The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing an umbrella scheme- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) since 2017-18 across the country. PMKSY is a comprehensive package of component schemes, which is aimed at creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet. It provides a big boost to the growth of food processing sector in the country, helps in providing better prices to farmers, creates huge employment opportunities especially in the rural areas, reduces wastage of agricultural produce, increases the processing level and enhances the export of the processed foods. Under the following component schemes, financial support in the form of grants-in-aid is provided for setting up of food processing projects across the country:

 

(i) Mega Food Parks scheme (MFP) (discontinued w.e.f. 01.04.2021)

 

(ii) Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition infrastructure (Cold Chain)

 

(iii) Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Cluster (APC)

 

(iv) Creation/ Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities (CEFPPC)

 

(v) Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages (CBFL) (discontinued w.e.f. 01.04.2021)

 

(vi) Operation Greens(OG): Long Term Interventions

 

(vii) Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure – Setting up / Up gradation of quality control/ food testing laboratories (FTL)

 

(viii) Human Resource & Institutions (HRI)

 

A total of 1132 projects for food processing have been approved in the 36 states/UTs with total project cost of ?23071.29 crores, with the aim to create processing capacity of 252.297 lakh MT/annum, preservation capacity of 42.908 lakh MT/annum, employment of 602070 persons and providing benefits to 3819220 farmers.

 

The sub scheme wise financial details are provided at Annexure.

 

The details of physical targets proposed by the Ministry for the 15th Finance Commission Cycle period (2021 - 26) and achievements made as on date under various component schemes of PMKSY are as under:

 

The Ministry is regularly reviewing the projects with Project Implementing Agencies and Project Management Agencies (PMAs) to speed up the process of release. Release of funds is made in respect of the claims submitted by the projects on achievement of the respective milestones stipulated for them.

 

ANNEXURE

Details of fund allocated / grants-in-aid released under various component schemes of PMKSY from 2017-18 to 2023-24 (till 30.11.2023)

