A vocational training on dairy farming was conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Langroya, District Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar from 12 to 26-5-2023. During this training, the trainees were given practical as well as theoretical knowledge about dairy farm management, feeding of dairy animals in scientific way, layout and planning of various types of dairy sheds, taking green fodder throughout the year, silage making, breeding planning and heat synchronization for efficient use of farm labour and resources & prevention, control and treatment of various diseases of dairy animals.

 

The training was imparted by the experts-Dr. Aparna, Asstt. Professor ( Livestock management), KVK Rupnagar and Dr Gurinder Singh, Farm Manager, KVK Langroya, Distt Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. Dr. Harwinder Singh, Deputy Director, Dairy Development Department, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar also participated in the training and appraised the trainees about various financial and other assistances provided by the Dairy Development Department for upliftment of dairy profession in the district. Representatives of other allied departments also guided the farmers regarding finance and insurance schemes available for dairy farmers.

 

On the concluding day of the training, Dr. Maninder Singh Bons, Associate Director (Training), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Langroya, District Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, shared important tips for success in dairy farming profession and thanked the trainees for their participation in the training with full enthusiasm.

India on Monday deferred the mandatory requirement of a certificate of inspection by export inspection agencies for shipping both basmati and non-basmati rice to certain European countries by six months. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said that it is amending a notification dated August 17, 2022, to the extent that export of rice (basmati and non-basmati) to EU member states and other European countries namely Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and UK 'only' will require certificate of inspection from Export Inspection Council/Export Inspection Agency.

 

'Export to remaining European countries will not require a certificate of inspection by the Export Inspection Council/Export Inspection Agency for export from the date of this notification for a period of six months,' the DGFT said.

 

It was earlier stated by the directorate to make the certificate must for export to these countries from January this year.

 

EIC is the official export certification body of India which ensures quality and safety of products exported from India.

For the first time, more than half of India’s cultivated land now has access to assured irrigation led by an expansion in micro projects, which have higher water-use efficiency, official data for 2022-23 show.

 

In 2022-23, of the 141 million hectares of gross sown area in the country, nearly 73 million hectares, or 52%, had irrigation access, up from 41% in 2016, according to updated data from Niti Aayog, the state-run think-tank.

 

The increase in irrigation cover, especially in dryland agricultural zones of states, such as Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, will help mitigate the increasing impacts of drier summers and patchy monsoons that are partly linked to the climate crisis, analysts say.

 

Agriculture accounts for nearly 80% of the country’s annual available water use, or 700 billion cubic metres. The June-September monsoon, vital for the world’s fifth largest economy, still waters much of the kharif or summer-sown crops.

 

When the monsoon is poor, farm incomes take a hit. Its effects ripple into the broader economy because rural demand is key to the country’s economic growth. For instance, rural customers account for nearly half of all two-wheelers sales in a year.

 

Global warming has made the rain-bearing system more erratic, with too much rain in a short period or too little, according to Roxy Mathew Koll, a scientist with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.

 

A micro-irrigation fund (MIF) with corpus of Rs.5000 crore was created with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) during 2018-19 to help states mobilise resources. Under the fund, central assistance worth Rs.12,696 crore has been released to states, of which Rs.11,845 crore was utilized till the last financial year.

 

The increase in irrigation cover since 2017-18 was driven by six programmes and projects, according to data seen by HT. These are the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) and the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), under which Rs.11,505 crore was released between 2017-18 and 2021-23; Har Khet Ko Paani-Surface Minor Irrigation ( Rs.4,000 crore); PMKSY-groundwater projects ( Rs.787 crore); special package for Maharashtra ( Rs.1,988 crore); Rajasthan and Srihind feeder ( Rs.300 crore) and Shahpur-Kandi project ( Rs.298 crore). In Madhya Pradesh, 21 prioritised irrigation projects have been identified under PMKSY-AIBP. Out these, 17 projects have been completed, increasing the state’s irrigation cover by 16%.

 

Of the total irrigation-infrastructure expansion, micro irrigation facilities through sprinklers and drip systems were installed in 8 million hectares. Out of the total irrigated area in the country, 40% is currently watered through canal networks, while 60% through groundwater, which in several states has plunged to severely depleted levels, the data show.

 

'There’s much more to do. The total potential for micro-irrigation in the country is estimated to be 60 million hectares. Conventional surface irrigation provides only 60% efficiency but drip irrigation has nearly 90% efficiency,' said SK Jayashankar, an expert with the Watershed India Trust.

 

The country can create irrigation potential in about 60% of its arable land and 40% of the cultivable area will remain dependent on rains because it is not possible to create irrigation networks in certain regions due to hydrological and geographical reasons, according to a document of the Jal Shakti ministry.

