The eagerly anticipated 2nd Edition of World Food India 2023, a global mega food event, is set to take place from November 3rd to November 5th, 2023, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. This grand event, organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), promises to be a spectacular showcase of India's vast potential in the food processing sector.

 

Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti, Prahlad Singh Patel, highlighted India's status as one of the world's fastest-growing economies and a hub of investment opportunities, particularly in the food processing sector. During a media briefing in New Delhi, he emphasized that World Food India 2023 is a dedicated effort to present the sector's immense potential to global stakeholders.

 

One distinctive feature of this event is its comprehensive, whole-of-the-Government collaborative approach. Eleven central Ministries/Departments and their associated autonomous bodies are actively participating, underscoring the extensive support the government is providing to boost the food processing industry. As of now, 23 States/Union Territories and exhibitors from 16 countries have already confirmed their participation in this grand event. More stakeholders are expected to come on board as the event draws closer.

 

Minister Patel also revealed that the event would witness substantial international representation, with approximately 10 overseas Ministerial and official delegations from various countries participating. To facilitate global business opportunities, a Reverse Buyer Seller Meet, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce and its associated commodity boards, is scheduled to take place during the event. This meeting is anticipated to host around 1,000 overseas buyers from more than 75 countries. In total, over 900 exhibitors are expected to participate.

 

 Minhaj Alam, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, shared details about the event's layout and arrangements. The exhibition will span multiple halls and open spaces at Pragati Maidan and Bharat Mandapam, ensuring a conducive environment for exhibitions, B2B (business-to-business), B2G (business-to-government), and G2G (government-to-government) meetings and collaborations.

 

The second edition of World Food India 2023 will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, at the iconic Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan on November 3rd. The event will also feature the valedictory address by the Hon'ble President, Draupadi Murmu, on November 5th. In a testament to its international scope, the Netherlands will be the 'Partner Country' for this edition, while Japan and Vietnam are designated as 'Focus Countries.'

 

For food enthusiasts and industry professionals, the experiential Food Street curated by Celebrity Chef Ranveer Brar is sure to be a highlight. This attraction, spanning three zones, will feature a sustainable food theatre with a focus on Shree Anna or millets, regional cuisine pavilions representing various parts of India, street food, and dishes from the royal culinary heritage of India. A particularly exciting endeavor is the attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the longest dosa. Sixty to eighty chefs will collaborate to create a millet dosa exceeding 100 feet in length, showcasing their dedication and culinary skill.

 

In celebration of the International Year of Millets 2023, an astounding installation comprising 50,000 tetra-pack containers of millet beverages will be created and distributed to underprivileged children. In addition to these culinary delights, the expected 75,000 visitors over the three days will be treated to cultural programs, including dance and musical performances.

 

With its impressive scope and the commitment of the government, the event is poised to be a significant driver of growth in India's food processing sector.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Sh. Piyush Goyal highlighted the role of PM GatiShakti in project prioritization, optimization and evidence-based decision making for enhancing ease of living and ease of doing business. While addressing the Workshop on ‘Development of Digital Learning Resources for Capacity Building on PM GatiShakti National Master Plan’, organised yesterday by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in collaboration with the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), the Minister said that data-driven training and capacity building is important for ensuring wider adoption of PM GatiShakti principles for the multimodal infrastructure and logistics development.

 

Shri Goyal also launched a training module on ‘Role of CBIC in PM GatiShakti’, developed for the Ministry of Finance which showcases use of PM GatiShakti for streamlining customs operation for promoting logistics efficiency. The Workshop was also graced by the Chairman, CBC, Sh. Adil Zainulbhai; Special Secretary (Logistics), DPIIT, Smt. Sumita Dawra; and Member, CBC, Sh. Praveen Pardeshi.

 

Special Secretary (Logistics), DPIIT highlighted the transformative approach of PM GatiShakti initiative that has enabled Ministries/ Departments and States/ UTs to efficiently plan big ticket infrastructure projects. She said that a huge capex push for overall capital investment of INR 10 lakh crores shall aid people centric development via effective and integrated planning of resources.

