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14 Aug, 2023 News Image

Pineapples from Meghalaya are exported to Abu Dhabi.

Pineapples from Meghalaya are exported to Abu Dhabi. Meghalaya has a diverse range of agro-climatic conditions which results in a variety of agricultural and horticultural products. Being grown by local communities in traditional manner, these crops are mostly naturally organic. These factors attribute towards the produce from the state slowly being recognised for their unique quality and taste. Produce like the Lakadong turmeric, GI-tagged Khasi mandarin, Kew pineapples are gaining more and more popularity.

State government stated over recent times, the pineapples from the state have been gaining more and more popularity. The Meghalayan pineapples have very low pesticide and heavy metal residue compared to pineapples from mainland India. Also, in regard to taste, they are less sour and significantly sweeter. The pineapples have a Brix value of 16-18, which indicates to the sweetness of the fruit. The State of Meghalaya has pineapples as the One District One Product for the districts of Ri Bhoi and East Garo Hills.

The sweetest pineapples from Meghalaya are the centrepiece of the elaborate display celebrating the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, at the Al-Wahda mall at Abu Dhabi. These pineapples are being marketed through the eminent Lulu Group into the prestigious Gulf markets.

The journey of these pineapples from the fertile slopes of Garo Hills to the sandy shores of UAE has been a challenging and fruitful one. This remarkable feat of exporting the pineapples has been successfully accomplished by Jamge Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) from Songsak C&RD Block of East Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, and Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA).

The Jamge IVCS has over 250 farming households from across 4 villages, producing almost 100 tonnes of pineapples throughout the pineapple growing seasons. The IVCS presents an example of how successful collectivisation can result in doubling farmer’s incomes. The farmers were previously receiving only a meagre INR 10 per pineapple irrespective of the weight of the fruit. But, through collectivisation and market linkage with international buyers they received Rs 16 per kg. This is equivalent to receiving Rs 21 per fruit, with the average fruit size exported to LuLu group being 1.3 Kgs. Thus the price realisation for the farmers was more than double, through this intervention.

The government recognizes the role that processing of perishable horticulture produce (like pineapples) can play in enhancing shelf-life and thus reaching wider markets. Efforts are also being directed towards further increasing the processing capacity and infrastructure in the state through the local farmer collectives. An example of this is the successful collaboration between Karnataka based IQF Private Food Limited and Ri Bhoi district based Umdihar IVCS, to set up a mobile processing unit for quick freezing of pineapples. This collaboration was facilitated by the Agriculture and Farmers welfare department of the state. Over the first 3 weeks of its operation, the processing unit have processed over 52 MT of pineapples.

The Department has also facilitated a supply chain arrangement closer home with Reliance recently, whereby pineapples are being regularly supplied to Reliance Retail stores across Assam. This endeavour is being undertaken by Tomonpo Anglong Organic Producer Company Ltd, Umwang Pyllun IVCS Ltd and Jirang Organic Agro Producer Company Ltd. from Ri Bhoi. The farmer collectives are being trained by the department to aggregate, grade, sort and package pineapples for regular shipment. Thus far over 5.2 MT of pineapples from these farmer collectives have been supplied in 3 weeks to Reliance stores across Assam. Similar marketing activity has also been taken up by Ringgi Demdema Organic Farmer Producer Company from West Garo Hills for a shipment of 12 MT to Varanasi though ‘DeHaat Seeds to Market’.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

14 Aug, 2023 News Image

Government reviewing FTAs with ASEAN, Korea, says MoS Commerce Anupriya Patel.

The government is closely monitoring all the free trade agreements which it has signed and based on stakeholder consultations, existing FTAs with ASEAN and Korea are being reviewed, Parliament was informed on Friday. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel said the government is negotiating FTAs with the European Union, the UK, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Canada.

These negotiations or its review are a long-drawn process and the timeline for completion of such negotiations cannot be predicted since the parties to the negotiations are required to agree to the outcome, she said.

