India is exporting wheat and rice to food insecure, vulnerable and neighbouring countries on their request to meet their demands, a senior government official said on Friday. In general, there is a ban on the export of wheat, broken rice and non-basmati white rice.

 

Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Kumar Sarangi said India has allowed exports of 3 lakh tonnes of wheat to Nepal on July 21 and 14,184 tonnes to Bhutan.

 

Similarly, the government has permitted the export of broken rice to Senegal (5 lakh tonnes), Gambia (5 lakh tonnes), Indonesia (2 lakh tonnes), Mali (1 lakh tonnes), and Bhutan (48,804 tonnes).

 

On September 9 last year, the government banned the export of broken rice to check rising retail prices and boost domestic supply.

 

On July 20, it banned exports of non-basmati white rice to boost domestic supply and keep retail prices under check during the upcoming festive season.

 

The wheat export was banned in May.

The talks on the proposed free trade agreement between India and the UK are moving and there is 'good progress' on issues such as rules of origin and bilateral investment treaty (BIT), a senior official said on Friday.

 

These were few of the issues where there were differences between the two sides.

 

'Many things are moving very fast. Like rules of origin and bilateral investment treaty, there is a good progress. Negotiations are happening... Towards the end of the deal, it is the difficult issues which are to be closed and therefore it requires more time and more deliberations,' Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told reporters here.

 

He said that mobility is also one of the subjects which is being negotiated.

 

The 'rules of origin' provision prescribe that minimal processing should happen in the FTA country so that the final manufactured product may be referred as goods originating in that country.

 

Under this provision, a country that has inked an FTA with India cannot dump goods from some third country in the Indian market by just putting a label on it. It has to undertake a prescribed value addition in that product to export to India. Rules of origin norms help contain dumping of goods.

 

Investment treaty is being negotiated as a separate agreement between India and the UK.

 

These investment treaties help in promoting and protecting investments in each other's country. The main point of contention involved in this pact is about the mechanism for the settlement of disputes.

 

So far 12 rounds of talks are completed and the 13th round will start from September 18.

 

On the India-EU (European Union) trade pact, the ministry said that so far 5 round of talks are concluded and the sixth round will take place during October 16 -20 in Brussels.

 

The two regions are also discussing EU's carbon tax issue in the Trade and Technology Council (TTC).

 

On the progress of talks on India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), an official said that 'significant' progress is there on issues like government procurement, rules of origin, sports, innovation, labour, environment, and traditional knowledge.

 

The official said that the 6th round of talks are expected to conclude soon and the next round will start from next month.

 

Further, the ministry said that legal scrubbing is in the process of supply chain resilience agreement under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).

 

The process for domestic approval of this agreement is also underway. The Indian team is in Thailand for discussions on clean economy and fair economy agreements of the IPEF.

 

The secretary also informed that the ministry will be organising a regulatory dialogue in November.

 

Experts from both domestic and international organisations would participate in that.

 

The ministry is in touch with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and FSSAI for the meet.

 

Regulatory bodies from G20 countries will be called for this dialogue. The meeting would assume significance as regulatory issues like standards, certification, inspection of testing labs have implications on exports.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated Phase 1 of India International Convention and Expo Centre - ‘Yashobhoomi’ to the nation at Dwarka, New Delhi today. He also launched ‘PM Vishwakarma Scheme’ PM Vishwakarma logo, tagline and portal for traditional artisans and craftspeople on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti.

 

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister acknowledged the contribution of the Shramiks and Vishwakarmas in the construction of the magnificent facility. 'Today I dedicate 'Yashobhoomi' to every worker of the country, to every Vishwakarma”, he said. He told the Vishwakarmas linked with today’s program that 'Yashobhoomi' is going to be a vibrant center connecting their creations with the world and global markets.

 

'The Viksit Bharat of today is crafting a new identity for itself in every sector”, the Prime Minister said referring to the Bharat Mandapam which had become a topic of discussion across the world and stated that Yashobhoomi furthered this tradition with greater magnificence. 'The message from Yashobhoomi is loud and clear. Any event that takes place here will attain success and fame”, Shri Modi emphasized. He further added that Yashobhoomi will become a medium for showcasing the India of the future.

 

He said that in order to showcase India’s grand economic prowess and commercial muscle, this is a worthy center in the capital of the country. It reflects, he continued, both multimodal connectivity and PM Gatishakti. He illustrated this by talking about the connectivity provided to the center by Metro and inauguration of Metro terminal today. He also highlighted that the ecosystem of Yashobhoomi will take care of the travel, connectivity, accommodation and tourism needs of the users.