? in crore
S. No.	Sub-Scheme of PMKSY	Financial Year	Fund Allocated	Grants in aid released
1     pib.gov.in
	11 Dec, 2023 India seeks to settle WTO import duty dispute with EU on ICT goods through free trade talks. India seeks to resolve a WTO import duty dispute with the European Union on certain information and technology products through the proposed free trade agreement, which is under active negotiations, an official said. Following a ruling of the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) dispute panel on April 17 that import duties imposed by India on certain information and technology (ICT) products such as mobile phones and components, base stations, integrated circuits and optical instruments violate global trading norms, India and the European Union (EU) are discussing ways to resolve the matter amicably outside the ambit of the WTO.   As part of the discussion, the EU has sought duty concessions from India on these goods as it was violative of the global trade norms, but India has stated that it would be again a breach of WTO rules, if the concessions be extended only to the EU, the official said.   'They are seeking duty concessions, which according to India can be discussed only under the free trade agreement (FTA). India can consider something under the FTA, but not on MFN (most favoured nation) basis,' the official added.   Under the MFN basis, a WTO member country can not give import duty concessions of goods only to one country or region as it would be a violation of global trade rules.   All the 164 members of the Geneva-based multi-lateral body have to provide equal/national treatment to each other by extending MFN status.   For India, cutting duties on these items would be difficult as the government is focusing on boosting domestic manufacturing of electronic goods to reduce imports.   A production-linked incentive scheme has been launched to support the manufacturing of different IT hardware products in the country.   Imports of electronic goods rose by 11.63 per cent to USD 51.4 billion during April-October this fiscal.   The European Union and Chinese Taipei both have requested the World Trade Organisation's dispute settlement body not to adopt the panel's ruling against India with regard to an ICT duty dispute to enable the countries to resolve the issue mutually.   On April 2, 2019, the EU challenged the introduction of import duties by India at WTO on a wide range of ICT products like mobile phones and components, base stations, integrated circuits and optical instruments.   The EU had claimed that the measures appear to be inconsistent with certain provisions of WTO. Later, Chinese Taipei and Japan joined the dispute.   Since Japan has filed its motion for the adoption of the panel's report at Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) meeting at WTO, India, in response, filed its notice of appeal in the WTO's appellate body.   Interestingly, the appellate body is not functioning because of differences among member countries over the appointment of its members. Several disputes are already pending with this body. The US has been blocking the appointment of the members.   According to the EU, India has been applying duties ranging from 7.5 per cent to 20 per cent and the levies affect EU exports worth Euro 600 million per year.   In October 2018, India hiked import duty on certain communication items, including base stations, to up to 20 per cent as part of efforts to check a widening current account deficit by curbing imports and boosting domestic manufacturing. India has recently resolved all the trade disputes of the WTO with the US through mutually agreed solutions.    Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
	11 Dec, 2023 PM Rishi Sunak's officials in Delhi to discuss India-UK FTA: Report. London, Senior officials from British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's team are in New Delhi this week to add momentum behind the ongoing round of negotiations for an India-UK free trade agreement (FTA), according to a UK media report on Saturday.   'The Guardian' newspaper reports that while there is no official comment from either side on such a visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is keen to finalise the FTA by the end of February before Modi sets off on an expected general election campaign trail.   Both countries are heading into an election year in 2024 and signing off on a trade agreement with India will bolster Sunak's electoral pitch to voters showing signs of anti-incumbency towards his governing Conservatives.   'The deal is still very much on and we think it is possible before both countries have their elections. Both sides are keen to get this done,' an official close to the talks told the newspaper.   The India-UK FTA talks began in January last year with Diwali 2022 set as the initial deadline by then prime minister Boris Johnson.   There have been 13 rounds of negotiations since then, with the Sunak-led Tory government wary of setting any firm new timelines to clinch a deal that is expected to significantly enhance the GBP 36-billion bilateral trading partnership.   'The UK and India continue to work towards an ambitious trade deal that works for both countries. We have always been clear we will only sign a deal that is fair, balanced, and ultimately in the best interests of the British people and the economy,' said a spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), reiterating the official UK government line.   Most recently, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar confirmed that the FTA was among the many topics on the agenda during his visit to the UK last month and expressed confidence that both sides would find a 'landing point that works for both of us'.   