The Khunti district administration on Thursday started a two-day millet festival to observe the International Year of Millets 2023, which was declared by the United Nations. The festival is organised at the Birsa Agricultural College in association with the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises scheme and will have a conclave and an exhibition.

 

Notably, India is playing a huge part in the UN initiative to promote millet through various measures.

Khunti deputy commissioner Shashi Ranjan, said, 'The purpose of this festival is to spread awareness on the nutritional values and importance of millet.'

 

An official of PHDCCI, Mili Dubey, said, 'The festival will increase awareness that coarse grains like sorghum, maize and millets are important for food security and nutrition. It will also promote the sustainable production and quality improvement of millets. The objectives also include research and development, expansion of services and drawing attention for increasing investments in millets.'

The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has decided to tie up with the Netherlands’ HAS University to promote agriculture in both countries. The Netherlands is also keen on sharing technical know-how with Goa in the fields of waste management, climate change, and sustainable development goals.

 

Deputy consul general of the Netherlands, Thierry Van Helden, led a delegation to hold a meeting with GCCI officials, including GCCI president Ralph de Sousa. Van Helden also met tourism minister Rohan Khaunte, with whom he discussed collaboration in tourism and information technology between Goa and the Netherlands.

 

'It was a productive meeting exploring innovative ideas to strengthen our partnership,' said Khaunte.

 

Van Helden also informed GCCI that the Netherlands is open to working with and supporting Goa’s startups.

 

'GCCI will also be signing an MoU with HAS University, Netherlands, for the promotion of agriculture in both countries. A team of Dutch students is already in Goa and is undergoing training for the same,' said de Sousa.

 

Goa has been exporting horticulture products like cassava, Goan okra (lady finger) and averrhoa (bimbli) to the Netherlands. The Netherlands has been India's top trading partner in Europe, with FDI of $4.6 billion last year. The Netherlands imports tea, coffee, spices, and essential oils from India.

 

De Sousa also said that diamonds and jewellery are the main business areas in which both countries have shared interests.

Van Helden said that the Netherlands wants to expand trade with India. He also enquired about IT and startups in Goa and offered to support the startup industry.

 

GCCI’s director general, Sanjay Amonkar, briefed the Dutch delegation about the startup incubators in the state, particularly BITS Pilani, which focuses on medical engineering research and semiconductors. 'New innovations in managing waste and plastic are welcome,' said Amonkar.

While asserting his government's commitment over uplifting the living standards of the farming community, Agriculture Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy said that the government has proposed to establish as many as 147 Agriculture Labs in every rural area in the entire State to prevent farmers from getting cheated while purchasing fertilisers, seeds, pesticides from various companies.

 

Along with Joint Collector Ronanki Kurmanath and District Agriculture Advisory Council Chairman (DAACC) Niranjan Reddy, the Minister inaugurated the newly constructed Bio-Fertilisers and Organic Fertilisers Quality Control Lab (BFOFQCL) on the premises of Nellore RDO office here on Thursday. This lab is the first of its kind in the State and costs about Rs 2.4 crore.

 

Speaking the occasion, the Minister said that 73 Agriculture labs were already started and 50 were under various stages of construction while construction of another 24 are yet to be begin. Describing the establishment of BFOFQCL as the brainchild of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, he stated it was decided to set up this kind of labs at every district headquarters, as part of the initiative of bringing radical reformations in agriculture sector.

 

Minister Govardhan Reddy informed that the government will introduce Plant Doctor Procedure (PDP) very soon for conducting soil testing. This is a unique concept, which will help in creating awareness among farmers over performing cultivation based on soil capacity in the lands, he added. He further disclosed that 1,077 Rythu Bharosa Kendram buildings were completed out of the total 3,000 buildings and construction of the remaining are under progress.

The Department of Consumer Affairs and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action signed the new Work Plan for 2023 during the 9th Annual Meeting of the Indo-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure. The plan was signed in Berlin, Germany on 25 April 2023.

 

This year's Annual Meeting marks the 10th anniversary of the Working Group. Smt. Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs and Dr. Daniela Broenstrup, Director General, Digital and Innovation Policy, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action during the meeting emphasised the important role of the Working Group in reducing technical barriers to trade and promoting innovation and consumer protection.

