Traders associated with oilseed export business said that oilseed exporters are currently getting good orders from South East Asia, Latin America and Africa and the export of oilseeds is expected to increase by 10 to 15 per cent in the current financial year.

 

Oilseeds exports have increased by more than 20 per cent to $1.33 billion (Rs 10,900 crore) in the financial year 2022-23.

 

Shankar Thakkar, national president of the All India Edible Oil Traders Federation and general secretary of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAT), said 'Mainly groundnut, sesame, soyabean, Raida and sunflower seeds are exported. Also the area under oilseeds cultivation increased this year. This will increase production and with the increase in production, exports will also increase.'

 

At the national level, the share of Madhya Pradesh in the total cultivated area of oilseeds is 34.64 per cent. Maharashtra has 22 per cent, Gujarat 13.53 per cent, Rajasthan 11.43 per cent, Karnataka 5.04 per cent, Andhra Pradesh 5.02 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 2.66 per cent, Telangana 1.74 per cent and Tamil Nadu 1.21 per cent while India exports oilseeds to Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and European Union wherein groundnut and sesame account for 80 to 85 per cent of the total exports of oilseeds.

 

Shankar Thakkar said that on the one hand, the government is importing substandard oilseeds and edible oils on a large scale and, on the other hand, it is getting the nutritious and healthy oilseeds produced in the country exported abroad, which should be stopped.

India expects two more rounds of negotiations for the conclusion of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) by the end of the year.

 

While the legal scrubbing of the Supply Chain Agreement - which was finalised in May - is on, discussions are moving fast on the clean economy and fair economy pillars, said people aware of the matter.

 

The fourth round of IPEF negotiations took place from July 9-15 in South Korea. India is yet to take a call on joining the trade pillar of the IPEF.

 

'There are two more rounds to go before it gets concluded. Discussions are on for pillars 3 and 4,' said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified.

 

Pillar 3 in the IPEF relates to a clean economy while Pillar 4 deals with a fair economy.

 

In order to protect the heritage and pride of Tamil Nadu and make it known to the world, the state government would apply for Geographical Indication tag for 15 types of unique agricultural products.

 

'The state has decided to get GI tags for another 15 products. It will apply soon. Already, the government has got GI tags for 16 products and has applied for another 16 products. We hope that we will get more GI tags to save our future and identity,' said a senior agricultural official preferring anonymity.

 

In the new move, Arasampatti Thennai (coconut tree), Aandarkulam Kaththiri (eggplant), Karuppugauni arisi (black brown rice), Krishnagiri panneer roja (panneer rose), Kottimulai kaththiri (eggplant), Sathur Vellari (cucumber), Sengal thuvarai (thur dal), Vilathikulam Milagai (chilli), Javvadhumalai saamai (type of lentil), Veeramangudi achuvellam (raw jaggery), Virudhunagar adhalaikkaai (type of vegetable), Moolanur Murungai (drumstick), Madurai Sengarumbu (red cane), Peravoorani Thennai (coconut tree) and Tindivanam panippayaru (type of lentil) are to get GI tags in the future.

 

Welcoming the move, EV Elankeeran, president of the Federation of Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Association said that getting Geographical Index tags for our own unique products will benefit the farmers.

 

'GI tag is very important for the farmers. Tamil Nadu government’s move will benefit the farmers and develop their business worldwide. Already the government got GI tags for 16 various products, including Madurai Malli (jasmine). This creates a little trust among the farmers. But, we need GI tag for millets too. Especially for Neem tree and its products. Government has to consider this,' he added.

Tamil Nadu has toppled Gujarat as the top exporting state of India at the Export Preparedness Index 2022 with Gujarat at number four behind Maharashtra and Karnataka.

 

Gujarat had been the top performing state in the first two editions of the index. The report, prepared by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Institute for Competitiveness, suggests timely intervention to remove export preparedness disparities among states to ensure sustainable export growth as India aims to achieve exports of $1 trillion by 2030.

 

As per the index, released on Monday, the top 10 exporting states of India in the order of their ranking are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.

 

Top performers among coastal states are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh while Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura and Sikkim are the top five states in the Himalayan category.

