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19 Sep, 2023 News Image

Bengal hopeful of tie-ups with middle-east nations for meat exports.

The West Bengal government is expecting 'tie-ups' with several middle-east countries for export of meat and meat products, a top official said on Friday.

A team from Bahrain is likely to arrive by September-end to oversee the production and processing of various types of meat in the state, he said.

'We had already started export of goat meat to Qatar during the Football World Cup last year… We also approached Bahrain in August, and a team from that country may visit Bengal this month, though we are yet to get the exact dates,' said Gouri Shankar Koner, Managing Director of the West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation Ltd.

He was speaking here on the sidelines of the Assocham-organised Global Trade Connect: Exporters Edition. 'If we receive a certification from Bahrain following the team members’ visit, it will be a gateway for us to six more countries, including Saudi Arabia and Dubai for meat exports… our focus is on meat shipments of goat, sheep, pig, duck and turkey,' Koner told PTI.The West Bengal government had last year received a contract of 1.2 metric tonnes of meat from Qatar, which is being shipped in batches, he said.

Koner said representatives of companies from Singapore, Bangkok and Bhutan have also shown interest in value-added meat products.Bengal has two 'state-of-the-art' meat processing centres at Haringhata in Nadia and Phansidewa in Darjeeling, he said.'

The two plants produce 20 MT of chicken meat daily and around 5 MT of pig meat apart from duck, turkey, goat and rabbit,' Koner added.

Source: indianexpress.com

19 Sep, 2023 News Image

NABARD-businessline Millets Conclave 2023. Millets production set to triple by 2030: Nabard Chairman.

Setting the tone for the future of millets in the International Year of millets, Shaji KV, Chairman, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) said the target is to triple their production to 45 million tonnes by 2030 and it is possible to do it.

'We are trying to bring back the area under millets which has dwindled,' he said.

Addressing Nabard-businessline Millets Conclave 2023, here on Friday, he said India accounts for 41 per cent of the global millets production. It accounts for 81 per cent of the arable land under millets in Asia.

The millets production target for the current year is at 17 million tonnes and is set to reach 45 million tonnes by 2030.

'Millets have a crucial role to play in the nutritional security of the country... With food security not a major concern now, we are looking at sustainability. Millets are efficient in fixing carbon and don’t need that much water and are also heat resistant ..the duration of the millets crop is less by 60 per cent compared to other cereals so the risk to the farmer is less and it’s time to renew millets cultivation,' he said.

According to him, improving per unit productivity of millets will help address rural distress and nutritional security. Besides, 50 per cent of the population is dependent on agriculture, which supports 17 per cent of GDP.

Talking about the role Nabard can play, he said, 'We are trying to take people out of pure agriculture activities to agri-processing. We are trying to rediscover co-operatives. Co-ops were the original FPOs.'

Shaji said there is a need to improve the yield gap between various geographies of millets cultivation. 'If yield gaps are bridged, productivity can be increased,' he said.

It also can be distributed through PDS, he said.

Nabard along with APEDA is opening a line of exports, Shaji said, adding that '?600 crore Nabard Fund is being utilised for promoting start-ups in millets. The funding is done through our subsidiary, Nabventures.'

Nabard is trying to create derivative products for FPOs through NCDEX and is working with RBI to redefine the Kissan credit card, looking at credit card innovations and making it not only for use in agriculture but also for farmers’ allied activities, he said.

In a virtual address, Himanshu Pathak, Director-General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), said, 'Millets have been a traditional food of India but had lost its sheen with more production of rice and wheat after the Green Revolution.'

Global production of millets is about 100 million tonnes from about 80 million hectares of land. Sorghum and pearl millets, the most important millets, comprise more than 90 per cent of area under production.

Keeping with the clean environment narrative, millets can fix carbon, nitrogen better. They adapt very well to lower soil fertility, he explained.

To promote millets, there are certain things to be done in the area of science, economics and also policy fronts, he added. In the area of science there is a need to develop high-yielding varieties with good practices to increase productivity and production. Over the last five years, ICAR has developed 133 varieties.

'Efforts of all stakeholders is required to create a win-win situation and let us sensitise the civil society in the International Year of Millets,' he said, adding, 'let us make way for millets to the main stream of crop cultivation.'

In his welcome address, businessline Editor Raghuvir Srinivasan said millets will have a crucial role to play in the country’s nutritional security.

In his special address, delivered virtually, APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev said India targets to export $100 million worth of millets by 2025. In the 2022-23 fiscal, millets exports were $75.43 million.

The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia make up 55 per cent of the export basket, while Nepal, Japan, Germany, Bangladesh and Egypt contribute 10 per cent.

