The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 95th Foundation Day today at National Agriculture Science Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.

 

 Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and President of ICAR Society was the Chief Guest of the program. Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry - Dairying and Shri Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare also graced the occasion.

 

 Shri Tomar appreciated the historic journey of ICAR and its overall achievements during the last 94 years. He exhorted that India is a surplus nation in terms of food grains and providing food to 80 crore people of the country. With the encouragement of Prime Minister, new technology in agriculture has been promoted through various new mission programs for the benefit of farmers. Agricultural products from India are being preferred globally and millets are getting significance in the International Year of Millets, he added. This is happening because of sincere efforts of farmers and scientists. The Minister said exports earning from agricultural and horticultural product have crossed 50 billion US dollar. He informed that Government is giving emphasis on organic farming and natural farming and a separate mission has been initiated with budget provision of Rs.1500 crore for promotion of eco-friendly agriculture. Further, he lauded the scientists and farmers for their great service to the nation in making the country not only self-sufficient in many commodities but also becoming exporter of food items.

 

Shri Rupala acclaimed ICAR for several remarkable achievements which have revolutionized the dairy and fisheries sector. He further mentioned that the time has come to earn carbon credits from agriculture which can be explored for additional income. He also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing innovative technologies developed by 113 ICAR research institute.

 

Shri Choudhary shared his views on the occasion and appreciated ICAR. He further mentioned that after 5 years ICAR will complete 100 years and this is the right time to strategize to set milestones for advancement in agriculture to be achieved in centenary year.

 

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR) said that unprecedented growth in the agriculture sector has been recorded. He emphasised that India is not only self-sufficient in the production of food grains, but are also exporting agriculture and agricultural products in large quantities.  In his presentation, he highlighted about the achievement made by ICAR such as development of 346 varieties of food grains, 99 varieties of horticulture crops, mapping of efficient cropping system zones, fertigation schedule for 24 crops, 28 new equipment’s and machineries, corona virus and lumpi disease vaccines, new diagnostics, breeding protocol of new fish breeds, conduction of 47088 on farm trials and 2.99 lakh front line demonstration on new technologies. He also mentioned that 58 patents and 711 technology licencing agreements were signed by agriculture scientist from different industries. In order to promote agriculture innovations for commercialization, Scientist-Industry interface meetings are also organized as side event.

 

Earlier Shri Sanjay Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary ICAR delivered welcome address.

 

Members of the ICAR Governing Body, Senior Officials of ICAR Head Quarters, Directors of ICAR Institutes, Scientists and Vice-Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities, farmers, agri-preneurs participated in the event.

 

This is first time, the Foundation day is celebrated as Technology day, therefore, an exhibition has been organized to show case ICAR technologies for the benefit of farmers, students and agri-industry. This exhibition has been opened for public from 16-18 July, 2023 for awareness to the people about the innovations made by ICAR.

A two-day Stakeholder Workshop Meeting was concluded today here. The meeting was organized to review the progress of Phase-III of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme which aims to develop end to end organic value chains in North Eastern States.

 

On 13th July 2023 progress made under the scheme was reviewed with focus on how to liquidate the committed liability of Phase III and roadmap for implementation of Phase IV of the scheme staring 2023-24. States were requested to suggest the activities and plans which could be taken up associated with availability of funds under MOVCDNER Scheme.

 

Shri Rakesh Ranjan, Additional Secretary (INM), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare chaired the meeting on 14th July 2023, in the presence of Dr. Yogita Rana, JS (INM) and Shri Angshuman Dey, JS (MDONER). The representatives of the 8 NE States (Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Tripura), NEDFi and officers from Ministry of Agriculture and FW and MoRD participated in the workshop. The session started with presentation on the recommendations given by the states on Day 1 to scale up the scheme and have a robust implementation system.

 

Shri Rakesh Ranjan, Additional Secretary (INM), emphasized the importance of service providers to facilitate market linkages and creating brand value of organic products. He also highlighted the focus of the Government in NE and exhorted the 8 states to ensure the complete utilization of funds earmarked for NE states, focus on export of organic products to ensure maximum benefit to the farmers of the NE region.

