Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda on Monday said the government has launched a mission to boost production of oilseeds and reduce imports of cooking oils. The minister virtually inaugurated administrative-cum-academic building, Manas Guest House, Subansiri Girls Hostel and Brahmaputra Boys Hostel at IARI, Dirpai Chapori, Gogamukh, Assam.

 

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary was present at the inaugural event and visited an exhibition stall at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Assam.

 

According to an official statement, Munda said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has special emphasis on the development of the Northeastern region.

 

He said the central government has done the work of eliminating the gaps in the development of agriculture in the northeastern states and bringing them into the mainstream.

 

Munda said the government is working with the resolve to make the country a developed nation by 2047, in which the role of agriculture is very important.

 

He highlighted that a mission of Rs 11,000 crore is being run to reduce the burden of edible oil imports and become self-reliant in oilseeds.

 

'We have to work with the thought that in the coming days, we will not import but export,' Munda said.

 

India imports about 16 million tonnes of edible oils annually to meet domestic demand. In terms of value, India imported edible oils worth about Rs 1.38 lakh crore during 2022-23 (November-October).

 

The Union agriculture minister also stressed the development of climate-resilient crop varieties.

 

He emphasised linking agriculture education to livelihood and employment opportunities.

 

Munda said biodiversity studies also need special attention. He hoped that in a year, this institute would be the most preferred choice for research.

 

He emphasised that technologies have to be climate-neutral and gender-neutral.

 

Choudhary urged scientists to exploit the natural diversity that exists in the Northeast Region. He stressed focusing on research related to pulses and oilseeds so that the country does not have to spend too much money on the import of pulses.

 

Basmati export prices have dropped in the past couple of months to the level of minimum export price (MEP) of $950/tonne from over $1,050, which some exporters fear could be a loss-making proposition to ship out if the purchase price of Basmati paddy on October-November is taken into account. Some premium Basmati varieties’ prices too have dropped to about $1,200/tonne from $1,300, industry sources said.

 

However, many exporters said it is not a concern as most of the exports were contracted at higher rates when they were signed amid concerns over global supply disruption due to conflict between Israel and Palestine.

 

Basmati rice exports have increased by 12.3 per cent at 4.11 million tonnes (mt) during the January 2023-24 fiscal from 3.66 mt in the year-ago period, as per provisional data released by Agricultural and Processed Foods Exports Development Authority (APEDA). In value terms, the growth is an impressive 20.2 per cent at $4.59 billion against $3.82 billion year-ago. The higher growth has been attributed by industry experts on increased demand from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

 

Striking bargains

The average realisation was about $ 1,120/tonne until January, whereas it was nearly $1,045 year-ago, said an exporter. However, the basmati paddy was considerably lower in harvesting period (October-December) of 2022 from the same period in 2023, the exporter said. He said while it is less than 10 per cent increase in the export realisation, paddy prices this year (2023-24) were 20-25 per cent higher.

 

In Punjab, Pusa Basmati 1509 (paddy) sold at Rs.3,200-3,600/quintal, depending on quality while Pusa Basmati 1718 at about Rs.3,800 in November 2023. On the other hand, traditional Basmati CSR 30 commanded between Rs.6,300 and Rs.6,600/quintal for the farmers. The key Pusa 1121 was sold at Rs.4,300-4,500 per quintal, whereas last year it was Rs.3,600-3,800.

 

'There is a slowdown in demand from overseas buyers after the Red Sea issue came up as freight cost increased. But, this type of event is normally temporary and hope we see things to normalise in the days ahead,' said Vijay Setia, a former president of All India Rice Exporters Association.

 

Response to global trade

According to foreign trade policy expert S Chandrasekaran, current basmati export price decline is a response of global trade demand sentiments and pressure from competitive supply. 'However, the export price will recover when domestic and export market finds equilibrium. This will reflect at the end of festival season in the West Asia,' he said.

 

Further, Chandrasekaran said the local demand and higher price realisation from domestic market brings new trend and trade stability for basmati rice.