Mango exports to USA from India have witnessed unprecedented success in 2023. Experts remarked that the presence of a substantial Indian diaspora, numbering 4.7 million strong, has been the primary driving force behind the surge in demand for Indian mango varieties in the North American country.

 

Favourable weather conditions and an early start to the mango season in India have played a pivotal role in the abundance and quality of this year's crop.

 

With optimal growing conditions, Indian mango producers have experienced a bountiful harvest, providing an ample supply to meet the surging demand in USA. The current season is projected to double the volume achieved in 2022, marking a remarkable milestone for the Indian mango industry.

 

Kaushal Khakhar, CEO, Kay Bee Exports, highlighted the global demand for Indian mangoes, particularly in countries with a large Indian-origin population. He mentioned the United Kingdom as another example, where 70% of the total Indian population in Europe resides. Programmes have been established with major retailers in the UK to supply mangoes throughout the three-month season. Furthermore, he mentioned Japan as a country focused on the aesthetic appearance of fresh produce, where Indian mangoes have seen success for the past two seasons.

 

'With the demand for Indian mangoes on the rise, the volume of mangoes exported is expected to exceed 2,000 tonne this year, doubling the previous year's volume. The quality of fruits available is also excellent, thanks to high temperatures experienced since February. The season started a couple of weeks early in mid-March and is expected to last until the second half of June. To meet the growing demand in USA, a fourth irradiation facility has opened in Gujarat, adding to the existing facilities in Maharashtra and Karnataka. These strategically located facilities near mango-growing regions and international airports facilitate quick shipping of the fruits after treatment,' he added.

 

One of the defining characteristics of Indian mangoes is their exclusive air-freighted transportation, which meticulously preserves their aromatic essence and unparalleled freshness during transit.

Members of the 14-nation bloc IPEF have 'substantially' concluded the negotiations on the supply chains agreement, including improving logistics and connectivity; promoting investments in critical sectors and cooperation for mitigation of disruptions to ensure business continuity, the commerce ministry said on Sunday. The IPEF was launched jointly by the US and other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region on May 23 in Tokyo. The framework is structured around four pillars relating to trade, supply chains, clean economy and fair economy (issues like tax and anti-corruption). India has joined all the pillars except the trade one.

 

The talks on supply chains, clean economy and fair economy were held on May 27 in Detroit, US. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal virtually participated in the ministerial meeting.

 

'At this meeting, negotiations under the Supply Chains (Pillar-II) were substantially concluded; while good progress was reported under the other IPEF Pillars,' the ministry said.

 

The proposed agreement on supply chains aims to increase the resilience, efficiency, productivity, sustainability, transparency, diversification, security, fairness and inclusivity of their supply chains through collaborative activities and individual actions taken by each IPEF partner.

 

IPEF partners will undertake the necessary steps, including further domestic consultations and a legal review, to prepare a final text of the proposed IPEF supply chain agreement.

 

Once finalised, the proposed agreement will be subject to IPEF partners' domestic processes for signature, followed by ratification, acceptance or approval.

 

Under this pact, the partners also seek to improve crisis coordination and response to supply chain disruptions and work together to support the timely delivery of affected goods during a crisis.

 

A press statement issued after the meeting by IPEF members said that the proposed supply chain pact contemplates the establishment of three new IPEF Supply Chain bodies to facilitate cooperation among the partners.

 

The three bodies will be - the supply chain council; the supply chain crisis response network, and IPEF Labor Rights Advisory Board.

 

'The proposed agreement would establish a new advisory board, consisting of government, worker and employer representatives, as well as a subcommittee composed of government representatives, to support the IPEF partners' promotion of labour rights in their supply chains, promotion of sustainable trade and investment, and facilitation of opportunities for investment in businesses that respect labour rights,' the statement added.

 

Under the supply chain agreement, IPEF partner countries are seeking to make supply chains more resilient, robust and well-integrated through crisis response measures; cooperation for mitigation of disruptions to better ensure business continuity and improve logistics and connectivity; promoting investments, particularly in critical sectors and production of key goods and worker role enhancement through requisite upskilling and reskilling.

 

During his intervention under this pillar, Goyal urged for expeditious implementation of all the action-oriented cooperative and collaborative elements identified as part of this agreement.

 

As part of the clean economy pillar, the member countries are aiming to advance cooperation on research, development, commercialisation, availability, accessibility, and deployment of clean energy and climate-friendly technologies.

 

Besides, they are talking to facilitate investment towards climate-related projects in the region.

 

Further, interested IPEF partners are introducing a regional hydrogen initiative to encourage the widespread deployment of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives in the region.

