To commemorate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, an initiative by the Government of India to celebrate 75 glorious years of progressive India, its rich history, culture and great achievements, -'Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari' Campaign is scheduled from 25.04.22 to 30.04.22.

 

As a part of the campaign, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, organized the ODOP-based workshop on the Processing and Value addition of Walnuts in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir.

 

The event was inaugurated by Shri Ashok Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar. The ODOP workshop aimed to set the stage for all food-tech stakeholders to impart, discuss and acquaint the stakeholders on the new emerging trends in food processing and technological innovation in Walnut Processing in the Kishtwar district.

 

Sh. Vishesh Paul Mahajan, Director, Horticulture (Planning and Marketing) Jammu and Kashmir gave the inaugural speech. He highlighted the importance of the micro food processing sector as the growth driver of the Indian economy and through the PMFME Scheme the government’s efforts to encourage food processing in India. The Event was moderated by Sh. Sunil Singh, District Nodal Officer, Kishtwar.

 

The workshop witnessed the presence of eminent industry speakers sharing their insights for micro-enterprises and Farmers to pave the way in walnut-based products to scale to domestic and global levels.

 

Among the distinguished speakers were, Shri Ashok Kumar Sharma, Dy. Commissioner, Kishtwar. Dr Brij Paul SMS (PP) Dept. of Horticulture, Kishtwar who spoke about the Relevance of the ODOP for the district. Speaking on the occasion Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar appealed the orchardists/farmers to come forward and lay a proactive role in the implementation of rolled out schemes of the departments so that the income of these farmers is increased. Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar also informed that district administration isworking on the establishment of Model 'Mandi' in the district. He further informed that 50 Kanals of land alongside the national highway in the district has been identified to establish the mandi which will provide a common platform for the display, sale and marketing of the product and also provide national-level access to farmers.

 

Mr. Khalid Malik General Manager, DIC, Kishtwar conducted a session on 'Potential Opportunities and Technologies for MicroEntrepreneurs'

 

Dr. Syed Zameer Hussain, Head, Division of Food Sc. & Technology, SKUAST-K, conducted a session on 'Scope and future strategies for Processing and value addition of Walnuts in J&K, particularly in District Kishtwar'.

 

The ODOP Workshop under Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari Campaign is one of a kind initiative by the M/o Food Processing Industries along with the support of distinguished industry experts to educate and guide the farmers in the Kishtwar District of Jammu and Kashmir to make informed decisions in order to scale up their food business in Walnut processing in the present scenario.

 

In addition to the participation of the various eminent guest speakers, the event saw the participation of around 300 farmers, orchardists and government officials from across the UT and also the food processing micro-enterprises. It was also hosted live successfully and witnessed the vast participation of all stakeholders.

 

About the PMFME Scheme:

 

Launched under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme that aims to enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and to promote formalization of the sector and provide support to Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups, and Producers Cooperatives along their entire value chain. With an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25, the scheme envisions to directly assist the 2,00,000 micro food processing units for providing financial, technical, and business support for upgradation of existing micro food processing enterprises.

While launching the 'Kisan Bhagidari, Prathmikta Hamari' Campaign under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (25th- 30th April 2022) Union Agriculture Minister interacted with farmers across the country who were present in Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in towns and cities in various states across India. The purpose of the interaction was to make farmers aware of flagship schemes of Government of India and to assess the achievements and benefits that the farmers are gaining at the grassroots.

 

While interacting with farmers the Agriculture Minister outlined Prime Minister’s vision for the Agriculture Sector which is the backbone of the country. He said that the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi is an example of transparency with the help of technology. He said while subsidies are given by states and central government ‘atmanirbharta’ is necessary for which adoption of technology, diversification of crops and maintaining quality in the export market is necessary.

 

The Minister told farmers that they should be willing to experiment and change with the times, they should be willing to use new variety of seeds, test the quality of their soil, join Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and utilize technology including drones. Farmers should also be willing to come under the protective shield of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). On Natural Farming the Minister stated that it is being promoted and ICAR is including it in the syllabus.

