The state government has resolved that under the subtropical horticulture, irrigation, and value addition project (HP SHIVA), high-density agriculture would be encouraged in the state to bring about a horticulture revolution, and orchards would be safeguarded and preserved using the scientific technique.

 

Besides, provisions have been made for composite solar fencing to safeguard fruits and crop production from wild animals, as well as subsidies on farming machinery and agricultural inputs for establishing drip irrigation systems and cluster management to ensure appropriate usage of existing water resources. 

 

The horticulture sector is helping to boost the economy of the people of Himachal Pradesh by creating a variety of income sources. Horticulture now occupies 2.34 lakh hectares of land in the state. In the previous four years, the state has produced 31.40 lakh metric tonnes of fruits. During this period, the horticulture sector earned an average of Rs 4,575 crore per year, employing an estimated 9 lakh people directly or indirectly. In recent years, the state's contribution to the worldwide horticulture market has grown dramatically. 

 

According to authorities, the HP SHIVA is a unique effort of the State Government for the development of the horticulture industry and to make people self-reliant, in light of the tremendous potential of horticulture in low-lying areas with a warm climate. Horticultural development will be carried out under the initiative based on a seed-to-market approach. 

 

According to project authorities, the project's goal is to link as many jobless youth and women as possible with horticulture. The orchardist would be provided and resources ranging from appropriate saplings to mass marketing to build new orchards. 

 

The project is being implemented in conjunction with the Asian Development Bank for a total cost of Rs 975 crore, with the government contributing Rs 195 crore. The Himachal government has so far allocated Rs 48.80 crore for the implementation phase of the project of which Rs 37.31 Crore has been spent.

 

Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) of government’s agri export promotion body APEDA has invited bids by February 18 for crop survey to estimate acreage and assess crop health and expected yield of Basmati rice during 2022 and 2023.

 

However, it has kept out those firms who have experience only in yield estimation through crop cutting experiments, even as several agri tech companies have been enrolled by the government, some even without prior experience due to new areas opening up for the private sector in the crop insurance segment.

 

 

Detailed model

 

It has asked agencies to submit with detailed model and techniques to be used for the crop survey. Both the ‘Technical Bid’ and ‘Financial Bid’ should be submitted separately, it said.

 

The conditions for the bidding has terms including that a firm shall have minimum of five years of experience in carrying out crop surveys with satellite imageries and field based surveys for a trade body or government organization in India. 'Experience of crop cutting experiments will not be considered for this purpose,' it said.

 

The satellite imageries and field-based survey shall have to cover acreage estimation of all basmati rice crop varieties differentiated in traditional and evolved varieties of Basmati rice and Sharbati and Sugandha varieties of non-Basmati. Reports will have to be submitted on district level basis for each State.

 

Concerns raised

 

However, experts have questioned the legitimacy being given to non-notified varieties of Basmati since Sharbati and Suganda as they are considered to be mainly used for mixing in pure Basmati. 'It could be also projected that non-notified varieties are in the process of notification,' said an expert, adding 'why should adulterants be surveyed'. By providing quantity of such non-basmati crops, the survey will unwittingly facilitate in depressing actual Basmati paddy prices or distort market sentiments, he said.

 

APEDA said variety-wise crop health monitoring and analysis will also have to be done by the selected agency besides advance prediction of yield through climate-based yield modeling using 10 years of historical yield and climate data.

 

Reports will have to be submitted in July, August, September, October, November and December by end of each month. In case of unusual weather conditions and pests/diseases attack, affecting yields, fortnightly report will also have to be submitted particularly at crop maturity period.

 

The bidders who secure minimum 70 per cent marks (49 out of 70 marks) in technical presentations will be shortlisted and their financial bids shall then be opened. Financial bid will carry a maximum of 30 marks.

Three applications from Uttar Pradesh have been filed with the Geographical Indications Registry here, seeking a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the Bundelkhand Kathiya Gehu (Wheat), Banarasi Tabla and Sitapur Durrie.

