The Department of Horticulture Planning and Marketing on Monday organized a mega export conclave at Jammu, which was participated by exporters from across the country dealing in the export of Agricultural and Horticultural produce.

 

The participants shared their rich experience and valuable inputs enabling J-K to further expand its export prospects.

 

Various key agencies involved in Exports Promotion including APEDA, DGFT, Federation of Indian Exporters Organizations (FIEO), Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) and Indian Postal Department shared the mandatory requirements for a successful export trade besides policies and programmes of the government.

 

Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo, who chaired the conclave, elaborated on the current policy and government plans to evolve an export promotion policy for the betterment of the farmers and other stakeholders from Jammu and Kashmir.

 

He emphasized that the government is fully committed to exploring all possibilities for more proactively and effectively supporting the farmers, FPOs, cooperatives, traders and exporter community of J&K.

 

'Valuing over Rs 5,000 crore projects have been conceptualized and meticulously prepared under Holistic Agriculture Development Programme embarked by the J&K UT,' he said.

 

'Agriculture Branding Centers, Rural Service and Business Hubs, Augmentation of CA Stores and Markets, Composting Plants, and Creation of Market Intelligence Cells are some of the areas to be focused on in the stated project,' he further said.

 

'A massive capacity development programme is underway to train and sensitize all the stakeholders in respect of provisions of the Projects,' he added.

 

He also stated that the government is expeditiously moving to widen its bucket of GI products and has already constituted an Apex committee headed by Dr Mangla Rai for Export Promotion Roadmap for J&K and active consultations with all stakeholders in this regard are underway.

 

Director of Horticulture Planning and Marketing, Vikas Sharma in his welcome address, said. 'The department has taken up many steps to give a fillip to the marketing infrastructure in the region. The department has also organized Buyer-Seller Meets at Kolkata and Jammu in the recent past which benefitted the growers of the UT.'

 

The participants from across the UT were very enthusiastic about the Export Conclave and some also matured the contracts with the exporters for the supply of their respective produce.

 

They were of the view that the initiative taken by the Government to bring the Buyers/Exporters/Traders from various locations at the farm gate of the growers/farmers of the UT shall definitely showcase our produce to National and international markets resulting in increased demand for our products and eventually boosting our rising economy.

 

Earlier, a detailed presentation was made by Dr Sudhanshu depicting the exports scenario of agri-horticulture commodities in J&K.

 

It was brought out that the focus of the UT is on the export promotion of crops like Fresh Fruits including Apples and Cherries, Walnuts, Almonds, Saffron, Honey, Vegetables, Processed Foods, Wool and Skins, Basmati, Pulses, Silk, Lavender and other Aromatic products.

 

Dr PK Joshi, an eminent personality in the field of Agriculture, in his address, congratulated the UT government for bringing out proactive and farmer-centric measures to boost the economy of the UT. He appreciated the steps and initiatives taken in recent times and shared that J&K is now being looked at by other States for emulation.

 

The Export Conclave was also attended by the Heads of Department, Agriculture Production and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Representatives from APEDA, DGFT, FIEO, ECGC, Indian posts, IIT, IIM, Jammu University, NABARD, SKUAST, NHB, Kisan Board Members, DMI, Farmers, FPOs, Cooperatives, Entrepreneurs, Exporters, and Market associations. 

The national-level multi-state cooperative societies recently approved by the Union Cabinet for promotion of organic products and exports, will help increase farmers' income manifold in the next 10 years, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said here on Sunday.

 

Shah, who was here to inaugurate the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) 'Kisan Bhavan', also made a strong pitch for the farmers to adopt natural farming, which he said will help increase their income and also protect the soil and environment from the harm caused by chemical fertilisers.

 

'I assure you that the work started by (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi saheb will not just double but increase the income of every farmer many times in another 10 years. Only two cooperative societies for export and organic products will help increase farmers' income many times,' he said.

 

He said that PM Modi made an important decision in the cabinet to set up three multi-state cooperative societies, of which two are very useful for the state's farmers. 'One will transfer the profits to the farmers directly for the organic produce procured from them,' Shah said.