'We have made substantial progress... I think both sides are very aware of the importance of the FTA and will make the utmost effort to get there. So, we have to take it as it happens,' Jaishankar told reporters after he met with Sunak and other senior Cabinet ministers.   The minister also discussed the FTA negotiations with UK Opposition leaders in meetings with Labour leader Keir Starmer and shadow foreign secretary David Lammy during his November visit.   There had been some speculation that cricket enthusiast Sunak would be following up his first India visit as UK prime minister for the G20 Summit in September with some cricket diplomacy at the England versus India World Cup clash in Lucknow on October 29 - when the highly anticipated FTA could be signed off.   However, the internal political turmoil of a Cabinet reshuffle within the Tory party and the Israel-Hamas conflict on the global front were said to have side-tracked focus.   'We are very close...We will finish when we finish,' UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch told a House of Commons committee when questioned about timelines recently.   Meanwhile, her Indian counterpart, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has indicated that nearly 20 of the 26 chapters have been closed.   India is demanding greater access for its skilled professionals from sectors like IT, and healthcare in the UK market, besides market access for several goods at nil customs duties.   On the other hand, the UK is seeking a significant cut in import duties on goods such as scotch whiskey, automobiles, lamb meat, chocolates and certain confectionary items.   Britain is also looking for more opportunities for UK services in Indian markets in segments like telecommunications, legal and financial services (banking and insurance).  Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
	11 Dec, 2023 Govt working to ensure export sector becomes self-sustaining: Piyush Goyal. India is aiming to achieve the $2 trillion export target by 2030 and in the process it is moving this industry out of the government support to make it self-sustaining and cost competitive, Union minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday. Addressing Infinity Forum 2.0 virtually at Gujarat Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), he said the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City has become a lynchpin in propelling India's export-led growth.   GIFT City will play a pivotal role in powering India's exports to $2 trillion by 2030, and then onwards to up to $10 trillion that it envisages to see by 2047, said the Union Commerce and Industry Minister.   'During the next 2-3 decades we hope to see sustained, inclusive growth, during which we are confident of offering sustainable and inclusive development for every single person in the country. In that story, our international engagements will play a very important role,' he said.   He said India's target of crossing a $1 trillion economy in the next three years, having $1 trillion of merchandise and $1 trillion of service--collectively $2 trillion of exports by 2030- will have a massive impact on the country's economy.   'This export-led growth will create jobs and work opportunities for youth, give a boost to 'Make In India', further opportunities to Start Up India vision, and encourage new innovators to come up with brilliant ideas,' he said.   This will have a huge impact on India's macroeconomic fundamentals, with a stronger infusion to $600 billion foreign kitty, further strengthening its positioning both as a global economy and ensuring its fast-track growth, Goyal added.   'Towards that hand-holding, we yesterday allocated Rs 2,500 crore for interest equalisation to ensure that our small exporters, MSMEs particularly, continue to get export support in terms of interest equalisation to equate interest between Indian rates and international rates.   'But our approach has been that we are moving our export industry or sector more and more out of the clutches of government support to make it self-sustaining, to make it work on the strength of its own cost competitiveness, and also on the strength of high-quality goods and services that we offer to the world,' he said.   Goyal said IFSC, in the coming years, will become a big source both for finance and insurance and other aspects of India's growth story.   'I am sure we can leverage Indian talent through the GIFT City to expand our exports manifold in the years to come,' he said.   GIFT City can play a very important role in three areas -- global finance and accounting, export of educational services, and consultancy and advisory services, Goyal added.   'As India is poised to power the world's economy for decades to come, GIFT City will provide a pivotal role (and) will power India's exports for our first threshold of $2 trillion by 2030, and then onwards to take it up to $10 trillion that we envisage to see by 2047,' he added.  Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