 

MOVCDNER scheme launched during 2015-16 has helped in bringing 1.73 lakh ha area under organic farming benefiting 1.89 lakh farmer. During this period 379 FPOs/FPCs were formed involving creation of 205 Collection, Aggregation and Grading units, 190 Custom Hiring Centres and 123 Processing unit and Pack houses. 7 Brands have also been developed.  

 

Brief presentation was made by NEDFi on marketing and entrepreneurial support followed by presentation from Officials of various schemes of DA&FW and MoRD to explore convergence opportunities in NER. The following points of convergence were highlighted during discussion:

 

Per Drop More Crop- Shri Yogesh Roundal, Assistant Director (RFS)- Promote micro irrigations among farers through the FPOs and leverage MGNREGRA for MI projects by developing crop specific estimates.

National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)-Shri Raman Wadhwa, Deputy Director (NRLM)- 2 FPCs to be developed through convergence with NRLM at state level by defining roles and responsibilities of SRLM as IA and CLF as CBBOs

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund- Shri K.R. Meena, Director (AIF)- Workshop to be conducted in Guwahati where FPO wise challenges will be identified, and banks shall be engaged to facilitate credit

MGNREGA- Smt. Himanshi, Assistant Director (MGNREGA)- Support for fencing and land development to be explored through MGNREGA.

Sub-Mission for Agriculture Mechanization- Shri Arvind Meshram, Deputy Commissioner, (SMAM)- Study to be undertaken by Biswanath School of Agriculture to identify suitable machines for NER. States to provide information on machine requirement of FPOs and awareness will be generated among them by circulating videos and modules.

Integrated Scheme of Agriculture Marketing- Shri Kapil Bendre, Director (ISAM)-Conducting training programs for FPOs and onboarding them on the e-Nam portal and helping FPOs to access a combination of AMI and AIF Schemes.

Agriculture Technology Management Agency – Dr. Y.R. Meena, Additional Commissioner (Extension) – Engaging ATMA functionaries and experts to ensure training and awareness programs for farmers.

There was active participation by the state representatives who presented the progress, success stories and operational challenges faced by them under the scheme. The session was concluded by closing remarks by Dr. Yogita Rana, Joint Secretary (INM) where she shared her broader vision for the scheme and encouraged states to achieve convergence by leveraging the MOVCDNER scheme as a conduit.

Authoor betel leaves from Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district recently received a Geographical Indication (GI) certificate.

 

The GI tag felicitated by the Tamil Nadu State Agriculture Marketing Board and NABARD Madurai Agribusiness Incubation Forum, is registered in the name of Authoor Vattara Vetrilai Vivasaigal Sangam.

 

The betel leaves commonly known as 'Vettrilai' have been mentioned in the 13th century book of Marco Polo, ‘The Venetian’.

 

Thoothukudi district officials told IANS that several ancient stone inscriptions reveal the archaic richness and significance of Authoor Vettrilai in Tamil culture.

 

Sources in Thoothukudi district administration told IANS that steps are being taken to market the GI tag of the Authoor betel leaves across the country as well as in International markets.

 

The GI certificate will soon be served to the Authoor Vattarai Vettrilai Viyabarigal Sangam.

Arunachal Pradesh has added two more products to its list of Geographical Indications (GI) tagged food products. The renowned Khaw Tai (Khamti Rice), cultivated by traditional Khampti tribal farmers in the Namsai region, and the prized Yak milk product ‘Yak Churpi’ from West Kameng and Tawang districts have now received official recognition.

 

Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed his joy and pride in this remarkable achievement, emphasizing its significance in highlighting the rich biodiversity of the state. Taking to Twitter, Khandu wrote, 'Arunachal’s indigenous varieties, Khaw Tai (Khamti rice), and Yak milk product – Yak Churpi, have found mention in the GI food products list of the Government of India. This achievement further fosters pride and appreciation for the rich biodiversity of our state. With the addition of these two items to the GI tags, following Idu Mishmi textiles and Arunachal Wakro Orange, we receive yet another great news.'