 

The filing for the Bundelkhand Kathiya Gehu has been made by the Khatiya Wheat Bangra Producer Company Ltd., Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, under the agriculture category. According to details provided by the firm, this particular wheat has high nutritional value and a high fibre content. It is usually sown in the last week of October or first week of November and is harvested between March and April. The applicant has claimed that this wheat has several medicinal values.

 

The Export Promotion Bureau, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has filed an application for the Sitapur Durrie under the handicrafts category. A durrie is a thick flat woven rug/carpet traditionally used as floor coverings. Though durries are made in various parts of India, the applicants have indicated that the Sitapur Durrie is unique and is different from a carpet. The motifs and colour combinations are unique from what is made in rest of country.

 

While carpets are produced by knotting pile yarn to warp, durries are made by inter weaving weft and warp. These durries are made of cotton, wool, jute and silk b weavers who work in cottage industries, kharkhanas or privately run factories spread across villages in Sitapur town, Biswan, Laharpur among others.

 

The application for Banarasi Tabla (musical instrument) was filed by Subah-E-Banaras Anand Kanan, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Among the percussion instruments, Tabla is one of the most important musical instruments in Banaras and it is made of different kinds of wood like sheesham, neem, mahogany and babla wood. There is a huge demand for these tabla’s in the local market as well as the international markets. Foreigners who have a taste for classical music and who visit Varanasi for the music festivals purchase these tablas and the applicant in his filing mentioned that many of these foreigners even stay back and learn this instrument. They even perform at the music festivals that happen on the banks of the Ganga river. AGItagis a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation by virtue of their geographical association. The owner of theGItaghas exclusive rights over the product.

The government is reviewing the continuation of a key export scheme, Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG), launched in the 1990s, that allows exporters to import certain capital goods used in manufacturing without paying duty.

 

The commerce department is examining whether the scheme found to be inconsistent with the rules of the World Trade Organization is still needed or can be discontinued.

 

Since 31st March 2018, 415 new mandis have been integrated on National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform. As on 31st December 2021, 1000 mandis of 18 States and 03 Union Territories have been integrated with e-NAM platform. More than 1.72 Crore farmers and 2 lakh traders have registered themselves on e-NAM platform.

 

Government provides following support under e-NAM scheme:

 

1. e-NAM software is provided to States / UTs free of cost.

 

2. Department gives grant as one-time fixed cost to the States / UTs up to Rs. 75.00 lakh per       mandi, for purchase of hardware, internet connection, assaying equipment and related       infrastructure including cleaning, grading and packaging facilities and Bio-compost unit, to       make the mandi ready for integration with e-NAM platform.

 

3. A trained staff (Mandi Analyst) is deputed at each mandi, for an initial period of one year to      provide day to day hand holding support to stakeholders and train other mandi staff.

 

4. Helpdesk support: A toll free No. (1800-2700-224) and email support (enam.helpdesk@gmail.com) is    available to enable stakeholders to raise their query.

 

5. Online tutorials are available on www.enam.gov.in

 

6.Regular training of stakeholders (Farmers, Traders, FPOs, Mandi staff etc) are conducted to      create awareness and handholding regarding e-NAM portal.

 

As per the Union Budget Announcement 2020-21, additional 1000 mandis to be integrated with e-NAM platform. The total budgetary outlay for integration of 1000 e-NAM Mandis since inception is Rs. 1171.93 Cr. Total 1000 mandis of 401 districts are utilizing e-NAM platform across 18 States & 3 UTs. In Karnataka, Kalaburagi district has 2 mandis integrated to e-NAM platform, namely Kalaburagi & Chhincholi.

 

This information was given by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Promoting exports through subsidies has not really given the desired results, but the government's RoDTEP scheme is helping grow exports which is expected to reach a record USD 400 billion this year, Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday in the Rajya Sabha. Goyal, while responding to a query during the Question Hour in the Upper House on cut in budget for export promotion schemes, said the government has found 'very good acceptance' of the RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products) scheme. 'Based on that (RoDTEP), exports have also been growing,' he said.

