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02 Aug, 2023 News Image

Production of Garlic.

The production of garlic for the year 2021-22 and 2022-23(1st Advance Estimates) in the Country are given below:

Year	Production (in ‘000Tonnes)
2021-22	3523
2022-23 (1st Advance Estimates)	3369

Planned research on genetic improvement of garlic for identification of varieties suitable for cultivation under different seasons and agro-climatic conditions in India is being carried out by the ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune and the National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation, Nasik. Further, location specific adoptive trails are being taken up at different locations of the country through ICAR- All India Network Research Project on Onion and Garlic (ICAR-AINRP on O&G), Pune.

The field trials were conducted to identify suitable varieties for cultivation during Kharif through ICAR-AINRP on O&Gat six locations (Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (Ooty)) for three years. Two varieties, Bhima Purple and G-282 performed better at three locations viz. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (Ooty), giving yield of 30.0-40.0 q/ha. However, the yield in Kharif season was quite less as compared to Rabi season. Gadag local, a land race from Karnataka, is being cultivated by growers during season and is giving better yield in Karnataka.

In addition, one advance breeding line of garlic namely, G-389 has been observed suitable for Kharif in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh as well as for Rabi.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Source: pib.gov.in

02 Aug, 2023 News Image

Commerce Ministry urged to ease non-basmati rice exports ban.

Rice exporters have approached the commerce ministry over the ban on the export of non-basmati rice, saying that many of them have letters of credit from foreign buyers and if they do not fulfil the contracts, they could face international arbitration.

Failing to fulfil export commitments could also hurt India's image in the global markets, they said.

India banned exports of non-basmati white rice on July 20 to keep a lid on the rising price of the staple food grain in the domestic market, as late arrival of monsoon and deficient rains till mid-June had created concerns about paddy output.

Companies often include international arbitration agreements in their commercial contracts. So, if a dispute arises, they are obligated to arbitrate rather than pursue traditional court litigation.

Sona Masoori non-basmati rice is popular in the African nations and among the Indian diaspora in the US and Europe, and the government should look into the matter, Rice Exporters Association president BV Krishna Rao said.

'We have written to the commerce ministry on this and have also informed them that any further ban can damage India's image in the global markets and it will take a long time to restore the markets, where we have penetrated. We have urged the government to provide a transitional arrangement for the exporters to ship the rice to these destinations,' Rao said.

Rice exporters are flooded with calls from the Indian diaspora living in the US, UK and Africa for Indian non-basmati Sona Masoori rice whose price has doubled in the global markets since India imposed the ban.

In the US, the price of 20 pounds of rice (9 kg) has increased to $49 (Rs 4,030) from $16, according to Rao and media reports.

India is the largest exporter of non-basmati rice with a 45% market share globally. In fiscal 2023, it exported 14.24 million tonnes of non-basmati rice. While India's ban on exports of non-basmati white rice has started impacting global markets, UAE's decision last Friday to put a temporary ban on exports and re-exports of rice from the country for four months will further deepen the crisis.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

02 Aug, 2023 News Image

Kerala to cash in on Centre s affinity for millets.

The Centre’s initiative to popularise the growing of millets has spurred Kerala to raise its millet acreage in Attapadi, the only tribal taluk in Palakkad district.

The plan is to enhance the area of cultivation under the Attapadi Millet Village project to 3,000 hectares from the present 1,200 hectares. 'We would be able to achieve the target as the yield in the first crop season in April-May-June planting is encouraging with an expected production of 520 tonnes vis-a-vis 720 tonnes in the two crop season last year,' R. Latha, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Attapadi told businessline.

The Kerala government had started the Millet Village project among the tribes in Attapadi in 2017 by focussing on their health and livelihood aspects. It commenced much before India declared 2018 as the year of millets and the UN declared the International Year of Millets in 2023.

Because of the traditional crop, Latha said the productivity was comparatively less due to lack of intense cultivation practices. Besides, the threat of wild animals also forced farmers to abandon the crop. The availability of essential commodities to tribals through the Public Distribution System was also a contributing factor for farmers losing interest in millet cultivation.

Measures to encourage

However, the government has come up with measures with subsidies to encourage millet farming by protecting farmlands through the installation of fences like electronic, beehive, solar, etc to scare away animals. This has encouraged farmers to take up cultivation.

Kerala’s procurement price of millets is also the highest in the country at Rs.40 per kg compared to Rs.25 in other states. The produce from organic farms fetches a price tag of Rs.60.

Currently, 192 tribal settlements are engaged in millet farming in Attapadi spearheaded by both State Agriculture Department as well as the Scheduled Tribes Department producing ragi, little millet (chama), barn-yard millet, fox tail millet, proso millet, sorghum, bajra, etc. Around 740 hectares of farm lands in 40 hamlets received organic certification which would be a major boost as they received higher prices, she said.

