Aimed at making Kerala a carbon-neutral state, the government is considering introducing a multi-crop system in the plantations, according to P Prasad, State Agriculture Minister.

 

Addressing the annual general meeting of the Association of Planters of Kerala (APK), the Minister called upon planters to introduce more value-added products from plantations in the market so as to remain competitive. Plantation crops can provide a major revenue contribution to the State’s economy.

 

He also assured the planters body of extending government support to the sector for their meaningful demands.

 

K Mathew Abraham, Vice President, United Planters Association of South India (Upasi), said that he urged the government to give the freedom to convert a large percentage of their land under plantations for alternate crops and other activities. Alternate crops will provide a cushion for economic sustainability when traditional crops are not performing well in the market.

 

He suggested the introduction of a robust policy mechanism to integrate agroforestry in Kerala plantations so that the State can become a leading timber producer and exporter. This will enable employment generation, climatic resilience, and soil and water conservation besides saving a huge foreign exchange for the country. More area in plantations would be allowed for silviculture for the survival and sustainability of the plantations, he added.

 

A K Jaleel, the outgoing chairman, said that he urged the government to permit 30 per cent of the plantation area to take up agro-based products and agroforestry. He added that such a step would make Kerala, which is perennially importing fruits, vegetables, and cereals, a self-sufficient state. He pointed out that scientific and technical research is the need of the hour in the sector to increase productivity for which the government should create a special purpose fund.

 

The annual general meeting elected Prince Thomas George of Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Co Ltd as the new chairman of APK, while T R Radhakrishnan of Aspinwall & Company will be the vice chairman.

Issues related to developing collaboration in agri-food products between Greece and India were discussed at meetings of Greek Agricultural Development & Foods Lefteris Avgenakis with Ministers Parshottam Rupala (Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries) and Piyush Goyal (Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution) during his visit to New Delhi on Friday.

 

According to a Greek ministry statement, Avgenakis discussed among other things the exchange of technical know-how with Minister Rupala while they agreed on exchanges of business delegations to strengthen collaboration between the two countries. They also discussed the issue of new certifications for Greek dairy products exported to India.

 

Avgenakis then met with Minister Goyal. At talks with both ministers, the Greek official discussed the creation at a Greek port of a Center of Safety and Origination for imports of Indian products to Europe and the Middle East. This would certify the safety of Indian foods imported into Greece and the European Union, the statement said.

 

Among other issues of mutual interest discussed were sectors such as water and irrigation infrastructure, foods and the export of Greek kiwi fruits, oranges and apples to India, and herbs and pharmaceutical plants.

 

As Avgenakis said, Greece and India have common values and inerests, which forms a strong foundation to boost trade relations in agri-food.

 

On Saturday, Avgenakis is scheduled to meet with Minister of Food Processing Industries, Pashupati Kumar Paras, at the exhibition center Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

A total of 61,950 pieces of eggs entered the land port on a Sunday evening, and more shipments are expected to follow, as confirmed by representatives of the importers. 

 

BDS Corporation, a Bangladeshi importer located in the West Rampura area of Dhaka, received permission to import 1 crore eggs but has, for now, brought in only 61,950 eggs. 

 

According to the invoice, the total cost of the imported eggs was $2,988.40, which translates to an import price of Tk5.43 per egg. 

 

However, once various expenses such as import duty, C&F charges, transport costs, and other fees are factored in, the price of each egg stands at Tk9.50 in Bangladesh.

 

To mitigate the escalating prices of eggs, the government permitted 15 companies to import a total of 15 crore eggs in several phases last September. Of these, four companies were granted permission on September 18 to import four crore eggs.

 

These imported eggs are expected to be retailed at the government-set price of Tk12 per piece, according to Md Haider Ali, the public relations officer of the commerce ministry.

 

Haider Ali also explained that the delay in the arrival of the eggs was due to challenges in obtaining certification from the exporting country's competent authority, ensuring that there was no avian influenza present.

 

Several conditions have been imposed on each shipment of imported eggs, including the requirement for a certificate proving freedom from avian influenza or the bird flu virus, as well as the absence of harmful bacteria. These certificates must be provided by the exporting country's government, and importers are obligated to pay the prescribed duties or taxes determined by the government, he added. 