 

While there is a thinking that the government has reduced the export subsidies, the Goyal said the reality is this year, India is going to see a 'record performance in exports'.

 

'We are already crossed USD 334 billion (one billion is equal to Rs 100 crore) of exports, which is higher than any full year ever in the past, and we are well on track to go to USD 400 billion export in the current year,' he said.

 

In August 2021, the government had announced the rates of tax refunds under the RoDTEP for 8,555 products, such as marine goods, yarn and dairy items. It has set aside Rs 12,454 crore for refunds under RoDTEP scheme for the current fiscal.

 

Holding that no country in the world can survive beyond the point of time only on subsidies to promote exports, the minister said: 'India over a period of time has been promoting exports through subsidies, but that has not really given us the desired result or given us the huge impetus that one would have expected.'

 

In fact, the reality is that every nation has certain products and services which are its strength. Every theory in the world says the focus should be given only on those export products having competitive strength, he said.

 

Goyal further said India has moved more into an interconnected world, where such subsidies are actually not even permitted under the WTO. There have been bad instances that India has been dragged before the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on export subsidies.

 

'Therefore, our approach is that we reimburse the taxes or cess or duties that are notified on the product by the states. As far as the central government is concerned, usually most products are under the GST (Goods and Services Tax) and it automatically gets refunded when you export the product,' he said. If there is any other tax which is levied on any export product, which is not marketable or reversible in the form of return, that is given back to the exporters under the RoDTEP scheme, he added. The minister also urged all the states to support economic activity through exports and create jobs in the system.

 

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry,  Textiles and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal today termed the Union Budget 2022-23 as a direction setting budget, addressing both macro-economic and micro-econimic concerns, looking at inclusive development.

 

Speaking at a Public Function to explain the nuances of the Union Budget in Mumbai today, the Minister said 'the Budget should be seen as an exercise in continuity to make India future ready'.   Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of converting crisis into opportunity, Shri Goyal said, the Government has been pro-actively announcing new projects and schemes through the year, and Union Budget has attempted to show the way ahead for the next 25 years.

 

Shri Goyal said the budget has laid a big thrust on infrastructure development and highlighted the importance of the PM Gati Shakti National Plan. He said the plan will leverage data and inter-connected national maps to better align infrastructure projects.

 

Explaining how the nation adopted to the Covid 19 pandemic by swiftly moving to remote working mode, Shri Goyal asserted that India did not let down a single international obligation, thanks to Digital India and thrust given on expansion of broadband connectivity.  He said despite the pandemic, India’s services export remained robust and would achieve $240 bn target.

 

Shri Goyal said that India produces second highest number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) graduates and this should encourage us to become not only the Start-up Capital but also the R&D and innovation hub.

 

The Commerce & Industry Minister further added that India has been working on a number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Citing the India-UAE FTA, Shri Goyal said the entire process was completed in just 88 days. He informed that India-Australia FTA is also in advanced stage of finalization.  FTAs with UK, Canada are also in the pipeline, even as GCC also wants to sign an FTA with India 'The world wants to work with us, we have to seize the initiative' the Minister added.

 

The Minister also spoke about the enhanced capital spending of Rs 10.5 lakh crores provided by the Budget 2022-23 to have a multiplier effect of 3-4 times, leading to enhanced demand and increased job opportunities benefitting all people.

Government is implementing dedicated organic farming schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCDNER) since 2015-16 to encourage farmers to produce organic manure and to promote organic farming of foodgrains in the country. Under these schemes, farmers are primarily encouraged to adopt organic cultivation using organic inputs and support is provided to the farmers   for various components from production to value addition, certification and marketing of organic produce. Hands-on training to farmers for on-farm production   of   organic manure/ organic fertilisers and its use are integral part of these schemes. Farmers are provided assistance of Rs 31000/ ha / 3 years under PKVY and Rs 32500/ ha/ 3 years under MOVCDNER for various organic inputs including on-farm production/procurement of organic fertilisers. An amount of Rs 650 crores has been approved for promotion of organic farming for the year 2021-22.