Since the present tribal farmers are getting old, Latha emphasised the need to woo younger generations into millet farming by making them familiar with value addition to earn more revenue. Today, the first priority of the yield is to address the nutritional needs of tribal people and the rest goes to the retail market.

Aimed at the export promotion of millets, Palakkad district administration conducts classes to familiarise various activities related to the shipping of products. It is also organising expos, distributing millet seeds to students to start farming at school levels. Atfam, the FPO, is also gearing up for exports on robust enquires, especially from Europe.

The Technopark-based UST and NGOs such as Thanal and Pan India jointly set up a millet processing unit in Agali town, which would benefit farmers in five tribal hamlets to avoid long distance travel for processing.

Source: thehindubusinessline.com

02 Aug, 2023 News Image

Farmer Welfare Scheme.

Details of five major schemes launched by the Government during the last four years are given in the Annexure. The efforts of Government for positive implementation of the schemes are yielding good result and the income of the farmers is improving. As a part of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has released a book, which contains compilation of success stories of 75,000 farmers out of innumerable successful farmers whose incomes have increased more than two times.

A comprehensive range of central sector and centrally sponsored schemes has been implemented by the Government to address various aspects of agriculture and benefit farmers including small and marginal farmers. However, there are currently no plans to implement a distinct policy for smaller farmers.

Annexure

Brief of five major schemes introduced by the Government during the last four years for farmers’ welfare

Sl No.	Scheme	Brief description
1.	The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)	The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme is being implemented with a view to provide income support to all landholding Farmers’ families across the country to enable them to take care of expenses related to agriculture and allied activities as well as domestic needs. The Scheme, effective from 1.12.2018, aims to provide a payment of Rs.6000/- per year for the farmers’ families with cultivable land holding, subject to certain exclusions. The financial benefit of Rs.6000/- is being released by the Central Government in three 4-monthly installments of Rs.2000/- over the year directly into the bank accounts of the eligible farmers under Direct Benefit Transfer mode.
2.	Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)	The Government of India has launched the Central Sector Scheme (CSS) for “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)” in the year 2020. Formation & promotion of FPOs are to be done through Implementing Agencies (IAs), which further engage Cluster Based Business Organizations (CBBOs) to form & provide professional handholding support to FPOs for a period of 05 years including preparation and execution of business plan for the concerned FPOs for ensuring better marketing opportunities & market linkages on sustainable basis.
3.	Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)	In order to address the existing infrastructure gaps and mobilize investment in agriculture infrastructure, Rs 1 lakh crore Agri Infra Fund was launched under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is a medium - long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and credit guarantee support.
4.	National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)	A new Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely, National Mission on Edible Oil (NMEO)-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) has been launched by Government of India to promote oil palm cultivation for making the country Aatamnirbhar in edible oils with special focus on North-Eastern States and A&N Islands. The Mission will bring additional area of 6.5 lakh ha under Oil Palm plantation with 3.28 lakh ha in north-eastern states and 3.22 in Rest of India in next 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
5.	National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM)	Keeping in view the importance of beekeeping, a new Central Sector Scheme entitled National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) was launched in 2020 under AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan for its implementation in the field for overall promotion and development of scientific beekeeping & to achieve the goal of “Sweet Revolution”.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Source: pib.gov.in

02 Aug, 2023 News Image

Growth of Agri Sector.

As per Provisional Estimates of National Income, 2022-23 released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the share of agriculture and allied sectors in total Gross value added (GVA) for the last five years is as under:

Year	Share of GVA of Agriculture & Allied Sector in Total Economy (at current prices) (%)
2017-18	18.3
2018-19	17.6
2019-20	18.3
2020-21	20.3
2021-22	19.0

During the last six years the agriculture and allied sector has been growing at 4.4% per annum. No specific target has been set for the growth of agriculture sector by the Government.

The Government has adopted and implemented several policies, reforms, developmental programmes and schemesfor improving the +agricultural growth prospects and incomes of the farmers.These include:

Supplementary income transfers under PM-KISAN of Rs. 6000/- per year in three equal instalments to eligible beneficiaries.
Increase in Minimum Support Price (MSPs) for all Kharif & Rabi crops ensuring a minimum of 50 percent of profit margin on the cost of production.
Crop insurance under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY).
Better access to irrigation under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
Special attention for creation of infrastructure through Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF) with a size of Rs. 100,000 crore.
New procurement policy under PM-AASHA in addition to FCI operations.
Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) offering production loan to even dairy & fishery farmers besides agricultural crops.
Formation and promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO).
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), which aims to evolve and implement strategies to make Indian agriculture more resilient to the changing climate.
Adoption of drone technologies in agriculture which has potential to revolutionize the Indian agriculture.
Benefits accruing under Bee-Keeping, Rashtriya Gokul Mission, Blue Revolution, Interest Subvention Scheme, Agro-forestry, Restructured Bamboo Mission, implementation of new generation watershed guidelines, etc.
Focus on application of digital technology at all stages of agricultural value chain.
Supply of fertilizer to farmer at subsidized price so as to reduce input cost.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Source: pib.gov.in

