Thursday, October 7, 2010
Speech
SPEECH OF HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, GOVT. OF INDIA TO BE DELIVERED DURING COMMONWEALTH BUSINESS FORUM 2010 ON 5TH OCTOBER, 2010 AT TAJ PALACE HOTEL, NEW DELHI.
I welcome all participants of Commonwealth Business Forum 2010.
It gives me great pleasure to address you on this momentous occasion. The Commonwealth Games, the third largest multi-sport event in the world, have taken off to a glorious start, the athletes are busy with their events, and spectators are flocking to the venues in big numbers. I felicitate all of you on your participation in the Games and wish your sports teams all the best for the coming days.
Sports and business have now become inseparable. The symbiotic relationship between sports and business is witnessed in the large gathering present here today. The opportunities for business during sports events are very large. In Delhi itself, the estimates for the city infrastructure, sports venues and other necessities stand at close to $10 billion. It is estimated that the Games will have an economic outcome of close to $5 billion over the next few years and succeed in adding 2.5 million new jobs. In fact, we will be gaining from this event for the next many years.
Most important, the Games will bring a new sense of confidence and a new brand image for India as a global player. Despite some glitches, overall the facilities are world-class and have brought new standards to Indian infrastructure, Indian sports and Indian services. India has leapfrogged the transition from low levels of quality to global benchmarks and this Game is a sure indication of this.
Our close friends in the Commonwealth grouping are particularly well placed to reap the benefits of India’s emergence on the global economic stage. From our shared histories and experiences, we enjoy mutual friendship and respect. The institutional frameworks of Commonwealth countries such as democracy, rule of law, media freedom, administrative and bureaucratic procedures and education systems are similar, leading to greater understanding and ease of communication.
In fact, the commonwealth members have lent special significance to maintaining the institutions left behind by the British which are now serving us well. In particular, the emergence of English as the language of the world owes much to its usage by the Commonwealth’s countries over the years. This common means of communication is a major tool for our cooperation and partnership and is the very foundation of our grouping.
With these advantages, the organization of the Games in India draws attention to the business partnerships that can be strengthened and deepened among Commonwealth countries during its course. I am grateful to the Commonwealth Business Forum for giving me this opportunity to address you and I felicitate the Organizing Committee and the Confederation of Indian Industry for organizing this event.
Let me outline some of the excellent opportunities that the Indian economy offers to our friends in the Commonwealth.
The Indian economy is expected to grow by over 8.5% this year. A recent Economist cover story says that India will overtake China in growth over the next three-four years to become the fastest-growing major economy. The Indian economy recovered easily from the global economic crisis which dented our progress for two years. Yet the pace of growth remained at over 6.5% for each of the two years. This was due to prudent reforms, calibrated policies of liberalization and rapid action in terms of stimulus and other measures.
The Government took unprecedented action of pumping purchasing power into the hands of the poor where it has the greatest multiplier effect. This kickstarted a fresh round of spending and boosted the manufacturing sector. Even while India experienced the worst drought in 30 years and agriculture production stagnated, the manufacturing and services sector emerged to take up the slack and become the growth drivers of the economy.
This year, the Indian economy will gain considerably from the performance of the monsoon. Although the heavy rains disrupted final preparations for the CWG last month, they were good news for the planting season. We expect agriculture growth to be robust this year, and this will power GDP for the year.
While much of agriculture is regulated to protect the marginal farmer, there have been excellent examples of businesses doing well in the sector. Companies have invested in the supply chain, in contract farming, in agricultural implements and machinery, and in financial services for farmers. Many more openings are available in the downstream sectors of food processing, packaging, refrigeration, etc.
The business opportunities derived from agriculture in India are enormous and not sufficiently exploited by overseas businesses. India has 14 agri zones and is capable of producing a wide variety of grains, fruits and vegetables. The rising share of horticultural products as compared to grains in the basket of agricultural produce attests to the changing lifestyles of Indian consumers.
However, India faces a large technology deficit in terms of agriculture productivity. Our yields are far lower per unit of area than that of other countries. This has implications for companies in technology, agricultural implements and machinery, agri inputs such as fertilizers, biotechnology and other areas. The absorption capacity of the Indian farming sector for such technology and advanced equipment is high. Just as the Commonwealth Games are an example of India leapfrogging technology usage, Indian agriculture too can jump into more technology-intensive methods of farming within a short time.
In fact, the compulsions of food security for a rising population with increasing spending power imply that such technology jumps are not just required but are imperative for the future development of the country.
The good agriculture growth also translates into increased discretionary spending by farmers and ancillary sectors of the rural economy. In fact, rural demand has become the prime mover of domestic demand in India. While other countries are struggling to sustain their levels of domestic demand given the high rates of unemployment, India is gaining from robust and healthy expenditures.
The manufacturing and services sectors are likely to derive high advantage from this growth. Already we are witnessing sectors such as automotives, consumer durables and related sectors benefiting from the dynamic and thriving rural markets. Companies both domestic and multinational are reconfiguring their marketing strategies to address rural markets. Value and marketing chains that reach down to the farthest villages are proving to be the most profitable.
India’s infrastructure mission will be a major source of growth. In the five years from 2007 to 2012, the country would have significantly stepped up its infrastructure spending to $550 billion. In the next five years, it is estimated that India will be spending $1 trillion in the sector.
We have seen the power of the infrastructure sector in areas such as roads and highways and telecommunications, which have revitalized the economy. Current deficits in the infrastructure sector are being addressed through dedicated policies in the realm of regulation, financing, and administration. Public private partnership is a major plank of our infrastructure engagement and much investment is expected to come from overseas sources.
In services, India’s export growth has been spectacular. Today, the country is the largest exporter of software services and a major player in business and professional services. Service exports have crossed $100 billion and continue to gain pace, despite the economic conditions. As the world shifts increasingly to a knowledge economy, India will emerge as a key participant, given its strong educational output.
I would like to reiterate that India faces considerable challenges in its growth aspirations. Poverty remains high, and human development indicators are poor. We need to move rapidly on spreading growth to all sections of society. Health and education need to be stressed. Global economic conditions will also be a major factor in our growth, and it is important that global sources of India’s growth are not constrained by protectionist forces. However, I must reiterate that the Indian government is addressing the challenges comprehensively and I have no doubt that challenges can be converted into opportunities.
In our march towards development, we look to our Commonwealth friends for support and partnership. Your collaboration in this existing venture is invaluable to our development aspirations.
