Government is promoting natural farming as chemical free farming since 2019-2020 through a sub-scheme namely Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). So far 4.09 lakh ha area has been sanctioned and Rs. 70.13 Crore has been released for natural farming in 8 states under BPKP across the country. An area of 1.48 lakh ha have also been sanctioned for promotion of natural farming along the Ganga Corridor. To motivate farmers to adopt natural farming and to enhance the reach of natural farming, the Government has formulated National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a separate and independent scheme by up scaling the BPKP.

 

For the benefit of farmers, Government of India is promoting Drones in the field of Agriculture which will help in infusing advanced technology, improve efficiency, enhance crop yield and reduce cost of operation.

 

Under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) financial assistance @100% of the cost of drone up to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakhs per drone is provided for its purchase and demonstration on the farmers’ fields by the institutes under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), State and other Central Government Agricultural Institutions/Departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of Government of India engaged in agricultural activities. The Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) are provided grants up to 75% of the cost of Kisan Drone for its demonstrations on the farmers’ fields. A contingency expenditure of Rs.6000 per hectare is provided to these implementing agencies that do not want to purchase drones but will hire drones for demonstrations from Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), Hi-tech Hubs, Drone Manufacturers and Start-Ups. The contingent expenditure to implementing agencies that purchase drones for drone demonstrations is limited to Rs.3000 per hectare. In order to make available drone services to farmers on rental basis, financial assistance @ 40% up to a maximum of Rs. 4.00 lakhs are provided for purchase of drones by CHCs under Cooperative Society of Farmers, FPOs and Rural entrepreneurs. Agriculture graduates establishing CHCs are eligible to receive financial assistance @ 50% of the cost of drone up to a maximum of Rs.5.00 lakhs per drone. For purchase of drones on individual ownership basis, the Small and Marginal, Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe, Women and North Eastern State farmers are provided financial assistance @ 50% of the cost up to a maximum of Rs. 5.00 lakhs and other farmers @ 40% up to a maximum of Rs. 4.00 lakhs.

 

Under SMAM, funds amounting to Rs. 141.39 crores have been released towards Kisan Drone promotion which includes Rs. 52.50 crores released to the ICAR for purchase of Kisan Drones and organizing their demonstrations on the farmers’ fields through 100 KVKs, 75 ICAR institutions and 25 SAUs. The funds have been provided to the State Governments for supply of 461 Kisan Drone to farmers on subsidy and establishment of 1585 Kisan Drone CHCs to provide drone services to the farmers. 263 Agri-Drones have been procured by 193 Institutions of ICAR across the country. 260 personnel from these institutions have undergone Drone Pilot Training. With a view to create awareness on the advantages of drone in agriculture, these Institutions have carried out 15,075 drone demonstrations on nutrients, fertilizers, chemicals (insect & pest) applications following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering 16,471 hectare area.

 

The Government has also recently approved Central Sector Scheme "NAMO DRONE DIDI” for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores. The scheme aims to provide drones to 15000 selected Women SHGs for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose (application of fertilizers and pesticides). Of the total 15,000 drones, first 500 drones will be procured by Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) in 2023-24, using their internal resources for distribution to selected SHGs. Remaining 14500 drones will be provided under this scheme during 2024-25 and 2025-26 and Central Financial Assistance @ 80% of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of Rs. 8.0 lakhs will be provided to the women SHGs for purchase of drones. The Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) of SHGs may raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as loan under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF). Interest subvention @ 3% on the AIF loan will be provided to the CLFs. The scheme will help in infusing advance technology in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhanced crop yield and reduced cost of operation for the benefit of farmers. The scheme will also provide sustainable business and livelihood support to SHGs and they would be able to earn additional income of at least Rs. 1.0 lakhs per annum.

 

As informed by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) they have initiated JIVA programme under Watershed & Tribal Development Funds to promote an agro-ecological approach through chemical-free Natural Farming in the completed Watershed & Tribal Development Projects on a pilot basis. Incidentally, the NGOs who have implemented Watershed & Tribal Development Projects are acting as implementing agencies of JIVA agro-ecology programme (Natural Farming).

 

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Arjun Munda in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

The Union Health Ministry has disclosed a plan to make FSSAI a single regulator to regulate the food industry and trade in India.