 

Chairman, CBC appreciated the massive participation from CTIs, state ATIs, Central Ministries and industry experts for the joint workshop showcasing the innate principle of PM GatiShakti – ‘the whole of government approach’.

 

The Workshop focused on institutionalizing and regularising training and capacity building of Government Officials on PM GatiShakti principles; Deliberating upon the content, structure and design of sector-specific training modules on implementation of PM GatiShakti approach in planning and development of Infrastructure and Logistics. These training modules, included in Foundation/ Induction / mid career courses of all the CTIs and State ATIs, shall also familiarize the officers with data-driven decision-making in the Logistics Sector.

 

The workshop was broadly divided into two sessions. Session 1 was a panel discussion on Mainstreaming PM GatiShakti approach in Curriculum of CTIs and State ATIs for a developed India; and Session 2 observed discussion and deliberations in 4 parallel breakout groups for focussed group discussion on Sector-specific training needs & course content and framework for effective delivery mechanism.

 

Key takeaways from the workshop was:

 

To provide access to dummy data-based application modules (based on successful case studies) at induction-level for enriched PM GatiShakti experience.

Establishment of induction labs for simulation-based learning.

Facilitate the development of interactive digital courses based on the training need assessment while integrating the PM GatiShakti principles for training of all officers.

Conversion of existing courses in CTIs and State ATIs into digital courses at IGoT platform.

Explore the possibility of building capacities for developing spatial transformation plans/predictive plans using AI, Blockchain, and other advanced technologies.

To mainstream regular training and capacity building courses on PM GatiShakti principles at Central Training Institutes (CTIs) and State Administrative Training Institutes (State ATIs), a joint workshop on ‘Development of Digital Learning Resources for Capacity Building on PM GatiShakti National Master Plan’, was held yesterday by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in collaboration with Capacity Building Commission (CBC).

 

Over 70 participants covering Officials from selected CTIs including Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), National Academy of Indian Railways; state ATIs such as Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC), Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA); concerned line Ministries/Department, and representatives from CBC empanelled agencies, attended the workshop.

 

For wider adoption in planning for economic and social infrastructure at district and block level, PM GatiShakti is further integrated in the Aspirational Blocks Programme. The CTIs and State ATIs will act as resource centres and support the government official in rigorous utilization of PM GatiShakti NMP for holistic area-development planning.

 

The workshop is one of the measures undertaken for Logistics Human Resources Development & Capacity Building Strategy of National Logistics Policy. Other initiatives taken includes the following:

 

To sensitise CTIs and State ATIs on the integration of courses on PM GatiShakti into their ongoing curricula, a Webinar was held with all CTIs and State ATIs along with CBC on 4th August 2023.As on date, 17 CTIs and 19 State ATIs have appointed Nodal officers for the same.

A MoU between DPIIT and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya regarding capacity building in logistics was signed on 4th October 2023.

Since the launch of PM GatiShakti on 13 October, 2021, 39 Ministries of Govt of India, and all 36 States/UTs have been onboarded on PM GatiShakti platform. Significant achievements have been made and showcased at various national and international forums. This includes G-20 Seminar on Trade Infrastructure at 3rd Trade and Investment working group (TIWG) at Kevadia, Exhibition at B-20, 2023 Regional Cooperation and Integration Conference in Georgia, and five regional workshops across the country. This flagship initiative has also garnered attention from various countries such as Nepal, Japan and Vietnam. Furthermore, a ‘Compendium of PM GatiShakti’ on success stories of PM GatiShakti usage by both Central Ministries & States/UTs has been published.

Backed by good monsoon rains last year, output of both foodgrain and horticultural produce made a new record in 2022-23 with an estimated production of 330 million tonnes and 352 million tonnes, respectively.

 

While foodgrain production in 2022-23 recorded an increase of 14 million tonnes (over 4%) over 2021-22 as per the agriculture ministry's final estimate, the output of horticultural produce showed an increase of about 5 million tonnes (over 1%) compared to the previous year as per its second estimate. Both the estimates were released by the ministry on Wednesday.

 

In the foodgrains basket, paddy (rice) and wheat reported record production in the 2022-23 crop year (July-June cycle) at 135 million tonnes and 110 million tonnes, respectively.

