Union Agriculture Ministry will organise a week- long nationwide campaign till April 30 at regional level to highlight the achievements made in the farm sector since independence and also create awareness about the various programmes run by the Centre for the benefits of farmers.

 

The campaign 'Kisan Bhagidari, Prathmikta Hamari' will be organised as part of the government's 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' in association with other ministries and government departments, an official statement said.

 

As part of the campaign beginning April 25, farmers' fair will be organised at each Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) along with field exhibition on natural farming, it said.

 

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar would be launching a nationwide workshop on crop insurance organised by the common service centre (CSC).

 

A discourse on agro-ecological and livestock practices would be held under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana -National Rural Livelihood Mission along with Ministry of Rural Development.

 

A webinar on One District One Product (ODOP) will be held by the commerce ministry and Ministry of Food Processing Industries. A National Atmanirbhar Bharat Conclave of 75 selected farmers and entrepreneurs will also be held.

 

During the campaign, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying will organise ODOP-based workshop, webinar and awareness programmes about various schemes of the departments.

 

More than one crore farmers and stakeholders are expected to participate in the campaign through direct (offline) and virtual (online) medium across the country.

 

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav as a mass festival to commemorate the 75 years of its independence.

 

The festival has already begun across the country from March 12, 2021 and will conclude on August 15, 2023.

As India seeks to push agricultural exports beyond the record $50 billion achieved in FY22, buyers from Canada, the UK, Vietnam, Nigeria and Kenya will participate in South Asia's largest expo of food and hospitality that New Delhi will host next week, officials said.

 

India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), a public sector undertaking under the commerce and industry ministry, has introduced a buyer programme in its flagship B2B event Aahar, to get buyers from countries that have recently signed or are in talks to ink trade agreements with India.

 

The 36th edition of Aahar will be held from April 26-30 in New Delhi. 'We expect 80-100 buyers to participate in the buyer programme,' said Vibhu Nayar, executive director, ITPO.

 

The thrust of the initiative is to get buyers from countries that have recently signed trade agreements with India, he added.

 

New product categories such as dairy, marine products and nutraceuticals have been added to this year's event.

 

Nayar said around 20 players in the dairy sector are participating and would showcase technologies related to milk preservation and products like high-end yogurt. A vertical on wines and spirits is likely to be created going forward.

 

About 42 foreign exhibitors from 11 countries such as the UK, UAE, US, Canada and Sweden are participating.

 

Overall, the number of exhibitors has increased to 1,125 from 750 in 2020, while the gross area sold is 70,000 square meters compared to 40,000 sq m earlier.

 

ITPO also plans to have farmer companies at the show so that they can share best practices, available technologies and value-added products with Indian firms.

 

'We have reached out to the World Bank as they handhold such companies and are offering them free space,' Nayar said. Startups, too, have been invited, he added.

The European Union plans to relaunch trade talks with India in an attempt to give the South Asian nation a viable alternative to diversify away from Russia, according to a senior official familiar with the plans.

 

In addition to trade, the EU will pursue a technology council with India that could include discussions on the general data protection regulation, social media and broader digitalization efforts, said the official, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private.

 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is planning to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 25. The EU is India’s third-largest trading partner and accounts for 62.8 billion euros ($67.8 billion) worth of trade in goods.

 

 

The EU and U.S. both are trying to establish closer ties with India, which is the world’s top buyer of Russian weapons, which it says it uses to deter aggression from neighbors Pakistan and China.

In this regard, the department of horticulture, in coordination with APEDA, is going to organise a buyer-seller meeting between farmers and exporters.

 

Telangana is expected to export nearly 5,000 tonnes of mangoes worth Rs 65 crore in the ongoing season.

 

During the year 2021-22, the total horticulture produce exported from the State stood at 10,272 tonnes, including 144 tonne mangoes. In this regard, the department of horticulture, in coordination with APEDA, is going to organise a buyer-seller meeting between farmers and exporters.

 

Farmers from about 11 districts such as Rangareddy, Sangareddy, Siddipet, Vikarabad, Medak, Wanaparthy, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, Mahbubnagar, Mancherial and Jagtial can make use of this initiative to meet exporters from around the country. 'This is a good opportunity for the farmers to sell their produce. The exporters, traders and farmers can interact and decide on rates for the benefit of farmers,' they said.

Aiming to give a boost to the export value chain, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Research Development Corporation (NRDC).

 

The MoU has been inked for utilizing both the organizations’ expertise by working together to synergize the activities in the interest of agriculture and allied sectors for bringing better value to the stakeholders. The MoU has been signed for the implementation of the Agri Export Policy   and to strengthen the export value chain.

 

The MoU’s mandate is to infuse and disseminate technologies jointly with APEDA in the areas of climate-resilient agriculture related to zero carbon emission farming to produce residue/carbon-free food for exports.

 

As per the MoU document, both the organizations will cooperate in collaborative projects for the commercialization of embedded technology related to agri and food processing at various levels of the value chain for boosting the export of agri products.