 

Another cooperative society will help the farmers export their produce from any village in the country and serve as an export house with the profit to be transferred directly to farmers' bank accounts. 'For this, in the coming month, I will meet the chairman of district cooperative banks and APMCs in Gujarat to get them registered with cooperative societies.

 

This will make farmers prosperous,' said Shah, who also laid the foundation stone of Junagadh district cooperative bank building here. The cabinet had in January this year approved setting up of National Export Society, National Cooperative Society for Organic Products and National Level Multi-state Seed Cooperative Society.

 

The minister said that the arrangement for testing of land and natural farm products will be set up in each district in the coming five years for the purpose. He said the government has also decided to set up a cooperative society in each of the country's panchayats, which will help reach the Centre's schemes to the farmers.

 

'Cooperatives benefit farmers. The central government's budget does not reach you (farmers) because the cooperative structure is not proper. If the cooperative structure becomes strong, then all the schemes of the central government will start reaching you,' he said.

 

Shah said that the large-scale use of urea has spoiled farm land, and lakhs of farmers have moved towards natural farming. 'We will have to move fast towards natural farming and show a way to the world. I assure you that on the basis of scientific data it is established that natural farming does not reduce yield but rather increase it,' he said.

 

To get a better price, there is a need for marketing and certification of such produce and ensuring that fake organic products do not hit the market, he said, adding that 'Amul' has already started marketing such products.

In the ensuing year, the Tamil Nadu government has set a target of 127 lakh Metric Tonne for total food grain production, Agriculture Minister MRK Paneerselvam announced in the Agriculture Budget 2023-24. The goal is also almost the same as was announced in the previous year.

 

To achieve the goal, the State government will take various measures. For instance, the government will implement the Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme wherein each hamlet, according to its potential, can become self-sufficient. The scheme is designed for the holistic development of agriculture in the hamlets based on the availability of water and soil fertility, through creation of necessary infrastructure and taking up needed works to fill the gaps.

 

The scheme is being implemented in convergence with the 'Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam' of the Rural Development Department designed to create the necessary infrastructure for achieving inclusive overall development in these hamlets.

 

Clusters of 10 acres will be identified to provide borewells. The water source will be powered by electricity-run or solar-powered pump setsand perennial crops like mango, guava, and amla will be planted and installed with drip irrigation facility under subsidy.

 

In all the 2,504 village panchayats, 300 households devoid of coconut trees in the village will be given two coconut seedlings free of cost and a total of 15 lakh coconut seedlings will be distributed.

 

To increase the groundwater level in these villages, 600 farm ponds will be established in farmers’ fields. Further, steps will be taken through the Fisheries department to promote fish culture in these ponds for the farmers to earn additional income, the minister said.

 

Village Agricultural Development Groups will be formed in all village panchayats, covering all the hamlets over a period of five years. The group will consist of 25 to 50 farmers from all categories as members.

 

In the coming year, in the first phase, groups will be formed in the 2,504 village Panchayats where Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agriculture Development Programme is implemented and they will be given training. An amount of Rs.2.5 crore will be allocated towards the formation and training of these groups.

 

Crop rotation enriches soil and increases productivity. To achieve this, an amount of Rs.16 crore will be allocated in the coming year to encourage the cultivation of less water-requiring crops like millets, pulses and oilseeds during Kuruvai season in an area of one lakh acres.

 

To further expand and enrich this practice, assistance for cultivating these crops after paddy will be given to cover an area of six lakh acres in the coming year for which an allocation of Rs.24 crore will be made.

 

Agri-entrepreneurs

To make the agricultural graduates self-reliant and evolve as entrepreneurs, financial assistance at the rate of Rs.2 lakh will be extended to 200 young Agricultural and Horticulture graduates to establish Agri-clinics or any other Agriculture related business for which Rs.4 crore will be allocated. Seed, fertiliser, and pesticide licences will be issued to the selected beneficiaries as per their requirement, the minister said.

 

A special scheme will be implemented to promote organic farming in Nilgiris District over a period of five years at an outlay of Rs.50 crore.