 

Rezaul Karim, the acting director of the Benapole land port, stated that the port authority is actively assisting in expediting the release of the imported egg consignments from India. 

 

Since there is no egg testing equipment available at the port, clearance of the egg consignments is based on certificates issued by Indian authorities.

 

Each dozen eggs were sold for Tk150 in the markets of the capital city on Monday.

The first-ever shipments of 77 tonnes of potatoes have arrived from India for domestic consumption in Bangladesh - traditionally an exporter of the root vegetable - amid government efforts to ease the price.

 

A company named Gore International of Chapainawabganj brought two trucks of potatoes through Sona Masjid land port on Thursday after getting the government’s approval.

 

The company did not want to disclose the import cost. The agriculture ministry said the government has granted permission for imports of 107,000 tonnes of potatoes in three days starting on Tuesday.

 

Abu Bakar Siddique, the manager of Arham Nitex which is among the firms that got the permission to import potatoes, said they would start imports after analysing the volatile market by taking into consideration a 33 percent duty on potato imports.

 

Potatoes are now being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 80 (USD 0.55 to 0.73) per kg in Dhaka markets – the highest in the country's history. In India, one kg of potato costs 20 rupees. Potato prices have seen a sharp increase recently despite "sufficient" production in Bangladesh.

 

It produced 11.1 million tonnes of potatoes last season against the annual demand of around 8 million tonnes. Traders also exported 13,000 tonnes of potatoes at the beginning of this year.

 

Earlier, 68,773 tonnes of potatoes were exported in the 2020-21 season while the government approved permission to export 78,910 tonnes in 2021-22. This time the government has given permission to import 50,000 tonnes of potatoes in two days.

The Maharashtra State Onion Producer Farmer Organisation is launching onion markets in key cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur to combat the alleged 'exploitation' of farmers at the APMCs and enable direct sales of onions to consumers.

 

Bharat Dighole, President of the organisation, announced that these markets would commence operations after Diwali and would be under the organisation’s control. Dighole emphasised that farmers have the freedom to sell their produce anywhere in the State, thus obviating the need for government permission to establish these markets. He underscored that farmers grow onions for consumers, not APMCs, and they will determine the produce’s price, minimising the role of intermediaries between farmers and consumers.

 

State onion growers have resolved not to bring their produce to the APMCs and private mandis. Instead, they will exclusively sell their onions in their own markets, with APMC traders, retail traders, and exporters having the option to purchase the produce from these farmers’ markets.

 

The first market will come up in Pune and farmers are holding meetings to discuss the details of establishing a chain of markets across the State.

 

The root of the issue

Over the past two years, onion farmers in the State have expressed their dissatisfaction with the functioning of APMCs, including Lasalgaon, recognised as Asia’s largest onion market. Farmers have alleged that Lasalgaon APMC has done little to improve returns for farmers and establish a benchmark for enhanced prices in the regional commodity market. Founded on April 1, 1947, Lasalgaon APMC handles substantial trade volumes, ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 tonnes of onions.

 

Traders in Lasalgaon argue that India’s daily demand for onions falls within the range of 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes, with the crop’s pricing being contingent upon its arrival in the market. In contrast, farmers dispute this claim, contending that traders wield significant influence over market prices by manipulating the supply of onion stocks.

 

Market control

The Lasalgaon market stands as the central onion trading hub in India, and local farmers assert that around 125 primary traders from 25 families hold trading licenses and maintain a firm grip on the market. Farmers claim that the APMC refrains from issuing new licenses without the consent of these established traders.

 

A study conducted by the Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation Centre at the Institute for Social and Economic Change in Bengaluru had earlier revealed that a select group of influential traders, boasting extensive networks, played a substantial role in hoarding onions and artificially driving up prices.

In response to the poultry crisis brought on by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak, South Africa has taken significant steps to ensure a sufficient supply of poultry products for its consumers during the festive season. The South Africa Poultry Association (Sapa) has welcomed the decision by the government to allow the importation of fertile eggs, including products like powder and liquid eggs. This move aims to address the challenges faced by the local poultry industry and ensure that consumers have access to poultry products during these trying times.