 

Government is promoting Natural Farming through Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP), introduced during 2020-21 as a sub scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for the promotion of traditional indigenous practices including Natural Farming. The scheme mainly emphasizes on exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs and promotes on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of cow dung-urine formulations and other plant-based preparations. Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12200/ha for 3 years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building and continuous handholding by trained personnel, certification and residue analysis. Until now, under natural farming an area of 4.09 lakh ha area has been covered and a total fund of Rs. 4980.99 lakh has been released to 8 States across the country.

Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textiles and Commerce & Industry  has said that  Pilot movement of food grains on vessel from Patna (Bihar) to Pandu (Guwahati)  will open a new gate to the ‘Gateway of North East’. Addressing virtually on the occasion of 'Flagging off of vessel' MV Lal Bahadur Shastri carrying food grains from Patna to Pandu and Unveiling of foundation stone for terminal at Kalughat (Bihar) today, Shri Piyush Goyal said that  this  2,350 km voyage will open a new gate to the ‘Gateway of North East’ (Assam) and ensure  seamless   waterways connectivity to NE Region through Ganga & Brahmaputra rivers. He said that flagging of the vessel named ‘MV Lal Bahadur Shastri’ reminds me of Shastriji’s slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan". 'This        will   make our          farmers Aatmanirbhar by expanding their reach & providing them better prices and better living. This event is a perfect demonstration of PM’s combined vision for ‘Act East’ policy & the inclusive development of Bihar & NE Region', he added.

 

The minister stated that the planned intermodal terminal at Kalughat, Bihar  with Rs.78 cr will provide boost to region’s socio-economic development & create multiple job opportunities. This will also help decongest the roads of North Bihar and provide an alternative route for transportation of cargo in this area. He further said that  this route from Patna can prove to be a viable alternative to the conventional mode of movement of foodgrains & goods for NE region. It will provide a fillip to NE region’s development. The Minister informed  that for seamless navigation to NE region, 2 stretches of Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route are being developed with Bangladesh having the budget of Rs. 305 cr.  New scheme in budget  with Rs. 1,500 cr for North East- PM-DevINE to fund infrastructure and  & social development projects, will enable livelihood activities for youth & women, he added.

 

Enumerating the four  major steps taken by Govt. for holistic devp. of waterways infra & ecosystem, to increase share of inland water transport in overall cargo transport Shri Goyal said that under PM GatiShakti, waterways is one of the 7 engines that is driving transformative approach for economic growth & sustainable development. He said Prime Minister Narendra  Modi’s vision is to use 7 engines to achieve efficiency to reduce transport cost & remove distance barriers especially  for Farmers & MSMEs.  He informed that  govt. has undertaken Jal Marg Vikas Project  with Rs. 4,600 cr for capacity augmentation of NW-1 (Ganga) for safe   movement of vessels upto 2,000 tn.  He also mentioned that  this Project includes construction/setting up of multi-modal terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia, Ro-Ro terminals, jetties, vessel repair & maintenance facilities, etc. Eighty connectivity projects are in progress under Sagarmala to connect commercial hubs with ports. Shri Goyal also stated that 106 new waterways in 24 States have been declared as National Waterways, taking the total no. to 111. He said development of these rivers would include maintenance of infra for river shipping & navigation & warehouse facilities.

 

The Minister  mentioned that India-Bangladesh friendship is reaching new heights under Prime Minister Narendra  Modi & H.E. Sheikh Hasina. He said  that our friendship has evolved into a strategic partnership with multifaceted & deep collaboration in trade, investment, food security & technology. This event is  another milestone and a testament to ever-growing friendship between  India and Bangladesh, he said. This first food grain movement will be an integrated IWT movement via National Waterway-1 (river Ganga), NW-97 (Sunderbans), Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route and NW-2 (river Brahmaputra).