 

Further, in the category of landlocked countries, Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh are the top five exporting states while Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Ladkah emerged as the top exporting states among union territories and small states category.

 

Ranking the export performance of districts, the index shows Jamnagar, Surat, Mumbai suburban, Mumbai and Pune as the top five exporting districts of the country.

 

According to the index, out of the 680 districts which engage in exports, the top hundred districts contribute around 87% of the total exports from India. '66 of the hundred districts are present in seven states, which are coincidentally the top performing states, in terms of exports in the country,' it said.

 

Certain measures suggested to boost exports include location-specific strategies for exports, diversification of export markets, focus on high growth sectors and manufacturing competitiveness, leveraging foreign markets using free tarde agreements (FTAs) and improving data availability of exports

 

EPI assesses the performance of the states and UTs across four pillars, namely, policy, business ecosystem, export ecosystem and export performance. Each pillar is composed of sub-pillars, which in turn capture a state’s performance using relevant indicators.

 

According to the Aayog, developing the methodology for the index is an evolving process which constantly incorporates stakeholder feedback. 'Thus, the results and rankings published in this edition are not directly comparable to the previous editions,' the Aayog said.

The Tamil Nadu State Agriculture Marketing Board and NABARD Madurai Agribusiness Incubation Forum have awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) certificate to the Authoor betel leaves from Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu. The certificate is granted in the name of Authoor Vattara Vetrilai Vivasayigal Sangam. This GI recognition opens up new avenues for marketing the Authoor betel leaves, enabling their reach in both domestic and international markets, tapping into their marketing potential.

 

The Unique Authoor Betel Leaf: A Spicy and Pungent Delight for Special Occasions

 

The Authoor betel leaf, predominantly utilized during special occasions such as temple festivals, housewarmings, and weddings, possesses a distinctively spicy and pungent flavor.

This exceptional leaf is exclusively found in the village of Authoor, situated in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, owing to the utilization of Thamirabarani River water for irrigation purposes in the local fields.

Cultivated across an extensive area spanning approximately 500 acres of land, encompassing regions like Mukkani, Authoor, Korkai, Suganthalai, Vellakoil, and other Mukkani villages, the Authoor betel leaf showcases elongated stalks and is available in three distinct varieties. These three varieties include nattukodi, karpoori, and pachaikodi.

The significance of Authoor betel leaves in Tamil culture is highlighted by their mention in the 13th-Century book ‘The Travels of Marco Polo (The Venetian)’. Additionally, the rich historical value and importance of Authoor betel leaves are further evidenced by various ancient stone inscriptions.

 

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

 

The Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognized as the Geographical Indication Certification, is a form of intellectual property right awarded to a product to signify its origin from a specific geographic region.

This certification is granted to products that possess unique qualities or a reputation closely associated with that particular region.

To qualify as a GI, the product must feature a distinctive sign indicating its origin from a specific geographical area.

In India, the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai is responsible for granting the GI tag. There are over 400 GI tag products from India. Tamil Nadu is one of the states with the most GI-tagged products to its credit.

Key takeaways for competitive examinations

 

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu: M. K. Stalin

The Global Food Regulators Summit 2023 is set to be organised in Delhi for the first time, as a G-20 event.

 

The summit is being organised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on  20-21 July 2023 here at Manekshaw Auditorium.

 

Food Regulators from over 40 countries will participate along with representatives from 30 International Organisations and 25 International Research Institutes/Universities.

 

Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) unveiled the logo of the Summit today in the presence of Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof SP Singh Baghel.

 

'This is the first time the summit is being held outside Rome, Italy. The Global Food Regulators Summit will focus on the crucial aspect of food safety, which needs as much attention as food security', he stated.

 

The Union Minister further expressed his confidence that through collective efforts, the summit would lead to the harmonisation of global food safety standards, improved regulatory frameworks, and the provision of safe and high-quality food for consumers worldwide.

 

Prof SP Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare calling the Global Food Regulators Summit both important and relevant said, 'This summit aligns with the theme of India’s G20 Presidency- One Earth, One Family, One Future. Indian tradition has always been about Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, and this summit is a step in that direction.'

