The famous Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal of Odisha received the geographical indication (GI) tag from the Centre.

 

An advertisement in this regard has been issued by the Geographical Indications Registry on its official website.

 

The Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT) on behalf of Neelamadhab Krushi Sangathan at Banapur under Khandapada Block in Nayagarh district, had applied in 2021 to get GI tag for the Kanteimundi Brinjal.

 

Originated from Badabanapur and Ratnapur area of Khandapada block and Dhanchangda, Laxmiprasad, Kumundi and Fategarh area of Bhapur block, the vegetable is cultivated entire in the district. It is largely grown in Kantilo area in Nayagarh.

 

Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal is a tasteful vegetable with lots of prickly thorns on it as well as the whole plant. It is green in colour and round in shape containing more seeds as compared to other genotypes.

 

The vegetable crop is cultivated in the sandy soil and having unique taste, flavor. It is attributed to the skill of the local

growers who have been cultivating this crop for more than 100 years. The crop is confined to Nayagarh district.

 

The ‘Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal’ is famous for its unique taste and quick cooking quality than other varieties of the brinjal species. The plant is resistant to major insects, pests and diseases. This crop is grown both in the Kharif and Rabi seasons.

 

Besides, the Geographical Indications Registry has granted the GI tag to Odisha’s three more products. These were ‘Gajapati Date Palm Jaggery’, ‘Dhenkanal Magji’ and ‘Mayurbhanj Kai Chutney’.

‘Koraput Kalajeera Rice,’ an aromatic rice variety with nutritional value, has got Geographical Indications (GI) status, bringing cheers to tribal farmers who have been growing it for ages.

 

The Odisha government supported Jaivik Sri Farmers Producer Company Limited at Pujariput had applied on January 11, 2022, for the registry of Koraput Kalajeera Rice.

 

An advertisement in this regard was issued on August 31, 2023 on the official website of the Geographical Indications Registry.

 

The farmers of Koraput district in Odisha, the centre of origin of cultivated rice, have domesticated Kalajeera rice over generations. With the support of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Odisha government’s department of agriculture and farmers empowerment, the farmers’ organisation received the GI tag for ‘Koraput Kalajeera Rice.’

 

Koraput Kalajeera Rice known as the ‘Prince of Rice’ is an aromatic variety originating from Koraput district of Odisha. Upholding the nutritional and cooking quality, the rice looks like coriander seeds. The ancestors of the present tribal communities of Koraput district have domesticated the rice in the region for thousands of years contributing to conservation of crop. It is popular among rice consumers for its black colour, good aroma, taste and texture.

 

Jeypore area of Koraput district and surrounding geographical area is very prominent for Kalajeera Rice. The rice is grown in Koraput district’s Tolla, Patraput, Pujariput, Baliguda and Mohuli areas.

 

The ancient text explains that Kalajeera rice improves memory and controls diabetes. It is believed to increase hemoglobin levels and the body metabolism. This fragrant grain has antispasmodic, stomachic, carminative, antibacterial, astringent and sedative properties.

 

Recently, ‘Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal,’ a brinjal species grown in Nayagarh district, had received the GI tag from the Centre.

In a recent visit to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana, Dr Mariano J Beillard (PhD), Senior Regional Agricultural Attaché at the US embassy in New Delhi, engaged in a comprehensive interaction with Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU and university officials. The meeting was conducted to delve into crucial agricultural matters and strengthen the ties between the United States and India in the realm of agriculture.

 

Accompanying Dr Beillard were Dr Santosh K. Singh, Senior Agricultural Specialist of the US embassy and Arnella Trent, Crop Analyst (Indian Sub-Continent), International Production Assessment Division, USDA/Foreign Agriculture Service, Washington DC.

 

The primary focus of their visit to the states of Haryana and Punjab was to assess the prospects of rice crop production in the upcoming season and gain a deeper understanding of the agricultural economy’s performance in Punjab. These two states are key players in India’s agricultural landscape, particularly in the production of rice, and this visit aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing in this vital sector.

 

At PAU, the discussions centred on the agriculture production outlook for the 2023-2024 season, with a particular emphasis on the upcoming rice crop. Dr Beillard highlighted the significance of India’s agriculture sector in ensuring food security and economic growth. He commended the strides made by India in agriculture and expressed the United States’ commitment for further collaboration and support in this critical domain. He also lauded the role of institutions like the Punjab Agricultural University in driving agricultural research and innovation.

 

Dr Santosh K Singh raised several queries addressing areas such as rice cultivation, pest incidence, new basmati varieties, labour issues, crop diversification, mechanisation, potential for ethanol production and global food grain prices. He also fielded questions on the impact of geopolitical issues like the Ukraine-Russia conflict on foodgrain production and prices, India’s foodgrain trade and Minimum Support Price (MSP).

 

On the other hand, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal shared his insight into the challenges faced by Punjab’s agriculture sector and the university’s initiative in addressing them. Besides updating the diplomat about the nitty-gritty of rice production, he specifically mentioned the rice variety PR 126 which has outshone its peers with a shorter growth period by one month compared to Pusa 44 and 2-3 weeks faster than other varieties. Farmers, in favourable conditions, even achieved an impressive yield of 38 quintals per acre, surpassing the average yield of 30 quintals per acre. He mentioned the PAU’s emphasis on training and advisories for chemical-minimal measures.

