The central government has imposed stock limits on wheat till March 31 next year to arrest the rising prices of the grain, said food secretary Sanjeev Chopra on Monday. This comes despite the government predicting — in the Third Advance Estimate — record wheat production of 112.74 mt. The last time a stock limit was imposed on wheat was in 2008. The price of the cereal has risen 8.13% at the mandi level in the last one month, according to the food department, which may reflect in the domestic wholesale and retail price in the coming days.

 

The government will also release 1.5 million tonnes (mt) of wheat from its stocks at the reserve price of Rs 2,150 per quintal to cool down the prices. It will also provide rice to bulk buyers under the open market. sale scheme, but the quantity will be decided in due course. However, there are no plans to tweak the import policy of wheat in the near future, Chopra said. Also, the export of sugar will not be permitted as of now.

 

Wheat wholesalers and traders will be allowed to stock 3,000 mt of the commodity. The stock limit is 10 mt for retailers at each outlet. For big-chain retailers, it is 10 mt for each outlet and 3,000 mt at their depots. Processors can stock 75% of the annual installed capacity or the equivalent to monthly installed capacity multiplied by the remaining months of 2023-24 — whichever is lesser.

 

Industry watchers said the move spells bad news for the wheat milling industry. 'Most of the flour mills from South India purchased wheat at higher prices,' said Pramod Kumar S, president, the Roller Flour Millers’ Association of India.

The delicious Ishad mango from Uttara Kannada has earned its much-awaited geological indicator (GI) tag and it is now being looked at as the beginning of its journey for international recognition like Alphonso mangoes.

 

Ishad mango, which is grown predominantly around Ankola, is tasty and contains a lot of pulp. 'The fruit was once canned and exported. We hope to revive its glory,' said Satish Kumar, Deputy Director, Department of Horticulture.

 

'The application for GI tag was made through Ankola-based Matha Totagars Farmers Producer Company (MTFPC) Ltd way back in March 2022. We had submitted the required documents to the Chennai-based Directorate, Geo Indicator species. They sought more documents and authenticity pertaining to heritage. Finally the status has been accorded,' he said.

 

Madhav Indra Gouda, Director, MTFPC, said that the mango variety has been cultivated for the last 400 years. After this tag, the MTFPC, which is an organisation of 300 farmers, has decided to propagate seedlings and encourage cultivation of this special mango.  'We have already ensured two products, pulp and squash, are ready for consumers,' he said.

The seventh edition of the Gitanjali Mango Festival began at the City Centre in Siliguri on Friday.

 

The three-day-long fest has been organised by Modella Caretaker Centre, in collaboration with the Association for Conservation and Tourism (ACT).

 

'Summer means the season of mangoes and it is rare to find a person who does not love the fruit. It is natural to have a fest for the national fruit of our country and hence, the event has been planned,' said Raj Basu, the convener of the ACT.

 

He said the fest couldn’t be held in the past couple of years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

'We have participants from different parts of Bengal, other states and even the neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh,' added Basu.

 

Altogether, 270 varieties of mangoes have been displayed at the festival.

 

'The special attraction of this year’s fests is the Kohitur variety. Nawab Murshid Quli Khan (the first Nawab of Bengal) brought the mango here and as of now, there are only 25 trees of the species left. Each Kohitur mango costs Rs 300,' said another organiser.

 

Japanese variety Miyazaki which costs around Rs 2.5 lakh per kilo is also on display, apart from Golapkhash, Lyangra and Suryapuri.

 

'Among the varieties, 20 species have been brought from Bangladesh. Around 80 mango growers from Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, Burdwan, Purulia and North Dinajpur districts and from Bihar are participating in the fest. We also plan to promote rural tourism through the event,' said Basu.

 

At the fest, visitors will also have the option to check out different products made from mangoes. They include aam papad (mango wafers), aam guro (mango powder), aam ras (mango juice), pickles and items like mango pudding, mango shakes and custard.

 

Also, handicrafts and handloom items made in different parts of Bengal and in the neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh have been displayed at the event.

 

'There will be live music performances and even live demonstrations of handicrafts,' he added.

 

Among other events which would be held during thefestival are a mango eating contest, sit and draw, fashion walk, story writing, music, song and dance competition, screening of documentary films and cooking, sources said.

India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has reached $3.75 trillion in 2023, from around $2 trillion in 2014, said Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday

 

The finance minister called India a 'bright spot' in the global economy, highlighting its position as the fifth largest economy. Last year, India had surpassed the UK to become the world's fifth-largest economy and is now behind only the US, China, Japan and Germany, as per the IMF projections. A decade back, India was ranked 11th among the large economies.

