Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta Thursday beckoned the global investors to come and invest in the unexplored land of opportunities of J&K for reaping the benefits extended by the government there.

 

An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that Mehta made these remarks while speaking as guest of honour at the London Global Convention 2022 on Corporate Governance and Sustainability held by the Institute of Directors, India under the theme ‘Building an Effective Board that Works and Top Global Trends’ here at London.

 

The chief secretary extended an invitation to the delegates to come and explore vast investment opportunities available in J&K.

 

He urged them to support J&K in its efforts to transform J&K into a success story of optimism, prosperity, and growth.

 

The chief secretary said that his participation in this global event aims at building trust amongst the global business fraternity and showcasing the strengths of J&K as a potential investment destination.

 

He said that the Centre was working towards making India a hub of the global supply chain under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign.

 

The chief secretary recollected that a host of initiatives like ‘Make in India’, ‘Vocal for Local’, and promoting exports under ‘District as Export Hub’ and market linkages for MSME industries to both domestic and global value chains had been rolled out in this direction.

 

He said that in this backdrop, the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy (JKIP) 2021-30 was a welcome change from the previous industrial policies and that the industrial ecosystem in J&K was set to witness a paradigm shift.

 

Talking about the local initiatives he said that the J&K government took bold and decisive steps of breaking the shackles in the path of development and J&K was fast moving towards integration with the national economic trajectory to become a prosperous and self-reliant union territory.

 

He said that momentous decisions had been taken which had changed the constitutional framework, removed artificial legal and economic barriers between J&K and the rest of the country, and fully integrated the J&K market with the national market and at par with other parts of the country.

 

The chief secretary told the gathering that the people of J&K could now fully enjoy the rights and benefits enjoyed by all other citizens of India rather than just a limited set of rights and benefits.

 

He said that a strong grassroots democracy had been set up with genuine participation of the people at the lowest rungs of governance in Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The chief secretary told the participants that the government was committed to transforming J&K into a prosperous and progressive region and presenting a new version of J&K that would amply represent its rich tradition of hospitality, warmth, and inclusiveness and globally acclaimed status as 'paradise on earth'. 

 

For further encouragement of the investors, he told them that around 14 million tourists visited J&K this year.

 

The chief secretary said that the administration had of late initiated measures to promote hidden and offbeat tourist destinations offering new and varied experiences to visitors. He said that J&K offers huge potential in adventure, pilgrimage, spiritual, and health tourism.

 

The chief secretary said that J&K had a robust economy centered around agriculture, horticulture, and the services sector.

 

'Its excellent land and water resources are a major attraction,' he said. Regarding the infrastructure development, the chief secretary said that the long-pending projects had been completed or speeded up for bolstering associated policies.

 

He said that J&K took a plethora of infrastructure upgradation steps including the construction of ring roads, national highways, railway projects, metro projects, urban projects, health, power, and irrigation projects, and sports infrastructure at a rapid pace.

 

The chief secretary said that good governance practices had brought a sense of discipline and accountability to the government system.

 

He said that the Centre had introduced the new scheme for the holistic development of J&K.

 

Giving details, the chief secretary said that the scheme lays special focus on equitable development through a graded incentive structure that rewards both manufacturing and service sectors in remote areas of J&K.

 

He said that the scheme was approved with a total outlay of Rs 28,400 crore (3.7 billion USD) up to the year 2025.

 

Regarding the promotion of transparency in the region, the chief secretary said that the administration had come up with a new industrial land allotment policy, and the J&K Private Industrial Estate Development Policy incorporated mechanisms for public-private partnership in the industrial sector.

 

He also talked about the land use change policy for industrial development, FDI policy, and other factors for a smooth roll-out of a new era of growth in J&K.

 

The chief secretary also provided details about the launch of a single window portal as a one-stop solution for attaining all the approvals and permissions in a time-bound manner. He said that about 215 services were active on the single-window portal ushering in the age of less government and more governance in its real sense.

