The state government has resolved that under the subtropical horticulture, irrigation, and value addition project (HP SHIVA), high-density agriculture would be encouraged in the state to bring about a horticulture revolution, and orchards would be safeguarded and preserved using the scientific technique.

 

Besides, provisions have been made for composite solar fencing to safeguard fruits and crop production from wild animals, as well as subsidies on farming machinery and agricultural inputs for establishing drip irrigation systems and cluster management to ensure appropriate usage of existing water resources. 

 

The horticulture sector is helping to boost the economy of the people of Himachal Pradesh by creating a variety of income sources. Horticulture now occupies 2.34 lakh hectares of land in the state. In the previous four years, the state has produced 31.40 lakh metric tonnes of fruits. During this period, the horticulture sector earned an average of Rs 4,575 crore per year, employing an estimated 9 lakh people directly or indirectly. In recent years, the state's contribution to the worldwide horticulture market has grown dramatically. 

 

According to authorities, the HP SHIVA is a unique effort of the State Government for the development of the horticulture industry and to make people self-reliant, in light of the tremendous potential of horticulture in low-lying areas with a warm climate. Horticultural development will be carried out under the initiative based on a seed-to-market approach. 

 

According to project authorities, the project's goal is to link as many jobless youth and women as possible with horticulture. The orchardist would be provided and resources ranging from appropriate saplings to mass marketing to build new orchards. 

 

The project is being implemented in conjunction with the Asian Development Bank for a total cost of Rs 975 crore, with the government contributing Rs 195 crore. The Himachal government has so far allocated Rs 48.80 crore for the implementation phase of the project of which Rs 37.31 Crore has been spent.

 

Maldives has initiated the process of granting Indian Nationals visa free entry for business purposes, for a period not exceeding the visa free period of 90 days beginning February 1.

 

This is m stipulated in the Agreement on the Facilitation of Visa Arrangements between the Government of Maldives and the Government of India signed in December 2018.

 

Sugar mills exported 30.68 lakh tonne sugar till January of the ongoing 2021-22 marketing year that started from October 1, trade body AISTA said on Monday. About 6.32 lakh tonne sugar is in transit, All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) said in a statement.

 

Mills have contracted to export 46 lakh tonne sugar without the government subsidy so far in the 2021-22 marketing year, it added. Sugar marketing year runs from October to September.

 

Sugar exports this year are being undertaken without the government subsidy.

 

According to AISTA, mills exported total 30,68,697 tonne sugar from October 2021 to January this year.

 

'Indian sugar mills continue to get the premium on their sugar and have sold in the range of 19.5 to 20 cents per pound equivalent,' it said.

 

Mills in Maharashtra and Karnataka have sold raw sugar at Rs 31-31.80 per kg, it added.

 

The trade body also mentioned that the international sugar prices are hovering around 18.25 cents per pound.

 

The market trends should depend upon the sugar production estimates and weather conditions in the coming months in Brazil as well as Brazilian gasoline policy, it added.

 

Expressing concern over shortage of rail wagons for sugar transportation for export purpose, AISTA said mills in Maharashtra and Karnataka continue to face the problem of railway wagons as sugar for export is mainly getting lifted from these states only.

 

During the 2020-21 marketing year, the country had exported a record 7.23 million tonne sugar. The maximum shipments were undertaken with the help of government subsidy.

The Centre has approved over 9,000 applications and sanctioned Rs 6,540 crore so far, for the development of agri-infra projects, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Friday in Rajya Sabha. Tomar, in his written reply to the Rajya Sabha, said: 'As on date, 16,026 applications for an amount of Rs 10,627 crore have been received on the AIF portal. Out of these, 9,019 applications for Rs 6,540 crore have been sanctioned.'

 

This amount has been sanctioned under the Agriculture Agriculture Infra Fund (AIF), under which financing facility is provided for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and support through credit guarantee facility.

 

The Government has taken the following measures since 2014 to boost the India’s export:

 

1. A new Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-20 was launched on 1st April 2015. The policy, inter alia,    rationalised the earlier export promotion schemes and introduced two new schemes, namely      Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) for improving export of goods   and ‘Services      Exports from India Scheme (SEIS)’ for increasing exports of services. Duty credit scrips issued     under these schemes were made fully transferable.

 

2. The mid-term review (2017) of the Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20) was carried out and corrective    measures were undertaken.

 

3. Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20) extended by one year i.e. upto 31-3-2022 due to the COVID-19    pandemic situation.

 

4. A new Logistics Division was created in the Department of Commerce for integrated development of    the logistics sector. 

 

5. Interest Equalization Scheme on pre and post shipment rupee export credit was introduced from    1.4.2015 to provide cheaper credit to exporters.

