Policies and procedures of India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) will be revised and it will include measures to strengthen the monitoring system, the Commerce Ministry has told a Chennai-based voluntary services organisation.

 

'... as per the directions of the NAB (National Accreditation Board), a committee is being constituted for revision of NPOP policy and procedures,' the Ministry told the Shree Shree Shree Swami Vivekananda Trust (SSVT).

 

Suggestions received from the stakeholders, including from the trust, will be placed before the committee for perusal, he said.

 

Best policy, but...

The Ministry was responding to a letter from SSVT on July 8 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking 'an honest introspection to revamp the organic enforcement system'. SSVT said a recent audit of the European Commission emphasised the NPOP launched in 2001 as one of the best policy and procedural documents. 

 

'It is also a fact that the European Commission audit cited lapses in the enforcement in our organic agriculture. Our Trust wrote letters on January 5, February 7 and April 8 highlighting numerous pitfalls with the view of protecting Bharat’s interests…,' SSVT said.  

 

There was an immediate need to nominate competent auditors to conduct due diligence on enforcement procedures and implementation of organic farming at the level of certification bodies besides APEDA. This will help protect and preserve the label and authenticity of organic produce in the country, it said.

 

SSVT stressed the need for due diligence in view of repeated breach of rules, while some bodies were habitual offenders (change of promoters and entity names) in the organic agriculture certifications.

 

Aadhaar linkage

Referring to the allegations of duplication of farmers in growing organic produce, Commerce Ministry’s Verma said the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is making provisions for linkage of Aadhaar, land documents in the online system for further strengthening the system.

 

However, trade sources said the Ministry has been talking of such linkages for quite sometime but nothing has happened yet. 

 

The SSVT said the role of APEDA, the nodal agency for organic exports, as secretariat and evaluation committee is vital in facilitating the decision-making process of NAB. 'Out of 36 evaluation committee members, it is interesting to note that 10 members belong to APEDA and Commodity Boards,' it said. 

 

The Minister, however, has said internationally laid down procedures are being followed in the organic certification process. 

 

Farm ministr’s move

However, the trust said since the evaluation committee was the pillar of NPOP enforcement, its selection suggests that 'there is a weak and fragile approach imbibed in the institutional framework at this level'.  

 

The Commerce Ministry’s communication complements a move by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. 

 

In February this year, the Ministry said it plans to come up with a new certification system for organic cotton and its derivatives as part of its efforts to promote Indian export. 

 

Indian organic exports have been under pressure in view of various shortcomings being reported from abroad, especially the European Union, in shipments of organic products.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday told lawmakers that he had 'warm and productive' discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards a free trade agreement (FTA) with India as he updated the UK Parliament on his recent visit to New Delhi for the India-led G20 Summit. Addressing the House of Commons after his first visit to India as British Prime Minister, the 43-year-old leader began by flagging his and his wife Akshata Murty's Indian connections and financial interests in India.

 

In his detailed parliamentary statement, Sunak went on to highlight his three key aims of the India visit, which included increasing diplomatic pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over the conflict in Ukraine, climate action and strengthening ties with India.

 

'I held warm and productive discussions with Prime Minister Modi on strengthening our relationship in defence, technology and a free trade deal between our nations,' Sunak said.

 

India and the UK have concluded 12 negotiating rounds towards an FTA, which both sides believe will significantly enhance the GBP 36 billion bilateral trade partnership. While in India, Sunak told reporters that things aren't quite agreed on the pact and that he 'won't rush things'.

 

'For the record, let me declare that as is a matter of public record, I and my family are of Indian origin. My wife and her family are Indian citizens with financial interests in India,' Sunak told the Commons with reference to Murty's shares in Infosys - the software major co-founded by her father Narayana Murthy.

 

Sunak pointed out that even as most G20 leaders came together in Delhi in a spirit of cooperation, one leader was missing from the summit.

 

'Putin has lacked the courage to face his G20 peers day after day. His actions cause horrendous suffering in Ukraine, violating the UN Charter, threatening European security and disrupting global energy supplies... Leaders united in calling out the human suffering caused by Putin's war,' he said.

 

On his other key priority at the summit, he stressed that the UK is seen as a global leader on climate issues.

 

'At the G20, I made a record commitment of over 1.6 billion pounds for the Green Climate Fund, the single biggest international climate pledge the UK has ever made,' he said.

 

Against the backdrop of UK media revelations over the weekend of the arrest of a parliamentary researcher on suspicion of spying for China, Sunak told MPs that he met Premier Li Qiang on the margins of the summit in New Delhi to condemn such actions.

 

'I was emphatic with Premier Li that actions which seek to undermine British democracy are completely unacceptable and will never be tolerated. I also emphasised the UK's unyielding commitment to human rights, and I was clear on the importance of maintaining stability and international law as the basis for stable relations,' he said.