 

To protect farmers’ livelihoods from loss of income due to natural calamities, under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, during 2021-22, 26 lakh farmers have registered an area of 40.74 lakh acre.

 

The State government has given Rs.1,695 crore as insurance premium subsidy and so far, Rs.783 crore has been given as compensation to 6.71 lakh farmers.

 

Relief for an amount of Rs.163.6 crore as input subsidy has been given to 1.82 lakh farmers from the State Disaster Response Fund for the crops affected by Northeast Monsoon, and unseasonal heavy rains in the months of January and February 2023, the minister said.

 

Rapeseed output in India, the world's biggest importer of vegetable oils, is likely to rise 7.5% this year due to a record planting of the winter-sown oilseed, a leading trade body said on Monday.

 

Farmers are likely to harvest a record 11.5 million tonnes in the crop year to June 2023, the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) told a news conference in the north-western state of Rajasthan, producer of more than half of India's rapeseed.

Under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India has organized the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference today at Subramaniam Hall, NASC Complex, Pusa Road, New Delhi to stimulate the exports of millets from India and provide market linkage to the producers. 

 

Around 100 Indian millet exhibitors from different parts of the country and around 100 international buyers from various countries like the USA, UAE, Kuwait, Germany, Vietnam, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Bhutan, Italy and Malaysia have been invited to the Conference. This conference provides an excellent opportunity for trade and networking among the participants. APEDA requested 30 potential millet importing countries to send their major buyers for this conference to visit the exhibition and travel around the stalls of 100 exhibitors of unique products of millets. Additionally the details of all the millet exhibitors under different categories in the exhibition area have been displayed digitally through which the importers can source millets directly from this list of Indian millet producers. The Virtual Trade Fair (VTF) is operational 24X7 365 days wherein exhibitors and buyers can interact based on the products displayed in the VTF.

 

The conference will also feature a series of informative sessions, including keynote, and presentations in a digital platform. These sessions will focus on various aspects of millet and its value-added products, processing, packaging, and export potential providing valuable insights for both exhibitors and buyers.

 

The event is expected to generate a significant impact on the millet industry, further promoting its growth and development in the global market. The Conference organised by APEDA provided a platform for B2B meetings between International and National Buyers, Exporters, Progressive Growers, FPOs of millets to explore direct marketing and export opportunities for millets and its value-added products.

 

India’s export of Millets is 64 million USD in the year 2021-22. There is an increase in export of Millets by 12.5 % during the period April-December 2023 as compared to the same period last year. Export of millets has witnessed a change in paradigm in the last decade. The major importing countries were USA, Australia, Japan, Belgium etc in 2011-12 which had been shifted to Nepal (USD 6.09 million), UAE (USD 4.84 million) and Saudi Arabia (USD 3.84 million) in 2021-22. Kenya, Pakistan were also among the potential import destinations of India in the last decade. The other seven destinations in the current top-ten list of India’s millet export are Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, UK, Yemen, Oman and Algeria. India is exporting millets to 139 countries across the globe. The export of value-added products of Indian millets are also spread across the world. 

 

Today India has the potential to lead the world as a key player in the global supply chain of millet & its value added products. APEDA in the forefront with the mandate of export promotion of agri products of the nation selected these unique products from the nutritional millet basket & displayed in the global market targeting to bring a global millet revolution. APEDA participated in the opening ceremony of the International Year of Millets 2023 organised by FAO at its HQ in Rome, Italy displaying different varieties of Millets and value added Millet products. APEDA organised a Buyer-Seller Meet for export promotion of Millets at Jakarta, Medan, Nepal, Brussels , Belgium. In addition, Virtual Buyer Seller Meet was organized with Malaysia, EU, UAE, Malaysia, Japan and Algeria.

 

An exclusive millet gallery was set up during GULFOOD 2023 wherein start ups, new entrepreneurs, FPOs, exporters, women entrepreneurs displayed their millet products to give wide publicity to the Indian millets & its value added products before the importers across the world and 5000 participant companies from 125 countries.