 

Recently, a stronger-than-expected fourth quarter lifted India's growth to 7.2 per cent in FY23, exceeding the 7 per cent cited in the second advance estimates released in February, underscoring the country's economic resilience in the face of multiple challenges.

 

As per the provisional estimates released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) recently, real GDP growth for 2022-23 stood at 7.2 per cent, higher than the 7 per cent projected earlier.

 

The gross domestic product (GDP) rose 6.1 per cent in the March quarter from a year earlier, accelerating sequentially as well from the upwardly revised 4.5 per cent in the preceding quarter, government data showed. An ET poll of 20 economists had earlier estimated 5.1 per cent median growth in the fourth quarter.

 

Recently, Chief Economic Advisor Dr V Anantha Nageswaran lauded the estimated 7.2 per cent real GDP growth in 2022-23 and expressed confidence that when the final numbers for the fiscal are frozen in early 2026, the growth will be higher.

 

Speaking at an event organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, Nageswaran said 7.2 per cent GDP growth is 'heartening achievement for the government and economy'.

 

'It is efforts of people like you more than the government that gave us 7.2 per cent real GDP growth in FY 23 following the 9.1 per cent in FY 22,' ANI quoted him as saying.

 

Nageswaran said India's GDP growth estimates are presented six times and 'the final estimate for FY 23 will actually be with us in January-February 2026. And my expectation and belief is that when the final number for FY23 is frozen in February 2026, the number will be more than 7.2 per cent.'

 

Nageswaran said this is the first reliable estimate of GDP growth and 'as more and more data become available, further revision will be for upside from 7.2 per cent.'

 

Meanwhile, Moody's on Sunday said the Indian economy is expected to clock a 6-6.3 per cent growth in June quarter, and flagged risks of fiscal slippage arising from weaker-than-expected government revenues in the current fiscal.

 

The growth estimate released by Moody's is lower than the 8 per cent projection for the first quarter made by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last week.

 

In an interview with PTI, Moody's Investors Service Associate Managing Director Gene Fang said India has a relatively high level of general government debt at around 81.8 per cent of GDP for 2022-23, and low debt affordability.

 

'We expect India's growth to come in around 6-6.3 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, which remains relatively flat from the 6.1 per cent recorded in the final quarter of fiscal 2022-23,' PTI quoted Fang as saying.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi signed a MoU with Amazon Kisan to combine strengths and create synergy between the two organizations for guiding the farmers on scientific cultivation of different crops for optimum yield and income. ICAR will provide technological backstopping to the farmers through Amazon’s network. It will improve farmers’ livelihood and boost crop yield. This MoU in farmer’s partnership with Amazon Kisan program will help ensuring access to high quality fresh produce for consumers across India, including through Amazon Fresh.

 

Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary DARE & Director General ICAR, on this occasion, emphasized upon secondary agriculture for better remuneration for the farmers. He further highlighted the importance and role of critical inputs in agriculture and season-based crop plans. He mentioned that ICAR will collaborate with Amazon for technologies, capacity building and transfer of new knowledge.

 

On the behalf of ICAR, Dr US Gautam, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) and Mr. Sidhrtha Tata, Senior Product Leader from Amazon Fresh Supply Chain & Kisan signed the MoU.

 

The outcomes from a pilot project at Pune between ICAR-KVK and Amazon has motivated to further expand the collaboration to extend the precise agriculture practices developed through extensive research. Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s will strengthen a wider group of farmers by leveraging technological base through transfer of technology and capacity building programmes. ICAR and Amazon will work together on other farmer engagement programs at Krishi Vigyan Kendras, conducting demonstrations, trials, and capacity building initiatives to enhance farming practices and farm profitability. Furthermore, Amazon will provide training support and assist farmers in marketing their produce through its online platform, facilitating direct connections with consumers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the results of two farming projects -- vegetable growing and poultry rearing, launched in the island archipelago under the 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat' initiative, saying it shows enthusiasm of the Lakshadweep people about learning and adopting new things.

 

The PM conveyed his praise on Twitter in response to a tweet by Praful K Patel, Administrator of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, about the successful outcome of the 'Nutri Garden Project' which was started in the islands in 2022.

 

'In Lakshadweep, the 'Nutri Garden Project' was launched as a result of the development objective of atma nirbhar bharat. In which 1,000 farmers were provided with vegetable seeds. As a successful result of this programme, the supply of vegetables in the region has increased.@PMOIndia,' Patel had tweeted on Saturday.

 

Responding to it, PM Modi tweeted, 'Great effort, excellent result! This initiative has shown how enthusiastic the people of Lakshadweep are about learning and adopting new things.'

 

In a release issued by the administration of Lakshadweep, it said that PM Modi has given the vision of doubling farmers income, providing nutritional security for the people, women empowerment, and Mission Life for Environment.

