Sep , 2021, Volume : 2 Article : 1
Agricultural News Updates September 2021
Author : Bhagirath Das, Poulami Ray Aiswarya S, Shantanu Rakshit
Highlights
- IndiGau: India’s first Cattle Genomic Chip for the conservation of pure varieties of indigenous cattle breeds released
- Cabinet approved Rs 11,400 crore National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)
- World`s second-largest refurbished gene bank inaugurated at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
- NABARS’s loans registers 25% growth in FY 21
- Dairy Investment Accelerator set up to promote & facilitate investments in the Dairy sector
- India’s first sectoral index in agri-commodities launched
- Agriculture to be taught as subject in Maharashtra schools
- Chak-Hao, Manipur’s Black Rice Exported to Europe
- Saagu-Baagu project launched in Telangana to promote innovation in Agriculture and Horticulture
- Tamil Nadu becomes third state to present separate agricultural budget
- Govt to finalise IDEA to fulfil the dream of Self-reliant and Digital IndiaIndia Post’s special cover released on Naga Mircha, world`s hottest chilli
- Sonalika launched an Edu-tech platform ‘Sonalika e-Gurukul’ for rural children
- India’s highest herbal garden at 11,000 feet altitude inaugurated at Mana, Uttarakhand
- Raja Mircha, World’s hottest chilli, makes its way from Nagaland to London for the first time
- 2 lakh micro food processing enterprises to be set up or upgraded through credit linked subsidy
- Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 prohibiting single use plastic notified by Government of India
- Four more wetlands from India added to Ramsar wetlands list of international importance
- Jharkhand farmers to get Unique ID cards under new ‘Birsa Kisan’ initiative
- App launch by Sonalika group to enable farmers rent farm equipment and avail services
- Centre approves revival package for North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC)
- ITC-MAARS super App by ITC to focus more on agriculture business
- Egypt plans to start growing Basmati rice and market next year
- Rajasthan Government launched Mukhyamantri Kisan Mitra Urja Yojana to grant of Rs 1,000 monthly on electricity cost on agriculture connections
- On World Environment Day PM Modi launched E-100 pilot project in Pune for promotion of biofuels
- BRICS Agricultural Research Platform inaugurated in New Delhi
IndiGau: India’s first Cattle Genomic Chip for the conservation of pure varieties of indigenous cattle breeds released
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has released ‘IndiGau’, India’s first Cattle Genomic Chip for the conservation of pure varieties of indigenous cattle breeds like, Gir, Kankrej, Sahiwal, Ongole, etc. This chip was developed by the scientists of National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NAIB), Hyderabad, an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Department of Biotechnology. It has 11,496 markers (SNPs) and is the largest cattle chip of the world. To further the use of this chip in generating phenotypic and genotypic correlations, NIAB has entered into a collaborative agreement with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) with the objective of elite bull selection and improvement of productivity characters of Indian cattle.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1745479
Cabinet approved Rs 11,400 crore National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)
Union Cabinet approved the NMEO-OP with a focus on the northeast region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with a financial outlay of Rs 11,040 crore. Outlay Rs 8,844 crore will be the share of central government and Rs 2,196 crore will be the share of states. The Mission aims to increase the area under cultivation for Oil Palm by an additional area of 6.5 lakh hectare thereby reaching the target of 10 lakh hectares in the next 5 years. It also aims to reduce the import dependency of palm oil benefitting the oil palm farmers and employment generation.
World`s second-largest refurbished gene bank inaugurated at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated the world`s second-largest refurbished state-of-the-art National Gene Bank at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Pusa, New Delhi. It hosts state-of-the-art facilities for germplasm conservation. The National Gene Bank established in the year 1996 to preserve the seeds of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) for future generations, has the capacity to preserve about one million germplasm in the form of seeds.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1746485
NABARS’s loans registers 25% growth in FY 21
The total loans and advances extended by NABARD during 2020-21 has seen a whopping rise of 25.2% to reach ₹6 lakh crore, half of which went to production and investment and a third into infrastructure development. NABARD chairman GR Chintala pointed out that the record 3.6% growth of agriculture sector is likely to continue in the current financial year as well and agriculture credit outstanding grew at 12.3% in 2020-21 which is the highest among all sectors.