 

Furthermore, Dr. Gosal discussed rust-resistant wheat varieties developed by PAU and the release of the heat-tolerant early maturing variety PBW 826, which holds promise for other states as well. Specialty varieties like PAU RS-1, PBW1 Chapati, and PBW1 Zn were also mentioned. Regarding ethanol production, Dr Gosal suggested options such as utilising broken grains or sugarcane juice and deliberated the importance of crop diversification in the context of Minimum Support Prices and marketing. He noted that wheat and rice cultivation in the region is predominantly mechanised, with prototypes developed by PAU.

Singapore on Saturday thanked India for exempting the country from its rice ban, saying that 'the gesture of strong friendship is very much appreciated'.

 

'Singapore would like to thank GovIndia in particular @MEAIndia and @dgftindia for exempting us from the rice ban. Both countries are indeed close strategic partners. This gesture of strong friendship is very much appreciated,' read a tweet on the Singapore Embassy in India's official account on 'X' formerly Twitter on Saturday.

 

India recently decided to allow the export of rice to Singapore to 'meet the food security requirements' of the southeast nation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

 

'India and Singapore enjoy a very close strategic partnership, characterized by shared interests, close economic ties and strong people-to-people connect. In view of this special relationship, India has decided to allow the export of rice to meet the food security requirements of Singapore,' MEA official spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi had said on Tuesday in response to media queries on rice export to Singapore.

 

India on August 27 introduced additional safeguards on exports of basmati rice so as to prevent exports of non-basmati white rice, which is presently under the prohibited category.

 

Earlier, the government said it had received credible field reports regarding misclassification and illegal export of non-basmati white rice.

 

'It has been reported that non-basmati white rice is being exported under the HS codes of parboiled rice and basmati rice,' the government said in a statement.

 

Notably, the export of non-basmati white rice was prohibited from July 20 to check the domestic prices and ensure domestic food security. The government noticed that despite restrictions put on certain varieties, rice exports have been high during the current year.

 

The central government on July 20 amended the rice export norms putting the non-basmati white rice in the 'prohibited' category.

 

The export policy relating to non-basmati white rice (semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed) has been revised from 'free' to 'prohibited' and it has come into force immediately, a Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notification said.

The ‘Kanteimundi Brinjal’ of Nayagarh received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

 

As per reports, Neelamadhav Krushi Sangathan applied for the tag back in 2021 with the help of Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT).

 

'Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal' is famous for its unique taste and quick cooking quality than other varieties of the vegetable. The plants/crop is resistant to major insects, pests, and diseases. This crop is grown both in the Kharif and Rabi seasons.

 

It is an indigenous variety having unique characteristics other than local varieties grown in the district. Its effect on geographical positioning (climate, rainfall, temperature, soil quality, management practices, etc.) retains its quality including unique taste, size, appearance etc. The whole plant is covered with prickly thorns including the stem, leaf, and calyx of the fruit. After harvest, Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal can be kept for 10-14 days in ambient conditions without deterioration.

 

Kanteimundi Brinjal was originally cultivated / grown in Badabanapur and Ratanpur areas of Khandapada block and Dhanchangda, Laxmiprasad, Kumundi, and Fategarh areas of the Bhapur block. Now it is grown in the whole of Nayagarh district of Odisha.

 

As per the local information collected through the baseline survey, this brinjal's origins can be traced back to over 100 years. It was found that the local people got this spiked brinjal from the hillside during cultivation of the brinjal and they collected seeds from it and started raising the seedlings. After that, they grew such brinjal variety and got better yield. The name of the brinjal, Kanteimundi was given by those local growers as per that locality (Kantilo) and the small prickly thorns on the stem and calyx as well as on the fruit. Due to more demand and acceptability in the market for its unique taste, the area of production is gradually increasing.

The twelfth round of negotiations for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took place from the 8-31 August, 2023. As with previous rounds, this was conducted in a hybrid fashion - a number of UK officials travelled to Delhi for negotiations and others attended virtually.

 

On 24-25 August, 2023 India hosted the G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting in Jaipur. The Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade visited India for the meeting and met with the Honourable Minister for Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Piyush Goyal. They took stock of the FTA and agreed ways to progress the negotiations.

 

The thirteenth round of negotiations is due to take place in September.

‘Koraput Kalajeera Rice,’ an aromatic rice variety with nutritional value, has got Geographical Indications (GI) status, bringing cheers to tribal farmers who have been growing it for ages.

 

The Odisha government supported Jaivik Sri Farmers Producer Company Limited at Pujariput had applied on January 11, 2022, for the registry of Koraput Kalajeera Rice.

 

An advertisement in this regard was issued on August 31, 2023 on the official website of the Geographical Indications Registry.

 

The farmers of Koraput district in Odisha, the centre of origin of cultivated rice, have domesticated Kalajeera rice over generations. With the support of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Odisha government’s department of agriculture and farmers empowerment, the farmers’ organisation received the GI tag for ‘Koraput Kalajeera Rice.’

