Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare organized a Consultative Workshop on 'Technological Intervention & Innovations in the Honey / Beekeeping Sector' in New Delhi yesterday under National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM). Around 600 Beekeepers honey Startups/ FPOs, stakeholders in beekeeping, officials from various Ministries/ Government Organizations/ Institutes, State Departments of Horticulture, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/ Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs), etc. participated in the workshop physically and virtually.

 

In the opening remarks of workshop, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner briefed about the status and scenario of beekeeping in the country. He highlighted the importance of technological interventions in beekeeping. He explained the role of National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) and its contribution to strengthen the beekeeping sector, including provision of promotion of Honey FPOs and Agri startups through NBHM. He highlighted that implementation of NBHM scheme is also intended to strengthen the infrastructure facilities for honey collection, storage, processing, testing & branding centres, which ultimately enhance the export potential of honey in the nation. He also stated that GI Tagging may also become a great weapon to stop adulteration and malpractices in honey sector and encouraged the beekeepers/ stakeholders for getting GI Tagging & Geo referencing for their produce. 

 

He invited beekeepers/ other stakeholders to avail the facilities available under NBHM and to adopt beekeeping in a scientific manner to get additional income through honey & other beehive products. He assured full support to beekeepers across the country under the NBHM scheme.

 

Dr. N. K. Patle, Additional Commissioner Horticulture and Executive Director, National Bee Board (NBB) has given a brief presentation on role and achievements under NBHM, GI Tagging/ Geo referencing of honey in the country, success stories of beneficiaries assisted under NBHM, opportunities for beekeepers, agristart-ups/ stakeholders under NBHM, etc. Addressing the participants in the workshop, he stated that technological interventions in beekeeping are very much required. He stated that Government is committed towards increasing the overall potential of beekeeping industry in the country including supporting the honey startups and FPOs in beekeeping. He mentioned that 31 Mini Testing Labs and 4 Regional labs have been sanctioned under NBHM to assure the quality of honey in the country Madhukranti Portal is another initiative under NBHM to capture the data on beekeeping through registration of beekeepers/ other stakeholders.

 

He informed that NBHM is also supporting agri- entrepreneurs/ startups for their involvement in beekeeping/ Honey production. He mentioned that promotion & formation of FPOs is the first step for converting Krishi into Atmanirbhar Krishi and for this he assures that implementation of NBHM scheme will bring the revolutionary changes by strengthening the institutional framework in beekeeping sector and for formation & promotion of Honey FPOs and Honey Startups. He also invited all beekeeping stakeholders to come forward for obtaining GI tagging of their produce.

 

Shri Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary (Extension), DA&FW mentioned that for successful mission, infrastructure, innovations and technologically sound strategies must to be adopted to boost the sector. He also mentioned that the extension outreach of the mission to reach at ground level is another key for successful operation of the mission.

 

Dr. Balraj Singh, Vice-Chancellor, SKN Agriculture University, Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan also interacted with the participants in the workshop and briefed about the role and support from Central and State Agricultural Universities for promotion and development of beekeeping sector. He stated that trainings & skill development and Bee breeding must be encouraged to strengthen beekeeping sector. Dr. V. Geethalakshmi, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, also highlighted intervention of university and suggested measures to boost up the sector.

 

Shri P. Chandra Shekara, Director General, MANAGE briefed about the potential of Agri Startups in beekeeping sector and mentioned that MANAGE is a one-stop solution for creating successful ventures in agriculture & allied sectors. He suggested working on literature on beekeeping and it must be available in different regional languages to make more outreach of the scheme. He suggested more capacity building program and setup ecosystem for startups and entrepreneurs in beekeeping sector.

 

Shri Nirmal Vasrshney from Only and Surely Organic Products company, Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh also shared their experiences in beekeeping and guided beekeepers/ small entrepreneurs to expand their business and come forward for availing the assistance under NBHM. Shri Noor Mohamad Bhatt, Valley Apiaries & Food Products, Pulwama, J& K suggested for providing support to old beekeepers and adulteration in honey should be restricted.