 

Minister of Agriculture Thoko Didiza announced the decision to allow imports of poultry products, including fertile eggs, to alleviate the impact of the HPAI outbreak. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) has been actively working with stakeholders in the poultry industry to manage the crisis. Reggie Ngcobo, the DALRRD spokesperson, stated that the department had granted permits for various poultry products, including 115 permits for fertile eggs, 48 permits for egg powder, 2,406 permits for poultry meat, and 24 permits for table eggs.

 

Abongile Balarane, the general manager of Sapa’s Egg Organisation, expressed support for these measures, calling them 'good steps' to assist the industry during this crisis. He highlighted the severe impact of the HPAI outbreak on South Africa’s layer hen population, with millions of hens being culled or suspected to be affected. In response, the industry has agreed to import powder and liquid eggs, primarily used for industrial purposes, while prioritizing the supply of fresh table eggs to consumers. Balarane emphasized the importance of this strategy as the industry rebuilds its flock size and awaits the approval of vaccines in South Africa.

 

Regional Assistance

 

To supplement the domestic supply, South Africa is looking to its neighboring Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, such as Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola, and Malawi, which are bird-flu free, to provide essential supplies. This collaborative effort will help meet the demand for poultry products in South Africa while ensuring the highest quality and safety standards are maintained.

 

Revisions to Regulations

 

The poultry industry in South Africa has learned from past experiences. In 2017, during a previous avian influenza outbreak, poor-quality eggs were imported from South America, leading to reputational damage and consumer dissatisfaction. In response to this, regulation R.345 was revised to establish clear rules for anyone wishing to import shell eggs and products into South Africa. This includes a requirement that eggs must not be sold after 40 days from the date of lay. This regulation aims to protect consumers from poor-quality eggs that may have been stored at low temperatures during transportation.

 

Balarane stressed that the poultry industry supports these regulations, including the 40-day rule, and emphasized that everyone must abide by the country’s laws. Importers are encouraged to work within the established framework to ensure the safety and quality of imported eggs and poultry products.

 

As the industry rebuilds its flock size and awaits vaccine approvals, these measures provide a lifeline for both producers and consumers during these challenging times.

Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala inaugurated the pavilion of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in the World Food India event 2023 organised from 3rd to 5th November 2023 at New Delhi. The Department  participated as partner department in the event. Minister for State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Dr. L. Murugan was also present during inauguration. The World Food India event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 3rd November 2023.  The President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu was the Chief Guest of valedictory function.

 

In the pavilion Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying exhibited its major schemes, programs, new initiatives, and innovative technologies in the livestock and dairy sector. Pavilion also featured 20 stalls, including the National Dairy Development Board, start-ups, and companies working in Animal Husbandry and Dairy sector. The main attractions at the pavilion were the 'Selfie Point' and live demonstrations of various innovative products by start-ups and companies. The exhibition highlighted the department's commitment in promoting technological advancements and facilitating the growth and development of the sector.

 

On the inaugural day of World Food India 2023, Secretary Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying Smt. Alka Upadhyaya participated in a Roundtable discussion. The discussion was attended by CEOs representing more than 70 prominent companies operating in the food processing and allied sectors.

 

On 4th November, the Department organized a knowledge session titled 'Fostering Women Leadership: Advancing equality and empowerment for effective change in animal husbandry & dairy.' The session aimed to emphasize the significance and the valuable contributions of women in the food processing industry, particularly in the primary production of milk, meat, and eggs.

 

The session was moderated by Additional Secretary (DAHD), Ms. Varsha Joshi and featured distinguished speakers including Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Dr. Abhijit Mitra; Dr. Jyothy Mistry from the Food and Agricultural Organization, Principal Scientist at ICAR – Central Institute for Women in Agriculture Bhubaneswar, Dr. Biswanath Sahoo, Founder of Siddhi Vinayak Poultry Breeding Farm & Hatcheries Private Limited, Dr. Anju Deshpande, Chairperson of Shreeja Milk Producing Company, Shreedevi Kuntapalli and Pooja Kaul Founder of Organiko-Beautifying Life. The knowledge session played a crucial role in acknowledging and encouraging the meaningful participation of women in the development and progress of the sector.

