Exporters of wheat flour or atta, maida and semolina will have to obtain a quality certificate from the Export Inspection Council for outbound shipments, according to a government notification.

 

In July, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the commerce ministry, had stated that exporters of these commodities would need approval of the inter-ministerial committee (IMC) on export of wheat for the shipments.

 

'Export policy or items -- wheat flour, maida, samolina (rava/sirgi), wholemeal atta and resultant atta -- remains free but export shall be subject to recommendation of inter ministerial constituted for allowing export of wheat,' the DGFT said on Monday.

 

'Export of all the shipments approved by IMC shall be allowed subject to issuance of quality certificate by Export Inspection Council or its EIAs (export inspection agency) at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata,' it added.

 

It said provisions regarding transitional arrangement would not be applicable under this notification.

 

'Necessary modalities with regard to quality of these items will be notified separately,' it said, adding the notification will come into effect from August 14.

 

Further, it said during the period from August 8 till August 14, consignments of maida and semolina will be allowed to be exported where loading on the ship has commenced before this notification and where consignment has been handed over to the customs (prior to this notification) and is registered in their system.

 

In 2021-22, India exported wheat flour worth USD 246.57 million.

 

In May, India banned wheat exports in a bid to check high prices amid concerns of the crop being hit by a scorching heat wave.

New Delhi plans to invest in Sri Lanka across sectors through both private and public firms and interconnect the Lankan economy with the Indian economy to boost the sagging fortunes of the island nation.

 

The sectors that India is focusing to invest include renewable energy, hydrocarbons, ports and infrastructure, IT and hospitality, highly placed sources told ET.

 

Sources claimed that notwithstanding the crisis, Indian investors in the island nation are not willing to wrap up their investments and businesses given Sri Lanka's strategic location and potential.

 

Sri Lanka is an economy having three main sources of revenue - exports, tourism and remittances. Due to Covid, some of these sources dried up completely. The Sri Lankan economy will benefit from more investments and the Indian government is trying to facilitate this.

 

The idea is to engage with the Ranil government for promoting greater trade, investment and more cooperation between the two economies. The NTPC is looking at establishing a solar power plant in Sampur in eastern Sri Lanka near Trincomalee, under a joint collaboration with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

 

Since January this year, India has offered aid and humanitarian assistance of around $4 billion to Sri Lanka, the largest ever given to any country, to help the nation meet its shortage of food, fuel, medicines and other essential items. Besides Sri Lanka has given approval for India's Lanka Indian Oil Corporation NSE -2.21 % (LIOC) to open 50 new fuel stations and this will be followed by another 150 stations with the total number of stations going up to around 500 in the next few months to meet fuel shortage.

Importers in the Philippines are tendering to purchase a total of around 120,000 tonnes of wheat and about 120,000 tonnes of animal feed barley, European traders said on Tuesday.

 

The deadline for submissions of price offers in the tender is Wednesday, Aug. 10.

 

The tender seeks a series of consignments for shipment between October 2022 and January 2023.

The Walmart Foundation and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT) have launched a Secondary Processing Unit (SPU) at Muddalapuram village, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. 

 

The unit will support farmers from the district with new livelihood and market access opportunities through value-added groundnut, millet, and other nutritious products.

 

The facility was inaugurated on Wednesday by the Minister for Agriculture & Cooperation, Marketing, Food Processing, Government of Andhra Pradesh Kakani Govardhan Reddy.

 

ICRISAT has been working along with its project implementation partner, Accion Fraterna Ecology Centre (AFEC), to accelerate Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and smallholder member-farmers benefits, through interventions at various levels in the agricultural value chain. 

 

The SPU is expected to benefit over 6,000 smallholder farmers in Anantapur district. The facility, which has a built-up area of 1,000 square metres, is operated by women-led Rythu Nestham Food Producer Company Ltd (RNFPCL). 

 

RNFPCL was established with support from ICRISAT and AFEC and formed by including farmers from nine FPOs across the eight mandals of Anantapur district. 