 

The chief secretary thanked the organisers and participants for their roles and for their prospect of being part of J&K's mutual growth story.

 

The four-day convention held between November 8 to 12 is being attended by leaders, policy makers, academicians, jurists, social thinkers, and professionals in business, finance, corporate governance, and sustainability fields from across the world. The last annual global convention was held in 2019 in London with a record participation of 400 delegates both globally and from India.

 

More than 24 countries participated in the event.

 

Many international brands and leading global companies like Mark and spencer (UK), Rolls Royce (UK), Unilever (UK), Coca-Cola (USA), Doha Bank (Qatar), Glaxo Healthcare (UK), Grande (France), Sekisui chemicals (Japan), Stantec Inc (Canada), IRPC (Thailand), Emirates National Oil company (UAE), and NASDAQ (USA) have been part of this event.

The government has formulated a strategy which includes involvement of Indian missions abroad as well as global retail supermarkets Carrefour and Walmart to promote exports of millets.

 

As part of the strategy, Indian missions abroad would be roped in for branding and publicity of domestic millets.

 

The missions would also be asked to identify potential buyers such as departmental stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets for organising business-to-business (B2B) meetings and direct tie-ups for Indian millets.

 

As per the promotion strategy, major international retail supermarkets like Lulu group, Carrefour, Al Jazira, Al Maya, Walmart, would also be roped in to establish millet corner for branding and promotion of millets, an official statement said.

 

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

 

It also said that ambassadors of foreign missions in India of the targeted countries and potential importers would be invited to showcase various millet-based products, including ready to eat millet products and facilitate business meetings.

 

'To promote shipment of nutri-cereals, the ministry of commerce and industry has prepared a comprehensive strategy to promote Indian millets exports across the globe commencing December 2022,' it added.

 

The initiatives comes at the backdrop of the United Nations' General Assembly (UNGA) declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets.

 

The exercise is aimed at popularising Indian millets as well as its value-added products across the world, it said.

 

It added that the Centre has planned to facilitate participation of exporters, farmers and traders in 16 international trade exhibitions and buyer-seller meets.

 

Further, there are plans to showcase millets and its value-added products at various global platforms such as Gulfood 2023, Seoul Food and Hotel Show, Saudi Agro Food, Fine Food Show in Sydney, Belgium's Food & Beverages Show.

 

India has exported millet products worth USD 34.32 million during 2021-22. In volume terms, export rose by 8 per cent to 1,59,332.16 tonnes in 2021-22 against 1,47,501.08 tonnes during 2020-21.

 

The government is also mobilising startups for export promotion of value-added products in the ready-to-eat and ready-to-serve category such as noodles, pasta, breakfast cereals mix, biscuits, cookies, snacks and sweets.

 

It has started formulating a five-year strategic plan for the promotion of millets and value-added millet products in the international market in association with ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore and Farmer Producer Organizations.

 

A Nutri Cereals Export Promotion Forum has been set up to give impetus to the exports and to remove the bottlenecks in the supply chain of nutri cereals.

 

India is one of the leading producers of millets in the world with an estimated share of around 41 per cent in the global production.

 

As per the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, world production of millets in 2020 was 30.464 million metric tones (MMT) and India's share was 12.49 MMT.

 

India recorded 27 per cent growth in millet production in 2021-22 as compared to the output in the previous year at 15.92 MMT.

 

India's top five millet producing states are Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

 

Share of export of millets is one per cent 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 millet market is set to grow from its current market value of more than USD 9 billion to over USD 12 billion by 2025, it said.

 

Millets are rich in calcium, iron, and fibers.

 

India's major millet exporting countries are UAE, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Oman, Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, the UK and USA.

 

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 US, UK, Brazil and Netherlands.

 

There are 16 major varieties of millet, which are produced and exported, including Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi) Minor Millets (Kangani), Proso Millet (Cheena), Kodo Millet (Kodo), Barnyard Millet (Sawa/Sanwa/Jhangora), and Little Millet (Kutki).