'India has signed 13 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and 6 Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with its trading partners...The government is closely monitoring these FTAs and based on stakeholder consultations, the experience and assessments thereof, the government is in the process of reviewing its existing FTAs with ASEAN and Korea,' the minister said.

Replying to another question, she said the number of complaints referred/ received by the GeM (Government e-marketplace) vigilance unit during last year (July 2022 to June 2023) was 54.

'The majority of complaints, received through post and e-mails, were by sellers against buyers. After examination at GeM end, GeM observations in these cases are being sent to the corresponding Chief Vigilance Officer/ Head of Department of the Buyer Organisation for further examination/ investigation and/ or action(s) as deemed fit at their end,' she said.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

14 Aug, 2023 News Image

Promoting Millets

The Government of India is implementing a multi stakeholder approach towards celebration of International Year of Millets (IYM) - 2023. The action plan of IYM-2023 focuses on strategies to enhance production and productivity, consumption, export, strengthening value chain, branding, creating awareness for health benefits etc. To promote Shree Anna a yearlong action plan for monthly activity has been prepared by Central Ministries, State Governments and Indian Embassies.

In order to increase production and productivity of Shree Anna, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing a Sub-Mission on Nutri-Cereals under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in all districts of 28 States & 2 Union Territories viz. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Under NFSM–Nutri Cereals, the incentives are provided to the farmers, through the States/UTs, on crop production and protection technologies, cropping system based demonstrations, production & distribution of certified seeds of newly released varieties/hybrids, Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management techniques, improved farm implements/tools/resource conservation machineries, water saving devices, capacity building of farmers through trainings during cropping season, organizing events/workshops, distribution of seed minikits, publicity through print and electronic media etc. The interventions such as formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for Shree Anna, setting up Centers of Excellence (CoE) and seed hubs for Shree Anna have also been supported under NFSM. In addition, states such as Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh have initiated Millet Missions in the States to promote Shree Anna. To make India a global hub for 'Shree Anna', the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad has been declared as the Centre of Excellence for sharing best practices, research and technologies at the national and international level.

Shree Anna are also included under the Poshan Abhiyan of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Further, the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution has revised its guidelines to increase the procurement of Shree Anna under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meal. The Ministry has also advised the State Governments and Union Territories to increase the procurement of Shree Anna. An Export Promotion Forum dedicated to promotion of Shree Anna in the international market has been set up to facilitate promotion, marketing and development of Shree Anna exports from India. Under the Eat Right campaign, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is creating awareness to promote the use of Shree Anna as part of a healthy and varied diet.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has implemented the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry for Millet-based products (PLISMBP) during 2022-23 to 2026-27 with an outlay of Rs. 800 crores. The Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, launched under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is currently being implemented in 35 States and Union Territories (UTs). The Government is also popularizing Agri-Infrastructure Fund Scheme to invite farmers/FPOs/Entrepreneurs to avail the benefit of interest subvention on loans up to 2 crores for setting up primary processing units in Shree Anna. Government is also promoting Shree Anna based startups to increase the demand of Shree Anna.

As a part of promotional activities of IYM 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare is promoting Shree Anna during India’s G20 presidency. Shree Anna are also showcased in various events such as International Trade Fair, Surajkund Mela etc.A key event organized towards International Year of Millets was the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference, held from 18th– 19thMarch 2023 at IARI Pusa campus, New Delhi which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister. In continuation to the efforts towards mainstreaming Shree Anna, a ‘Millets Experience Centre (MEC)’ has been opened at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi with an aim to raise awareness on Shree Anna and encourage its adoption among general public.In order to encourage consumption of Shree Anna among government employees, all Government offices have been advised to include Shree Anna snacks in departmental trainings/meetings and Shree Anna based food items in departmental canteens. DA&FW has also installed vending machines for Shree Anna products through National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) to various Ministries/Departments. Shree Anna and its products have been identified as One District One Product (ODOP) in 19 districts of 10 States.

The state-wise production of millets in the country during last 5 years (2018-19 to 2022-23) is given below. The major millet crops procured by the Government are jowar, bajra, and ragi. During last five years, the quantum of jowar, bajra and ragi procured by the Government are 423675 metric tonnes, 758094 metric tonnes and 1676067 metric tonnes respectively.