 

APEDA in association with Indian Missions abroad promoted Indian millets during the Republic Day celebrations. Millets products were sourced from various Start ups and sent to Embassy of India in various countries like Doha, Qatar, Italy, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Malaysia, Russia, Tokyo, Indonesia, Republic of Korea Saudi Arabia, Perth, Denmark, Argentina, Egypt, Canada, Guatemala, Algeria and China for promotion during the Republic Day celebrations.  

 

APEDA has formulated a robust strategy focussing to expand the global basket with millets and its value-added products to achieve USD 100 million targets by 2025 with monumental efforts to broaden global reach. India is marching ahead in the International Year of Millets 2023 with a basket of nutritiously rich Indian Millets – popularly known as Shree Anna in the global market. 

 

India is flourishing the nutritious millet basket with a range of innovative value added products of millets. APEDA in collaboration with Indian Institute of Millets Research and respective State Agricultural universities has incubated more than 200 start-ups to develop a range of millet based value-added products, Ready to Eat , Ready to Cook and Ready To Serve products, easy meal solutions as wholesome food suitable for all age groups. 

 

India is the largest producer of millets. The country is enriched with a wide range of millets produced in major millet-growing states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, etc. India produced 17.96 million Metric Tonne (MT) of Millets. Millet grown in India are Pearl Millet, Sorghum, Finger Millet and minor Millets like Proso Millet, Kodo Millet, Little Millet, Foxtail Millet, Browntop Millet, Barnyard Millet, Amaranthus and Buckwheat. The Indian government has also been promoting Millet production as part of its National Food Security Mission. As a result of these factors, millet production in India is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.

 

As we are progressing ahead in IYOM 2023, India is enriched with unique varieties of value added products of millets which range from millet pizza base, millet ice creams, ice cream cones and cups, millet cakes & brownies, breakfast cereals, traditional Indian dosa, poha, upma, pasta, noodles millet milk, tea, consumable millet tea cups that are so environment friendly that they can either be consumed directly or utilized as feed/fodder. 

 

A lot of value-added products have been created with millets such as Idli, Dosa, Idiyappam, Roti, Puttu, Upma, Porridge, Chapati, Pancakes, Vermicelli upma, Pasta, Noodles, Macaroni, Semolina/Suji, Muesli, Instant mixes, Mudde as Breakfast items, Halwa, Adhirasam, Kesari, Nutritious ball, Payasam/Kheer as Sweets, Vada, Pakoda, Murukku, Bhelpuri, Boli, Pappads, Ready to eat mixes, Flakes, Puffs, Millet Laddus, Millet rusks as Snacks and some bakery products like Bread, Cake, Cookies, Soup sticks,Edible biscuit cups, Health bars, Spreads, Muffins, etc. Beverages like Beer, Soups, Malted millet-based beverage, Germinated Ragi drink mix, Multigrain drink mix, Ready to drink beverages have also been created with millets. In addition to these, some other food items created with millets include Biryani, Weaning foods/infant foods, Chat mixes, etc.

 

APEDA has shown to the world the nutritious millets that India has to offer. The journey in the promotion of Millet has made a positive impact showing pick up in millet exports. Gearing up to take India from a leading producer to the leading exporter of Millets, contributing towards a prosperous future for millions of Indian farmers across the country and making valuable additions to achieve food & nutritional security. The journey has just begun to bring the goodness of Indian Millets to the global consumer. 

The CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, will come up with a comprehensive plan to promote production and value-addition of millets on sustainable lines by the year-end, according to C Anandharamakrishnan, Director.

 

He was addressing a session of the Millet Conclave titled ‘Shree Anna’, a One Week One Lab programme launched by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The Millet Conclave is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, that showcases achievements of each of the 37 constituent laboratories of CSIR.

 

Critical hurdles

The cultivation, value-addition and promotion of millets faces critical hurdles, and CSIR-NIIST has been working to address these issues, Anandharamakrishnan said. Extension of field-level technology to augment production and scientific processes for value-addition and shelf-life need to be addressed urgently. A database to take promotional projects forward is essential. Since millet cultivation remains complex and labour-intensive, field-level machines are vital to scale up production, he said.

