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20 Apr, 2022 News Image Lebanon finalising importing 50,000 tons of wheat from India.
Lebanon, which was largely dependent on Ukraine for wheat imports, has been struggling to procure wheat since the outbreak of the conflict following the Russian invasion. It is facing a food security crisis at present.
 
The government of Lebanon has been in touch with India and is in the process of finalising the procurement of 50,000 tonnes of wheat from India, which will last them one month.
 
'Traditionally wheat imports were in the hands of the private sector in Lebanon. However, now the government has decided to purchase it on its own. We have shared all the relevant information that they needed from our end as we are in a position to provide wheat (as there is stock),’’ Indian Ambassador to Lebanon, Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan told TNIE.
 
Lebanon is also reeling under an acute economic crisis since 2019, so paying for the wheat is a challenge for them. Nearly 75 per cent of the population is living below the poverty line and buying even a loaf of bread is also becoming increasingly difficult for them. The government has been subsidising the cost of wheat.
 
'The kind of soft wheat that we produce in India, matches the requirement in Lebanon. Once they finalise it from their end, we will facilitate them to take it forward,’’ Dr Khan added.
 
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam has said that while they are in the process of finalising wheat import from India, they are also hopeful of having more collaborations with India.
 
'India is our friend. The Indian Ambassador in Beirut has addressed all our queries regarding wheat and we are hoping to fortify our trade ties in sectors like technology and agriculture,’’ said Amin Salam, while addressing members of the Indian Consulate in Beirut recently.
 
Salam went further to add that India was an ally and they would like to have economic and geopolitical ties with them. Meanwhile, due to the economic crisis, Lebanon’s wheat importers (there are 12) haven’t placed any new orders globally. 
 
Years of financial mismanagement, rampant corruption, and the pandemic have taken a toll on Lebanon’s economy and now the country faces food insecurity.
 
Nearly 75 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line. The Beirut Blast in August 2020 (that happened due to a shipment of ammonium nitrate catching fire killing 200 people), led to the destruction of wheat silos which stored 100,000 tonnes of grain.
 
According to the World Food Programme (WFP), food prices in Lebanon have increased by 1000 per cent in two years. This hyperinflation and food shortage has been compounded by the fuel crises.

 Source:  newindianexpress.com
20 Apr, 2022 News Image PM Modi likely to meet leaders of Germany, Denmark, France next month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold a series of dialogues with European leaders between April 21 and the first week of May. This comes amid mounting pressure on India to sever ties with Moscow in view of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
 
 
As per the sources in the PMO, PM Modi is expected to undertake a tour of three European nations-- Germany, Denmark and France-- in the first week of May. An official announcement regarding the same is expected later.
 
A senior official said that since the 2022 French presidential election is set for April 24, PM Modi’s visit to France could hinge on whether the key European nation will give Emmanuel Macron five more years, or elect a new president to the Élysée Palace.
 
Prior to his tour of three nations, PM Modi is scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who are scheduled to visit India.
 
As per officials, British Prime Minister Johnson's two day visit to India, which starts on April 21, marks a push to 'restart with renewed energy ' talks on a proposed Indo-British trade pact as it had run into stalemate as the two sides couldn’t negotiate past contentious issues of market access and tariff reduction.
 
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen will be visiting India on April 24 as the chief guest of 'Raisina Dialogue' which was Inducted in 2016 as India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics committed to addressing challenges faced by the global community.
 
PM MODI’S EUROPEAN VISIT
 
PM Modi’s visit to European nations come as a time when India has firmly state that it will decide its own foreign policy. Recently, the stand taken by India over the Russia-Ukraine conflict at various global forums, as well the country’s attempts to augment its energy needs through purchase of Russian oil has been criticised by the US.
 
As per a senior government source, the ties with Europe are critical for India at such a time and the PM’s focus will remain on promoting regional cooperation, trade, and economics.
 