Ladies and gentlemen, a new India is on the ascendance. Just as the world’s largest helium balloon took to the Indian skies day before yesterday, we will see transformational changes in the Indian economy. A growth rate of over 10 percent could well be sustained in the next few decades, turning the country into a powerhouse for the global economy. This is the time to be in India, this is the time to invest in India, and this is the time to partner India’s development saga.
Thank you.
I welcome all participants of Commonwealth Business Forum 2010.
It gives me great pleasure to address you on this momentous occasion. The Commonwealth Games, the third largest multi-sport event in the world, have taken off to a glorious start, the athletes are busy with their events, and spectators are flocking to the venues in big numbers. I felicitate all of you on your participation in the Games and wish your sports teams all the best for the coming days.
Sports and business have now become inseparable. The symbiotic relationship between sports and business is witnessed in the large gathering present here today. The opportunities for business during sports events are very large. In Delhi itself, the estimates for the city infrastructure, sports venues and other necessities stand at close to $10 billion. It is estimated that the Games will have an economic outcome of close to $5 billion over the next few years and succeed in adding 2.5 million new jobs. In fact, we will be gaining from this event for the next many years.
Most important, the Games will bring a new sense of confidence and a new brand image for India as a global player. Despite some glitches, overall the facilities are world-class and have brought new standards to Indian infrastructure, Indian sports and Indian services. India has leapfrogged the transition from low levels of quality to global benchmarks and this Game is a sure indication of this.
Our close friends in the Commonwealth grouping are particularly well placed to reap the benefits of India’s emergence on the global economic stage. From our shared histories and experiences, we enjoy mutual friendship and respect. The institutional frameworks of Commonwealth countries such as democracy, rule of law, media freedom, administrative and bureaucratic procedures and education systems are similar, leading to greater understanding and ease of communication.
In fact, the commonwealth members have lent special significance to maintaining the institutions left behind by the British which are now serving us well. In particular, the emergence of English as the language of the world owes much to its usage by the Commonwealth’s countries over the years. This common means of communication is a major tool for our cooperation and partnership and is the very foundation of our grouping.
With these advantages, the organization of the Games in India draws attention to the business partnerships that can be strengthened and deepened among Commonwealth countries during its course. I am grateful to the Commonwealth Business Forum for giving me this opportunity to address you and I felicitate the Organizing Committee and the Confederation of Indian Industry for organizing this event.
Let me outline some of the excellent opportunities that the Indian economy offers to our friends in the Commonwealth.
The Indian economy is expected to grow by over 8.5% this year. A recent Economist cover story says that India will overtake China in growth over the next three-four years to become the fastest-growing major economy. The Indian economy recovered easily from the global economic crisis which dented our progress for two years. Yet the pace of growth remained at over 6.5% for each of the two years. This was due to prudent reforms, calibrated policies of liberalization and rapid action in terms of stimulus and other measures.
The Government took unprecedented action of pumping purchasing power into the hands of the poor where it has the greatest multiplier effect. This kickstarted a fresh round of spending and boosted the manufacturing sector. Even while India experienced the worst drought in 30 years and agriculture production stagnated, the manufacturing and services sector emerged to take up the slack and become the growth drivers of the economy.
This year, the Indian economy will gain considerably from the performance of the monsoon. Although the heavy rains disrupted final preparations for the CWG last month, they were good news for the planting season. We expect agriculture growth to be robust this year, and this will power GDP for the year.
While much of agriculture is regulated to protect the marginal farmer, there have been excellent examples of businesses doing well in the sector. Companies have invested in the supply chain, in contract farming, in agricultural implements and machinery, and in financial services for farmers. Many more openings are available in the downstream sectors of food processing, packaging, refrigeration, etc.
The business opportunities derived from agriculture in India are enormous and not sufficiently exploited by overseas businesses. India has 14 agri zones and is capable of producing a wide variety of grains, fruits and vegetables. The rising share of horticultural products as compared to grains in the basket of agricultural produce attests to the changing lifestyles of Indian consumers.
However, India faces a large technology deficit in terms of agriculture productivity. Our yields are far lower per unit of area than that of other countries. This has implications for companies in technology, agricultural implements and machinery, agri inputs such as fertilizers, biotechnology and other areas. The absorption capacity of the Indian farming sector for such technology and advanced equipment is high. Just as the Commonwealth Games are an example of India leapfrogging technology usage, Indian agriculture too can jump into more technology-intensive methods of farming within a short time.
In fact, the compulsions of food security for a rising population with increasing spending power imply that such technology jumps are not just required but are imperative for the future development of the country.
The good agriculture growth also translates into increased discretionary spending by farmers and ancillary sectors of the rural economy. In fact, rural demand has become the prime mover of domestic demand in India. While other countries are struggling to sustain their levels of domestic demand given the high rates of unemployment, India is gaining from robust and healthy expenditures.
The manufacturing and services sectors are likely to derive high advantage from this growth. Already we are witnessing sectors such as automotives, consumer durables and related sectors benefiting from the dynamic and thriving rural markets. Companies both domestic and multinational are reconfiguring their marketing strategies to address rural markets. Value and marketing chains that reach down to the farthest villages are proving to be the most profitable.
India’s infrastructure mission will be a major source of growth. In the five years from 2007 to 2012, the country would have significantly stepped up its infrastructure spending to $550 billion. In the next five years, it is estimated that India will be spending $1 trillion in the sector.
We have seen the power of the infrastructure sector in areas such as roads and highways and telecommunications, which have revitalized the economy. Current deficits in the infrastructure sector are being addressed through dedicated policies in the realm of regulation, financing, and administration. Public private partnership is a major plank of our infrastructure engagement and much investment is expected to come from overseas sources.
In services, India’s export growth has been spectacular. Today, the country is the largest exporter of software services and a major player in business and professional services. Service exports have crossed $100 billion and continue to gain pace, despite the economic conditions. As the world shifts increasingly to a knowledge economy, India will emerge as a key participant, given its strong educational output.
I would like to reiterate that India faces considerable challenges in its growth aspirations. Poverty remains high, and human development indicators are poor. We need to move rapidly on spreading growth to all sections of society. Health and education need to be stressed. Global economic conditions will also be a major factor in our growth, and it is important that global sources of India’s growth are not constrained by protectionist forces. However, I must reiterate that the Indian government is addressing the challenges comprehensively and I have no doubt that challenges can be converted into opportunities.
In our march towards development, we look to our Commonwealth friends for support and partnership. Your collaboration in this existing venture is invaluable to our development aspirations.
