India’s Edible Oil Position is Comfortable despite Ban by Indonesia
· Soyabean production for the year 20221-22 at 126.10 LMT, higher than last year’s production of 112 LMT
· Higher sowing of Mustard seeds by 37% in all major producing States
· Centre keeping close watch on prices of Edible oils so that appropriate measures can be taken to keep a check on the prices
v Soil health needs our urgent attention, organic farming is the way forward, says Vice President
· Soil and water are not unlimited; our future depends on how well we conserve them: Vice President
· Vice President expresses concern over the loss of fertile soil in large tracts of the country’s soil
· Traditional farming practices can reduce input costs and increase farmers’ income: VP
· Organic farming is particularly beneficial for small and marginal farmers: VP
· VP asks parliamentarians, political parties and policy makers to give priority to agriculture
· VP releases the book ‘Bhoomi Suposhan’ focusing on soil health and soil nutrition
More Details: The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today underlined the importance of organic farming for sustainable and stable development. He said that natural resources such as soil and water are not unlimited and the future of mankind depends on their conservation.
Addressing a gathering after releasing the book titled ‘Bhumi Suposhan’ (meaning - soil nutrition) published by Akshay Krishi Parivar at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas today, the Vice President expressed his concern over the degradation of soil due to the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers and stressed the need for creating awareness on this important issue. He also said that unchecked extraction of ground water is fast depleting our groundwater table leading to a reduction in moisture content in the soil, thus turning fertile land into barren land.
Listing out various benefits of organic farming, the Vice President opined that it not only improves soil health but also reduces farmers’ input costs. Locally available resources such as cow dung and waste organic matter can be used to prepare low-cost organic manure, thus increasing farmers’ income, he added.
Acknowledging Green Revolution’s role in ensuring the country’s food security, Shri Naidu highlighted some of its unintended consequences such as the uncontrolled use of pesticides. Appreciating various governmental and individual efforts for soil conservation, he said the network of laboratories for soil testing is being strengthened and natural farming is being promoted in ecologically sensitive areas such as villages adjacent to the river Ganga.
v Signing of a joint declaration with Germany on agro-ecology and sustainable management of natural resources
· Virtual meeting between Union Agriculture Minister Shri Tomar and Germany's Minister Ms. Svenja Schulze
More Details: Initiatives have been taken between India and Germany on agro-ecology and sustainable management of natural resources. In this regard, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar and Germany's Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Ms. Svenja Schulze signed the declaration in a virtual meeting today.
Through this, joint research, knowledge sharing and innovation will be promoted between academic institutions of both countries and practitioners including farmers. The transfer of technology and scientific knowledge will be promoted by encouraging exchanges, partnerships and research collaboration with the private sector. Germany's Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development intends to provide up to 300 million euros by the year 2025 for financial and technical cooperation for projects under this initiative.
Germany will provide coordinated support for this lighthouse initiative, supporting the agro-ecological transformation process in India through the Technical Cooperation Project. For the changing agenda of agroecology, the two countries envisage the establishment of a joint research center supported by financial cooperation to develop and share cutting edge knowledge with practitioners from India, Germany and other countries, while facilitating value-added technology and scientific transfer.
To oversee the implementation, a working group will be set up with the concerned Ministries, namely, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and NITI Aayog
v Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates Conference on ‘Promoting Kisan Drones- Issues, Challenges and Way Forward’
· Drones will have multi-faceted use in agriculture: Union Agriculture Minister
· Union government to provide 50 percent subsidy to SC-ST, women and small and medium farmers to buy drones
More Details: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar today inaugurated and addressed the conference on “Promoting Kisan Drones: Issues, Challenges and the Way Ahead” organized as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Shri Tomar said that the government is promoting the use of drones for the convenience of the farmers, reducing the cost and increasing the income. For promoting use of Kisan Drones, the government is providing 50% or maximum Rs. 5 lakh subsidy to SC-ST, small and marginal, women and farmers of northeastern states to buy drones. For other farmers, financial assistance will be given upto 40 percent or maximum Rs.4 lakh, the Minister Added.
Speaking on the multi-faceted use of drones in agriculture, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Tomar said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has initiated the use of drones in agricultural activities in the wider interest of farmers. The government is promoting the use of 'Kisan Drone' for crop assessment, digitization of land records, spraying of pesticides and nutrients for which provision has also been made in the budget. Modernization of the country's agricultural sector is on the agenda of the government led by Prime Minister Shri Modi.
