In a landmark event today here, Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman & Union Agriculture Minister Sh. Narendra Singh Tomar unveiled initiatives focused on agri-credit (KCC & MISS) and crop insurance (PMFBY/RWBCIS). The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare launched three initiatives, namely the Kisan Rin Portal (KRP), KCC Ghar Ghar Abhiyaan, an ambitious campaign aiming to extend the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme to every farmer across the nation and a manual on Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS). These initiatives aim to revolutionize agriculture, enhance financial inclusion, optimize data utilization, and improve the lives of farmers across the nation.

 

Delivering keynote address on the occasion, Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman assured full cooperation of banks for success of Ghar Ghar KCC Abhiyan. She said that the government under Prime minister Narendra Modi has allocated enough money under KCC scheme to ensure easy short-term loans to farmers and their onboarding for the scheme. The finance minister commended Ministry of Agriculture for its initiatives and successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). She said that over 1,40,000 crores of insurance amount has been disbursed to farmers so far against a premium amount of Rs. 29,000 crore. She also appreciated real time estimation for rice and wheat crop output and called for the estimation to be extended to Dalhan and Tilhan crops so that better planning can be done for their imports, if needed. The finance minister said that real time estimation of crops will help the economy  and ensure right prices for farmers at the end of crop season. Smt. Sitharaman also called for full automation of regional rural banks and cooperative banks and directed Department of Financial services to study the gap between loan sanction and loan disbursement for these banks.

 

Union Agriculture Minister Sh. Narendra Singh Tomar in his address highlighted the importance accorded to agriculture and rural economy under the current government. He informed that budget for Ministry of agriculture has increased from Rs. 23,000 crore in year 2013-14 to Rs. 1,25,000 crore in 2023-24. Talking of WINDS manual, the minister said the aim is to ensure real time weather information so that farmers can take right precaution for their crops at the right time. Shri Tomar said that use of technology and transparency is important for agriculture and this government has taken necessary steps in this regard.  The agriculture minister informed that there are around 9 crore beneficiaries under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and the aim of KCC Ghar Ghar Abhiyaan is to connect around 1.5 crore beneficiaries who are not yet connected to KCC scheme. Shri Tomar also thanked Ministry of Finance and banks for providing around 2 crore KCCs to farmers even during Corona pandemic. The minister asserted that it was agriculture and rural sector which kept the economy going even during the pandemic.

 

Shri Ritesh Chauhan, JS (Credit) and CEO, PMFBY made a detailed presentation on the initiatives. He informed that Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has seen record enrolment this year because of technological interventions made.

 

The launch was also attended by Minister of State for Agriculture Sushri Shobha Karandlaje and Sh. Kailash Chaudhary, Secretary Agriculture Sh. Manoj Ahuja, Secretary DFS Sh. Vivek Joshi, OSD (Credit) Sh. Ajit Kumar Sahu, CEO-PMFBY Sh. Ritesh Chauhan, Chairman NABARD Sh. Shaji KV and many dignitaries from allied departments and agri-sector.

 

The launch event epitomizes the Government of India's dedication to innovation and efficient service delivery for agriculture, with the aim of sustaining and doubling farmers' income. Initiatives like the Kisan Rin Portal (KRP), Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan, and WINDS Manual embody the government's commitment to farmers' prosperity, innovation, technology infusion, and objective service delivery. These efforts will further the goal of agricultural transformation and sustainable economic growth for the farming community across the nation.

 

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

Kisan Rin Portal (KRP)

 

Developed collaboratively by MoA&FW, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAH&D), Department of Fisheries (DoF), RBI, and NABARD, KRP is poised to revolutionize access to credit services under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC). It will also assist farmers in availing subsidized agriculture credit through the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS).

 

The KRP portal serves as an integrated hub, offering a comprehensive view of farmer data, loan disbursement specifics, interest subvention claims, and scheme utilization progress. By fostering seamless integration with banks, this pioneering portal enables proactive policy interventions, strategic guidance, and adaptive enhancements for more focused and efficient agriculture credit and optimum utilization of interest subvention.

 

Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan: Door to Door KCC Campaign

 

The event also marks the commencement of the 'Ghar Ghar KCC Abhiyaan,'. MoA&FW's commitment to universal financial inclusion is underscored by this campaign, ensuring that every farmer has unhindered access to credit facilities that drive their agricultural pursuits. The campaign will begin from 1st October 2023 to 31st December 2023.

 

MoA&FW has diligently verified existing KCC account holders' data against the PM KISAN database, identifying account holders who match with the PM KISAN database and those who, although PM KISAN beneficiaries, do not have KCC accounts. This campaign plays a pivotal role in reaching out to non-KCC account holder PM KISAN beneficiaries and fostering the saturation of KCC Accounts among eligible PM Kisan beneficiary farmers.