Ladies and gentlemen, a new India is on the ascendance. Just as the world’s largest helium balloon took to the Indian skies day before yesterday, we will see transformational changes in the Indian economy. A growth rate of over 10 percent could well be sustained in the next few decades, turning the country into a powerhouse for the global economy. This is the time to be in India, this is the time to invest in India, and this is the time to partner India’s development saga.
Thank you.
Speeches
ADDRESS OF PROF. K. V. THOMAS, MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ANRPC ANNUAL RUBBER CONFERENCE 2010,
6 OCTOBER, KOCHI, INDIA
Mr. Le Quang Thung, Acting Chairman, Vietnam Rubber Group & Chairman of ANRPC,
Prof. Djoko S. Damardjati, Secretary-General, ANRPC
Mr Sajen Peter IAS, Chairman, Rubber Board,
Member Government Representatives of ANRPC countries,
Members of Rubber Board,
Distinguished Delegates and
Ladies & Gentlemen,
As the proud representative of Kochi in Parliament, I am happy to see the city playing host to yet another international conference. Kochi has been a bustling centre of commercial activities for centuries, with more than 2000 years old trade links with world markets. The city is one of the finest natural harbours and is located scenically between the Arabian Sea and backwaters. Muziris in the neighbourhood of Kochi, a famous and prosperous seaport in ancient times, was the centre of world spices trade for centuries.
Like other natural rubber producing countries, cultivation of rubber began in India also only a century ago. India is a vast country and the area under major plantation crops accounts only for one per cent of the gross cropped area. However, the share of contribution of the plantation sector to national agricultural GDP is almost two per cent, reflecting the relatively high extent of value of output. Among the plantation crops, rubber accounts for 38 per cent of the planted area. However, India has only a narrow belt of regions suitable for rubber cultivation and the agroclimatic conditions even in these regions are sub-optimal. However, the sector has achieved substantial progress over the decades in production and productivity. From 2006 India has been recording the highest productivity in rubber in the world. This has been made possible by decades of concerted efforts at research and extension fronts and with the benefit of having a highly receptive and enterprising farming community.
Natural rubber has emerged as an important industrial raw material in terms of its essentiality in critical products, versatility in commercial use and potential for value addition. Though the main use of rubber is in the tyre sector, it is being used in manufacturing around 50,000 products most of which are indispensable in modern life, ranging from erasers to aircraft tyres. Currently, NR accounts for 44 per cent of elastomer consumption in the world. NR is also an eco-friendly product and rubber plantations have a green image. Processed timber obtained from rubber plantations while replanting substantially contributes to the conservation of tropical forests.
The share of Asia in world NR production remained above 90 per cent ever since the dominance of plantation rubber though the relative shares of Asian countries in world NR production have changed considerably during the recent decades. The relative share of Asia in consumption of rubber increased steeply from 19 per cent in 1960 to 75 per cent in 2009 at the cost of North America and Western Europe. This has been on account of spectacular growth in consumption in China and India. The share of China in world NR consumption was as high as 37 per cent in 2009. Of late, China has ousted the US and emerged as the world’s largest vehicle market with sales touching 13.5 million units. Consumption of NR in other rubber producing countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam also has improved in the recent decades.
I understand that the eleven member countries of the ANRPC together account for 92 per cent of the world production of NR. In the present globalised world, competition is the watchword of all economic activities. Yet, the overwhelming role of competition has not undermined the importance of cooperation among countries in commodity sectors. During the last four decades, the ANRPC has contributed substantially to the development of NR industry in the member countries. There has been commendable progress in research and extension activities in NR sector, resulting in significant improvements in productivity and acceleration in NR production leading to improvement in the living standards of rubber growers. Our achievements in the NR sector owe to a great extent to the foresight and dedicated efforts of our predecessors among policy makers, scientists, extension workers and growers.
The Annual Rubber Conference of ANRPC provides a unique opportunity for all rubber industry stakeholders around the world to come together to listen to industry experts and officials from ANRPC member countries. I am happy to note the universal relevance of the theme of today’s Conference. Planning starts with an awareness of where we stand. Information on the current status of rubber industry is thus an essential prerequisite for exploring where we want to go and also understanding the constraints on the road ahead. A progressive planner takes every constraint as a challenge. It is the strategy adopted that transforms a challenge into an opportunity. Deliberations on challenges, opportunities and strategies for development of NR industry in the next decade shall contribute to devise appropriate strategies.
Most of the plantations in South and Southeast Asian countries were developed extensively during the first half of the last century, mainly in the estate sector. During the second half of the last century the share of small growers in the plantations increased on account of the operational divisibility of some crops, changes in the political context and proactive interventions of developmental agencies. Currently, NR is predominantly a smallholder’s crop in all the major producing countries. The challenges being faced by small growers are distinct irrespective of the crop. It is important that the strategies for development of rubber industry are small grower friendly. The research and extension components of the strategies shall be mainly oriented towards the issues in the smallholding sector.
Another important challenge confronting the NR sector is the growing shortage of labour. This has to be addressed by exploring possibilities of developing labour saving cultural and harvesting practices and mechanisation.
There is a growing concern on climate change and its impact on crop production. Global warming, weather instability and occurrence of unusual and extreme weather events are the major physical dimensions of climate change. Research in rubber plantation sector shall focus on the impact of climate change on rubber cultivation and strategies to mitigate the possible adverse impact.
I would like to re-emphasise the eco-friendliness of NR. People all over the world are becoming more and more aware of environmental issues, and this gets reflected in increasing demand for environment-friendly products even at premium prices. The plans for the next decade should therefore cover strategies to capitalise on the environment-friendliness of NR too. There shall be collective efforts among the NR producing countries to take advantage of Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol to UNFCCC.
Equally important is value addition for rubber in the producing countries themselves. I understand that the share of Asia and major producing countries in NR consumption has increased over time, especially since mid-1980s. There shall be earnest efforts to enhance NR consumption in producing countries in the coming years.
The success of a Conference is determined mainly by the content of the presentations and the extent of participation. From the brochure, it is obvious that it is a tightly scheduled programme covering all ANRPC member countries and presentations on special topics by invited speakers. And I am pleased to observe the wide and diverse participation of rubber industry stakeholders from different parts of the world. Wishing the deliberations in the Conference every success, I declare the ‘ANRPC Annual Conference 2010’ open.