Prayagraj (UP), Nov 10 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi on Thursday urged farmers to focus on cultivation of pulses and oilseeds in order to make the country self-reliant in production of these commodities and reduce their imports.

 

Addressing the farmers at the Joint Divisional Rabi Productivity Review Seminar here, the agriculture minister said the country still imports 55 per cent of its edible oil requirement.

 

'The country is importing oil and pulses from abroad,' he added.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) had estimated a higher global production of oilseeds during the current marketing year to August, but a cause for concern could be the projection of 10.5 per cent drop in sunflower seed in view of the Ukraine War.

 

The USDA has forecast the global production at 645.61 million tonnes (mt) against 604.61 mt in 2021-22. It has also forecast the global production of vegetable oils at 218.91 mt for 2022-23 against 211.14 mt in 2021-22. The production of soyabean and rapeseed is expected to be up by 9.82 per cent, and 14.84 per cent, respectively.

 

According to the USDA FAS (Foreign Agricultural Service) report ‘Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade’, the global soyabean seed production is forecast at 390.53 mt for 2022-23 (355.59 mt for 2021-22) and rapeseed at 84.82 mt (73.86 mt).

 

Sunflower

The global sunflower seed production is likely to be lower at 51.30 mt (57.32 mt). The report said that the Russian invasion of Ukraine triggered a series of major impacts on the global oilseeds market. Prior to the conflict, Ukraine ranked as the top producer of sunflower seed and top exporter of sunflower seed products, representing about half of global trade in 2020-21.

 

'Though the situation is still ongoing, the close of the marketing year (September 2021 - August 2022) provides an opportunity to assess the impacts of the conflict on sunflower seed trade flows,' it said.

 

The current year trade forecasts for Ukraine sunflower seed and products reflect lower production expectations as well as the assumption of continued distorted trade patterns and limited crush, it said.

 

While the sunflower seed production of Ukraine is forecast at 10.10 mt for MY 2022-23 (17.50 mt for 2021-22), Russia’s sunflower seed production is forecast at 17 mt for MY 2022-23 (15.57 mt).

 

The global production of sunflower oil is forecast at 20.11 mt during 2022-23 against 19.85 mt in 2021-22. Of this, the share of Russia and Turkey in sunflower oil production is estimated to go up to 6.19 mt (5.82 mt) and 1.21 mt (0.92 mt), respectively. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s sunflower oil production is forecast to be at 4.08 mt in 2022-23 against 4.61 mt in 2021-22.

 

Soyabean

Global soyabean seed production is forecast at 390.53 mt for MY 2022-23 against 355.59 mt for 2021-22, a growth of 9.82 per cent. While the report forecasts an increase in the soyabean production in Brazil to 152 mt (127 mt) and Argentina to 49.5 mt (43.9 mt), it expects the production to be down to 118.26 mt (121.52 mt) in the US.

 

Global soyabean oil production is estimated at 61.87 mt for 2022-23 against 59.32 mt in 2021-22. The report is estimating a decline in the import of soyabean oil in India to 3.35 mt in 2022-23 (4.10 mt), and an increase in the import by China to 1 mt (0.29 mt) during the period.

 

Rapeseed

The report estimates the global production of rapeseed at 84.82 mt for 2022-23 against 73.86 mt for 2021-22, an increase of 14.84 per cent. It forecasts the rapeseed production to go up to 19.5 mt for 2022-23 (17.21 mt) in European Union and to 19.5 mt (13.75 mt) in Canada. There is no change in the production estimates in India and it remains at 11 mt.

 

The global production of rapeseed oil is forecast at 31.73 mt for 2022-23 against 29.07 mt in 2021-22. Of this, the share of India is estimated at 3.80 mt (3.74 mt), and Canada at 4.43 mt (3.57 mt). Rapeseed oil production in European Union is estimated to go up to 9.91 mt in 2022-23 against 9.15 mt in 2021-22.