 

Shri Amit Dhanuka from Kejriwal Enterprises, New Delhi suggested regarding honey pricing stability and ask for awareness about the mustard honey crystallization and restriction on antibiotics in honey adulteration of C3 & C4 and antibiotics

 

Shri Jayakumar, Director Marthandam Honey FPO, Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu stated that as GI tagging of honey will help to enhance the economic prosperity of producers of GI tag by enhancing their demand in national and international markets. He encouraged all the stakeholders involved in beekeeping to come forward for GI tagging of their produce. He also informed that he had applied for GI tag for Marthandam honey, which is under active consideration by respective authorities.

 

Shri Nimit Singh from Madhumakkhi Wala, Barabank, U.P. introduced about their Honey startups and also encouraged the beekeepers/ other stakeholders to expand their profession by making honey-startups and availing assistance under schemes of Govt. of India.

 

Dr. Arjun Singh Saini, Director General (Horticulture), Govt. of Haryana, suggested integrated way for beekeeping sector to produce quality honey, wax-sheet manufacturing in the area, and quality honey production as the lab is approved for national facility and it will be operational in a year. He also highlighted the issues related to trust between exports and beekeepers. So, the trade centers should be required to provide common platform. NBB should target long term vision for this sector and focus should be given to other beehive products and bee diagnostic should be setup.

 

Shri Deepak Jolly, Secretary General, Indian Honey Alliance (IHA) informed that his organization will provide a unified platform to ensure maximum benefits to the beekeepers, consumers and development of value chain in honey sector. Shri Pankuj Prasad Raturi, Head Bio-Resource Development, Dabur informed that Dabur is procuring honey from diverse locations in India. He also informed that Dabur has started a great initiative to provide a new stream of income, and to alleviate poverty through the training and support of local NGOs in the practice of beekeeping in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh Has informed that, Dabur has planned the same in the Sundarban forest area of West Bengal as well.

 

Shri Ramesh Mittal, Director, National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), Jaipur, shared experience of start-ups in honey sector and given stress to promote honey sector. He suggested establishing Incubation Centre for Honey Sector as has been established under RKVY support. He has also extended support of NIAM for getting GI tag in Honey Sector with dedicated efforts.

 

Dr Rajeev Chawala, NDDB informed about 1st honey testing lab setup by NDDB. He has suggested various ways to address issues of testing of honey. Dr. Umesh, DGM, APEDA briefly described about role of APEDA in export of honey and future strategies for its promotion. APEDA plans to create awareness among the stakeholders of food export by highlighting its impact on human life through various online platforms, including social media platforms.

 

In his remarks, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, DA&FW has mentioned to focus on nurturing potential budding Agristart-ups & FPOs through support under NBHM scheme and motivate them to choose beekeeping as an attractive career. He assures that implementation of NBHM will upgrade skill in scientific beekeeping, setting up of state of the art infrastructural facilities for processing honey and allied beekeeping products like bee’s wax, propolis, royal jelly, bee venom, upgradation by quality control laboratories and create better supply chain by setting up of collection, storage, bottling and marketing centres. He also assures that collaborated approach of APEDA, MANAGE, NIAM, NAFED, NDDB, NBB and other related organizations will bring revolutionary achievements in beekeeping sector.

 

He also stressed to start the awareness campaign through Mass Media on uses of crystallized honey that the crystallized honey is a pure/non adulterated honey. Indigenous Species of bees needs to evaluate for further region wise popularity. He emphasized that GI tagging in honey will help to boost rural areas by increasing revenue of the producers and employment in the region through beekeeping and honey production. The good quality of the products opens the international door for the producers thus help to boosts the exports of honey & other beehive products.

 

Major suggestion received from the panelist and other participants of the workshops who highlighted to work on major action points like., technological interventions on traceability of Quality Honey, setup complaint Mechanism from exporters, create lab Infrastructure (should have adulteration and antibiotics test mechanism) along with the contact details.