Dairy Investment Accelerator set up to promote & facilitate investments in the Dairy sector
With a view to provide dedicated focus towards promoting & facilitating investments in the Indian Dairy sector, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) has setup Dairy Investment Accelerator under its Investment Facilitation Cell. This Investment Accelerator is a cross functional team constituted to serve as the interface with investors. Dairy Investment Accelerator is also generating awareness among investors about Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development fund (AHIDF), which includes benefits like 3% interest subvention on loans and 2-year moratorium with 6-year repayment period to eligible persons.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1736831
India’s first sectoral index in agri-commodities launched
National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) has launched the futures contract on NCDEX GUAREX, India’s first sectoral index in agri-commodities basket. It is a price-based index tracking the price movement in the futures contracts of its underlying i.e., Guar Seed (Cluster Beans) and Guar Gum Refined Splits on a real-time basis. It is to be noted that India is the world’s largest Guar producer accounting for 80-85 percent of the world’s output while the state of Rajasthan is the country’s top producer with 80 percent market share in the domestic market.
Agriculture to be taught as subject in Maharashtra schools
The state government has asked Maharashtra State Council of Education and Training Institute (MSCERT) and Maharashtra Council of Agriculture, Education and Research (MCAER) to jointly prepare the curriculum. The aim is to create interest among the students in agriculture and ensure agriculture and social commitments towards the farmer community in rural areas.
Chak-Hao, Manipur’s Black Rice Exported to Europe
The organic black rice consignment was flagged off for Europe on 12th of August. The state government has also started vehicles carrying high-quality seeds for distribution to residents in various parts of the State affected by the destruction of poppy plantations by the government`s `war on drugs` campaign. Chak-Hao is aromatic rice cultivated in Manipur known for its medicinal and nutritional properties and is registered under GI certificate number 364.
Source: https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/manipur-s-black-rice-chak-hao-exported-to-europe/
Saagu-Baagu project launched in Telangana to promote innovation in Agriculture and Horticulture
Adopting a farmer first approach, the State government and World Economic Forum (WEF) jointly invited proposals from startups, Farm Producers Organisations (FPOs), industries, academia and civil society to showcase end-to-end value chain transformation with new age technologies, under its ambitious Saagu-Baagu project. The Saagu-Baagu project is the first-of-its-kind public-private initiative for agritech in India which aims at bringing value addition with mainstreaming of innovative new age technologies in agriculture.
Tamil Nadu becomes third state to present separate agricultural budget
After Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Tamil Nadu has become the third state in India to present a separate farm budget. The budget by the Tamil Nadu Government exclusively featured agricultural schemes for the overall development of the farm sector. To promote organic farming, the Tamil Nadu government will implement the ‘Organic Farming Development Scheme’ under which inputs for organic farming will be made available in Agricultural Extension Centers.
Govt to finalise IDEA to fulfil the dream of Self-reliant and Digital India
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is finalising the “India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA)” project which will lay down a framework for Agristack in the country. The Agristack architecture which will serve as a foundation for developing new agri focused solutions that use emerging technologies to successfully contribute to the creation of better agriculture ecosystem in India. As a first step in this direction, the government has begun work on a farmers data base which will serve as a backbone of the proposed Agristack.
Source: https://newsonair.com/2021/08/12/govt-to-finalise-india-digital-ecosystem-of-agriculture-idea/
India Post’s special cover released on Naga Mircha, world`s hottest chilli
To mark the 75th Independence Day, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio released a special cover of India Post on Naga Mircha, also known as Raja Mircha. Raja Mircha has been recognised as one of the top five hottest chilli in the world on Scoville Heat Units (SHUs) list and holds a vegetation GI-tagged to Nagaland since 2008. The Raja Mircha or the `king chili is also known as Bhoot Jolokia and Ghost pepper.