 

To implement the vision and to make the island archipelago self-reliant in production and supply of vegetables, seeds of okra, tomato, brinjal, chilli, amaranthus etc and grow bags and organic fertilizers were distributed to 1,000 farmers selected from the various islands, the release said.

 

Over 8,000 fruit saplings of various varieties like papaya, banana, lemon, sapota, amla, guava etc and spices saplings were also provided to them, it said.

 

'The initiative has reaped very positive results. Supply of fresh vegetables in Lakshadweep has increased for ensuring nutritional security of the local population. The programme has been a huge success resulting in increased supply of fresh vegetables/fruits to the islanders and income guarantee to the farmers. The scheme is being extended further,' the administration said in the release.

 

It also gave details of the Backyard Poultry Rearing Scheme, launched by the Lakshadweep administration, under which over 600 low-income families were distributed over 7,000 country breed chicks like Kadaknath and Kaveri and given training on rearing them.

 

'The women, who are at the forefront of the programme, are empowered in the form of financial savings and getting newer avenues in generating income. This scheme has resulted in extra income for the families, empowerment of women and also improved nutritional intake of the local population.'

 

The women beneficiaries wholeheartedly expressed their happiness and thanked the PM and Patel for such programmes that help make India a developed nation and for taking care of the citizens' welfare, it added.

The 49th Network Planning Group (NPG) meeting of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) has recommended a roadways project in Tripura. Ms. Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary, Logistics Division, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry chaired the meeting of the NPG in New Delhi yesterday.

 

The road section of Khowai-Teliamura-Harina with a total length of 134.9 kms was considered for its improvement and widening to two lanes with paved shoulder of NH-208 in Tripura. It is a brownfield project with total cost of Rs 2,486 Crore. The project is planned with a multimodal connectivity approach; connectivity to industrial clusters and new SEZ namely Paschim Jalefa; efficient freight movement; reducing carbon footprint; optimized alignment and logistical efficiency.

 

The project road passes through Khowai, Gomati and South Tripura districts connecting places like Khowai, Teliamura, Twidu, Amarpur, Karbook and Harina in Tripura. It will also not only enhance connectivity interstate connectivity between Assam and Tripura but also give a boost to the economic and industrial activities in Tripura.

 

The planning of the project on NMP yielded the following key benefits-

 

Enhancing Logistics efficiency: By using NMP, the road length got reduced by 28 km (from 162 km to 134 km), thus reducing travel time by 2.5 hours.

Enhanced multi-modal connectivity: This project Corridor facilitates intermodal transport from Telimaura Railway Station and Manu Bazar Railway Station near Harina. The proposed road improves connectivity to the Airport at Agartala and proposed Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Udaipur.

Regional Connectivity: This corridor is very close to the Bangladesh border and it would connect Bangladesh through Kailashahar, Kamalpur and Khowai Border Check Post.

Connectivity to economic and social nodes: The road will boost connectivity to 4 economic nodes such as Industrial Cluster around Agartala, FCI depot, etc. and 13 social nodes such as Matabari Temple, Neer Mahal, Pilak Civilization Museum, Jampui Hills, Ambassa Eco Park, etc.

Facilitates Freight Movement from Kolkata to North Eastern States (majorly, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur) to Bangladesh.

Boost to Industry and Exports Promotion: Project would facilitate movement of raw materials for Industry clusters in Tripura. Project would facilitate movement of manufactured goods like rubber, textile, bamboo, food processing etc., from economic nodes like i.e., SEZ located at Paschim Jalefa, Sabroom in South Tripura District and Industrial Clusters/Parks around Agartala and Udaipur.

The proposed road will connect North East India to Chittagong Port in Bangladesh. This would ensure EXIM connectivity.

Development in Tribal Area: Project enhances connectivity to 3 Tribal Districts- Khowai district, Gomati district, South Tripura district

The project is on Engineering Procurement & Construction (EPC) basis under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Official Development Assistance (ODA) Loan. The principles of PM GatiShakti NMP have been adopted during the planning of the road alignment. Alignment of the road is superimposed with data layers available on NMP Portal like railway lines, forest, power lines, water bodies etc. The intersections will be seen with forest and other sensitive zones to minimize environmental disruptions.

 

Institutional Mechanism of PM GatiShakti facilitated inter-ministerial consultations through NPG meeting for integrated planning and decision making. The 49th NPG meeting saw representation from Infrastructure Ministries/Departments including M/o Road Transport and Highways, M/o Railways, M/o Ports, Shipping and Waterways, M/o Civil Aviation, M/o Power, M/o Petroleum and Natural Gas, Department of Telecommunication (DoT), M/o New and Renewable Energy and NITI Aayog and from Tripura State Government, to discuss on the various aspects of the project.