 

Palm oil

Global palm oil production is forecast to go up to 78.22 mt for 2022-23 against 75.93 mt in 2021-22, an increase of 3.01 per cent. Of this, the Indonesian palm oil production is estimated to go up to 66.5 mt (45.3 mt), and Malaysian production to 18.8 mt (18.15 mt) during the period.

 

The report said that despite the downward pressures facing global palm oil trade in 2021-22, Malaysia increased global market share, backfilling weaker Indonesia exports. While exports are forecast up in 2022-23, Malaysia market share is expected to decline on increased competition from Indonesia, it said.

 

According to the report, India remained the major importer of palm oil at 7.8 mt in 2021-22, and estimated the Indian imports to go up to 8.73 mt in 2022-23.

Global rice production is projected to be lower by a little over two per cent this marketing season (September 2022-August 2023) with India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Sri Lanka paddy output being lower, two global organisations have said.  '... world rice production in 2022-23 is now forecast at 512.6 million tonnes (milled basis), 2.4 per cent below the 2021 all-time peak, but still is an overall average crop,' FAO’s ‘Cereal demand and supply brief’ said. Last season, the production was 525.1 million tonnes (mt).

 

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects global production at 503.69 mt this season against 515.09 mt last season. The USDA has pegged India’s production at a three-year low of 124 mt this season against a record 130.29 mt last season.

 

Pak, China crops hit

In addition, Pakistan’s production at 6.6 mt is likely to be the lowest in a decade as floods had affected the yield in the Sindh region. 

 

The USDA predicted China’s rice production at 147 mt (148.99 mt a year ago). Among other major producers, Vietnam’s output is seen at 45.24 mt (45.01 mt), Thailand’s at 20.1 mt (19.88 mt) and Indonesia’s at 34.6 mt (34.4 mt).

 

On Indonesia, the FAO said, 'As for rice, production expectations have improved for Indonesia since October, following official indications of a somewhat larger expansion in area under paddy than previously anticipated…' 

 

The USDA said the global outlook for rice trade 'is for lower supplies, consumption, trade, and ending stocks…' While it projected global consumption at 517.77 mt (519.91 mt), it predicted exports at 52.96 mt (55.03 mt).  

 

Ending stocks

Supplies are likely to be 686.8 mt, on lower opening stocks in India and lower output in Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka. India’s stocks are lower following higher exports and domestic consumption in 2021-22, it said.

 

The FAO estimated rice supplies at 709.5 mt (718.8 mt), consumption at 518.3 mt (521.9 mt) and exports at 52.9 mt (53.8 mt).

 

While the FAO has pegged the ending stocks at 193.4 mt (196.9 mt), the USDA has projected them at 169.02 mt (183.10 mt). 

 

Record high production

On the other hand, both organisations have forecast higher wheat production during the current season. The FAO has pegged the output of the cereal at 783.8 mt (779.3 mt), while the USDA projects it at 782.67 mt (779.44 mt).  '...global wheat production is now forecast at 783.8 million tonnes in 2022, still 0.6 per cent (4.5 million tonnes) above the 2021 outturn and an all-time high,' the FAO said. '... larger production in Australia, Kazakhstan, and the UK more than offsets declines in Argentina and the EU,' the USDA said. 

 

FAO sees wheat consumption at 775 mt (779.3 mt), trade at 193.7 mt (195.7 mt) and ending stocks at 299.6 mt (293.7 mt). The USDA has pegged consumption at 791.17 mt (793.78 mt), trade at 206.56 mt (205.08) and ending stocks at 267.82 mt (276.31 mt). 

 

Overall, the FAO sees the global cereal market production lower by 1.9 per cent at 2.76 billion tonnes this season against 2.81 billion tonnes a year ago. Supply, consumption, trade and ending stocks are projected lower. The USDA has also come out with a similar production, though its figures vary a little.