	11 Dec, 2023 World recognises that there's no option but to come to India for a large demand: Piyush Goyal. Union Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking at the 23rd Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Excellence Honours, stated that the world recognises the need to engage more deeply with India due to its substantial demand.   'The opportunities (in India) are huge. The opportunities ahead of us will only get bigger. The world sees those opportunities in India, the world wants to engage deeper and bigger with India, the world recognises that there's no option but to come to India for a large demand, the large marketplace that India offers,' said Goyal on Friday.   The Union Commerce Minister emphasized the unprecedented opportunity presented by 1.4 billion people aspiring for a better future.   'There is no other opportunity ever in the history of mankind comparable to India's story of today. There's never been an opportunity as big, as grand and as attractive as 1.4 billion people desirous and aspiring for a better future for themselves, and for the next generation,' Goyal added.   Referring to the chance to work in the 'Amrit Kaal' (golden age), Goyal expressed gratitude, stating, 'We are all privileged to be a part of the nation's history today that we will get an opportunity to work in this 'Amrit Kaal' and take India to greater heights and ensure that every child born in this country gets an adequate quality of opportunity to make a life that we could make, thanks to the opportunities our parents and grandparents gave us.'   He also said, 'The confidence that you repose in PM Modi's leadership... you are willing to be a part of this journey to change the narrative of India.'   'The fact that each one of you has contributed to our efforts in the last 9-10 years to move the needle from a fragile 5 economy to the world's 5th largest economy. You have all played a role in expanding our exports by 55 per cent in barely 2 years. Our exports are hovering around USD 5 billion for so long... Thanks to your relentless efforts, the country saw this exponential growth from USD 500 billion to 776 billion. Merchandise and services both grew around the same levels in these 2 years from 2021-23...' the Union Minister pointed out.   The 'AEPC Excellence Honours' for 2021-22 and 2022-23 acknowledged exceptional contributions by Indian Apparel exporters in building modern export enterprises and fostering a unique Indian export culture. Awards were presented in 13 categories, recognizing achievements in environmental and social compliance, highest exports in MMF (Man-Made Fibre), exports to FTA (Free Trade Agreement) countries, most dynamic women entrepreneurs, and more, as per a release from the Apparel Export Promotion Council.  Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
	08 Dec, 2023 Global grain prices likely to decline 6.5 per cent in 2024.   Grain prices in the global market will likely decline in 2024, though rice will be an exception in view of India’s export curbs and concerns over the impact of El Nino, the World Bank and research agency BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, have said.   However, the World Bank Commodity Outlook said higher rice prices in 2024 are forecast to be offset by the continued decline in maize and wheat prices due to improving global grain supplies.     BMI, in its key agri-business themes for 2024, said markets will remain comparatively tight, rendering prices susceptible to upward momentum-driven runs on adverse supply-side developments.   umper harvests   'We forecast that the average annual price of CBOT-listed second-month corn, soyabean, and wheat futures will decline by 9.9 per cent year-on-year (yoy), 3.9 per cent y-o-y, and 5.7 per cent y-o-y in 2024, respectively, or by 6.5 per cent y-o-y if the three crops are considered on an even weighted basis,' the research agency said.   This will also mark a deceleration of the pace at which grains markets unwind the price shocks that began with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, with the average even-weighted price of the same three crops falling by an estimated 17.4 per cent y-o-y in 2023.   Bumper harvests in several major producers during the 2023-24 season will turn the market bearish. Russia’s wheat production is set to be another mammoth one and Brazil is forecast supply a higher volume of corn and soyabean to world markets.   'With respect to on-farm production costs, lower fuel and fertiliser prices, although both subject to upside risks over the next twelve months, will also see average grain prices lower in 2024,' BMI said.   The World Bank, said in its Commodity Outlook, that edible oils supply continues to increase, particularly soyabean oil as soyabean production is estimated to be 9 per cent higher this crop year.   Maize to slip further   Maize prices are expected to decline a further 8 per cent in 2024, in addition to the 22 per cent slide this year. 'Similarly, wheat prices should decrease by about 3 per cent in 2024,' it said.   BMI said grains prices will, however, continue to rule higher than the average pre-Covid levels. 'Our forecasts for average corn, soyabean, and wheat prices in 2024 still remain 30-40 per cent higher than their average prices between 2015 and 2019. In the main, this is a reflection of narrow inventories, with Covid-era stock drawdowns yet to be rebuilt,' it said.   The World Bank said in contrast, the price of rice is expected to increase 6 per cent in 2024, partly due to the threat of El Niño, policy responses from significant exporters and importers, and the geographic and market concentrations of rice production and exports.     ‘Other foods’ prices   BMI said: 'Looking ahead, we expect that the world market will remain taut through at least the first six months of 2024 for two principal reasons.   'Firstly, we do not anticipate the lifting of India’s rice export restrictions ahead of the general election, scheduled for April-May, in view of the potential upside risk to domestic food price inflation…,' the research agency said.   Second, the now-active El Niño event, a weather phenomenon associated with below-average rainfall across much of south-east Asia, is likely to persist until May-July 2024, it said.   