 

Participants also suggested some revisions of assistance under National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM). Components of NBHM like lab infrastructure to be improved, capacity building for honey bee keepers for addressing adulteration in honey, consumer outreach plan need to be prepared and more focus should be given to bee products.

Commerce Secretary, Shri Sunil Barthwal, and Ms. Xiana Mendez, Secretary of State for Trade, Government of Spain co-chaired the 12th Session of India-Spain Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC) on 13th April, 2023 in New Delhi. Both sides celebrated this Golden Jubilee edition of India-Spain Joint Commission mechanism which was established in 1972. During the past 50 years, a remarkable enhancement of bilateral trade and investment has taken place. With an investment of USD 3.7 Bn, 250 Spanish Companies are active in India and 40 Indian Companies are present in Spain working in different sectors such as IT, Pharma, Renewable Energy, Automobiles, Infrastructure etc.

 

Ms. Xiana emphasised  the importance of India-Spain relationship and the Spanish partnership in India’s development stories. Spanish side has reaffirmed the further cooperation in the various sectors including in the field of Civil Aviation such as Automation, Surveillance and NavAids, High Speed Railways, Railways networking, Signalling, Traffic management etc.

 

Both sides also agreed for further cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy, Shipping, Ports, Tourism, Infrastructure, Food Processing, Pharmaceuticals, Technology, Innovation, and Defence sector.

 

The status of various MOUs were also reviewed including those of important interest for bilateral relations such as MOUs on Migration and Mobility, Agreement on Social Security, Cyber Security etc.

 

Both sides also discussed various Market Access Issues faced by their exporters and agreed to resolve the same through bilateral discussions.

 

India and Spain are looking forward to a considerable progress in the ongoing India-EU FTA Negotiations during the upcoming Spanish Presidency of EU from July to December, 2023.

 

The Spanish side congratulated India on the excellent progress of the Indian presidency of the G20 so far and offered its support and cooperation for the success of G-20 TIWG.

Appemidi — the Geographical Indication (GI) tagged, unique tender pickling mango variety from Karnataka — holds great export potential, which needs to be tapped to boost the growers’ income, experts said.

 

At the Appemidi Mango Diversity Fair, 2023, R Ravindra, General Manager, APEDA Southern Region, said campaigning and promotion were required to promote this unique variety overseas. APEDA proposes to showcase the Appemidi mangoes along with the other GI products to the global consumers, he said.

 

Though exports of Appemidi pickles are taking place, there is no separate data for the product as it is clubbed with other pickles, he said.

 

The Appemidi Mango Diversity Fair, 2023, was organised by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticulture Research in collaboration with the Society for Promotion of Horticulture, APEDA, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Authority (PPV&FRA), Karnataka Science and Technology Academy.

 

SV Suresha, Vice-Chancellor, UAS-Bengaluru, appreciated the efforts of IIHR scientists in preserving this important natural gift. Appemidi, being GI-tagged, natural, and organic, through value addition, can double the income of farmers and generate off-time employment for farm women.

 

The demand for these pickling mangoes, which are largely grown in Sirsi, Sagar, Siddapur and Thirthahally region of Karnataka, varies from 4,000-5,000 tonnes per year, translating into more than Rs.100 crore per year.

 

Since the supply of Appemidi meets just 10 per cent of the market demand, they are often mixed with the ordinary tender mangoes. Considering the huge market potential and the dearth of fruit supply, the Appemidi mangoes need attention for their long-term conservation. ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, has surveyed, collected and conserved more than 250 accessions of Appemidi mangoes.

 

VB Patel, ADG-Horticulture, ICAR, emphasised on the area expansion of Appemidi in Karnataka to meet the market demand and focus on research for product diversification.

The US has emerged as India's biggest trading partner in 2022-23 on account of increasing economic ties between the two countries. According to the provisional data of the commerce ministry, the bilateral trade between India and the US has increased by 7.65 per cent to USD 128.55 in 2022-23 as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22. It was USD 80.51 billion in 2020-21.

