Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Bhutan on March 19, though it is yet to be confirmed. On Thursday. Modi met visiting Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in New Delhi.

 

'I’m glad to meet my friend, the Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay, on the first overseas visit of his term. We had productive discussions covering various aspects of our unique and special partnership. I convey heartfelt thanks to His Majesty the King of Bhutan for inviting me to visit Bhutan next week,' Modi stated.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave its Ex-post facto approval today to the Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement (IGFA) that was signed on 13th February, 2024 during the High Level visit between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of the United Arab Emirates on Cooperation for the empowerment and operation of the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The aim of the IGFA is to enhance the bilateral relations and to further strengthen the relations between the two countries in the Ports, Maritime and Logistics sectors.

 

The IGFA includes areas of cooperation between the two countries with the objective of exploring further potential of future joint investment and collaboration in respect of development of the IMEC.

 

The Agreement contains detailed framework for cooperation between the two countries. The cooperation will be based on a set of mutually agreed upon principles, guidelines and agreements consistent with the relevant rules and regulations of the countries' jurisdiction.

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the three new cooperative societies -- NCOL, NCEL and BBSSL -- will help solve many problems of Indian agriculture and enhance farmers' income by promoting exports of farm products, including organic foods. He was speaking after inaugurating the new office building of three national level multi-state cooperative societies -- Bhartiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Ltd (BBSSL), National Cooperative Organics Ltd (NCOL) and National Cooperative Export Ltd (NCEL) at World Trade Centre, Nauroji Nagar here.

 

Shah stressed on the need to promote organic and natural farming, while discouraging use of chemical fertilisers.

 

He announced that there will be a laboratory in every district over the next five years to certify organic farm and products.

 

Shah said NCOL will promote organic farming in the country apart from cooperative Amul, which has already introduced many organic products in the market.

 

He noted that the total global organic market is Rs 10 lakh crore and India's exports of organic products are only Rs 7,000 crore.

 

'We want to grow India's organic exports to Rs 70,000 crore. It's an ambitious target but we will achieve it,' he said.

 

Shah said organic pulses, rice and wheat flour (atta) are being used at his home and asserted that the consumption of organic products will rise in India.

 

For seed society BBSSL, he said the target is Rs 10,000 crore turnover in the next five years.

 

To achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sahakar se Samriddhi', all three cooperative societies will ensure upliftment of the people associated with agriculture and related activities.

 

The government had earlier approved setting up of these three cooperative societies.

 

These societies have been registered under Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.

 

Cooperative societies of all levels (from district to state to national) who are interested in activities specified for each of the three societies, are eligible to become members.

 

NCEL has been formed to promote exports from the cooperative sector.

 

The member promoters of NCEL include Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (KRIBHCO), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED), and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).

 

NCEL will undertake direct export of goods and services of cooperatives and related entities.

 

NCOL has been formed to realize the potential of organic products and create a healthy agriculture ecosystem.

 

It acts as an umbrella organization for aggregation, procurement, certification, testing, branding and marketing of organic products of the cooperative sector.

 

NCOL is promoted by NAFED, NDDB ( National Dairy Development Board), NCDC, GCMMF and NCCF.

 

NCOL will help in the increase of production of organic products and it will also provide support in marketing of authentic and certified organic products by the cooperatives and related entities at various levels.

 

BBSSL deals with the advanced and traditional seed research and production and is responsible for their processing and marketing through the cooperative sector.

 

It is promoted by IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NDDB and NCDC.

 

BBSSL aims at increasing the production of quality seeds in India, at par with the global standards through cooperatives, and thereby reducing the dependence on imported seeds.

 

The good quality seeds will help in enhancing agriculture production, and in turn income for seed producing farmers.

 

All the three societies will ensure the upliftment of the people associated with agriculture and related activities and will procure the agricultural produce and seeds from the farmers via PACS.

 

This would further lead to the strengthening of PACS as the farmers associated with them will get maximum value for their produce.

 

The societies will be working with an objective of ensuring that profits on the net surplus go directly to farmers' accounts, thereby preventing leakages in the process.

India Wednesday signed the protocol to establish a bilateral institutional mechanism with Dominican Republic on trade and commerce to develop cooperation on trade, services and industrial technologies.

 

'The protocol envisages to strengthen and develop cooperation on trade, services, industrial technologies and various other sectors by means of technical assistance, training programmes and capacity building,'the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.

 

The Union Cabinet had approved the proposal for signing of the said protocol for establishment of Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) in January.

 

The agreement, signed in the 25 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, is an important step to elevate the existing economic and commercial relations further, according to the statement. The first meeting of India-Dominican Republic JETCO is expected to be held soon.

 

'It will be pivotal in mitigating challenges faced by the trade and industry and provide a platform for sharing of knowledge and best practices between the two countries,' the ministry said.

 

India primarily imports gold from the Dominican Republic and exports pharmaceuticals, marine products, motor vehicles, two and three wheelers.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the signing of an Agreement between Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding cooperation in the areas of food safety.

 

The signing of this Agreement between Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India will facilitate the trade between two neighboring countries. BFDA will issue a Health Certificate as a proof of compliance with the requirements prescribed by FSSAI, while exporting the products to India. This will promote Ease of Doing Business and will reduce compliance cost on both sides.

PM Modi spoke to his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Tuesday when they welcomed the progress made in the ongoing negotiations towards securing a 'historic and comprehensive' India-UK FTA that benefits both countries.

 

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment towards strengthening the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, a statement in New Delhi said. A Downing Street readout of the call noted that Sunak and Modi agreed on the importance of securing a 'historic and comprehensive deal'.

