Organic fruit and vegetables from India's Northeast region are landing on markets in London and Dubai with an 85.34% growth over 5 years in export of agricultural products since 2016, from $2.52 million in 2016-17 to $17.2 million in 2021-22. 

 

Fruit such as jackfruit, citrus, litchi and vegetables that include pumpkin and other types have been exported to these key markets. The area plans to export dragon fruit, pineapple, passion fruit to these markets too. 

 

The Northeast region is known for its hills and production of different types of fruit and vegetables. It is also exported to neighbouring countries of Bangladesh while buyers in the Middle East and Australia have been invited to source their organic produce.

After the Workshop-cum-Buyer Seller Meet (BSM) organised by the APEDA, a consignment of Hatkora (local variety of citrus) sourced from farmers of Mamit district of Mizoram was exported to London and another consignment of Hatkora is being exported to Bangladesh.

 

As a part of its strategy to give a boost to the export of organic agricultural products of Mizoram and North Eastern Region (NER), Centre through  APEDA hosted BSM at Mizoram University in Aizawl.

 

It was organized to promote the exports of the potential agri-horti products from Mizoram and provide market linkage to farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Farmer Producer Companies from the north-eastern state.

 

The potential crops for the export from Mizoram are pineapple, hatkora (citrus), dragon fruit, oranges, passion fruit, squash, anthurium flower, Mizo Ginger, Mizo chilli and grape wine.

 

Seventeen exporters and 58 FPOs participated in the BSM while 14 exhibitors representing the state government, coffee board, spices board, NABARD and NERAMAC attended the meet.

 

The exclusive BSM provided an opportunity to the producers and processors of Mizoram to showcase their products and promote the exports as well as their wholesale and retail sales.

 

The workshop-cum-buyer seller meet was inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Pu C Lalrinsanga of Mizoram. 

 

NE region witnessed an 85.34 percent growth in the export of agricultural products in the last six years as it increased from USD 2.52 million in 2016-17 to USD 17.2 million in 2021-22. 

 

The major destination of export has been Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Middle East, the UK and Europe. 

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will attend the ‘Millets-Smart Nutritive Food’ Conclave in New Delhi today, December 05.

 

The Conclave is a pre-launch event of the ‘International Year of Millets – 2023’ (IYoM-2023). The Ministry of Commerce and Industry through its apex agricultural export promotion body, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is organizing this conclave with the objective of promoting the export of millets.

 

‘Millets-Smart Nutritive Food’ Conclave

The millets export promotion programme also comes at the backdrop of the proposal of India that was supported by 72 countries which lead to the United Nations’ General Assembly (UNGA) declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets (IYoM) on March 5, 2021. The government is currently organising International Year of Millets – 2023 (IYoM—2023) at the domestic and international level to popularize Indian millets as well as its value-added products across the world and make it a peoples’ movement.

 

At the first-of-its-kind Millets Conclave, the government will release an e-catalogue on 30 potential importing countries and 21 millet-producing states of India. Also, a knowledge book on millets prepared in association with ‘Yes Bank’ will be released on the occasion. For exports of Indian millets’ promotion, the government has planned to facilitate participation of exporters, farmers and traders in 16 international trade expos and Buyer Seller Meets (BSMs).

 

As per the government’s robust strategy to promote millets, Indian missions abroad would be roped in for branding and publicity of Indian millets, identification of international chefs and potential buyers such as departmental stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets for organizing B2B meetings and direct tie-ups.

 

The government has also planned to organize millet promotional activities in South Africa, Dubai, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Sydney, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom and United States of America by facilitating participation of different stakeholders from India in some of the significant food shows, buyer-seller meets, and road shows.

 

As part of the promotion of Indian millets, APEDA has planned to showcase millets and its value-added product at various global platforms such as Gulfood 2023, Foodex, Seoul Food & Hotel Show, Saudi Agro Food, Fine Food Show in Sydney (Australia), Belgium’s Food & Beverages Show, Germany’s BioFach and Anuga Food Fair, San Francisco’s Winter Fancy Food Show, etc.

 

Participants of the conclave

At the Millets Smart Nutritive Conclave, stakeholders of the supply chain such as Farmer Producer Organisations, start-ups, exporters, producers of millet-based value-added products are key participants. At the conclave, an exhibition and B2B meeting will be organized to showcase Indian millets and millet-based products.

