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27 Jul, 2022 News Image

Vocal for local in food processing sector

As part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan - Vocal for Local Initiative in food processing sector, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing a centrally sponsored 'PM Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme' for providing financial, technical and business support for setting up / upgradation of micro food processing enterprises in the country. The scheme is operational for a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 Crore. Scheme primarily adopts One District One Product (ODOP) approach to reap the benefit of scale in terms of procurement of inputs, availing common services and marketing of products. It provides the framework for value chain development and alignment of support infrastructure.

As per the Annual Survey of Industries, 2015-16 and 73rd Round Survey of National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), there are about 25 lakh unregistered/ unincorporated food processing enterprises in the country. The details of State-wise number of unregistered/unincorporated enterprises in the country are at Annexure-I.

The PMFME scheme is designed to address the challenges faced by the micro enterprises and to tap the potential of groups and cooperatives in supporting the upgradation and formalization of these enterprises. The scheme aims to enhance the competitiveness of new and existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and promote formalization of the sector. The details of assistance available to Micro Food Processing Enterprises under PMFME Scheme:

(i). Support to Individual / Group Category Micro Enterprises: Credit-linked capital subsidy @35% of the eligible project cost, maximum ceiling Rs.10 lakh per unit;

(ii). Support to SHGs for seed capital: Seed capital @ Rs. 40,000/- per member of SHG engaged in food processing for working capital and purchase of small tools subject to maximum of Rs. 4 lakh per SHG Federation.

(iii). Support for Common Infrastructure: Credit linked capital subsidy @35% subject to maximum of Rs. 3 crore to support FPOs, SHGs, Cooperatives and any Government agency for setting up of common infrastructure. The common infrastructure will also be available for other units and public to utilize on hiring basis for substantial part of the capacity.

(iv). Branding and Marketing Support: Grant upto 50% for Branding and Marketing to groups of FPOs/ SHGs/ Cooperatives or an SPV of micro food processing enterprises.

(v). Capacity Building: The scheme envisages training for Entrepreneurship Development Skilling (EDP+): program modified to meet the requirement of food processing industry and product specific skilling.

Capacity building and training is a critical component of the scheme in technical upgradation and formalization of micro food processing enterprises. The focus areas for capacity building are entrepreneurship development, compliance of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) standards and general hygiene and other statutory compliances. District Resource Persons (DRPs) have been entrusted to provide handholding support to micro food processing enterprises for the compliance of FSSAI and other statutory requirements.

ANNEXURE

State wise details of State-wise number of unregistered/unincorporated enterprises in the country

Sl. No.

State/UT

Number of Unincorporated

Enterprise’s manufacturing Food and Beverages

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

774

Andhra Pradesh

1,54,330

Arunachal Pradesh

145

Assam

65,997

Bihar

1,45,300

Chandigarh

656

Chhattisgarh

26,957

D & N Haveli and Daman & Diu

758

Delhi

14,350

Goa

2,929

Gujarat

94,066

Haryana

24,577

Himachal Pradesh

21,885

Jammu & Kashmir

28,089

pib.gov.in

27 Jul, 2022 News Image

Budget for Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare up by 465% to Rs. 124000 crore in 2022-23 over 2013-14

The Government of India is continuously working for enhancing agricultural productivity, farmers’ income and their welfare in a sustainable manner. Accordingly, the Budget for Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW) has been increased from Rs. 21933.50 crore (2013-14) to Rs. 124000 crore (2022-23), which is 465% increase for implementation of various agricultural development and welfare schemes aiming to increase agriculture production and farmers’ welfare across the country. Besides, Rs. 8513.62 crore have been allocated during 2022-23 to Department of Agricultural Research and Education for development of several new high yielding, biotic/ abiotic stress tolerant, disease/ insect resistant and bio-fortified varieties of seed, etc.