 

Exports to the US rose by 2.81 per cent to USD 78.31 billion in 2022-23 as against USD 76.18 billion in 2021-22, while imports grew by about 16 per cent to USD 50.24 billion, the data showed.

 

On the other hand, during 2022-23, India's two-way commerce with China declined by about 1.5 per cent to USD 113.83 billion as against USD 115.42 billion in 2021-22.

 

 

Exports to China dipped by about 28 per cent to USD 15.32 billion in 2022-23, while imports rose by 4.16 per cent to USD 98.51 billion in the last fiscal. Trade gap widened to USD 83.2 billion in the last fiscal as against USD 72.91 billion in 2021-22.

 

Experts believe that the trend of increasing bilateral trade with the US will continue in the coming years also as New Delhi and Washington are engaged in further strengthening the economic ties.

 

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President A Sakthivel said that increasing exports of goods such as pharmaceutical, engineering and gems and jewellery is helping India to push its shipments to America.

 

'The trend of increasing trade with the US will continue in the coming months also,' he said.

 

FIEO Vice President Khalid Khan said India is emerging as a trusted trading partner and global firms are reducing their dependence only on China for their supplies and are diversifying business into other countries like India.

 

'The bilateral trade between India and the US will continue to grow as our exporters are getting good orders from that country,' Khan said.

 

Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Director of the Indian Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM), Bangalore, too said that India provides huge trade opportunities for the US as India is the world's third largest consumer market and the fastest growing market economy.

 

'Major export items from India to the US include petroleum, polished diamonds, pharmaceutical products, jewellery, light oils and petroleum, frozen shrimp, made ups etc. whereas major imports from the US include petroleum, rough diamonds, liquified natural gas, gold, coal, waste and scrap, almonds etc,' Joshi said.

 

America is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. In 2022-23, India had a trade surplus of USD 28 billion with the US.

 

The data showed that China was India's top trading partner since 2013-14 till 2017-18 and also in 2020-21. Before China, the UAE was the country's largest trading partner.

 

In 2022-23, the UAE with USD 76.16 billion, was the third largest trading partner of India. It was followed by Saudi Arabia (USD 52.72 billion), and Singapore (USD 35.55 billion).

Amid food and agriculture production systems globally facing unprecedented challenges from increasing demand for food, the chief agriculture scientists from G20 countries will meet for three days starting Monday in Varanasi to discuss and find solution to address rising hunger and malnutrition, adverse effects of climate changes and loss of biodiversity among several other issues.

 

The platform -- G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) -- will be instrumental in exploring joint actions towards science-based solutions to achieve sustainable and profitable agri-food systems.

 

According to a discussion paper released for the G20 event, nearly 670 million people (8 per cent of the world population) will still be facing hunger in 2030, 'if the current trend continues'. It said that between 702 million and 828 million people were affected by hunger in 2021 and the number is higher by about 150 million from the pre-pandemic period before outbreak of the COVID-19.

 

One of the Sustainable Development Goals agreed upon by all countries is to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030. However, the projected number is the same as in 2015 when the 2030 SDG Agenda was launched.

 

Priority areas

The paper said that the increase in global hunger in 2021 reflects exacerbated inequalities across and within countries due to an unequal pattern of economic recovery among countries and unrecovered income losses among those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The 12th MACS meeting under India’s presidency has identified four priority areas on which focused discussion will take place. First, Food Security and Nutrition followed by One Health, Digitalisation for agricultural transformation and Public-Private Partnerships in agri research.

 

How can the G20 countries help sharing science-based technological and innovative solutions for achieving sustainable agri-food systems and food security and nutrition is one of several key issues to be deliberated in the meeting. Also, some common points among G20 countries to be agreed upon so that the frontiers in science and technology could meaningfully play a role in transforming agri-food systems and help achieve food security and nutrition. On India’s initiative MACS will try to find ways that research and awareness on millets and other nutri-cereal crops can be improved.