 

Shri Tomar said that KVKs and Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) are doing their best to take the developed technologies to the farming community. KVKs are pioneers in agricultural progress, having direct contact with the farmers. He said that in the year 2021-22, the export of agriculture and allied sector products was about four lakh crore rupees. In which the contribution of the farmers is commendable. The relentless hard work of the farmers, the skill of the scientists and the farmers' friendly policies of the government are yielding results and income of farmers is also increasing continuously, which has also been revealed during the interaction with the farmers present at various KVKs across the country during today’s inaugural campaign.

 

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shri Kailash Chaudhary said that during the interaction with farmers across the KVKs he was happy to note that some farmers have more than doubled their income in recent times.

 

'Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari' campaign is being dedicated to strengthen the farming community. The campaign was launched by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar. In this, lakhs of farmers, many MPs and other public representatives and scientists participated through fairs in 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and other agricultural institutions across the country.

 

As part of 'Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari' Krishi Mela at each KVK was organised today in association with ATMA. Awareness programmes on Organic Farming, Natural Farming, Startups, APMCs, e-NAM, FPOs were also organised. Seminars, workshops on horticulture activities were also conducted.

 

Union Agriculture Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja, Director General of ICAR Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra expressed their views during the inaugural session. Joint Secretary Shri Samuel Praveen Kumar conducted the proceedings. Joint Secretary Shri Ritesh Chauhan proposed vote of thanks. Various central ministries are involved in this campaign.

In a bid to boost production of and profits from locally-grown and manufactured products, the Uttarakhand government has decided to apply for GI tag for 11 items, primarily food grains: red rice, berinag tea, buransh (rhododendron) squash, malta, gahat, mandua, jhangora, kala bhat, chaulai, lakhori chilly and pahari toor daal.

 

State agriculture and horticulture minister Ganesh Joshi made the announcement during the 27th online meeting of the Indian Agricultural Research Association (IACR) on Friday.

 

The step aims to act as an incentive for farmers, so that they take up agriculture of crops that are endemic to Uttarakhand, once these items find a larger market. A Geographical Indication (GI) tag -- issued by the Registrar of Geographical Indications -- is a sign used on products to specify that they have a geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation owing to it. It would help protect a variety of pulses and hill products which are growing rare due to climate change, abandonment of villages and urbanisation in the plains.

 

The measure is also aimed at stopping migration in the hills. 'In Uttarakhand, scant transport options and lack of marketing channels continue to be prime reasons behind people turning away from farming. Few people want to take up agriculture as their major source of income,' Joshi said.

 

'Kidney beans of Harsil, Chakrata and Munsiyari, red paddy of Uttarkashi, maize of Chakrata and Nainital require adequate preservation and promotion for their survival. Munsyari rajma is already a GI-tagged product but its low production remains a concern in the state,' the minister added.

In 2021, Uttarakhand had got GI tags for seven items: Aipan craft and Ringal craft (art styles endemic to Uttarakhand), Tamta copperware products, Thulma (warm and light blankets spun from locally-sourced fabric), Bhotia dann carpet (rugs made by the nomadic Bhotia community), Chyura oil and Munsyari Rajma. The Indian bay leaf was the first item from Uttarakhand to get a GI tag.

Stressing the need for frequent interaction between the government and exporters, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday urged the Centre to remove all obstacles on exports from time to time to enable the country reap the benefits.

 

'The government must be alive to the problems and challenges faced by the exporters and industry by trying to understand and address it. There should not be any delays on account of indecision, inaction by anybody and this is the need of the hour,' Naidu said, while addressing the gathering after presenting the Export Excellence Awards for 2019-20 at MEPZ, Tambaram near the here.

 

He said foreign exchange inflow is very essential for any country to have a strong economy. If exports get reduced, the foreign exchange reserves will shrink and might eventually affect the country’s economy.

 

Naidu further said the ministry of commerce and industry is taking all steps to find new avenues for exports and the friendly policies of the government really helps. 'The government and exporters must have frequent interaction to understand the problems, if any. All obstacles in the way of exports should be removed by the government from time to time,' he said.