Sonalika launched an Edu-tech platform ‘Sonalika e-Gurukul’ for rural children
Sonalika, India’s fastest growing and the top exporting brand of tractors has launched an infotainment channel on YouTube ‘Sonalika e-Gurukul’ for rural children. The channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyRabmVSL3L1zAKSLb8nKVw ) has been particularly designed for rural children in order to present them with intriguing facts and knowledge, as well as to expand their imagination to new heights by ensuring their continual mental and emotional learning.
India’s highest herbal garden at 11,000 feet altitude inaugurated at Mana, Uttarakhand
India`s highest-altitude herbal garden with 40 species of Himalayan herbs, including species that are rare and endangered, has come up at a height of 11,000 feet in Mana-the last village near Indo-China border of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. The garden spanning three acres was built in three years on van panchayat land by forest department under the central government’s Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) scheme. The garden is divided in four sections; the first section is dedicated to species associated with Badrinath (Lord Vishnu) like Badri Tulsi, Badri ber, Badri tree and Bhojpatra., the second is for “Ashtavarga” species, which is a group of eight herbs found in the Himalayas, the third section houses herbs belonging to the Saussurea species including Brahma Kamal, the state flower of Uttarakhand, while the fourth consists of assorted alpine species like the medicinal herbs of Ateesh, Meethavish, Vankakdi and Choru. Additionally, trees whose barks help in making anti-cancer drugs are also grown in the garden
Raja Mircha, World’s hottest chilli, makes its way from Nagaland to London for the first time
‘Raja Mircha` also referred as king chilli, a GI product from Nagaland was exported to London via Guwahati by air for the first time on 28thJuly,2021. The consignment was sourced from Tening, part of Peren district, Nagaland and was packed at APEDA assisted package house at Guwahati. It is constantly among the top five variants in the list of the world`s hottest chillies based on the Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). It is also referred to as “Bhoot Jolokia” and “Ghost Pepper” and received its GI certification in 2008.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1739945
2 lakh micro food processing enterprises to be set up or upgraded through credit linked subsidy
As part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiative, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for setting up/upgradation of 2 lakh micro food processing enterprises which can be set up or upgraded through credit linked subsidy. It is to be noted that the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing Central Sector Umbrella Scheme - Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) since 2016-17 for overall growth and development of food processing sector, including processing of agro- products and thus increasing the income of the farmers. The component schemes of which are - (i) Mega Food Park, (ii) Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, (iii) Creation /Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities, (iv) Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters, (v) Creation of Backward & Forward linkages, (vi) Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure, (vii) Human Resource and Institutions, (viii) Operation Greens.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1738055
Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 prohibiting single use plastic notified by Government of India
With an objective to phase out single use plastic by 2022, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 prohibiting identified single use plastic items which have low utility and high littering potential by 2022. In order to stop littering due to light weight plastic carry bags, with effect from 30th September 2021, the thickness of plastic carry bags has been increased from fifty microns to seventy-five microns and to one hundred and twenty microns with effect from the 31st of December 2022. The plastic packaging waste, which is not covered under the phase out of identified single use plastic items, shall be collected, and managed in an environmentally sustainable way through the Extended Producer Responsibility of the Producer, importer, and Brand owner (PIBO), as per Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1745433
Four more wetlands from India added to Ramsar wetlands list of international importance
Four wetland sites which includes Thol and Wadhwana from Gujarat and Sultanpur and Bhindawas from Haryana has been recognized as Ramsar sites by Ramsar Secretariat, Switzerland. With this, the number of Ramsar sites in India are 46 and the surface area covered by these sites is now 1,083,322 hectares. The aim of the Ramsar list is “to develop and maintain an international network of wetlands which are important for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and benefits”.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1745671
Jharkhand farmers to get Unique ID cards under new ‘Birsa Kisan’ initiative
In a first of its kind initiative, the Jharkhand agriculture department is working on issuing unique identity cards to lakhs of eligible farmers under new ‘Birsa Kisan’ initiative in the state. This move comes with an aim to smoothen the process of providing all kinds of assistance, including direct benefit transfer, distribution of seeds and fertilizers and agricultural loan etc. National Informatics Centre has been given the responsibility to develop a dedicated portal and cards for farmers.