 

Ajith Kumar Shasany, Director, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, said world-class facilities offering food processing technologies should be created to achieve quality produce, benefiting both the farming sector and industry.

 

Quality, taste, shelf life

M Loganathan, Director (i/c), National Institute of Food Processing Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur, said apart from providing institutional support to farmers, the creation of incubation facilities is also vital. 'Quality, taste and shelf life are three key parameters for the commercial success of millet products, for which a growing market is available in India and abroad,' he said. Ashok S Alur, Director, Centre of Excellence for Farmer Producer Organisations, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bengaluru, said this is the opportune time for India to augment and mainstream millet production and consumption. If scientists, promoters and policy-makers come together to support farmers, India could emerge as a major global millet cultivation hub.

 

Panel discussion

A panel discussion on promoting millet cultivation and value-addition, included Lalita Goyal, Senior Principal Scientist, Directorates-Interface-CSIR, New Delhi; Meera MS, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru; Vikram Sankaranarayanan, Director, Borne Technologies, Coimbatore; KP Sudheer, Head, RAFTAAR, KAU, Thrissur; and MG Malleshi, Chief Scientist (Rtd), CSIR-CFTRI. The speakers included S Nagesh, Chief, Agriculture Division, Kerala State Planning Board; Jimmy Jose, Head-HR & Corporate Communication, Synthite Industries; Deepthi Nair, Director, Coconut Development Board; Ramesh Babu N, Scientist, Spices Board; and Shrinivasan Ramasamy, CEO, Apex Coco and Solar.

Ministerial Round Table of Millets was held post-inaugural session of the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference held today in New Delhi. Ministers from Guyana, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname & Zambia; Permanent Secretary, Agriculture of Gambia & Maldives and Director General, Millets Initiative, Nigeria participated in the meeting. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India welcomed the delegates attending the meet.  

 

India is holding today the first Mega Global Event in the form Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference in Delhi to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM). The aim of United Nations to declare 2023 as International Year of Millets on India’s initiative is to elevate awareness of Shree Anna (millets) for food security and nutrition, enhance investment in R&D and extension, and to inspire stakeholders towards improving production, productivity and quality of millets. Major millets producing countries have to play major role in promoting the millets for ensuring world food and nutritional security.

 

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated this global event in the presence of Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, besides Union Ministers Shri Piyush Goyal and Shri Mansukh Mandaviya and MoS Shri Kailash Choudhary. Visiting Ministers of other countries graced the inaugural function and gave messages for their countries. During the Inaugural ceremony, Prime Minister unveiled a Commemorative Stamp and Coin on IYM 2023. He digitally launched a Book on Millets (Shree Anna) Standards. PM Modi also declared ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research as a Global Centre for Excellence.

 

In his Opening Remarks at the Ministerial Round Table, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar highlighted India's role in Shree Anna promotion, being the largest producer and second largest exporter of millets in the world. During last 5 years, India is producing millets in the range of 13.71 to 18.02 million tonnes.  In order to promote millets and meet the additional demand of millets, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing a Sub-Mission on Nutri-Cereals (Millets) under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in 212 Districts of 14 States since 2018-19. India exported 1,04,146 metric tonnes of millets during the export year 2022-23 (April to November) worth Rs. 365.85 crores. This export is bound to increase post-IYM celebration.

 

India has always been a pioneer in recognizing values of ancient practices, in the form of food, culture and traditions, said Union Agriculture Minister. In millets too, just like our culture, a lot of diversity is found like Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Sawan, Kangni, Cheena, Kodo, Kutki & Kuttu. Shree Anna are a rich source of protein, fibre & minerals like iron, calcium and have a low glycemic index. Many people even call it a Superfood. Millets have many benefits, not just one. Along with reducing obesity, they also reduce the risk of diabetes, hypertension and heart related diseases. Malnutrition is still a menace for human health particularly in under developed and highly populated countries. Millets are also very beneficial in fighting malnutrition, since they are packed with energy as well as protein.