 

The technical dialogues of the Working Group address key areas of economic cooperation between the two countries. In addition, they promote systemic harmonisation of quality infrastructure (QI) at an international level.

 

The annual meeting was attended by stakeholders from both sides including the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the German Institute for Standardization (DIN), the German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (DKE), other quality infrastructure organisations as well as industry associations including Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

 

The Stakeholders from QI bodies and industry provided insights on current QI developments in Germany and India. These included the Standards National Action Plan for India, as well as the German Standardization Roadmaps Circular Economy and Industries 4.0. Other contributions covered market surveillance activities in India, as well as applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in market surveillance and the digital accreditation symbol.

 

The Work Plan 2023 is structured along the key elements of QI, including standardisation, accreditation, conformity assessment, legal metrology, product safety and market surveillance. It addresses cross-cutting topics like harmonised global solutions as well as sector-specific cooperation topics, such as digitalisation (Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, cyber security), circular economy, smart farming and machinery safety.

 

Ministers and high-level representatives from India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) gathered in New Delhi today to discuss the prospects of resuming their negotiations towards a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).

 

The high-level delegations were composed of Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles of India; Jan Christian Vestre, Minister of Trade and Industry of Norway; Helene Budliger Artieda, Swiss State Secretary at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO; Martin Eyjólfsson, Permanent Secretary of State of Iceland at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs; Kurt Jäger, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein to EFTA, WTO and the UN in Geneva; and Henri Gétaz, Secretary-General of the European Free Trade Association.

 

The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on the state of play of their negotiations and explore ways to advance the talks. The participants acknowledged the challenges posed by the current global economic and trade environment, as well as the need to address the bilateral trade and economic partnership issues in a constructive and pragmatic manner. Both sides agreed to continue their efforts to resolve all outstanding issues and work towards deepening and strengthening the economic partnership, while contributing to a more inclusive global trading system.

The bilateral trade between India and Korea grew by 17.3 per cent to USD 27.8 billion in 2022, according to Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). In 2021, the value of bilateral trade between the two countries stood at USD 23.7 billion.

 

Korea's exports to India increased by 21 per cent to USD 18.9 billion, while imports increased by 10.5 per cent to USD 8.9 billion.

 

Addressing India-Korea Future Industry Partnership Event 2023, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India Chang Jae-bok on Wednesday said, 'India and Korea must focus on the critical issue of green energy and learn from each other's strengths. Green energy, hydrogen energy, and EVs are the future, and Korea's leadership in producing EVs since 2005 is an excellent example for India'.

 

The two-day event is organised as part of a 50-year celebration of the India-Korea diplomatic relationship.

 

Through collaboration and cooperation, both countries can further emphasise the importance of adopting green energy and work towards achieving the sustainable development goals that both countries are committed to, Jae-bok said.

 

Executive Vice President for Economic Cooperation & Trade Affairs, KOTRA, Taeho Kim said both countries must prioritise cleaner energy and focus on SDGs, which are the need of the hour. Both countries will continue to work towards achieving these goals.

 

G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, who joined the event virtually, said as India takes on the G20 presidency, we aim to bring together countries to promote sustainable development goals that will benefit not only India but the world.

 

'Our belief in 'One World, One Family' drives us to contribute towards SDGs and promote sustainable practices that will enable future generations to live a greener and cleaner life. Through our efforts, we can create a more sustainable world that is harmonious and equitable for all.'

 

Items which Korea imported from India include petroleum products, vegetable substances, ferroalloy and steel products, while it exported mainly semiconductors communication devices and displays, among others.

Indian non-basmati white (raw) rice prices for exports have increased by over $25 a tonne during the past fortnight on tight domestic supplies and demand from markets abroad, traders and exporters said. 

 

However, parboiled (boiled) rice prices have dropped by $5 a tonne and Indian white rice continues to be competitive by $20-30 over the nearest competitor in the global market. In the case of parboiled rice, the Indian cereal is at least $100 a tonne competitive.