 

6. The Government started implementing a NiryatBandhu Scheme with an objective to reach out to the    new and potential exporters including exporters from Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)    and mentor them through orientation programmes, counselling sessions, individual facilitation,    etc., on various aspects of foreign trade for enabling them to get into international trade and    boost exports from India.

 

7. Assistance provided through several schemes to promote exports, namely, Trade Infrastructure for    Export Scheme (TIES) and Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme.

 

8. A comprehensive “Agriculture Export Policy” was launched on 6th December, 2018 to provide an    impetus to agricultural exports.

 

9. A Central Sector Scheme, ‘Transport and Marketing Assistance for Specified Agriculture Products’    was launched for providing assistance for the international component of freight to mitigate the    freight disadvantage for the export of agriculture products.

 

10. Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme and Rebate of State and     Central Levies and Taxes (RoSCTL) Scheme have been implemented with effect from 01.01.2021.

 

11. Common Digital Platform for Certificate of Origin has been launched to facilitate trade and     increase Free Trade Agreement (FTA) utilization by exporters.

 

12. 12 Champion Services Sectors have been identified for promoting and diversifying services     exports by pursuing specific action plans.

 

13. Districts as Export Hubs has been launched by identifying products with export potential in     each district, addressing bottlenecks for exporting these products and supporting local     exporters/manufacturers to generate employment in the district.

 

14. Active role of Indian missions abroad towards promoting India’s trade, tourism, technology and     investment goals has been enhanced.

 

15. Package has been announced in light of the COVID pandemic to support domestic industry through     various banking and financial sector relief measures, especially for MSMEs, which constitute a     major share in exports.

 

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

Government is implementing dedicated organic farming schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCDNER) since 2015-16 to encourage farmers to produce organic manure and to promote organic farming of foodgrains in the country. Under these schemes, farmers are primarily encouraged to adopt organic cultivation using organic inputs and support is provided to the farmers   for various components from production to value addition, certification and marketing of organic produce. Hands-on training to farmers for on-farm production   of   organic manure/ organic fertilisers and its use are integral part of these schemes. Farmers are provided assistance of Rs 31000/ ha / 3 years under PKVY and Rs 32500/ ha/ 3 years under MOVCDNER for various organic inputs including on-farm production/procurement of organic fertilisers. An amount of Rs 650 crores has been approved for promotion of organic farming for the year 2021-22.

 

Government is promoting Natural Farming through Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP), introduced during 2020-21 as a sub scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for the promotion of traditional indigenous practices including Natural Farming. The scheme mainly emphasizes on exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs and promotes on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of cow dung-urine formulations and other plant-based preparations. Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12200/ha for 3 years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building and continuous handholding by trained personnel, certification and residue analysis. Until now, under natural farming an area of 4.09 lakh ha area has been covered and a total fund of Rs. 4980.99 lakh has been released to 8 States across the country.

The government is reviewing the continuation of a key export scheme, Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG), launched in the 1990s, that allows exporters to import certain capital goods used in manufacturing without paying duty.

 

The commerce department is examining whether the scheme found to be inconsistent with the rules of the World Trade Organization is still needed or can be discontinued.

 

Since 31st March 2018, 415 new mandis have been integrated on National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform. As on 31st December 2021, 1000 mandis of 18 States and 03 Union Territories have been integrated with e-NAM platform. More than 1.72 Crore farmers and 2 lakh traders have registered themselves on e-NAM platform.

 

Government provides following support under e-NAM scheme:

 

1. e-NAM software is provided to States / UTs free of cost.

 

2. Department gives grant as one-time fixed cost to the States / UTs up to Rs. 75.00 lakh per       mandi, for purchase of hardware, internet connection, assaying equipment and related       infrastructure including cleaning, grading and packaging facilities and Bio-compost unit, to       make the mandi ready for integration with e-NAM platform.

 

3. A trained staff (Mandi Analyst) is deputed at each mandi, for an initial period of one year to      provide day to day hand holding support to stakeholders and train other mandi staff.

 

4. Helpdesk support: A toll free No. (1800-2700-224) and email support (enam.helpdesk@gmail.com) is    available to enable stakeholders to raise their query.

 

5. Online tutorials are available on www.enam.gov.in

 

6.Regular training of stakeholders (Farmers, Traders, FPOs, Mandi staff etc) are conducted to      create awareness and handholding regarding e-NAM portal.

 

As per the Union Budget Announcement 2020-21, additional 1000 mandis to be integrated with e-NAM platform. The total budgetary outlay for integration of 1000 e-NAM Mandis since inception is Rs. 1171.93 Cr. Total 1000 mandis of 401 districts are utilizing e-NAM platform across 18 States & 3 UTs. In Karnataka, Kalaburagi district has 2 mandis integrated to e-NAM platform, namely Kalaburagi & Chhincholi.