The state-wise production of millets (shree anna) during 2018-19 to 2022-23 is as under;

(Production in ‘000 tonnes)

State/UT

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23*

Andhra Pradesh

301.91

514.19

540.61

359.15

299.64

Assam

3.06

3.23

3.26

3.20

3.23

Bihar

14.37

8.00

10.31

8.51

7.18

Chhattisgarh

33.71

24.56

26.24

28.18

23.39

Gujarat

1000.15

990.48

1091.97

1179.08

pib.gov.in

14 Aug, 2023 News Image

Telangana launches India's first Agricultural Data Exchange platform.

Telangana Minister for IT and Industry KT Rama Rao on Friday launched India's first Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX) and Agriculture Data Management Framework (ADMF). An official release said developed as a digital public infrastructure (DPI) for the agriculture sector, the ADeX is collaboration between Telangana Government, World Economic Forum, and the Indian Institute of Science.

'Both ADeX and ADMF provide the right platform to ensure fair and efficient usage of agricultural data by the industry and startups and provide a big boost to the data economy specifically in the argi sector. These initiatives help Telangana lead the country from the front in using innovation and technology to drive food systems transformation and improve the livelihoods of farmers,' the minister said.

In Phase-I of the project, the ADeX Platform is currently deployed in Khammam district and will be expanded to the entire State over a period.

The software platform facilitates secure, standards-based exchange of data between agricultural data users such as agri application developers and agricultural data providers (Government Agencies, Private Companies, NGO's, Universities, etc), it said.

ADMF has been developed after extensive public and industry consultations on the crucial aspects of data protection, management, and innovation.

Informed by domestic laws and regulations and converging global best practices, ADMF is an agile, forward-looking framework, with the objective of facilitating consent-based responsible data sharing, the release said.

ADMF is applicable to all government departments dealing with agricultural activities as well as all agriculture information users and providers, it added.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

14 Aug, 2023 News Image

Production of Pulses

The production of pulses during the last three years and in 2022-23 (as per third advance estimates) are given as under:

Year	Production (Lakh Tonnes)
2019-20	230.25
2020-21	254.63
2021-22	273.02
2022-23*	275.04

* As per third advance estimates

Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses with the objectives of increasing production through area expansion and productivity enhancement in all the districts of 28 States and 2 Union Territories viz. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh of the Country. Under NFSM-Pulses, assistance is given through States/UTs to the farmers for interventions like cluster demonstrations on improved package of practices, demonstrations on cropping system, seed production and distribution of HYVs/hybrids, improved farm machineries/resource conservation machineries/tools, efficient water application tools, plant protection measures, nutrient management/soil ameliorants, processing & post-harvest equipment, cropping system based trainings etc. Initiatives like distribution of seed minikits ofnewer varieties ofpulses, production of quality seed, technological demonstration by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) have also been included under NFSM for enhancing pulses production and productivity. Further, 150 Seed Hubs on Pulses have been set up under NFSM since 2016-17 to augment the availability of quality seed of Pulses. These Seed Hub centres have cumulatively produced more than 1 lakh quintal quality seed of pulses since then.

In order to increase the productivity potential of pulses crops in the country, the ICAR is undertaking basic and strategic research on these crops and applied research in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities for developing location-specific high yielding varieties and matching production packages. During 2014-2023, 343 high yielding varieties/hybrids of Pulses have been notified for commercial cultivation in the country. During the last five years (2018-19 to 2022-23), cumulatively, about 86015 qtl. breeder seed of Pulse crops was produced against total demand of about 68499 qtl. and supplied to various public/private seed agencies for their conversion into certified seed of pulses for the farmers.