The 'World Food India 2023' event, organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industry, concluded on 5th November at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, graced by the esteemed presence of the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu. The valedictory session encapsulated the event's resounding success, with the President acknowledging its pivotal role in showcasing India's vibrant culinary heritage and fostering robust partnerships among various industries. She emphasized the country's potential as a global culinary hub and underscored the importance of enhancing food distribution to combat global hunger.

 

 The event was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 3rd November disbursing Seed Capital Assistance for over one lakh SHG members. He emphasized the event's role in presenting India as the 'food basket of the world' and commemorating 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Applauding the technology and startup pavilion and food street, the Prime Minister emphasized their role in shaping the future economy. Recognizing the food processing sector as a 'sunrise sector,' he highlighted its attraction of over Rs 50,000 crore in foreign direct investment over nine years. He underscored the impact of the PLI scheme and ongoing projects under the Agri-Infra Fund, emphasizing investments of thousands of crores in processing infrastructure for fisheries and animal husbandry.

 

The Mega Food Event, held with the support of ten Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, six commodity boards, and 25 states, attracted significant attention from international and domestic stakeholders. The event featured a remarkable turnout of 1208 exhibitors, 14 country pavilions, and notable participation from 715 international buyers, 218 domestic buyers, and 97 corporate leaders. Spanning an expansive area of 50,000 square meters across seven exhibition halls, the event provided a comprehensive platform for showcasing the latest advancements in the food processing industry. 14 country delegations, including seven Ministerial delegations participated in the event. The event's global appeal was further reinforced by the distinguished participation of The Netherlands as the Partner Country and Japan as the Focus Country.

 

A distinguished CEO Roundtable marked the inaugural day of World Food India 2023, co-chaired by Union Minister Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles. This significant gathering brought together CEOs representing over 70 leading companies in the food processing and allied sectors. Key deliberations during the Roundtable encompassed facilitation of business operations, investment strategies, sourcing interests, and a comprehensive examination of the existing gaps within the value chain of the Indian Food Processing Sector.

 

During the event, Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras participated in six G2G meetings. He held discussions with Ministers of Fiji, Mauritius, focusing on global partnerships in the food processing sector. He also engaged in talks with dignitaries from Greece and Lebanon, highlighting the event's commitment to international cooperation. Discussions with the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security from Mauritius and a Member of Parliament from Australia emphasized the event's emphasis on knowledge sharing and international ties.

 

The three-day event comprised 48 sessions, featuring Thematic, State, Allied Ministries, and Country & Organization sessions. Notably, 16 Thematic Sessions delved into crucial subjects such as Financial Empowerment, Quality Assurance, Innovations in Machinery and Technology, e-Commerce, and Logistics in the food processing sector. Moreover, 12 State-focused panel discussions and 11 specialized sessions by Allied ministries, including DPIIT and FSSAI, addressed pertinent industry challenges. The sessions were graced by Ministers from  Gujarat, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.

 

The event also hosted knowledge sessions by The Netherlands and Japan, promoting knowledge exchange and best practices. Additionally, successful focused meetings with The Netherlands, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, Brazil, and the UAE highlighted growth opportunities in India's food processing sector.

 

Among the event's highlights was the Technology and Sustainability Pavilion, which spotlighted cutting-edge innovations in the food industry, signaling a shift toward more eco-friendly and resilient food production practices. The experiential Food Street, curated by Celebrity Chef Ranveer Brar, proved to be a delightful attraction, offering an immersive experience of India's rich culinary heritage and diverse regional cuisines. 200 chefs, including prominent names like Chef Sarah Todd and Chef Kunal Kapur, participated, conducting cookery demonstrations. The event also featured ICC23, an international culinary competition, celebrating excellence with categories like pre-millet dishes and live pasta cooking, along with masterclasses and an awards ceremony.

 

The event concluded with a substantial surge of investment interest, resulting in the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 33,129 crore underscoring the event's significant impact on propelling India's food processing sector. Companies such as Amul, ITC, Mondelez, Kellogg’s, AB InBev, IB Group, Balaji Wafers, Ananda Dairy, Fertis, and Bikanerwala were among the signatories. More than 15200 B2B and B2G meetings conducted during the event fostered meaningful dialogues and partnerships, creating an environment conducive to knowledge exchange and industry growth.