He said that To promote use of drones in agriculture and make drone technology affordable to the farmers and other stakeholders of this sector, financial assistance @ 100 % cost of drone together with the contingent expenditure is extended under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) to the Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes, Institutions of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) for its demonstration on the farmer’s fields. Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) are provided grants @ 75% for purchase of drones for its demonstration on the farmers’ 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 less is also provided for drone purchase by existing and new Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) under Cooperative Society of Farmers, Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Rural entrepreneurs. The agriculture graduates establishing CHCs are eligible to receive financial assistance @ 50% of the cost of drone up to a maximum Rs.5.00 lakhs. In addition to the already identified institutions for drone demonstration, other agricultural institutions of the state and central government, central public sector undertakings engaged in agricultural activities have also been brought in the eligibility list for financial assistance for farmers’ drone demonstration. The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is providing assistance to the State Governments through several schemes to promote agriculture across the country and to increase the production and productivity, besides reducing the human labor associated with various agricultural activities. The Government is also helping farmers access modern technology to improve the use efficiency of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and irrigation.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Kailash Choudhary said that this new technology is aimed to reach more and more farmers, which will facilitate them, reduce the cost and increase their income. Under this vision of Prime Minister, work is being done expeditiously under the guidance of Union Agriculture Minister Shri Tomar. During the attack of locust, the government had also promptly used drones and helicopters for rescue.
Agriculture Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja said that the conditions are favorable to take drones to the farmers and the government is also committed in this regard. ICAR Director General Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra said that ICAR is contributing through research and training. With this, more and more farmers will be ready to use drones. Joint Secretary Smt. Shomita Biswas delivered the welcome address. Additional Secretary Shri Prashant Kumar Swain proposed vote of thanks. Farmers and entrepreneurs of drone, fertilizer and pesticide sector, startup operators, representatives of IFFCO and KVK were present in the conference.
PM shares an article on Government's efforts to boost income of Farmers · Also shares MyGov tweet thread on Government's commitment towards the welfare of Annadatas
· The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared an article of narendramodi.in website having information of Government's efforts to boost income of Farmers.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"From animal husbandry to fisheries, forestry to the sweet revolution, our Government has made numerous efforts to boost income of farmers through allied activities. #8yearsOfKisanKalyan"
v Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Launches PLASTINDIA 2023
· The Indian Chemical industry has become a global player and earns foreign exchange for the nation with the "Make in India, Make for World" approach : Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
· “Govt is not only pro poor but also industry friendly since industrialists are wealth creators and are important for nation building”: Dr. Mandaviya
· Demographic dividends, increasing export demand and enabling Government initiatives are the key growth drivers for the Indian chemical and petrochemicals industry: Shri. Bhagwanth Khuba
About PLASTINDIA 2023:
PLASTINDIA refers to a series of exhibitions under the Plastindia Foundation, which will hold the 11th International Plastics Exhibition, Conference and Convention from 1st-5th February, 2023 at ITPO Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The exhibition will provide opportunities for employment generation, facilitate the growth of the Indian plastic industry and make India a hub for sourcing plastic for global needs.
PLASTINDIA 2023 will showcase India as the global hub for sourcing processed items related to Plastics, Raw materials, Machinery and products for use in all segments of human life. As Business is becoming globalized, the Government is aware of the needs of Industry, and is now playing a facilitating role as compared to a regulatory role played a few years ago and is supporting Industry to become globally competitive.
v Three One District One Product Brands and Five Products launched under the PMFME scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries
· Madhurmithas, Anaras, Pind Se and more products added to the already expanding portfolio of ODOP brands launched under the Scheme
More Details: Shri. Pashupati Kumar Paras, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries in the august presence of Sh. Prahlad Singh Patel, MoS (FPI) Smt. Anita Praveen, Secretary, MoFPI, and Senior Officials from the Ministry and NAFED launched Three One District One Product (ODOP) brands under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme today in New Delhi.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has signed an agreement with NAFED for developing 10 brands of selected 20 ODOPs under the branding and marketing component of the PMFME scheme.
Out of these, 7 ODOP Brands and 9 Products have been successfully launched in collaboration with NAFED, These include - Brand : Cori Gold; District/State: Kota, Rajasthan Product : Coriander Powder, Brand - Makhana King ; District/State: Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur from Bihar, Product: Plain and Chatpata Makhana), Brand - Dilli Bakes ( District/State: Delhi, Product: Cookies and Rusk), Brand - Amrit Phal ( District/State: Gurgaon, Haryana Product: Amla Juice), Brand - Madhumantra ( District/State: Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Product: Multiflora Honey), Brand - Somdana ( District/State: Thane, Maharashtra, Product: Millet Flour) and Brand - Kashmiri Mantra ( District/State: Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir Product: Red Chilli Powder). Out of the 7 ODOP Brands, the Brand Dilli Bakes was launched in October 2021 in New Delhi followed by the Brand Makhana King launched in January 2022 in Patna. The remaining 5 Brands were also launched in January 2022 in New Delhi
7 ODOP Brands and 9 Products, 3 ODOP Brands and 5 Products namely Madhurmithas, Anaras, Pind Se and two products Masala Paste and Lemon Honey under the newly developed brands Kashmiri Mantra and Madhumantra respectively were successfully launched.
v Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying hands over a “Go Kasht” machine to Project Arth and ENACTUS IIT Delhi students
Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying handed over cow dung log machine, "Go Kasht" machine to Project Arth and ENACTUS IIT Delhi students here today.
