The first International Financial Architecture Working Group meeting of G-20 under the chairmanship of India will be held in Chandigarh on 30-31 January 2023. The meeting will be inaugurated by the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar and Food Processing Industries Minister Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras. Shri Tomar reached Chandigarh this evening ahead of the meeting beginning tomorrow, where he was welcomed with cultural performances from Punjab and Haryana.

 

The International Financial Architecture Working Group is one of the important working groups under the G-20 finance track, which focuses on strengthening the international financial architecture. It will also aim to address various challenges faced by vulnerable countries. Around 100 delegates from G-20 member nations, invited countries and international organizations will participate in the two-day meeting. Discussions during the two-day meeting will be jointly moderated by the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of India, as well as by the co-chairs of the International Financial Architecture Working Group, - France and South Korea.

 

The meeting will discuss ways to enhance the stability and cohesion of the international financial architecture and how to make it capable of addressing the global challenges of the 21st century. The meeting will also focus on finding ways to maximize aid to poor and vulnerable countries. On the sidelines of the G-20 Working Group meeting on January 30, a G-20 event titled 'Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Opportunities and Challenges' will also be held. The objective of the event is to share country experiences and develop a deeper understanding of the wider implications of CBDCs. Prior to this meeting, a number of events have been organized across the city in Chandigarh, indicating widespread 'people's participation' and interest in the G-20 events under India's chairmanship.

Amid government efforts to bring millets on the global food map, Prime Minister Naredra Modi in his first Mann Ki Baat programme of 2023 talked about 'Milletpreneurs' of Odisha. They are a self-help group of about 1,500 tribal women from Odisha's Sundergarh district.

The prime minister lauded the self-help group associated with Odisha Millets Mission.

 

'May I ask you one more thing? You must have heard the word entrepreneur, but have you heard Milletpreneurs? Milletpreneurs of Odisha are in the limelight these days. A Self Help Group of about 1500 women of the tribal district Sundergarh is associated with the Odisha Millets Mission. Here women are making everything from millets… to cookies, rasgulla, gulab jamun, and even cakes. Due to their great demand in the market, the income of women is also increasing,' Modi said.

 

Odisha Millets Mission is a flagship initiative of the state agriculture department to revive millets in collaboration with WSHGs, FPOs, NCDS, WASSAN and local NGOs. The state also celebrated ‘Millets Divas’ with Milli as its mascot on November 10 last year to promote ‘mandia’ or millets as a highly nutritious and eco-friendly food product.

Meanwhile, the first commercial consignment of millets sourced from women-managed farmer producer organisations (FPOs) Shaktimayee Ward Mission Shakti Mahasangha reached the international market. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry facilitated the shipment of this maiden consignment of around 1 tonne of whole and flour of millet to Dubai.

The prime minister in his address said that in Karnataka's Bidar district, women associated with the Hulsoor Millet Producer Company are cultivating millets as well as preparing their flour. 'Through this, their earnings have also increased a lot. Farmers from 12 states have joined the FPO of Chhattisgarh's Sandeep Sharma, who is associated with natural farming. This FPO of Bilaspur is making 8 types of millets flour and their dishes.'

 

Earlier on various occasions, Modi urged farmers to adopt millets in their crops as part of government efforts to promote nutritious coarse grains.

A high-Level Indian Delegation led by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Abhilaksh Likhi has arrived in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria today for taking South-South Collaboration and Cooperation on Millets to next higher stage.

 

In a departure Statement to Nigeria for a four-day 'Millet-Specific Visit' from 26th January to 29th January 2023, Shri Likhi said, it comes in the wake of India kick starting the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 on the very first day of this year with Focused Activities being undertaken by Central Ministries, State Governments/ UTs and Indian Embassies.

 

Nigeria is the 2nd Richest and most Populous country of the 54 Nations in African Continent and it could become a Model of South-South Cooperation on Millets along with other Indian Important Partners like Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, Kenya, Angola, Ghana and Sudan to address the 'lack of food security", which remains one of the most formidable challenges facing the African continent. India and Africa’s complementary sectoral priorities and similar roles in the evolving global food markets present numerous opportunities for collaboration in the agricultural sector, and particularly in areas of Millets Production and Promotion.