 

During questions raised by members of Parliament, Sunak was asked about the case of British Sikh activist Jagtar Johal who is lodged in an Indian jail on serious charges. The British prime minister confirmed that he had raised the matter during his talks with the Indian counterpart and that the UK 'remains committed to seeing a resolution' to the case.

As a part of Government of India initiative for market intervention to control the retail price of rice, wheat and atta, weekly e auctions of both wheat and rice are organized. The 11th e-auction of 2023-24 was held on 06.09.2023. A quantity of 2.0 LMT wheat from 500 depots and 4.89 LMT rice from 337 depots were offered from across the country.

 

In the e-auction, 1.66 LMT wheat and 0.17 LMT rice was sold. The weighted average selling price was Rs. 2169.65/qtl for FAQ wheat against the reserve price of Rs. 2150/qtl Pan India whereas weighted average selling price of URS wheat was Rs. 2150.86/qtl against the reserve price of Rs. 2125/qtl.

 

The weighted average selling price was Rs. 2956.19/qtl for rice against the reserve price of Rs. 2952.27/qtl Pan India.

 

In the current tranche of e-auctions, the reduction in retail price is being targeted by offering up to 100 tons maximum for a buyer for wheat and 1000 tons for rice. This decision is to encourage small and marginal end users and to ensure that more participants could come forward and bid for the quantity from their depot of choice.

 

In order to avoid hoarding of stocks traders were kept out from the ambit of wheat sale under OMSS (D) and regular checks/inspections are being made at the Flour Mills of the processors who have purchased wheat under OMSS (D). Till 05.09.23 898 checks across the country have been made.

There is a need to re-evaluate how and where pearl millet, also called bajra, is grown in India amid changing climate conditions, according to the latest study by ICRISAT and ICAR-AICRP. Pearl millet -- an essential cornerstone of India's food security -- finds itself at a critical juncture, it said.

 

Amid shifting weather patterns and evolving agricultural priorities, the study urges a timely revision of the classification criteria governing pearl millet cultivation zones, established in 1979.

 

Currently, India's zones are based on rainfall and soil type -- A1 for arid regions in Rajasthan, A for semi-arid regions in North and Central India, and B for semi-arid regions with heavy soils in South India.

 

The proposed changes suggest re-evaluating the A zone, considering evolving climate conditions, it added.

 

The study was conducted by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - All India Coordinated Research Project on Pearl Millet (ICAR-AICRP).

 

According to ICRISAT Director General Jacqueline Hughes, 'With climate change now a permanent reality, it is imperative to recalibrate the approach towards understanding and nurturing this vital crop for dryland communities'.

 

This new classification system aims to optimize pearl millet production to effectively assist policymakers, researchers, and farmers to make better evidence-based decisions, he said.

 

'The existing A zone can be broken down into three distinct subzones -- G, AE1, and AE2, covering the states in North and Central India. The G zone encompasses Gujarat, AE1 covers East Rajasthan and Haryana, and AE2 covers Uttar Pradesh,' said Vincent Garin, Post-Doctoral Fellow at ICRISAT.

 

The new zoning framework identifies 'AE1' as the core of India's pearl millet production, where favourable climate and soil conditions, along with improved pearl millet varieties, have led to significant yield increases.

 

'AE2' shows promising yield progress and better farming practices, offering potential for export-oriented gains.

 

The G zone is experiencing more rainfall due to climate changes, which may lead farmers to shift towards cash crops and limit pearl millet cultivation to the summer season.

 

'This collaborative effort with ICRISAT has led to innovative tools that can greatly improve pearl millet farming, including the selection of new testing sites,' said Tara Satyavathi, Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research and Project Coordinator of ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet.

 

The study used digital technology and crop models to re-evaluate the zones, creating a 'digital twin' of the pearl millet system. This digital twin helps design crops and strategies tailored to the current and future climate conditions of each region.

Over two dozen Memoranda of Understanding were signed between India and Saudi Arabia companies, ranging from Information Technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and human resources, among other sectors.

 

These MoUs were signed between private companies of both countries, including Serum Institute of India, HP, VFS Global, and ICICI Bank. The signing of the MoUs was facilitated by Invest India and Saudi Arabia's investment ministry.

 

The signing of the agreements happened as Saudi Arabian Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud began his State visit after having participated in the G20 Summit in New Delhi. The Saudi Crown Prince arrived in Delhi on a three-day visit on Saturday and stayed back after the G20 Summit for his state visit.

 

In a brief statement, Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated India for a successful G20 presidency.

 

'Well done India, a lot of announcements made that will benefit both our countries, the G20 countries and the whole world. So I want to say to India well done, and we will work to create a future for both countries' he said.

 

Earlier today, the Saudi Crown Prince was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremonial welcome was followed by a bilateral between the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House.