 

Today a lot is being done to promote millets in India. Along with focusing on research and innovation in production, farmers associations namely FPOs are being encouraged, so that, aggregation, production and processing can be increased. Shri Tomar expressed happiness at operation of many start-ups in millets with government support. Some of these are making Millet Cookies, while some are also making Millet Pancakes and Dosa. There are some that are making Millet Energy Bars and Millet Breakfasts. The ‘Mighty Millets’ are the solution to the future world to ensure the global food & nutritional security, prosperity of the farmers and revitalization of Mother Earth.

 

Shri Tomar urged world leaders to recognize this super grain which has become masked and forgotten. The Government of India aims to make IYM 2023 a people’s movement for the overall benefit of the Cultivator, Consumer and Climate. Shri Tomar said he looks forward to very useful interactions with World Food Ministers. The experience shared will be very useful in bringing more closer linkages among major millets producing countries.

 

The visiting ministers from major millets producing countries shared the experience of their respective countries in promoting production, consumption and branding of millets. A lot needs to be done for enhancing production, consumption, value addition and processing of millets all over world. All leaders appreciated the lead role of India in bringing millets to world food table and looked forward to India for technological support. They all favoured closer linkage among major millets producing countries. All countries desired that India should provide good seed of improved varieties of millets, help in establishing small scale mechanization and capacity building.

 

All Ministers supported promotion of indigenous millet crops in their countries to free people from wheat addiction. They suggested that millets should be declared priority crops and set agenda in all the international meetings. Some countries like Guyana which are not traditional millets growing have shifted to millets cultivation due to awareness created by International Year of Millets. India assured these countries to provide all knowledge, technology and capacity building.

 

Senior officers from Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Indian Council of Agriculture Research attended the meet. Joint Secretary (IC) thanked the ministers and other dignitaries from various millet producing countries.

AgLive 2023 – The Millet Challenge,’ aimed at making an impact by increasing interaction amongst millet-based innovators/entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders, was held as part of  the  Global Shree Anna Conference in New Delhi today, addressing issues and challenges specific to millets. Young entrepreneurs and innovators pitched their millet based innovative products and technologies  before a distinguished Jury, comprising of Business leaders, Incubators and Investors to mobilize funding and secure potential incubation opportunities.

 

Mr. S Sivakumar, Chairman, CII Core Group on AgTech and Group Head, Agri & IT Businesses, ITC Ltd; Dr. Neeru Bhooshan, Assistant Director General, Intellectual Property & Technology Management (IP&TM) ICAR; Mr Prashant Parameswaran, Managing Director, Tata Consumer Soulfull Private Ltd; Mr. Subhadeep Sanyal, Partner, Omnivore Partners; Mr. Emmanuel Murray, Investment Director, Caspian Impact Investment; Mr. Gaurav Kumar, Director, Mandala Capital; Dr Mijanur Rahman, Director, R&D, PepsiCo; Ms Mahima Joshi, Senior Portfolio Analyst, Social Alpha; Mr Rohit Dhanda, AVP, Capital Markets & Strategic Alliance, Samunnati Financial Intermediation & Services Pvt. Ltd and Mr Jagdeep Marahar, Managing Director and Head, Nestle R&D Centre India Pvt Ltd were eminent members of the Jury.

 

10 innovators from a pool of 50 applicants were shortlisted and were evaluated on parameters including novelty of idea, reach & scope of the products, financial stability amongst others.

 

The winner AgroZee Organics Pvt Ltd focuses on  providing a cost-effective and sustainable post-harvest storage solution for Farmers, Farmer Producer Companies, SHGs, and Entrepreneurs for optimizing moisture content and removal of insects in millets.

 

Some More Foods Pvt. Ltd, the First runner up, focuses on delivering nutritious functional food prepared by millets by replacing unhealthy ingredients in popular food products like noodles, pasta, sevai, cookies etc with healthier ingredients.

 

Grans’s Goodness, the Second runner up is a growing Made in India, food venture that offers millet-based, healthy, and nutritious food to health-conscious  consumers.