 

Goyal said that India would like the pillar focus to be centred on action-oriented elements, such as the mobilisation of low-cost long-tenure climate finance and enhanced access to clean energy technologies.

 

Under the fair economy pillar, IPEF partners are working towards the development of the text of an agreement that will strengthen the implementation of effective anti-corruption and tax measures to boost commerce, trade and investment among IPEF economies.

 

IPEF partners represent 40 per cent of global GDP and 28 per cent of global goods and services trade.

 

The 14 countries include the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, India, Fiji, and seven ASEAN countries (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam).

The dairy sector continues to grapple with the hit it took during COVID-19 and more recently the Lumpy Skin Disease (which caused the death of 1.9 lakh cattle) and fodder inflation at 30%. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu

 

Aimed at curbing adulteration of milk and milk products, in both organised and unorganised sectors in all the districts of the States/Union Territories, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will conduct nationwide surveillance on milk and other products (such as milk khoa, chenna, paneer, ghee, butter, curd, and ice cream).

 

The announcement on Thursday comes in the backdrop of the country facing an alleged milk shortage with cooperatives reporting an increase in production of only 1-2 % this year and organised and unorganised sector points registering stagnation. The sector also continues to grapple with the hit it took during Covid-19 and more recently the Lumpy Skin Disease (which caused the death of 1.9 lakh cattle) and fodder inflation at 30%.

The famed and world’s costliest Gucchi mushrooms, a forest product cultivated from many districts of Kashmir and Jammu region is all set to get a Geographical Indications (GI) Tag.

 

Three more edibles from J&K are also in the ‘final examination stage at GI Registry Chennai’.

 

Locally known as Kanngech, and as morel mushrooms and Gucchi in markets outside, the Morchella esculenta is a prized harvest for people in districts of Kupwara, Baramulla, Budgam, and Anantnag.

 

It is also found in many regions of Jammu province and sold across markets of J&K and even abroad in both fresh and dried forms.

 

These sought after mushrooms, with their characteristic texture, flavor, and culinary value have passed many stages of scrutiny by the Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, India.

 

As per the J&K government, Gucchi is in the ‘final examination stage’ at GI Registry Chennai.

 

As per estimates, in Kashmir division alone, 25 tonnes of Gucchii are harvested every year.

 

Men, women, and even children living near the forests carefully comb the forest floors, searching for these prized fungi every spring.

 

The market price of a kilogram of good quality dried Gucchi ranges between Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 in the retail market.

 

The official document of status of GI tagging of different crops and products of J&K backed by Agriculture Production Department, Government of J&K reveals that the application for GI tag of Gucchi mushrooms had been filed by Borderless Foundation, Marh Jammu facilitated by Director Agriculture and Food Production Jammu.

 

Additional Chief Secretary J&K Government, Atal Dulloo told Greater Kashmir that Morel Mushrooms had been in the process of examination by GI tag authority for about two years.

 

'The documentation is complete now,' he said, expressing delight over the development.

 

Dulloo said that the J&K government had applied for a GI tag of 10 local products, which had a significant differentiation and value for the communities.

 

Of these, six are in the final stages of the process.

 

These include the aromatic rice from Kashmir – Mushqbudgi.

 

This round and short rice variety mostly grown in district Anantnag and some other parts of Kashmir, is popular but less available. Over the past decade, the J&K government has intensified efforts to increase the cultivation of this commercial variety and has also applied for its GI tag, and now stands at the final stage of grant.

 

The application had been filed by Sagam Mushkbudgi Farmer Producers and facilitated by MRCFC SKUAST, Department of Agriculture, Kashmir and NABARD J&K.

 

This variety is different from the Basmati variety of rice produced in the Jammu region, which has already received the GI tag.

 

Kashmir’s saffron has also been granted GI tag in the past.

 

In addition, Bhaderwah Rajmah, Sulai honey, Kaladi cheese and Anardana are also at the same stage of bagging the coveted GI tag. Prof F A Nehvi, who was instrumental in getting J&K’s first GI tag to saffron and who recently retired as Chief Scientist Saffron Research Station said that GI tag to Gucchi would be a great development for the people who are involved in collecting and selling these mushrooms.

 

He said that the GI tag application must include the map of the area where this product is found.

 

'If the application has been forwarded from Doda, a separate application cannot go from some other district. The tag includes the geographical area and would include the entire expanse of J&K where the Gucchii mushrooms are harvested from,' Prof Nehvi said.

 

He said he was not sure whether the application of Gucchii had included the Geographical Identification of the entire location.

