Speech on Conference of State Government Ministers of Animal Husbandry, Dairying on 20th January 2010 at New Delhi

Shri. Sharad Pawarji, Ministers in Charge of Animal Husbandy and Dairying in State Governments, Shri Rudra Gangadharan, Secretary, Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries, Shri T. Nanda Kumar, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Sh L. Rynijah, Principal Adviser, Planning Commission, Dr. Ayyappan, Secretary, Department of Agriculture Research and Education, Dr. Amrita Patel, Chairman NDDB, Officers of Central and State Governments, Distinguished participants and representatives of media.

The success of Dairying in the present scenario will move around three fundamental premises.

(1) Increasing cost effective inputs and governing their quality such as breeding system, veterinary care system and nutrition.

(2) Ensuring fair price to milk and milk products by using intra and inter sectoral competition in the cooperative and profit sector.

(3) Increasing the technology enhanced productivity in marketing of milk products with specific reference to food safety and bio-safety protocols.
The story of Dairying in India revolves around our success on the model of marketing through cooperatives developed by Shri Verghese Kurian in Anand. Unlike the green revolution which has given us considerable nutritional security, the input revolution in Dairying has not been achieved at scale. Though we are the world’s largest milk producer, most of the productivity successes revolve around a few States with strong fodder and agricultural by-product bases, strong institutional network, input and veterinary care systems and a marketing chain. These States lead the dairying sector in the country. We have to now see that the States which are lagging behind also catch up with due support from the Government of India and its expert agencies.

Following up the successful phases of ‘Operation Flood’ by the National Dairy Development plan is central to achieving these goals. The plan, at final stages of negotiation aims to increase procurement levels to 65% of marketable surplus. This can happen only with consistent organizational strengthening and professionalization of the cooperative sector. In the coming months, NDP will be a focus of attention and a broad consensus required to make it a huge success needs to be achieved. The NDP will have a critical stake in uplifting our economy and taking the dairy sector to the next orbit.

On the input side, many concerns persist. While the DADF has evolved standard operating products (SOPs) to standardize semen production in the country, an evaluation of Bull stations reveal that only 27 of 49 have satisfactory ratings. Limiting the number of breeding stations with large capacity and high maintenance of Biosafety protocol is called for. Semen being a potential carrier of diseases and defective genetics, we need to be extra careful in maintaining safety protocols and preventive vaccination around bull stations. I hope that the 5 large modern semen production stations proposed under NDP with a projected production rate of 140 million doses will meet the demand to a good extent.

Veterinary Services across the country call for strengthening. It is estimated that the country is short of 20,000 Veterinarians every year. Cash starved state governments are no longer able to start or sustain veterinary education. The Government of India reviewed the situation and found that huge manpower shortages plague state Veterinary departments in supporting cadres also. The efforts of Indian Veterinary Council and DADF need to be enhanced to tide over the staff shortages especially in rural areas which either deny services or delay key timely interventions like artificial insemination to the detriment of the farmer.
Adoption of recent innovations in feeding is an area where state departments may like to focus more. It is a widely accepted fact that cow herding is successful economically in areas where either luxuriant fodder availability is there or large quantum of agricultural by-products are available. By enacting legislation fixing standards for manufactured animal feed and emphasizing innovations like by pass proteins , bypass fats, area specific remedial mineral mixes, densification of fodder residues etc the nutrition challenge has to be overcome. Fodder development especially in rainfed zones have to be intensified and fodder diversification and block making units subsidized.

I am aware that various efforts under the ageis of DADF, NDDB and State governments in creating contagious disease free zones with respect to key cattle diseases are underway. However DADF programmes, supplemented by State Governments cover only a faction of what is desired. As of now most vaccinations conducted against infectious diseases are not in a campaign mode with adequate publicity. The NDDB pilot against FMD target herd immunity with carpet vaccination of entire productive herd in 21 days. In states like Kerala the programme has worked on a charge basis with tagging and identification of all animals. A corpus is also created to take the state vide programme forward even in the absence of budgeting support. Such flexible models need to be scaled up.