 

This information was given by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Promoting exports through subsidies has not really given the desired results, but the government's RoDTEP scheme is helping grow exports which is expected to reach a record USD 400 billion this year, Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday in the Rajya Sabha. Goyal, while responding to a query during the Question Hour in the Upper House on cut in budget for export promotion schemes, said the government has found 'very good acceptance' of the RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products) scheme. 'Based on that (RoDTEP), exports have also been growing,' he said.

 

While there is a thinking that the government has reduced the export subsidies, the Goyal said the reality is this year, India is going to see a 'record performance in exports'.

 

'We are already crossed USD 334 billion (one billion is equal to Rs 100 crore) of exports, which is higher than any full year ever in the past, and we are well on track to go to USD 400 billion export in the current year,' he said.

 

In August 2021, the government had announced the rates of tax refunds under the RoDTEP for 8,555 products, such as marine goods, yarn and dairy items. It has set aside Rs 12,454 crore for refunds under RoDTEP scheme for the current fiscal.

 

Holding that no country in the world can survive beyond the point of time only on subsidies to promote exports, the minister said: 'India over a period of time has been promoting exports through subsidies, but that has not really given us the desired result or given us the huge impetus that one would have expected.'

 

In fact, the reality is that every nation has certain products and services which are its strength. Every theory in the world says the focus should be given only on those export products having competitive strength, he said.

 

Goyal further said India has moved more into an interconnected world, where such subsidies are actually not even permitted under the WTO. There have been bad instances that India has been dragged before the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on export subsidies.

 

'Therefore, our approach is that we reimburse the taxes or cess or duties that are notified on the product by the states. As far as the central government is concerned, usually most products are under the GST (Goods and Services Tax) and it automatically gets refunded when you export the product,' he said. If there is any other tax which is levied on any export product, which is not marketable or reversible in the form of return, that is given back to the exporters under the RoDTEP scheme, he added. The minister also urged all the states to support economic activity through exports and create jobs in the system.

 

Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textiles and Commerce & Industry  has said that  Pilot movement of food grains on vessel from Patna (Bihar) to Pandu (Guwahati)  will open a new gate to the ‘Gateway of North East’. Addressing virtually on the occasion of 'Flagging off of vessel' MV Lal Bahadur Shastri carrying food grains from Patna to Pandu and Unveiling of foundation stone for terminal at Kalughat (Bihar) today, Shri Piyush Goyal said that  this  2,350 km voyage will open a new gate to the ‘Gateway of North East’ (Assam) and ensure  seamless   waterways connectivity to NE Region through Ganga & Brahmaputra rivers. He said that flagging of the vessel named ‘MV Lal Bahadur Shastri’ reminds me of Shastriji’s slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan". 'This        will   make our          farmers Aatmanirbhar by expanding their reach & providing them better prices and better living. This event is a perfect demonstration of PM’s combined vision for ‘Act East’ policy & the inclusive development of Bihar & NE Region', he added.

 

The minister stated that the planned intermodal terminal at Kalughat, Bihar  with Rs.78 cr will provide boost to region’s socio-economic development & create multiple job opportunities. This will also help decongest the roads of North Bihar and provide an alternative route for transportation of cargo in this area. He further said that  this route from Patna can prove to be a viable alternative to the conventional mode of movement of foodgrains & goods for NE region. It will provide a fillip to NE region’s development. The Minister informed  that for seamless navigation to NE region, 2 stretches of Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route are being developed with Bangladesh having the budget of Rs. 305 cr.  New scheme in budget  with Rs. 1,500 cr for North East- PM-DevINE to fund infrastructure and  & social development projects, will enable livelihood activities for youth & women, he added.

 

Enumerating the four  major steps taken by Govt. for holistic devp. of waterways infra & ecosystem, to increase share of inland water transport in overall cargo transport Shri Goyal said that under PM GatiShakti, waterways is one of the 7 engines that is driving transformative approach for economic growth & sustainable development. He said Prime Minister Narendra  Modi’s vision is to use 7 engines to achieve efficiency to reduce transport cost & remove distance barriers especially  for Farmers & MSMEs.  He informed that  govt. has undertaken Jal Marg Vikas Project  with Rs. 4,600 cr for capacity augmentation of NW-1 (Ganga) for safe   movement of vessels upto 2,000 tn.  He also mentioned that  this Project includes construction/setting up of multi-modal terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia, Ro-Ro terminals, jetties, vessel repair & maintenance facilities, etc. Eighty connectivity projects are in progress under Sagarmala to connect commercial hubs with ports. Shri Goyal also stated that 106 new waterways in 24 States have been declared as National Waterways, taking the total no. to 111. He said development of these rivers would include maintenance of infra for river shipping & navigation & warehouse facilities.

