The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government is tapping Russia and the Gulf markets to export horticultural crops in a bid to boost the rural economy and provide remunerative prices to the state’s farmers.

The government has exported a consignment of guava to Oman even as more bulk orders are expected.

 

Earlier, a shipment of mangoes was sent to Russia, which fetched the local farmers almost 10 times higher prices than local rates.

'The exported mango fetched Rs 800 per kg price in Russia compared to an average price of Rs 80 per kg in the local markets,' said Dinesh Pratap Singh, minister of state (independent charge) Horticulture Agriculture Marketing Agriculture Foreign Trade and Agriculture Export Department.

 

In 2021-22, the state had exported 160,000 tonnes of vegetables to Gulf countries through air routes.

Singh said the government was taking multiple steps to double the farmers’ income and facilitate farm exports.

'Several crops grown in UP are gaining traction in the export market and contributing to the government’s agenda of boosting farm income,' he said.

The state is also looking to expand the export market spectrum to European countries. It is also setting up modern packhouses to catalyse farm exports.

The government is motivating farmers to cultivate crops which have a higher export potential. It is promising assistance related to farmers’ training, subsidy and marketing support.

UP is among the top agricultural and horticultural producers in India with leadership positions in a variety of crops including sugarcane and potato.

Higher farm shipments will give a fillip to the agrarian economy of the state and accelerate socio-economic growth by promoting ‘agri-prenuers’ and food processing.

Meanwhile, UP has clocked 3.5 million tonnes (MT) in paddy procurement in the current kharif marketing season 2023-24.

It is targeting 7 million tonnes in direct paddy procurement from farmers. So far, about 525,000 paddy farmers have been paid about Rs 6,800 crore.

Moreover, about 360,000 tonnes of millets or ‘Shri Anna’ have been procured and farmers are paid Rs 838 crore. Millet crops include maize, bajra and jowar. The state is targeting to achieve a millet acreage of 2.5 million hectares.

 

At present, millet crop area and production in UP is estimated at 1.1 million hectares and 5 million tonnes respectively, which corresponds to 20 per cent of India’s annual output. Major millets in UP include jowar, bajra, kodo, ragi, kottu and sanwa.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has decided to include the Integrity Pact (IP) as per CVC (Central Vigilance Commission) guidelines in the bids announced by the ministry for various schemes.

 

'The Pre-bid and Post-Contract Integrity Pact is a tool to help governments, businesses and civil society to fight corruption in public contracting. It binds both procuring entities and sellers to ethical conduct and transparency in all activities from pre-selection of bidders, bidding and contracting, implementation, completion and operation related to the contract,' reads a statement issued by the ministry adding that this removes insecurity of bidders, that while they themselves may abjure bribery, but their competitors may resort to it and win contract by unfair means.

 

The IP will be the part of the text of bid so floated for tendering Request For Proposals.

 

According to the ministry, the pact essentially envisages an agreement between the prospective contractors/bidders and the Procuring Entity, committing the persons/ officials of both sides, not to resort to any corrupt practices in any aspect/stage of the contract.

 

And only those contractors/bidders, who commit themselves to such a Pact with the Procuring Entity would be considered competent to participate in the bidding process meaning entering into this Pact would be preliminary qualification.

 

Also, the Integrity Pact envisages engagement of Independent External Monitors (IEMs) by the Government Organisations to monitor the smooth implementation of Pact.

 

MoFPI has appointed 3 such Monitors, who will act as Independent External Monitors.

Prices of non-premium non-basmati rice continue to rule firm despite the central government's recent instructions to the trade and industry to reduce prices. Surprisingly, rice prices have stayed firm even when the paddy harvest is underway and exports have been banned.

 

Traders say the main reason for high prices of non-premium non-basmati rice varieties is their lower availability in the market due to lower monthly free distribution and sale of rice (offtake) by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

 

An analysis of FCI data shows monthly rice offtake for September, October and November in 2023 declined by close to 50% compared to corresponding months of 2022.