____________
6 OCTOBER, KOCHI, INDIA
Mr. Le Quang Thung, Acting Chairman, Vietnam Rubber Group & Chairman of ANRPC,
Prof. Djoko S. Damardjati, Secretary-General, ANRPC
Mr Sajen Peter IAS, Chairman, Rubber Board,
Member Government Representatives of ANRPC countries,
Members of Rubber Board,
Distinguished Delegates and
Ladies & Gentlemen,
As the proud representative of Kochi in Parliament, I am happy to see the city playing host to yet another international conference. Kochi has been a bustling centre of commercial activities for centuries, with more than 2000 years old trade links with world markets. The city is one of the finest natural harbours and is located scenically between the Arabian Sea and backwaters. Muziris in the neighbourhood of Kochi, a famous and prosperous seaport in ancient times, was the centre of world spices trade for centuries.
Like other natural rubber producing countries, cultivation of rubber began in India also only a century ago. India is a vast country and the area under major plantation crops accounts only for one per cent of the gross cropped area. However, the share of contribution of the plantation sector to national agricultural GDP is almost two per cent, reflecting the relatively high extent of value of output. Among the plantation crops, rubber accounts for 38 per cent of the planted area. However, India has only a narrow belt of regions suitable for rubber cultivation and the agroclimatic conditions even in these regions are sub-optimal. However, the sector has achieved substantial progress over the decades in production and productivity. From 2006 India has been recording the highest productivity in rubber in the world. This has been made possible by decades of concerted efforts at research and extension fronts and with the benefit of having a highly receptive and enterprising farming community.
Natural rubber has emerged as an important industrial raw material in terms of its essentiality in critical products, versatility in commercial use and potential for value addition. Though the main use of rubber is in the tyre sector, it is being used in manufacturing around 50,000 products most of which are indispensable in modern life, ranging from erasers to aircraft tyres. Currently, NR accounts for 44 per cent of elastomer consumption in the world. NR is also an eco-friendly product and rubber plantations have a green image. Processed timber obtained from rubber plantations while replanting substantially contributes to the conservation of tropical forests.
The share of Asia in world NR production remained above 90 per cent ever since the dominance of plantation rubber though the relative shares of Asian countries in world NR production have changed considerably during the recent decades. The relative share of Asia in consumption of rubber increased steeply from 19 per cent in 1960 to 75 per cent in 2009 at the cost of North America and Western Europe. This has been on account of spectacular growth in consumption in China and India. The share of China in world NR consumption was as high as 37 per cent in 2009. Of late, China has ousted the US and emerged as the world’s largest vehicle market with sales touching 13.5 million units. Consumption of NR in other rubber producing countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam also has improved in the recent decades.
I understand that the eleven member countries of the ANRPC together account for 92 per cent of the world production of NR. In the present globalised world, competition is the watchword of all economic activities. Yet, the overwhelming role of competition has not undermined the importance of cooperation among countries in commodity sectors. During the last four decades, the ANRPC has contributed substantially to the development of NR industry in the member countries. There has been commendable progress in research and extension activities in NR sector, resulting in significant improvements in productivity and acceleration in NR production leading to improvement in the living standards of rubber growers. Our achievements in the NR sector owe to a great extent to the foresight and dedicated efforts of our predecessors among policy makers, scientists, extension workers and growers.
The Annual Rubber Conference of ANRPC provides a unique opportunity for all rubber industry stakeholders around the world to come together to listen to industry experts and officials from ANRPC member countries. I am happy to note the universal relevance of the theme of today’s Conference. Planning starts with an awareness of where we stand. Information on the current status of rubber industry is thus an essential prerequisite for exploring where we want to go and also understanding the constraints on the road ahead. A progressive planner takes every constraint as a challenge. It is the strategy adopted that transforms a challenge into an opportunity. Deliberations on challenges, opportunities and strategies for development of NR industry in the next decade shall contribute to devise appropriate strategies.
Most of the plantations in South and Southeast Asian countries were developed extensively during the first half of the last century, mainly in the estate sector. During the second half of the last century the share of small growers in the plantations increased on account of the operational divisibility of some crops, changes in the political context and proactive interventions of developmental agencies. Currently, NR is predominantly a smallholder’s crop in all the major producing countries. The challenges being faced by small growers are distinct irrespective of the crop. It is important that the strategies for development of rubber industry are small grower friendly. The research and extension components of the strategies shall be mainly oriented towards the issues in the smallholding sector.
Another important challenge confronting the NR sector is the growing shortage of labour. This has to be addressed by exploring possibilities of developing labour saving cultural and harvesting practices and mechanisation.
There is a growing concern on climate change and its impact on crop production. Global warming, weather instability and occurrence of unusual and extreme weather events are the major physical dimensions of climate change. Research in rubber plantation sector shall focus on the impact of climate change on rubber cultivation and strategies to mitigate the possible adverse impact.
I would like to re-emphasise the eco-friendliness of NR. People all over the world are becoming more and more aware of environmental issues, and this gets reflected in increasing demand for environment-friendly products even at premium prices. The plans for the next decade should therefore cover strategies to capitalise on the environment-friendliness of NR too. There shall be collective efforts among the NR producing countries to take advantage of Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol to UNFCCC.
Equally important is value addition for rubber in the producing countries themselves. I understand that the share of Asia and major producing countries in NR consumption has increased over time, especially since mid-1980s. There shall be earnest efforts to enhance NR consumption in producing countries in the coming years.
The success of a Conference is determined mainly by the content of the presentations and the extent of participation. From the brochure, it is obvious that it is a tightly scheduled programme covering all ANRPC member countries and presentations on special topics by invited speakers. And I am pleased to observe the wide and diverse participation of rubber industry stakeholders from different parts of the world. Wishing the deliberations in the Conference every success, I declare the ‘ANRPC Annual Conference 2010’ open.
____________
Friday, October 1, 2010
Mumbai function
Inaugural address as Chief Guest on Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) Award Function to the Highest Processors and Exporters to be held on 24th September, 2010 at Hotel The Leela Kempinski, Sahar, Mumbai
It is my pleasure to attend SEA Awards Function organized by the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) here in Mumbai today.
2. Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) is a premier organization of the oilseeds sector and solvent Industry. SEA is also engaged in the processing of oilseeds, oilcakes, rice bran and recovery of oils from oil bearing materials besides being active in promotion of vegetable oils trade, export of oil meals, compound of feeds for animals, poultry & aquatic species.
3. I am informed that SEA has a strength of over 800 members from solvent industry, oil mills, vegetable oil refiners, vanaspati manufacturers, exporters, foreign buyers, dealers and various other stakeholders of oilseeds and oil sectors. The Solvent Industry contributes significantly in processing of oilseeds, oilcakes, rice bran etc and promoting export of oil meals of over 4 million tones annually. The export of oil meals balances the burden of import cost of edible oils to a large extent.