In order to enhance production and productivity of food crops, the Government is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in the country. The mission aims at increasing foodgrain/ food crop production through area expansion in niche regions and productivity improvement. The mission also provides support to Indian Council of Agricultural research (ICAR) & State Agriculture Universities (SAUs)/Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKS) for technology back stopping and transfer of technology to the farmer under supervision of Subject Matter Specialists/Scientists. The research organizations are supported for undertaking research projects that can help enhancing production and productivity of crops. For welfare of farmers’, Government has launched various initiatives viz. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PMAASHA), Price Support Scheme (PSS) for pulses and oilseeds, Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), Interest Subvention Scheme, Kisan Credit Card (KCC), etc.

Further, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) which focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation viz. Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System. An area of 68 lakh ha under micro-irrigation has been covered during 2015-16 to 2020-21 under PMKSY-PDMC. The state-wise coverage of area micro-irrigation and Central assistance provided to states under PDMC is as follows:

State wise area covered under Micro Irrigation and Central Assistance released under the PDMC since the inception of the scheme (2015-16) to till date

S.No.

State

Area covered under Micro Irrigation

(in ha)

Central Assistance released

(Rs. in crore)

Andhra Pradesh

758646

2284.16

Bihar

22011

112.21

Chhattisgarh

124759

240.64

Goa

868

2.80

Gujarat

899328

1685.34

Haryana

108194

275.79

Himachal Pradesh

10486

116.85

Jharkhand

28626

175.64

Jammu & Kashmir

1104

58.07

Karnataka

pib.gov.in

27 Jul, 2022 News Image

Per day productivity of major crops in India better or at par with high productivity countries

ICAR has contributed significantly in varietal improvement programmes. Since Independence, more than 6100 varieties of field and horticultural crops have been released in India. During past eight years National Agricultural Research System (NARS), under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has released 1956 high yielding stress tolerant varieties/ hybrids of field crops of which 1622 are climate resilient. The details are as follows:

Field crop varieties released since 2014 to 2022

Crops

No. of varieties released

(1969-2022)

No. of varieties released

(2014-2022)

Climate resilient varieties

(2014-22)

Biofortified varieties

Varieties developed by MAS

Cereals

2858

924

807

Oilseeds

956

291

252

Pulses

1074

304

270

Forage crops

221

118

Fibre crops

500

239

154

Sugar crops

142

Others

Grand Total

5800

pib.gov.in

27 Jul, 2022 News Image

Farming of Foreign Fruits

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme for the holistic development of horticulture in the country. All States/UTs are covered under MIDH. Assistance is provided under MIDH, for promotion of exotic/foreign fruits like Dragon fruit, Kiwi, Passion fruit etc. in the country. State/UT wise details of area and production for major exotic/foreign fruits is as follows:

Area in ‘000 ha

Production in ‘000 MT

Sl. No.	STATES/UTs	Area*	Production*
1	ARUNACHAL PRADESH	3.37	7.43
2	CHHATISGARH	0.78	7.61
3	HARYANA	0.17	3.08
4	HIMACHAL PRADESH	10.23	2.53
5	JAMMU & KASHMIR	0.55	2.94
6	JHARKHAND	0.05	0.08
7	KARNATAKA	5.00	26.00
8	KERALA	18.50	140.89
9	MADHYA PRADESH	1134.58	12875.28
10	MAHARASHTRA	1120.64	11638.28
11	MANIPUR	4.02	40.74
12	pib.gov.in
27 Jul, 2022 Over 59 lakh hectares under Organic Farming across the country, Govt plans to add 6.5 lakh ha. Government proposes to add 6.5 lakh ha area under organic farming in the country through dedicated scheme i.e. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). At present, 59.12 lakh ha area has already been brought under organic farming as certified by National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). India ranks at 4th place in terms of certified area globally as per the report published by Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Statistics 2022. Marketing and branding have been integral part of organic farming schemes. Assistance of Rs 6800/ ha under PKVY and Rs 5000/ ha under MOVCDNER are being provided for marketing, branding and trade. The details of brands developed under these Programmes in the country are as follows: This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today. Source: pib.gov.in
27 Jul, 2022 Two Israeli experts visit India to boost Israel-India partnership in agriculture During the visit, both experts visited Indo-Israel Centres of Excellence that have been established in different parts of India and reviewed ongoing activities. Two Israeli experts concluded an official visit to India from July 6 to July 20, 2022, deepening Israel-India strategic partnership in agriculture and marking 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Daniel Hadad, an Israeli vegetable expert and Cliff Love, an Israeli mango expert, shared knowledge, expertise and best practices with Indian farmers throughout this visit. The two experts were sent to India by MASHAV- Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This visit was organised as part of the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project (IIAP), which is the largest agriculture project in which Government of Israel is involved anywhere in the world. Ambassador of Israel to India Naor Gilon said, 'This was part of a series of visits that MASHAV organises to India as agriculture is a significant pillar of Israel-India growing partnership. Currently, we have 29 fully-active Indo-Israel Centres of Excellence across India, which are benefiting millions of Indian farmers on a daily basis. We hope to continue organising such visits in future that will further prove beneficial for local farmers.' You may also like read: Israel, Haryana sign declaration on integrated water resources management During the visit, both experts visited Indo-Israel Centres of Excellence (CoEs) that have been established over the years in different parts of India, reviewed ongoing activities and led a 3-day National Conference on Vegetables & Mango in Bihar under IIAP, in which 22 officers that are leading the Indo-Israel CoEs in 11 states participated. During this conference, the experts visited farmers’ fields as well and taught the best cultivation practices for mangoes and vegetables such as irrigation and fertigation, canopy management among technical know-how. Speaking on the development, Yair Eshel, Agriculture Attache (MASHAV), Embassy of Israel in India said, 'We are committed to continue expanding our cooperation with all our partners in India in the field of agriculture. The visit of these experts will boost the activities of vegetables and mangoes under IIAP to benefit the local farmers. During our visit to Uttar Pradesh, we have approved two locations for new CoEs (vegetables in Chandauli and mango in Kaushambi district). The detailed project report (DPR) will be comprised jointly by Uttar Pradesh horticulture department and MASHAV. ' Source: agriculturepost.com
27 Jul, 2022 Steering Committee constituted on various initiatives being undertaken, especially India Digital Ecosystem in Agriculture (IDEA) and the proposed AgriStack Steering Committee has been constituted comprising of experts from different Ministries of Government of India, fields/domain, educational & research Institutes, private tech players and other stakeholders for advising on various initiatives that are being undertaken, especially India Digital Ecosystem in Agriculture (IDEA) and the proposed AgriStack, including implementation experiences across different fields and sectors. Further, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare had organized a Digital Agriculture-Stakeholder Consultation meet on 11.07.2022 in New Delhi, to create a vision for Public Private Partnership for the delivery of digital and hi-tech services to farmers with the involvement of public sector research and extension institutions along with private agri-tech players and stakeholders of agri-value chain. Government of India has made an announcement in the Union Budget 2022 regarding the setting up of a fund routed through NABARD under a co-investment model to finance startups in the agritech space. Looking into the unique