Reviews of DADF programmes like NPCBB (National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding) Intensive Dairy Development Programme, Assistance to cooperatives, strengthening for quality and clean milk production, Dairy venture capital fund also reveal problems of timely cash flows. Many State Governments fail to fund the State shares in time for programmes to be run without hindrances. I would request State Ministers to please review functioning of Govt Support separately with Finance Secretaries. Diversifying milk products and enhancing the value chain has benefitted immensely from the various institutions set up under Operation Flood. We need to bring in more success stories out of our experience in cooperative sector.
Two other factors merit our consideration today. While pursuing an aggressive input up gradation, price stabilization and technology enhanced productivity, we must not eradicate the huge diversity of the genetic pool available to us Our efforts in genetic technology must also focus on preservation and propagation of robust native stocks.

Lastly the efforts must also acknowledge the sector’s spectacular contribution to women’s incomes. The huge contribution of women as farmers and managers and the significance of the buffaloes in ensuring our success story in dairying often go unsung. The ‘Gramin’ model women self help group’s in microfinance have proven to be a success in many states. Can dairying be a potential investment for the SHG’S and can the State Animal Husbandry Departments work more closely with the thrift Societies using the venture capital funding and employment schemes as well?
As an end note I also feel that that the much ignored Buffalo needs more focus as a high value, low cost milk producing miracle. Studies show that due to its sturdiness and productivity, It has stood between many crises and the Indian dairy farmer .

With these observations, I hope that we will have a good exchange of Ideas in the forth coming session.

Thank you

JAI HIND.

Speech on occasion of Inaugural function of National Seed Congress on 18th January 2010 at New Delhi

Shri. Sharad Pawarji, Hon’ble Union Minister for Agriculture,Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri. T. Nanadakumar, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary (DARE) and DG, ICAR; Distinguished Scientists, Officers from Central and State Government Organisations, Stake holders of Seed Industry, Participants of this Congress, invitees, press and media personnel, ladies and gentlemen.

I am pleased to be amidst you today for this important inaugural event of the National Seed Congress on a very current theme. Seed is a basic means of agriculture for food security and sustainability. Among important technological inputs, seed is most important and viable option for filling the yield gaps that are evident in across different parts of the country. Quality seeds appropriate to different agro-climatic conditions and in sufficient quantity at affordable prices are required to raise productivity. The response of all other inputs depends on quality of seeds to a large extent. It is estimated that the direct contribution of quality seed alone to the total production is about 15-20% depending upon the crop and it can be further raised upto 45% with efficient management of other inputs. Availability and use of quality seeds is not a one time affair. Sustained increase in agriculture production and productivity necessarily requires continuous development of new and improved varieties of crops and efficient system of production and supply of seeds to framers. Food security is not achievable without seeds security.

During the past five decades, Indian agriculture has witnessed spectacular advances in production and productivity of food grains, oilseeds, commercial crops, fruits, vegetables, poultry and dairy. Interestingly, the area under food grains has remained stagnant at around 125 million hectares for the last 25 years. The increase in food grains production has, thus been achieved, largely through productivity increase. In fact, we have achieved enhanced crop productivity and production by development and adoption of improved varieties possessing high yield, resistance to important diseases and pests, and other desirable traits. In these accomplishments, the role of the Indian seed industry and our effective seed security system has contributed significantly.

I am happy to note that the National Agricultural Research System has taken several new initiatives to meet the challenges our agriculture is facing. More particularly with our strong net work of research systems to have registered in more than 5400 improved varieties of various crops in our National Catalogue. Of which nearly 3000 varieties are in seed multiplication chain and used by for cultivation under varies agro ecological conditions. This itself indicates the vastness and diversity of our agricultural system.

