Issue Based Database January, 2015
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Issue Based Database January, 2015 Ministry of Agriculture Title: Union Agriculture Minister holds discussion with State Agriculture Ministers on Draft Farm Income Insurance Scheme Date: 27th January, 2015 • Union Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh today had discussion with State Agriculture Ministers on Draft Farm Income Insurance Scheme in Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi. Briefing the media faternity, he said that there was broad consensus on the following points: • Shri Singh said that the Draft Farm Income Insurance Scheme will have two components, that is, the price based insurance and the yield based insurance. A committee consisting of senior agriculture officials and representatives from state governments will be formed to look into the suggestions from the State Government’s during the meeting today. In the morning, he also had discussion with farmer organisation on this issue. He further said that ongoing insurance schemes will continue. • During the discussion, the representatives from the states suggested to implement income insurance scheme in consonance with their local needs which include climatic, geographical conditions and crop pattern. Shri Singh said that there has been a consensus from representatives from various States on this aspect. • Shri Singh informed that as a pilot project, the schemes suggested by States will be implemented with the approval of Central Government. Shri Ashish Bahuguna, Secretary Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture was also present on this occasion. GG:SB:CP/ 27.01.2015 Title: Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forests, Fiji calls on Shri Radha Mohan Singh Today Date: 27th January, 2015 A delegation from Fiji led by,Mr.Inia Seruiratu Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forests Minister for Rural & Maritime Development and National Disaster Management called on Union Agriculture Minister Sh. Radha Mohan Singh in Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi today. Fiji has proposed to enter into MoUs in the following generic areas: (1) Development of the Animal Husbandry Industry. (2) Cooperation in areas of Fisheries and Aqua-culture. (3) Horticulture Industry Development. (4) Revamping of the Rice Industry. (5) Cooperation in Root Crop Diversification. It may be mentioned that MoU on Development Cooperation was signed with Fiji by Ministry of External Affairs in 2006 which included Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests sectors as an item. Shri Radha Mohan Singh assured the delegation that Agriculture Ministry will look into the points mentioned by them. Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that India looks forward to strengthening the bilateral relation to a new height. Shri Radha Mohan Singh also showed keen interest on the point of in training of Agriculture student of Fiji at ICAR Institutes. GG:SB:CP/Fiji 27.01.2015 Title: Concerted Efforts Needed to Produce Clean Spices at Competitive Prices says Radha Mohan Singh Date: 27th January, 2015 Union Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh while inaugurating National Conference on Development and Export of Spices in Pusa campus, New Delhi today, said that concerted efforts are needed to produce clean spices at competitive prices in order to sustain India’s share in world market speaking on the occasion he said that. Spices farmers have been facing the problem of low productivity, fluctuating prices coupled with biotic and abiotic stress resulting in low farm income. However, efforts of diversification, unfolding of nutraceutical and health benefit of spices and farming system models have provided better opportunity for improving income from spices, he added. Shri Singh said that ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research Calicut and National Research Centre on Seed Spices Ajmer have pioneered in developing a number of high yielding varieties and production technologies. Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that Spices Board under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has been spearheading activities for excellence of Indian spices with respect to quality and hygiene of high level. The Board functions as an important link between the Indian exporters and the importers abroad and supports Indian spices brand building amongst the importing countries which is really needed to realize the slogan of Brand India and Make in India, he added. Referring to India’s status in World Spice Trade, Shri Singh said that the export earnings showed a spectacular growth during the period from 2005-06 to 2013-14 as the earning increased from 592.9 million US $ to 2267.67 million US $. The volume of spices exported increased from 350,363 metric tons in 2005-06 to 817,250 metric tons in 2013-14. Shri Singh said that Spices have been playing an important role in the Indian agrarian economy as it accounts for 5% of the agriculture GDP of the country. The agro-climatic conditions in the country provide an ideal habitat for the natural growth of various spices. There is a long list of 75 spices grown in India but chillies, black pepper, ginger, turmeric, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, coriander, saffron and cumin are commercially more important. Shri Singh said that today, India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices in the world. GG:SB:CP/Spices 27.01.2015 Title: Area Coverage under Rabi Crops Date: 23rd January, 2015 As per Rabi Crops data released by Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, total area coverage as on today under Rabi crops moves to 586.05 lakh hectares while last year’s sowing area was at 624.82 lakh hectare. Wheat`s sowing area is at 305.6 lakh hectares as compared to last year’s 313.69 lakh hectares. The area under sowing of total Coarse cereals is at 56.43 lakh hectares as compared to last year’s 59.61 lakh hectares. The area under sowing of Gram is at 81.97 lakh hectares this year while the last year’s figure was 98.68 lakh hectares. Area coverage under Total Pulses is at 133.55 lakh hectares while the last year’s sowing area coverage was 150.00 lakh hectares. Similarly sowing area under total oilseeds is at 78.47 lakh hectares as compared to 86.92 lakh hectares last year. GG:SB:CP weather watch (23.01.2015) Title: Shri Radha Mohan Singh to Visit Patna, Bihar on 25th of this Month Date: 22nd January, 2015 Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, will visit Patna, Bihar on 25-01-2015 to address the issue of establishing a Central Agriculture University in Pusa named Rajendra Central Agriculture University. An MOU in this regard will be signed by Agriculture Education and Research Department of Government of Bihar and ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture. Shri Singh expressed his happiness and complimented Bihar Government for responding positively to his letter dated 19-01-2015. In his communication vide letter dated today, addressed to Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Singh mentioned that Bihar is considered to be storehouse of knowledge in various sectors including Science and Agriculture from ancient times. Since long, demand for establishing a full fledged Central Agricultural University in Bihar was being made and present Rajendra Agriculture University, Pusa was identified for making it into Central Agriculture University. Planning Commission had provided in-principle approval in 2009 to State Government’s proposal. During 12th Five year plan, an amount of Rs 400 cr has been proposed in this regard. Title: European Commission Lifts Ban on Import of Mangoes from India Date: 21st January, 2015 The European Commission having paid due cognizance to the audit findings in its meeting in Brussels on 20.01.2015 decided to lift the ban on import of mangoes from India. This news has been widely welcomed by farmers and exporters in the country as well as mango lovers in Europe, particularly in U.K. Specifying the efforts of senior officials of Ministry of Agriculture, Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that the system of inspection and certification of fresh fruits and vegetables destined for the EU market was subjected to a complete overhaul. The phytosanitary inspectors, exporters, pack house operators, etc. were given intensive training by officials of the Ministry of Agriculture. Senior officials visited pack houses located in all parts of the country to enforce necessary changes in infrastructure and in the procedures adopted for preparation of export consignments. State Governments, APEDA, exporters and perishable cargo handling facilities at international airports provided full support to the initiative lead by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Union Agriculture Minister raised India’s concern over the ban with representatives from Germany, EU, the Netherlands and UK. All deficiencies pointed out by the EU were removed by August, 2014. An Audit Team of the EU visited India on Government’s invitation in September, 2014. The EU auditors were briefed about the steps taken by India by a team led by Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture. This technical Audit Team spent 10 days in the country to carry out a detailed evaluation of the entire phytosanitary control chain. The audit report submitted by this team has recognized the significant improvements carried out in India in the phytosanitary control system. India has been exporting various fresh fruits and vegetables, prominent among them being mangoes, to countries of the European Union. In May, 2014 a ban was imposed by the European Commission on imports of mangoes, bitter gourd, egg plant, snake gourd