The GI certification of Kashmiri saffron will put an end to adulteration in the international market

With the introduction of the GI tag, farmers are likely to get better price for their produce

Iran is the largest producer of saffron in the world and India is a close competitor

To give a boost to saffron production in Kashmir, J&K government launched new initiatives including the introduction of GI tagging.

 

The GI certification of Kashmiri saffron by Geographical Indications Registry would cease the adulteration and will also put an end to the marketing of saffron cultivated in other countries under the garb of being produced in Kashmir.

 

The adulteration of saffron had been earlier affecting the economic interests of the farmers associated with this crop.

 

GI TAGGED KASHMIRI SAFFRON

 

GI sign is used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. Saffron growers are hopeful that they will now get a better price for their produce after the introduction of the GI tag to the saffron grown here.

 

Kashmiri Saffron is grown at an altitude of 1,600m to 1,800m above sea level, which adds to its uniqueness and differentiates it from other saffron varieties available across the world.

 

Saffron is cultivated and harvested in the Karewas (highlands) of J&K and has been assigned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry. The spice is grown in Pulwama, Budgam, Kishtwar and Srinagar regions of J&K.

 

Iran is the largest producer of saffron in the world and India is a close competitor. However, with the GI tag, India has become the only saffron producing country to which GI has been assigned, resulting in more prominence in the export market, thereby boosting exports as well as helping the farmers to get the best remunerative price for economic sustainability.

The Federation of Indian Export Organisations Wednesday said it will work closely with West Bengal government for three-fold growth in the state's exports to USD 50 billion. The apex body of Indian export promotion organisations will also engage itself in preparing product-specific market metrics to help boost exports from the state, a top official said.

 

In the short term there are some challenges in exports from Bengal due to economic issues in the key neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal which are restricting the growth of exports from the state, FIEO director general & CEO Ajai Sahai told.

 

FIEO has already signed an MoU with Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh for facilitating and enhancing their export markets.

 

'Exports from West Bengal were USD 13.9 billion in 2021-22. Exports from the state will have to grow at a CAGR of 17 per cent to achieve USD 50 billion by 2030. Though challenging, it can be achieved with proper strategy,' he said.

 

FIEO's product market metrics report, which will be a product-wise and market-wise analysis, will help the state to take the necessary measures to attain the high growth trajectory, he said.

 

It will also help policymakers and exporters to work on and take corrective measures to overcome any shortcomings and ramp up shipments.

 

'West Bengal's share in the country's exports is currently about 3 per cent. With its potential the state should endeavour to increase its exports to 5 per cent by 2030,' he said.

 

Bangladesh and Nepal, which neighbour Bengal, traditionally account for around 27 per cent of Bengal's total exports. But their forex shortages and inflationary pressures restrict these countries to import, he said.

 

'In April-August 2022 of the current fiscal, total exports from the state were USD 5.83 billion. Of this USD 992 million was to Bangladesh and USD 540 million to Nepal,' Sahai said.

 

The body is organising export-oriented knowledge-based skill development training programmes and workshops in the country under Market Access Initiative Schemes for 2022-23.

 

Its office here has proposed to arrange such training programs physically in 18 districts of Bengal. Such programmes have already been conducted in Purba Burdwan and Murshidabad, FIEO regional chairman (East) Yogesh Gupta said.

 

Identification of niche products in the tea and jute sectors, the two which traditionally have good export potential, can help existing exporters or new entrepreneurs. Others like leather, handicraft and marine products and chemicals can also help boost exports from West Bengal, the officials said.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday urged the youth of the state to focus on processing and packaging of agriculture produces and items.

 

He said various produces from the state are in high demand globally and proper processing and packaging will ensure even more endorsement of these products.

 

Sarma was speaking after inaugurating a 5,000 metric-tonne-capacity cold-storage facility at Chaygaon and a fruit-processing centre at the food-processing park at Satabari, both under Kamrup district.