'European Union is India’s third largest trade partner and India would like to ensure that the ongoing cooperation programmes do not get impacted by the stress Russia-Ukraine conflict is creating,' the official said.
 
Earlier this month, at the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged India not to buy additional Russian oil. He said, "When it comes to oil purchases, sanctions, et cetera, I just note that there are carve-outs for energy purchases. Of course, we're encouraging countries not to purchase additional energy supplies from Russia. Every country is differently situated, has different needs, requirements, but we're looking to allies and partners not to increase their purchases of Russian energy."
 
In response, EAM S Jaishankar said India's total purchase for the month would be less than what Europe buys in an afternoon.
 
EAM Jaishankar said, "If you are looking at energy purchases from Russia, I would suggest that your attention should be focused on Europe, which probably - we do buy some energy which is necessary for our energy security, but I suspect looking at the figures, probably our total purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon."
 
WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM THESE MEETINGS?
 
Sources said that the final touches to the tour of the three nations are being provided, adding that if there is no major change in France, PM Modi could travel to the three nations between May 1-5.
 
In an attempt to push for greater trade, removing hurdles and firming up supply chain, PM Modi is expected to hold top level dialogues during his visit.
 
In Germany, PM Modi is expected to hold his first ever one-on-one meet with German chancellor Olaf Schultz. In Denmark, PM Modi’s focus will be on improving India’s ties with Nordic nations like Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland
 
Prime Minister of Denmark H E Mette Frederiksen visited India in October 2021. During the visit, the two countries decided to further expand collaboration in the areas of agriculture technology, including in the sectors of food safety, cold chain, food processing, fertilizers, fisheries, aquaculture, etc.
 
PM Frederiksen had extended an invitation to PM Modi to visit Copenhagen for the second India-Nordic summit in 2022.

 Source:  indiatoday.in
20 Apr, 2022 News Image Sitharaman meets South African Finance Minister, discusses enhancing bilateral ties, economic cooperation.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Tuesday in Washington DC and discussed enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries.
 
'Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman (Nirmala Sitharaman) met Godangwana Enoch, South Africa Finance Minister @TreasuryRSA on the sidelines of IMF-WB (International Monetary Fund-World Bank)Spring Meetings, at Washington D.C., today, to exchange views on issues of #Mutualinterests,' Ministry of Finance said in a tweet.
 
'Both Ministers discussed enhancing #Bilateral ties and #EconomicPartnership and exploring opportunities to increase bilateral #investment and #trade,' he added.
 
In the series of tweets, Finance Ministry further informed that the Union Finance Minister acknowledged South Africa's revenue collections for the fiscal year 2021-2022.
 
'Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman (Nirmala Sitharaman) also acknowledged South Africa's strong revenue collections in FY 2021-22 which helped boost the country's economy,' the Ministry of Finance tweeted.
 
The Union Minister reached Washington today morning on an official visit to attend the Spring Meetings at the World Bank, the G20 Finance Ministers meeting and the Central Bank Governor Meeting (FMCBG).
 
During the first day of the visit, Finance Minister participated in a high-level panel discussion on 'Money at a Crossroad' hosted by Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, IMF.
 
'We are at the crossroads around how fast, how far, and in what proportion, but I see this as a one-way street in which Digital Money is going to play a bigger role,' the IMF chief said in her opening remarks.
 
Sitharaman highlighted India's performance in the digital world and the government's efforts to build the digital infrastructure framework over the last decade, stressing the increase of the digital adoption rate in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The IMF Managing Director lauded India's well-targeted policy mix that has helped the Indian economy remain resilient.
Georgieva highlighted the resilience of India which remains the fastest-growing country across the globe despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Sitharaman called upon the IMF to support and urgently provide financial assistance to Sri Lanka. The Managing Director assured the Finance Minister that the IMF would continue to actively engage with Sri Lanka, the Ministry stated.
 
During the meeting, they discussed several issues currently being faced by the global and the regional economies.
 