 

The offtake of rice in September and October 2023 was 2.838 mt and 3.098 mt,respectively, while in September and October 2022, the monthly offtake was 5.848 mt and 5.386 mt , respectively. The offtake of rice in November 2023 was 3.126 mt against 7.083 mt in year-ago month.

 

Trade insiders said FCI reduced sale to meet combined buffer stock norms of wheat and rice, as even the wheat stocks with the agency were inadequate. 'As less rice is available to the people through FCI, they are buying rice in the open market, which has been keeping the prices high,' said rice trader Rajesh Jain Paharia.

 

Rice inflation has been ruling in the double digits since last one year.

 

India's agricultural exports will rise in fiscal 2023/24 from last year despite curbs on wheat, rice and sugar, the nation's trade minister said on Monday, amid efforts to diversify shipments.

 

The world's second-largest producer of wheat, rice and sugar, India restricted exports of these commodities last year in a bid to rein in rising domestic prices.

 

These restrictions are likely to cause a shortfall of about $4 billion to $5 billion this year, Reuters reported last month.

 

'We had agri exports in the aggregate of about $53 billion in 2022/23, and we expect the number to increase in the current year despite the restrictions placed on export of rice, wheat or sugar,' trade minister Piyush Goyal said in his address to a conference in New Delhi.

 

Data from state-run trade body APEDA showed that exports of meat and dairy, cereal preparations, and fruits and vegetables rose between April and November this year.

 

The India-UK free-trade agreement (FTA) has a 'few ticklist issues' that need to be sorted out, Union Minister for Commerce Piyush Goyal told reporters at a press briefing on Monday in Chennai.

 

'The EU (FTA) being 27 countries will take more time (but) the UK can be done quickly but there are a few ticklist issues,' he said.

 

According to the government, India-UK free trade agreement talks completed 13 rounds of negotiations that took place from 18 September to 15 December. The fourteenth round of negotiations are expected to begin this month.

 

When asked for a timeline, Goyal said that one can never put a deadline to an FTA.

 

'You have to look at 50 years, you have to crystal gaze into the future, carefully analyse and assess and never do an FTA in a hurry,' he said. 'Do it smart. That doesn't mean you cannot do it fast. You can do it smart and fast, but don't do it in a hurry till you are very sure about all your data, all your inputs, your protections, your offensive interests, your defensive interests.'

 

Goyal said that other countries too such as Oman, Peru and Chile were also courting India to sign an FTA but the minister said that currently India did not have the bandwidth to take these on at the moment.

 

'If I talk to any foreign minister, the first thing they say is we want to do an FTA,' he said. 'Russia also wants to do an FTA. So everybody wants to do an FTA with us.'

 

The minister also spoke about how he felt 'scorching growth' in exports was not sustainable and that he told his team that they should be modest in their expectations and give it time to cool off.

 

'In only two years, (exports have gone) from $500 billion to $776 billion,' he explained. 'It is 55% growth in only two years. Such scorching growth is not possible to continuously sustain. You need to cool off, you need to stabilize your numbers, you need to stabilize your supply side.'He said that this year, a lot of commodity prices fell, including petroleum and hence some element of the fall in India's exports is also due to commodity prices. However, he said this has been made up with other value-added products like smartphones.

 

'This year we had at least $5-6 billion worth of (exports in) smartphones,' he said. 'Apple alone will be $5 billion of exports, probably by the end of the year. So, in terms of foreign trade, we are doing very well.'

India's agriculture exports, which stood at over USD 50 billion at present, are expected to double by 2030 and reach USD 100 billion, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said on Monday. He said that the country is targeting USD 2 trillion worth of exports of goods and services by 2030.

 

'I am very sure that this USD 50 billion exports of India today will see a doubling of our exports by 2030 to almost USD 100 billion,' he said at the IndusFood Show 2024 here.

