India has scripted a history in exports in the last two years both in terms of growth rate and absolute numbers with the shipments reaching at worth USD 500 billion in 2020-21 and USD 776 billion in 2022-23, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday. India under Prime Minister Modi has continued to maintain a 'robust economy' despite the global challenges of 'depression, recession and inflation', to name a few, Goyal said.

 

India is standing firm and is realising 'record exports' at a time when the economies of even the developed countries are in a struggling situation, the Union Commerce and Industry Minister added.

 

'India has scripted history in exports in the last two years both in terms of growth rate as well as absolute numbers. It is our resolve to increase India's export to worth 2 trillion dollars by 2030,' he told reporters while highlighting the achievements of the nine years of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government at a press conference at the BJP headquarters.

 

The Modi government is working towards making India a 35 trillion dollar economy in the next 25 years from the current 3.5 trillion dollar economy along with taking care of India's heritage, and destroying the 'mindset of slavery', he added.

 

Replying to questions at the press conference, the Union minister said India's import from China increased by 33 times in ten years of the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government and reached nearly worth USD 45 billion from 'perhaps 1.5 billion dollars' in 2004.

 

'We don't know what MoU Congress leader had signed (with China) ...India's own industry kept on dying one after another in those ten years due to this,' he charged.

 

Goyal said that the Modi government has kept both import and export open with China as per the World Trade Organisation's rules.

 

Over the nine years, the Modi government has taken several efforts to give a boost to various industries in India to increase indigenous production and reduce India's dependence on other countries, he said.

 

'Through quality control order, we will be able to stop cheap and substandard products that come from other countries including China, and our consumers will get good quality products,' he added.

 

The Commerce Minister said India has emerged as a robust economy under Prime Minister Modi's leadership.

 

'Many Fortune 500 companies want to come to India in the manufacturing sector, service sector and open R&D centres here for which the commerce and industry ministry is extending them complete support,' he said.

 

Under the leadership of PM Modi, Goyal said India has realised her potential and capabilities in the last nine years in ensuring 'Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan' (service, good governance and welfare of poor).

 

The Modi government's 'consistent efforts' have resulted in the transformation of the country through empowering the poor, youth, women and downtrodden, he added.

 

'Lakhs of people have been trained under the Samarth scheme in the field of textiles and technical textiles. I am happy to inform you that in technical textiles, out of 11 lakh beneficiaries who have been trained so far, 74 per cent have got jobs. Of these, 73 per cent were women,' he added.

 

Goyal, who also holds food, consumer affairs and public distribution portfolio, said there was a time when the sugarcane farmers were in trouble as they did not get the price of sugarcane for months and 'sometimes even years'.

 

'The way Modi ji gave importance to the sugar sector and sugarcane farmers, facilitated their work and also added ethanol. This saved our foreign exchange, reduced the import of crude petroleum and reduced pollution,' he said.

India has decided to approve wheat and broken rice exports to few selected countries following their requests to allow the shipments of the grains, the government said in two separate notifications issued late on Tuesday.

 

The South Asian country banned exports of wheat and broken rice in 2022 to lower local prices.

 

But following requests, India would allow broken rice exports to Indonesia, Senegal and Gambia in 2023/24 financial year started on April 1.

 

New Delhi also approved request from Nepal and allowed wheat exports in the current financial year.

 

Indian exporters, which were exporting grains to these countries, need to bid for the allocated quota of wheat and broken rice, the government said in notifications.

 

Indonesia has signed an agreement with the Indian government to potentially import 1 million tonnes of rice if the El Nino weather pattern hits domestic supply, media quoted the trade minister as saying on Friday.

Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala held a bilateral meeting today with Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food,  Ms. Marie-Claude Bibeau.

 

The two sides discussed the potential bilateral cooperation to strengthen livestock health management system, genetic upgradation of livestock, biosecurity measures, capacity building etc.   Both sides felt that there is much to learn from each other in the related fields.

 

Exchanging information and expertise will help build the knowledge and capability of each other’s animal husbandry sector, which will have mutual benefits for both countries.

 

Both the dignitaries have discussed the various ideas to further strengthen the close and special unique India- Canada friendship.