The National Seeds Policy 2002 lays the foundation for comprehensive reforms in the Seed Sector. It emphasizes that significant changes in the existing legislative frame work should be effected accompanied by programmatic interventions in order to achieve the food production targets of the future. A major effort is required to enhance the Seed Replacement Rates of various crops. This would require a major increase in the production of quality seeds, in which the private sector is expected to play a major role. It calls for encouraging Public Sector Seed Institutions to enhance production of seed towards meeting the objective of food and nutritional security. To meet these objectives, the policy underlines that special attention will be given to upgrade the quality of farmers’ saved seeds through interventions, to increase Seed Replacement Rates progressively; to put in place an effective seed production programme in each State; to meet the demand for seeds during natural calamities through Seed Banks.

Indian seed programme follows “ limited generation system” of seed multiplication in a phased manner. System recognizes three generations of seeds, namely Breeder, Foundation and Certified seeds and provides safeguards for quality assurance in seed multiplication chain to maintain purity of variety as it flows from the breeder to the farmer.

Agriculture is being accorded top priority in the country. The Central Government has taken up scientific and technological interventions for higher agricultural growth. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) has been launched with an outlay of Rs. 25,000 crore for holistic development of agriculture in the XI Plan. National Food Security Mission (NFSM) has been launched with an outlay of about Rs. 5000 crore to enhance production of rice, wheat and pulses to increase the production of rice by 10 million tons, wheat by 8 million tons and pulses by 2 million tons by the end of the Eleventh Plan (2011-12) on a sustainable basis, so as to ensure food security of the country. The approach is to bridge the yield gap in respect of these crops through dissemination of improved technologies and farm management practices. Similarly various seed related schemes targeting improving the farm saved seeds in rural villages, enhancing seed replacement rates, strengthening infrastructure so as to supply quality seeds to farmers are being successfully implemented. The Technology Mission on Oilseeds and Pulses (TMOP) was also launched with a view to increase the production and productivity of oilseeds and pulses to make the country self-reliant in this vital sector. More importantly the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) launched by Government of India with a budget outlay of Rs.8803 crore during the XIth Plan to provide holistic growth of horticulture sector in India and to enhance horticulture production are the various important programme and policies of Government of India.

In addition to such policy and development initiatives, sincere efforts of the researchers, educationists and extension personal are the need of the hour. Our goal of attaining 4% agriculture growth rate during the XI Plan needs concerted efforts by producing and supplying quality seeds, improving water management, focusing on soil quality, diversifying into high value agriculture, promoting animal husbandry and fishery and improving marketing systems and strengthening effective extension system.

The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation through various pro active policies and schemes and ICAR has made good initiatives with Mega Seed Project leading to building of infrastructure support at State Departments, Agricultural Universities and ICAR Institutes. However, it will be further appropriate to intensify quality seed production and planting material production on large scale combined with uniform quality regulation to meet the requirement in which the role of both public and private seed sectors shall need to play an active role.

In order to strengthen and improve the State Seeds Corporations as per the recommendations of Expert Committee, the Government of India is taking all out efforts to enhance the professional efficiency and effectiveness of the Seed Corporations..

The uniformity in Seed Quality Regulations is being achieved through effective legislative frame works in India. In order to assess the status and requirements of various State Seed Quality Centers, the National Seed Research and Training Center, Varanasi has organized national workshops during 2009 and based on the outcome, the Central Government is going to support further upgradation and strengthening of all the centers on need based. For this support necessary provision will be made in the proposed National Seed Mission.

I again express my happiness that officials, scientists and planners engaged in seed related activities have shown keen interests and gathered in large numbers from all over the country to participate in this congress. I wish you all, a satisfactory participation and discussions; and would be eagerly looking forward to an action-oriented road map from the recommendations of this seed congress, which we all can adopt in our march towards a hunger-free world.

I wish the National Seed Congress a grand success.

Thank you.

Inaugural Speech of New Chilled Sashimi Grade Tuna Export Processing (NIFPHATT) premises at Kochi on 11th January 2010

The fisheries sector has great importance in the economic development of India. At an annual production volume of 7 Million tonnes, the sector contributes 1.07% of GDP and 5.4% of agricultural GDP. The Sector is growing at 4.5% and earns foreign exchange worth 7555 crores and accounts 14% of our agricultural exports. Marine Fisheries alone involves the livelihood of 3 million people. Growth in Aquaculture has also been quite impressive in last 28 years, the sector grew 800%, from 0.37 million tonnes to 3.37 million tonnes.