 

Lauding that Tamil Nadu continues to be a national leader in exports of automobiles and automotive components, leather products, software, and ready-made garments, he said, MEPZ has recorded an export growth of 14% in 2021-22 with total exports to the tune of Rs 1,32,803 crore despite the problems caused by the pandemic.

In her address, Union minister of state for commerce and industry Anupriya Patel urged the exporters to utilise the Free Trade Agreement between India and UAE as well as with Australia. There is tremendous scope in the global supply chain, she added.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in association with the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) is organizing Asia’s biggest international food and hospitality fair AAHAR-2022 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

The fair will commence today.

 

Commerce and Industry Ministry said, more than 80 exporters from different segments of agricultural products which include geographical indication products, processed food, organic, and frozen food products will participate in the fair. APEDA has created dedicated stalls for exporters from North East Region and Himalayan states like Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, women entrepreneurs, Farmer Producers Organizations, Start-Ups, and exporters of millets.

Official sources told FE that rice exports would continue to surge this fiscal year because of factors such as surplus domestic stocks and expectation of robust forthcoming Kharif crops.

 

India’s rice exports would continue to see robust growth in the current fiscal (2022-23) after a record shipment of about 20 million tonne (MT) of grain worth more than $ 9.6 billion in 2021-22.

 

The expectation of a ‘normal’ monsoon rains this year is expected to give a boost to rice production which is predominantly a Kharif crop.

 

India has been the world’s largest rice exporter in the last decade — export earnings stood at a record $8.7 billion in 2020-21

 

Official sources told FE that rice exports would continue to surge this fiscal year because of factors such as surplus domestic stocks and expectation of robust forthcoming Kharif crops. More than 80% of India’s rice production is grown in the Kharif season.

 

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) as of April 1, 2022, had rice stock of more than 32 MT against the buffer norm of 13.58 MT. However, this stock excludes 22 MT of rice yet to be received from the millers by FCI.

 

'We have more than adequate rice stocks to meet supplies for the Public Distribution System,' an official said.

 

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) rice outlook report for April, the global trade in the 2022 calendar year is projected at a record 52.5 MT out of which India’s rice exports are projected to be around 21 MT while Vietnam will ship around 6 MT of rice.

 

As per DGCIS data, India exported rice to over 150 countries in 2021-22. 'It indicates the diversification of India’s rice export over the years,' a commerce ministry official said.

 

India exports aromatic and long grain Basmati rice to Saudi Arabia, Iran and other middle east countries besides to the United States and European Union. In the case of non-basmati rice shipment, the West African country Benin is one of the major importers of non-basmati rice from India. India exports non-basmati rice to Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Cote D’ Ivoire, Togo, Senegal, Guinea, Vietnam, Djibouti, Madagascar, Cameroon Somalia, Malaysia, Liberia, United Arab Emirates etc.

 

M. Angamuthu, chairman of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), said that the thrust on expanding port handling infrastructure, developing of value chain involving key stakeholders along with efforts to explore new opportunities in countries or markets for rice exports in the last couple of years have led to a huge spike in rice exports

 

In 2020-21, India shipped non-basmati rice to nine countries — Timor-Leste, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Eswatini, Myanmar and Nicaragua, where exports were carried out for the first time or earlier the shipment was smaller in volume.

 

As per Second Advance Estimates for 2021-22, the rice production in the 2021-22 crop year (July-June) is estimated at a record 127 MT, which is higher by 11 MT than the last five years’ average production of 116 MT.

 

India is the world’s second-largest rice producer after China. The record exports would enable the rice producers to reduce their stocks and would also benefit the farmers as the increased demand for Indian Rice is likely to improve their realisation.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday said about 4 lakh hectare has been brought under natural farming so far as part of a sub-scheme of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and think-tank Niti Aayog will prepare a roadmap to scale this up.

 

Tomar, while addressing a national workshop on innovative agriculture here, said the need of the hour is to do farming that works in harmony with nature, reduces the cost of production, ensures good-quality produce and profits to farmers.