 

The Prime Minister said that Conference tourism will also progress only where there are necessary resources for events, meetings, and exhibitions, hence Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi Center are now going to make Delhi the biggest hub of conference tourism. Lakhs of youth are likely to get employment. In the future, 'Yashobhoomi will become a place where people from countries all over the world will come for international conferences, meetings and exhibitions”, Shri Modi added.

 

The Prime Minister invited the stakeholders to Yashobhoomi. He said, 'Today I invite people associated with the Exhibition and Event industry from countries around the world to come to Delhi. I will invite the Film Industry and TV Industry of every region of the country, East-West-North-South. You hold your award ceremonies, film festivals here, hold first film shows here. I invite people associated with International Event Companies, Exhibition Sector to join Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi.”

 

In his welcome speech, Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, said that the leadership provided by the Prime Minister in difficult times ensured that the G20 summit was taken to every nook and corner of the country and became a people’s presidency. This event has been so successful that it has been called as 'Modi-fied G20” by an expert, he said. New Delhi Leaders Declaration will give the future a new direction and will play a role in changing the direction of world affairs, Commerce and Industry Minister said.

 

Shri Goyal said that Yashobhoomi is a proof of Prime Minister’s vision of 'Skill, speed and scale”. He informed that the project of IICC was completed speedily under Prime Minister’s leadership and is being inaugurated today as Yashobhoomi. The first phase of this project is complete and the second phase will enlarge it into double its size today, he said. This convention centre at Dwarka is a great example of PM Gatishakti ideal, Shri Goyal said adding that the International Airport can be reached by expressway in 5 minutes, metro connectivity connects it to Connaught place in 20 minutes and there is ample provision of hotels linked to this project.

 

Shri Goyal said that in the last 9 years, the convention centres that are being set up in the country will become world class exhibition centres. Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi will promote trade, industry, export and employment. Yashobhoomi will promote MSME sector, farmers and artisans and provide new opportunities and markets for them, he said.

 

Prime Minister has laid the foundation of making India a developed nation in Amrit Kaal by creating a strong economy and infrastructure, uplifting the poor, digitisation and by ensuring a corruption free government, Commerce Minister noted. Today the entire world is witness to Prime Minister’s commitment to inclusive growth, he said. Making laws simpler to make the lives of common man easy, helping the start-ups, increase trade and exports, create new opportunities for employment and creating faith in the hearts of the people will ensure that the country has become unstoppable now, he said. Noting the inauguration of historic launch of Vishwakarma Yojana, Shri Goyal said that the Prime Minister has recognised the hard work of our artisans and the scheme will honour and strengthen them.

Onions and garlic are being imported this season from Afghanistan through the Integrated Check-Post (ICP) at the Attari-Wagah border after a few years and not only that the import of dry fruits from the war-torn country has doubled but their prices remain higher side as the festival season in the country has started.

 

Sources at that ICP said that after two to three years, one to two truckloads of onions have been coming for the last three days and each truck is carrying between 20 to 40 tons. Not only that, ten to fifteen trucks of garlic are coming daily.

 

The import of both onion and garlic to India was restarted because these crops were damaged this season due to untimely rain and hailstorms resulting in a price surge.

Ahead of the festive season, Nepal is set to import 20,000 metric tonnes (MT) of sugar from India, which meets at least 70 per cent of the Himalayan country's domestic annual demand of approximately 3,00,000 MT.

 

In view of the upcoming festivals, including Vijaya Dashami and Deepawali, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has asked the Finance Ministry to give customs waiver for importing 60,000 MT of sugar to meet the local demand. The Finance Ministry has, however, given permission to import only 20,000 MT for the time being.

 

According to Finance Ministry spokesperson, Dhaniram Sharma, the Ministry has given 50 per cent discount on customs duty, which means 15 per cent less from the earlier imposed 30 per cent customs duty.

 

Two companies, Salt Trading Corporation (STC) and Food Management and Trading Company, both would import 10,000 MT sugar each for the upcoming festival season, according to Sharma. However, divisional manager of STC Brajesh Jha said that it had asked the government permission to import 50,000 MT of sugar.

 

According to Jha, Nepal's domestic demand for sugar stands at 3,00,000 MT and it needs to import a huge quantity of sugar mainly from India. There are 12 sugar factories in Nepal that produce around 1,00,000 MT of sugar.

 

According to an estimate, Nepal imports at least 70 per cent sugar from India. Besides, thousands of tons of sugars are brought through illegal channel without paying customs duty.

 

Sugar is available in the black market in Kathmandu and the prices ranges from Nepali Rupees 100 to 125 per kg, where as it costs around Rs 40 - 50 in India.