 

Official sources in the Commerce Ministry do not see the fall as a concern and term it as normal market trend on demand-supply issue. The officials said that since more than 90 per cent of the shipments have already gone in the ten months of this fiscal as against 4.56 mt exported during the entire 2022-23, the exports in February and March may also follow the current trend of 10-12 per cent rise.

In a significant move to ensure food security during Ramadan, Bangladesh has imported 400 tonnes of chickpeas, marking the first batch of a 4,000-tonne import plan by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). The consignment, which arrived at Benapole Port, is part of a broader initiative to provide essential commodities at subsidized rates to ease the financial burden on citizens during the holy month.

 

Strategic Import for Ramadan

The arrival of chickpeas at Benapole Port on Sunday and their subsequent release after quality checks signify the government's commitment to stabilizing food prices ahead of Ramadan. Imported at Tk 85 per kilogramme, the TCB will offer these chickpeas at a subsidized rate of Tk 55 per kg. This initiative is part of the government's effort, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to purchase essentials well in advance to prevent shortages and price hikes during Ramadan. The TCB's comprehensive package for TCB family cardholders also includes soybean or rice bran oil, pulses, and rice at subsidized rates, aiming to support the financially vulnerable segments of society.

 

Comprehensive Subsidy Program

Under the subsidy program, each TCB family cardholder is eligible to purchase not only chickpeas but also two litres of soybean oil or rice bran oil at Tk 100 per litre, 2 kilograms of pulse at Tk 60 per kg, and 5 kilograms of rice at Tk 30 per kg. This initiative is in line with the government's broader strategy to tame inflation and ensure that the populace can access essential commodities at reasonable prices during the high-demand period of Ramadan. The move also reflects the government's proactive approach to food security, as outlined by the Prime Minister earlier this month.

 

Implications and Future Prospects

The import of chickpeas and the announcement of subsidized rates for essential commodities are timely interventions that not only address immediate food security concerns but also showcase the government's dedication to public welfare. As Ramadan approaches, these measures are expected to alleviate financial pressures on households, particularly those in lower-income brackets. Moreover, the successful implementation of this initiative could serve as a model for future efforts to stabilize market prices and ensure food availability during critical periods. With the government taking concrete steps to support its citizens, the focus now shifts to the efficient distribution of these commodities to ensure they reach those in need.

As of 20 February, the tariff on imports of fresh, frozen and dried Chilean blueberries and cranberries has been cut from 30 per cent to 10 per cent. Canned or prepared cranberries will now have a standard tariff rate of 5 per cent, while similarly packaged blueberries will have a tariff of 10 per cent.

 

'This is very good news for our blueberry exports to India, since the Indian market has a special importance for Chilean exports,' said Iván Marambio, president of Frutas de Chile. 'This lower tariff for our blueberries makes us think about greater opportunities in India, a market that is expected to become the third largest economy in the world by 2030.'

 

Andrés Armstrong, executive director of the Chilean Blueberry Fruit Committee, said the decision was 'very positive' and would 'undoubtedly help facilitate the entry of this healthy fruit in a country with such great consumption potential as India'.

 

Despite its potential, India presents many logistical challenges for Chilean shippers. Armstrong said one solution would be for blueberry and cherry exporters to work together by loading both products in the same shipments and establishing joint promotional programmes in India.

 

According to Frutas de Chile, Chile exported nearly 30,000 tonnes of fresh fruit to India in 2022/23, of which blueberries accounted for nearly 120 tonnes.

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Commerce and Industry and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal said that the agriculture sector will be the foundational pillar spearheading the nation towards becoming ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. While addressing at the launch ceremony of ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ (Digital Gateway) of Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) today in New Delhi, the Minister thanked the farmers for securing the lives of millions of Indians and said that the ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ initiative with the help of technology will ease the farmers’ warehousing logistics and aid the farmers in receiving fair prices for their produce.

 

Shri Piyush Goyal announced that the security deposit charges at WDRA registered warehouses will soon be reduced to encourage more farmers, especially small farmers, to utilize the warehouses and enhance their income. He said that the farmers stocking their produce at these warehouses would need to pay only 1% security deposit instead of earlier 3%.