At the same time we are concerned about the sustainability and environmental impact on seas and coast line, bio-diversity loss and the need for low pollution technologies called clean mechanisms in the fisheries sector. We are also now aware that there has to be an optimization between the volume, growth and sustainability of the marine and inland ecosystem. We need to take care not to lead to loss of species, as a result of fishing operations.

With production from capture fisheries already reaching maximum sustainable levels, it is time to enhance the bio-mass through alternative approaches such as open sea cage farming, use of fish aggregating devices (FAD’s), artificial reefs etc. Candidate species such as shrimps, oysters, crabs, lobsters, sea cucumbers and seaweeds are important in this context. Productivity enhancement has have also been successfully launched as demonstrated by installation of Fish Aggregate Devices (FAD’s) in many places alongwith east coast.

The livelihood of the coastal fishing community plays a significant role in the successful implementation of any marine fisheries management measures. The lack of economic security among the stakeholders often leads to indiscriminate harvest of the fishery resources resulting in irreparable damage to the fishery sector. Management measures to reduce the fishing pressure in the seas should be developed in close consultation with stakeholders and should be implemented in letter and spirit for the larger benefit of the sector and those dependant upon it for their livelihoods. Several states are effectively implementing the Marine Fisheries Regulations and the new international Codes of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

The scope for increasing fish production is enormous through freshwater aquaculture. With only 40% of available cultivable water area under aquaculture, the country today has been able to produce as much as 3.22 million tonnes with average productivity of tanks and ponds of about 2.5 tonnes per hectare per year. By increasing the coverage of water area and aiming at higher productivity, it is projected that the total production from the freshwater aquaculture sector could be about 5.3 million tonnes in next five years. Thus, all states and union territories should bring in more and more water bodies under aquaculture practices and also to increase the productivity of water bodies through scientific management and inputs, of course with equal emphasis on our environment, equity and bio-diversity.

Ornamental and Brackish water fisheries also holds much promise. We have developed only 13% of Potential Water area under Brackish aquaculture. High value species like crabs, seabass, Tiger prawns etc. can be harvested here.

Our domestic market is vast and diverse, and much needs to be done to tap it. Bulk of our fish is consumed fresh and at or near the source of production. Therefore, the issues with regard to setting up effective forward linkages such as cold chains etc. are extremely critical. States are required to pay close attention to this issue. The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) would provide necessary professional and financial support to the State Governments and other bodies.

Developing forward linkages like marketing chains and cold chain networks is crucial to getting right value to the fishermen and entrepreneurs. Only by exposing and training fishermen in market presence can the transfer of value to the primary producers achieved. We need to focus our efforts here.

I will be extremely keen to get critical feed back from the various states represented here on the developments in the Fisheries Sector in their States. The implementation of various Centrally sponsored and assisted projects in the state, the development of fishing harbours, marketing points, inland fisheries, fishermen welfare, ornamental fisheries etc. may be discussed. I would request states also to report the difficulties they face, if any, in implementing our schemes as well as their state level schemes. I hope that our learning today will go a long way in improving our understanding of the sector and give a fillip to our efforts in 2010.

I wish you all a very Happy working year and success in 2010.


JAI HIND

Inaugural Speech on the occasion of Indaquaria 2010 at Chennai on 8th January 2010

I am happy to be a part of the third edition of Indaquaria organized by MPEDA in association with OFI, the Netherlands. I understand that the first and second Indaquarias held at Cochin and Kolkata respectively in 2008 and 2009 were a grand success and the impressive feedback from these events have helped MPEDA to organize the show in 2010 in a much better way. In various capacities, I have been associating with MPEDA for a long time and hence it is a matter of joy that I have the privilege of inaugurating this prestigious event.