 

Spearheaded by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India sponsored the proposal for International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The declaration has been instrumental for the Government of India to be at the forefront in celebrating the IYM. Shri Narendra Modi has also shared his vision to make IYM 2023 a ‘People’s Movement’ alongside positioning India as the ‘Global Hub for Millets’.

 

It may be recalled that The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, organized an opening ceremony for the International Year of Millets – 2023 (IYM2023) in Rome, Italy. An Indian delegation led by Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare along with Smt. Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary (Crops), DA&FW and other senior officials were present at the opening ceremony. During the event, India’s ceremonial message by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was conveyed by Sushri Shobha Karandlaje.

 

It may be underlined that Embassies of India across more than 140 countries will be participating in celebration of IYM during 2023 by conducting side events on IYM involving the Indian Diaspora through exhibition, seminars, talks, panel discussions along with the participation of local chambers, food bloggers, importers of food items and local restaurants etc.

 

It may be emphasized that Cooked Millets dish exhibitions/ contests will be organized with the help of Indian diaspora and Millets dishes will be served as part of the Republic Day Celebrations.

 

Dwelling on his Nigeria visit, Shri Likhi said, the High Commission of India in Abuja and Consulate General of India in Lagos, as part of promotion of IYM, have planned a Millets Food Festival and a Millets Food preparation competition during this high level visit to Nigeria. The Millets Food Festival would be held at the High Commission premises and provide stalls for preparation with invitees including both Nigerian dignitaries and Indian community.

 

Shri Likhi said, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra SinghTomar delivering a Valedictory Address on 24th January, 2023 at India International Science Festival in Bhopal pointed out that IYM-23 is happening at a time, when India has assumed the G-20 Presidency under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, where we will be showcasing India’s prowess, not only in Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, but in every sector including Universally recognize India’s Soft Power to the World. The spirit of the 'Whole of Government' and 'Whole of Society' approach is truly being seen in the celebrations of the International Year of Millets 2023, Shri Likhi pointed out.

 

It may also be recalled that the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali met Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra SinghTomar on 12th January, 2023 during his week-long visit to India and offered 200 Acres of Land in his country for exclusive cultivation and production of Millets for private sector in honor of the United Nations declaring the year 2023 as the International Year of Millet (IYM).

 

Dr Irfaan Ali also asked Shri Tomar that he will be truly honored, if Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will agree to address the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) scheduled in Februray, 2023 to present India’s Vision on Agriculture and Food Security. He said, even a virtual address by Shri Modi to 17 Heads of States will go a long way in promoting and popularizing Millets in the Caribbean Community. He also offered to have a session of Indian Agriculture Minister for Talk on Millets. 

Britain's trade minister in charge of negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with India says clinching a high-quality deal is among her top priorities for the year, while admitting the talks had hit a 'bit of an impasse' which she broke by flying to New Delhi last month. In a speech addressing business leaders at Lancaster House in London on Tuesday, UK Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch insisted the FTA talks are now 'back on track'. It comes after the Diwali 2022 deadline for the FTA set by former prime minister Boris Johnson was missed last October amid political turmoil in Britain.

 

'Some of you will know I was a software engineer and a systems analyst before I became a politician. That means I'm a problem solver at heart,' said Badenoch.

 

'So when our Indian trade talks hit a bit of an impasse, I didn't pick up the phone, I got on a plane. That deal's not done yet, but it's back on track,' she said.

 

Badenoch was in New Delhi in early December to hold talks with her counterpart, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and kick off the sixth round of FTA talks. The seventh round is expected in the UK in the coming weeks, with both sides reluctant to set a new deadline for completing the negotiations.

 

'We will seal high-quality deals with India and CPTPP [Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership] - they have a combined population of nearly 2 billion consumers - opening exciting opportunities in fast-growing markets for years to come,' Badenoch said.

 

'But I want to be clear that just signing on the dotted line is not the objective. These deals will only be agreed if they are the right deals for the people of this country. Bringing in jobs and investment to left-behind communities and capitalising on those areas in which we specialise,' she added.

 

With reference to the work being done by her Department for International Trade (DIT) in opening up the Indian market for UK businesses, the minister flagged the example of a north-west England pet food company. The Lancashire firm called VetPlus reportedly approached the DIT recently over a 'paperwork problem' in selling their pet food products into India.

 

'We fixed it. And the company now expects to do GBP 1.5 million of additional business over the next five years. This is where my team comes in,' she declared.