 

The cold-storage facility has been constructed by the Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board for Rs 24.75 crore.

 

The fruit-processing unit has been built at Rs 2.89 crore and is the first of its kind in the state.

 

The chief minister pointed out that products such as ginger, pepper, lemon, ‘joha rice’, etc. have great demand in the national and international markets.

 

He maintained that the farmers of these items shall be able to reap remunerative values for their produces only if they are further processed and packaged.

 

He urged the farmers, especially the youth, to take advantage of the government incentives in this sector.

 

Sarma said that there has been annual export of horticulture produce to the tune of Rs 200 crore in the past couple of years and exuded confidence that this figure can easily cross the Rs 1,000-crore mark within a few years.

The FSSAI has decided to extend the facility of provisional NOC to registered Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) till further orders for imported food consignments. According to the food authority, it was done to facilitate trade and enable ease of doing business reforms.

 

Under this provision, the Authorised Officers shall issue the provisional No Objection Certificate (NOC) after visual inspection without waiting for the lab analysis report.

 

However, samples will be drawn upon visual inspection after which a final NOC will be issued for the imported consignments.

 

According to Dr Amit Sharma, Director, Trade & International Cooperation, FSSAI, it was decided by the FSSAI that for food consignments imported by FBOs having AEOs certification from Customs, the FBO shall declare and submit the undertaking/declaration in the form as prescribed by the FSSAI.

 

'And Authorised Officers are directed to carry out visual inspection and upon satisfactory visual inspection, shall draw samples and issue Provisional NOC without waiting for the analysis report from labs,' stated Dr Sharma.

 

He added that on receipt of analysis report from the laboratory, the Authorised Officer shall issue the final NOC, if product conforms to the FSSAI standards and the directions shall be valid till further orders.

 

An AEO is a business entity involved in international movement of goods.

Assam got a 5,000-tonne capacity cold storage unit in the Chaygaon area which is by far the region’s largest, along with a fruit-processing centre at the food-processing park at Satabari under Kamrup district.

 

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated both projects on Tuesday, an official statement from Chief Minister’s Office said.

 

The 5,000-metric-tonne cold-storage facility has been constructed by the Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board at a cost of Rs 24.75 crore.

 

The 'chiller' and 'freezer' rooms of this facility are likely to benefit farmers of Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup (Rural), Goalpara, Nalbari and Barpeta districts.

 

'While the 'chiller' rooms would be meant for storage of agricultural items such as potatoes, fruits and other vegetables, the 'freezer' room would be of use in storage of milk and milk-produces,' the statement said.

 

The fruit-processing unit has been built at a cost of Rs 2.89 crore.

 

Speaking at a public meeting held at the Chaygaon College playground, Chief Minister Sarma appealed to the youths of the state to focus on the processing and packaging of agricultural produces and items.

 

Further, stating that the State’s produce such as ginger, pepper, lemon, and joha rice had great demand in the national and international market, the Chief Minister said the farmers of these items should be able to reap remunerative values only if the produce is further processed and packaged, which will add to value-addition.

 

This, he said, would have a huge positive impact on the ongoing process of strengthening of the State’s economy, the statement added.

 

Owing to the State government’s initiatives, there has been annual export of horticulture produce to the tune of Rs 200 crores in the past couple of years and the Chief Minister exuded confidence that in days to come this figure can easily cross the Rs 1,000-crore mark.

 

Moreover, he appealed to the Department of Agriculture to take necessary measures in this regard.

 

Stating that the State’s economy is still highly dependent on agriculture, the Chief Minister spoke about the initiatives towards modernization in the agricultural sector, expanding the market for farm produce and attracting the youths towards the sector, among others.

 

At the event, the Chief Minister also appealed to the people of the State to come forward and get involved in agarwood, teak-wood cultivation, etc, and move towards the path of self-reliance and economic independence.