 

Fruit production stood at 108 million tonnes in 2022-23 compared to 107 million tonnes in 2021-22 whereas the production of vegetables stood at 213 million tonnes in 2022-23 compared to 209 million tonnes in the previous year. As per the data, potato output was 60 million tonnes compared to 56 million tonnes in 2021-22.

 

Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar attributed the record output of foodgrains and horticultural crops to the hard work of farmers, the efficiency of scientists and the farmer-friendly policies of the Narendra Modi government.

In a significant development, Australia and India are aiming to strengthen their economic ties with a more comprehensive pact expected to be finalised by the year’s end. Following the signing of India’s first free trade agreement with a developed country in over a decade, Canberra and New Delhi are now working towards an even more ambitious comprehensive economic co-operation agreement.

 

India’s High Commissioner to Australia, Manpreet Vohra, highlighted the deepening relationship, emphasising India’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

Speaking at an event hosted by the Australia-India Institute at Parliament House, he stressed the importance of democratic nations rejecting territorial claims, physical aggression, economic coercion, and political interference, in order to establish an open, free, peaceful, and rules-based region that respects sovereignty.

 

The High Commissioner underscored the mutual commitment between India and Australia to address shared challenges and explore new opportunities as natural partners, both being robust democracies and thriving economies.

 

New Delhi’s concerns regarding China’s escalating influence in the region and potential disruptions to maritime order have intensified due to border skirmishes, raising tensions between Beijing and New Delhi. Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Tim Watts emphasised the growing significance of partnerships in the face of various challenges, such as military build-ups, climate change, and the ongoing repercussions of the pandemic.

 

Watts stressed the collective responsibility of nations to utilise their combined strength, diplomatic skills, and influence to minimise the risks of misunderstandings and miscalculations, thereby averting catastrophic conflicts. He affirmed the strong and trusted strategic partnership between Australia and India, emphasising its role in enhancing economic resilience and promoting strategic stability within the region.

 

The upcoming sixth Australia-India leadership dialogue is scheduled to convene in Melbourne in November, marking a significant event in the diplomatic relations between the two nations.

 

Under the Albanese government, Australian ministers have undertaken a total of 16 visits to India, a testament to the growing bilateral engagements. Among these visits, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese himself has made two trips, highlighting the importance attached to the relationship between the two democracies.

 

Australia hosts a substantial Indian diaspora, which has grown to approximately one million people, reflecting the vibrant cultural exchange and ties between the two countries.

 

Economically, the trade ties between India and Australia have flourished, with the two-way trade volume reaching a substantial $46.5 billion in 2022, underscoring the robust economic partnership between the nations.

India is exporting 295,000 metric tons of non-basmati white rice to the Philippines, the highest allocation it has given to a foreign country after lifting the restriction to specific nations.

 

The Indian government, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, issued a notification dated Oct. 18 that the Philippines together with Nepal, Cameroon, Cote d’ Ivore, Malaysia, Seychelles, and the Republic of Guinea are now eligible for the exports.

 

'It is with immense pleasure to inform you that the highest allocation of rice export was made to the Philippines,' the Indian Embassy in Manila said in a statement on Wednesday.

 

'Request made at the leadership level and the positive decision reflects the growing confidence in the bilateral relationship,' it added.

 

India, the world’s largest rice exporter, banned the export of non-basmati rice in July in a bid to allay rise in prices in its domestic market.

 

The Department of Agriculture has been in talks with the Indian government since August to allow the imports to the Philippines 'on humanitarian grounds' amid the high prices of rice.

Exporters of non-Basmati rice have requested the government to identify those firms who have consistently paid Minimum Support Price (MSP) to paddy farmers and declare them as the 'preferred counterparties' for export collaborations. The request has come after the Centre appointed the newly created National Cooperative Exports Ltd as the canalising agency for government-to-government deals.

 

In a letter to the Cooperation Ministry, The Rice Exporters Association (TREA) said that it appreciates the government’s initiative in promoting rice exports, which are under prohibition, through Cooperatives for other countries’ requirements. However, as millers and exporters have made significant investments in creating manufacturing facilities, they too want to be considered in execution of the overseas orders.