Sowing of paddy, the main kharif crop, is underway in areas which received monsoon rains and the planting is picking up as the monsoon progresses in different parts of the country, Agriculture Commissioner P K Singh said on Tuesday. 'Paddy sowing has just started and it has been good so far in areas which have received rainfall. It is picking up as the monsoon progresses in different parts of the country,' Singh told PTI. In some parts, farmers have started preparing nurseries, he said.

 

In nurseries, the paddy seeds are first sown and raised into young plants. The plants are then uprooted and replanted in the main field.

 

Till last week, area under paddy was lower by 14.66 per cent at 5.32 lakh hectare as against 6.23 lakh hectare in the year-ago period, as per the Agriculture Ministry data.

 

In case of pulses, the Agriculture Commissioner said the pulses are grown in rainfed areas and sowing will pick up with the progress of monsoon rains.

 

Pulses were sown in 1.80 lakh hectare till last week of the 2023 kharif season, as against 4.22 lakh hectare in the year-ago period, the data showed.

 

Area sown to oilseeds too remained slightly lower at 4.11 lakh hectare till last week, but coarse cereals were covered in higher area at 12.43 lakh hectare till June 16.

 

Paddy is the main kharif crop, sowing of which normally starts with the onset of southwest monsoon. About 80 per cent of the country's total rice production comes from the kharif season.

 

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected normal southwest monsoon this year. After initial delay in its onset, the monsoon has advanced to other regions.

 

Except in east and northeastern region, there was rainfall deficit during June 8-14 period in other parts of the country as per the IMD data.

A trade delegation from India is on a four-day visit to Russia to explore opportunities of boosting Indian farm and processed food exports from $750 million to $3 billion in three years to balance burgeoning Russian goods imports that saw over 369% year-on-year growth in 2022-23 to $46.33 billion, mainly on purchase crude oil.

 

Sensing robust demand for food and food products in Russia, a 50-member delegation of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) is visiting the country between April 24 and 27, which will 'further deepen the economic ties' between the two countries, director general and CEO Ajay Sahai told HT from Moscow.

 

There is a 'massive push' from governments of the two countries to enhance bilateral trade, he said. The Indian exporters are in Russia close on the heels of Russian deputy prime minister Denis Manturov’s India visit last week that revived a dormant free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations involving Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Manturov is also Russia’s trade minister.

 

'We see significant demand for India food items, soy, animal feed and processed food,' Sahai said. 'Indian exporters can supply these items. We are also discussing the possibility of rupee-rouble trade.' Other potential areas of exports are automobiles and auto components, he said. The demand for these items have jumped in Russia because many foreign manufacturers and suppliers have shut Russian operations.

 

The delegation is taking part in buyers and sellers’ meetings in Moscow and St Petersburg, he said. FIEO signed a memorandum of understanding with Business Russia to promote trade and investment between the two nations. Business Russia is an apex industry association representing the private sector.

 

'The two organizations will cooperate to arrange exhibitions, buyer-seller meetings, workshops, seminars and encourage enterprises to work in tandem with their counterparts for joint ventures,' Sahai said. 'We are looking to increase our agro and processed food exports from about $750 million to over $3 billion in next three years,' said FIEO board member NK Kagliwal, who is leading the Indian delegation.

 

India can diversify exports to other areas such as electronics, medical devices, solar cells and textiles to reduce the trade deficit, Sahai said.

 

During the India visit of Manturov, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had highlighted the urgent need to address the trade imbalance created by the recent increase in two-way trade to over $45 billion.

 

India-Russia trade saw a jump since 2022, mainly driven by India’s increased purchases of discounted Russian crude oil after the producers’ cartel – the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) -- and its allies resorted to unprecedented output cuts to keep international oil prices high. Due to Western sanctions on Moscow over the invasion of Ukraine, India and China have emerged as two preferred buyers of crude from Russia.

 

The two countries have also agreed to revive the FTA negotiations. 'The EAEU FTA is being renewed, which could not progress much due to pandemic,' a government official said, requesting anonymity. Russia-led five-member EAEU includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan. A joint statement to launch negotiations for FTA between India and the bloc was signed on June 3, 2017.

 

In fact, a meeting between India and EAEU was scheduled on March 16-18, 2020, in Moscow after a report of a joint feasibility study group was prepared to launch the negotiations. The meeting could not take place due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the official said.

 

The FTA will help the two partners to collaborate in key areas such as oil and gas, gold and diamond, timber, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, aviation, railways and logistics, he added.