Driven by village-level milk co-operative societies, India’s annual milk production will touch 330 million tonnes and contribute 33 per cent to the global milk output by 2033-34, said Union Minister for Home and Co-operation Amit Shah.

 

Addressing the Indian Dairy Association (IDA)‘s 49 th Dairy Industry Conference & Expo at Gandhinagar, Shah stated that Ministry of Co-operation, jointly with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of India, will set up Gramin Dairies (or primary milk producers’ society) across two lakh panchayats in the country.

 

'Once this happens, Indian dairy sector’s annual growth rate will jump from 6.6 per cent recorded in the past decade, to 13.80 per cent,' he said.

 

Dairy stats

He further said, 'Our milk processing capacity is around 126 million litres per day, highest in the world. About 22 per cent of the total milk produced goes for processing. Whatever milk is processed and exported, will help increase farmers’ incomes. There is an immense potential in dairy products exports such as milk powder, butter and ghee. We have created a multi-state co-operative society for exports. Once the integration of 2 lakh dairy societies with export co-operative happens, our exports will increase at least five-fold,' he said. Currently, India’s dairy exports are estimated at around Rs.47,000 crore.

 

He also noted that between 1970 and 2022, India’s population has increased four-fold, but milk production has increased by ten times. During the same period, India’s per capita milk consumption has increased from 107 grams per day to 427 grams, which is far ahead of the global average of 322 grams per day. 'We should not be satisfied by being the world’s largest milk producer. We must also strive to become the world’s biggest dairy exporter,' the country’s first co-operation minister said.

 

Shah added that India’s dairy co-operatives provided a platform to the rural poor and women for marketing their milk produce. 'There are about 9 crore families directly connected to the dairy sector. This means 45 crore people who are connected with this profession,' said Shah.

 

Budgetary sops needed

In his address, RS Sodhi, President, IDA, requested the Union Minister to consider giving due importance to the dairy sector in the Budget allocations. 'Dairy sector contributes about 30 per cent to the agriculture economy. Whereas budgetary allocations for dairy is only two per cent. A budgetary assistance can be useful for the long-term support to dairy farmers.'

 

Addressing the gathering, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, 'Gujarat has been a model of overall development and is also a leader in the dairy industry with a 20 per cent share in the country’s milk production. Dairy farmers must look for value addition, and focus on the quality of milk and milk products for sustainable growth.' IDA’s Conference, being held in Gujarat after 27 years, also saw prestigious awards including the Dr Kurien Award, IDA Patron Award, and IDA Fellowship Awards, conferred to candidates.

An amount of Rs 900 crore has been sanctioned by the Centre for holistic development of the agriculture sector in Jammu and Kashmir, a government official said, participating in a 'Kisan Mela' here. The day-long Mela evoked a massive response with over 900 farmers and other stakeholders including agri startups turning up to know about the latest scientific farming techniques and different government schemes.

 

Director Agriculture production and farmers welfare department said besides educating farmers and agri-Startups about the latest developments, the event has been organised with a focus to encourage farmers to adopt cultivation of Millets.

 

'The central government has sanctioned Rs 900 crore for holistic development of the agriculture sector with focus on doubling the income of farmers in J&K,' he said.

 

The Kisan Mela, inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan, was held at community Hall, marking the beginning of agricultural activities after prolonged winter in the hilly district.

 

The stalls, which were set up, showcased advanced farm technologies, indigenous farming methods and other innovative techniques developed by various companies, startups owners and progressive farmers.

 

'We are planning to completely switch over to Millets by 2047 to meet the demands of the coming generations,' Sharma said.

 

Progressive farmers and agri-Startups expressed gratitude to the government for organising the event at the beginning of agricultural season in the district.

 

'I have been practising organic farming for the past 20 years. I grow Quinoa, buckwheat, red paddy, vegetables and apples among others and I am aware of the fact that organic farming leads to environment protection, good soil health, saves water and reduces input cost.

 

'For seed treatment and insect-pest and disease management, I only use organic manure,' farmer Balwan Singh (64) of Chirala said.