 

The facility is equipped with five processing lines, which will produce highly nutritious millet and pulse based ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat formulations such as traditional khichdi and upma mixes, high oleic groundnut products - nutrition bars (chikki), cookies, snacks and savouries, and healthy cold pressed groundnut oil.

 

Walmart Foundation has a `long-term commitment’ to support FPO’s capacity building and farmer livelihoods by enhancing yields which is achieved through improved farm practices, formal markets linkages, and overall support for FPOs in their sustainability journeys. The grant to ICRISAT aligns with this mission and focus.

 

Julie Gehrki, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Walmart Foundation, said: 'Walmart Foundation’s grant to ICRISAT aims to better support farmers’ incomes while strengthening and diversifying the services of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to deliver benefits to their members.'

 

Jaqueline d’Arros Hughes, Director General, ICRISAT said his institute was `helping’ small-holder farming communities in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh to adopt sustainable farming practices, according to a release. 

Haryana chief minister Manoharlal Khattar is believed to have assured Basmati rice exporters that he will review the existing fees and other charges levied at mandis and a reasonable relief will be provided in the interest of rice industry and farmers.

 

In a meeting with the State’s rice exporters on Tuesday, Khattar also assured improvements in regulatory systems to check fees evasion and other malpractices because of the differential fees structure followed in the state.

 

Exporters told the chief minister that Basmati farmers pay 13 times more revenue to the government compared with what commission agents pay.

 

'We discussed about higher commission fixed for the commission agents and how previous governments have raised it from 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent, putting excessive burden on farmers,' said Vijay Setia, a former president of All India Rice Exporters Association.

 

Citing Haryana has the highest taxes levied on Basmati paddy, exporters had earlier sought a reduction in mandi and other assorted fees from the current 6.5 per cent to make it at par with neighbouring States so that farmers get better prices. Kachi Aadhat/Dami (commission charged by commission agents), market fees and rural development cess put together make Haryana at the top in taxes compared to all other States, President of Haryana Rice Exporters Association (HREA) Sushil Jain said in a letter to the Chief Minister on July 31.

 

'High rate of market fees (levied by APMC mandis) and RD cess in Haryana has become a source of corruption as it has created unhealthy competition between fees-evaders and honest businessmen. It has become difficult for an honest industrialist to compete and run their business in Haryana,' Jain had said.

 

Tiranga barfi or tricolour barfi is a beautiful sweet representing India’s tricolour flag. A delicious cashew sweet bathed in colours of orange, white and green is immensely popular during India’s Independence Day celebrations. But did you know that Tiranga Barfi was once a sweet non-violent weapon used for India’s freedom struggle? Well, read on to know more.

 

How Tiranga Barfi Played A Role In India’s Freedom Struggle

Tiranga barfi was first made by Shri Ram Bhandar in Thatheri Bazaar of Varanasi in 1942. The sweet was prepared to arouse nationalist sentiments during the Quit India Movement. As people started uprising against the British rule, the Tiranga barfi was a non-violent way to show love, respect and unity for India. It was also used to pass on secret messages among the freedom fighters and common people.

 

Tiranga Barfi To Get GI Certification

What started from Shri Ram Bhandar sweet shop, slowly spread to other local shops in Varanasi. Today, Tiranga barfi prepared with cashew and pistachios is popular all across India. Now, Tiranga barfi is seeking the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI)  tag, 75 years after India’s independence. The application for Tiranga barfi’s GI certification has been filed by the Mahanagar Udyog Vyapar Samiti. It will be certified as a sweet first prepared and originating from Varanasi.

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, laid the foundation stone of the Indo-Israel Center of Excellence for Vegetables in Chandauli (Uttar Pradesh) through video conferencing. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Tomar said that the Central and State Governments are working together all-round to upgrade Agriculture. 'It is necessary for the educated youth to be oriented towards this in order to move forward the Agriculture sector more rapidly in the future,' he said.