Canada’s minister of agriculture and agri-food Marie-Claude Bibeau took part in the G20 agriculture ministers meeting in Hyderabad last week where she also held a bilateral meeting with minister of agriculture and farmers welfare Narendra Singh Tomar on the sidelines of the multilateral event.

 

'Agricultural clean technologies, sustainable development and India’s potential as a driver of global food security through its agricultural sector and millet production', Bibeau wrote on her official Twitter account after her meeting with Tomar.

 

She later added that they discussed agricultural clean technologies, sustainable development and India’s potential as a driver of global food security through its agricultural sector and millet production.

 

After his meeting with Bibeau, Tomar said, 'Canada has a huge agricultural production and agro-technological advancements, which offer potential for cooperation with India'.

 

He added that their discussions focused on reforms in agricultural relations between the two countries.

 

This is the second visit by a Canadian cabinet minister to India for G20 events after the relationship took a hit due to the appearance of a parade float featuring the assassination of late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, during an event on June 4 in Brampton on the 39th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, the military action ordered by the late PM in 1984 to flush out separatist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale and his supporters from the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

 

The incident had sparked a huge outrage in India.

 

Reacting to the developments, minister of external affairs S Jaishankar expressed his disappointment.

 

'Frankly, we are at a loss to understand other than the requirements of vote bank politics why anybody would do this... I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space, which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence,' Jaishankar said while addressing the media.

 

Recently, India has sent a note verbale, an official diplomatic communication, to Global Affairs Canada (GAC), over pro-Khalistan groups planning a car rally to a memorial in Toronto established in memory of the 331 victims of the bombing of Air India flight 182, the Kanishka, on June 23, 1985.

 

The rally, which is scheduled for June 25 has, riled India over the fact that it honours Talwinder Singh Parmar, the Babbar Khalsa International leader, considered the mastermind of the terror attack.

 

Canada’s minister of international development Harjit Sajjan participated in the three-day G20 development Ministers meeting in Varanasi after the rally’s report surfaced.

 

Canada’s minister of international trade, export, small business and economic development, Mary Ng’s department has issued an invitation to Canadian companies interested in exploring new business opportunities in India, while announcing the dates for the trade mission from October 9 to 13.

 

Ng is also expected to visit India in August for the G20 trade ministers meeting where she is expected to meet commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and carry forward their discussions towards putting together the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) between the two countries.

 

Goyal visited Ottawa in May and held bilateral talks with Ng providing momentum to the negotiations.

Expressing his strong belief that the ‘fusion approach’ being taken by India is the best way to address several issues in agriculture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India’s policy of a fusion of ‘back to basics’ and ‘march to future’ has been promoting natural farming as well as technology-enabled farming, resulting in the farmers across the country taking up natural farming.

 

Virtually addressing the Agriculture Ministers as part of the G20 Agriculture Working Group meetings being held at Novotel, HICC, Madhapur on Friday, Modi asserted that India’s G20 priorities in agriculture focused on healing our ‘One Earth,’ creating harmony within our ‘One Family’ and giving hope for a bright ‘One Future.’

 

He said that the farmers practising natural farming were not using synthetic fertilisers or pesticides, and their focus has been on rejuvenating the mother earth, protecting soil health, producing ‘per drop, more crop,’ and promoting organic fertilisers and pest management solutions.

 

The PM pointed out how farmers have been using technology to boost productivity, generating and using solar power in their farms, using soil health cards to optimise crop selection, and using drones to spray nutrients and monitor their crops.

 

Explaining how due to the influence of markets and marketing the value of traditionally grown food crops like millets has been lost, Modi appealed to the world to embrace 'Shri Anna Millets as the food of our choice,' as 2023 was being celebrated as the International Year of the Millets.

 

Opining that the traditional practices from different parts of the world could inspire us to develop alternatives for regenerative agriculture, the PM emphasised the need to empower the farmers with innovation and digital technology and to make solutions affordable for small and marginal farmers in the Global South, where 60% jobs were in the agriculture sector.

 

He said that the responsibilities of an agriculture minister were not only limited to handling one sector of the economy but also extended towards securing the future of humanity. He urged the Agriculture Ministers to deliberate on how to undertake collective action to achieve global food security, find ways to build a sustainable and inclusive food system that focused on marginal farmers and strengthen the global fertiliser supply chains.