Millets are crucial since 42 per cent of the people survive on starchy staples and 600 million are chronically undernourished, he said.

India contributes 20 per cent of global and 80 per cent of Asia’s millet production, Dev said. APEDA had conducted a number of events abroad and during the latest G-20 event to popularise millets.

APEDA and TrooGood are the associate partners of the event and NewsX is the TV Partner.

Source: thehindubusinessline.com

19 Sep, 2023 News Image

Hungary extends Ukrainian agricultural import ban.

The Hungarian government has extended and expanded a ban on Ukrainian agricultural imports.

The decision was announced by Hungarian Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy on Saturday, 16 September.

Nagy highlighted the termination of the European Union's import restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products on Friday night, 15 September, emphasising the necessity of maintaining the moratorium to address market disruptions, Xinhua news agency reported.

The government also proposed the establishment of a transit support fund to facilitate the distribution of Ukrainian agricultural products to destinations beyond Europe, thereby averting famine and potential migration waves.

Other Central European countries like Poland and Slovakia have rallied behind Hungary's stance, echoing the need to protect their farmers' interests.

Romania, however, remains cautiously observant, awaiting Ukraine's action plan before deciding on its course of action. Meanwhile, Bulgaria on Thursday agreed to resume import measures for Ukrainian agricultural products.

In May, the European Commission imposed a ban on grain exports from Ukraine to five European countries, namely Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.

Earlier this week, officials from Poland and Hungary said their countries plan to extend the embargo on Ukrainian grain imports

Source: nationalheraldindia.com

18 Sep, 2023 News Image

India, Brazil begin talks to resolve sugar related trade dispute at WTO.

India and Brazil have started talks to mutually resolve a sugar related trade dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and as part of the solution the South American nation may share ethanol production technology with New Delhi, an official said. Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane and ethanol in the world. It is also a leader in the technology used for ethanol production.

'Few rounds of talks have been held as part of our efforts to resolve the dispute. We have also held inter-ministerial meetings here. Brazil is saying that they will share with us technology for ethanol (production). It is a positive thing,' the official said.

Ethanol is used to blend with oil to power vehicles. Use of ethanol, extracted from sugarcane as well as broken rice and other agri produce, will help the world's third largest oil consumer and importing country cut its reliance on overseas shipments. India currently is 85 per cent dependent on imports for meeting its oil needs. Also, it cuts carbon emissions. There is a target of 20 per cent ethanol blended petrol by 2025.

India would also have to offer something as part of the mutually agreed solution (MAS) to resolve the dispute at the Geneva-based multi-lateral body.

Recently India and the US have ended six trade disputes and have also agreed to terminate the seventh case. As part of the solution, while New Delhi removed retaliatory duties on 8 American products like apples and walnuts, the US is providing market access to Indian steel and aluminium products without levying extra duties.

The official said that India is also following a similar process for other complainants of the sugar dispute at the WTO.

In 2019, Brazil, Australia and Guatemala dragged India into the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism alleging that New Delhi's sugar subsidies to farmers are inconsistent with global trade rules.

A WTO dispute settlement panel on December 14, 2021, ruled that India's support measures for the sugar sector are inconsistent with the global trade norms.

In January 2022, India appealed against the panel's ruling at the WTO's appellate body, which is the final authority to pass rulings against such disputes. The appellate body, however, is not functioning due to differences in the countries on appointments of members of the body.

Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of sugar in the world. India is the world's second-largest producer.

Brazil, Australia and Guatemala, which are members of the WTO, had complained that India's support measures to sugarcane producers exceed the de minimis level of 10 per cent of the total value of sugarcane production, which according to them was inconsistent with the WTO's Agreement on Agriculture.

They had also flagged India's alleged export subsidies, subsidies under the production assistance and buffer stock schemes, and the marketing and transportation scheme.

According to WTO rules, a WTO member or members can file a case in the Geneva-based multilateral body if they feel that a particular trade measure is against the norms of the WTO.

Bilateral consultation is the first step to resolve a dispute. If both sides are not able to resolve the matter through consultation, either can approach the establishment of a dispute settlement panel. The panel's ruling or report can be challenged at the World Trade Organization's Appellate Body.

Interestingly, the appellate body of the WTO is not functioning because of differences among member countries to appoint members in this body. Several disputes are already pending with the appellate body. The US has been blocking the appointment of the members.

The bilateral trade between India and Brazil increased to USD 16.6 billion in 2022-23 as against USD 12.2 billion in 2021-22. Trade gap is in the favour of India.

During the 2021-22 sugar marketing year (October-September), India exported 110 lakh tonnes of sugar and became the second largest exporter of sugar in the world and earned about Rs 40,000 crore worth of foreign exchange.