 

The key areas of cooperation include developing and improvising farm machinery for low cost, user-friendly and energy-efficient tools for small scale farmers, promoting and supporting Agri Start-ups associated with the NRDC Incubation Centre (NRDCIC) for engagement in agri-exports and strengthening of the Startup ecosystem and nomination of expert resources of NRDC/APEDA for mutual knowledge sharing.

 

The MoU was signed by Secretary APEDA, and NRDC CMD Commodore (Rtd) Amit Rastogi in the presence of APEDA Chairman Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS at APEDA head office in New Delhi.

 

NRDC is an enterprise of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and it was established in 1953 with the primary objective to promote, develop and commercialize the technologies, know-how, inventions, and patents.

 

APEDA has been focusing on a collaborative approach to bring synergy with a number of organizations and institutions having inherent professional and specialized expertise in different areas. The prospective sectors of collaboration include capacity building of various stakeholders and providing solutions for addressing some of the identified interventions for the development of Agriculture and its export enhancement in consonance with the objectives set under Agri Export Policy (AEP) announced by Government of India in 2018.

 

The AEP was framed with a focus on agriculture export-oriented production, export promotion, better price realization to farmers and synchronization within policies and programmes of the Government of India. It focuses on the “Farmers’ Centric Approach” for improved income through value addition at the source itself to help minimize losses across the value chain.

 

The policy also focuses on adopting the approach of developing product-specific clusters in different agro-climatic zones of the country to help in dealing with various supply-side issues viz., soil nutrients management, higher productivity, adoption of a market-oriented variety of crop, use of good agriculture practices, etc.

These programmes are planned to be conducted in cities, including Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Delhi and Agra.

 

The commerce ministry will conduct a series of outreach programmes in various cities, including Hyderabad and Mumbai, to promote the recently signed free trade agreements with the UAE and Australia, an official said.

 

'The main objective of these programmes is to inform Indian exporters about the export opportunities which these trade agreements will provide to them in both goods and services segments,' the official said.

 

 

These programmes are planned to be conducted in cities, including Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Delhi and Agra.

 

They would be organised in close coordination with the respective state governments. Officials from trade or industry ministries of the states concerned as well as those from industry associations and export promotion councils will participate in the programmes.

 

The first in the series of programmes would be conducted in Hyderabad on Saturday.

 

The free trade agreement between India and the UAE is likely to come into effect from May 1 this year, under which domestic exporters of as many as 6,090 goods from sectors like textiles, agriculture, dry fruits, gem and jewellery would get duty-free access to the UAE market.

 

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed by India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in February which aims to boost bilateral trade to USD 100 billion in the next five years from current USD 60 billion.

 

On April 2, India and Australia signed an economic cooperation and trade agreement under which Canberra would provide duty-free access in its market for over 6,000 broad sectors of India, including textiles, leather, furniture, jewellery and machinery.

 

Both the pacts would help in promoting trade in services as well.

 

Mumbai-based exporter and Chairman of Technocraft Industries Sharda Kumar Saraf said the India-UAE agreement is also likely to give a boost to bilateral investments from both sides.

 

'Importers in UAE can now set up joint ventures in India to procure goods at competitive terms. Indian manufacturers can get the benefit of importing raw material in India duty free and finishing the final product using excellent infrastructure and cheap finance in UAE,' he said.

 

Saraf said that CEPA has come at the right time when the government of Dubai is in the process of establishing Bharat Bazar in their proposed Traders Market.

 

This is a unique facility wherein Indian exporters will be given office and warehousing space for active and aggressive marketing in Middle East and African region.

 

'These agreements (with the UAE and Australia) are likely to help in providing a quantum jump to Indian exports,' he added.

Both the sides have agreed to intensify work towards ensuring market access for Indian farm products, such as sweet corn, baby corn and banana, etc and recognising Canada’s systems approach to pest risk management in pulses, which would ease the inflows of Canadian pulses to India.

 

After a gap of almost five years, India and Canada resumed negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) last week and are eyeing an interim trade deal first to bolster bilateral commerce and investment, sources told FE.

 

Both the sides have agreed to intensify work towards ensuring market access for Indian farm products, such as sweet corn, baby corn and banana, etc and recognising Canada’s systems approach to pest risk management in pulses, which would ease the inflows of Canadian pulses to India.

 

Canada has also agreed to examine expeditiously the request for conformity verification body status to APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) to facilitate Indian organic export products. While India also wants greater market access for AYUSH products, Canada has sought access for its cherries and lumber.

 

While no time-frame has been firmed up yet for hammering out the interim agreement, official sources indicated that it could be concluded in 6-9 months; the broader FTA will follow. It will likely include high-level commitments in goods, services, rules of origin, technical barriers to trade, and dispute settlement.

 

The stage was set for the revival of negotiations after commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal held talks with his Canadian counterpart Mary Ng here last month, as part of the fifth ministerial dialogue on trade and investment.

 

New Delhi and Ottawa launched negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as the FTA is formally known, in 2010 and held the last round of formal talks in August 2017. During this period, they held ten rounds of negotiations on a broad range of issues, including goods and services, e-commerce, telecommunications, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and technical barriers to trade.