United Kingdom House of Lords Member Baroness Verma on Saturday said the UK and India will have a great Free Trade Agreement (FTA) deal and that the negotiations between the two countries are going well.

 

Baroness Verma told ANI, 'I think first of all my expectations are we're going to have a great FTA and I think it's a very complicated, complex agreement. And we can't expect things that are so complicated and so complex to be done overnight. But I know from all the conversations we've had, that everybody is working incredibly hard on all of the negotiations, and it's going well.'

 

Expressing her views on the next FTA meeting, she said, 'I think every meeting is critical. I think every meeting we have is a positive meeting and of course, if you're negotiating at that level, there will be times when it does take a little longer than what people want. But that doesn't mean that the FTA stalled. It just means that we're working through it and I'm very optimistic.'

 

Talking about the target for trade between India and UK in terms of numbers, she mentioned both countries should look at maximising the relationship and outcome.

 

'I think we should go for the maximum that we can in each other's relationship of building on what we can as a country work with India and how India can work with us,' she added.

 

Verma further said, both countries working closely on climate change issues, sustainability and solutions as the green sector is going to grow from strength to strength.

 

Baroness Verma also talked about India's G20 presidency which she believes New Delhi is going to demonstrate that they have got a very clear vision of what is expected out of their presidency.

 

Notably, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday (local time) while speaking at the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) on Free Trade Agreements in Washington said that FTAs were being signed in a much faster way nowadays and also informed that the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations were going on as she spoke.

 

This confirmation came at a time when a recent report suggested that the FTA talks between the two countries are suspended over the UK's failure to denounce vandalism by Khalistan supporters outside the Indian High Commission in London in March.

 

'Free Trade Agreements are being signed in a much faster way nowadays. We've just concluded one with Australia. Earlier we concluded with UAE, Mauritius and with ASEAN. We have extended quota-free and tariff-free regime to Least Developed Countries,' the Finance Minister said.

 

Earlier in the month, India had dismissed as 'baseless' reports in British media stating that it had halted talks for a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom over the attack on the Indian high commission in London in March, government sources said.

 

London-based newspaper The Times in its April 10 edition, citing senior British government sources, reported that the Indian government has 'disengaged' from trade talks and made it clear that there would be no progress 'without a public condemnation of the Khalistan movement.'

 

Notably, the India-UK Free Trade Agreement talks were launched on June 17, 2022.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles Shri Piyush Goyal elaborated on how a plethora of opportunities in India make it one of the world's most trusted business and investment destinations during his address at the CEOs Business Interactive session yesterday in Rome, Italy. He said that India is an open country with global linkages with the trade negotiations underway with EU and EFTA.

 

The Minister said that high targets must be set in the India-Italy partnership as there is a lot of new potential especially in light of the recently elevated Strategic Partnership. He said that India has witnessed 55% growth in the overall exports in the last 2 years. He said that there are about 700 Italian companies operating in India and this is the most opportune time to be in India. The Minister also mentioned that India will provide a very robust and forward-looking policy framework with retrospective changes.

 

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of Italy, Mr. Antonio Tajani also participated in the interactive session and addressed the industry captains. Mr. Tajani expressed that there is a need to work together to create a better line of next generation in both the countries by backing MSMEs and industry.

 

Shri Goyal deeply appreciated Mr. Tajani for the deep engagement and said that there is a tremendous potential for growth in the India-Italy partnership and through this visit new ideas have emerged. He said that the countries are connected by tradition, culture, shared values, rule of law and aspiration to achieve more and to work as one. He also expressed that India-Italy will grow together, achieve together, and conquer together.

 

The CEOs Business Interactive session was organised in Rome, Italy by the Embassy of India in Rome, Italy in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Confindustria. The session had participation from more than 70 CEOs from Indian and Italian companies.

 

The Italian business was represented by giants like Sparkle, Elettronica, Piaggio, Lamborghini, ITA, etc. The CEOs mentioned that India is an important economic player and it is time to step up the cooperation at both the government and industry level. They also mentioned that Italian companies are exploring various investment opportunities present in India.