For the current 2022-23 marketing year ending this month, the Centre allowed export of 61 lakh tonnes of sugar. Mills have already shipped 60 lakh tonnes.

The Centre is yet to decide on exports for the next 2023-24 marketing year, starting next month. As the current sugar season (October-September) 2022-23 is coming to an end, India has already crossed sugar production of 330 lakh tonnes, excluding the diversion of about 43 lakh tonnes for ethanol production.

The blending of ethanol with petrol has increased to 10 per cent in 2021-22 marketing year from just 1.53 per cent in 2013-14. To achieve the target of 20 per cent by 2025, about 1,016 crore litres of ethanol would be required. About 334 crore ethanol would be required for other usage.

WTO member countries can resolve disputes outside the dispute settlement mechanism and later inform the multi-lateral body about the same.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

18 Sep, 2023 News Image

India s overall exports in August 2023 estimated at USD 60.87 Billion; Merchandise exports estimated at USD 34.48 Billion in August 2023, despite global sluggish growth.

India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in August 2023* is estimated to be USD 60.87 Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 4.17 per cent over August 2022. Overall imports in August 2023* is estimated to be USD 72.50 Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 5.97 per cent over August 2022.

Table 1: Trade during August 2023*

		August 2023 (USD Billion)	August 2022 (USD Billion)
Merchandise	Exports	34.48	37.02
Merchandise	Imports	58.64	61.88
Services*	Exports	26.39	26.50
Services*	Imports	13.86	15.22
Overall Trade (Merchandise +Services) *	Exports	60.87	63.52
	Imports	72.50	77.10
	Trade Balance	-11.63	-13.58

* Note: The latest data for services sector released by RBI is for July 2023. The data for August 2023 is an estimation, which will be revised based on RBI’s subsequent release. (ii) Data for April-August 2022 has been revised on pro-rata basis using quarterly balance of payments data.

Fig 1: Overall Trade during August 2023*

India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-August 2023 is estimated to exhibit a negative growth of (-) 5.22 per cent over April-August 2022. Overall imports in April-August 2023 is estimated to exhibit a negative growth of (-) 10.35 per cent over April-August 2022.

Table 2: Trade during April-August 2023*

April-August 2023

(USD Billion)

April-August 2022

(USD Billion)

Merchandise

Exports

172.95

196.33

Imports

271.83

309.19

Services*

Exports

pib.gov.in

18 Sep, 2023 News Image

Impasse over dispute settlement system likely to end: WTO deputy director-general Angela Ellard.

World Trade Organization (WTO) deputy director-general Angela Ellard said negotiations are on to resolve the impasse about the dispute settlement system, to make it fully functional and accessible to all by 2024. She also said WTO's dispute settlement mechanism 'created a path' for India and the US to mutually resolve their disputes.

'The resolution of the US-India disputes is a very welcome development. I think the dispute settlement mechanism here in the WTO created a path for that resolution,' she said, adding that these are all examples of how having a dispute settlement system helps members resolve their conflicts.

The US and India have agreed to resolve their seven outstanding disputes at the WTO. These related to poultry imports from the US, countervailing measures on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India, certain measures related to solar cells and modules, measures related to the renewable energy sector, India's export-related measures, certain measures on steel and aluminium products and additional duties on some products from the US.

On the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), which is an alternative system to resolve WTO disputes, she said: 'It's my observation that members haven't said that we have the MPIA, so we don't need to worry about reforming the system.'

Her statement assumes significance as WTO reform takes centre stage ahead of the 13th ministerial conference next year.

MPIA has 30-odd members at present. Indian officials have said it is the country's principled stand to not go to the MPIA. There is no Appellate Body Division available at present to deal with the appeals due to the ongoing lack of agreement among WTO members on the filling up of vacancies in the body. Hence, all appeals are considered an 'appeal into the void'.

India has suggested 34 operational changes to the WTO, such as putting in place a 12-month cooling-off period before hiring any ambassador to the WTO in any roles in the organisation, resolving old issues before adding new ones, and a time-bound work programme to make dispute settlement more accessible for the developing countries.

'With respect to reform more broadly, it covers a variety of issues. It includes processes and procedures...but in addition to the procedural issues, there is also a big discussion about what the WTO should be doing on some substantive issues that are the most compelling issues of our time,' Ellard said.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

18 Sep, 2023 News Image

Basic customs duties on 8 US products will continue; only retaliatory tax removed.

The basic customs duties and other levies will continue on eight products, including apple and walnut from the US as well as other countries, a senior government official said on Friday. Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Peeyush Kumar said that India has imposed retaliatory customs duties on 28 American products in 2019 against US measure to imposes duties on certain steel and aluminium products.