 

In addition, Ambassadors of Foreign missions in India of the targeted countries and potential importers have been invited to showcase various millet-based products, including Ready-to-eat millet products and facilitate B2B meetings.

 

India’s Position

India is one of the leading producers of millets in the world with an estimated share of around 41 percent in the global production. As per FAO, world production of millets in the year 2020 was 30.464 million metric tons (MMT) and India’s share was 12.49 MMT, which accounts to 41 percent of the total millet production. India recorded 27 percent growth in millet production in 2021-22 as compared to millet production in the previous year was 15.92 MMT.

 

India’s top five millet producing states are Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Share of export of millets is nearly 1% of the total millet production. Exports of millets from India include mainly whole grain and the export of value-added products of millets from India is negligible.

 

However, it is estimated that the millets market is set to grow from its current market value of more than USD 9 billion to over USD 12 billion by 2025. APEDA would also organize food sampling and tasting at the retail level and in key local bazaars of targeted countries where individual, household consumers can gain familiarity with millet products.

 

The Government has created the Nutri Cereals Export Promotion Forum to give impetus to the export of potential products, including millets, and to remove bottlenecks in the supply chain of Nutri cereals.

 

As per the DGCIS data, India registered a growth of 8.02% in the export of millets in the financial year 2021-22 as the export of millets was 159,332.16 metric tonne against 147,501.08 metric tonne during the same period last year.India’s major millet exporting countries are U.A.E, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Oman, Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, U.K and U.S.A. The varieties of millets exported by India include Bajra, Ragi, Canary, Jawar, and Buckwheat.The major millet importing countries in the world are Indonesia, Belgium, Japan, Germany, Mexico, Italy, the U.S.A, United Kingdom, Brazil and Netherlands.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that gaining the Group of 20 (G20) Presidency for India is a big opportunity. Modi was speaking to the media on December 7, just before the opening of the winter session of the Parliament.

 

On December 7, the Parliament's winter session will get underway. There will be a total of 17 working days in the session.

 

The G20 is an international grouping of the largest industrialised and developing nations in the globe. On December 1, India formally took over as G20 President. At the Bali summit last month, Indonesia transferred the G20 presidency to India in the presence of Prime Minister Modi.

 

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union are all members of the G20.

 

Given how India has carved out a place for itself in the world, how expectations have grown, and how India is increasing its participation on international platforms, receiving the G20 Presidency at this time is a huge opportunity, PM Modi said.

 

According to PM Modi, on August 15, the culmination of 75 years of independence, India moved on with Azadi ka Amrit Kaal. That is why the Winter Session is going to be highly significant, he added.

 

Speaking on G20, Modi said that it would be an 'opportunity to showcase India's capability to the world'. With such a sizable nation, the mother of democracy, such diversity, and such potential, India has the chance to introduce itself to the world and demonstrate its potential, he added.

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) said on Wednesday that it will seek 70,000 tonnes of feed wheat and 40,000 tonnes of feed barley to be loaded by Feb. 8, 2023 and arrive in Japan by March 9, via a simultaneous buy and sell (SBS) auction that will be held on Dec. 14.

 

Japan buys and sells its feed wheat and barley via so-called SBS auctions, in which end-users and importers specify the origin, price and quantity of grain, allowing millers to meet their varied needs for the feed grain.

Food security has been deliberated upon as one of the priority agendas of the G20 summit hosted by India. India has begun its year-long presidency of the Group of 20 this week. Taking over India’s presidency of the G20 offers a unique opportunity to champion the cause and create a success story around resilient and equitable food systems. India’s presidency is coming at a time when the world’s most powerful leaders are divided due to the escalation of global tension. The world is still recovering from the fragility of the food supply chain exposed by the outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The ten months-long Ukraine-Russia war further added to the food supply crisis. The Indian Presidency is coming at a time when it is playing its part in 'healing, hope, and harmony' by promoting a human-centric vision of 'One Earth, One Family, and One Future'.