 

In a meeting chaired by the Union Health Secretary here, several crucial amendments to streamline food safety and standards regulations were also approved.

 

These amendments related to both horizontal and vertical aspects of the FSS Act that will replace the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or AGMARK certification for food products.

 

'After the amendments are finalised, food businesses would not have to go to different authorities for mandatory certification with only FSSAI certification being made mandatory for food products,' reads a statement by the Union Health Ministry.

 

Other approvals include standards of Mead (Honey wine) and Alcoholic Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, revision of standards of milk fat products, standards for Haleem and so on.

 

The food authority also approved a first-of-its-kind and comprehensive manuals of methods of analysis for ensuring regulatory compliance of the food products.

 

The amendments across different Food Safety and Standards Regulations were approved in the meeting for draft notification to invite stakeholder comments before finalisation.

 

These regulations included the revision of standards of Milk Fat Products, as part of which the fatty acid requirements for ghee will also be applicable for other milk fat products.

 

The food authority is also going to set standards for ‘Haleem’ as part of standards for meat products. Haleem is a dish made of meat, pulses, grains and other ingredients, which currently does not have any set standards.

 

The meeting was also attended by FSSAI officials.

India’s output of Kabuli chana (white chickpea) will likely increase this year, as farmers, riding on higher prices, have expanded the acreage across key growing regions in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

 

While the acreages have increased, weather conditions over the next few weeks will decide the crop size. Also, exports ahead of next month’s Ramadan have been good, trade sources said. 'The cultivation of Kabuli chana has seen a significant increase in all the major growing areas of the country this year. States such as Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have witnessed increase in areas. Farmers have responded to higher prices, which are at a record high hovering around ?150 per kg, by increasing their sowing for this year’s crop. Additionally, the demand for Kabuli chickpeas, both domestically and internationally, was remarkable last year, further contributing to the rise in prices,' said Harsha Rai, Vice-president, Sales at Mayur Global Corporation, an international agro commodities brokerage house.

 

Monsoon impact

While the crop area and the condition looked good, the weather over the next few weeks holds the key for the crop size. ' Central India, known for large scale cultivation of chickpeas, has felt the impact of the deficit monsoon rains. While December was warmer than usual, January brought colder temperatures. Looking ahead, it would be interesting to observe what kind of yields will be seen from the Central India crop as the IMD has forecasted a hotter February ahead for the region.' Rai said.

 

Farmers have expanded the area under Kabuli chana as the prices were good for most part of the last year ruling above ?100 per kg, said Suresh Agarwal, President, All India Dal Mills Association. As a result, the production will be more this year, he said.

 

Bimal Kothari, chairman of India Pulses and Grains Association, said the Kabuli chana crop will be bigger this year on increase in area. While there’s no official data on the production of Kabuli chana in the country, trade sources estimate it to be around 3.5 lakh tonnes. Production numbers of Kabuli chickpea are clubbed with crop estimates of chana by the Government. India exports and imports Kabuli chana. As per the DGCIS data, India exported 68,654 tonnes of Kabuli chana during April-November valued at ?816.72 crore. During 2022-23, exports were 1.21 lakh tonnes, valued at ?1,200 crore. India exports Kabuli chana to countries such as Turkey, UAE and Sri Lanka among others. During April-October of the current fiscal, imports of Kabuli chickpea were 72,060 tonnes valued at ?518.72 crore.

 

Opportunity for old stocks

The early start to Ramadan this year, is keeping the prices firm this year. 'Normally during the months of December, January, and February, kabuli chana prices witness a decline as the new crop harvest begins in mid-February. This period is characterised by increased stock liquidity from the previous year. However, this year was an exception to this trend, and prices did not decrease during these months as expected. The early start of Ramadan this year, beginning on March 10, has had a significant impact on the market for old crop stocks. This has provided a unique opportunity for old crop stocks to meet the demands of consumers,' Rai said.

 

Also, the new crop, which is in pod formation stages in many places, is expected from mid-February in Maharashtra and March in central India. 'With the export demand for the months of February and March already showing promising results, it will be interesting to watch how the market evolves after April, when the Mexican crop also hits the market,' Rai said.