4. To encourage the processing of oilseeds as well as export, the Association present awards to highest processors and exporters of various commodities every year. The awards conferred by SEA this year to the highest achievers will definitely inspire and motivate in the promotion of oilseeds in the country. It will also provide added zest to work towards our goal to increase the production of oilseeds and to reduce dependence on imported oils and also boost the export of oil meals.
5. As we know, India is one of the major producers and consumers of vegetable oils in the world. India accounts for 12-15% of the area under oilseeds; 7-8% output and 6-7% of the world’s vegetable oil production. The diverse agro ecological conditions in the country are favourable for growing nine annual oilseeds which include 7 edible oilseeds viz. groundnut, rapeseed/ mustard, soybean, sunflower, sesame, safflower and niger and two non-edible oil seeds, castor and linseed.
6. The average of last five years oilseeds production in India has been to the tune of 27.0 million tones. In 2007-08, the production of oilseeds was achieved at a record of 29.75 million tones. At present, the domestic oilseeds output in terms of vegetable production has been trailing consumption growth, necessitating imports of edible oils to meet the shortfall.
7. Realizing the importance of oilseeds, the Government of India has launched various schemes which provides assistance to the development of oilseeds in the country. Centrally Sponsored Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM, under implementation since 2004-05, is a major programme which covers 14 major oilseeds growing States. During the XIth Plan Period, the Government has given thrust to oilseeds development. Oilseeds production programmes are supported under two major schemes namely Macro-Management of Agriculture (MMA) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) as well. During 2010-11, Government has launched two new sub-schemes under RKVY Viz; (i) organizing sixty thousand pulses and oilseeds villages during 2010-11 in rainfed areas and oilseeds production strategy in six Eastern States of the country under the specific scheme of “Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India” for the year 2010-11. I hope these programme will help in increasing the production and productivity of oilseeds in the country.
8. I congratulate the winners of the Awards. I compliment SEA for organizing the function.
It is my pleasure to attend SEA Awards Function organized by the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) here in Mumbai today.
2. Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) is a premier organization of the oilseeds sector and solvent Industry. SEA is also engaged in the processing of oilseeds, oilcakes, rice bran and recovery of oils from oil bearing materials besides being active in promotion of vegetable oils trade, export of oil meals, compound of feeds for animals, poultry & aquatic species.
3. I am informed that SEA has a strength of over 800 members from solvent industry, oil mills, vegetable oil refiners, vanaspati manufacturers, exporters, foreign buyers, dealers and various other stakeholders of oilseeds and oil sectors. The Solvent Industry contributes significantly in processing of oilseeds, oilcakes, rice bran etc and promoting export of oil meals of over 4 million tones annually. The export of oil meals balances the burden of import cost of edible oils to a large extent.
4. To encourage the processing of oilseeds as well as export, the Association present awards to highest processors and exporters of various commodities every year. The awards conferred by SEA this year to the highest achievers will definitely inspire and motivate in the promotion of oilseeds in the country. It will also provide added zest to work towards our goal to increase the production of oilseeds and to reduce dependence on imported oils and also boost the export of oil meals.
5. As we know, India is one of the major producers and consumers of vegetable oils in the world. India accounts for 12-15% of the area under oilseeds; 7-8% output and 6-7% of the world’s vegetable oil production. The diverse agro ecological conditions in the country are favourable for growing nine annual oilseeds which include 7 edible oilseeds viz. groundnut, rapeseed/ mustard, soybean, sunflower, sesame, safflower and niger and two non-edible oil seeds, castor and linseed.
6. The average of last five years oilseeds production in India has been to the tune of 27.0 million tones. In 2007-08, the production of oilseeds was achieved at a record of 29.75 million tones. At present, the domestic oilseeds output in terms of vegetable production has been trailing consumption growth, necessitating imports of edible oils to meet the shortfall.
7. Realizing the importance of oilseeds, the Government of India has launched various schemes which provides assistance to the development of oilseeds in the country. Centrally Sponsored Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM, under implementation since 2004-05, is a major programme which covers 14 major oilseeds growing States. During the XIth Plan Period, the Government has given thrust to oilseeds development. Oilseeds production programmes are supported under two major schemes namely Macro-Management of Agriculture (MMA) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) as well. During 2010-11, Government has launched two new sub-schemes under RKVY Viz; (i) organizing sixty thousand pulses and oilseeds villages during 2010-11 in rainfed areas and oilseeds production strategy in six Eastern States of the country under the specific scheme of “Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India” for the year 2010-11. I hope these programme will help in increasing the production and productivity of oilseeds in the country.
8. I congratulate the winners of the Awards. I compliment SEA for organizing the function.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Rabi Compaign
Speech of MoS (A) for Rabi Campaign – 17th September, 2010
Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar, Secretary (Agriculture), Secretary (Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries), Secretary (DARE), Principal Advisor, Vice Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities, Agriculture Production Commissioners, Principal Secretaries and other officials from Ministries and Departments of Central and State Governments, ladies and gentlemen.
The main objective of this Conference is to review the progress of Kharif and take stock of the preparations for Rabi Campaign. We have been lucky this year to have a good monsoon. This will not only ensure a good Kharif crop but will also prove to be very conducive for the Rabi campaign. Kharif production should be reasonable if not very good. However, deficient rains in major rice producing states such as West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand have dampened the prospects in paddy.
The slow growth of productivity in rice is a cause of concern. The department has taken action to identify high yielding hybrids and varieties for increasing productivity of rice. One of the booklets just released here contains valuable information for increasing production of hybrid rice seeds during Rabi this year which should be available for marketing in Kharif 2011.
I also compliment our research institutes and agricultural universities for coming up with some very promising hybrids and varieties of rice which have the potential to significantly improve rice productivity. I am happy to note that this is being given due importance by the Department in its schemes on the National Food Security Mission and the Seed Production Programme of Ministry with the collaboration of State Governments.
Increasing productivity of wheat is another major challenge being addressed under National Food Security Mission. I appreciate the efforts made by DAC and ICAR towards this, particularly the consultations held recently in the Directorate of Wheat Research, Karnal. These advisory inputs should indeed contribute towards higher productivity of wheat this year.