To promote export of agriculture and allied sector products from Arunachal Pradesh, the state Agriculture Marketing Board has inked an MoU with Dubai-based Lulu Hypermarket. The MoU was signed in New Delhi on Friday on the sidelines of the World Food India 2023 event, officials said. Taking to X,CM Pema Khandu said, 'Delighted to share that Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board has signed a five-year MoU with Lulu Hypermarket LLC, Dubai, UAE, for supply of oranges and vegetables to Gulf countries.' 

 

Election Commission inks MoU to take electoral literacy to classrooms

 

The Election Commission of India has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Education to educate school and college students about electoral literacy. Under this agreement, electoral education will be integrated into the curriculum for students in classes 6-12 and at colleges and universities. The initiative aims to prepare students for their first vote and instill democratic values in their minds. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stressed the importance of educating young voters so they can make informed choices in a democracy.

SRM AP signs MOU with University of South Florida

SRM University-AP has signed an MOU with the University of South Florida to promote research, student exchanges, faculty interactions, and cultural engagement. The partnership will facilitate academic exchanges, joint research initiatives, and collaborative projects. Both institutions aim to provide students and faculty with global exposure and world-class research opportunities. The MOU will leverage the strengths and resources of both universities for the benefit of their respective communities.

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility signs MoU with JLR for licencing global EV platform

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEM) and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) have signed an agreement for the licensing of JLR's electric modular architecture (EMA) platform. TPEM will pay a royalty fee for access to the platform, which will be used for the development of TPEM's premium pure electric vehicles series Avinya. The EMA platform will also be used by JLR for its next generation of pure electric mid-sized SUVs. The partnership will help TPEM enter the high-end EV segment and reduce development time and costs.

To boost exports of agricultural products to the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCCs), the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global retail major Lulu Hypermarket LLC. The MoU, which is aimed at promoting Brand India globally was signed in the presence of Chairman, APEDA, Shri Abhishek Dev and Chairman-cum-Managing Director of LuLu Group, Mr Yusuf Ali MA at the World India Food (WIF) 2023 on November 3, 2023 in New Delhi.

 

With the MoU, APEDA would promote Indian agricultural products, including Millets across the GCC as the LuLu Group International (LLC) has its presence across the GCC, Egypt, India and the Far East with 247 LuLu stores in operation and 24 shopping malls. The LuLu Group is the fastest growing retail chain in the Middle East and Asia.

 

The MoU will also facilitate promotional activities for APEDA’s scheduled products with the LuLu Hyper market retail chain. As per the MoU document, Lulu Group will actively promote and showcase a wide range of products in APEDA basket of agricultural and processed food products in their retail outlets.

 

A dedicated shelf space (special sections or aisles) will be allocated within LuLu Group’s stores to display APEDA’s products prominently and to enhance their visibility.

 

APEDA and LuLu Group will engage with consumers through interactive events, sampling/tasting campaigns, season specific campaigns for fruits and vegetables, new product launch and the promotion of products arising from Himalayan/North Eastern States, organic products, etc.

 

APEDA also facilitated signing of MoUs of Arunachal Pradesh Marketing Board, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu and Meghalaya Agricultural Marketing Board with Lulu group aimed at boosting exports potential from Himalayan and North Eastern states. 

 

The promotional activities will enable maximum dissemination of information and awareness about the benefits of ethnic, unique, and GI- tagged agri-products to the consumers in the destination country. Further feedback from consumers will be actively sought to improve product offerings.

 

The MoU also stated that APEDA and LuLu Group would jointly work to explore opportunities to facilitate the export of agri products through its international network of stores, thereby expanding the global reach of Indian agricultural products and accessibility to consumers.

 

Both APEDA and LuLu Group would jointly facilitate export-oriented promotional programmes such as Buyer-Seller meets (BSM), R-BSMs/B2B meetings, trade fairs/road shows in association with the Indian Missions abroad and concerned stakeholders.

 

LuLu Group will provide its assistance in the labelling of products according to the requirements of different importing countries, the MoU paper said, adding that both the parties would mutually decide the commercial matters and applicable terms.