 

Koraput Kalajeera Rice known as the ‘Prince of Rice’ is an aromatic variety originating from Koraput district of Odisha. Upholding the nutritional and cooking quality, the rice looks like coriander seeds. The ancestors of the present tribal communities of Koraput district have domesticated the rice in the region for thousands of years contributing to conservation of crop. It is popular among rice consumers for its black colour, good aroma, taste and texture.

 

Jeypore area of Koraput district and surrounding geographical area is very prominent for Kalajeera Rice. The rice is grown in Koraput district’s Tolla, Patraput, Pujariput, Baliguda and Mohuli areas.

 

The ancient text explains that Kalajeera rice improves memory and controls diabetes. It is believed to increase hemoglobin levels and the body metabolism. This fragrant grain has antispasmodic, stomachic, carminative, antibacterial, astringent and sedative properties.

 

Recently, ‘Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal,’ a brinjal species grown in Nayagarh district, had received the GI tag from the Centre.

India’s coffee exports have registered a 5.85 per cent growth during April-August of the current financial year at $520.45 million over $491.65 million in the same period a year ago on higher prices.

 

However, the volumes were down 5.71 per cent at 1.65 lakh tonnes against 1.75 lakh tonnes a year ago. In rupee terms, exports were up 11.62 per cent at Rs.4,282 crore over Rs.3,836 crore a year ago. The per unit value realised by the Indian exporters was higher at Rs.2.58 lakh per tonne during the April-August period compared with Rs.2.18 lakh per tonne in the year-ago period, as per Coffee Board’s latest data.

 

In the first eight months of the calendar year 2023, coffee exports in volume were down at at 2.74 lakh tonnes compared to last year’s 2.86 lakh tonnes. In value terms, the shipments were up 4.25 per cent at $831.43 million compared with $797.50 million a year ago. In rupee value, shipments have witnessed a higher growth at Rs.6,843 crore (Rs.6,136 crore in the year-ago period).

 

India exports two-thirds of the coffee produced in the country. During the January-August period, the shipments of India-grown coffees were down marginally at 2.06 lakh tonnes (2.23 lakh tonnes), mainly on account of a dip in robusta exports. However, imports for re-exports were up at 68,257 tonnes (63,286 tonnes). India imports coffees mainly the robusta variety from countries such as Vietnam to re-export them as value-added coffees.

 

Shipments of the arabica parchment variety during January-August were up at 30,458 tonnes (28,079 tonnes), while the arabica cherry were almost flat at 6,323 tonnes (6381 tonnes). Robusta parchment shipments were down at 22,492 tonnes (24,217 tonnes), while the robusta cherry exports were down 1.19 lakh tonnes (1.41 lakh tonnes). Italy continues to be the largest buyer of Indian coffees at 41,180 tonnes, followed by Germany at 27,380 tonnes and Russian Federation at 20,553 tonnes.

 

Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing on the moon, and this quarter’s (Q1FY24) GDP growth rate of 7.8 per cent, will bolster India’s image in the upcoming G20 final meetings, scheduled on September 9-10. India can showcase not only its scientific prowess in space technologies but also the management of its economy, which looks set to clock the highest growth rate amongst G20 countries for two successive years. This will surely be lauded by many, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to announce India’s emergence on the global stage during this Amrit Kaal up to 2047, making science and economy deliver for humanity at large under the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – One Earth, One Family, One Future.

 

The question before us is: How can India with its G20 presidency walk the talk to benefit the masses in the Global South for whom food and nutritional security is still a challenge, one made worse by climate change? The likely answer to this question is embedded in the Deccan High-Level Principles as outlined in the ‘Outcome Document and Chair’s Summary’ of the Agriculture Working Group (AWG) of G20 nations that was held on June 15-17 at Hyderabad. The Deccan High-Level Principles are: One, facilitate humanitarian assistance to countries and populations in vulnerable situations; two, enhance availability and access to nutritious food and strengthen food safety nets; three, strengthen policies and collaborative actions for climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems; four, strengthen resilience and inclusivity in agriculture and food value chains; five, promote the one health approach; six, accelerate innovation and the use of digital technology, and seven, scale-up responsible public and private investments in agriculture.

A conclave titled ‘Basmati Rice No Compromise’, was organised under the aegis of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) here on Friday, as a part of public interest education and awareness initiative.

 

FSSAI commissioner Punjab Abhinav Trikha said it was important to set standards and ensure that those are being met. The FSSAI had recently released regulations on identity standards for Basmati rice, including brown Basmati, milled Basmati, parboiled brown Basmati, and milled parboiled Basmati, to encourage balanced nutrition and enhance food safety awareness among consumers.

 

The first-ever regulations take on the issue of rampant adulteration in Basmati rice sold in India and restrict the presence of non-Basmati grains to 15% in Basmati rice, ensuring that the consumers get unadulterated and quality rice.

 

Ayush Gupta, business head, India market of KRBL Limited and a Basmati rice industry leader, said, 'The FSSAI regulations will undoubtedly bolster consumer confidence in the authenticity and safety of our cherished Basmati rice, both within India and globally.'