 

This is the largest food and beverage show in South Asia.

 

The secretary said that areas like the ready-to-eat food segment have huge potential to grow.

 

He also urged the industry to focus on the technical standard requirements of importing countries.

 

Inaugurating the show, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that this fiscal year, the country's agri exports will be more than last year's level of USD 53 billion, despite restrictions imposed on shipments of certain key commodities, including rice, wheat and sugar.

 

Earlier, an official said that the export ban and restrictions on these commodities may hit exports of about USD 4-5 billion this fiscal.

 

The government has prohibited exports of wheat and non-basmati white rice and has also imposed curbs on sugar exports.

 

Speaking at the event, Trade Promotion Council of India Chairman Mohit Singla said that over 1,200 exhibitors and more than 7,500 buyers from across the world representing about 90 countries are participating in the three-day show.

 

Over 80 retail chains, such as Choithrams, Carrefour, Khimji Ramdas, Grand Hypermarket, Nesto, Mustafa, X5, Lulu, Almaya Group, and Spar, are also participating, he added.

 

Indian exports of processed food grew 150% in the last nine years, said Piyush Goyal, minister for commerce & industry, consumer affairs, food & public distribution and textiles, adding that the country's agricultural exports stood at an aggregate of about $53 billion during this time.

 

Praising India's diverse food industry and the burgeoning demand for Indian foods globally, the minister emphasised on the need for large-scale food processing, product branding and export focus to provide better value to farmers, generate employment and enhance the country's earnings.

 

India has 158 food and agri Geographical Indications (GIs) and the identification of 708 unique food items across districts under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, the minister said, while inaugurating the 'Indus Food 2024', an exhibition to showcase India's vibrant and diverse food ecosystem at the India Exposition Mart, Greater Noida. The minister also highlighted India's economic strengths as the fastest-growing large economy, attributing the success to solid macroeconomic foundations and a youthful demographic dividend.

 

 

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurated the ‘Indus Food 2024’, exhibition to showcase India's vibrant and diverse food ecosystem, being held in India Exposition Mart, Greater Noida. While delivering an inspiring address at the inauguration of the exhibition, the Minister praised India's diverse food industry, emphasizing its potential to captivate global markets.

 

Speaking on India's food processing sector, Shri Goyal highlighted the 150% growth in processed food exports over the last nine years. The Minister highlighted that India’s agricultural exports stood at an aggregate of about US$ 53 Billion. Shri Piyush Goyal quoted the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and said that the time has come for a fusion of technology and taste. He emphasized the need for large-scale food processing, product branding, and export focus to provide better value to farmers, generate employment, and enhance the country's earnings.

 

The Minister recognized the burgeoning demand for Indian foods globally, he underscored the country's diverse agro-climatic zones, 158 food and agri Geographical Indications (GIs), and the identification of 708 unique food items across districts under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.

 

He lauded the success of food security initiatives of the government such as the 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana', providing free food grains to 81 Crore people and ensuring zero starvation deaths in the country. Additionally, he commended efforts to mitigate food inflation through strategic interventions like ‘Bharat Atta’ and ‘Bharat Dal’.

 

The Minister highlighted India's economic strengths as the fastest-growing large economy, attributing the success to solid macroeconomic foundations and a youthful demographic dividend. He credited social media and global influencers for promoting Indian culinary delights, leading to a surge in the popularity of diverse regional cuisines. Shri Piyush Goyal highlighted the richness of Indian cuisine, noting its distinctive flavors, spices, and aromas.

 

Shri Goyal stressed the vital role of women in the food sector and emphasized the need for industry-wide collaboration and cooperation while maintaining a competitive spirit. He urged the industry to focus on frozen, packaged, and ready-to-eat foods, encouraging skill development, university exchange programs, and startups in the sector. The Minister urged the industry to prioritize quality, nutrition, organic ingredients, and eco-friendly packaging, underscoring the significance of promoting food nutrition and sustainability.