As you all are aware, that when we hear about ornamental fish an aquarium will naturally come to our mind. Leaving its trading value, the multitude of other benefits being gained through watching aquaria should also be thought of at this juncture. Studies have shown that gazing at aquarium fish reduces stress and subsequently lowers blood pressure. Even patients with Alzheimer’s disease experience a variety of health benefits from watching an aquarium. It has also been shown to calm children who suffer from hyperactivity disorders and also soothes dental patients etc.

The global ornamental fish industry is a multi-million dollar industry that supports thousands of rural people in the developing countries. The global ornamental fish trade in retail level is worth more than US$ 8 billion while the entire industry including plants, accessories, aquarium, feed, medications etc. is estimated to be worth more than US $ 18-20 billion. The developing countries contribute to the tune of about 60-65% of the ornamental fish traded. The major markets for ornamental fish are the Europe, USA and Japan. The major suppliers of ornamental fish to these markets are South East Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, etc , Sri Lanka, Israel and Czech Republic. Florida in USA is a major supplier of ornamental fish in USA and Japan is a major supplier of Koi Carp.

The Indian ornamental fish export sector is a small but vibrant segment with tremendous potential for growth and large-scale employment generation. India is endowed with a rich resource based of varied agro-climatic conditions and abundant natural resources of more than 300 species of fresh water and marine ornamental species in addition to favourable water quality for the captive breeding of ornamental fishes. If the rural entrepreneurs are trained in ornamental fish production, supported with appropriate technology, production infrastructure and provided with marketing infrastructure and an enabling environment, India could surely become a leading supplier in the international trade. Besides, India has a huge potential domestic market. If the ten percent of the 200 million house holds in India keeps aquaria, India would have a market as big as the European ornamental fish market.

The ornamental fish exports from India are mostly dependent on wild caught fishes and the main collection areas are Western Ghats, North East India, West Bengal and Parts of Bihar and Uthar Pradesh. The Ornamental fish exports have increased from Rs.79.42 lakh in 1997-98 to Rs.543.26 lakh in 2008-09. However, the productivity of ornamental fish sector in India is abysmally low when compared to other major contributors such as Singapore. The major ornamental fish breeding centers in India are Kolkota, Kerala, Chennai and Mumbai, but the untapped potential from other states also need to be exploited for the sector to make a remarkable contribution to our exports.

Realising the importance of the ornamental fish sector in generating employment and earning foreign exchange, the Marine Products Export Development Authority has formulated a scheme named “ Rainbow Revolution “ and with the approval of Government of India has started implementing the scheme since 2006. Under the scheme it is proposed to establish 7200 breeding units with the production capacity of 500 million fishes of which 300 million fishes are to be exported. I am happy to state that tremendous progress has been achieved in the scheme because of the active involvement of MPEDA, Central Government Institutions as well as the State Government. As on today about 300 units have been established with an additional production capacity of 70 million fishes

Employment generation in rural and semi urban areas is a by-product of the developmental schemes in ornamental fish sector. I understand that, the MPEDA’s schemes under the aegis of rainbow revolution of India has made remarkable impact on expanding the production base, bridging technology gaps and also in developing marketing linkages.

The Union Ministry of Agriculture, through NFDB is formulating various developmental schemes in the ornamental fish sector which includes:

1. Ornamental fish backyard hatcheries for women self help groups/ Fisherwomen co operatives /others – with a maximum subsidy amount of Rs 50,000/-.

2. Ornamental fish backyard hatcheries for women individuals – with a maximum subsidy amount of Rs 2 lakh.

3. Integrated ornamental fishery units with hatcheries.

4. Setting up of Aquarium fabrication units for women self help groups/ Fisherwomen co operatives /others -with a maximum subsidy amount of Rs 50,000/-.

Apart from NFDB, the various research institutions under Indian Council of Agricultural Research, educational institutions and NGOs can play a major role for the development of appropriate technologies, their dissemination to the end users and thereby strengthening our resources.