 

Around 200 delegates from G20 member countries, nine special invitee countries and representatives of international organisations have attended the meetings, which will conclude on Saturday, with the AWG adopting resolutions for future action.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday advised NABARD to take steps to augment rural credit by correcting regional imbalances for better productivity in rural areas including in the non-farm sector.

 

Chairing a review meeting on NABARD, Sitharaman also emphasised the need for concerted efforts to sensitise farmers to shift towards more remunerative but less water-guzzling crops, especially millets, pulses and oilseeds.

 

With production and marketing of Shree Anna as a national priority in the ongoing international year of millets 2023, Sitharaman directed NABARD to encourage farmers to enhance the area covered under millets, and to protect the returns of farmers who are already growing millets.

 

The detailed review of working of NABARD was undertaken by the Union Finance Minister in the presence of Nabard Chairman KV Shaji and Department of Financial Services (DFS) Secretary Vivek Joshi and other senior officials of DFS.

 

Sitharaman took note of the significant initiatives of NABARD in recent years and advised the institution to work towards ensuring efficiency and outcomes at the ground level with improvement in rural income as top priority.

 

She also directed NABARD to facilitate the aggregation of organic producers by Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), with a focus on the North-East.

 

Sitharaman said that improving the digital capabilities of Rural Financial Institutions, including RRBs, be facilitated on priority for augmenting meaningful financial inclusion.

 

In reference to various measures taken by NABARD in the aftermath of the Finance Minister’s visit to various States to drive development and financial inclusion, the NABARD Chairman apprised Sitharaman about the development package of Rs.25,991 crore for infrastructure development, FPOs, SHGs, off farm development for Jammu and Kashmir.

 

North East focus

He also informed the FM about the enhanced RIDF allocation for 2022-23 from Rs.800 crore to Rs.1,400 crore. NABARD Chairman also pointed out to the Finance Minister that Rs.366.93 crore has been released for Jammu & Kashmir towards recapitalisation of 3DCCBs.

 

For Nagaland, the Finance Minister was apprised about the saturation of all Government schemes and also about 256 credit outreach camps that were organised in the State by the banks where 38,370 loans have been sanctioned.

 

For Karnataka, the NABARD Chairman told the Finance Minister that RIDF support of Rs.25 crore has been approved for UAS, Raichur of Millet Value Chair Park.

 

An assessment undertaken by the UP State Export Promotion bureau has noted that exports from the state have gone up over 100% in the past six years.

 

Data from the department indicated that UP undertook exports to the tune of Rs 84,000 crore in 2016-17. The corresponding figure for the 2022-23 year was Rs 174,000 crore. The department is eying to make exports cross Rs 200,000 crore in the present financial year.

 

Details indicated that the top 10 buyers of goods from UP are USA, UAE, Nepal, UK, Germany, Vietnam, the Netherland, France, China and Egypt. Together they contribute to 60% of Uttar Pradesh's exports.

 

Among the products which are driving up the state’s exports are telecom instruments, buffalo meat, RMG cotton, including accessories, RMG manmade fibre, leather footwear, saddlery and harness, aluminum and aluminum products, silk and handmade carpets, machinery and engineering goods, wheat, rice, sugar, iron and steel, handicrafts etc.

 

When contacted, Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, cabinet minister for industries, export promotion,

NRI and Investment Promotion said: 'The plan for the 2023-24 financial year includes widening the export basket and increasing the number of exporters in the state, capacity building on export processes, unlocking the export potential of ODOP and geographical indication, leveraging e-commerce for exports growth, hand holding expertise at ground level, facilitate product development among other things.'

 

Earlier, as per an assessment by Federation of India Exports Organisation (FIEO), the reasons for UP’s growth have been the export promotion schemes of the state government. If an exporter is registered with the export promotion bureau, they will be helped with 60% of the stall charges at foreign fairs, up to a maximum of Rs 2 lakh, 60% of economy air fare up to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh, 60% of the total expenditure on publicity up to a maximum of Rs 75,000 annually, 75% of the cost of sending samples to a foreign buyer, up to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh per annum and 50% of the cost of certification, up to a maximum of Rs 2 lakh per annum.