In order to manage the overall food security and to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation, the Government of India imposed stock limits on the Wheat applicable to Traders/Wholesaler, Retailers, Big Chain Retailers and Processors for all States and Union Territories. The Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2023 was issued on 12 June 2023 and applicable until 31st March 2024 for all States and Union Territories.

 

To soften the prices of Wheat which are showing an increasing trend, Central Government has decided to revise the Wheat Stock limit from 3000 MT to 2000 MT with respect to Traders/Wholesalers and Big Chain Retailers as under:

 

Traders/Wholesaler- 2000 MT;

Big Chain Retailer- 10 MT for each outlet and 2000 MT at all their depots

For other categories, there is no change in stock limits. All wheat stocking entities are required to register on the wheat stock limit portal (https://evegoils.nic.in/wsp/login) and update the stock position on every Friday. Any entity which is found to have not registered on the portal or violates the stock limits will be subject to suitable punitive action under Section 6 & 7 of Essential Commodities Act,1955.

 

In case the stocks held by above entities are higher than the above prescribed limit, they shall have to bring the same to the prescribed stock limits within 30 days of issue of the notification. Officials of Central and State Governments will be closely monitoring enforcement of these stock limits to ensure that no artificial scarcity of wheat is created in the country.

 

The Department of Food and Public Distribution is maintaining a close watch over the stock position of Wheat to control prices and ensure easy availability in the country.

President Mrs. Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the four-day global seminar on farmers’ rights in Pusa, New Delhi on 12th September. Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar presided over the function. On this occasion, 26 Plant Genome Patron Awards were given to farmers and organizations in various categories. On this occasion, the President inaugurated the Plant Authority Building and launched the online portal for registration of plant varieties. The President inaugurated the exhibition here and also visited it with the ministers. In the program, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Mr. Kailash Chaudhary , Secretary Mr. Manoj Ahuja , Director General of ICAR Dr. Himanshu Pathak ,Dr. Trilochan Mahapatra, Chairman, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), Dr. Kent Nandoji , Secretary, ITPGRFA , Mr. Takayuki, India Representative of FAO , Dr. R.S. , former DG, ICAR. Parodha , diplomats , representatives of treaty contracting countries , farmers , scientists , officials of agriculture related organizations were also present. PPVFRA , ICAR , Indian Agricultural Research Institute and National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources are participating in the event .

 

In her address on the occasion of the global seminar organized by International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) , Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) , Rome and Union Ministry of Agriculture Mrs. Murmu said that India’s rich agriculture -Biodiversity has been a treasure for the global community. Our farmers have worked hard and enterprisingly to conserve local plant varieties , domesticate wild plants and nurture traditional varieties , which have provided the basis for various crop breeding programmes. This has ensured food and nutritional security for humans and animals. By preserving and nurturing biodiversity, the farming community is not only helping humanity ,Rather, they are saving the entire planet. He said that the crop varieties of a particular region are deeply connected to the society and culture , they also have medicinal properties.

 

Mrs. Murmu expressed happiness that ITPGRFA chose India as the venue for the first global symposium on farmers’ rights , it is appropriate because India is an ancient civilization , where our traditions , culture and agriculture are part of the same fabric. Are. This is the land that has imbibed the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' through the ages. In biodiversity , India is one of the countries blessed with the widest range of plants and species. The efforts of our agro-biodiversity custodians and hardworking farmers , scientists and policy makers, coupled with government support, have played an important role in accelerating several agricultural revolutions in the country. He said that the year 2001The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture , signed in 1979, was one of the most important international agreements between member states for the conservation , use and management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. For the first time it called for guaranteeing food security through the conservation , exchange and sustainable use of the world’s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. India played a leading role in introducing the Protection of Plant Diversity and Farmers Rights Act (PPVFR)- 2001 , which is linked to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, for the protection of our farmers.

 

Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Tomar said that agro-biodiversity conservation is not just a duty , but is a vital necessity for the survival of the ecosystem , the Government of India remains steadfast in its commitment towards this objective. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi , India has been committed to the principles agreed under this international treaty ( ITPGRFA) and is doing the best work in the world in implementing it in letter and spirit. This fact is very clearly underlined by the national law enacted by the Indian Parliament as the Protection of Plant Diversity and Farmers’ Rights Act- 2001 . Since the enactment of this law ,The Government of India has worked diligently to ensure its compliance with the provisions of the law. He said that one of the features of India’s plant variety protection framework is its focus on farmers’ rights. This Act recognizes the invaluable role of farmers in the conservation and development of plant genetic resources through the continuous efforts of generations of farmers. This Act gives the farmers the right to preserve, use, share and sell the seeds saved in the field. This provision empowers farmers to actively participate in the agricultural value chain while preserving their autonomy while promoting local knowledge and innovation.