Considering the richness of the natural resources and strategic geographical location, India has immense potential to emerge as a prominent player in the global trade of ornamental fishes. The aquashows and similar events organised very often in various parts of the country and the crowd turnout for these underlines the fact that ornamental fish sector of India is destined to reach an enviable position in the near future.

The export promotion body of the seafood from India is now arranging this INDAQUARIA -2010 to expose the breeders and the exporters to the new developments happening in the global scenario by arranging technical sessions, business sessions and an exposition of aquarium fishes and its ancillary industries.

I congratulate MPEDA for organizing this remarkable event and wish all the very best for the successful culmination of the programme. I am pleased to inaugurate this Show.

Inaugural speech on 3rd Inter State Horti Fair - Sangam 2010 (Orange Festival) at Lalbagh, Bangalore on 2nd January 2010

At the outset, may I wish you a very prosperous and happy new year 2010.

It is a matter of great pleasure for me to be with you on this inaugural ceremony of "1st Inter State Horti Fair – Sangam being held during the year 2010. Prior to this NHB has organized three such events at New Delhi, Cochin and Bangalore during the year 2009.

Friends, you are aware that India is endowed with a variety of climatic conditions enabling it to grow diverse horticultural crops. There is tremendous scope to improve the economic status of our small and marginal farmers by increasing quality production and productivity of these crops. Although, a number of programmes and activities have been launched in this direction, yet much more needs to be done. India being the second largest producer of the fruits and vegetables, still the productivity of fruits and vegetables grown in the country is low as compared to the developed countries.

The Board has recently taken a decision to promote production of exports quality fruits & vegetables in the country for bridging the gap between export potential and availability of export quality fruits & vegetables. To fulfill this dream, it is necessary to make the grower aware of latest technologies for production, post harvest management and marketing of the produce and promote them to adopt these technologies.

It is also a need of the time to develop "farmer-centric value chain" so as to increase producer farmers' net gain.

It is also a known fact that some of the varieties of fruits and vegetables grown in one corner of the country have not yet reached the consumers of the other corner for which exposure to such markets is required. With a view to create awareness of various varieties of fruits and vegetables being grown all over the country amongst the producers and consumers, the Board has taken appreciable initiatives to organize Inter State Horti Fair namely Sangam at various locations across the country benefiting the producers and consumers.

The 1st Sangam was organized by the Board in the month of May 2009 in New Delhi. A large number of producer farmers across the country participated with their produce for display and sale of their produce directly to the consumers. People of NCR visited this fair and purchased the horticultural produce in large quantity. This fair has not only created the awareness amongst the producers but also amongst the public. Some of the varieties of Banana grown in the states like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamilnadu which were not even known to the people of NCR were in high demand.

Similarly, during Haritolsavam 2009, at Kochi from 28th to 31st August 2009 which was organized by the Board and local Administration, some vegetables grown in the states like Bihar, Orissa and U.P. were also liked by the people of Kerala on occasion of 'Onam' festival.

During the Apple Mela at Lalbagh, Bangalore, the producers of apple from Arunanchal Pradesh participated with their produce, which was a very good exposure for the farmers of NE Region to introduce their produce in the market like Bangalore and to know the know-how of latest production and marketing strategies. They also exchanged their experiences with regards to the latest technology for quality production, PHM, transportation and packaging with participating farmers from Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh and J&K. Since, the farmers of NE Region were not aware about the pruning process in apple orchard, the Board made them aware by imparting the training for pruning during month of December 2009. For this, expert from Agriculture University of Solan visited Arunanchal Pradesh, stayed with farmers over there and trained them.

I am informed that about 150 citrus growing farmers from NE States, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamilnadu are participating in this fair.

Friends, I am sure that the participating citrus growers across the country will get a good exposure of new market. I hope the National Horticulture Board will continue to organize such types of Sangam for their benefits in future.

I congratulate the organizers including State Directorate of Horticulture for making such a nice arrangements for providing a platform for the horticultural producers and awareness of the consumers. I also welcome the participants with a wish to all success of this Sangam.


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