Sonalika introduces app for farmers, enables renting farm equipment, services
To bridge the gap between farmers and hi-tech farm machinery, from land preparation to harvesting, Sonalika group has launched its new ‘Sonalika Agro Solutions’ tractor and implement rental app. The platform connects the farmers with a large range of machinery renters that offer high-tech agricultural implements on rent within their vicinity and allows the farmers to choose from various options available as per their convenience and requirements. Farmers can avail help from a tele-customer support team during the registration process.
Centre approves revival package for North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister has approved a revival package of Rs77.45 crore for revival of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) which is a central Public Section Enterprises under the administrative control of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Regional (MDoNER). Revival package aims to help NERAMAC to implement various innovative plans like providing better farming facilities, training to farmers in clusters, organic seeds, and fertilizer, post-harvesting facilities in order to promote the products of NE farmers in the world market through participation in events, registration of GI products, etc. There is also a plan to introduce North East India’s own brand “NE Fresh” and “ONE” (Organic North East) through NAFED and TRIFED.
ITC-MAARS super App by ITC to focus more on agriculture business
Kolkata based conglomerate ITC Ltd. set to launch a super app, ITC-MAARS (Metamarket for Advanced Agriculture and Rural Services) to unlock the potential of small farmers. ITC-MAARS is supposed to add more value to ITC e-Choupal and create a robust ‘phygital’ eco-system to deliver seamless customised solutions to farmers, anchored by FPOs and will consist of hyperlocal services, AI-based personalised advisories, as well as online marketplaces.
Egypt plans to start growing Basmati rice and market next year
In what could turn out to be a concern for India in the long-term, Egypt will start growing Basmati rice and market next year in the neighboring countries. According to reports, Egypt imports $100 million (₹7,430 crore) of Basmati rice annually from Asian countries, mostly India and Pakistan. Egypt however may not be able to export to Europe since India has obtained a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its Basmati rice there as it enables countries holding the right to prevent a third-party from using the tag if their product does not match up to the pertinent standards.
Rajasthan Government launched Mukhyamantri Kisan Mitra Urja Yojana to grant of Rs 1,000 monthly on electricity cost on agriculture connections
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has launched Mukhyamantri Kisan Mitra Urja Yojana. Under this scheme, farmers will be given agricultural electricity subsidy, which will be given at the rate of 1000 rupees every month. An additional budget of Rs 1450 crore has been arranged for this scheme.
Source: https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/rajasthan-farmers-to-get-rs-1000-monthly-grant-kisan-mitra-urja-yojna-720113
On World Environment Day PM Modi launched E-100 pilot project in Pune for promotion of biofuels
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the E-100 pilot project in Pune to mark the World Environment Day on 5th June 2021. This project aims to set up a network for production and distribution of ethanol across the nation. The Prime Minister also released the `Report of the Expert Committee on Road Map for ethanol blending in India 2020-2025`, in line with the theme for World Environment Day this year - promotion of biofuels for a better environment.
Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pm-modi-launches-e-100-project-to-produce-distribute-ethanol-across-india-11622886227525.html
BRICS Agricultural Research Platform inaugurated in New Delhi
The Coordinating Centre of the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform was inaugurated by Dr. T. Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General, ICAR, at NASC Complex, New Delhi as a follow up of the Memorandum of Understanding signed during the 8th BRICS Summit -2016 in India, by the Ministries of Agriculture of Brazil, Russian Federation, Republic of India, Peoples Republic of China and Republic of South Africa. This is the first such multi-disciplinary and multi-lateral Platform established in Indian agriculture which has five big countries participating through virtual network for agricultural development and growth.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar on 27 August announced the operationalization of BRICS Agricultural Research Platform during his address on 11th meeting of BRICS Agriculture Ministers under the theme BRICS Partnership for Strengthening Agro Biodiversity for Food Security and Nutrition. The domain name for BRICS Agricultural Research Platform is http://barp.org.in.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1749721 https://icar.org.in/node/8241
Agri News_September_21_compressed (1).pdf
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