 

Laying out her plans for 2023, the trade minister vowed to remove trade barriers, knocking down '100 unnecessary blockers' standing in the way of helping UK businesses sell more and grow more, creating new jobs and paying higher wages.

 

'The UK is a leading destination for foreign investment. However, this position is not a given. There is fierce global competition for every pound of finance. I want to make the UK the most attractive place to invest in Europe, enticing companies from across the world to put their money into communities across the country,' she said.

 

According to official UK government data, India-UK bilateral trade currently stands at around GBP 29.6 billion a year. Both sides formally launched FTA negotiations at the start of last year with the ambition to significantly boost that two-way exchange.

Bangladesh has kept 'in abeyance' its decision to sign contracts with Indian cooperatives to import two lakh tonnes (lt) of parboiled rice under government-to-government (G2G) deals. 

 

Initially found hesitant, Dhaka has decided to put the deal in cold storage as it has got a few offers at lower prices and the Sheikh Hasina Wajed government is facing problems on the foreign exchange front. 

 

Caught on wrong foot?

Trade sources said Bangladesh may have been caught on the wrong foot for its indecisiveness since prices in the global rice market have shot up by 10 per cent over the last couple of weeks.

 

Sources said Dhaka is looking to source rice from other origins but India’s main competitors - Thailand and Pakistan - have priced their produce at over $100 a tonne. 

 

According to the Thai Rice Exporters Association, Thailand’s parboiled rice is quoted at $523 a tonne and Pakistan’s at $533-37 a tonne. The association pegged the Indian price at $388-392, up $15 in the past couple of weeks. 

 

However, exporters said Bangladesh will have to pay more when it comes to making purchases in the market. 'Parboiled prices in India have increased by over 30 per cent this month mainly on reports of Bangladesh importing rice from India on a G2G basis,' said VR Vidyasagar, Director, Bulk Logix. 

 

Low quotes in tenders

India’s NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar (National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Ltd) were to supply the two lakh tonnes under G2G deals at $433.60 and $433.50 a tonne, respectively in December. Bangladesh’s Food Ministry issued letters of intent for the purchases of one lakh tonnes each from the two cooperatives before stepping back. 

 

At that time, prices quoted by the two cooperatives were $35/tonne higher than what private traders offered Dhaka in two global import tenders of 50,000 tonnes each.

 

In a tender opened on December 21, India’s Bagadiya Brothers was the lowest bidder offering the foodgrain at $393.90/tonne. In the next tender opened on December 27, Singapore’s AgroCorp International offered the most competitive rate of $397.03.

 

The G2G deals and tenders were part of Bangladesh’s efforts to procure 3 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice for the public distribution system.  

 

6-day delay

Official sources said they had charged more for the supplies since Bangladesh asked for the new crop besides wanting the consignments to be delivered in two months.

 

'Had it given more time and opted for an older crop, it could have got the rice at a cheaper rate,' an official said on condition of anonymity.

 

The LOI was issued after accepting the Indian cooperatives’ offer. The Indian agencies were to furnish bank guarantees but as it got delayed by six days, Bangladesh utilised the opportunity to put the deal on hold. 

 

A trader said: 'If it wanted, Bangladesh could have accepted the guarantee.'  

 

According to Bangladesh media reports, the Wajed government’s Food Ministry and its Cabinet committee that decides on public procurement have cleared the imports.

 

Bullish market

Trader sources said the additional amount sought from Bangladesh was justified since it is looking for guaranteed delivery.  

 

The global rice market has turned bullish on a lower crop in India, China and Bangladesh. India’s kharif rice production has been estimated lower (104.99 million tonnes vs 111.76 million tonnes last season) and stocks with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) are at a six-year low.

 

In view of this, India has banned exports of fully broken rice and imposed a 20 per cent export duty on white rice. Parboiled and basmati rice have been exempt from these curbs. 

For the first time millet produced in Odisha has been exported abroad. Development Commissioner and Agriculture Production Commissioner Pradip Kumar Jena flagged off a vehicle transporting minor cereals for export.

 

For the first time Shaktimayee Mahasangh promoted by Mission Shakti and Odisha Millet Mission have exported a variety of minor cereals cultivated in Odisha. A one day workshop-cum-minor cereal export programme was held at Institute On Management Of Agricultural Extension ( IMAGE) here today.