 

The negotiations are a part of India’s broader strategy to sign “balanced” trade agreements with key economies and revamp existing pacts to boost trade. The move gained traction after New Delhi pulled out of the Beijing-dominated RCEP talks in November 2019. India signed an FTA with the UAE in February, its first with any economy in a decade, and a “substantial” interim trade deal with Australia in April. Similarly, London and New Delhi are eyeing a trade deal by Diwali in October.

 

The resumption of negotiations with Ottawa comes at a time when bilateral trade is running below potential and several Canadian companies — including Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) — have either announced multi-billion-dollar investments in India or enhanced focus on the country. Last year, CPPIB invested $800 million in Flipkart Group.

 

Although Indian goods despatches to Canada are less than 1% of its exports, a joint study before the FTA talks started in 2010 had estimated fairly symmetric gains for both the nations. Annual export gains for Canada were estimated to range between 39% and 47%, and for India, between 32% and 60%.

 

India’s merchandise exports to Canada rose 26% until February last fiscal from a year before to $3.6 billion, while Canada’s rose 14% to $2.9 billion. Major Indian exports to Canada include drugs and pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, marine products, cotton fabrics and readymade garments, and chemicals, while key Canadian exports to India comprise pulses, fertilisers, coal and crude petroleum.

The commerce ministry will conduct a series of outreach programmes in various cities, including Hyderabad and Mumbai, to promote the recently signed free trade agreements with the UAE and Australia, an official said. 'The main objective of these programmes is to inform Indian exporters about the export opportunities which these trade agreements will provide to them in both goods and services segments,' the official said.

 

These programmes are planned to be conducted in cities, including Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Delhi and Agra.

 

They would be organised in close coordination with the respective state governments. Officials from trade or industry ministries of the states concerned as well as those from industry associations and export promotion councils will participate in the programmes.

 

The first in the series of programmes would be conducted in Hyderabad on Saturday.

 

The free trade agreement between India and the UAE is likely to come into effect from May 1 this year, under which domestic exporters of as many as 6,090 goods from sectors like textiles, agriculture, dry fruits, gem and jewellery would get duty-free access to the UAE market.

 

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed by India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in February which aims to boost bilateral trade to USD 100 billion in the next five years from current USD 60 billion.

 

On April 2, India and Australia signed an economic cooperation and trade agreement under which Canberra would provide duty-free access in its market for over 6,000 broad sectors of India, including textiles, leather, furniture, jewellery and machinery.

 

Both the pacts would help in promoting trade in services as well.

 

Mumbai-based exporter and Chairman of Technocraft Industries Sharda Kumar Saraf said the India-UAE agreement is also likely to give a boost to bilateral investments from both sides.

 

'Importers in UAE can now set up joint ventures in India to procure goods at competitive terms. Indian manufacturers can get the benefit of importing raw material in India duty free and finishing the final product using excellent infrastructure and cheap finance in UAE,' he said.

 

Saraf said that CEPA has come at the right time when the government of Dubai is in the process of establishing Bharat Bazar in their proposed Traders Market.

 

This is a unique facility wherein Indian exporters will be given office and warehousing space for active and aggressive marketing in Middle East and African region.

 

'These agreements (with the UAE and Australia) are likely to help in providing a quantum jump to Indian exports,' he added.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) on Wednesday authorized the Chhattisgarh State Organic Certification Agency (CGOCERT) to certify organic products after getting them tested from any authorized institution.

 

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey said this would expedite organic farming in the state. After certification, the crop and its produce can be sold within and outside the state with certification from CGOCERT.

 

A.B. Asna, Managing Director, CGOCERT, said the farmers will benefit after certification of organic products.

 

He said that within the country and abroad the demand for aromatic and fortified rice, kodo, kutki and ragi from Chhattisgarh have increased.

 

Fragrant rice and minor millets produced through organic farming, once certified, will fetch more than 100 times the local price. The country will also earn foreign exchange, he said.

In the last couple of years, India's focus on expanding port handling infrastructure, developing the value chain, involving key stakeholders, and exploring new opportunities in countries or markets for rice exports has resulted in a massive increase in rice exports, according to the ministry.

 

The commerce ministry announced on Wednesday that India's non-basmati rice exports increased to USD 6.11 billion in 2021-22 from USD 2.92 billion in 2013-14. In the years 2021-22, India exported rice to over 150 countries. India exported non-basmati rice worth USD 2 billion in 2019-20, rising to USD 4.8 billion in 2020-21 and USD 6.11 billion in 2021-22, according to data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics.

 

'We have coordinated logistics development, as well as a focus on the production of quality, produce in collaboration with our foreign missions, which has boosted India's rice export prospects,' M Angamuthu, Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), said.

 

Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Senegal, Guinea, Vietnam, Djibouti, Madagascar, Cameroon, Somalia, Malaysia, Liberia, and the United Arab Emirates are among the other destinations.

 

In the last couple of years, India's focus on expanding port handling infrastructure, developing the value chain, involving key stakeholders, and exploring new opportunities in countries or markets for rice exports has resulted in a massive increase in rice exports, according to the ministry.