Cow dung log machine is used to manufacture cow dung-based fuel wood in long log-like shape. A mixture of cow dung and cattle waste (like dried waste paddy) is inserted in the inlet(hopper) of this machine. The machine then breaks it down, mixes it, and compresses the mixture in the shape of a log. This log is then sun dried and can be later used a fuel wood in various situations.
This machine can process 3000 kg of cow dung every day to produce 1500 kg of cow dung-based logs that can be used as firewood for the cremation of 5-7 bodies, saving roughly 2 trees in each cremation. That further means it can help the gaushala to clear roughly 150,000 to 170,000 kg of cow dung every month.
Using cow dung-based log machine can help gaushala to cater to their waste management problems, provide an additional source of employment to its employees or nearby villagers, and contribute in reducing deforestation.
It also helps to engage the non-milking cows in a economical activity, generating funds to support all the cows in a gaushala.
v Centre pushes for increased exports of tissue culture plants; offers help to exporters to access new markets
· DBT-accredited tissue culture labs encouraged to enhance quality standards to meet norms of importing countries
In order to boost exports of tissue culture plants, Centre, through the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), conducted a webinar on “Export Promotion of Tissue Culture Plants such as Foliage, Live Plants, Cut Flowers, and Planting Material” with Department of Biotechnology (DBT) accredited tissue culture laboratories spread across India. The tissue culture experts suggested that APEDA take up these issues with the concerned departments. APEDA has assured round-the-clock service to tissue culture plant laboratories so as to address all hardships faced by them.
APEDA is running a Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) to help laboratories upgrade themselves so as to produce export quality tissue culture planting material. It also facilitates exports of tissue culture planting material to diversified countries through market development, market analysis and promotion and exhibition of tissue culture plants at international exhibitions and by participating in buyer-seller meets at different international forums.
India is bestowed with knowledge, biotech experts with vast tissue culture experience as well as with a low-cost labour force to help produce export-oriented quality planting material. All these factors make India a potential global supplier of an extended and diversified range of quality flora to the international market and, in turn, earn foreign exchange.
v Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare signs MoU with UNDP for strategic partnership on Agriculture, Crop Insurance and Credit
· The MoU will benefit small farmers: Narendra Singh Tomar
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), Government of India and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) wherein UNDP will provide technical support towards Centre’s aspirational Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) scheme & Kisan Credit Card – Modified Interest Subvention Scheme.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar by CEO-PMFBY Ritesh Chauhan and UNDP Resident Representative Shoko Noda. Under the MoU, UNDP will leverage its expertise in systems and global know-how for supporting the Ministry of Agriculture for the implementation of combined agriculture credit and crop insurance. Union Minister of Agriculture for State Shri Kailash Chaudhary and Secretary, Agriculture, Shri Manoj Ahuja also witnessed the signing ceremony.
KCC-MISS and PMFBY were launched with the aim to tackle the problematic areas of previous Schemes and to map out a structure that affords better implementation options for all stakeholders while achieving the desired results. To that effect, several new provisions have been incorporated in the Schemes. One of the biggest features of the current schemes is that they apply uniformly across the entire country and have a provision to cover all crops.
As per the MoU, UNDP will provide responsive, demand-driven technical assistance for effective implementation of agriculture credit and crop insurance, as well as providing capacity development and Information, Education & Communication (IEC) support to existing national and state institutions, keeping in mind the interest of small and marginal farmers, women farmers, sharecroppers, tenant and non-loanee farmers.
On this strategic partnership with UNDP, Sh.Tomar said, "Technical assistance provided by UNDP in the last 4 years has yielded good results. I am sure that through this partnership, we will obtain even better results in implementation of crop insurance and agricultural credit schemes."
v Shri Parshottam Rupala Releases Breed-Wise Report of Livestock and Poultry Based on 20th Livestock Census
· Livestock and Poultry Birds Counted According to Breeds
· 184 Recognized Indigenous/Exotic and Crossbred Breeds of 19 Selected Species Covered
Shri Rupala highlighted the significance of the report for the upgradation of the livestock and stressed on its utility for the policy makers and researchers. The breed-wise data collection was done along with 20th Livestock Census during the year 2019. It was for the first time in the country that breed wise data was collected by using tablet computers instead of paper mode which is indeed a unique attempt. The livestock as well as poultry birds were counted according to their breeds as recognized by National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR). Considering the importance of Livestock Sector, it becomes essential for the policy maker and researcher to ascertain the various breeds of livestock species so that the livestock species can be genetically upgraded for optimum achievement for its product and also for other purposes.