Notably, once the meetings conclude in Washington, Sitharaman will head to San Francisco on April 24, where she will engage with business leaders and will also interact with the faculty and students at Stanford University. She will depart for India on April 27.

 Source:  aninews.in
20 Apr, 2022 News Image Centre and States will work together to ensure pesticides and seeds availability: Shri Narendra Singh Tomar.
Union Agriculture Minister, Sh Narendra Singhr Tomar inaugurated National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign 2022-23 today at NASC Complex, New Delhi. The Minister expressed satisfaction that that as per 2nd Advance Estimates (2021-22), total food grains production in the country is estimated at 3160 lakh tonnes which will be an all time record.  The pulses and oilseeds production will be 269.5 and 371.5 lakh tonnes, respectively. As per third advanced estimates, horticulture production during 2020-21 is 3310.5 lakh tonnes which is the highest ever for Indian horticulture. The Minister stated that the centre and states would work together to ensure pesticides and seeds availability to reduce input costs for farmers. He urged that there should be a strategy to replace Urea with Nano-urea. He declared that the government would continue to lay emphasis on natural and organic farming. On exports the Minister said that while agriculture exports have increased, attention should be paid on quality prducts so that they can compete in International Markets. Exporters and farmers both should benefit.
 
The objective of this conference was to review and assess the crop performance during the preceding crop seasons and fix crop-wise targets for Kharif season in consultation with State Governments, ensure supply of critical inputs and facilitate adoption of innovative technologies with a view to enhance production and productivity of the crops.  The priority of government is agro-ecological based  crop planning for diversion of land from excess commodities like rice and wheat. to deficit commodities like oilseeds and pulses and high value export earning crops. Government is giving high priority to Crop Diversification with focus on Self Sufficiency in Oilseeds&Pulses and Promotion of Oil Palm. Consultations with all stake holders like major states, researchers, industries and policy makers have been held to finalize a National Policy Frame Work for Crop Diversification Programme in the country.  All states should work towards crop diversification for making agriculture sustainable, profitable and self sufficient in deficit commodities.
 
The Conference set National targets for total food grain production set at 3280 lakh tonnes for the year 2022-23 compared to expected production of 3160 lakh tonnes during current year. Target for production of pulses and pulses have been fixed at 295.5 and 413.4 lakh tonnes in 2022-23.  Nutri-cereals production has to be increased from 115.3 in 2021-22 to 205.0 lakh tonnes in 2022-23. The strategy would be to increase area through inter-cropping and crop diversification and productivity enhancement through introduction of HYVs and adoption of suitable agronomic practices in low yielding regions.
 
Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary (Agriculture and Farmers Welfare), said that the country is maintaining an increasing trend in food grain production since 2015-16. Total food grain production has increased by 25% in last 6 years from 251.54 to 316.01 million tonnes. Oilseeds have followed the same trend and have shown a growth of 42% from 25.25 million tonnes in 2015-16 to 37.15 million tonnes in 2021-22. India’s exports of agricultural products have grown by 19.92% during 2021-22 to touch $50.21 billion ( Rs 376575 crore).The commodities like wheat, other cereals, rice (other than Basmati), soya meal, raw cotton, fresh vegetable, and processed vegetables etc have registered most positive growths.
 
He said, 'We have to accelerate the production and productivity of agriculture and horticulture sectors for ensuring food and nutritional security in the rural areas. The Government has adopted several developmental programmes, schemes, reforms and policies that focus on higher incomes for the farmers. Action Plan for 3 years Seed Rolling Plan (2021-22 to 2023-24) for all oilseeds  with allocation Rs 381.95 crore will produce a total of 14.7 lakh quintals of quality seed of new HYVs will be produced in next 3 years.'
 