 

'We are facing problems in getting white rice supplies in the domestic market as the Centre is procuring it for the central pool stocks. On the other hand, parboiled rice availability has increased, pulling down its prices,' said VR Vidya Sagar, Director, Bulk Logix. 

 

New crop arrivals begin

'Though our prices have increased, we are still competitive in the global market. Arrivals of new rabi paddy crop have begun in Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Exporters are paying farmers prices closer to the minimum support price (MSP),' said BV Krishna Rao, President, The Rice Exporters Association (TREA). 

 

The MSP for paddy this year is ?2,040 a quintal. India is quoting $453-57 a tonne for 5 per cent broken white rice against $432-36 two weeks ago. The 25 per cent broken white rice is offered at $438-442 compared with $417-22. India’s nearest competitor Vietnam is quoting at least $25 higher for both these varieties.

 

 

'There is good demand for 5 per cent broken white rice from Vietnam. We are getting enquiries from East Malaysia and Timor too,' said M Madan Prakash, President, Agricultural Commodities Exporters Association (ACEA).

 

'It is all down to demand-supply. The next crop in Thailand will arrive only in September. Vietnam may have to fulfill demand from China in case El Nino strikes and affects the Indian monsoon,' said a New Delhi-based trade analyst.

 

Enquiries from Africa

Sagar said parboiled rice was available even at $370 a tonne from India. 'Now that Ramzan is over, we expect some movement in rice to Africa and West Asia,' he said. 

 

'This year, our exports are likely to match last year’s volume. We will be meeting all requirements,' said Rao. 

 

'We are getting enquiries from Africa, while demand for South-East Asia is in small volume,' said Prakash.

 

The analyst said China has maintained silence over its stock situation. 'Vietnam and Thailand are expecting a bigger crop. There is no cause for worry with regard to India,' he said. 

 

Data from Agricultural and Processed Food Products Development Authority (APEDA) show that non-basmati rice exports during the April-February period of 2022-23 fiscal were marginally higher at 16.09 million tonnes (mt) compared with 15.64 mt a year ago. 

 

Export curbs

The rise was despite India imposing a 20 per cent export duty on non-basmati white rice from September and banning shipments of fully broken rice. The Government took these measures to curb exports as it feared rice production could be hit by deficient rain during the south-west monsoon. 

 

Though kharif rice production dropped to 108 mt against 111 mt a year ago, overall production of the cereal has been estimated higher at a record high of 130.83 mt during the current crop year to June against 129.47 mt last crop year.

 

As regards rice, India’s central pool stocks are comfortable as the government has procured a good volume, said the analyst.

 

According to the Food Corporation of India, rice stocks as of April 1 were 24.86 mt compared with 32.32 mt a year ago. In addition, it has 27.64 mt of paddy (19.35 mt of rice). 

 

'There might be a sharp uptrend in rice prices after June,' the analyst said. 

In a major breakthrough in agricultural practices, Kerala Feeds Ltd (KFL) has facilitated the production of five tonnes of maize within the state. The coarse cereal is a key ingredient used in making cattle feed. The grain was harvested at a farm located 18 km from its manufacturing unit in Thrissur.

 

The recent steep rise in maize prices prompted KFL to encourage local farmers to grow the crop, which is largely grown in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka. The PSU roped in the Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) headquartered in Delhi to provide training to the growers. The efforts paid off as C.A. Rajan of Annamanada initiated maize cultivation in his three-and-a-half-acre field. The field was otherwise used to grow paddy.

 

Less effort needed

KFL provided the farmer high-yielding seeds and technological support. 'There were practical hiccups since it was my debut venture,' says Rajan, a retired government employee. 'Yet, the effort put into growing maize is less than that for paddy cultivation.'

 

The maize began flowering within 60 days. Rajan harvested and dried the crop in his house. He was assisted by wife Ambika and children Arun and Ashik. 'The stem of the maize is good fodder for cattle,' he said. 'That gives us extra income.'

 

The first five-tonne load of maize to arrive at the PSU near Irinjalakuda, was given an enthusiastic reception by KFL Chairman K. Sreekumar and top colleagues, besides representatives of the employees’ unions.