The major highlights of Breed-wise Report of Livestock and Poultry are summarised below:
v The report has covered 184 recognized indigenous/exotic & crossbred breeds of 19 selected species that are registered by the NBAGR (National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources).
v There are 41 recognized indigenous whereas 4 exotic/crossbred breeds of cattle covered in this report.
v As per the report, the Exotic and Crossbred animal contribute nearly 26.5% of the total cattle population whereas 73.5% are Indigenous and Non-descript cattle.
v Crossbred Jersey has the highest share with 49.3% as compared to 39.3% of Crossbred Holstein Friesian (HF) in total Exotic/Crossbred cattle.
v Gir, Lakhimi and Sahiwal breeds have major contribution in total Indigenous Cattle.
v In Buffalo, the Murrah breed majorly contributes with 42.8% which is commonly found in UP and Rajasthan.
v In Sheep, there are 3 exotics and 26 indigenous breeds were found in the country. Among the pure exotic breeds, Corriedale breed majorly contributes with 17.3% and in the indigenous breeds the Nellore breed contribute the highest in the category with 20.0% share.
v In Goats, there are 28 indigenous breeds found in the country. The Black Bengal breed contributes the highest with 18.6%.
v In exotic/crossbred pigs, crossbred pig contributes 86.6% whereas Yorkshire contributes majorly with 8.4%. In indigenous pigs, Doom breed major contributes with 3.9%.
v In Horse & Ponies, the share of Marwari breed majorly contributes with 9.8%.
v In Donkeys, the share of Spiti breed contributes with 8.3%.
v In Camel, Bikaneri breed majorly contributes with 29.6%.
v In Poultry, desi fowl, Aseel breed majorly contribute in both backyard poultry and commercial poultry farm.
v NITI Aayog Launches the National Data & Analytics Platform
NITI Aayog launched the National Data & Analytics Platform (NDAP) for open public use today (13.06.2022). The platform aims to democratize access to public government data by making data accessible, interoperable, interactive, and available on a user-friendly platform. It hosts foundational datasets from various government agencies, presents them coherently, and provides tools for analytics and visualization. This public launch follows a beta release of the platform in August 2021 that had provided access to a limited number of users for testing and feedback.
NDAP follows a use-case based approach to ensure that the datasets hosted on the platform are tailored to the needs of data users from government, academia, journalism, civil society, and the private sector. All datasets are standardized to a common schema, which makes it easy to merge datasets and do cross-sectoral analysis.
Department of Telecommunication Launches “GatiShakti Sanchar” Portal for Centralised Right of Way (RoW) approvals
Universal and equitable access to Broadband services across the country, especially in the rural areas- is one of the most important visions of Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. In line with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Communications, Electronics & IT and Railways, has launched the “GatiShakti Sanchar” portal for Centralised Right of Way (RoW) approvals (www.sugamsanchar.gov.in) today (May 14, 2022).
National Programme to mark World Bee Day to be held in Gujarat on May 20, 2022 Agriculture Minister to Inaugurate honey testing labs at 7 locations in 5 states on World Bee Day
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare (MoA&FW), Government of India is celebrating World Bee Day on 20th May, 2022 at Tent City -II, Ekta Nagar, Narmada, Gujarat. The World Bee Day celebration would be graced by Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The MoA&FW is observing this significant day to promote beekeeping for the benefit of small farmers of the country under the guidance of Hon'ble Prime Minister. The Union Agriculture Minister will also inaugurate Honey Testing Lab & Processing Units to be setup in J&K in Pulwama, Bandipura and Jammu, Tumkur in Karnataka, Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Pune in Maharashtra & Uttarakhand in virtual mode from Gujarat.
Technical sessions on “Production Technology and Research & Development of Scientific Beekeeping- Experience Sharing and Challenges” and “Marketing Challenges and Solutions (Domestic/ Global) & Discussion” will also be held to upgrade the scientific knowledge of beekeeping among farmers/beekeepers.
The programme is aimed at promoting and popularizing beekeeping nation-wide. National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) of the Govt. of India under AatmaNirbhar Bharat is implemented through the National Bee Board for overall promotion of scientific beekeeping & entrepreneurship among small & marginal farmers, infrastructure development for postharvest management and support for research & development and to achieve the goal of “Sweet Revolution"
World Metrology Day 2022 Celebrations at CSIR-NPL
CSIR-National Physical Laboratory is the custodian of national measurement standards through an act of Parliament and provides traceability to SI units in India. CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi in association with Metrology Society of India (MSI) organized the World Metrology Day on 20th May 2022 to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention on 20th May 1875. The theme for World Metrology Day 2022 was “Metrology in the Digital Era”, announced jointly by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML).
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