 

The Summit will witness the launch of a Common Digital Dashboard—a unified IT portal providing comprehensive information on standards, regulations, notifications, advisories, guidelines, contamination limits, and the latest developments by Food Regulators in India.

 

The Summit will witness the launch of several groundbreaking initiatives that will revolutionize the accessibility and sharing of food safety information. Among these initiatives is the release of Food-o-Copoeia, a comprehensive collection of food category-wise monographs, serving as a single-point reference for all applicable standards for specific product categories.

 

Another remarkable initiative is the common regulator's platform 'SaNGRAH' (Safe Food for Nations: Global Food Regulatory Authorities Handbook).

 

It is a comprehensive database of Food Regulatory Authorities from 76 countries worldwide, presenting their mandates, food safety ecosystems, food testing facilities, contact details for food authorities, and information related to SPS/TBT/Codex/ WAHO. SaNGRAH is available not only in Hindi and English but also in six Indian languages—Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.

 

Additionally, the Summit will witness the launch of a Common Digital Dashboard—a unified IT portal providing comprehensive information on standards, regulations, notifications, advisories, guidelines, contamination limits, and the latest developments by Food Regulators in India.

 

G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO, of FSSAI, said, 'Over the course of two days, the summit will feature a diverse range of activities, including keynote addresses by international organizations and scientists, technical and plenary sessions with food regulators, interactive sessions with national and international stakeholders, and bilateral and multilateral meetings to address current and emerging challenges.' 

Trichy district administration has set a target of 580 hectares of organic cultivation under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for 2023-2024.

According to the government manual, PKVY aims at supporting and promoting organic farming, in turn resulting in improvement of soil health. The objective is to produce agricultural products free of chemicals and pesticides residues by adopting eco-friendly, low-cost technologies. The key thrust areas of PKVY include promoting organic farming among rural youth, farmers, consumers and traders. It also aims to disseminate latest technologies in organic farming, utilize services of experts from public agricultural research system in India, and organize a minimum of one cluster demonstration in a village.

Taking it forward, the district administration and the agriculture department have planned to implement the scheme on 580 hectares including 400 hectares for groups and 180 hectares for individuals, said district collector M Pradeep Kumar.

Under the scheme, 20 farmers in a village or two to three nearby villages will form a cluster and get involved effectively in organic farming.

 

The scheme provides a subsidy of Rs 50,000 a hectare in three instalments including Rs 16,500 for the first year, 17,000 for the second year and Rs 16,500 for the third year.

Not only new farmers but also those already involved in organic farming can get Rs 6,000 subsidy per hectare for three years. Interested farmers can login to http://tnagrisnet.tn.gov.in or Uzhavan mobile application for registration, or contact the assistant director of agriculture department.

The government on Monday simplified norms for exporters to avail benefits of an advance authorisation scheme under which free imports of input materials are allowed.

 

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) implements this scheme under the Foreign Trade Policy.

 

The eligibility of inputs is determined by sector-specific norms committees based on input-output norms.

 

To make the norms fixation process more efficient, the DGFT said that it has created a user-friendly and searchable database of ad-hoc norms fixed in the previous years.

 

These norms can be used by any exporter without approaching the norms committee, it added.

 

The database is hosted on the DGFT website (https://dgft.gov.in) and allows users to search using export or import item descriptions, technical characteristics, or Indian tariff classification codes.

 

'This trade facilitation measure simplifies the advance authorisation and norms fixation process, resulting in shorter turnaround times for exporters, improved ease of doing business, and reduced compliance burden,' it added.

 

Explaining the process, the directorate stated that to access the database, an exporter or public can visit the DGFT website and if an ad-hoc norm matches the item description, the applicant can apply for the scheme under the 'No-Norm Repeat' basis.

 

This option, it said, allows users to obtain an advance authorisation without approaching the committee again, reducing the workload and enabling faster processing.

 

The commerce ministry is taking a series of measures to promote ease of doing business for exporters, which are hit by global demand slowdown and war between Russia and Ukraine.

 

India's exports contracted by 22 per cent, the steepest decline in the last three years, to USD 32.97 billion in June on account of global demand slowdown, especially in the Western markets like the US and Europe.