 

“Digital Gateway initiative is an important stepping stone in our effort to make farming attractive”, said Shri Goyal. He noted that ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ with its no collateral, extra security deposit policy can prevent distress sale by farmers who often have to sell their entire harvest at cheaper rates due to poor post-harvest storage opportunities.

 

Shri Piyush Goyal said that the warehouses under WDRA are well monitored, highly rated and are equipped with infrastructure that will protect the farm produce and lead to farmers’ welfare. The Minister pressed for mandatory registration of warehouses utilised by Food Corporation of India (FCI) across the states under WDRA and preparation of a roadmap for state warehouses to be infrastructure-ready.

 

Elaborating on the 'e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ platform, Shri Goyal said that the initiative with its simplified digital process can ease the procedure of farmers' storage at any registered WDRA warehouse for a period of 6 months at 7% interest per annum. The Minister hailed the WDRA initiative of providing an online platform for warehouse registration that has seen significant increase year-on-year and set a target of 1 lakh warehouses to be registered on the portal. He noted that last year 1500 warehouses were registered.

 

The Minister emphasised that with the ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ and e-NAM, farmers will be able to utilise the technology of an interconnected market which benefits them above and beyond selling their produce to the Government at Minimum Support Price (MSP). He said that the Government’s procurement through MSPs has increased 2.5 times over the last decade.

 

The Minister speaking about the launch of the world's largest cooperative food grain storage scheme urged WDRA to plan a proposal to provide free registration of all the godowns under the cooperative sector. He said that the initiative to aid cooperative sector godowns will further boost farmers to stock their produce in WDRA facilities leading them to get fair price on selling their harvest.   

Union Minister Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Arjun Munda Virtually Inaugurated Administrative-cum-academic Building, Manas Guest House, Subansiri Girls Hostel and Brahmaputra Boys Hostel at IARI, Dirpai Chapori, Gogamukh, Assam today. Union Minister of state for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Kailash Choudhary was present on the inaugural event and visited exhibition stall at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Assam.

 

Union Minister Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Arjun Munda said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has special emphasis on the development of the North-Eastern region. He said that the Central Government has done the work of eliminating the gaps in the development of agriculture in the North-Eastern states and bringing them into the mainstream and the Prime Minister has given a new dimension to the development of the North-Eastern region. He said that the government is working with the resolve to make the country a developed nation by 2047, in which the role of agriculture is very important. Shri Arjun Munda said that a mission of Rs 11 thousand crore is being run to reduce the burden of edible oil imports and become self-reliant in oilseeds. We have to work with the thought that in the coming days we will not import but export. He said that when we work with a vision, we definitely get success.

 

Shri Arjun Munda also stressed upon the development of climate resilient crop varieties and said that agriculture education to be linked to livelihood and employment opportunities. Shri Munda said that biodiversity studies also need a special attention. He hoped that in a year this institute would be the most preferred choice for research. He emphasized that technologies have to be climate neutral and gender neutral. 

 

MoS Shri Kailash Choudhary urged upon scientists to exploit the natural diversity that exist in North East Region. He also emphasized about the development of the technologies close to nature and while doing so let us link up with organic and natural farming. He stressed upon to focus on research related to pulses and oilseeds, so that country does not have to spend too much money on export of pulses. He said that agricultural research has to be linked with entrepreneurship; and all this is only possible when there is free exchange of ideas between different organizations.

 

Minister of Education, Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes, Government of Assam Dr. Ranoj Pegu appreciated the efforts of IARI, Assam. He stressed that research work to be done by IARI, Assam would be helpful in considering plant, animal and fish diversity as well as conserving environment. 

 

Member of Parliament, Lakhimpur Shri Pradan Baruah stated that it was our dream to see that an institute of this stature will come in Assam. We hope that this institute would rise to the expectation of young minds of entire North-East India.

 

Secretary DARE and DG ICAR, New Delhi Dr. Himansu Pathak virtually addressed the gathering and elaborated the objectives and mandates of IARI, Assam. He emphasized that North-East India has huge potential that need to be explored through research and development. He assured that ICAR will leave no stone unturned to ensure that institute continues to progress leaps and bounce. Opening of this institute marks a red-letter day in the history of ICAR. He congratulated those associated with development of this institute to this status.