02 Aug, 2023 News Image

Mega food parks and FPUs.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing central sector umbrella scheme called 'Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)' since 2017-18 across the country. The basic objective of the scheme is to ensure overall development of food processing sector in the country. The scheme aims to achieve the objective by providing incentives for creation of preservation & processing infrastructure. The PMKSY has several component schemes. Under the component-scheme Mega Food Park Scheme (MFPS), financial assistance is provided for setting up of Mega Food Parks in the country. The scheme has been discontinued by the Government w.e.f. 01.04.2021 with provision for committed liabilities during 15th Finance Commission cycle. The other component schemes of PMKSY such as Agro Processing Cluster (APC), Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICC), Creation / Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities (CEFPPC) and Operation Greens (OG) provide for financial assistance for setting up of Food Processing Infrastructure/Units in the country.

Further, Ministry of Food Processing Industries is extending credit linked subsidy @35% of eligible project cost subject to maximum of Rs. 10 lakhs for upgradation of existing or setting up of new micro-food processing enterprises, under Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme.

State-wise details of financial assistance provided during each of the last three years by the Ministry for setting up of Mega Food Parks and Food Processing Units is at

Annexure.

Though MoFPI does not provide concessions or accords priority for the setting up of Food Processing Mega Food Parks and FPUs in the aspirational districts, but under the component schemes namely Cold Chain, APC, CEFPPC and OG, the following concessions are provided for proposals received from difficult areas such as Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), North Eastern Region, Hilly States etc.: -

The combined net worth of the applicant equal to the grants-in-aid sought against 1.5 times in general areas.

Term loan from the Bank for an amount not less than 10% of the total project cost against 20% in general areas.

Infusion of equity of at least 10% of the total project cost against 20% in general areas.

Minimum eligible project cost of Rs.1.00 (one) crore against Rs. 3.00 crore in general areas.

Grants-in-aid @50% of eligible project cost against @ 35% of the eligible project cost in general areas, subject to a maximum amount of Rs. 5.00 crore in case of CEFPPC scheme, Rs. 10.00 crore in case of APC and Cold Chain schemes and Rs.15.00 crore in case of OG scheme.

State-wise details of financial assistance provided during each of the last three years under Mega Food Park scheme (MFPS)

(Rs. In Crore)