Describing the MoUs signed with UAE on Saturday as an important aspect of cooperation between the two nations, PM Narendra Modi said, 'It paves the way for enhanced economic collaboration and will make international financial interactions simpler. Our bilateral trade has grown by 20%. '

The first of these MoUs, signed by RBI governor Shaktikanta Das with his UAE counterpart Khaled Mohamed Balama, is seen as aimed at shielding traders from both sides from fluctuations in exchange rate, while creating a window for Emirati companies to invest in India given that the UAE has a trade surplus with India. The UAE is among India’s top three trading partners and is home to many Indian workers, besides being a major destination for Indian tourists.

The steps come amid a move towards de-dollarisation in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has forced countries to look at alternative payment channels to keep trade lines flowing. According to industry sources, a large part of India’s trade with Russia is being settled in dirhams. Separately, the government and RBI are also trying to internationalise the rupee and had, on last count, allowed 60 banks from 18 countries to settle transactions in rupee through a special account. The MoU with the UAE takes the initiative a step further.

'Creation of the Local Currency Settlement System (LCSS)… would enable the development of an INR-AED [UAE dirham] foreign exchange market. This arrangement would also promote investments and remittances between the two countries. Use of local currencies would optimise transaction costs and settlement time for transactions, including for remittances fromIndians residing in the UAE,' the RBI said.

 

The agreement covers all current account transactions and permitted capital account transactions. 'This arrangement would also promote investments and remittances between the two countries,' RBI added.

Typically, under such deals, a swap arrangement is worked out and the two central banks periodically settle the surplus at a fixed exchange rate, helping cushion traders from exchange rate risks. China had used over three dozen bilateral agreements to internationalise the yuan, industry sources said.

 

'By dealing in local currencies, risk of exchange rates can be avoided. Trading in local currencies also expedites the settlement process besides boosting two-way trade with the partner country with stability and transparency. This will be an icing on the cake for exploiting the opportunities offered by the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement,' said Ajay Sahai, DG & CEO at industry body Federation of Indian Export Organisations.

The second MoU dealt with ‘Payments and Messaging Systems’ and includes linking the Fast Payment Systems (FPSs) — Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India with the Instant Payment Platform (IPP) of the UAE. It also envisages linking the respective payment card switches — RuPayswitch and UAESWITCH.

'RBI has developed the SFMS messaging network and the UAE has one of their own. The idea is that for all transaction settlement between bank to bank, the messaging will be done through this and there is no need to go through SWIFT,' the RBI governor said.

This is seen as a foundation to creating an alternative to SWIFT as the two central banks have also agreed to explore the linking of payments messaging systems — the Structured Financial Messaging System (SFMS) of India with the messaging system in the UAE.

Following the sanctions, Russia has been relying on an alternative switching arrangement to undertake overseas transactions, prompting other governments and central banks to also think of similar arrangements.

The UPI-IPP linkage will enable users in either country to make fast, convenient, safe and cost-effective crossborder funds transfers. Similarly, linking the respective card switches will facilitate the mutual acceptance of domestic cards and the processing of card transactions.

 

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the contribution of agriculture and allied sectors to the country's GDP can be further enhanced by strengthening marketing, for which Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are the key. Addressing a conclave here, the minister said agriculture can become a profitable business if modern technology and marketing methods are adopted. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and FPOs can help in this endeavour.

 

Shah said FPOs formed by PACS are more capable to provide benefits to farmers compared to FPOs set up by individuals, companies and partnerships.

 

He also asked existing FPOs to have an agreement with PACS.

 

Shah noted that agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries sectors are the backbone of the Indian economy. The growth in these sectors will not only help in increasing GDP but also create job opportunities.

 

Shah highlighted the initiatives taken by the Narendra Modi government in the last nine years in the agriculture sector to boost farmers' income.

 

He said the budget for the agriculture sector in 2023-24 is Rs 1.15 lakh crore against around Rs 22,000 crore in 2013-14.

 

Shah said the MSP has been increased significantly and strengthened procurement operations.

 

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Minister of State for Cooperation BL Verma also attended the event.