The India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) has requested the government to allow buffalo-meat import from India to meet the growing demand of the country, sources said.

 

Recently, IBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad has applied to the commerce ministry, seeking authorization for importing such meat.

 

He said in the letter, 'Some of our members are willing to import frozen halal meat from India. And keeping this in view they have already applied to the Directorate of Livestock for permission under Section 23(33) of the Import Policy Order 2021-2024.'

 

He mentioned that the demand for meat products in Bangladesh had been steadily increasing due to the growth of population and changing dietary preferences.

 

India has a well-established and reputable meat industry that adheres to international standards of halal food, hygiene, safety, and quality control, he also mentioned.

 

The current cost of local fresh meat is Tk 800-850 per kg. If frozen halal boneless buffalo meat is imported from India, the selling price can be fixed at Tk 500-550 per kg, according to the chamber.

 

Mr. Matlub Ahmad said, 'For the upcoming election, price hike has been one of the most discussed topics in the country right now. Keeping this in view, if you allow us to import frozen meat, we can deliver it to the consumers at a cheaper price.'

 

According to the Import Policy-2021-24 notification that was issued in April 2022 by the commerce ministry, prior approval has to be taken from the Department of Livestock for import of meat including frozen buffalo (bovine) meat, said an earlier letter sent by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

 

Both Indian exporter and Bangladeshi importer associations raised concern over the issue in the past couple of months, read the letter.

 

Earlier, All Indian Buffalo and Sheep Meat Exporters Association (AIMLEA) and Bangladesh Meat Importers and Traders Association (BMITA) requested the Bangladesh government authorities concerned to consider resolving the issue.

 

The previous letter highlighted that the Bangladesh national budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 imposed 20 per cent supplementary duty along with an increase in the assessment value from US$ 4.0/kg to US$ 5.0/kg that was introduced for frozen boneless bovine meat imports from India. The issue ified the SAFTA benefit available to Indian exporters.

 

It mentioned that Indian companies were among the largest global exporters of high-quality, hygienically processed meat, of a variety that was non-competitive in Bangladesh.

 

Bangladesh is now self-sufficient in meat production, a source said, but it spent nearly US$ 2.5 million in the fiscal year 2017-18 to import the item from 14 countries. Some luxury hotels and food chains import the meat, the source added.

 

The country produced over 8.71 million tonnes of meat in the FY 2022-23 against an annual demand for nearly 7.6 million tonnes, according to the Department of Livestock Services (DLS).

 

According to a Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) concept paper, meat import increased four times in five years - from US$ 0.72 million in FY 2013-14 to nearly US$ 2.5 million in FY 2017-18.

 

Bangladesh imported meat from 14 countries, with India being the largest source.

 

Other countries included Ethiopia, France, Korea, Thailand, China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the USA, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Bengaluru is all set to host the 5th World Coffee Conference (WCC), an event highlighting the economic importance of growing coffee around the globe. It is for the first time that a global coffee event is being held in India, in Bengaluru and Asia.

 

International Coffee Organization (ICO), in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Karnataka Government and the Coffee Industry, will host the 5th World Coffee Conference (WCC) - 2023 from September 25-28 at Bangalore Palace. It will be a four-day coffee event in Bengaluru which will see the participation of industry leaders, experts, exporters, traders, coffee chain owners, coffee rrowers, coffee roasters, coffee enthusiasts and students.

 

The event will be inaugurated by Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal and is expected to draw participants from over 80 countries, including 2,400 delegates, 117 speakers, 208 exhibitors, 10,000 visitors and over 300 B2B meetings.

 

The conference aims to create pathways to benefiting coffee farmers who play a pivotal role in the coffee production chain. The central theme of the event will be 'Sustainability Through Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture'. It is also, dedicated to promote the coffee trade and fostering good relations among coffee-producing and consuming nations.

 

The event will include panel discussions, workshops, competitions, coffee tastings, and an exhibition showcasing unique coffee products and services and networking events which will give expansion opportunities to entrepreneurs, retailers and coffee businessmen. It also offers opportunities to participants like ourselves who are looking to further their coffee knowledge.

 

Coffee Museum will have a dome-shaped structure that will showcase the coffee plantations from India and demonstrate the journey of a coffee bean from its source to the cup.

 

World Coffee Conference will have discussions on crucial matters concerning the global coffee industry.

 

Union Finance Minister Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman & Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar unveiled initiatives focused on agri-credit (KCC & MISS) and crop insurance (PMFBY/RWBCIS).

 

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare launched three initiatives, namely the Kisan Rin Portal (KRP), KCC Ghar Ghar Abhiyaan, an ambitious campaign aiming to extend the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme to every farmer across the nation, and a manual on Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS). These initiatives aim to revolutionize agriculture, enhance financial inclusion, optimize data utilization, and improve the lives of farmers across the nation.

 

Delivering the keynote address on the occasion, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured full cooperation of banks for the success of Ghar Ghar KCC Abhiyan. The finance minister commended the Ministry of Agriculture for its initiatives and successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). She said that over 1,40,000 crores of insurance amount has been disbursed to farmers so far against a premium amount of Rs. 29,000 crores. She also appreciated real-time estimation for rice and wheat crop output and called for the estimation to be extended to Dalhan and Tilhan crops so that better planning can be done for their imports if needed.