Sl. No.	State/UT	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23
1	Andhra Pradesh	0	0.94	4.01
2	Arunachal Pradesh	12.02	0	0
3	Assam	0	3.84	0
4	Bihar	6.30	0	0
5	Chhattisgarh	3.53	0	0
6	Gujarat	12.65	0	0
7	Haryana	0	19.68	0
8	Himachal Pradesh	2.28	0	0
9	Karnataka	pib.gov.in
01 Aug, 2023 FSSAI for monitoring fruits & veggies against use of pesticides in high doses. The food authority has ordered for monitoring the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables in the markets, as media reports have surfaced about these commodities having pesticides and harmful chemicals in high doses. The FSSAI has written to all the Food Safety Commissioners in the country referring to the various media reports regarding vegetables and fruits having pesticides and harmful chemicals in high doses, being sold in major cities across India. Further NHRC has also taken suo-moto cognisance of the issues relating to excess use of pesticides by the farmers and has directed for taking measures to minimise pesticide risk and promotion of alternative systems directed of cultivation. The order reads, 'In order to curb the menace of excess use of pesticides during pre-marketing treatment of fruits and vegetables with the pesticides, it is requested to keep strict vigil in your respective State/UT on such Food Business Operators (FBOs) who are involved in the manufacturing/repacking fresh/surface-treated/minimally processed fruits and vegetables.' The FSSAI has also asked to employ measures like surveillance/ enforcement and awareness activities to ensure that the fresh fruit, vegetables comply with the provisions of FSS –Contaminants, Toxins and Residues - Regulations. 'In addition, awareness building measures through information, education, communication activities under Eat Right initiative may be conducted in fruit and vegetable markets/mandis to educate consumers and food businesses about the issues,' the order further reads. Source: fnbnews.com
01 Aug, 2023 India basmati rice exporters get requests for early shipments. Indian rice exporters have been receiving requests from buyers to advance shipments of basmati rice after New Delhi banned exports of non-basmati white rice to dampen local prices, industry officials told Reuters. The world's biggest exporter of rice surprised buyers earlier this month by imposing a ban on exports of non-basmati white rice after retail rice prices climbed 3 per cent in a month after late but heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage to crops. 'Buyers are requesting early shipments because they fear that the government might put restrictions on exports of basmati rice as well,' said Atul Garg, managing director at GRM Overseas, a leading exporter of basmati rice. Buyers usually sign long-term contracts with the assurance of dispatching a certain quantity every month. However, some of the buyers are now requesting to ship in August what was supposed to be shipped in September and October, he said. India exported around 4.5 million metric tons of basmati rice in 2022-23, with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and the United States among the top buyers. Non-basmati white rice, which India has banned for export, is mainly purchased by Senegal, Benin, Togo, Bangladesh, and Cote d'Ivoire. India never banned exports of basmati rice in the past but did impose export taxes in 2008. 'We are assuring buyers that there is no possibility of a ban on basmati rice exports but some buyers are afraid due to the government's recent decisions,' said another exporter based in New Delhi. India banned wheat exports in a surprise move last year and later imposed restrictions on exports of sugar and rice. Basmati rice is mainly produced in the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh, which were flooded earlier this year because of extremely heavy rainfall. But basmati rice growing areas have increased in 2023 and production is likely to be higher than last year, said Vijay Setia, an exporter. 'Many farmers in Uttar Pradesh are shifting to basmati rice from non-basmati because of higher prices,' Setia said. Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
01 Aug, 2023 India resumes pomegranate export to US. APEDA in collaboration with the National Plant Protection Organisation of India, US-APHIS, the Maharashtra government, and the Agriculture Marketing Board and National Research Centre on Pomegranate has facilitated the export of the first trial consignment of pomegranate to the US by air route. The shipment of the 'Bhagwa' variety of pomegranate with high antioxidant content from Maharashtra was carried out by APEDA-registered INI farms, one of the biggest exporters of fruits and vegetables. The best-known variety in India, Bhagwa, has generated a lot of demand. As part of the pilot project, 150 boxes (450 kg) of pomegranates were air-shipped to New York from the Vashi market in Navi Mumbai. The US imposed a ban on Indian pomegranate in 2017-18 after concerns were raised over fruit fly infestation in the pomegranate seeds. After the Indian government’s initiative to discuss the matter with the US, the ban was lifted in 2022 following the fulfilment of quality standards. Rising production in India The Indian pomegranate production is growing by 20 to 25 per cent every year, according to the APEDA. The demand is rising, both at the domestic level and in the export market. India is a growing player in destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. According to APEDA, India competes with various players globally, but it manages to stand out with unique varieties. UAE is the major importing country of Indian pomegranates, accounting for nearly 32 per cent of Indian global exports. India produces pomegranates throughout the year, hence its production basket is empirically larger than other countries. Source: thehindubusinessline.com
01 Aug, 2023 Meeting between MoS (Agriculture) Sushri Shobha Karandlaje and Deputy PM and Minister for Agriculture & Food Industries of Moldova, Mr Vladimir Bolea held. A meeting between Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Food Industries of Moldova, Mr Vladimir Bolea was held today at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. Welcoming the Moldovan Deputy PM and his delegation, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje mentioned about the 31 years of close and friendly diplomatic relations between India and Moldova. She expressed her happiness on opening of Moldovan Resident Mission in New Delhi. The Indian Minister also mentioned about the declaration of the year 2023 as International Years of Millets (IYOM) by the United Nations on the proposal from Govt. of India and highlighted the benefits of millets for health as well as the environment. Both Ministers emphasized on the potential for increasing bilateral trade in agricultural commodities and for strengthening of bilateral agricultural cooperation through exchange of knowledge and technology. Mr Vladimir Bolea congratulated India on becoming the 5th largest economy and also for India’s G20 Presidency. He proposed signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between the two countries in the field of Agriculture which would provide an institutional mechanism for cooperation between the two countries. Mr Bolea also expressed Moldova's interest in exporting vegetable oils to India and importing fertilizers and pesticides from India. He expressed Moldova’s support to India for its membership of UN Security Council in 2027 and informed that Moldova is a candidate to become an EU member and follows the EU standards and therefore their products are safe to consume. He highlighted the Moldovan culture of producing wine and apples as a way of life and expressed their interest in exporting these products to India. MoS agreed to the proposal of signing of an MoU and proposed that India will soon share a draft MoU with them. She also requested the Moldovan side to send proposal for cooperation in exchange of technology. The Moldovan Minister invited Sushri Shobha Karandlaje to visit Moldova. Source: pib.gov.in
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