Wheat procurement during the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2023-24 has progressed smoothly. The progressive procurement of wheat in the current season till 30.05.2023 is 262 lakh Metric Ton (LMT) which has already surpassed last year’s total procurement of 188 LMT by 74 LMT.

 

About 21.27 lakh farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing wheat procurement operations with Minimum Support Price (MSP) outflow of about Rs 47,000 crore. Major contribution in the procurement has come from three procuring states of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana with procurement of 121.27 LMT, 70.98 LMT and 63.17 LMT respectively.

 

The major contributing factors in healthy procurement this year has been the grant of relaxation by Government of India in quality specifications of wheat affected due to untimely rains; opening of procurement centres at village/ panchayat level; carrying out procurement through Co-operative Societies/ Gram Panchayats/ Arhatias, in addition to designated procurement centres for better outreach and permission to engage FPOs for procurement operations.

 

The rice procurement is also progressing smoothly. A quantity of 385 LMT of rice has been procured till 30.05.2023 during the Kharif crop of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2022-23 with another 110 LMT yet to be procured. Further, a quantity of 106 LMT rice has been estimated to be procured during the Rabi crop of KMS 2022-23.

 

The combined stock position of wheat and rice in the Central Pool is over 579 LMT (Wheat 312 LMT and Rice 267 LMT) which has placed the country in a comfortable position to meet its requirements of food grains.

The US-India trade relationship is crucial and bilateral trade plays a key role in addressing shared challenges in the global economy, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said here on Friday.

 

'The #USIndiaTrade relationship is crucial, and bilateral trade plays a key role in addressing shared challenges in the global economy. I look forward to focusing on strengthening trade ties & advancing our economic relationship,' the US Ambassador tweeted on Friday.

 

Garcetti on Thursday met Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Piyush Goyal and the two discussed ways to enhance collaboration across various sectors to give a further push to the growing India-US strategic partnership.

 

'Delighted to meet US Ambassador Eric Garcetti today. Discussed ways to enhance collaboration across various sectors to give further impetus to our growing strategic partnership,' Goyal tweeted on Thursday.

 

Recently, the US Mission in India held its 7th Annual Student Visa Day countrywide with consular officers interviewing Indian Student Visa applications.

 

While speaking at the US Embassy, Garcetti said that more Indians throng the United States as students than from any other country.

 

'It was so inspiring to see the work of this mission and to feel the strength of the United States and India relationship. More Indians come to the United States as students than students from any other country. Last year, India became number 1 and I don't see that changing ahead in the future. I see that relationship at the very top of how we articulate our values of welcoming not just Americans to higher education but to opening that door to people worldwide,' the envoy said.

 

'One out of every 5 US students visa was issued here in India in 2022. One out of five in the world which is more than the proportion of the Indian population in the world. So, Indians have not only pursued an education in the United States but for decades have shown their excellence in the United States and we are on track to process the highest number of visa applications in our history,' he added.

 

Earlier, Garcetti said he will prioritize working with India to build green energy solutions.

 

'As Ambassador, I will prioritize working with India to build green energy solutions and will support our growing bilateral effort to ensure a successful green energy transition,' Garcetti said at the 'Conversations on US & India: Actions for Clean Air and Better Health' event at the India International Centre.

The FSSAI has issued a direction for re-operationalisation of FSS (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dictary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose and Prebiotic and Probiotic Food) Regulations, 2022 with effect from April 1, 2023.  

 

The FSSAI has issued a notice in this regard saying that the provisions of these draft regulations as specified in the direction dated 29.03.2022 together with the provisions specified in the direction dated 10.05.2022, were re-operationalised with effect from October 1, 2022, vide direction dated 18.10.2022.

 

'As the finalisation of these draft regulations is likely to take some more time before being notified, it has been decided to again re-operationalise the provisions specified in the direction dated 18.10.2022, with effect from April 1, 2023,' reads the direction issued by the FSSAI. 

 

FSSAI has framed the draft FSS (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose and Prebiotie and Probiotic Food) Regulations, 2022 and the same were operationalised vide direction dated 29.03.2022 superseding the FSS (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016.

 

The direction of 29.03.2022 was further revised vide direction dated 0.05.2022 to permit additional food additives and enzyme/proteins for Health Supplements 

 

As reported earlier, the 2022 regulation shall supersede the previous regulations of 2016.

 

According to the FSSAI, it was done to overhaul the entire segment and make it more ‘stakeholder’ friendly and as articles of food falling under these regulations are specially processed or formulated for specific nutritional or dietary purpose and  should be clearly distinguishable from foods intended for normal consumption, these regulations will benefit the nutraceutical sector to have clear guidelines and will also enable field functionaries to ensure better compliance at the ground level.