 

Vice President CII and Chairman and Managing Director, ITC Limited, Mr. Sanjiv Puri, emphasised that signing of India – EU FTA could be a catalyst for further enhancing India Italy relationship. Further, Director General CII, Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee thanked Confindustria for their cooperation and suggested different areas of cooperation. President FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations), Dr. A Saktivel mentioned that India has achieved US$ 770 billion export in 2022-23 due to the robust policy and Italian businesses should look at India as their export hub. He said that FIEO will ensure support to their establishments in India.

 

Ambassador Raffaele Langella from Confindustria said that India is in a very important economic phase, and it is time to step up the cooperation. Piaggio CEO Mr. Matteo Colaninno mentioned that both Governments are working fast to make Enterprises in both countries to explore opportunities. Mr. Jai Shroff, UPL expressed the strong linkages on Food Sustainability and the importance of collaboration on the same.

 

Shri Goyal during his visit to Italy had very productive one-on-one meetings with Italian CEOs of some prominent companies like SOL, SpA, Piaggio, CIBJO, Nayara Energy and Enel Green Power. He explained to them the investment climate in India, the policy reforms and the potential of investing and expanding in India. The CEOs informed the Minister that they were looking at expanding operations in India for catering to the Indian markets as well as exports. This will not only lead to production expansion and employment generation but also increase exports from India.

 

Shri Goyal met Executive Vice President, Danieli C SpA, Mr. Andrea Diasparro, whose company operates in the steel scrap and energy sector. The Minister also suggested to them that the Indian market is big with many opportunities and India wants to gradually move to Green Steel manufacturing where there will be a great potential for them to expand.

Piyush Goyal stated that India will prioritize safeguarding the interests of its farmers and dairy sector in the proposed free trade agreement with the European Union. He engaged in discussions with leaders and the private sector to explore ways to strengthen trade and investment ties between India and the host countries. Additionally, the minister attended the India-France business summit held in Paris.

 

Goyal was on his official visit to Italy and France to hold discussions with leaders and the private sector on ways to further enhance trade and investment ties between the countries.

 

The union minister said that Italy and France have offered unstinted support for the early conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU trade agreement.

 

'India has emphasised about the different economic conditions and per capita income in the two regions,' he stated.

 

But the kind of business opportunities which India provides for EU businesses are huge and 'nobody can provide those in the world', he added.

 

'Keeping all this in mind, we would do the FTA... We will protect the interests of farmers and dairy sector... We have done that with UAE and Australia trade pacts also,' Goyal has said.

 

Chief negotiators of India and the European Union (EU) are scheduled to meet from June 19-23 in New Delhi for the fifth round of negotiations.

 

India and the 27-nation bloc resumed negotiations on June 17 last year after a gap of over eight years on the proposed agreements on trade, investments and Geographical Indications (GI). Top officials at the commerce secretary level would meet in August to review the progress of talks.

 

India had started negotiations for a trade pact with the EU in 2007 but the talks stalled in 2013 as both sides failed to reach an agreement on key issues, including customs duties on automobiles and spirits and the movement of professionals.

 

India's merchandise exports to EU member countries stood at about USD 65 billion in 2021-22, while imports aggregated USD 51.4 billion.

 

A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.

 

'India will not compromise on its interests... that is not possible,' Goyal has added.

 

On the European Union's announcement of imposing carbon tax on certain sectors like metals, he said that the issue is part of the discussion.

 

India has earlier stated that it is concerned about the European Union's announcement of imposing carbon tax, saying such measures require New Delhi to recalibrate its approach towards a free trade agreement.

 

The EU is introducing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from October 1 this year. CBAM will translate into a 20-35 per cent tax on select imports into the EU starting January 1, 2026.

 

According to a report by economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the carbon border adjustment mechanism being implemented by the European Union will have an adverse impact on India's exports of metals such as iron, steel and aluminium products to the EU.