The Goa State Horticulture Corporation Limited (GSHCL) has achieved a remarkable milestone this year by procuring a record number of greens from local growers.

According to recent data released by GSHCL, in the previous financial year 2022-23, a total of 10.8 lakh kg of vegetables was procured from farmers across Goa. However, this year, the procurement figures have surged, with a total of 11.3 lakh kg of vegetables purchased up until Jan 2024.

'This is a clear-cut indication that vegetable production is increasing in Goa,' said GSHCL managing director, Chandrahas Desai.

 

Under the scheme for Promotion of Vegetables with Assured Market, aimed at supporting local farmers and ensuring a stable market for their produce, growers have been facilitated through 15 GSHCL procurement centres strategically located across Goa. At these centres, farmers deliver their freshly harvested produce, which is then meticulously weighed, and payment is made accordingly.

 

'One of the key aspects of the scheme is that farmers receive an assured rate for their produce, irrespective of the prevailing market rates,' Desai said.

'Such assurances not only provide financial stability to the farmers, but also encourage them to invest more in vegetable cultivation, thus contributing to the overall agricultural growth of the state,' he added.

With the increasing demand for greens, GSHCL has further expanded its procurement infrastructure by establishing three additional procurement centres in Davorlim, Cotigao, and Aldona respectively. These new centres are expected to enhance accessibility for farmers and streamline the procurement process, further boosting vegetable production and farmers’ income in these regions.

India's vegetable oils import fell 13 per cent year-on-year in February to nearly 9.75 lakh tonne, according to industry data. In a statement on Wednesday, Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) said the import of vegetable oils (comprising edible oils and non-edible oils) during February stood at 9,74,85 tonne as compared to 11,14,481 tonne in the year-ago period.

 

Out of the total imports, the edible oil shipments fell to 9,67,852 tonne last month from 10,98,475 tonne in February 2023.

 

Non-edible oils imports too fell to 7,000 tonne from 16,006 tonne in the year-ago period.

 

During November 2023-February 2024 period, the overall import of vegetable oils declined 21 per cent to 46,47,963 tonne from 58,87,900 tonne in the corresponding period of the previous oil year.

 

Oil marketing year runs from November to October.

 

Edible oils import fell to 46,15,551 tonne during the first four months of 2023-24 oil year from 58,44,765 tonne in the year-ago period.

 

Non-edible oils import dropped to 32,412 tonne during November-February period of 2023-24 oil year from 43,135 tonne in the corresponding period of the previous year.

 

India meets more than 50 per cent of its domestic requirements of edible oils through imports.

 

The country imports palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia. It imports soyabean oil from Argentina and Brazil.

 

'The decline of vegetable oil imports continued in February 2024. The availability of palm oil for edible oil requirements has come down as the main two producers Malaysia and Indonesia are diverting it for the production of biodiesel,' SEA said.

 

This might result in an increase in prices this year, it added.

 

'Palm oil output in Indonesia and Malaysia, which account for a bulk of global production is likely to either rise marginally in 2024 or decline from last year's level, as ageing plantations and lack of expansion cap output,' SEA said.

 

Import of soyabean oil from Argentina increased sharply in February 2024, while import from Brazil declined due to growing requirements of the domestic biofuel industry.

 

Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (ICAR-IIHR) have now developed a ready to serve (RTS) from dragon fruit popularly known as kamlam fruit.

 

The food technologists at IIHR said that it is difficult to prepare RTS dragon fruit beverage because of the tiny seeds and the nature of its pulp, said Pushpa Chethan Kumar, Senior Scientist, ICAR-IIHR.

 

The method that was adopted here to develop RTS dragon fruit juice is by using a process where seeds and its mucilage have been removed. It was ensured that the drink retained the exotic colour and taste of the dragon fruit. The RTS will provide consumers a soothing, lighter taste and a bright pink coloured dragon fruit beverage, she said.

 

The cultivation and harvesting process of yellow dragon fruit is labour-intensive, which is one of the reasons why it is more expensive than other fruits. Additionally, the plant is not as widely grown as other fruits, and it requires specific growing conditions, which can make it even more expensive.

 

The beverage will have a shelf-life of six months. It is sans any synthetic flavours or colour. The scientists are also working on dragon fruit pulp powder and different flavoured dragon fruit ready to serve beverages.

 

In the area of ready to eat (RTE) foods   the scientists have also given a new form to the popular jackfruit by making it into a ready to eat curry. This innovation was perhaps the most intriguing product for many visitors at the National Horticulture Fair 2024 held at Hessarghatta in Bengaluru from March 5 to 7, 2024.

 

The food scientists adopted the Retort Processing Technology to standardise the recipe, ensuring the right storage and stabilisation of the final product. With no preservatives, the curry has a shelf life of 18 months at room temperature.

 

According to the ICAR-IIHR officials, like any ready to eat product, the packet of curry needs to be dipped in hot water for five to eight minutes before consumption. The tender jackfruit curry in ready to eat form increases its reach as well as meets the needs of consumers. This in-turn bolsters the growth of the ready to eat food segment for the processing industry.

 

With tender jackfruit gaining popularity as a substitute for meat in many countries across the world, over 80 tonne of jackfruit were exported from Karnataka mainly to Bangladesh and Thailand. 

 

Going by the demand, scientists have also come up with a technologically innovative ready to cook product which provides 18 months shelf-life to bulbs of tender jackfruit, It prevents browning of the bulbs and preserves the texture, according to the officials of ICAR-IIHR.