 

Shri Piyush Goyal praised the significant success and outstanding achievements of the seventh edition of Indus Food, hailing it as the epicenter for food and beverage excellence in South Asia. He highlighted the international prominence of the event, revealing plans for India Global Culinary Exchange, welcoming 20 top international chefs to experience the country's culinary excellence firsthand.

 

Expressing confidence in India's capacity to host the world's largest fairs, the Minister emphasized Delhi's potential as a global hub for various expos. He shed light on the ongoing Aatmanirbhar Bharat Utsav at Bharat Mandapam and announced the upcoming Bharat Mobility in the following month, followed by Bharat Tex at the end of February 2024. He shared his vision for these events to lay the groundwork for even larger exhibitions in the coming years. Envisioning 2025 as the year for multi-venue, large-scale shows, he aspired for India to host the world's largest food fair, setting global benchmarks.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Trade, has granted the first 'Geographical Indication'(GI) tag in Jammu & Kashmir for Basmati Rice. The GI tag has been granted to Sarveshwar Foods Limited, which has become the first and only company based in the region to have the GI tag for basmati rice for export purposes.

 

'GI tag awarded by the APEDA (Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India) after thorough verification of records, quality of the product, their properties, origin, and procurement, processing procedure adopted by Sarveshwar Foods for its Basmati Rice, and henceforth entitles the company to affix GI Tag on its packaging for export,' the company said in a release.

 

A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or manufactured product (handicraft and industrial goods) originating from a particular geographical territory.

 

A product with the coveted geographical indication (GI) is recognised as a genuine and authentic product by the consumers. This will enable the company to penetrate deeper into the international markets and extend its product franchise across the globe.

 

'It is an honour for the entire team that Sarveshwar Foods Limited has become the first and the only Company from Jammu & Kashmir to obtain Geographical Indication'( GI) from APEDA ( Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India) for Basmati Rice,' said Rohit Gupta, chairman of the company.

 

Sarveshwar Foods Limited (SFL) is a USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) certified company. It is engaged in the business of manufacturing, trading, processing, and marketing of branded and un-branded basmati and non-basmati rice in the domestic and international markets.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is implementing a Central Sector Scheme named, Strengthening of Food Testing Laboratory (SOFTeL) System in the country, including provision of Mobile Food Testing Labs.

 

Indian Government is providing financial assistance for setting up food testing laboratories to ensure compliance with domestic and international standards for food products. A network of food testing and analysis laboratories is required to support the surveillance system of the food regulator and monitor the level of contaminants, additives, and pesticide residues in food items. The scheme offers grants-in-aid of 100% for government organisations and 50-70% for private organisations/entities. There is no ceiling to financial assistance when the ministry establishes or sponsors such projects. The proposals received for financial assistance are examined by a Techno Committee and then placed before a Project Approval Committee for consideration and approval. The grants will be provided on a case-to-case basis with the approval of competent authority. The implementation procedure involves presenting proposals before the Technical Committee and then the Project Approval Committee.

 

FSSAI's scheme focuses on strengthening state food labs, capacity building of food analysts, and incentivising states to use existing testing facilities. It aims to reduce the burden on government labs and involve schools and colleges in ensuring safe and wholesome food. The scheme aims to generate awareness among school and college-going youth through exposure to food testing in their internal labs. FSSAI took a 360-degree view of the food testing ecosystem in India. The SoFTeL scheme has six major components as follows:

 

1.Strengthening of State Food Testing Labs

The objective of the scheme is to strengthen food testing laboratories across states. A total of 45 labs are proposed to be equipped with state-of-the-art instruments. The objective is to enable these labs to analyse regulatory and surveillance samples quickly, test food safety parameters, reduce sample analysis time, ensure compliance with food standards, achieve accreditation within 2 years, and become a resource for training and facility upgradation. The scheme also aims to introduce an online laboratory data management system.