The technical sessions of 'First Global Symposium on Farmers' Rights (GSFR)' held at the ICAR Convention Centre, National Agricultural Science Centre, New Delhi was successfully concluded today.

 

The GSFR was attended by more than 500 delegates from 60 countries, including the National Focal Points of the International Treaty, more than 150 farmers and more than 100 foreign participants. Various issues pertaining to Farmers’ Rights as set out in the Article 9 of the International Treatywere deliberated in five different technical sessions, two panel discussions and three special sessions. A special session on Farmers Forum was an important inclusion in the GSFR.

 

The deliberations and suggestions emanating from the GSFR have been crystalized in a ‘Delhi Framework on Farmers’ Rights’, as a proposal from India to the Treaty:

 

Accelerate efforts to implement multiple options as advocated by the Treaty for realization of farmers’ rights. For this, Treaty Secretariat to create a handholding and capacity development mechanism.

Establish an institutional mechanism that is responsible for creation of awareness about the Farmers’ Rights, capacity building of custodian farmers and farmers’ seed systems, and facilitating equitable benefit sharing, and request Treaty Secretariat to coordinate such initiatives.

Advocate creation of functional synergy across different UN instruments (ITPGRFA, CBD, UNDROP, UNDRIP, etc.) to facilitate the realization of farmers’ rights.

Strengthen the Benefit Sharing Fund for supporting farmers and farmers’ seed systems to ensure conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA; and for the realization of farmers’ rights through enabling environment by national governments, international organizations and incentivize participation of private sector in supporting conservation activities.

Create conducive condition for active participation of different stakeholders and building farmer-centric partnership opportunities including South-South, triangular and regional cooperation to accelerate implementation of Farmers’ Rights.

Aspecial package be packaged as part of climate change adaptation and mitigation funds to directly support on-farm conservationand custodian farmers, who are the most affected by extreme climatic events.

Establish/support farmer-managed seed system for traditional varieties and create self-sustaining production and marketing value chain, to enhance farm income of custodian farmers and strengthening of local food systems.

Join hands to systematically document traditional knowledge associated with PGRFA, adhering to prior informed consent and respecting the sensibilities of communities. Treaty Secretariat to facilitate the process under ongoing documentation programmes.

Application of new science and technologies aimed at conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, taking necessary precautions to avoid negative impact on farmers’ rights and ensuring enhanced benefit sharing opportunities.

Create legal and formal provisions in their existing system that recognize and protect farmers’ rights as envisaged in the Plant Treaty.

On the final day of the meeting tomorrow, delegates to visit the Pusa Campus (IARI and NBPGR), to see the phenomics, genomics and gene bank facilities.

 

The meeting was inaugurated by President Smt. Droupadi Murmu. Recognizing the farming fraternity as the true guardian of crop diversity, President Droupadi Murmu, said that India’s law on Farmers Rights (enshrined within the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Act, 2001) can be a model for the world to emulate, especially in the context of climate change challenges. The President also conferred 26 Plant Genome Saviors Awards/Recognition to farmers and farming communities of India. Also, the newly constructed ‘Plant Authority Bhawan’, the office of the PPVFR Authority, and an online plant variety ‘Registration Portal’ was inaugurated by the President, in the august presence of Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, and Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri  Kailash Choudhary. 

 

Organized by the Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (International Treaty) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome, the Global Symposium is being hosted by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers'  Welfare in collaboration with PPVFR Authority, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), and ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR).An exhibition showcasing the rich agrobiodiversity of India was put through support from 80 organisations and awardees farmers/farming community, ICAR institutes, SAUs, CAUs, CGIAR institutes and seed association.The Global Symposium was requested by the Ninth Session of Governing Body of the FAO’s International Treaty, held in New Delhi during September 17 to 24, 2022, to share experiences and to discuss possible future work on Farmers’ Rights.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has decided to revoke the previously issued expression of interest (EoI) in June 2022 inviting applications for the Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure.

 

The ministry, however, did not reveal the reason for the same but has stated that a fresh EoI will be issued by the ministry regarding the scheme.

 

'It has now been decided that approval of any new projects under the Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme will be on the basis of new Expression of Interest that may be floated in due course of time,' reads the notice issued by MoFPI.

 

The notice added that any entity who had submitted its application against the earlier EoI dated June 21, 22, may apply afresh as and when new EoI is issued by the ministry.