We have enhanced budgetary provisions for major flagship schemes such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Food Security Mission, National Horticulture Mission, Micro irrigation, etc. Significant provisions have also been made in the budget to take green revolution to eastern India, enhancing productivity of dry land farming areas through integrated intervention for water harvesting, watershed management and soil health and conservation agriculture to sustain the gains already made by green revolution. I would urge all the states to make full use of the facilities under these schemes. States which are ineligible for funding for any flagship programme must take special steps to re-qualify immediately.
The programme for extending green revolution to Eastern India puts a great responsibility on the states in the region. Given the availability of natural resources in the eastern region, I am confident that the region will emerge as the bread basket for the country. Development of agriculture in the region will also usher in inclusive economic growth. I urge all states in the region to take full advantage of the scheme and make it a success. The states will have to steer clear off distractions and focus on productivity for many years ahead.
Programmes have never been in short supply in the last two plan periods to enhance agricultural productivity. What we lack is single minded focus in implementing and concurrent monitoring. A sense of urgency is required in all leaders handling various segments of the national programme in Agriculture. As the Hon. Prime Minister observed earlier this year, the best officers of the states have to handle Agriculture. I am sure you recognise the onerous responsibility placed on your shoulders now. Together we have to prove that we lived up to the expectation. I am happy to see the Union Agriculture Secretary and his team put in well coordinated efforts. I hope the states will take the task forward in the same footing.
I am confident that the deliberations during the conference will be very useful and help firm up an effective Rabi campaign. I am confident that it will be a grand success and result in record Rabi production.
Thank you.
**********
Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar, Secretary (Agriculture), Secretary (Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries), Secretary (DARE), Principal Advisor, Vice Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities, Agriculture Production Commissioners, Principal Secretaries and other officials from Ministries and Departments of Central and State Governments, ladies and gentlemen.
The main objective of this Conference is to review the progress of Kharif and take stock of the preparations for Rabi Campaign. We have been lucky this year to have a good monsoon. This will not only ensure a good Kharif crop but will also prove to be very conducive for the Rabi campaign. Kharif production should be reasonable if not very good. However, deficient rains in major rice producing states such as West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand have dampened the prospects in paddy.
The slow growth of productivity in rice is a cause of concern. The department has taken action to identify high yielding hybrids and varieties for increasing productivity of rice. One of the booklets just released here contains valuable information for increasing production of hybrid rice seeds during Rabi this year which should be available for marketing in Kharif 2011.
I also compliment our research institutes and agricultural universities for coming up with some very promising hybrids and varieties of rice which have the potential to significantly improve rice productivity. I am happy to note that this is being given due importance by the Department in its schemes on the National Food Security Mission and the Seed Production Programme of Ministry with the collaboration of State Governments.
Increasing productivity of wheat is another major challenge being addressed under National Food Security Mission. I appreciate the efforts made by DAC and ICAR towards this, particularly the consultations held recently in the Directorate of Wheat Research, Karnal. These advisory inputs should indeed contribute towards higher productivity of wheat this year.
We have enhanced budgetary provisions for major flagship schemes such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Food Security Mission, National Horticulture Mission, Micro irrigation, etc. Significant provisions have also been made in the budget to take green revolution to eastern India, enhancing productivity of dry land farming areas through integrated intervention for water harvesting, watershed management and soil health and conservation agriculture to sustain the gains already made by green revolution. I would urge all the states to make full use of the facilities under these schemes. States which are ineligible for funding for any flagship programme must take special steps to re-qualify immediately.
The programme for extending green revolution to Eastern India puts a great responsibility on the states in the region. Given the availability of natural resources in the eastern region, I am confident that the region will emerge as the bread basket for the country. Development of agriculture in the region will also usher in inclusive economic growth. I urge all states in the region to take full advantage of the scheme and make it a success. The states will have to steer clear off distractions and focus on productivity for many years ahead.
Programmes have never been in short supply in the last two plan periods to enhance agricultural productivity. What we lack is single minded focus in implementing and concurrent monitoring. A sense of urgency is required in all leaders handling various segments of the national programme in Agriculture. As the Hon. Prime Minister observed earlier this year, the best officers of the states have to handle Agriculture. I am sure you recognise the onerous responsibility placed on your shoulders now. Together we have to prove that we lived up to the expectation. I am happy to see the Union Agriculture Secretary and his team put in well coordinated efforts. I hope the states will take the task forward in the same footing.
I am confident that the deliberations during the conference will be very useful and help firm up an effective Rabi campaign. I am confident that it will be a grand success and result in record Rabi production.
Thank you.
**********
Thursday, July 29, 2010
ICAR awards
ICAR FOUNDATION DAY AND RESEARCH AWARDS
on 16/7/2010
SPEECH OF HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, PROF. K.V. THOMAS
We are here today at the commemoration of ICAR’s foundation and to honour ICAR’s researchers. We are at a juncture where the efforts taken in rejuvenating Indian Agriculture have started bearing fruits. After a hiatus of a few years, due to the efforts taken by the Union Agriculture Ministry, overall agricultural production is looking up. Following launch of RKVY and increased financial commitments by the Union Government, the States are now investing more in agriculture including agricultural R&D.
Just the other day, the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and the Hon’ble Minister for Finance guided the “Look East” policy in Indian Agriculture in Calcutta. At an initial investment of Rs.400 crores special productivity incentives are being provided to Eastern States to usher their quite belated green revolution. A package of enhanced productive packages mixing improved irrigation, hybrid seeds and use of environmentally sensitive fertigation has been proposed by most of the States. The enthusiasm with which the State Chief Ministers and Officials welcomed the package was an indication of the excellent results we hope to achieve in that front. I request ICAR to partake actively in the Eastern effort through its network of KVK’s in the region.
Regarding mainstream agricultural R&D, I think there has been disproportionate media attention on biotechnology research in the recent past. Media at least has chosen to report what is “hot”. The reality is that ICAR has developed a host of other technologies especially in the mechanization and post harvest front that need commercial viability testing and production in scale. We need to promote a culture of looking all around us and even abroad for technology also.
For instance, a genuine inhibitor affecting both Coconut and Oil Palm farmers is the lack of labour to bring the fruit bunch down from the tall palms. If a mobile elevatable platform with an all terrain facility is designed an operator can safely attend to more palms reducing risk and costs. I was quite satisfied with the post harvest processing technologies developed by CPCRI, Kasaragod during a recent visit.
Our thrust in horticulture has also brought to fore many practical issues which need clear R&D solutions. Floriculture needs several solutions which keep the shelf life of flowers intact. Seed production needs very highly efficient tissue culture based production and so forth.