 

Director, IARI Dr. A.K.Singh appreciated all the efforts made by the workers committee of IARI, Assam. Dr. D.K.Singh, Dr. Anil Sirohi, Dr. Manoj Khanna, Dr. Anupam Mishra, Bhargav Sharma, Dr. Y.L.Singh, Dr. K.B.Pun, Shri Ankur Bharali, District commissioner Dhemaji were also present on the occasion.

The government has permitted exports of 30,000 tonne of non-basmati white rice to Tanzania and 80,000 tonne of broken rice to Djibouti and Guinea Bissau. The export is permitted through National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said in a notification.

 

Though exports of non-basmati white rice have been banned since July 20, 2023 to boost domestic supply, exports are allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to certain countries to meet their food security needs on request.

 

Tanzania is an East African nation, while Djibouti is at the northeast coast of the African continent.

 

Guinea-Bissau is a tropical country in West Africa. According to the notification, exports of 30,000 tonne of broken rice are allowed to Djibouti and 50,000 tonne to Guinea Bissau.

 

India has earlier also allowed these exports to countries like Nepal, Cameroon, Cote D' Ivore, Guinea, Malaysia, Philippines, and Seychelles.

 

NCEL is a multi-state cooperative society. It is jointly promoted by some of the leading cooperative societies in the country, namely, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) popularly known as AMUL, Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (KRIBHCO) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED).

In a significant achievement, the Agriculture Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated a maiden commercial shipment of Maharashtra pomegranates to the US, an official said here on Friday.

 

The pomegranates were sourced from Anarnet registered farmers of Sangola in Solapur district, and the first consignment went by the sea route to the Big Apple through the APEDA recognised Inl Farms and the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board in Navi Mumbai.

 

APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev and Ministry of Commerce & Industry Additional Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal flagged off the first shipment comprising 12.6 tonnes of pomegranate in 4,200 boxes, with officials of the US Consulate and others present, and hailed by Union Minister Piyush Goyal.

 

Significantly, for this export order, the farmers received a premium that is 20 per cent higher compared to other export markets and 35 per cent more than the domestic markets.

 

An important agri-produce of India, the rich history associated with the pomegranate fruit (known as 'Anaar' locally) and its nutrition value plus health benefits contribute to its huge demand. India produces some of the best pomegranate varieties in terms of quality, soft fleshy seeds, low acidity and an attractive colour.

 

The 'Bhagwa Pomegranate' is considered among the best varieties globally, and in the past decade, India has seen an increase in the production as well as the cultivation area of the fruit, besides a hike in exports.

 

In the world pomegranate market, India has a distinct advantage of being able to supply it round-the-year with trained expert farmers cultivating quality fruits.

 

With production growing healthily at around 20-25 per cent, the major pomegranate growing states are Maharashtra with 50 per cent of the total share, and the rest contributed by Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

 

In the past, APEDA has facilitated pomegranate exports worth over $58.36 million (2022-2023) to Bahrain, Bangladesh, EU countries, Nepal, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the UAE and the UK.

 

With the consignment to the US, India not only ranks among the largest pomegranate producing countries in the world but also aims to be one of the top exporters of the luscious fruit.

The government has permitted exports of 64,400 tonnes of onion to the UAE and Bangladesh through the National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL), according to notifications of the commerce ministry. While export of 50,000 tonnes of onion is permitted to Bangladesh, shipments of 14,400 tonnes were allowed to the UAE.

 

'Export of 14,400 tonnes of onions, with a quantity ceiling of 3,600 MT (metric tonnes) quarterly, to UAE through NCEL is notified,' the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

 

DGFT is an arm of the commerce ministry, which deals with norms related to imports and exports.

 

For exports to Bangladesh, it said that the modalities for the exports will be worked out by the NCEL in consultation with the department of consumer affairs.

 

Though onion exports are banned, the government allows specified quantities to friendly nations.

 

The exports are allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to other countries based on their request.

 

On December 8 last year, the government banned exports of onion till March 31 this year with a view to increase domestic availability and to keep prices in check.