Further to ensure remunerative prices to farmers, Government implements an umbrella scheme PM-AASHA comprising Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS) in order to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers for their produce of notified oilseeds, pulses and copra. Under PSS scheme, procurement is undertaken directly from pre-registered farmers conforming to the prescribed Fair Average Quality (FAQ) norms by Central Nodal Agencies through the State level agencies at MSP announced by the Govt. as and when prices fall below the MSP during the harvesting period. During the year 2021-22, a total of 30.31 lakh tonnes of pulses were procured under PSS benefitting 13,90,737 farmers, while during 2022-23 (as on 31.07.2023) 28.33 lakh tonnes of pulses have been procured so far, benefitting 12,43,977 farmers.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

The production of pulses during the last three years and in 2022-23 (as per third advance estimates) are given as under:

Year	Production (Lakh Tonnes)
2019-20	230.25
2020-21	254.63
2021-22	273.02
2022-23*	275.04

* As per third advance estimates

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Source: pib.gov.in

14 Aug, 2023 News Image

11th Agriculture Census

Agriculture Census in India is conductedevery five years. The field work of Agriculture Census is carried out in three phases, each phase of one-year duration.Next Agriculture Census (11th in the series) was postponed by a year due to outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the Agriculture Census 2021-22 was launched on 28th July, 2022. At present, Phase-I of Agriculture Census 2021-22 is in progress which is targeted to be completed by December, 2023.

For Agriculture Census 2021-22, an amount of Rs. 7685 Lakh has been allocated to States during Financial Year 2023-24. State-wise budget allocation during FY 2023-24 is given below.

State wise budget allocation during FY 2023-24

S. No

States/UTs

Amount (in Lakh)

(1)

(2)

(3)

A & N Islands

Andhra Pradesh

375

Arunachal Pradesh

240

Assam

Bihar

755

Chandigarh

Chhattisgarh

401

Daman & Diu and D & N Haveli

Delhi

Goa

Gujarat

421

Haryana

Himachal Pradesh

pib.gov.in

14 Aug, 2023 News Image

Kharif Crop sowing crosses 979 lakh hectares

The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has released progress of area coverage under kharif crops as on 11th August 2023.

Area: In lakh hactare

No.

Crop

Area Sown

Current Year

2023

Last Year

2022

Rice

328.22

312.80

Pulses

113.07

122.77

Arhar

40.27

42.55

Urdbean

29.55

34.15

Moongbean

30.03

32.38

Kulthi

0.24

0.19

Otherpulses

12.99

13.51

Shri Anna cum Coarse cereals

171.36

167.73

Jowar

13.29

14.08

Bajra

68.81

68.03

Ragi

5.91

4.43

pib.gov.in

14 Aug, 2023 News Image

Schemes for processing farmers produce in rural areas

In order to ensure overall development of Food Processing Industries including processing of agro- products, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been incentivizing setting up/expansion of related infrastructure through its Central Sector Umbrella Scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and Centrally sponsored PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme across the country including in rural areas and thus increasing the income of the farmers.

Under component schemes of PMKSY, MoFPI provides mostly credit linked financial assistance (capital subsidy) in the form of grants-in-aid to entrepreneurs. So far, Ministry has approved 41 Mega food Parks, 382 Cold Chain projects, 72 Agro Processing Clusters, 469 Food Processing Units, 61 Creation of Backward & Forward Linkages Projects & 46 Operation Green projects across the country under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY. The completed projects of PMKSY are estimated to benefit more than 32 lakh farmers across the country. In the evaluation study of Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme conducted by M/s NABARD Consultancy Limited (NABCONS) in Year 2020, it has been estimated that captive projects under the scheme have resulted in increase in farm-gate prices by 12.38 % and each project is estimated to benefit more than 9500 farmers.

Ministry also provides financial, technical and business support for setting up/ upgradation of 2 lakh micro food processing enterprises under PMFME scheme. The scheme is operational for a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 Crore. So far, a total of 43014 micro food processing enterprises have been sanctioned for assistance in the country.