advantages of Drone technologies in agriculture, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has released the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for use of drones in pesticide and nutrient application in public domain in December 2021, which provide concise instructions for effective and safe operations of drones. In order to make this technology affordable to the farmers and other stakeholders of this sector, financial assistance @ 100% for purchase of agricultural drones and its attachments (actual cost of expenditure and its attachments or Rs. 10.00 lakhs, whichever is lower) together with the contingent expenditure is extended under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) to the Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and @ 75% to FPO’s for its demonstration on the farmer’s fields. In order to provide agricultural services through drone application, financial assistance @ 40% of the basic cost of drone and its attachments or Rs. 4 lakhs, whichever is less also provided for drone purchase by existing and new Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) and also a general category farmers and @ 50% of the basic cost of drone and its attachments or Rs. 5 lakhs for SC/ST/women/small and marginal farmers and the agriculture graduates. A component called “Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development” has been launched under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY-RAFTAAR) in 2018-19 with the objective of promoting innovation and agri-entrepreneurship by providing financial support and nurturing the incubation ecosystem. Under this programme, start-ups are encouraged to use innovative technologies to resolve challenges faced in agriculture and allied sectors. A total of 799 start-ups have been selected in various areas of agriculture and allied sectors under this programme for providing financial support through Knowledge Partners and Agri Business Incubators appointed by the Department for implementation of this programme. The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has been supporting Agri-based startups under the project called National Agriculture Innovation Fund (NAIF) initiated in year 2016-2017. It has two components viz. (I) Innovation Fund; (II) Incubation Fund and National Coordinating Unit (NCU): Component I: 10 Zonal Technology Management Units and 89 Institute Technology Management Units (ITMUs) established in 99 ICAR institutes provide a single-window mechanism to manage innovations, showcase intellectual assets, and pursue matters related to intellectual property (IP) management and transfer/commercialization of technologies in these institutes. Component II: Agri-business Incubator Centres (ABICs) are set up to speed up the delivery of the new technologies to stake holders. The ABICs are the nodal point to provide the desired link for Agriculture Research &Development (R&D) Institutions for incubation/ commercialization of the validated technologies. So far, 50 Agri-Business Incubation Centers have been established and are operational in the ICAR network under the NAIF scheme. This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today. Source: pib.gov.in
27 Jul, 2022 ECGC introduces new scheme providing enhanced export credit risk insurance cover up to 90% for small exporters ECGC has introduced a new scheme to provide enhanced export credit risk insurance cover to the extent of 90% to support small exporters under the Export Credit Insurance for Banks Whole Turnover Packaging Credit and Post Shipment (ECIB- WTPC & PS). The scheme is expected to benefit a number of small-scale exporters availing of export credit with banks which hold the ECGC WT-ECIB covers. This will also enable the small exporters to explore new markets/new buyers and diversify their existing product portfolio competitively. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai today, ECGC Chairman M Senthilnathan said, 'We expect the cover to play a game changing role. We expect this to bring up percentage of accounts with up to Rs. 20 crore, thereby lending further stability to ECGC portfolio'. He further said, 'By giving 90% cover to banks, we expect more small companies to get export credit from banks, benefiting these industries greatly. We expect banks to provide more concessions. The net effect will be benefit to exporters, involving reduction in interest rate'. Thanking the Commerce Ministry and the Minister Shri Piyush Goyal, ECGC Chairman said, 'The Government supported us with adequate capital infusion in recent years. This, as well as the need to make our cover more helpful to exporters has led us to take the decision being announced today'. Explaining the role played by the premier Export Credit Agency of the Government of India, Shri Senthilnathan said, 'Countercyclical role played by organizations like ECGC is similar to that of a fireman, when credit is suffering, credit insurance agencies step in to stabilize the market'. Shri Senthilnathan further remarked, all governments took various measures to stabilize the market in view of COVID-19, because of which, ECGC has not withdrawn cover given to exporters, against expectations, export credit insurance agencies all over the world have witnessed only average levels of claim ratios, not high ratios. Enhanced Cover to Banks The enhanced cover shall be available for manufacturer- exporters availing fund-based export credit working capital limit up to ? 