 

According to the ministry, a number of applications were received against the June’ 22 EoI and based upon availability of funds, and in terms of provisions of guidelines of the scheme, proposals have been approved. But now the decision was taken to invite applications afresh for the same scheme.

They recently applied to the Ministry of Commerce seeking permission to import these products.  Importing companies say if they bring this product, the price will decrease in the market.

 

As the production of meat and eggs has increased in the country, the prices have also increased accordingly. Farmers and traders demanded that the price of the products be fixed, but it is not working.

 

According to the application submitted to the ministry, 'The price of beef and protein has increased due to the increase in the price of cow feed and syndicates of dishonest traders. If this situation continues, buying beef will be beyond the reach of the common people of the country.'

 

Even two years ago, beef was sold at Tk 500 per kg, now the price is Tk 700-800. The country is producing 8.44 million tonnes of meat annually, which is insufficient compared to the demand.

 

The price of beef is gradually increasing. If this continues, the people of the country will have to buy beef for Tk 1000 per kg. Therefore, to control the market price and keep the product price under control, beef and buffalo meat must be imported, the application reads.

 

Taking these matters into consideration, Ripa Enterprise, an importing company wants permission to import 2,000 tons of beef and buffalo meat.

 

The supply of eggs in the country is insufficient compared to the demand. Although the country has a daily demand of 4.5 crore pieces of eggs, now the production is 2 crore pieces, according to another application to the ministry. 

 

As a result, the shortage is 2.5 crore pieces per day, 75 crore pieces per month, and 27,375 crore pieces of eggs per year. Importer Tiger Trading says the production is grossly insufficient to meet the country's overall nutritional needs.

 

The recent rise in egg prices has put consumers under financial stress and a nutritional crisis. In this situation, Tiger Trading has asked for permission to import 100 million pieces of eggs annually in limited form, the application reads.

 

Earlier, in November 2022, a total of six importing companies, including Tiger Trading and Ripa Enterprises, applied to the Ministry of Commerce for permission to import 51 crore eggs citing the country's egg shortage and high prices.

 

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said in this regard. 'Market management is responsible for increasing the price of beef and eggs. Even after meeting the country's needs, there are still enough surpluses.

 

For this, the government has planned to export. Various facilities are being provided for farm expansion to increase production in the country. A new Dairy Development Board is being set up. So, there is no situation to import meat and eggs.'

 

Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh spoke at an event in favour of importing beef from abroad on August 25. However, beef is not being imported to protect domestic producers, he said.

 

If beef is imported from Brazil-Argentina, consumers will get the beef at Tk 350 to Tk 400 per kg. Now they have to buy this meat for Tk 800, he added.

 

Experts say marginal farmers will be the most affected. In addition to collapsing the rural economy, public health will be threatened. For this, they demanded to determine the reasonable price of the two products.

 

In 2015, the Indian government took a strict stance on the entry of cattle from India to Bangladesh. Since then, it has become possible to meet the demand of the country's farmers and farmers for Eid sacrifice with cows.

 

Farmers are still bearing the burden of losses as there are 24 lakh 94 thousand 521 sacrificing animals that remained unsold in the last Eid-ul-Adha.

 

According to the data of the Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association and Department of Livestock (DLS), Bangladesh boasts approximately 1.2 million farms, providing employment opportunities for a staggering 9.4 million individuals.

 

According to DLS 2023 data, meat production was around 9 lakh tonnes in 2001-02, followed by around 93 lakh tonnes in 2021-22. Meat production has increased by about 156 per cent in 10 years.

 

An 8.44 million tonnes of meat is being produced against the demand of 7.4 million tonnes. As a result, meat import was imposed last year. Not only that, an initiative has also been taken to export meat from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

 

According to the data of Chattogram Custom House, the import of boneless frozen bovine meat was 974 metric tonnes in 2022-23. The import value of these products is Tk 44 crore.

 

In the previous fiscal year (2021-22), this product was imported at a cost of Tk 577 of 13,206 tonnes. That is, 12232 metric tonnes or 93 per cent less imported frozen boneless bovine meat has been imported in one year.

 

Mentionable, frozen meat is imported from India, Thailand, Korea, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Malaysia and Japan through Chattogram Sea Port.

 

Insiders say unable to import raw meat, now processed meat packets are being brought and sold to restaurants. Processed meat from India is regularly cooked in hotels and restaurants in the capital Dhaka.

 

The country produces 6.38 crore eggs per day while 2,335 million pieces per annum.

 

This figure encompasses all types of eggs, including poultry quail and pigeon.

 

The per capita availability of commercially produced eggs is 100-104 pieces. At present, daily about 4-4.5 crore pieces of poultry eggs are produced commercially, according to Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council.