 

In 2022, India's 27 per cent exports of iron, steel, and aluminium products worth USD 8.2 billion went to the EU.

Indian grape export to Europe for the 2022-23 season (December to April) has soared despite initial concerns about global freight bottlenecks and two spells of unseasonal rains. Till April 10, India has exported 7,932 containers (each container has 15 tonnes of grapes), up from the 7,626 containers shipped out during the same period last season.

 

Over the last two seasons, Indian exports, especially agri exports, have suffered due to the global bottleneck in freight and shipping. Grape exporters were wary of lower-than-normal demand from Europe due to the fear of recessions at the start of the 2022-23 season. Vilas Shinde, chief managing director (CMD) of Nashik-headquartered Sahyadri Farms (the largest grape exporter of the country), had talked of around 10-15 per cent lower exports due to the dual whammies they expected this season.

 

Exporters were in for a surprise as demand from European markets picked up right at the start of the season. Maharashtra, the country’s largest producer and exporter of grapes, did not witness any unseasonal rains in the crucial growth months from September to November. 'Thus, we were able to meet the export demands from Europe and the United Kingdom as quality produce was easily available,' Shinde said.

 

Pointing to the data, Shinde said had it not been for the unseasonal rains in March and April, Indian exports would have touched an all-time high. Nashik, Pune and Ahmednagar, the three main grape producers in the state, saw unseasonal rains in March, with grapes, pomegranate and vegetable crops bearing the brunt. Shinde said the rains in March reduced expected export figures by 15 per cent.

 

The state is under the spell of another season of rains and hailstorms, which have resulted in extensive damage to the harvest-ready crops. 'The last 10 per cent of the crop has reported berry cracking due to the hailstorms,' he said.

 

Fresh or table grapes from India have made their mark in the European and other international markets thanks to them being available when produce from South Africa and South America is not otherwise available. European Union countries are the biggest destination for Indian grapes in terms of quantity and monetary value. In the 2021-22 season, India exported 2.63 lakh tonnes of grapes and the total earning from the shipment was $305 million.

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar visited Dungti village on the eastern border of Changthang region in Ladakh under the Vibrant Village Program of the Government of India. During the public dialogue there, Shri Tomar met the residents and patiently listened to their problems and took suggestions, while he also visited the ITBP post and KVK, Nyoma.

 

Interacting with the public at Dungti, Shri Tomar said that the Government of India is committed to the development of this entire region. He said that the border villages of the country are generally known as the last villages, but under the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, these villages are the first priority of the Government of India for development. Shri Tomar said that the aim of the Central Government is to give benefits of all the schemes of the Center while providing facilities to the people of remote areas. He said that whatever proposals the Center will receive for the overall development of this region, those will be worked upon promptly and whatever can be done by the Center from the point of view of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Development, will be done. Shri Tomar said that the entire country is getting the benefit of the welfare schemes implemented by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. All the eligible beneficiaries are getting the full money of the schemes with transparency.

 

Shri Tomar also visited the stalls put up by various departments including Ladakh's Health Department, Sheep Husbandry and Animal Husbandry Department, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nyoma. During the programme, demonstration kits, machines etc. were handed over to many beneficiaries by the Union Minister. Shri Tomar also visited the ITBP post at Dungti, where he interacted with the officers and jawans and encouraged them. The Union Minister also had food with them. MP Shri Tsering Namgyal and DIG Shri Ranveer Singh were also present on the occasion.

 

Shri Tomar also visited KVK, Nyoma and said that this area is favourable for both agriculture and animal husbandry projects. He said the KVKs have a very important role in this sector, which is trying to advance agriculture. He stressed on converting agriculture into advanced agriculture, so that the farmers get more profit, besides mentioning the agriculture and farmer-friendly schemes of the Center in the interest of the farmers of the area. Shri Tomar later inaugurated the Micro-Irrigation Unit and Mushroom Lab and inspected the Green House Unit. He visited the house of a beneficiary of Nal-Jal Yojana and discussed with them about the benefits of the scheme.