Making a detailed presentation on the strategies for crop management in Kharif season, Dr. A. K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner said that country has recorded all time high food grains, oilseeds and horticultural production due to timely interventions of the government. Now, special focus is given on oilseeds, pulses and nutria-cereals. Post monsoon, rainfall has been in excess over normal and about 55.76 lakh hectares was under cultivation during summer. Following government policy, there has been reduction in area under rice with corresponding increase in pulses and oilseeds cultivation. Government has worked out requirement of seed and fertilizers and will ensure their timely supply.  ( Click here for detailed Presentation)
 
Secretary (Fertilizers) deliberated on positioning of fertilizers supply for forthcoming season. Detailed presentations were made for new initiatives taken for increasing production of nutri-cereals and celebrating of International Year on Milles in 2023. Cafeteria Approach under RKVY and sub-schemes for farm mechanization were shared for the benefits of the states. Presentations were also given on Digital Agriculture, PM-Kisan and Natural Farming.
 
Additional Secretary (Agriculture) and senior officers from DA&FW, ICAR and officers of different State Governments participated in the National Conference. The states of Gujarat, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh shared their progress. This was followed by an interaction session with Agriculture Production Commissioners and Principal Secretaries of all the States to raise issues concerning their states for increasing area coverage, production and productivity during Kharif season.

 Source:  pib.gov.in
20 Apr, 2022 News Image Government sets foodgrain output target at record 328 million tonnes for 2022-23 crop year.
The government has set the foodgrain production target at a record level of 328 million tonnes for the 2022-23 crop year on the back of good monsoon rains. The target is 3.8 per cent higher compared to previous year's output.
 
As per the second advance estimate of the agriculture ministry, foodgrains production is estimated to be a record of 316.06 million tonne in ongoing 2021-22 crop year ending June.
 
The target for the 2022-23 crop year (July-June) was set at the National Conference for Kharif Campaign 2022 which was held on Tuesday to review the progress of the rabi (winter) season and plan for the Kharif (summer) crops.
 
 
Addressing the conference, Agriculture Commissioner A K Singh said the forecast of normal monsoon this year augurs well for the sowing of kharif crops like rice.
 
'We have kept the target of a record 328 million tonnes of foodgrains for the 2022-23 crop year,' he said.
 
Of the total foodgrains production, a production target of 163.15 million tonnes has been set for the kharif season and 164.85 million tonnes for the rabi season.
 
For the kharif season, rice production target has been kept at 112 million tonnes, maize at 23.10 million tonnes, pulses at 10.55 million tonnes, and oilseeds at 26.89 million tonnes.
 
Barring soyabean, Singh said there was surplus seed availability to meet the requirement of the upcoming kharif season. Even fertiliser availability is sufficient to meet the requirement of the season, he added.
 
However, he noted that state governments need to address high yield gaps in oilseeds, falling acreage in sunflower and shortage of soyabean seeds for sowing.

 Source:  /economictimes.indiatimes.com
19 Apr, 2022 News Image It is a matter of pride that there has been a big leap in Agri-exports and ease of doing business: Shri Narendra Singh Tomar.

 

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar today lauched two portals, one for the Computerized Registration of pesticide (CROP) and the other for Plant Quarantine Management System (PQMS). Speaking on the occasion the Minister said, keeping in mind Prime Minister’s vision for the Agriculture sector these two portals have been launched and would help in taking forward digital Agriculture and Ease of doing Business. Shri Tomar expressed happiness stating that Agriculture Exports have taken a great leap forward.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Kailash Chaudhary said that the Prime Minister’s emphasis on technology will lead to further development of the Agriculture sector. The new portals will benefit farmers, exporters as well as industrialists.

Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, through the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (DPPQS), Faridabad has been catering to Indian exporters and importers of agriculture commodities and Indian Pesticide Industry, through its two portals namely, Computerized Registration of pesticide (CROP) and Plant Quarantine Information System (PQIS). Realising the need for quicker disposal of applications related to export/import of agricultural commodities and pesticides registration, a more coordinated integration with external systems and stakeholders, and to bring in greater transparency in the existing online system, DAFW today launched two redeveloped online portals.