 

Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, parts of Haryana and Gujarat are gradually adapting to natural farming. More farmers will join after seeing the success stories, he said.

 

Tomar said Niti Aayog will prepare a roadmap on natural farming after deliberation with farmers, scientists and agri-varsities' vice chancellors in today's workshop and the ministry will move forward accordingly.

 

He said some may have 'apprehension that production might decline by shifting to natural farming. Such people after seeing the success stories of natural farming will be able to adapt easily.'

 

Natural farming should be promoted in areas first where less or no chemicals are used in farming, he added.

 

According to the minister, about 38 lakh hectares have been brought under organic farming at present. About 4 lakh hectares of area is under natural farming so far as part of a sub-scheme of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana.

 

A central programme is underway to certify farm fields where no chemicals are in use in areas of Nicobar and Ladakh. The centre is pursuing with states to identify such farm fields for certification, he said.

 

The government is working on a mission mode to promote natural farming and even include this as part of a syllabus in agri unversities, he added.

 

Citing reasons for the need to shift to natural farming, the minister said although chemical farming -- introduced during Green Revolution in the 1950s -- has definitely helped in turning a food deficit nation to a surplus but this method of farming has affected soil fertiliser, water and global warming.

 

'Chemical farming has helped increase production but there are limitations. Farmers may earn income but they are under stress with use of higher quantity of fertilizers and water consumption,' Tomar said.

 

The harmful impact of chemical farming is such that Punjab farmers sell their produce to others but never consume themselves, he said and stressed the need to change the cropping pattern that works in harmony with nature.

 

Stating that the government is committed to addressing the challenges posing the farm sector, the minister said alternative methods of farming especially natural farming are being promoted because India needs to sustain agriculture as a large percentage of the country's population is still dependent on farming for its livelihood.

 

Union Minister for Fisheries, Dairying and Animal Husbandry Purushottam Rupala said a new demand for quality produce has emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic and farmers need to take note of this and grow accordingly.

 

He welcomed a suggestion to promote natural farming in areas where no or less chemicals are used, while also stressed on the branding of commodities produced in natural farming.

 

Sharing the success stories of natural farming, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat urged farmers not to get 'discouraged and confused' about natural farming.

 

He said production will come down in the first year of natural farming but expenses and water consumption will remain lower. This will also help grow better quality produce that will fetch a good rate in the market.

 

Devvrat shared how a large farmer in Gujarat gradually shifted to natural farming from 5 acres to 50 acres and now planning on 400 acres. He also shared how a horticulture secretary in Himachal Pradesh government shifted successfully to natural farming for growing apples.

 

Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said there is a need to understand the challenges facing the farm sector amid climate change, lower crop yields, high use of water, and imbalanced use of chemicals and fertilisers.

 

'A new revolution is necessary. Natural farming is the need of the hour. It is because due to the Green Revolution, cost of production has gone up and water use efficiency has remained lower,' he said.

 

There is a need to bring a social movement for promoting natural farming in a scientific manner among farmers, he added.

 

Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand said the chemical farming that has been adopted since Green Revolution has posed several challenges and therefore alternative methods are being thought about.

 

Some may call it non-chemical or natural farming or zero budget farming or organic farming -- these different methods of farming have been experimented. These methods need to be synthesized and moved forward, he said.

 

Chand said there is a need to give a chance to natural farming as the time is ripe to try this method. 'The country is not facing any food security threat, we can give a chance to this method of farming,' he said.

 

About 6 per cent of area in the country use no chemicals and this area can be targeted for promoting natural farming. There are also some districts where use of chemicals is less than 5 kg, those can also be promoted, he said.

 

A road map will be prepared taking leads from the discussion in the national workshop, he added.

Jakarta clarifies its curbs from April 28 will cover only RBD palmolein; relief for Indian edible oil industry

 

Bengaluru/Mangaluru, April 25

 

Indonesia on Monday clarified that its export ban on palm oil, to come into force from April 28, will not cover crude palm oil, providing much relief to importing nations such as India that depend on imports of edible oils to meet their domestic demand.

