lt) of non-basmati white rice to seven countries on G2G basis. The Directorate-General of Foreign Trade notification on Wednesday said the shipments would be handled by the National Cooperative Export Ltd (NCEL).

 

As per the notification, the maximum quantity of rice — 2.95 lt — was allocated to the Philippines, while Cameroon got 1.9 lt, Malaysia 1.7 lt, Cote d’Ivoire 1.42 lt, Republic of Guinea 1.42 lt, Nepal 95,000 tonnes and Seychelles 800 tonnes.

 

The Centre has allowed NCEL to handle the G2G as part of its efforts to promote cooperatives, though a section of the trade has questioned the decision. 'Despite the fact that farmer producer organisations and farmers, from whom NCEL will procure, stand to gain, Customs authorities are imposing a duty,' said the exporter.

 

Burden on poor nations

Sources said NCEL has so far exported 5,301 tonnes to Mauritius and 1,150 tonnes of rice to Bhutan. The organisation is at an advanced stage of negotiations to ship the cereal to the Philippines, Seychelles, Cameroon and Singapore. 

 

Trade sources said while policy decisions are taken by the Commerce Ministry, the duty is imposed by Customs officials, who say the orders are clear and unambiguous.

 

The 20 per cent duty on rice exports increases the landing cost of rice by $80-85 a tonne. For some of the poor African countries, this might be a burden, say trade sources.

 

Currently, Indian parboiled rice is quoted at $515 a tonne f.o.b, according to the Thai Rice Exporters Association. 

 

businessline’sHyderabad correspondent KV Kurmanath who visited Cote d’Ivoire last month reported that Indian curbs have resulted in rice prices increasing by 25-30 per cent in the African nation. Three of the top five countries importing Indian rice are in Sub-Saharan Africa – Benin, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire – with each buying over one million tonnes in 2022.   

 

Why curbs

India has resorted to curbs on rice exports since September 2022 on food security grounds, particularly when wheat production was affected in 2022 and 2023 due to indifferent weather.

 

As a result, the Centre began distributing more rice under the public distribution system, while also trying to cool prices through such curbs. On September 8, 2022, the Centre banned exports of broken rice and imposed 20 per cent export duty on white rice shipments.

 

On July 20 this year, it banned exports of  white rice. On August 26, it imposed 20 per cent export duty on shipments of parboiled rice. However, the government clarified that it will allow exports to neighbouring and vulnerable countries.

 

Last year, kharif rice production was affected as key growing regions such West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and western Uttar Pradesh received deficient rainfall. 

 

This year, too, kharif sowing was affected due to the south-west monsoon playing truant and August turning out to be the driest in over 122 years. 

 

During the 2022 kharif, rice production was estimated at 110.51 million tonnes (mt), while this year it is projected at 106.31 mt by the Ministry of Agriculture. 

Needing a greater supply of rice amid stubbornly high prices, the Philippines, which relies on imports to meet demand, has given private traders about a month to buy an additional 1 million tonnes or risk losing permits, Reuters reported.

 

The directive was announced by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel during a congressional hearing on Nov. 20, where he also assured lawmakers steps were being taken to ensure stable supply of other food items such as sugar and onions.

 

'I told them if they failed to import (the additional volume) within 30 days I will cancel the permits because I don’t want to be held hostage by permits that were issued to them upon their request,' Laurel told lawmakers.

 

Philippine rice imports are handled by private traders, but the state agency procuring rice from local farmers for buffer stocking can import some volume upon approval by the president in an emergency.

 

The additional imports, which mainly are sourced from Vietnam and some from Thailand, should boost domestic supply until the next harvest in March, the agriculture ministry said.

 

Laurel also met with governors of the top 10 rice-producing provinces on Nov. 17, in an effort to boost supply, reduce imports and lower prices for the national food staple. The 10 provinces account for 48% of the country’s total rice production.

 

Governors from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao who gathered in San Juan City welcomed Laurel’s initiative, saying the consultative meeting was a good first step toward a concerted effort to boost rice production. The Philippines is regularly among the world's largest rice importers.

 

'This is the first time that local government units are being given the opportunity to address the concerns of their respective provinces,' said Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali, whose province is the biggest producer of rice, accounting for 9% of national production. 'I believe that this kind of leadership he is starting will benefit not only my province but also the country’s food security.'

 

Unmilled rice output this year was expected to reach more than 20 million tonnes, above the previous year’s 19.76 million tonnes, the agriculture ministry said. 

 

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture anticipates the Philippines will import 3.5 million tonnes of rice in marketing year 2023-24. Consumption is seen at 16.4 million tonnes with ending stocks of 3.1 million tonnes.

 

Rice price inflation in the Philippines has slowed in October from the previous month, helping cool inflation to 4.9% last month from 6.1% in September, but the pace of price increases remains outside the central bank’s 2% to 4% target range.