 

Shri Tomar expressed happiness that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, progress is being made in various sectors, including Agriculture, in Uttar Pradesh and the State is also contributing better in the development of the country. He also expressed happiness that the schemes of the Central Government are being implemented in Uttar Pradesh and the State has also made rapid strides in organic and natural farming. Expressing hope, the Union Agriculture Minister said that UP, in the coming times, will achieve a new dimension in the field of Agriculture. The way UP has been leading the way in the fields of cultural heritage and scientific knowledge, in the same way it will take the country further in the development of agriculture, he said.

 

Shri Tomar said that today is a historic day for the Chandauli region. 'A new dimension is being added on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. This Center is the result of the efforts of the State Government. Its establishment will play an important role in the development of the district. Also, it will prove to be a revolutionary step in the field of Agriculture in the adjoining districts and districts of Bihar border also. Many new opportunities will be created for progress through Agriculture. Farmers will be able to get better yields by using the latest methods of farming,' he said.

 

Shri Tomar said that Agriculture should move forward continuously and the quality of production should be at par with the global standards. 'In this direction, technology application has to move forward. To attract future generations towards farming, Agriculture has to be rejuvenated. We all need to work seriously on moving towards remunerative crops, use of technology, Digital Agriculture Mission, taking advantage of FPOs and adopting natural and organic farming. Together we will move towards fulfilling our priority and obligations,' he said.

 

Shri Tomar hoped the establishment of the Indo-Israel Center of Excellence for Vegetables will play an important role in the development of Chandauli district as well as Purvanchal region. 'Here seeds and plants of improved vegetables will be cultivated and distributed to the farmers. Farmers can also sponsor the development of plants for themselves. Farmers will get a lot of benefit in increasing the production of vegetables. By using the latest methods of farming, farmers will be able to get better yield and also export vegetables. Nursery of other agricultural produce including vegetables will be prepared at this Center of excellence to promote the Agriculture sector globally. This will not only benefit the farmers here, but will help the district be known globally in the field of vegetables and agriculture,' he said.

 

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said it is the intention of the Government that the leading district in the production of paddy and wheat can also emerge better in vegetable production as well. 'The climate of Chandauli district, which is known as the rice bowl of UP, is suitable for setting up the Center of Excellence for Vegetables. There are 9 agro-climatic zones in the State which are favourable for the cultivation of various horticultural crops throughout the year. Seedling production of tomato, pepper, brinjal, chilli, cucumber, tomato, pepper, brinjal, chilli and exotic vegetables is proposed to be done in the hi-tech climate controlled greenhouse to be set up in the Center of Excellence for Vegetables, while cultivation of cucumber, cauliflowers, baby corn, sweet corn and exotic vegetables is proposed in the open field. Along with micro-irrigation in the open, a trial demonstration of farming with fertigation and chemigation systems will be done. There will also be a demonstration of installation of seepage, sprinkler irrigation and other plastic culture applications,' he said.

 

The foundation stone laying programme was also addressed by Chandauli MP and Union Minister for Heavy Industries, Shri Mahendra Nath Pandey, UP Agriculture Minister Shri Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of State for Horticulture, Shri Dinesh Pratap Singh and other public representatives.

 

The technology for the Center is provided by Israeli experts under the India-Israel Action Plan (IIAP) with funds for building infrastructure for demonstration purposes from MIDH. Centers of Excellence (CoEs) are being set up in the States based on Israeli technologies. These Centers of Excellence act as demonstration and training centers for the latest technologies in the field of Horticulture. They also serve as a source of planting material for fruits and vegetables in protected cultivation.

The carry forward stocks of soyabean for the new oil year starting October 2022 will be at a record 27.72 lakh tonnes (lt) as farmers, trade and crushing units still hold a sizeable chunk of the oilseeds from last year’s output.

 

Trade body Soyabean Oil Processors Association (SOPA), in its latest supply and demand estimates, has pegged the oilseed stocks with farmers, trade and crushing units at 40.52 lt.

 

Assuming another 12-13 lt get crushed during August and September, based on the trends over the past few months, the carry forward stocks at the beginning of October are likely to be around 27.72 lt. 'The carry forward stocks for the new oil year will be a record 27.72 lakh tonnes,' said DN Pathak, Executive Director, SOPA.