Agriculture remains a vital pillar of the Indian economy and plays a central role in the nation’s socio-economic development. It contributes approximately 19 per cent to the GDP and supports a significant majority of the population, with about two-thirds of people relying on it.

 

The performance of agriculture has far-reaching implications for the growth of other industries and the overall economy, as it is interconnected through backward and forward linkages. It not only serves as a source of livelihood and food security for a large portion of the Indian population but also holds special importance for many FMCG organisations.

 

According to the National Sample Survey, the average monthly income per agricultural household has witnessed a notable increase from Rs.6,426 in 2012-13 to Rs.10,218 in 2018-19. The government has implemented various measures in targeted areas to bolster farmers’ income. The PM KISAN Scheme ensures income support for farmers, while the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides crop insurance coverage. Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana focuses on enhancing irrigation facilities.

 

Farmers also have access to institutional credit through initiatives such as the Kisan Credit Card and other channels. More recently, the Union cabinet approved a scheme that plans to allocate Rs.1 trillion towards expanding cooperative sector storage capacity by 70 million tonnes. This ambitious project, set to become the world’s largest grain storage plan within the cooperative sector, aims to address key challenges faced by farmers and strengthen the country’s food security.

 

Let us delve into the significant benefits that this ambitious plan holds for India.

 

Empowering farmers, expanding opportunities

The increase in grain storage capacity on such a monumental scale will empower farmers to think beyond traditional boundaries. With the ability to store their produce effectively, farmers can now explore large-scale production and tap into export markets. This newfound flexibility will enable them to maximise their outputs, leading to increased incomes and a brighter future for farming communities across the nation.

 

Price stability, reduced distress sales

Inadequate storage facilities often force farmers into distress sales, negatively impacting their income and perpetuating a cycle of losses. However, with a significant expansion in storage capacity, the risks associated with crop damage and distress sales can be minimised. The availability of proper storage infrastructure will ensure that farmers can store their produce efficiently, reducing wastage and stabilising prices. This stability will not only benefit the farmers but also provide consumers with a consistent supply of essential food grains at reasonable prices.

 

Economic impact, raw material availability

The scale of this storage capacity expansion will have a profound impact on the Indian economy as a whole. With a more stable agricultural sector, India can become a reliable source of raw materials throughout the year, bolstering various industries such as food processing, FMCG, and agribusinesses. This reliable availability of raw materials will enable these sectors to flourish, attracting investment, creating jobs, and boosting economic growth in both rural and urban areas.

 

Strengthening food security, meeting global commitments

Food security is a global concern, and India, as a member of the G20 and currently holding the G20 presidency, recognises the importance of addressing this issue. By significantly increasing grain storage capacity, India aims to enhance its food security measures, reducing its reliance on food grain imports. With a more robust storage infrastructure, the country can better manage its buffer stock and ensure a consistent supply of essential food grains to its citizens. This achievement aligns with the goals set by the G20 in achieving sustainable food security for all. Through this concerted effort, India aims to contribute to a more secure and resilient food system, ensuring a consistent supply of nutritious food for its citizens and beyond.

 

Job creation, rural development

The expansion of storage facilities in rural areas will create numerous employment opportunities. The construction, management, and maintenance of warehouses and storage units will generate jobs, boosting rural development and improving the standard of living for those residing in agricultural communities. The increased economic activity in these regions will lead to overall prosperity and contribute to the equitable growth of the nation.

 

Boosting FMCG sector, sustainable agriculture

The FMCG sector will experience a significant boost as a result of this ambitious storage capacity plan. With improved storage infrastructure, the sector can rely on a consistent and abundant supply of raw materials, enabling them to scale up production and meet growing consumer demands. This expansion will foster innovation, investment, and competition, resulting in a dynamic FMCG sector that contributes to the country’s economic growth. Additionally, sustainable agricultural practices can be encouraged through the efficient management of stored grains, reducing wastage and promoting resource conservation.

 

Conclusion

India’s ambitious plan to establish the world’s largest grain storage capacity in the cooperative sector is poised to revolutionise agriculture and the FMCG industry. By empowering farmers, stabilising prices, strengthening food security, creating jobs, and bolstering the FMCG sector, this visionary scheme promises to transform the agricultural landscape of the country. As India works towards achieving its global commitments and fostering sustainable agricultural practices, the storage capacity expansion plan stands as a shining example of India’s dedication to economic growth, food security, and rural development.