 

The Minister  mentioned that India-Bangladesh friendship is reaching new heights under Prime Minister Narendra  Modi & H.E. Sheikh Hasina. He said  that our friendship has evolved into a strategic partnership with multifaceted & deep collaboration in trade, investment, food security & technology. This event is  another milestone and a testament to ever-growing friendship between  India and Bangladesh, he said. This first food grain movement will be an integrated IWT movement via National Waterway-1 (river Ganga), NW-97 (Sunderbans), Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route and NW-2 (river Brahmaputra).

 

Appreciating  the efforts of FCI in carrying out world’s largest food supply system in Covid, the Minister said that  FCI has been the lifeline of the nation. He stated that  Food security to 80 cr beneficiaries have been extended under PMGKAY and   government has allocated 758 LMT     foodgrain under PMGKAY I to PMGKAY V during Covid  pandemic. He informed that 97 % of population has been connected  with  One Nation One Ration Card Scheme. He also said that FCI is serving far flung areas like Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, A&N Islands, Lakshadweep, etc. Earlier in 2014-15 to 2016-17, FCI moved ~22k MT foodgrains to Agartala through IBP waterway route during Gauge conversion in NFR. The Minister also invited on suggestions how FCI can improve compatibility with riverine movement of foodgrains – upgrading warehouses,     improving packing  to       reduce         pilferage, increase shelf life, using tech to improve efficiency, etc.

 

Referring to the Prime Minister’s quote 'India is emerging as a leading Blue Economy of the world. Govt is investing in waterways in a way that was never seen before' Shri Goyal said that FCI  in association with Ministry of Shipping & Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will continue to explore & increase the riverine movement, which is most eco-friendly, clean and  economical mode of transportation.

 

Shri Sarbanand Sonowal, Union  Minister of Ports, Shipping& Waterways and AYUSH, Shri Ashwini  Kumar Chaubey, MoS for CAFPD and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Shripad Naik, MoS for Ports, Shipping& Waterways and Tourism, Shantanu Thakur, MoS for Ports, Shipping& Waterways and both the Deputy CM’s of Bihar, Members of Parliament Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Shri Sushil Kumar Modi, Shri Rajeev Pratap Rudy,  Shri Nand Kishore yadav, MLA Patna Sahib and President of IWAI  flagged off  vessel ‘MV Lal Bahadur Shastri’ and unveiled the plaque of  foundation stone for terminal at Kalughat (Bihar). The dignitaries also released the training documents for Personnel on Inland Vessels. Shri Piyush Goyal  virtually joined the event. Shri Khalid Mohd. Chaudhary,Minister of Shipping, Bangladesh also attended the event virtually. The event was organised by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping& Waterways.

 

Background Information

 

'Flagging off of vessel' MV Lal Bahadur Shastri carrying food grains from Patna to Pandu.

Inland vessel MV Lal Bahadur Shastri carrying 200 Metric Ton of food grains belonging to Food Corporation of India was flagged off from Inland Water Terminal Gaighat Patna today. This is the first food grain movement on this Inland Water Transport (IWT) route. The 25-30 days voyage will be an integrated IWT movement via National Waterway-1 (river Ganga), NW-97 (Sunderbans), Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route and NW-2 (river Brahmaputra). While on the voyage from Patna to Pandu (Guwahati), the vessel Lal Bahadur Shastri will traverse through Bhagalpur, Manihari, Sahibganj, Farakka, Tribeni, Kolkata, Haldia, Hemnagar, Khulna, NarayanganjSirajganj, Chilmari, Dhubri and Jogighopa. The 2350 km long route will movement is expected to establish the technical and commercial viability of IWT mode using these multiple waterways. The IWT movement is also aimed at providing a fillip to North    East   Region’s     industrial     development         by     opening         up      an alternate route for transportation of goods.

 

Unveiling the Foundation Stone Plaque of IWAI Terminal at Kalughat in Saran District of Bihar: The site is located on river Ganga at Saran Distrcit in Bihar (~25 km by Road from Patna main city) and the terminal is directly connected to NH 19.  This terminal will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 78.28 crores. The capacity of the terminal with one berth will be 77,000 TEU per annum and the terminal has been designed to handle container traffic. The berth will be connected by approach trestles for movement of trucks, vehicles, operating and maintenance equipment. On shore facilities such as roads, drainage, sewerage, water supply, communication system will be developed as part of terminal development.

 

The construction of this terminal will help decongesting the jam-packed roads of North Bihar and provide an alternative route for transportation of cargo in this area specially to Nepal.