 

Appreciating  the efforts of FCI in carrying out world’s largest food supply system in Covid, the Minister said that  FCI has been the lifeline of the nation. He stated that  Food security to 80 cr beneficiaries have been extended under PMGKAY and   government has allocated 758 LMT     foodgrain under PMGKAY I to PMGKAY V during Covid  pandemic. He informed that 97 % of population has been connected  with  One Nation One Ration Card Scheme. He also said that FCI is serving far flung areas like Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, A&N Islands, Lakshadweep, etc. Earlier in 2014-15 to 2016-17, FCI moved ~22k MT foodgrains to Agartala through IBP waterway route during Gauge conversion in NFR. The Minister also invited on suggestions how FCI can improve compatibility with riverine movement of foodgrains – upgrading warehouses,     improving packing  to       reduce         pilferage, increase shelf life, using tech to improve efficiency, etc.

 

Referring to the Prime Minister’s quote 'India is emerging as a leading Blue Economy of the world. Govt is investing in waterways in a way that was never seen before' Shri Goyal said that FCI  in association with Ministry of Shipping & Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will continue to explore & increase the riverine movement, which is most eco-friendly, clean and  economical mode of transportation.

 

Shri Sarbanand Sonowal, Union  Minister of Ports, Shipping& Waterways and AYUSH, Shri Ashwini  Kumar Chaubey, MoS for CAFPD and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Shripad Naik, MoS for Ports, Shipping& Waterways and Tourism, Shantanu Thakur, MoS for Ports, Shipping& Waterways and both the Deputy CM’s of Bihar, Members of Parliament Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Shri Sushil Kumar Modi, Shri Rajeev Pratap Rudy,  Shri Nand Kishore yadav, MLA Patna Sahib and President of IWAI  flagged off  vessel ‘MV Lal Bahadur Shastri’ and unveiled the plaque of  foundation stone for terminal at Kalughat (Bihar). The dignitaries also released the training documents for Personnel on Inland Vessels. Shri Piyush Goyal  virtually joined the event. Shri Khalid Mohd. Chaudhary,Minister of Shipping, Bangladesh also attended the event virtually. The event was organised by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping& Waterways.

 

Background Information

 

'Flagging off of vessel' MV Lal Bahadur Shastri carrying food grains from Patna to Pandu.

Inland vessel MV Lal Bahadur Shastri carrying 200 Metric Ton of food grains belonging to Food Corporation of India was flagged off from Inland Water Terminal Gaighat Patna today. This is the first food grain movement on this Inland Water Transport (IWT) route. The 25-30 days voyage will be an integrated IWT movement via National Waterway-1 (river Ganga), NW-97 (Sunderbans), Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route and NW-2 (river Brahmaputra). While on the voyage from Patna to Pandu (Guwahati), the vessel Lal Bahadur Shastri will traverse through Bhagalpur, Manihari, Sahibganj, Farakka, Tribeni, Kolkata, Haldia, Hemnagar, Khulna, NarayanganjSirajganj, Chilmari, Dhubri and Jogighopa. The 2350 km long route will movement is expected to establish the technical and commercial viability of IWT mode using these multiple waterways. The IWT movement is also aimed at providing a fillip to North    East   Region’s     industrial     development         by     opening         up      an alternate route for transportation of goods.

 

Unveiling the Foundation Stone Plaque of IWAI Terminal at Kalughat in Saran District of Bihar: The site is located on river Ganga at Saran Distrcit in Bihar (~25 km by Road from Patna main city) and the terminal is directly connected to NH 19.  This terminal will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 78.28 crores. The capacity of the terminal with one berth will be 77,000 TEU per annum and the terminal has been designed to handle container traffic. The berth will be connected by approach trestles for movement of trucks, vehicles, operating and maintenance equipment. On shore facilities such as roads, drainage, sewerage, water supply, communication system will be developed as part of terminal development.

 

The construction of this terminal will help decongesting the jam-packed roads of North Bihar and provide an alternative route for transportation of cargo in this area specially to Nepal.