PLISFPI is, inter alia, intended to support creation of global food manufacturing champions and support Indian brands of food products in international market. The Scheme is being implemented over a six-year period from 2021-22 to 2026-27 with an outlay of Rs. 10,900 crores. So far, a total investment of Rs 7800.53 Cr has been committed in projects located across the country under the scheme.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Ministry of Food Processing Industries Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

Source: pib.gov.in

14 Aug, 2023 News Image

Augmenting the level of Food Processing in North-Eastern region

For overall growth and development of food processing sector including augmenting the level of Food Processing across the country including North Eastern Regions (NER), Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been incentivizing setting up/ upgradation of Food Processing Industries through Central Sector Umbrella Scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and Centrally sponsored PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme.

Under component schemes of PMKSY, MoFPI mostly provides credit linked financial assistance (capital subsidy) in the form of grants-in-aid to entrepreneurs. PMKSY is not region or state specific but demand driven with no state-wise fund allocation. However, projects of the NER under PMKSY are provided higher grants-in- aid and other concessions as compared to projects located in rest of the country.

Ministry also provides financial, technical and business support for setting up/upgradation of micro food processing enterprises under PMFME scheme. The scheme is operational for a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 across the country included NER.

The details of funds allocated and funds utilized under component schemes of PMKSY in NER during last 5 years and funds released to NER states under PMFME scheme since 2020-21 are placed at Annexure.

Annexure

Funds released to NER states under PMFME Scheme since 2020-21

(Rs. in Crores)

S. No.	NER States	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23
1	Arunachal Pradesh	0.15	7.34	0.00
2	Assam	16.71	15.86	12.58
3	Manipur	3.14	3.27	0.00
4	Meghalaya	2.69	3.04	0.00
5	Mizoram	7.73	2.94	0.00
6	Nagaland	6.64	5.90	0.00
7	Sikkim	5.13	1.47	1.62
8	Tripura	3.11	10.23	0.00

Details of funds allocated and funds utilized under component schemes of PMKSY in NER during last 5 years

(Rs in Crores)

pib.gov.in
	11 Aug, 2023 More countries, including Japan, a few from the West, interested in UPI linkages: RBI. The Reserve Bank on Thursday said the internationalization of the unified payments interface (UPI) system is a work in progress as it works towards linking it with more and more overseas counterparts, including some in the West and Japan. On February 21, 2023, the RBI announced the first linkage of UPI by integrating it with Singapore's Paynow, paving the way for faster and more transparent remittances between the two countries. Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das launched the new linkage in association with his Singaporean counterpart Ravi Menon, who is the managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Announcing the third monetary policy review, Governor Shaktikanta Das said the RBI was planning to use artificial intelligence in UPI payments and also to deploy near-field communication (NFC) technology to be used in offline payments in UPI-Lite. It also enhanced the transaction limit for small-value digital payments to Rs 500 from Rs 200 on UPI Lite. On UPI linkages with more countries, the deputy governor T Rabi Shankar told reporters that 'such integration has already been done with Singapore. And recently we signed an agreement with the UAE's payment system Integrated Payment Platform (IPP) to link UPI with their payment system. 'It is a work in progress and it will happen in the coming months and discussions are underway with a few other countries also for linking their payment systems with ours, including some advanced economies which have evinced interest in linking to UPI,' he said. Governor Das chipped in saying 'UPI has now become internationally recognised. I am not saying it myself, but it is recognised very widely, and that it is perhaps the most efficient and advanced payment system in the world. 'At the recent G20 finance ministers and governors meeting, UPI was widely recognised. So this is a work in progress. We are already in discussion with a few other countries and it will happen soon.' To a question from a Japanese journalist whether some officials from the world's third-largest economy has contacted RBI for UPI linkage, Shankar answered in the affirmative saying a Japanese minister has contacted us. 'We are happy that a country like Japan which is an advanced economy, is showing interest in the UPI. Currently, it is only at an intention stage as the contact was mostly exploratory level. NPCI is talking to the relevant Japanese agencies,' the deputy governor said. AK Goel, the chairman of the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) said more user-friendly measures for UPI by way of conversational payments in UPI and further promoting the UPI-Lite by facilitating offline transactions using near field communication are expected to widen the coverage of UPI. Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
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