 

3. Launch of WINDS Manual

 

The Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) initiative stands as a pioneering effort to establish a network of Automatic Weather Stations & Rain Gauges at the taluk/block and gram panchayat levels. This initiative creates a robust database of hyper-local weather data, supporting various agricultural services.

 

This comprehensive WINDS manual launched today provides stakeholders with an in-depth understanding of the portal's functionalities, data interpretation, and effective utilization. It guides States and Union Territories in establishing and integrating with the WINDS platform, fostering transparent and objective data observation and transmission. It also offers practical insights into leveraging weather data for improved crop management, resource allocation, and risk mitigation.

Malaysia will talk to the Indian government to find a 'best solution' over the South Asian country's rice export restrictions, Malaysia's agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said on Monday.

State-run Malaysian rice importer Bernas will also be negotiating with other suppliers like Vietnam, Thailand And Cambodia, he said.

 

The government will integrate 28 new wholesale mandis (market yards) with the online trading platform eNAM, taking the total count to 1,389 in the country, Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja said on Tuesday. At present, 1,361 regulated mandis in 23 states and four Union Territories are linked with the electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM), launched on April 26.

 

'To further strengthen e-NAM, 28 new mandis were approved recently for integration to take the total count of mandis to 1389,' Ahuja said at a workshop here on eNAM 2.0.

 

He also emphasised on the importance of providing key information to the stakeholders of e-NAM at the right time.

 

'It is important to remove information asymmetry,' he said.

 

Ahuja further said the information pertaining to quality of produce is as vital to the buyer, as the prices of commodities are vital to sellers.

 

'From an economic perspective, the whole value chain must be made efficient and wastage must be reduced,' he said.

 

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary in the Agriculture Ministry, said e-NAM 2.0 will be an advanced version of the existing e-NAM, wherein the reforms in the State Acts will be very important in the success of e-NAM 2.0.

 

Three farmer producer organizations, Churchu Nari Urja FPCL (Jharkhand), Maangani City Consortium (Tamil Nadu) and Jaivik Shri FPCL, Koraput (Odisha), shared their experiences of using the e-NAM platform.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has introduced a new standard, BS 8636 for whisky manufacturers calling it the world's first-ever standard for whisky, setting a new benchmark for quality in the alcoholic beverage industry.

 

India, which emerged as the largest Scotch whisky market by volume in 2022, with 242 million cases sold, relies heavily on whisky, accounting for nearly two-thirds of its $53 billion alcoholic beverage sales.

 

Theuns Kotze, managing director, Assurance, BSI India, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, in a reply to FnB News, stated that BSI's BS 8636 standard is poised to streamline and fortify India's whisky value chain, making the process more efficient and dependable.

 

'BS 8636:2023, Whisky uses analytical parameters and methods of analysis. While specification is a voluntary British standard designed to support distillers to produce whisky for local and global markets, the specification sets out the production process to help ensure a trusted supply chain for the main categories of whisky traded globally,' said Kotze.

 

Meanwhile, the notable requirements set by the standard include a minimum three-year maturation in wooden casks, a 40% minimum alcohol strength, and avoidance of sweeteners and additives to maintain the whisky's natural aroma and taste.

 

'Today, consumers in different markets expect whisky to be made from cereals, distilled in a certain way, aged for a minimum period in wooden casks, and sold at a strength not less than 40% alc. vol. This ensures whisky retains the colour, aroma and taste derived from its raw materials and production process,' said Kotze.

 

Under these standards, distillation is mandated to be conducted at less than 94.8% volume, preserving the raw materials' distinct qualities. Additionally, the standard offers guidance on packaging, particularly regarding product labelling. It addresses situations where animal products were used in other alcoholic beverages stored in the casks before whisky maturation helping consumers to make informed choices.

 

Kotze further said that the British standard has been developed by the consensus of whisky and industry experts in the UK and Ireland. Standards (whether national or ISO international) do not supersede local legislation but are designed to provide a best practice approach to help businesses should they wish to use a standard.

The Assam Government and Quality Council of India (QCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve the food safety ecosystem in the state.

 

According to reports, the MoU aims to create quality infrastructure through conformity assessment framework based on training and capacity building of stakeholders.

 

According to the state officials, the MoU marks an important milestone towards achieving excellence in quality in food safety of food products in the state. The MoU will help in quality certification, accreditation, and training which will ensure quality products and services for the consumers along with development of food safety related infrastructure in the state of Assam.