 

2.Strengthening of Referral Food Testing Labs

Strengthening of referral food testing laboratories will enable them to conduct referral and appeal tests by leveraging existing laboratories of various established laboratories in the government/public sector to ensure compliance with the FSSR. It is proposed to develop a world-class referral laboratory with high-quality testing equipment. It works within the framework of FSSR. As per FSSR, one-time financial assistance will be provided for up to one or two major equipment facilities at a maximum of Rs 3 billion.

 

3.Support for Mobile Food Labs

The plan envisages setting up of mobile food testing stations (one in every 20 districts of the state and at least one in each state/UT) (total 62 locations). The district group for each mobile laboratory will be decided in consultation with the respective State/UT Governments.The mobile laboratory will be responsible for food safety monitoring and awareness functions in remote areas of the state, large public communities, schools, and consumer organisations, providing qualitative testing of common food products such as ghee, milk, khoya, sweets. An inspection is on the horizon.This provides an on-site test option to test for foreign particle contamination. Unapproved food colourings found in various foods such as edible oils, namkeen, spices, and ready-to-eat foods. FSC staff in the region prepares 15-day district calendar for each mobile laboratory in the state/UT. Mobile laboratories will be operated by the respective State Governments/UTs or their agencies/NGOs/Trusts/Society as determined by the States/UTs. Grahak Suvidha Kendras set up by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs can also be used for this purpose.

 

The mobile food testing laboratory is expected to provide consumers in remote and inland areas with easy access to testing facilities for common foreign substances in food products.

 

The 4,444 food testing laboratories are located in only 4,444 major cities, making it difficult to analyse fresh food samples from 4,444 small towns and villages.  Mobile laboratories can also be used to transport samples collected from remote locations to the nearest food testing laboratory.

 

The mobile food labs will have quick adulteration detection facilities and rapid test equipment for food items of mass consumption like: • Milk; • Packaged Drinking Water; • Oil.

 

4.Capacity Building of Food Testing Laboratories Personnel:

Capacity development is an essential part of strengthening and modernising the food testing laboratory ecosystem in the country.

 

The ultimate goal of this activity is for all Government food testing laboratories to receive his NABL accreditation and achieve parity with the best laboratories in the country.

 

All state food testing and standards laboratories are eligible to participate in this programme.

 

In order to build a network of effective and qualified food analysts in the country, institutes designated by FSSAI are also encouraged to participate in capacity development programmes.This requires not only good testing facilities, but above all qualified and competent food testing personnel.

 

Therefore, an element of training and capacity development is needed as an integral part of strengthening and modernising the national food inspection agency system.

 

Food analysts and other laboratory personnel must be familiar with the latest analytical techniques and methods. Scientific and technical personnel who are required to undergo mandatory training in government food testing laboratories are also encouraged to obtain her NABL certification by providing support and cost of NABL certification fees.

 

5.Incentivising States to utilise the facilities available in FSSAI Notified Labs

Utilisation of this vast infrastructure in the enforcement activities would cut down delays and bring in transparency. States would be encouraged to undertake surveillance activities in specified food categories by using the test facilities of FSSAI notified labs. For this purpose, States/UT would be  incentivised to meet the cost towards the testing charges by the FSSAI notified labs.

 

6.School Food & Hygiene Programme

The primary objective of establishing basic food testing facility in schools is to disseminate information about the basic understanding of the FSSR and general hygiene and safety practices and involve schools and college youth in our endeavour to ensure safe and wholesome food.

 

A state level competition can be organised focused on the basic aspects of personal hygiene, Basics of food safety and quick tests for detection of food adulteration.The schools who qualify in the competition can be selected for the support to be provided.

 

It is proposed to cover 500 schools/colleges across the country for establishing basic facilities at level-1 with a grant of Rs 3 lakh each and another 1000 schools/colleges to establish facilities for food testing at level-2 with a grant of Rs 1 lakh each over a period of three years.