 

Participating in the programme organised by the Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department jointly with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry as the chief guest requested APEDA officials present to export other agricultural produce of Odisha along with minor cereals.

 

Speaking at the programme, APEDA’s regional office Sandip Saha said that the main objective of APEDA is to export diffferent types of agricultural produce, thereby ensuring good profits for farmers and related agencies.

 

Among others, Shailendra Kumar Mohanty, Joint Director, Odisha Millet Mission, Bibhuti Sahu, NABARD Odisha Head, Dinesh Balam, State Coordinator, Odisha Millet Mission, Sitakant Mandal and Sukant Panigrahi of APEDA, and senior officials from across the State, buyers, farmer produce organisations (FPO) and farmers attended the export oriented skill development programme.

Highlighting that Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu and Odisha have launched their own programmes to procure millets and distribute those nutri-cereals within their respective state, Subodh Kumar Singh, additional secretary in the Food Ministry, said that the Centre has urged all the states, including Rajasthan, the biggest producer of bajra and second-largest in jowar, to start focusing on procurement of the grains.

 

He said Karnataka has set a target to procure 6-7 lt of nutri-cereals, including 5 lt of ragi in 2022-23 season (October-September). 'Though we had set a target to procure 13.5 lt of coarse and nutri-cereals, the purchase can be around 9.5 lt as maize prices are above minimum support price (MSP),' Singh said.

 

If 10 lt is added every year in procurement, the purchases may increase to 40-50 lt in next few years, Singh said.

 

As the current policy of the Centre puts the responsibility on the states for distribution of coarse and nutri cereals, unlike wheat and rice, the procurement under Central Pool never took off with low demand from consumers. However, with increased campaign about the nutritious value of coarse grains, there has been some increase in demand resulting in many start ups producing valued added products (VAPs).

 

Currently, the Centre allows procurement of maize, jowar, bajra and ragi under coarse cereals, which was sold at Rs.1/kg before the government recently declared free distribution of grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013.

 

'The food and agriculture ministries are discussing on the possibilities of bringing small millets (as many as 12-13 local varieties) grown in different states under MSP programme,' Singh said. He also pointed out that despite persuasions, Rajasthan has not started procurement of coarse grains.

 

Shoots of growth

Meanwhile, the Centre also said that they have paid Rs.85,604 crore in 2021-22 (in MSP value) to wheat farmers, an increase of 153 per cent from Rs.33,847 crore in 2013-14. Similarly, increase in MSP value in paddy was over 165 per cent to Rs.1,69,736 crore in 2021-22 from Rs.63,928 crore in 2013-14 due to rise in quantity of procurement as well as in MSP.

A high-level Indian delegation led by the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Abhilaksh Likhi has arrived in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria today for taking South-South Collaboration and Cooperation on Millets to the next higher stage.

 

In a departure statement to Nigeria for a four-day ‘Millet-Specific Visit’ from 26th to 29th January 2023, Likhi said, it comes in the wake of India kick-starting the International Year of Millets 2023 on the very first day of this year with focused activities being undertaken by Central ministries, state governments, union territories and Indian Embassies.

 

Nigeria is the 2nd richest and most populous country of the 54 nations in the African continent and it could become a model of South-South Cooperation on Millets along with other Indian important partners like Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, Kenya, Angola, Ghana and Sudan to address the ‘lack of food security’, which remains one of the most formidable challenges facing the African continent. India and Africa’s complementary sectoral priorities and similar roles in the evolving global food markets present numerous opportunities for cooperation on millets production and promotion.

 

The government of India sponsored the proposal for International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The declaration has been instrumental for the Government of India to be at the forefront in celebrating the IYM. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also shared his vision to make IYM 2023 a ‘People’s Movement’ alongside positioning India as the ‘Global Hub for Millets’.

 

It may be recalled that Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), organised an opening ceremony for the International Year of Millets – 2023 (IYM2023) in Rome, Italy. An Indian delegation led by Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare along with Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary (Crops), DA&FW and other senior officials were present at the opening ceremony. During the event, India’s ceremonial message by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conveyed by Shobha Karandlaje.