 

Sreekumar said farmers can earn a better income by growing maize, which does not involve high cost. 'KFL will undertake discussions aimed at enabling maize production in open fallow lands. It can be carried out through the district panchayats under their annual schemes,' he said.

 

KFL requires 6,000 tonnes of maize every month. 'Not that we can grow all of it in Kerala. But efforts in this direction can check the price of KFL’s products considerably,' the Chairman said.

 

KFL Managing Director B. Sreekumar said the PSU sought ways to grow maize indigenously, when the price of the crop began going through the roof. 'Our earnestness shows in our move to rope in the services of an institute as big as the IIMR,' he said. 'We are holding discussions to broaden the cultivation of maize to other areas of the state.'

 

Farmers going in for two paddy crops a year, are being encouraged to go for maize cultivation. As they would be given high-yielding seeds and technological support, the PSU expects more farmers to enter maize farming.

 

KFL, founded in 1995, manufacturers products for various breeds of cows.

 

Arohi Prajapati from Dang Ahwa Farmer Producer Company Limited, an FPO from the tribal area, said, 'Our main focus is on Ragi, Little Millet and Finger Millet. We are maintaining our production with 332 small and marginal tribal farmers'. Prajapati said adding 'We have introduced 7-8 millet based products. We are getting a 90% loan from the government to set up our Primary Processing Unit to improve our production.'

 

According to Trupti Shah, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 'To encash on the opportunity in the global market, India is working hard to increase the acceptability of millets as primary breakfast serials'. Pertinently, millets have always been a traditional food of rural India. 'We are the largest producer of millets in the world but we are only the fifth largest exporter of this commodity'. According to Shah millets are important because being rich in calcium, protein and antioxidants they can ensure food security. Shah said, 'The government is aiming to export 30,000 metric tonnes of millets this year out of which 766 metric tonnes will be the share of Gujarat'. She revealed that Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Special Crop Blocks are the main incentives that are currently being provided to millet farmers.

 

Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Little millet and Finger millet are the main millets that are prevalent in Gujarat. Said Vinod Pate from Vavechi Sarhad Farmer Producer Company Limited, a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in Banaskantha, Gujarat, 'We are focussing on local markets only as there are very few opportunities for us to tap into the global export market. One major problem that we are facing is that the big corporations are offering us prices lower than the prevailing APMC prices. According to data released by the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority there are around 25 large exporters of millet in the country includng Eco Export, Rkd Agro Export, M.B. International, Magnus overseas among others.

 

Arohi further added, 'We focus on the training of local farmers which is why we hire mostly locals, especially females as our workforce. But the problem is the number of FPOs in the region. Excess FPOs create unwanted competition and that hampers the goals of expansion and collaboration'.

 

Commenting on the need for the betterment of farmers, Vinod Patel said, 'It would be really beneficial for us if the government makes it mandatory for big exporting corporations to procure some amount of the millet produce from the small FPOs only'. Echoing similar sentiments, Prajapati from Dang Ahwa FPO suggested further strengthening of the supply chain with mandatory procurement from farmers. 'Additionally the farmers and the organizations need to understand that their representatives like CEOs of these FPOs should be well-trained so that they can navigate their way through the complex corporate system', said Arohi.

Tunisia's state grains agency is believed to have purchased about 75,000 tonnes of soft wheat in an international tender on Wednesday, European traders said.

 

Traders said they believed the wheat was bought in three 25,000 tonne consignments.

 

One consignment was said to have been sold by trading house Finagrit at an estimated $304.80 a tonne c&f and two consignments were bought from trading house Viterra at $309.89 and $311.19 a tonne c&f, traders said.

 

Results reflect assessments from traders and further estimates of prices and volumes are still possible later.

 

Finance for the purchase is being provided by the African Development Bank, which is among agencies assisting Tunisia with food purchases recently in the face of the country’s financial difficulties. Wheat can only be sourced from countries eligible to participate in the bank’s tenders, which basically excludes much of east Europe and the Black Sea region.

 

An offer for 50,000 tonnes of Russian-origin wheat was said to have been made in the tender at $310.00 a tonne c&f but was rejected, traders said.

 

Shipment was sought between June 5 and July 5, depending on origin selected for supply, they said.