The PQMS portal will provide a transparent system with no physical touch points for the applicants and ensure convenience to the users, through online system including e-payments and uploading of documents, online accreditation and renewal of treatment agencies/facilities and downloading of certificates. Similarly, the re-developed CROP portal will immensely help in ease of doing business and provide greater and timely Crop protection solution to farmers of the country.

DAFW had engaged CGG, Hyderabad for design, development, technical support maintenance and hosting of seamless integrated e-Governance solution for Plant Quarantine Management System (PQMS) on new technology platform and also for hosting of e-Governance solutions of redeveloped Comprehensive Registration of Pesticides (CROP).

SPRAY OF PESITCIDES USING DRONES

In line with the vision of the Prime Minister for promoting drone technology and its use in India and to facilitate the use of Kisan drones, as announced in budget document 2022-23; the Department in consultation with all the stakeholders of this sector, has brought out Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for use of drones in pesticide and nutrient application that provide precise instructions for effective and safe operations of drones. As part of continuing efforts to make drone technologies to reach all farmers, the Ministry has issued orders today granting an interim approval for spray of nearly all the registered pesticides formulations using drones. These pesticide formulations are those whose safety and efficacy has already been evaluated on different crops and are already being used in the country using other methods. The application of pesticides using drones will not only make it easier for farmers to efficiently protect plants from pests, but will also eventually help in increasing their incomes through reduced input costs.

Among those who graced the occasion were MoS Agriculture Shri Kailash Chaudhary, Agriculture Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja, senior officials of the Agriculture Ministry, DG, Centre for Good Governance Shri Rajendra Nimje, ICAR Scientists, Representatives from the States, Industries and Farmers’ Organisations.

 

 Source:  pib.gov.in
19 Apr, 2022 News Image FSSAI directions on sampling of imported alcoholic beverages and lactoferrin.
The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued directions with respect to the sampling of high priced imported alcoholic beverages and lactoferrin.
 
The FSSAI order says that for high priced liquor, a representative sample of 100ml in two numbers and in case of lactoferrin two samples of 25gm each can be drawn for the purpose of analysis.
 
The order reads, 'it is reiterated to all the labs to carry out the analysis with 100ml quantity and authorised officers shall ensure that in case of import of high priced liquor, if miniature/representative sample of 100ml, in two numbers, is available, then only miniature samples shall be drawn.'
 
The order added that if any difficulties were faced in implementation of this order, the concerned officers can bring it to the FSSAI’s notice.
 
It was brought to the notice of FSSAI that field officers were insisting for a significantly higher quantity of samples of high priced imported alcoholic beverages, which was in contravention to the quantity prescribed by the FSSAI.  
 
Similarly the authorised officers were directed to ensure that miniature/representative samples of at least 50gm, in two samples of 25gm each can be drawn in case of lactoferrin.  
 
Lactoferrin falls under the ‘food not specified’ category,  so the usual samples of 500gm are drawn. However, the food businesses sought FSSAI’s intervention to reduce the sample size, as it is an expensive ingredient, the food authority agreed.
 
Further, the food businesses informed the FSSAI that opening of the commercial pack in an uncontrolled environment increases the risk of contamination which affects the final product and leads to losses to the FBO.
 
The FSSAI order added that in case of non-availability of miniature or representative samples, the lactoferrin  samples should be drawn in aseptic condition.

 Source:  fnbnews.com
19 Apr, 2022 News Image Centre launches online portals on export, import of agricultural commodities and pesticides registration.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday launched two new portals, including one for registration of pesticides.
 
The second portal is for documentation related to imports and exports of agri-products and plants. The portals — CROP (Comprehensive Registration of Pesticides) and PQMS (Plant Quarantine Management System) — aim at improving ease of doing business.
 