 

The QCI in a statement added that it will work with the Assam Government to nurture a quality culture in the state which will help in developing the accreditation system and even advising the state government and other stakeholders on matters related to quality in the food safety ecosystem.

The government on Friday launched an unified portal for agri-statistics (UPAg) that will empower stakeholders to access credible and objective data for taking informed decisions. The UPAg, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, is a crucial component of digital public infrastructure for agriculture.

 

The portal aims to address the data related governance challenges such as lack of standardised and verified data, which make it difficult for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to make informed decisions.

 

After launching the portal, think tank Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand said it is a groundbreaking move to address the complex governance challenges facing Indian agriculture.

 

'This innovative platform, designed to streamline and enhance data management in the agricultural domain, marks a significant step towards a more efficient and responsive agricultural policy framework,' he said in a statement.

 

He also stated that higher the objectivity of data, lower is the scope of judgment in policy making, which translated into stable, transparent and informed decisions.

 

Stating that the portal should ensure data credibility, Chand said a research suggests that one US dollar invested in data generated USD 32 impact.

 

Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja said UPAg Portal was being envisaged as a public good wherein users will benefit by reduced search costs and access to credible, granular and objective data.

 

The UPAg portal will have key features such as 'data standardisation', 'data analysis', 'granular production estimates', 'commodity profile reports', and 'plug and play'.

 

The portal will standardise data on prices, production, area, yield, and trade, making it accessible in one location, eliminating the need to compile data from multiple sources.

 

It will perform advanced analytics, offering insights such as production trends, trade correlations, and consumption patterns, aiding policymakers in making informed decisions.

 

The portal will generate granular production estimates with increased frequency, enhancing the government's ability to respond to agricultural crises swiftly.

 

It will also produce commodity profile reports using algorithms, minimizing subjectivity and providing users with comprehensive insights.

 

That apart, users will have the flexibility to use the portal's data to prepare their own reports, promoting data-driven decision-making, the statement said.

 

According to the ministry, this initiative aligns with the principles of e-governance, bringing smartness, transparency, and agility to India's agriculture sector.

 

India’s soyabean carryforward stocks for oil year 2023-24 starting October are seen at a record 32.26 lakh tonnes(lt), an increase of 28 per cent over same period last year. This is mainly on account of higher than expected imports and increased domestic output despite higher export of soyabean meal, according to the Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA).

 

The oil year 2022-23 started with high carryforward stocks of 25.15 lt (1.83 lt in the same period previous year), while the domestic crop during the year was estimated at 124.11 lt (118.89 lt). Imports during the year were revised at 7 lt (5.55 lt).

 

Total market arrivals of soyabean during Oct 22-Aug 23 were estimated at 112 lt (88 lt) and the crushing during this period was 100 lt (77 lt). Excluding the direct use and exports, the stocks with the plants, traders and farmers as on September 1 stood at 38.70 lt (32.17 lt), SOPA said. 'Looking at the soyabean import scenario, we have revised upwards the soybean import for oil year 2022-2023 to 7 lt from 5.5 lt. Due to good demand of the soyabean meal in the export and domestic market, we have revised upward the export of soya meal to 18 lt from 17.5 lt. The domestic consumption in food is estimated to be higher at 8 lt from 7.5 lt and domestic consumption in feed is pegged higher at 61 lt from 60 lt. Resulting which, we have increased soyabean crushing to 106.50 lt from 105 lt,' DN Pathak, Executive Director, SOPA said.

 

Delayed arrival

SOPA had recently said the arrival of the new crop was likely to be delayed by about a fortnight on account of delayed and erratic rainfall pattern witnessed during the sowing season. The crop condition is normal after the recent widespread rains in most part of the growing regions in the country, it said.

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma of Meghalaya unveiled strategy on September 14 aimed at catapulting the state into becoming the 'Fruit Wine Capital of India.' Speaking at the inauguration of the North East Wine Incubation Centre in Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, the Chief Minister outlined a comprehensive policy designed to foster a thriving ecosystem that intertwines tourism, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and job creation through the promotion of local fruit winemakers.

 

The inspiration for this innovative initiative struck Chief Minister Sangma when he encountered a homemade pineapple wine, modestly presented in a handcrafted label on a beer bottle. Despite the unassuming packaging, the quality of the wine inside left a lasting impression on him, sparking the vision to revolutionize professional wine production and packaging in the state.

 

'Despite the unimpressive packaging, the wine inside was exceptional. This experience, combined with discussions and observations, led to the realization that there is immense potential in the fruit wine industry in Meghalaya,' the Chief Minister shared.