 

Prabuddh Sen, COO South Asia for VFS Global, said, 'In line with the vision of PM Modi's connecting people approach, VFS Global is proud to be associated with Indian MEA in Saudi Arabia operating India visa centres and likewise operating Saudi visa centre in India.'

 

VFS Global signed a MOU with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) for opening a travel and hospitality academy in Saudi Arabia in (Riyadh). VFS will provide upskilling in the travel and hospitality space.

 

'VFS Global is in line with people-to-people connect. VFS Global has 3500 plus visa application centres in 145 countries serving the interest of sovereign governments interest,' Sen added.

India and Saudi Arabia can look at doubling bilateral trade to $100 billion in the coming years from about $52 billion at present while making it more balanced, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday.

 

The minister suggested Saudi Arabia to open an office of their sovereign wealth fund in GIFT city in Gujarat and industry chamber Ficci set up an office in Riyadh in partnership with Invest India, and the commerce ministry to facilitate investments.

 

'Maybe this could be a way to kick-start a better flow of trade and investments and also to see how we can double our trade, which is currently about $52 billion,' he said while interacting with Khalid A. Al Falih, minister of investment of Saudi Arabia at an event organised by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).

 

'Can we be more ambitious and take it to $100 billion? Can we look at a more balanced trade with India becoming the provider of food security to Saudi Arabia while Saudi Arabia providing us more energy security like oil and fertiliser. So, it will really be a win-win and complementary relation,' he said.

 

India's exports to Saudi Arabia have increased to $10.72 billion in 2022-23 from $8.8 billion in 2021-22. Imports, on the other hand, have increased to $42 billion in 2022-23 from $34.1 billion in 2021-22, mainly on the back of oil shipments.

 

Minister Goyal suggested that the two countries can collaborate in areas like IT, food processing and pharmaceuticals.

 

Saudi minister Khalid A. Al Falih suggested India provide a more visible regulatory framework with transparency and clarity and that Saudi investors in India are treated as most preferred investors.

 

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud is currently on a state visit to India after the G20 Summit concluded on Sunday. He is accompanied by a delegation of ministers and businesses.

 

The two countries have signed about 50 MoUs worth $3.5 billion to strengthen bilateral relations and give a push to trade.

The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal while interacting with the Minister of Investment, Saudi Arabia, Khalid A. Al-Falih said that in Amrit Kaal, year 2047, India aspires to grow at an unprecedented scale. Shri Goyal highlighted the significance of the G20 Summit 2023 organized in New Delhi and also appreciated the organization of Startup20 under India's G20 Presidency.

 

He said that both the countries are the two fastest growing economies in the world today adding on, that in the World Bank ranking in terms of Ease of Doing Business Saudi Arabia was placed at number 62 and India at number 63. However, the ranking have been discontinued since 2020.

 

Shri Goyal also talked about how the trade between the two countries could be doubled which stands at about $52 billion presently and can be taken up at $200 billion. In this regard, the Union Minister invited the Saudi investors to visit Gujarat International Finance-Tech City and thereafter, bring investment.

 

He said that the investors would appreciate India’s regulatory mechanism has been simplified. Also, there’s only one regulator for all regulations. Besides, India has brought about tax rebates and made it seamless to move funds in and out of the GIFT city.

 

Shri Goyal suggested that the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) along with the Government of India and Invest India may open an office of Investment and Trade Promotion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that the GoI officials along with representatives from FICCI will encourage startups.

 

Shri Goyal also talked about the opportunities wherein India may provide food security to Saudi Arabia while energy, oil and fertilisers may be provided to India, stressing on a balanced trade.

 

The Union Minister also talked about NEOM City and said that Saudi Arabia government is setting it up at a cost of $0.5 trillion dollars and the very concept of having 100% clean energy in the entire city designed in a manner to be very user friendly using leveraging the huge landmass coastline.

 

'I think that's an area where India could contribute significantly,' Shri Goyal said highlighting that India may be helpful in areas like designing, construction, manning and developing business around. He quoted a recent study about the returns that investors have got from investment companies. He said that the study of the top five companies listed in the stock exchange shows that Indian companies have given a 20% CAGR return on investment for 20 years. He said that  Indian companies are followed by those from US and China.

 

The Union Minister thereby, said that its time to accelerate the investment coming from Saudi Arabia. He said that FDI from Saudi Arabia last year was just about $ 4 billion which was $ 2.8 billion during COVID period.

 

He said that Saudi Arabia’s investments into India’s processing industry can be a great driver of agriculture and food security. Shri Goyal added that similarly, the Pharma sector has immense potential. He said that a greater understanding between the regulatory authorities of Saudi Arabia and India may help Pharma industries. He added that those living in Saudi should have easier access to Indian medicines which will also encourage Indian Pharma companies to invest in Saudi Arabia.