 

The finance minister said that real-time estimation of crops will help the economy and ensure the right prices for farmers at the end of the crop season. Sitharaman also called for full automation of regional rural banks and cooperative banks and directed the Department of Financial Services to study the gap between loan sanction and loan disbursement for these banks.

 

Narendra Singh Tomar in his address highlighted the importance accorded to agriculture and rural economy under the current government. He informed that the budget for the Ministry of Agriculture has increased from Rs. 23,000 crore in the year 2013-14 to Rs. 1,25,000 crore in 2023-24. Talking of the WINDS manual, the minister said the aim is to ensure real-time weather information so that farmers can take the right precautions for their crops at the right time. Tomar said that the use of technology and transparency is important for agriculture and this government has taken necessary steps in this regard. The agriculture minister informed that there are around 9 crore beneficiaries under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and KCC Ghar Ghar Abhiyaan aims to connect around 1.5 crore beneficiaries who are not yet connected to the KCC scheme.

 

What is Kisan Rin Portal (KRP)

Developed collaboratively by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW), the Department of Financial Services (DFS), the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAH&D), the Department of Fisheries (DoF), RBI, and NABARD, KRP is poised to revolutionize access to credit services under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC). It will also assist farmers in availing of subsidized agriculture credit through the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS).

 

The KRP portal serves as an integrated hub, offering a comprehensive view of farmer data, loan disbursement specifics, interest subvention claims, and scheme utilization progress. By fostering seamless integration with banks, this pioneering portal enables proactive policy interventions, strategic guidance, and adaptive enhancements for more focused and efficient agriculture credit and optimum utilization of interest subvention.

 

Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan: Door to Door KCC Campaign

The event also marks the commencement of the 'Ghar Ghar KCC Abhiyaan,'. MoA&FW’s commitment to universal financial inclusion is underscored by this campaign, ensuring that every farmer has unhindered access to credit facilities that drive their agricultural pursuits. The campaign will begin from 1st October 2023 to 31st December 2023.

 

MoA&FW has diligently verified existing KCC account holders’ data against the PM KISAN database, identifying account holders who match with the PM KISAN database and those who, although PM KISAN beneficiaries, do not have KCC accounts. This campaign plays a pivotal role in reaching out to non-KCC account holder PM KISAN beneficiaries and fostering the saturation of KCC Accounts among eligible PM Kisan beneficiary farmers.

 

Launch of WINDS Manual

The Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) initiative stands as a pioneering effort to establish a network of Automatic Weather Stations and Rain Gauges at the taluk/block and gram panchayat levels. This initiative creates a robust database of hyper-local weather data, supporting various agricultural services.

 

This comprehensive WINDS manual launched today provides stakeholders with an in-depth understanding of the portal’s functionalities, data interpretation, and effective utilization. It guides States and Union Territories in establishing and integrating with the WINDS platform, fostering transparent and objective data observation and transmission. It also offers practical insights into leveraging weather data for improved crop management, resource allocation, and risk mitigation.

African country Malawi looks to deepen trade and investment relationship with India in areas of energy, agriculture, mining and tourism, its High Commissioner to India Leonard Mengezi said here on Saturday. Mengezi said that Malawi looks forward to cementing the 'great cohesion' with businessmen in Gujarat to further strengthen India-Malawi relationship and attract investment.

 

Mengezi was here to participate in the India-Malawi Trade Conference organised by India Africa Trade Council with the aim to enhance business cooperation with Gujarat. 'Malawi has been in great trade, economic and investment relations (with India) since 1964, when Malawi got its independence. But there is a need to deepen relationships further in the areas of energy, agriculture, mining, tourism,' he told mediapersons.

 

Mangazi said Malawi relies on India for the pharmaceutical industry and patients suffering from critical ailments get treatment here. 'They come to Indian hospitals. Our idea is we bring doctors to help us do operations in Malawi and to deepen relations to that effect. That's the idea that we are coming here for,' he said.

 

Textiles, mechanised agriculture, and tourism are some of the sectors in which Malawi is looking for an investment as the country creates mega farms to produce rice and believes that tourism can benefit by investment in hotels and as a cinema destination, he said

 

On the African Union granting permanent G20 membership, Mengezi said that this will help the countries participate in decision-making and offer them a great opportunity in all areas of life. 'G20 provides a platform for us to make sure that the decisions that are made there also benefit us. ...In a platform that you have, you are able to participate in the decision-making and find your way where investment is required ..India being a friend proposed that thing through Prime Minister Narendra Modi. So we are very grateful, it is a great opportunity in all areas of life,' he said.

 

The conference had the presence of Gujarat-based companies looking to explore opportunities in Malawi. During the day the High Commissioner inaugurated the India Africa Trade Council - Malawi Trade office and presented the certificate of appointment to Sunil Hukumatray Rajdev as the trade commissioner of the Gujarat office. The idea of this conference was to share the business potential of Gujarat and explore opportunities in Malawi. A delegation mainly of Gujarati business was announced to visit Malawi in November this year.