 

Prof Nehvi said that the GI tag confirms the authenticity to the consumer and prevents misuse of a term for other similar products. 'Consumers get satisfied about the genuineness in addition to enhancing its market value,' he said.

According to the Geographical Indications Journal of the government, the Kari Ishad is accepted as one of the finest quality mangoes due to its unique aroma, luscious taste, high amount of pulp, shape, and size

 

The Kari Ishad mango prominently grown in Ankola taluk of Uttara Kannada has bagged the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indications Registry under the Union Government. 

 

The GI certificate issued to Matha Totagars Farmer Producer Company Limited, Ankola is valid till March 1, 2032 from March 31, 2023. 

 

According to the Geographical Indications Journal of the government, the Kari Ishad is accepted as one of the finest quality mangoes due to its unique aroma, luscious taste, high amount of pulp, shape, and size. 

 

In addition to Ankola, the mango is grown in Karwar and to a certain extent in Kumta of Uttara Kannada. The trees are prominently spread over Belse, Shetgeri, Belambara, Mogata, Vandige villages of Ankola. Vandige village produced the highest amount of about 600 tonnes of fruits a season. Belse village houses 1,500 plants. The fruit is famous because of its sweet taste and pulp. Hichkad Group Vividhoddeshagala Sahakari Sangha Niyamita, Ankola, which runs the Oriental Canneries and Industries produces about 12,000 tons of pulp every year. 

 

According to the Registry, the fruits are large and oblique to oval shape. Each panicle usually bears one fruit. A well grown tree produces/bears up to 2,000 fruits in a season. The fruit has a short shelf life of about five days. 

 

Its trading is limited to Ankola, Karwar and Hubballi markets. 

 

One of the Directors of Matha Totagars Farmer Producer Company Limited, Mahadev Indra Gouda, told The Hindu that a Kari Ishad mango mela (fair) will be held at Ankola on June 6, 2023. 

 

“Many trees lost fruits when heavy winds swept Ankola earlier this week. It resulted in huge loss of fruits,” he added. 

 

Mr. Gouda, who was the applicant for the GI certificate, said that the FPO has yet to adopt a business model for the better marketing of the product. 

 

He said that the exact extent of area under Kari Ishad is yet to be found out scientifically. 

 

Extraction and marketing of Ishad mango pulp has an interesting background, Shivananda Kalave, a Sirsi-based environmentalist, writer and green activist, told The Hindu. Oriental Canneries and Industries set up a unit in Ankola in 1908 to extract pulp from Ishad for making value-added products. The then Bombay Government supported it by supplying wood. The pulp, which was also being exported, was being marketed by the then Bombay-based Veerachand Panachand Company.  

 

An old marketing brochure printed at Basel Mission, Mangaluru, says that the pulp was used for making juice, syrup, salad and ice cream.  

 

According to the brochure, the pulp can be used for making 48 recipes. It was being used in the United States, Australia and Sri Lanka. According to the brochure, the Hichkad Group purchased the processing unit in 1970 for `95, Mr. Kalave said.  

 

The Ishad mango has two variants — Kari Ishad, which has thin skin, more pulp and is sweeter, and Bili Ishad, which has thick skin and has less pulp and sweetness.  

Kolkata, May 28 (PTI) Mango exports from West Bengal are expected to begin from early June with shipments to Middle East countries, an official said on Sunday.

 

There have also been inquiries for export orders from Europe, which are currently being finalised, the official said.

 

“Exports are expected to commence from early June, as we are finalising the last shipments from some orchards. Orders have already been received from the Middle East,” said Ujjal Saha, president of the Malda Mango Association, in an interview with PTI.

Third advance estimates of production of major crops for the agricultural year 2022-23 have been released by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Total foodgrain production in the country is estimated at a record 330.5 million tonnes which is higher by about 15 million tonnes as compared to the previous year 2021-22.

 

The assessment of the production of different crops is based on the feedback received from States and validated with information available from other sources. This assessment shall undergo further revision over successive estimates based on feedback and inputs.

 

As per Third Advance Estimates, here is the estimated production of major crops for 2022-23:

 

 

Among the foodgrains, record rice (135.5 million tonnes), wheat (112.7 million tonnes), and maize (35.9 million tonnes) are estimated to be produced.

 

The total production of Rice during 2022-23 is estimated at a record 135.5 million tonnes. It is higher by 6.7 million tonnes as compared to the previous year.

 

Oilseeds are also expected to be recorded at 41 million tonnes. Cropwise, groundnut, soybean, rapeseed and mustard are seen at 10.2 million tonnes, 14.9 million tonnes, and 12.4 million tonnes, respectively.

 

Sugarcane production too is expected to be recorded at 494.2 million tonnes.