 

Agencies reported that Indonesia government officials told palm oil companies that the ban would apply only to refined, bleached and deodourised (RBD) palmolein, though trade ministry officials in Jakarta failed to respond on requests for clarification. 

 

In India, the report of Indonesia’s decision was greeted with relief by the industry terming it as 'better senses prevailed'. 

 

The Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) said it was yet to get any official information from the Indonesian government. BV Mehta, Executive Director, SEA, said the development is good for Indian edible oil industry. 

 

'I think better senses prevailed in Indonesia also. Otherwise, the market would have been on a fire,' he said. 

 

On Monday, the Malaysian Derivatives Exchange (MDEX) saw crude palm oil open higher by nearly seven per cent. Once the reality of the decision, announced by Indonesian President Joko Widodo on April 23 shocking the global market, sunk in, the commodity pared its gains to close two per cent lower at 6,222 Malaysian riniggit a tonne ($1,428.70/?1.09 lakh).

 

The Indonesian decision had the industry and Centre on tenterhooks as already cooking oil prices have been surging continuously since last year. India’s wholesale price index inflation rose to a record 14.95 per cent in March.

 

Russia-Ukraine conflict

 

Most of India’s inflation has been imported with the Russia-Ukraine war further compounding it. Cooking oil prices have been soaring on supply shortage globally due to lower soyabean production in South America and palm oil output in South-East Asia. Jakarta decision only stoked it further. 

 

Flaring up of crude oil prices have also aided the surge in prices of cooking oils and foodgrains. The Indian government has also run out of options by reducing import duties to maximum possible limits and controlling the retail price fixed by processors. 

 

The decision, in a way, hurt processors as import of refined oil had become more viable than importing crude oils. In the case of palm oil, the export tax imposed by Malaysia and Indonesia hurt the processors further. Of late, imports of RBD palmolein have been increasing due to these policy measures.  

 

Mehta said refined palm oil export to India had touched over 30 per cent of total palm oil imports in the last five months, thereby reducing capacity utilization of Indian refiners.

 

India to gain

 

Indonesia curbs on exports of RBD palmolein could be a blessing in a disguise for Indian processors. India’s imports of palm oil have been changing in tune with the policies here and in South-East Asia, which prefer its refining units capacity to be utilised.

 

SEA data show that India imported 4.74 lakh tonnes (lt) of RBD palmolein from Indonesia during November-March of the current oil year to October against 4,900 tonnes in year-ago period. The import of CPO from Indonesia stood at 5.01 lt during November-March of the oil year 2021-22 against 12.95 lt in the year-ago period.

 

Mehta said India needs more CPO and not RBD palmolein. 'India will be comfortable if CPO is allowed. That is the reason why the market which went up by 600 points in the morning is now hardly about 100 points up,' he said.

 

In case, India needs RBD palmolein, it can always import from Malaysia, he added.

 

In a representation to the government on April 21, SEA had stated that Indonesia has imposed export tax + levy of $575 a tonne on CPO, $408 a tonne on RBD palmolein and $386 a tonne for refined palm oil.

 

This had made palmolein cheaper than CPO by about 5 per cent at their current prices. SEA said Indonesia was incentivising exports of finished product (refined palmolein) at the cost of raw material (CPO).

 

Soyabean Processors Association of India Executive Director DN Pathak said: 'We have heard that Indonesia has now excluded crude palm oil from the export ban. If that has happened, it is very good thing as in an already tight market, a ban on CPO would have tightened supplies further. However, we are awaiting more clarity.'  

The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is co-organising the 36th edition of Asia’s biggest B2B international food and hospitality fair AAHAR 2022 in association with the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO).

 

The four day fair will commence on April 26 and will be held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

 

Keeping in mind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘local for vocal’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ the fair will promote the theme 'Geographical Indication Products' as APEDA is focussing on promotion of exports of GI certified agricultural products.

 

AAHAR is a part of the series of export promotion initiatives taken by APEDA, which works under the Ministry of Commerce and Trade, to showcase agricultural and processed food products to the global players in the food and beverages industry as the fair is visited by a large number of importers from different parts of the world.