20 crore (i.e., total Packaging Credit and Post Shipment limit per exporter/exporter-group) excluding the Gems, Jewellery & Diamond sector and merchant exporters/traders. This new scheme will enable the banks holding ECGC’s WT-ECIB cover to explore the possibility of reducing interest rates further so that all the stakeholders are benefitted. The enhanced cover percentage shall be made available to State Bank of India as per the previous year’s premium rate in view of its favourable claim premium ratio. However, for other Banks there may be a moderate increase in the prevailing premium rates. ECGC had extended support to exports amounting to Rs.6.18 lakh crore in the last FY 2021-22. As on 31/03/2022, more than 6,700 distinct exporters were benefitted by the direct cover issued to exporters and more than 9,000 distinct exporters benefitted under the Export Credit Insurance for Banks (ECIB). Notably, around 96% of these are small exporters. Source: pib.gov.in
26 Jul, 2022 GI tag for Alibag s white onion brings cheer to farmers. With its picturesque beaches, Alibag, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, is one of the popular tourist spots. But, this historic place will be now recognized for Geographical Indication (GI) tagged white onion. The GI for this onion, characterized by its sweetness, has been accepted. It was published in the government gazette last week. 'The GI tag gives a unique identity to the white onion, which has medicinal qualities and is being cultivated in a traditional way for a long time. Farmers will directly get benefits as the white onion will get the premium price because of the GI tag' said Ganesh Hingmire, Chairman of Great Mission Group Consultancy (GMGC) who was involved in the process to get the GI tag for Alibag white onion. Farmers in Alibag say white onions are grown here for ages with only traditional and genuine seeds. Locals have acquired knowledge and mastered the skills required for the cultivation of white onion. Geo-climatic conditions of Alibag make it unique compared to other white onion-producing areas and that is why Alibag white onion has developed a unique taste, flavour, and shape as well, say farmers. Export potential Ganesh Hingmire said the GI tag will help white onion farmers in Alibag to get a bigger export market. ' It (GI tag) adds to the export potential, which has helped other produce, such as chiku (Sapodilla) from Gholwad, Keshar mango from Marathwada, and bananas in Jalgaon' he said. Maharashtra State Onion Producer Farmer Organization members say the government must encourage exports so that farmers don’t have to suffer like the last year. Onion exports from Maharashtra declined to 5.8 lakh tonnes during FY22 from 7.9 lakh tonnes during FY21. Farmers and traders in Nashik, the onion hub of Maharashtra, said the wholesale prices in the domestic market were reasonably higher compared to export prices and hence, farmers preferred to sell the produce in the local market. 'Also, higher freight charges and government’s policies to ban the export and impose higher minimum export price has dissuaded farmers from getting into export,' says said Bharat Dighole, President of Maharashtra State Onion Producer Farmer Organization. Source: thehindubusinessline.com
26 Jul, 2022 FSSAI asks notified labs to comply with manuals of method of analysis. The FSSAI has ordered notified labs to comply with manuals of the method of analysis it has published for analysing the samples of food articles. The order came after FSSAI received complaints about labs not adhering with the prescribed methods of analysis under different manuals. According to a FSSAI order, 'It is hereby clarified that as per the Food Safety and Standards (Rules), 2011, all the FSSAI notified laboratories shall use the manuals of the method of analysis, as amended/adopted by the Food Authority from time to time including AOAC/ ISO/Pearson’s/Jacob/IUPAC/Food Chemicals CODEX/BIS/Woodmen/Winton-Winton/Joslyn, for analysing the samples of food articles. However, in case the method for analysing any parameter is not available in these manuals, a validated method of analysis prescribed by internationally recognised/analytical/regulatory agencies shall be adopted.' The order added that labs were required to use only approved methods for testing that have been verified in-house/ on-site to ensure that the test gives proper results. The FSSAI also directed the labs to contact FSSAI if any issue related to these specified methods arise, for further examination. And, FSSAI has stated that violation of methods will be treated as violation and labs will be considered as defaulters. 'All the FSSAI notified laboratories are hereby directed to comply with the same (prescribed methods). Any deviation to the same will be considered as violation of FSS Rules, 2011, and stringent action may be taken against the defaulters,' reads the order. Source: fnbnews.com
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