 

The association said it is ready to source rice from farmers’ producers organisation in view of the Centre’s objective of allowing NCEL to handle government-to-government deals. 

 

'We are eager to collaborate and actively participate in the execution of these overseas orders. If acceptable, we are open to signing back-to-back contracts with an overriding commission to cooperatives, similar to the practice with other state-run organisations,' TREA said in a letter to Union Cooperation Secretary Gyanesh Kumar.

 

The exporters’ body has proposed a joint meeting of related agencies/organisations such as APEDA and the Cooperation Ministry with its members to take the initiative forward. 'Such a meeting would provide an opportunity for open dialogue, collaboration, and establishment of a clear path forward that aligns with the goals of all stakeholders.' it said.

 

Highlighting that the exporters and millers employ thousands of workers in each major unit, the current ban on non-Basmati exports is impacting lakhs of workers. The government has allowed only parboiled rice in the non-Basmati category with 20 per cent export duty; which recently got extended until March 31, 2024.

 

The industry body has also said that its members have consistently exported an average of 10 million tonnes annually over the past five years, whereas cooperatives, collectively, have not achieved even 10,000 tonnes annually. 'For the efficient distribution of overseas orders, it seems logical and fair to consider past performance as the basis,' TREA President BV Krishna Rao said in the letter.

 

The share of non-Basmati rice in the overall rice exports from the country is about 80 per cent, TREA said, stressing that 18 million tonnes of non-Basmati rice are shipped to 165 countries with a 42 per cent market share in global trade. But, the rice trade is facing unprecedented challenges after the prohibition and restrictions on rice exports, it said.

 

India has been getting specific requests from different countries such as Singapore, Bhutan, Mauritius and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the government has been allowing the export of substantial quantities of white rice through the National Cooperative Export Ltd.

The government has extended restrictions on export of all varieties of sugar - raw, white, refined and organic - beyond October 31 owing to domestic production concerns on weak-monsoon worries. At present sugar is on the restricted list till October 31. However, the food ministry has been allowing the industry to export certain quantities depending upon availability.

 

However, these restrictions will not be applicable to sugar being exported to the European Union and the US under CXL and tariff rate quota (TRQ) concessions. A specified amount of sugar is exported to these regions at lower tariffs.

 

Non-basmati rice

 

India on Wednesday permitted the exports of 10,34,800 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to seven countries, including Nepal, Cameroon and Malaysia. The export is permitted through National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

As shifting economic conditions continue to drive changes in global trade flows, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) today said that its overall trade with India grew faster than its trade with any other country among the top 20 over the past fiscal year.

 

Not only is GPA expanding its trade with India, but it led its domestic peers in that trend, as well. No other U.S. port expanded India trade by more containers than the Port of Savannah, by a margin of 14,000 twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) container units, according to PIERS-Enterprise loaded cargo data.

 

By the numbers, import-export volumes between Savannah and India totaled 279,149 TEUs last fiscal year, for an increase of 18% or 43,333 TEUs. 

 

And the port says its trade with that nation is well balanced, with imports constituting 63% of GPA’s total India volumes in fiscal year 2023. Put another way, GPA imports from India over the past five years were up 52%, while its exports to India grew by 50% in FY23 vs FY22 and by nearly 80% in the past five years.

 

'Our growth trajectory with India is extremely strong and we are actively taking steps to increase our presence in the market,' Griff Lynch, GPA’s president and CEO said in a release. 'As production shifts to India and as demand in its economy rises, that trade increasingly favors the Port of Savannah’s strategic location over West Coast ports, due to time and cost.'

 

To support that increased trade lane, GPA now has weekly container services with three Indian ports: Nhava Sheva—India’s commercial and financial hub, and its largest port—Mundra and Pipavav. 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25. 

 

Government has increased the MSP of Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25, to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. The absolute highest increase in MSP has been approved for lentil (masur) at Rs.425 per quintal followed by rapeseed & mustard at Rs.200 per quintal. For wheat and safflower, an increase of Rs.150 per quintal each has been approved. For barley and gram an increase of Rs.115 per quintal and Rs.105 per quintal respectively, has been approved.

 

Minimum Support Prices for all Rabi crops for Marketing Season 2024-25

(Rs.per quintal)