 

Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy Development, Tage Taki, also expressed his delight on social media, stating, 'It is a matter of pride and honor to announce that the indigenous ‘Khamti Lahi’ rice from Namsai and the ‘Arunachali Yak Churpi’ from West Kameng and Tawang districts have been conferred with the highly esteemed GI Tag. Sincere greetings to all concerned.'

 

The GI tag provides legal protection and recognition to products that possess unique qualities due to their geographical origin. This recent accomplishment further elevates Arunachal Pradesh’s cultural and agricultural heritage, showcasing its diverse and exceptional food offerings to the world.

A day after food inflation surged, India is considering banning exports of most rice varieties, news agency Bloomberg reported on Thursday. This move by India, the world’s biggest rice shipper, may send already lofty global prices of the food staple higher as the disruptive El Niño weather pattern returns.

 

The Narendra Modi-led government is now discussing a plan to ban exports of all non-Basmati rice, the report said. Authorities want to avoid the risk of more inflation before elections, it added. The ban, which may affect around 80 per cent of India's rice exports, can reduce rice prices within India but may impact global prices negatively.

 

Uneven distribution of rainfall in the key rice-growing areas of the country has pushed up prices of the grain by up to 20% in the last 10 days, ET reported earlier this week.

 

India accounts for more than 40% of world rice exports, which were 56 million tonnes in 2022, but low inventories mean any cut in shipments will fuel food prices driven up by Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year and erratic weather.

 

'India was the cheapest supplier of rice,' B.V. Krishna Rao, president of the Rice Exporters Association (REA), told Reuters. 'As Indian prices moved up because of the new minimum support price, other suppliers also started raising prices.' Rice is a staple for more than 3 billion people and nearly 90% of the water-intensive crop is produced in Asia, where the El Nino weather pattern usually brings lower rainfall.

 

Last year, India banned broken rice exports and imposed a 20% duty on shipments of white and brown rice after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent prices of food staples like wheat and corn soaring. The country has also restricted wheat and sugar exports.

 

Rice prices in Asia have surged to the highest level in more than two years as importers build up stockpiles on fears that the onset of El Niño will parch plantations and damage crops.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, will hold a meeting with global food regulators, including G20 countries, on July 20-21.

 

The meeting is aimed at strengthening the food safety system and regulatory framework across the global food value chain, according to a report in the Mint.

 

According to the apex food regulator, the food safety and regulatory system in India needs to constantly evolve to counter the emerging food hazards, and pandemic scenarios.

 

An official said that the FSSAI is seeking participation of food regulators from around 60 countries, including G20 member countries.

 

'This is an opportunity to enable a common dialogue on food safety, food standards, risk assessment, analytical competence, labelling. Besides this, it will enable the food value chain stakeholders such as government, food manufacturers, processors, exporters and importers to understand food safety and regulatory framework in other countries,' the official added.

 

The meeting will include the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with countries such as the Netherlands, Australia, and Morocco on food safety measures.

 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), food safety is a major determinant of health. The WHO stated that one in 10 people worldwide fall ill from eating contaminated food each year.

 

Unsafe food costs low- and middle-income countries approximately $110 billion each year in productivity and medical expenses.

 

According to the Food Service and Restaurant Business Report, 2022-23, India’s food service market is expected to reach $79.65 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.19 per cent from $41.1 billion in 2022.

 

The official said that the summit will help in understanding emerging challenges and define a way forward to ensure effective implementation of food safety, quality and regulatory norms,  according to the Mint report.

 

The FSSAI plans to launch the first-ever common digital platform — Food-o-Copoeia — an online guide prepared by any food authority in the world to capture all requirements related to quality, safety, labelling, claims, documents, regulations, and prohibitions for a specific food product.

A review meeting was held on Seasonal Conditions and Kharif activities today chaired by Dr Yogita Rana, Joint Secretary (INM), MoAFW, GoI and Shri M Raghunandan Rao, APC & Secretary, A&C Department, Govt of Telangana. Apart from this, the implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Central Sector Schemes in Agriculture was also reviewed in detail in the presence of all the concerned scheme nodal officers of the State. 

 

A detailed presentation was made by Shri M Raghunandan Rao, on the current seasonal conditions prevailing in Telangana and Kharif Preparedness activities and drought mitigation measures. The following were highlighted in the presentation.