 

The trade body, looking at the current market situation, import and export pattern, has revised upwards the import figures of the oilseed to 4.5 lt from earlier 3.5 lt. Similarly, export figures for the bean and direct consumption have been revised upwards by 0.5 lt each to 1 lt and 3.5 lt, respectively.

 

The soyabean crushing has been rather sluggish during the current oil year with farmers and trade preferring to hold back the oilseed anticipating higher prices. Total soyabean crushing from October 2021 till end July 2022 was 67.5 lt — down by about 23 per cent over same period last year’s 87.5 lt. On a monthly basis, soyabean crushing — which was trailing last year’s levels till April — has picked up over the past three months.

 

As a result of lower crushing and higher prices when compared to the world market, exports of soyameal have seen a major decline, so far. Soyameal exports for the October-July period were only 5.86 lt, a decline of 69 per cent over 18.98 lt in the same period a year ago.

 

Exports down

Accordingly, SOPA expects the export of soyabean meal to be around 6.5 lt, down from the earlier projections of 10 lt. Also, the estimates of soyameal import have been revised downwards to 5.5 lt from the earlier estimated 7 lt. The domestic offtake of soyameal has been pegged higher at 55 lt — up from earlier estimates of 54 lt.

 

Meanwhile, the soyabean seeding in the current kharif season has ended and the Agriculture Ministry has pegged the area at 117.50 lakh hectares — higher than 115.10 lakh hectares a year ago. Trade sources said with the prospects for soyabean looking good and coupled with huge carry forward stocks the oilseed prices are likely to come under pressure when the harvest begins late September.

 

Lentils imports by India during the current financial year are likely to rise on ample global supplies with major producers like Canada and Australia seen harvesting bigger crop in weeks ahead. The expectations of higher crop is seen weighing on lentil prices globally, which have started declining.

 

'Prices of lentils have started coming down and have declined from Rs.72 to Rs.66 a kg over the past couple of weeks. We anticipate prices to come down further to around Rs.60 as there is a good crop in Canada, which is harvesting around 2.5 million tonnes. After two months, Australia is estimated to harvest around 8 to 9 lakh tonnes. As a result, there will be abundant supply from these two countries to the Indian market and prices will come down further. International prices will fall because of the abundant supply,' said Bimal Kothari, Chairman, India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA).

 

Augurs well for India

The fall in lentil prices should augur well for the consumers in India as there are some concerns about the upcoming tur (pigeon pea) crop on account of lower kharif acreages and excess rains affecting the standing crop in some States like Karnataka and Maharashtra, the major producing States. Tur prices have gained in the recent past on concerns of lower acreages.

 

'Lentils sometimes play a substitute, when prices of tur is high. The Indian consumers are price elastic,' Kothari said.

 

Presently, the imports of lentils are under open general licence (OGL). India had imported about 6.67 lakh tonnes of lentils during financial year 2021-22, down from 11.16 lakh tonnes in the previous year. The trade expects the lentils imports to go up this year.

 

'This year, India’s lentils imports is expected to be around 1.2-1.5 million tonnes,' said Vivek Agrawal of JLV Agro, a commodities brokerage. Agarwal said the new crop is being offered at $760 per tonne in vessels for the September-October shipment. Prices are down by about 15 per cent over same period last year’s $900 per tonne as Canada is having a good crop and so is Australia, he said.

 

Rahul Chauhan of IGrain India said imports are likely to be higher as our domestic crop was low last year. Importers are waiting for the new crop from Canada, which is seen higher at 2.5 million tonnes as compared to 1.6-1.8 million tonnes in the last year.

 

Chauhan said lentils from Canada, offered in containers at Mumbai port, are being quoted at Rs.6,700 per quintal, while the Australian variety are quoted at Rs.6,800 per quintal. A month ago, the prices were Rs.7,100 and Rs.7,200 respectively. Lentils offered in vessels for Mundra and Haziar port are quoted at Rs.6,450 per quintal, he said.

 

Lentils are grown in India during the rabi season and production, according to third advance estimates, stood at 1.44 million tonnes during 2021-22, down from 1.49 million tonnes a year ago. India’s lentil output had doubled from 0.81 million tonnes in 2007-08 to 1.62 million tonnes in 2017-18, but subsequently declined to 1.1 million tonnes in 2019-20.