 

The Indian city of Lakes, Udaipur, has geared up for the most awaited moment of G20 for India. The selection of Udaipur as the first city to host all the sherpas of 20 countries to showcase India’s Royal is carefully curated to depict Indian culture. The first Sherpa Track meeting is starting on 4 December with the assurance of coming up with a joint agreement. It is a moment of pride for India to lead the most influential multilateral forum of the world’s richest and most powerful countries. India’s G20 agenda is crucial as it reflects the voice of the Global South, which has been under-recognized for a long time in the global decision-making process. It has also happened for the first time in the history of the multilateral forum that a leadership Troika consists of developing countries, with Indonesia as the past president and Brazil as the upcoming president. The host country usually works with its predecessor and successor to maintain the continuity of the agenda. The Malta declaration of G20 charted out the blueprint to address the issues related to Global hunger. It recognized that poverty alleviation, food security, and sustainable food systems are vital to ending hunger. The Indian presidency gives a historic opportunity to address the growing challenges of food security and promote cultivation as a solution to the climate crisis. It also coincides with the UN General Assembly’s declaration in March 2021 to make 2023 the 'International Year of Millet'. Millets, popularly called 'Nutri-cereals', include pearl millet, finger millet, fonio, foxtail millet, and others mainly grown in the dry region of Asia and Africa. More than 90 million people in the African and Asia subcontinent consume millet as their dietary requirement due to its affordability and easy availability. Africa contributes about 55 percent, and Asia accounts for 40 percent respectively of the global millet production in the world market. India is a leading producer of millet in the world, and millet once was the country’s staple food in the central, southern, and hilly regions of India until wheat and rice replaced it in the 1940s and 1950s. A few years ago, there came a resurgence in the demand for this millet as the trend surged for healthy eating habits. Since the need for these millets has increased substantially, there is a vast scope to link this local produce from developing countries to global markets. India’s total estimated share in the global production of millet is 41 percent and has recorded 27 percent growth in millet production in 2021-2022 as compared to the previous year. India’s top millet-producing states are Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. It is too early, however, to predict how inclusive and widespread this process will turn out to be; however, it holds enormous potential. Millet-Smart Nutritive Food Conclave organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority will hold its pre-launch event for the 'International Year of Millets -2023' starting 5December in New Delhi.

 

India’s presidency can be a watershed moment for the country’s rise as an international leader and Asia’s voice to counter the critical global food challenges. It also opens a new chapter for India to promote its food diplomacy and leverage its traditional items like Kala Namak Rice of Uttar Pradesh, Foxnut of Madhubani, Malbhog Banana of Hajipur, and many such nutritious foods.

 

India is about to host over 200 meetings across the Indian cities beginning 4 December 2022 and will host the head of State at G20 Leaders Summit on September 9-10, 2023, in New Delhi. Since the G20 will be organized from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the promotion of Indian local living and the popular participation of people including women and students can benefit the Indian government. The University Grant Commission recently organized 'University Connect' to familiarize the student with the benefits of India’s G20 presidency. Meanwhile, the First sherpa meeting sets the tone and agenda for future meetings, India gets the opportunity to showcase its rich cultural heritage and unique experiences.

 

Exports of broken rice increased 33.37 per cent to 23.82 lakh tonne during April-September FY23 as against 17.86 lakh tonne in the year-ago period, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

 

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel said there has been a sudden increase in demand for the Indian broken rice in the international market due to geo-political reasons.

 

'India’s exports of broken rice have increased from 17.86 Lakh MT in 2021-22(April- September) to 23.82 Lakh MT in 2022-23 (April-September), registering a growth of 33.37 per cent,' she said in a reply to the Lok Sabha.

 

The minister added that the export has increased about three times in the last four years from 12.21 lakh tonne in 2018-19 to 38.90 lakh tonne in 2021-22 in volume terms.

 

In value terms also, shipments rose from USD 369.58 million in 2018-19 to USD 1.13 billion in 2021-22.

 

Broken rice is mainly used for ethanol production and as poultry and cattle feed.

 

Citing the first advance estimates for 2022-23, released by Directorate of Economics and Statistics, she said the production of rice is estimated to be lower than the target fixed for the current year.

 

'Therefore, in order to ensure adequate availability of broken rice in the domestic market, the government has prohibited export of broken rice with effect from September 9, 2022,' Patel said.

 

In a separate reply, she said there is no proposal at this stage to offer export subsidies to pulse traders.

 

In a move to bridge the trade gap between India and Russia, a list of goods including auto parts, textiles have been shared with exporters by the government based on the interest shown by Moscow.

 

'Russia wants to import these goods from India. The list has been shared by the ministry with the concerned export promotion councils and exporters to look into whether they can ship those products to Russia,' the official said.

 

Industry experts said it would not be easy for Indian exporters to ship these goods to Russia as they are facing problems with regard to the availability of containers.