 

Earlier, the Centre in October 2023 had decided to step up the sale of buffer onion stock at a subsidised rate of Rs 25 per kg in retail markets in order to provide relief to consumers.

 

To control prices, the government has earlier taken several steps. It had imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 800 per tonne on onion exports on October 28 till December 31, 2023.

 

In August, India had imposed a 40 per cent export duty on onions up to December 31, 2023.

 

Between April 1, 2023 and August 4, 2023 this fiscal, 9.75 lakh tonnes of onions have been exported from the country. The top three importing countries in value terms are Bangladesh, Malaysia and the UAE.

 

Onion is a politically-sensitive commodity.

 

NCEL is a multi-state cooperative society. It is jointly promoted by some of the leading cooperative societies in the country, namely, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), popularly known as AMUL; Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO); Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (KRIBHCO); and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED).

Visiting Danish Parliament Speaker Soren Gade has expressed hope for an early conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

 

The EU and India had first launched negotiations for an FTA in 2007, but talks were suspended in 2013. Discussions resumed on June 17, 2022.

 

'When I was here just after the COVID and met the minister of trade, we discussed this (FTA) because I was representing the European Parliament. I and your minister were optimistic. But after the CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), non-trade issues have come up in the Free Trade Agreement discussions and it has made it all more difficult,' the Danish speaker said while speaking to ANI on Monday

 

'India, of course, is a little sceptical on those two issues. After the election and after India has made an agreement with FTA countries, hopefully, there can be a restart of the FTA with Europe. Europe needs India and hopefully, India feels like it needs Europe too,' he said.

 

Speaking further about the India-Denmark relations, Gade said that despite being a smaller country (60 lakh population) and smaller economy, being considered as friends is 'something special.'

 

'I'm honoured that India also pays attention to a small country like Denmark. We have had 75 years of friendship and may it continue in decades to come. In a few years, India will be an even bigger economy than it is today, hopefully, we can still be friends. Today India is number five in the world economically, and in one, two, three years, it will be number three... It is something special that we are still considered as friends and I can still, as a representative from a small country, see ministers in India and that's an honour for me and my colleagues from the Danish Parliament,' said the speaker.

 

Gade went on to underscore the importance of New Delhi and Copenhagen partnership that is needed to take the journey forward.

 

'Even though I'm from a very small country, we can do a lot on the green deal together. We have to transfer technology to India because we made a lot of mistakes in the past and we will not repeat them in the future... India has a right to be a developed country. On this journey, a lot of technology is needed, especially to reduce climate change. And that is the reason why we are here also to encourage this green partnership', he said.

 

Lauding India as a democracy, the speaker highlighted further how the two countries are easier to get closer.

 

'We share values on democracy, freedom of speech and rule of law. That is the reason why not only India and Denmark, but India and the European Union should have closer ties because it's much easier to be friends with countries where you have the same values', said Gade.

 

'In the world right now, you have wars going on, you have non-democracies trying to say what's right or wrong, then those countries with the same values, as we have, should stick together. Because fewer people in the world today are living in a democratic country than it was 20 years ago', he added.

 

Gade during his India visit met National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), JP Nadda.

 

The official account of BJP National President JP Nadda shared on X (formerly Twitter), 'Today, BJP National President Shri @JPNadda ji welcomed a Danish delegation led by Speaker Mr. Soren Gade, accompanied by deputy speakers and Amb @svane_freddy. The discussions revolved around India's impending elections, the BJP organization, and the various initiatives of the Modi government.'

 

Danish Ambassador Freddy Svane also reflected on the discussions, tweeting, 'Engaging and insightful discussion between Party President Nadda and the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, Soeren Gade, along with the deputy speakers.'

 

Speaker during his visit also met with Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal.

 

'Discussions focused on the progress of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) & new avenues to further strengthen the economic ties between the two countries', said a tweet.

 

India and Denmark established diplomatic relations in September 1949. Bilateral relations were elevated to the level of 'Green Strategic Partnership' during the Virtual Summit held on September 28, 2020 between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen.

 

The current development of renewed India-Denmark relations has been guided by the 'Green Strategic Partnership'. (ANI)