 

It may be underlined that embassies of India across more than 140 countries will be participating in celebration of IYM during 2023 by conducting side events on IYM involving the Indian diaspora through exhibitions, seminars, talks, panel discussions along with the participation of local chambers, food bloggers, importers of food items and local restaurants.

 

Dwelling on his Nigeria visit, Likhi said, the High Commission of India in Abuja and Consulate General of India in Lagos, as part of the promotion of IYM, have planned a Millets Food Festival and a Millets Food preparation competition during this high-level visit to Nigeria. The Millets Food Festival will be held at the High Commission premises and provide stalls for preparation with invitees including both Nigerian dignitaries and the Indian community.

 

Likhi said, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar delivering a valedictory address on 24th January 2023 at India International Science Festival in Bhopal pointed out that IYM-23 is happening at a time when India has assumed the G-20 presidency when we will be showcasing India’s prowess, not only in agriculture and allied sectors, fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying but in every sector including universally recognise India’s soft power to the world. The spirit of the ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach is truly being seen in the celebrations of the International Year of Millets 2023, Likhi pointed out.

 

It may also be recalled that the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali met Narendra Singh Tomar on 12th January 2023 during his week-long visit to India and offered 200 acres of land in his country for exclusive cultivation and production of millets for the private sector in honour of the United Nations declaring the year 2023 as the International Year of Millet (IYM).

 

Dr Irfaan Ali also asked Tomar if he would be truly honoured, if Prime Minister Narendra Modi would agree to address the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) scheduled in February 2023 to present India’s vision on agriculture and food security. He said, even a virtual address by Modi to 17 heads of states will go a long way in promoting and popularising millets in the Caribbean community. He also offered to have a session with Indian agriculture minister for a talk on millets.

In the recently concluded 12th Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group (ITWG) on Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) at Rome during 18 -20 January 2023, India was elected as Vice-Chair and represented Asia & Pacific region. Dr B N Tripathi, Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences), ICAR, and the National Coordinator, vice-chaired the Session and also act as Rapporteur.

 

The Working Group, established by the FAO’s Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA), functions to review technical issues, advise and make recommendations to the Commission and further implement the Commission's programme related to AnGR at global level. 

 

In the 12th Session of ITWG, implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, monitoring of AnGR diversity and preparing 3rd Country Report were reviewed.  Further agenda points on role of microorganisms relevant to ruminant digestion, role of genetic resources in mitigating and adapting to climate change; access and benefit-sharing for AnGR; digital sequence information and potential implications for the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources were discussed.

 

Earlier to the ITWG Session, the Global National Coordinators’ Workshop was held at FAO Head Quarter, from 16-17th January, 2023. In the Workshop, Dr B N Tripathi shared the country’s experience in updating data in Domestic Animal Diversity – Information System (DAD-IS) and presented framework for cataloguing native populations including breed registration, notification system etc. National priorities for germplasm cryopreservation and documenting non-descript AnGR to fulfil SDG indicators were appreciated by the members.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) will off load 30 LMT wheat from the Central pool stock to the market through various routes under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic).

 

Offloading of 30 LMT wheat in the market through OMSS (D) scheme within a span of two months through multiple channels will have wider reach as well as immediate  impact on the soaring Wheat and Atta prices and will help containing the rising prices and will bring much relief to the common man.

 

To address the rising price of wheat and Atta in the country, Group of Ministers headed by Home Minister Sri Amit Shah met today and discussed the buffer stock position of the Country.

 

In order to have quick impact on the rising prices, following options to offload wheat to the market were approved by the Committee of Ministers (CoM):

 

Wheat will be offered to the Flour millers, Bulk Buyers etc through e-auction for a maximum quantity of 3000 MT per buyer, per auction, from a FCI Region under e-auction.

Wheat will also be offered to State Governments/UTs for their schemes without e-auction.

Apart from the above channels, wheat will be offered at a concessional rates of Rs 2350/ Qtl to Govt PSUs/cooperatives/Federations, Kendriya Bhandar/NCCF/NAFED etc without e-auction. The sale under this special scheme will be subject to the stipulation that the buyer will convert wheat to atta and  offer it to public at an Maximum Retail Price of Rs. 29.50 per Kg.

It is decided that Food Corporation of India willoffload wheat within the next two months to the market for immediate impact on the rising wheat and Atta prices.

 

FCI will start the process of E- auction of stocks immediately, throughout the country during January to March 2023.