 

'Indian exporters may be in a position to supply these materials but currently the availability of ships and containers for Russia is quite depleted. There are very limited agencies which are taking orders for Russia, so Indian exporters are not in a position to supply even if they have materials,' trade analysts said.

 

Moscow had sent India a list of more than 500 products for potential delivery, including parts for cars, aircraft and trains, as sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine squeeze its ability to keep vital industries running.

 

The apparel industry has shown interest in shipping the goods but the auto industry looks apprehensive. Some exporters have reverted to the Indian embassy in Moscow about the list.

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said India and Zimbabwe should make more efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation and facilitate more interaction between their parliamentarians.

 

The president made the remarks during an interaction with a parliamentary delegation from Zimbabwe led by Speaker Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda who called on her at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, an official release said.

 

Welcoming the delegation to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the president said relations between India and Zimbabwe are centuries old and the presence of about 9,000 people of Indian origin in Zimbabwe is an important link between the people of the two countries.

 

The president was happy to note that India’s economic relations with Zimbabwe are progressing well.

 

The trade between India and Zimbabwe is around 200 million dollars, while Indian companies have invested about 500 million dollars in Zimbabwe.

 

India has also provided five lines of credit to Zimbabwe, and has set up a vocational training centre.

 

The president was also happy to note that ITEC and ICCR scholarships from India are popular among people of Zimbabwe, the release said.

 

'We should make more efforts to enhance our bilateral cooperation,' Murmu said, adding Parliament represents the voice of the people and 'there should be more interaction and exchange between our two Parliaments. We have a lot to learn from each other.' The president said India is the world’s largest democracy and 'our strong and vibrant democracy starts from the grassroots level. It truly represents the people of this country.' She expressed confidence that the delegation would learn more about India’s democratic systems during this visit.

Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das on Wednesday said the agriculture sector remains resilient, and the rabi sowing has got off to a strong start. However, India is expecting some moderation in kharif production due to uneven rainfall.

 

India's total kharif crop production is estimated to moderate to 149.92 metric million tonnes (MMT) from 156.04 MMT in the previous kharif crop year, as per the first advance estimate.

 

On the supply side, Das said, 'The agricultural sector remains resilient. Rabi sowing got off to a strong start. The area sown so far is 6.8 per cent higher than the normal sown area (as on December 2, 2022)'.

 

Area sown to wheat has increased by 5.36 per cent year-on-year to 211.62 lakh hectares in the first two months of the ongoing rabi (winter) season, with higher coverage being reported in Rajasthan, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, according to the agricultural ministry data released on Friday.

 

The sowing of wheat, the main rabi crop, begins in October and harvesting in March-April. Besides wheat, rice and pulses, such as gram, and urad as well as oilseeds like groundnut and mustard are grown in this season.

 

On the Indian economy, Das said the outlook is supported by good progress of rabi sowing, sustained urban demand, improving rural demand, a pick-up in manufacturing, a rebound in services and robust credit expansion.

 

Consumer price inflation moderated to 6.8 per cent (year-on-year) in October as expected but it still remains above the upper tolerance band of the target, he said, adding core inflation is exhibiting stickiness.

 

'While headline inflation may ease through the rest of the year and Q1:2023-24, it is expected to rule above the target. The medium-term inflation outlook is exposed to heightened uncertainties from geopolitical tensions, financial market volatility and the rising incidence of weather-related disruptions,' he noted.

 

Going ahead, he said, investment activity will get support from the government capex.

 

'A pick-up in the share of fixed assets in total assets of manufacturing companies was visible in H1. According to our surveys, consumer confidence has improved further. Manufacturing and infrastructure sector firms are optimistic about the business outlook. Services sector firms also expect activity to expand,' Das added.

 

In an interconnected world, he said, 'we cannot remain entirely decoupled from adverse spillovers from the global slowdown and its negative impact on our net exports and overall economic activity'.

 

The biggest risks to the outlook continue to be the headwinds emanating from protracted geopolitical tensions, global slowdown and tightening of global financial conditions, he said.

 

'Taking all these factors into consideration, real GDP growth for 2022-23 is projected at 6.8 per cent, with Q3 at 4.4 per cent and Q4 at 4.2 per cent. The risks are evenly balanced. Real GDP growth is projected at 7.1 per cent for Q1:2023-24 and at 5.9 per cent for Q2. Even after this revision in our growth projection for 2022-23, India will still be among the fastest-growing major economies in the world,' the governor said.