 

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, laid the foundation stone of the Indo-Israel Center of Excellence for Vegetables in Chandauli (Uttar Pradesh) through video conferencing. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Tomar said that the Central and State Governments are working together all-round to upgrade Agriculture. 'It is necessary for the educated youth to be oriented towards this in order to move forward the Agriculture sector more rapidly in the future,' he said.

 

Shri Tomar expressed happiness that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, progress is being made in various sectors, including Agriculture, in Uttar Pradesh and the State is also contributing better in the development of the country. He also expressed happiness that the schemes of the Central Government are being implemented in Uttar Pradesh and the State has also made rapid strides in organic and natural farming. Expressing hope, the Union Agriculture Minister said that UP, in the coming times, will achieve a new dimension in the field of Agriculture. The way UP has been leading the way in the fields of cultural heritage and scientific knowledge, in the same way it will take the country further in the development of agriculture, he said.

 

Shri Tomar said that today is a historic day for the Chandauli region. 'A new dimension is being added on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. This Center is the result of the efforts of the State Government. Its establishment will play an important role in the development of the district. Also, it will prove to be a revolutionary step in the field of Agriculture in the adjoining districts and districts of Bihar border also. Many new opportunities will be created for progress through Agriculture. Farmers will be able to get better yields by using the latest methods of farming,' he said.

 

Shri Tomar said that Agriculture should move forward continuously and the quality of production should be at par with the global standards. 'In this direction, technology application has to move forward. To attract future generations towards farming, Agriculture has to be rejuvenated. We all need to work seriously on moving towards remunerative crops, use of technology, Digital Agriculture Mission, taking advantage of FPOs and adopting natural and organic farming. Together we will move towards fulfilling our priority and obligations,' he said.

 

Shri Tomar hoped the establishment of the Indo-Israel Center of Excellence for Vegetables will play an important role in the development of Chandauli district as well as Purvanchal region. 'Here seeds and plants of improved vegetables will be cultivated and distributed to the farmers. Farmers can also sponsor the development of plants for themselves. Farmers will get a lot of benefit in increasing the production of vegetables. By using the latest methods of farming, farmers will be able to get better yield and also export vegetables. Nursery of other agricultural produce including vegetables will be prepared at this Center of excellence to promote the Agriculture sector globally. This will not only benefit the farmers here, but will help the district be known globally in the field of vegetables and agriculture,' he said.

 

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said it is the intention of the Government that the leading district in the production of paddy and wheat can also emerge better in vegetable production as well. 'The climate of Chandauli district, which is known as the rice bowl of UP, is suitable for setting up the Center of Excellence for Vegetables. There are 9 agro-climatic zones in the State which are favourable for the cultivation of various horticultural crops throughout the year. Seedling production of tomato, pepper, brinjal, chilli, cucumber, tomato, pepper, brinjal, chilli and exotic vegetables is proposed to be done in the hi-tech climate controlled greenhouse to be set up in the Center of Excellence for Vegetables, while cultivation of cucumber, cauliflowers, baby corn, sweet corn and exotic vegetables is proposed in the open field. Along with micro-irrigation in the open, a trial demonstration of farming with fertigation and chemigation systems will be done. There will also be a demonstration of installation of seepage, sprinkler irrigation and other plastic culture applications,' he said.

 

The foundation stone laying programme was also addressed by Chandauli MP and Union Minister for Heavy Industries, Shri Mahendra Nath Pandey, UP Agriculture Minister Shri Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of State for Horticulture, Shri Dinesh Pratap Singh and other public representatives.

 

The technology for the Center is provided by Israeli experts under the India-Israel Action Plan (IIAP) with funds for building infrastructure for demonstration purposes from MIDH. Centers of Excellence (CoEs) are being set up in the States based on Israeli technologies. These Centers of Excellence act as demonstration and training centers for the latest technologies in the field of Horticulture. They also serve as a source of planting material for fruits and vegetables in protected cultivation.