He added that India has withdrawn only retaliatory duty on these eight products -- chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnut, apple, boric acid, diagnostic reagents -- in 2023 and its value of imports into India from the US stood at USD 1.08 billion in 2022-23.

In return, India has gained market access for indefinite period into the US through commitments for granting approval to 70 per cent and 80 per cent of exclusion requests, respectively, for Indian steel and aluminum products.

Total volume approved is 3.36 lakh MT (metric tones) and its total value is USD 1.01 billion, Kumar told reporters here.

'The existing BCD (basic customs duty) rates for all the 8 products along with applicable surcharge, cess, IGST, etc. prevails for these imports from all the countries including the US,' he said.

In addition, he said, Indian apples would be shielded against dumping of low quality and predatory pricing through the Minimum Import Price (MIP) of Rs 50 per kilogramme for imports from all countries except Bhutan.

The retaliatory duties removed are 10 per cent on chickpeas, 20 per cent on lentils, Rs 7-20 per kg on almonds,; and 20 per cent each on walnuts, apple, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents.

The BCD on these goods are 60 per cent on chickpeas, 30 per cent on lentils, Rs 35-100 per kg on almonds, Rs 100 per cent on walnut; 50 per cent each on apples, 7.5 per cent on boric acid, and 10 per cent on diagnostic reagents.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

18 Sep, 2023 News Image

Govt launches unified portal for agri-statistics to provide credible data on agri sector.

The government on Friday launched an unified portal for agri-statistics (UPAg) that will empower stakeholders to access credible and objective data for taking informed decisions. The UPAg, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, is a crucial component of digital public infrastructure for agriculture.

The portal aims to address the data related governance challenges such as lack of standardised and verified data, which make it difficult for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to make informed decisions.

After launching the portal, think tank Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand said it is a groundbreaking move to address the complex governance challenges facing Indian agriculture.

'This innovative platform, designed to streamline and enhance data management in the agricultural domain, marks a significant step towards a more efficient and responsive agricultural policy framework,' he said in a statement.

He also stated that higher the objectivity of data, lower is the scope of judgment in policy making, which translated into stable, transparent and informed decisions.

Stating that the portal should ensure data credibility, Chand said a research suggests that one US dollar invested in data generated USD 32 impact.

Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja said UPAg Portal was being envisaged as a public good wherein users will benefit by reduced search costs and access to credible, granular and objective data.

The UPAg portal will have key features such as 'data standardisation', 'data analysis', 'granular production estimates', 'commodity profile reports', and 'plug and play'.

The portal will standardise data on prices, production, area, yield, and trade, making it accessible in one location, eliminating the need to compile data from multiple sources.

It will perform advanced analytics, offering insights such as production trends, trade correlations, and consumption patterns, aiding policymakers in making informed decisions.

The portal will generate granular production estimates with increased frequency, enhancing the government's ability to respond to agricultural crises swiftly.

It will also produce commodity profile reports using algorithms, minimizing subjectivity and providing users with comprehensive insights.

That apart, users will have the flexibility to use the portal's data to prepare their own reports, promoting data-driven decision-making, the statement said.

According to the ministry, this initiative aligns with the principles of e-governance, bringing smartness, transparency, and agility to India's agriculture sector.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

18 Sep, 2023 News Image

Assam signs MoU with QCI to improve food safety ecosystem.

The Assam Government and Quality Council of India (QCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve the food safety ecosystem in the state.

According to reports, the MoU aims to create quality infrastructure through conformity assessment framework based on training and capacity building of stakeholders.

According to the state officials, the MoU marks an important milestone towards achieving excellence in quality in food safety of food products in the state. The MoU will help in quality certification, accreditation, and training which will ensure quality products and services for the consumers along with development of food safety related infrastructure in the state of Assam.

The QCI in a statement added that it will work with the Assam Government to nurture a quality culture in the state which will help in developing the accreditation system and even advising the state government and other stakeholders on matters related to quality in the food safety ecosystem.

Source: fnbnews.com

18 Sep, 2023 News Image

Rice sowing area surpasses 409 lakh hectares.

The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has released progress of area coverage under kharif crops as on 15th September 2023.

Area: In lakh hactare

pib.gov.in

S. No.	Crop	Area Sown
S. No.	Crop	2023	2022
1	Rice	409.41	398.58
2	Pulses	121.00	127.57
a	Arhar	43.21	45.81
b	Urdbean	32.25	32.97
c	Moongbean	31.34	33.81
d	Kulthi	0.36	0.35
e	Other pulses	13.83	14.62
3	Shri Anna cum Coarse cereals	183.11	181.48
a	Jowar	14.22	15.68
b	Bajra	70.89	70.49
c	Ragi	8.85	9.31
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