 

Apart from AAHAR, APEDA also organizes national events like Organic World Congress, BioFach India etc to promote agri-exports.

 

More than 150 food and agri Products have been registered as GI by the GI Registry out of which 123 GI products fall under APEDA’s category till March, 2022.

 

APEDA has set up a theme pavilion in an area of 3,000 sqm in Hall No 3, Ground Floor at AAHAR where facilities have been extended to the registered proprietors of GIs for display of their products.

 

More than 80 exporters form different segments of agricultural products, which include GI products, processed food, organic, frozen food products, millets, etc are participating under APEDA pavilion.

 

At the fair, products ranging from Ready to Eat (RTE), Ready to Serve (RTS), Ready to Consume (RTC), plant-based meat products, dehydrated products, chocolate, grains, frozen food, herbal products, juices, honey, dairy products, etc will be showcased by Indian manufacturers for the importers from several leading countries.

 

Also, APEDA has created dedicated stalls for exporters from North East Region (NER) and Himalayan states like Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, women entrepreneurs, Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs), Start Ups and exporters of millets and millets products. More than 40 participants are participating under these categories and each category will have dedicated stalls in APEDA pavilion.

 

As per the DGCI&S data, the agricultural exports have grown by 19.92 per cent during 2021-22 to touch $50.21 billion. The growth rate is remarkable as it is over and above the growth of 17.66 per cent at $41.87 billion achieved in 2020-21 and has been achieved in spite of unprecedented logistical challenges in the form of high freight rates, container shortages, etc.

 

However, APEDA has scripted a new history by exporting agricultural and processed food products to the tune of $25.6 billion, which is 51 % of India's total agriculture exports of $50 billion.

 

'The visionary approach, aggressive and consistent efforts of APEDA have enabled India to position itself as a consistent and quality supplier of agri products,' Dr.M.Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA said.

 

APEDA also initiates registration of pack-houses for horticulture products for meeting the quality requirements of the international market. Registration of export units for peanut shelling and grading and processing units, for instance, is to ensure quality adherence for the EU and non-EU countries.

 

APEDA carries out registration of meat processing plants and abattoirs for ensuring compliance with global food safety and quality requirements. Another key initiative includes development and implementation of traceability systems which ensure the food safety and quality compliances of the importing countries. For boosting exports, APEDA compiles and disseminates various international trade analytical information, market access information amongst exporters and address trade enquiries.

Says there is a need to evaluate technologies to reduce the cost of cultivation and ensure environmental sustainability

Trilochan Mohapatra, Director-General of ICAR, has asked the rice scientists to work on varieties with multiple resistances to a range of pests and diseases.

 

Addressing the inaugural function of the 57th Annual Rice Research Group meeting virtually on Monday, he said that it was time the country focussed on precision farming.

 

‘Excellent performance’

 

Mohpatra, who is also the Secretary of Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), said that agriculture in general and rice sector in particular had performed exceedingly well despite the Covid-19 pandemic in the last two years.

 

He felt that there was a need to evaluate technologies to reduce the cost of cultivation and ensure environmental sustainability. 'Potential microbial cultures can be validated through multi-location trials to reduce the fertiliser use and, in turn, cost of cultivation in rice. Rice scientists should know how to think and go beyond the current research aspects,' he pointed out.

 

R Meenakshi Sundaram, Director of Indian Institute of Rice Research Institute (IIRR), said that as many as 27 high-yielding varieties and three hybrids were released through central varietal release committee last year.

 

T R Sharma, Deputy Director-General (Crop Sciences) of ICAR, has recalled how the mapping of rice genome helped in developing high-yielding varieties and hybrids in rice sector. 'Genes are incorporated to enhance yield and manage biotic and abiotic stresses,' he said.

 

He also emphasised the need for national and international partnership to address the problems faced by the farmers due to climate change and other natural calamities.

 

About 400 delegates from India and abroad are taking part in the three-day event.

 

Besides evaluating the work done last year, the meeting would lay a roadmap for the 2022-23 rice seasons.