 

He emphasized that the initiative connects tourism, agriculture, and job creation, presenting the potential to unleash latent capacities lying dormant within the state. Chief Minister Sangma stated, 'I am in public life to make a positive difference in even a single individual's life. That is my driving force. The activity that we are trying to do here is going to make a huge positive difference in people's lives.'

 

The Chief Minister expressed his confidence in achieving the goal of making Meghalaya the fruit wine capital of the country through collaboration with all stakeholders. The newly inaugurated wine incubation center is expected to provide a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to test and utilize machinery, fostering innovation and economic growth through wine production.

 

Addressing concerns about licensing and accessibility for winemakers, Chief Minister Sangma assured the public that licensing fees would remain nominal. He also announced that the government is actively streamlining the registration process to facilitate ease of access for local winemakers.

 

The inauguration of the North East Wine Incubation Centre, the first of its kind in the entire North East, was attended by Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla.

 

In September 2020, the Government of Meghalaya amended the Meghalaya Excise Rules to legalize the production and sale of Homemade Wines under license. This amendment aimed to create opportunities for Wine Tourism and provide impetus to the horticulture sector for the commercial cultivation and production of indigenous fruits. The move has opened new avenues for winemakers, entrepreneurs, and farmers in the state.

 

The Meghalaya Farmers’ (Empowerment) Commission (MFEC) has been actively involved in promoting local fruit wines and meads. The commission has organized Wine Appreciation & Wine Making Certification Courses to encourage winemakers to transition to modern winemaking techniques and meet national and international wine standards.

The West Bengal government is expecting 'tie-ups' with several middle-east countries for export of meat and meat products, a top official said on Friday.

 

A team from Bahrain is likely to arrive by September-end to oversee the production and processing of various types of meat in the state, he said.

 

'We had already started export of goat meat to Qatar during the Football World Cup last year… We also approached Bahrain in August, and a team from that country may visit Bengal this month, though we are yet to get the exact dates,' said Gouri Shankar Koner, Managing Director of the West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation Ltd.

 

He was speaking here on the sidelines of the Assocham-organised Global Trade Connect: Exporters Edition. 'If we receive a certification from Bahrain following the team members’ visit, it will be a gateway for us to six more countries, including Saudi Arabia and Dubai for meat exports… our focus is on meat shipments of goat, sheep, pig, duck and turkey,' Koner told PTI.The West Bengal government had last year received a contract of 1.2 metric tonnes of meat from Qatar, which is being shipped in batches, he said.

 

Koner said representatives of companies from Singapore, Bangkok and Bhutan have also shown interest in value-added meat products.Bengal has two 'state-of-the-art' meat processing centres at Haringhata in Nadia and Phansidewa in Darjeeling, he said.'

 

The two plants produce 20 MT of chicken meat daily and around 5 MT of pig meat apart from duck, turkey, goat and rabbit,' Koner added.

The government on Friday launched an unified portal for agri-statistics (UPAg) that will empower stakeholders to access credible and objective data for taking informed decisions. The UPAg, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, is a crucial component of digital public infrastructure for agriculture.

 

The portal aims to address the data related governance challenges such as lack of standardised and verified data, which make it difficult for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to make informed decisions.

 

After launching the portal, think tank Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand said it is a groundbreaking move to address the complex governance challenges facing Indian agriculture.

 

'This innovative platform, designed to streamline and enhance data management in the agricultural domain, marks a significant step towards a more efficient and responsive agricultural policy framework,' he said in a statement.

 

He also stated that higher the objectivity of data, lower is the scope of judgment in policy making, which translated into stable, transparent and informed decisions.

 

Stating that the portal should ensure data credibility, Chand said a research suggests that one US dollar invested in data generated USD 32 impact.

 

Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja said UPAg Portal was being envisaged as a public good wherein users will benefit by reduced search costs and access to credible, granular and objective data.

 

The UPAg portal will have key features such as 'data standardisation', 'data analysis', 'granular production estimates', 'commodity profile reports', and 'plug and play'.

 

The portal will standardise data on prices, production, area, yield, and trade, making it accessible in one location, eliminating the need to compile data from multiple sources.

 

It will perform advanced analytics, offering insights such as production trends, trade correlations, and consumption patterns, aiding policymakers in making informed decisions.

 

The portal will generate granular production estimates with increased frequency, enhancing the government's ability to respond to agricultural crises swiftly.

 

It will also produce commodity profile reports using algorithms, minimizing subjectivity and providing users with comprehensive insights.

 

That apart, users will have the flexibility to use the portal's data to prepare their own reports, promoting data-driven decision-making, the statement said.

 

According to the ministry, this initiative aligns with the principles of e-governance, bringing smartness, transparency, and agility to India's agriculture sector.