Prices of 'other foods,' comprising fruit, meat, poultry, and sugar, are expected to be stable in 2024 and fall slightly in 2025, the World Bank said.   Support to softs   Dwelling on El Nino, BMI said: 'Considering its profound effect on agricultural soft commodity prices in 2023, we predict that the El Niño weather pattern will continue to wield considerable sway over the global soft commodities market in 2024.   'Due to the concentrated nature of global soft commodities production, we forecast that El Niño will offer increased support to soft commodities as opposed to grains.'   Another factor that could impact foodgrain prices are the global scene of biofuel consumption, primarily ethanol and biodiesel, is experiencing a substantial transformation. This trend, primarily propelled by leading agricultural markets like the US, Brazil, India, and Indonesia, is anticipated to carry significant repercussions for biofuel feedstock prices into 2024, BMI said.   Food security will likely improve over the next twelve months, caused by lower average agricultural prices and real economic growth, BMI said.    Source:  thehindubusinessline.com
	08 Dec, 2023 Kenya sees avocado export to India as a valuable opportunity. Kenya is celebrating India's decision to open its market to Kenyan avocados, recognizing this move as a valuable opportunity for local farmers. During President William Ruto's visit to India, he extended an invitation to Indian companies to invest in diverse sectors in Kenya, including agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, health, ICT, green energy, affordable housing, and water.   The approval from the Indian government for the export of fresh avocados from Kenya, starting in September, holds significant promise for Kenyan farmers. With an estimated consumer market of 1.4 billion buyers, this decision provides a substantial opportunity for Kenyan avocados to access a vast and lucrative audience.   Kenya has experienced consistent growth in avocado production since 2016, and in 2020, it surpassed South Africa to become the largest exporter of avocados on the continent.   To bolster agriculture, India will finance agricultural mechanization projects in Kenya, aligning with the Bottom-Up Empowerment Transformation Agenda. The leaders also engaged in talks about expanding bilateral trade and investment, addressing market access challenges, and overcoming non-tariff barriers.  Source:  freshplaza.com
	08 Dec, 2023 Trade bodies of Bangladesh and India raise demands for import through Mahadipur port. Trade bodies of Bangladesh and India have demanded the launch of import of goods from Bangladesh to India through Mahadipur, a land port on the international border in Malda district.   As of now, only goods are exported from India to Bangladesh through the Mahadipur land port. The introduction of the import to India, the trade bodies said, will benefit the residents of north Bengal.   The demand was taken up with Gaurav Sinha, a commissioner of Customs posted in Calcutta, during his recent visit to Mahadipur to check the existing infrastructure at the land port.   'Our country is claimed to be the fifth largest economy in the world. Our demand is in the interest of the national economy. We have already communicated our demand to the directorate of foreign trade and Customs. We will approach them again. Exporters of Bangladesh, particularly those in the Rajshahi division, also back the demand for the export of goods to India through Mahadipur,' said Prasenjit Ghosh, the secretary of the Mahadipur Exporters’ Association.   Every day, around 380 trucks laden with stone chips, onions, potatoes, cattle feed and other goods go to Bangladesh through Mahadipur.   'In a similar manner, Bangladeshi exporters from Rajshahi, Chapai-Nawabganj, Sona Mosjid and other adjoining areas are keen to send at least 100 trucks to India through Mahadipur, carrying different items,' said Bhupati Mandal, a member of the Mahadipur Clearing and Forwarding Agents’ Association.   About a month ago, a delegation of the Malda Merchant Chamber of Commerce (MMCC) visited Bangladesh to discuss the prospects of developing bilateral trade further through Mahadipur.   'While interacting with us, our Bangladeshi counterparts expressed willingness to send to India hilsa, other fishes, timber, garments, fruits and raw jute through Mahadipur,' said Jayanta Kundu, the president of the MMCC.   Kundu has said as of now, hilsa and some other goods are imported to India through Benapole and Petrapole land ports which have good testing laboratories.   'So, it takes more than 36 hours for the fish and other goods to reach Malda and its neighbouring districts. If the Mahdipur route is opened, the goods would reach Malda from Rajshahi in six to eight hours,' said Kundu.   Senior officials of Customs said to start the import, the first requirement at Mahadipur was a laboratory where goods brought from Bangladesh would have to be examined according to the norms.   'As of now, we don’t have any such lab here,' said Desh Dulal Chatterjee, the superintendent of customs posted at the land port.   The traders also said the land port needed a parking facility before the launch of the import.   'Besides, the infrastructure for immigration is required to be improved. Every day, around 300 people cross the India-Bangladesh border through Mahadipur. The existing infrastructure is miserable and people face inconveniences. The central government and the departments concerned should look into the issue,' said Roy, who represents the exporters.    Source:  telegraphindia.com
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