I think Animal and Veterinary Science research needs to ground itself into the reality of our situation much better. I hear technologies like embryo transfer and cloning being cited frequently but the artificial insemination networks are yet to be established and stabilized properly in most States. Breeding policies are stuck in formulations of yester years. Quality seed and a wide variety of service delivery models is the lacuna here. Though exploratory research is welcome, it is time we addressed some of the constraints in enhancing milk production like shortage of fodder and fodder fortification technologies.
Grain storage, I am afraid is another area which is presently no body’s baby. The food Departments facilities to test quality of grain are to be highly improved. My visits to our central grain testing labs in Krishi Bhawan was an eye opener as to how much we lag behind, especially after the contrasting picture I got from my recent visit to China. I have asked the food department to consider taking help of ICAR or transfer the lab to ICAR for developing a modern biotechnology grade lab.
I am sure that the present policy issues related to transgenic crops will be resolved early. In the mean time, I should urge the scientific community to continue with an aggressive research programme in transgenics. We cannot afford to lag behind.
As a former academic, I am very pleased to facilitate the winners of the ICAR research awards here today. It is a reflection on the hard work all of you have put in that the country recognizes today. We are all indebted to you for striving very hard and bringing smiles to the Indian Farmers.
I have always maintained that ICAR needs to double its effort, resources and research strength in pursuit of excellence. I do hope that the present DG, ICAR, Dr. S. Ayyappan and his team succeeds in their new ventures.
I am very pleased to be amidst all of you. I wish you all the very best in your endeavors in future.
THANKING YOU,
JAI HIND
on 16/7/2010
SPEECH OF HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, PROF. K.V. THOMAS
We are here today at the commemoration of ICAR’s foundation and to honour ICAR’s researchers. We are at a juncture where the efforts taken in rejuvenating Indian Agriculture have started bearing fruits. After a hiatus of a few years, due to the efforts taken by the Union Agriculture Ministry, overall agricultural production is looking up. Following launch of RKVY and increased financial commitments by the Union Government, the States are now investing more in agriculture including agricultural R&D.
Just the other day, the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and the Hon’ble Minister for Finance guided the “Look East” policy in Indian Agriculture in Calcutta. At an initial investment of Rs.400 crores special productivity incentives are being provided to Eastern States to usher their quite belated green revolution. A package of enhanced productive packages mixing improved irrigation, hybrid seeds and use of environmentally sensitive fertigation has been proposed by most of the States. The enthusiasm with which the State Chief Ministers and Officials welcomed the package was an indication of the excellent results we hope to achieve in that front. I request ICAR to partake actively in the Eastern effort through its network of KVK’s in the region.
Regarding mainstream agricultural R&D, I think there has been disproportionate media attention on biotechnology research in the recent past. Media at least has chosen to report what is “hot”. The reality is that ICAR has developed a host of other technologies especially in the mechanization and post harvest front that need commercial viability testing and production in scale. We need to promote a culture of looking all around us and even abroad for technology also.
For instance, a genuine inhibitor affecting both Coconut and Oil Palm farmers is the lack of labour to bring the fruit bunch down from the tall palms. If a mobile elevatable platform with an all terrain facility is designed an operator can safely attend to more palms reducing risk and costs. I was quite satisfied with the post harvest processing technologies developed by CPCRI, Kasaragod during a recent visit.
Our thrust in horticulture has also brought to fore many practical issues which need clear R&D solutions. Floriculture needs several solutions which keep the shelf life of flowers intact. Seed production needs very highly efficient tissue culture based production and so forth.
I think Animal and Veterinary Science research needs to ground itself into the reality of our situation much better. I hear technologies like embryo transfer and cloning being cited frequently but the artificial insemination networks are yet to be established and stabilized properly in most States. Breeding policies are stuck in formulations of yester years. Quality seed and a wide variety of service delivery models is the lacuna here. Though exploratory research is welcome, it is time we addressed some of the constraints in enhancing milk production like shortage of fodder and fodder fortification technologies.
Grain storage, I am afraid is another area which is presently no body’s baby. The food Departments facilities to test quality of grain are to be highly improved. My visits to our central grain testing labs in Krishi Bhawan was an eye opener as to how much we lag behind, especially after the contrasting picture I got from my recent visit to China. I have asked the food department to consider taking help of ICAR or transfer the lab to ICAR for developing a modern biotechnology grade lab.
I am sure that the present policy issues related to transgenic crops will be resolved early. In the mean time, I should urge the scientific community to continue with an aggressive research programme in transgenics. We cannot afford to lag behind.
As a former academic, I am very pleased to facilitate the winners of the ICAR research awards here today. It is a reflection on the hard work all of you have put in that the country recognizes today. We are all indebted to you for striving very hard and bringing smiles to the Indian Farmers.
I have always maintained that ICAR needs to double its effort, resources and research strength in pursuit of excellence. I do hope that the present DG, ICAR, Dr. S. Ayyappan and his team succeeds in their new ventures.
I am very pleased to be amidst all of you. I wish you all the very best in your endeavors in future.
THANKING YOU,
JAI HIND
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Fish Festival Hyderabd 9/7/2010
INDIAN FISH FESTIVAL-2010’ (INFISH) ON 9TH JULY2010 AT HYDERABAD
SPEECH OF PROF. K.V. THOMAS , HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, GOVT. OF INDIA
Good evening and welcome to all of you for Indian Fish Festival-2010.
Respected Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Rosaiah ji, Shri K. Pardha Saradhi, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Nitin Raut, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry Dairy & Fisheries, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri Danam Nagender, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt. Andhra Pradesh, Smt. B. Karthika Chandra Reddy, Hon’ble Mayor, GHMC, Hyderabad, My colleague in Parliament Shri Anjan Kumar Yadav, Senior Officers from the Ministry, MPEDA, ICAR, NABARD, Department of Fisheries, Andhra Pradesh and my dear fishermen, farmers, members from media, ladies and gentlemen.
It’s a great privilege to be amidst to all of you to participate and celebrate the Indian Fish Festival-2010. The overwhelming response received from the various fisheries stakeholders and the general public during last year has enthused us to repeat this festival for the second time in Hyderabad. I wish to place on record my thanks and gratitude to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for supporting this activity in a big way. As you all are aware the fish festivals of this kind are being organized all over the country with the objective of promoting fisheries development activities by introducing a professional approach to bring new concepts and new technologies to enhance the fish productivity and production, we intend to create greater employment opportunities, empowerment of women and nutritional and food security.
I hope these festivals would promote consumption and value addition of fish by building awareness about health benefits of fish amongst the esteemed consumers.