India will offer Russia options to invest the billions in rupees it has accumulated for exports, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday in New Delhi.

 

'Our Indian friends said they would propose promising areas they can be invested in,' Lavrov told reporters, citing talks with Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Jakarta, Indonesia, on the sidelines of the East Asia summit prior to his arrival to India. 'Right now our governments are talking how to use and invest them to mutual benefit.'

 

He didn’t provide further details.

 

Lavrov also said Russian arms contracts with India remain in force, despite difficulties with payments caused by sanctions imposed by the US and its allies over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

 

Russia has emerged as a top supplier of oil to India over the past year, settling a greater share of trade in national currencies and redirecting shipments east as traditional customers in Europe shunned purchases after President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. But with imports from India stagnating, Russia is ending up with an excess of rupees, which its companies have trouble repatriating because of local currency restrictions.

The United States and India have agreed to resolve their last outstanding dispute- related to poultry-at the World Trade Organization, the US Trade Representative said Friday.

 

In a statement, it also said that as part of the agreement to resolve their final outstanding dispute at the WTO, India agreed to reduce tariffs on certain U.S. products, including frozen turkey, frozen duck, fresh blueberries and cranberries, frozen blueberries and cranberries, dried blueberries and cranberries, and processed blueberries and cranberries

 

'These tariff cuts will expand economic opportunities for US agricultural producers in a critical market and help bring more US products to customers in India,' the USTR office said.

 

This announcement comes as US President Joe Biden met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in New Delhi for the G20 Leaders' Summit.

 

'The leaders lauded the settlement of the seventh and last outstanding WTO dispute between India and the United States. This follows the unprecedented settlement of six outstanding bilateral trade disputes in the WTO in June 2023,' said a joint statement released Friday.

 

The two sides had last month discussed this WTO dispute and expressed their shared desire to reach a solution soon.

 

'Resolving this last outstanding WTO dispute represents an important milestone in the US-India trade relationship, while reducing tariffs on certain US products enhances crucial market access for American agricultural producers,' said USTR Katherine Tai.

 

The six disputes which have been already settled include countervailing measures on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India, certain measures relating to solar cells and modules, measures relating to the renewable energy sector, India's export-related measures, certain measures on steel and aluminium products, and additional duties on some products from the US.

Policies and procedures of India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) will be revised and it will include measures to strengthen the monitoring system, the Commerce Ministry has told a Chennai-based voluntary services organisation.

 

'... as per the directions of the NAB (National Accreditation Board), a committee is being constituted for revision of NPOP policy and procedures,' the Ministry told the Shree Shree Shree Swami Vivekananda Trust (SSVT).

 

Suggestions received from the stakeholders, including from the trust, will be placed before the committee for perusal, he said.

 

Best policy, but...

The Ministry was responding to a letter from SSVT on July 8 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking 'an honest introspection to revamp the organic enforcement system'. SSVT said a recent audit of the European Commission emphasised the NPOP launched in 2001 as one of the best policy and procedural documents. 

 

'It is also a fact that the European Commission audit cited lapses in the enforcement in our organic agriculture. Our Trust wrote letters on January 5, February 7 and April 8 highlighting numerous pitfalls with the view of protecting Bharat’s interests…,' SSVT said.  

 

There was an immediate need to nominate competent auditors to conduct due diligence on enforcement procedures and implementation of organic farming at the level of certification bodies besides APEDA. This will help protect and preserve the label and authenticity of organic produce in the country, it said.

 

SSVT stressed the need for due diligence in view of repeated breach of rules, while some bodies were habitual offenders (change of promoters and entity names) in the organic agriculture certifications.

 

Aadhaar linkage

Referring to the allegations of duplication of farmers in growing organic produce, Commerce Ministry’s Verma said the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is making provisions for linkage of Aadhaar, land documents in the online system for further strengthening the system.

 

However, trade sources said the Ministry has been talking of such linkages for quite sometime but nothing has happened yet. 

 

The SSVT said the role of APEDA, the nodal agency for organic exports, as secretariat and evaluation committee is vital in facilitating the decision-making process of NAB. 'Out of 36 evaluation committee members, it is interesting to note that 10 members belong to APEDA and Commodity Boards,' it said. 

 

The Minister, however, has said internationally laid down procedures are being followed in the organic certification process. 

 

Farm ministr’s move

However, the trust said since the evaluation committee was the pillar of NPOP enforcement, its selection suggests that 'there is a weak and fragile approach imbibed in the institutional framework at this level'.  

 

The Commerce Ministry’s communication complements a move by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. 

 

In February this year, the Ministry said it plans to come up with a new certification system for organic cotton and its derivatives as part of its efforts to promote Indian export. 

 

Indian organic exports have been under pressure in view of various shortcomings being reported from abroad, especially the European Union, in shipments of organic products.