 

The gross cropped area of Telangana state was increased from 129.04 lakh acres (in 2014-15) to 232.58 lakh acres (in 2022-23).

Paddy sown area predominantly increased from 22.74 lakh acres (2014 kharif) to 64.99 lakh acres (2022 Kharif)

Seed and Fertilizers availability position as on date is comfortable.

More than 950 Agro Rythu Seva Kendras (ARSKs) are functioning for supply of agriculture inputs including Fertilizers.

Promotion of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Nano Urea, Split application of Urea and promotion of green manure to reduce use of chemical fertilizers through Rythu Vedikas.

Initiatives are being taken up to bring mass awareness on Nano Urea by bringing all the stakeholders on a single platform.

He also highlighted that the current rain fall scenario in the state is with – 24% deficit and measures are being undertaken for drought preparedness in the state. District wise, crop contingency plans have already been prepared with the support of CRIDA, Hyderabad. Also, the alternate crops were identified in case of delayed rain.

 

Dr K Nagaratna from IMD informed that forecasting of the state will be only Normal Rainfall till August and the same scenario is also expected to continue even in September 2023.

 

As on 12th July 2023, 42.76 lakh acres of area has been sown in the state and is expected to further pick up over the next few days. Cotton has been sown in 31.88 lakh acres (where as normal area is 45 lakh acres) and Soyabean in 3.19 lakh acres (where as normal area is 4 lakh acres).  Although Cotton sowing window period is up to 20th July 2023 the other crops have sowing window up to 15th August 2023.

 

As far as implementation of Central schemes in the state is concerned, Telangana state has performed exceedingly well in implementing Per Drop More Crop scheme. In the year 2022-23, under this scheme 187.98 Cr of subsidy was provided and an area of 1,01,713 acres land has been brought under irrigation.

 

Further the GOI has been requested to consider the issues pertaining to PM Kisan, Price Support Scheme and FPOs for which the Joint Secretary, GOI asked for request letters for initiating necessary action.

 

Dr Yogita Rana, Joint Secretary, GoI also reviewed the status on implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes and the state department officials were requested to provide Utilization Certificates at the earliest for the expenditure incurred.

 

She appreciated the efforts taken by the state for integration of IT in to Agriculture. She also acknowledged that Telangana State has created many milestones in Agriculture progressively and showcasing best practices specially highlighting the Crop Booking Enhancement for monitoring the crop data validations and crop health status and also Online License Management System (OLMS) for Fertilizers, Seeds and Pesticides. Further, she mentioned that the Seed availability is more than sufficient in the state and hence suggested the Department to have a look at seed contingency plan to limit the movement of seed to other states in view of the deficit rain fall in the state.

 

The meeting was concluded by Sri M Raghunandan Rao, by extending thanks to Dr Yogita Rana, and other officials who participated in the meeting.

Farmers in Australia and Brazil are set to experiment with growing arhar (pigeon peas) for consumers in India, where demand for the popular yellow lentil the main ingredient of 'dal tadka' and 'sambhar' has been outpacing domestic production for some years now.

 

At a recent meeting between Australian Agriculture Minister Murray Watt, top officials of India's food ministry and representatives of the Indian Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), it was decided that IPGA will facilitate pigeon pea farming in Queensland with the help of the Australian trade body Pulse Australia, according to officials.

 

'We suggested to the Australian industry that it should grow pigeon peas for India, as India no longer imports chickpeas from Australia once the top supplier of chickpeas to India,' a top official told ET, requesting not to be named.

 

Satish Upadhyay, executive committee member, IPGA, said, 'Australia had earlier done trial production in 2019 and the quality was good. However, it could not go ahead as the prices in India were not remunerative for them. Now they have again started work to grow pigeon pea for the Indian market.' The sources, however, said that for the initiative to succeed, the Australian counterparts may like to get assured orders from the Indian government.

 

However, the official cited earlier said, 'A deficit of about 17 lakh tonnes in Indian demand and supply is itself an assurance for any seller of pigeon peas.'

 

Earlier this year, IPGA had signed an agreement with Brazil to help farmers there cultivate arhar, which is a new crop for the country.