Speaking at the launch, Tomar said the portals will make the process of pesticides registration and documentation process for export-import simple and transparent. The government is committed to make improvements in systems, if required, he added.
 
Highlighting the importance of agriculture in the Indian economy, Tomar stressed on the need to strengthen the sector. The country is not only self-sufficient in foodgrains production but also has surplus stocks which is attributed to the efforts of the farmers’ community, research done by farm scientists and the farmer-friendly policies of the government, he added.

 Source:  tribuneindia.com
19 Apr, 2022 News Image India restarts tea, rice, other exports to Russia.
India's exports to Russia have resumed with containers carrying goods including tea, rice, fruits, coffee, marine products and confectionery shipping out last week, said people with knowledge of the matter. Banks led by Russia's largest lender, Sberbank, are facilitating settlement of bilateral trade moving largely through ports in Georgia.
 
'The transactions are happening through Sberbank,' said Ajay Sahai, director general and CEO, Federation of Indian Export Organisations.
 
Exports had almost stalled amid the uncertainty that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24. The trade is being settled through the rupee-rouble route to the extent possible, while some banks are providing remittances in euros, said a person aware of the details. Officials of both countries have held talks relating to trade and payments.
 
'We have just shipped 60 containers of non-basmati rice to Russia, each weighing 22,000 kg,' said Ashwin Shah, director at Shah Nanji Nagji Exports, a leading exporter of rice to Russia. 'Payment for our rice is being handled by Russia-based Alfa Bank. Bank of Maharashtra is our Indian bank.'
 
The immediate demand is for food as Russian stores are emptying out because of sanctions imposed on the country and the ban on supplies by the European Union. 'Tea exports to Russia have begun and we have just shipped five containers to Russia,' said Mohit Agarwal, director of Asian Tea, a leading exporter.
 
Russia is a major market for Indian tea, importing 43-45 million kg annually. More items will shortly be added for exports to Russia, industry sources said.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
19 Apr, 2022 News Image Sugar exports may jump to 90 lakh tonnes in 2021-22: ISMA.
Sugar exports are estimated to increase to over 90 lakh tonnes in the current marketing year ending September, from 71-72 lakh tonnes in the previous year, on better demand for the Indian sweetener from Bangladesh and Indonesia, according to industry body ISMA. The sugar marketing year runs from October to September.
 
'As per market reports and port information, around 80 lakh tonnes of sugar export have been contracted so far. Out of that, about 57.17 lakh tonnes of sugar have been physically exported out of the country during October 2021-March 2022 period, as compared to about 31.85 lakh tonnes exported in the last sugar year during the same period,' Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said in a statement.
 
About 7-8 lakh tonnes of sugar is in pipeline for export in April 2022.
 
'In the current year, major export destinations are Indonesia and Bangladesh, accounting for almost 44 per cent of total exports, as against 48 per cent shared collectively by Indonesia and Afghanistan last year during the corresponding period,' the association said.
 
ISMA said it has revised its production estimate to 350 lakh tonnes for the 2021-22 marketing year. It also revised its export estimates to over 90 lakh tonnes.
 
'Considering the above and domestic consumption of 272 lakh tonnes, there will be a closing balance of 68 lakh tonnes at the end of the sugar season on 30th September 2022,' it added.
 
Recently, Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey had said that India's sugar exports are expected to cross 80 lakh tonnes in the ongoing 2021-22 marketing year ending September, surpassing the previous year's level. During the 2020-21 marketing year, the country exported a record 72.3 lakh tonnes of sweetener.
 
On the production side, ISMA said that mills have produced 329.91 lakh tonnes of sugar till April 15 in the current 2021-22 marketing year against 291.82 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period.
 
In Maharashtra, sugar production till April 15 was 126.48 lakh tonnes compared to 103.95 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous marketing year. Sugar production in Uttar Pradesh declined to 94.41 lakh tonnes from 100.86 lakh tonnes during the period under review.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com