Infish-2010 is organized for four days from 9-12 July 2010 to showcase various technological advancements and achievements by various National Research Organizations/ Institutions, a pavilion for exhibiting attractive and colorful ornamental fishes and a large number of food courts for preparation and display various kinds of ready to eat and ready to cook fish products.
A technical seminar on aquarium fishes, culture of murrels along with stakeholders meeting of hoteliers is also well thought of. A major attraction is fish recipe competition for women and live recipe demonstration by reputed Chef’s of well known hotels.
I wish this festival would satisfy the palate of large number of consumers in tasting various kinds of fish products besides producing a handbook on Fish recipes in addition to awareness building on fisheries and aquaculture technological advancements.
In this regard, I am happy to inform you that the NFDB which is established at Hyderabad for promoting fisheries and aquaculture in the country through professional management has started working with full strength from 2006 onwards.
I wish to mention that so far NFDB has been given an amount of Rs. 226.9 crores and this year we have allocated a budget of Rs. 92.30 crores. They have utilized an amount of Rs.220.00 crores so far with the following major achievements.
1. Under intensive aquaculture in ponds and tanks, about 6500 hectares of area has been developed for fish culture, 40 fish seed hatcheries were established, and renovated with an amount of Rs. 52.91 crores. It is proposed to bring in an additional 2000 ha under intensive aquaculture during this year.
2. Under reservoir development, 1985 reservoirs covering an area of 11.00 lakh hectares were stocked with 57.10 crores of fish fingerlings with an amount of Rs. 73.94 crores. The reservoir fish production which was hardly 20-25kg/ha has increased to about 50- 75kg/ha during the last 3 years of implementation of this programme.
3. Rs.1.77 crores was provided as subsidy to entrepreneurs to establish 396 ornamental fish units, 10 aquarium fabrication units and 3 integrated ornamental units. For promoting this activity a budget of Rs. 1.86 crores is ear marked for this year.
4. For establishing an aquatic animal health quarantine facility at Nelankari, Chennai, to demonstrate the techno economic viability of sea bass culture in field and to train 4640 farmers in coastal aquaculture Rs. 7.00 crores were provided as assistance.
5. To demonstrate the techno economic viability of sea cage farming, NFDB extended a financial assistance of Rs. 1.20 crores to CMFRI, Kochi.
6. NFDB provided an assistance of Rs. 2.05 crores to NIFPHATT, Cochin for setting up of common facility centre for export processing of Sashimi grade tuna at Vizag and to conduct training for fishermen in deep sea fishing.
7. Rs. 27.39 crores has been provided as grant towards modernization of 6 fishing harbours in the country, to establish IQF machinery at Sasoondock, Mumbai.
8. Rs. 22.30 crores has been provided towards modernization of 23 whole sale fish markets, 21 retail markets, 58 fish drying platforms, 5 fish dressing centres and to train 935 fish handlers and traders on hygienic handling of fish and value addition.
During this year, I have requested NFDB to focus on enhancing fish production in the reservoirs as well as farmers ponds. The NFDB is currently focusing on this strategy so that the targeted production of 10 million tons can be achieved shortly. A major focus that the department desires is promotion of ornamental fishes. The Government of Kerala has established a PPP model company to promote ornamental fisheries and to develop an export hub. I appeal to the government of Andhra Pradesh also to focus attention on this model.
While I am happy that, conducting the fish festival at Hyderabad for the second time is indeed commendable, the NFDB may consider taking up such festivals in Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi and other major cities during the course of the year. I request the processing industry and the entrepreneurs to focus the attention on promotion of value added products so as to promote more consumption of fish in the country.
I wish the farmers, the ornamental fish producers, scientists and public in general all the best and wish this programme all the success.
I request the press and the electronic media to communicate the message and encourage participation of large number of people to see and enjoy the opportunities developed in the venue.
I wish the exhibition all the best and congratulate the leaders of NFDB in launching this laudable initiative.
Thanking You
JAI HIND
SPEECH OF PROF. K.V. THOMAS , HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, GOVT. OF INDIA
Good evening and welcome to all of you for Indian Fish Festival-2010.
Respected Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Rosaiah ji, Shri K. Pardha Saradhi, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Nitin Raut, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry Dairy & Fisheries, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri Danam Nagender, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt. Andhra Pradesh, Smt. B. Karthika Chandra Reddy, Hon’ble Mayor, GHMC, Hyderabad, My colleague in Parliament Shri Anjan Kumar Yadav, Senior Officers from the Ministry, MPEDA, ICAR, NABARD, Department of Fisheries, Andhra Pradesh and my dear fishermen, farmers, members from media, ladies and gentlemen.
It’s a great privilege to be amidst to all of you to participate and celebrate the Indian Fish Festival-2010. The overwhelming response received from the various fisheries stakeholders and the general public during last year has enthused us to repeat this festival for the second time in Hyderabad. I wish to place on record my thanks and gratitude to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for supporting this activity in a big way. As you all are aware the fish festivals of this kind are being organized all over the country with the objective of promoting fisheries development activities by introducing a professional approach to bring new concepts and new technologies to enhance the fish productivity and production, we intend to create greater employment opportunities, empowerment of women and nutritional and food security.
I hope these festivals would promote consumption and value addition of fish by building awareness about health benefits of fish amongst the esteemed consumers.
Infish-2010 is organized for four days from 9-12 July 2010 to showcase various technological advancements and achievements by various National Research Organizations/ Institutions, a pavilion for exhibiting attractive and colorful ornamental fishes and a large number of food courts for preparation and display various kinds of ready to eat and ready to cook fish products.
A technical seminar on aquarium fishes, culture of murrels along with stakeholders meeting of hoteliers is also well thought of. A major attraction is fish recipe competition for women and live recipe demonstration by reputed Chef’s of well known hotels.
I wish this festival would satisfy the palate of large number of consumers in tasting various kinds of fish products besides producing a handbook on Fish recipes in addition to awareness building on fisheries and aquaculture technological advancements.
In this regard, I am happy to inform you that the NFDB which is established at Hyderabad for promoting fisheries and aquaculture in the country through professional management has started working with full strength from 2006 onwards.
I wish to mention that so far NFDB has been given an amount of Rs. 226.9 crores and this year we have allocated a budget of Rs. 92.30 crores. They have utilized an amount of Rs.220.00 crores so far with the following major achievements.
1. Under intensive aquaculture in ponds and tanks, about 6500 hectares of area has been developed for fish culture, 40 fish seed hatcheries were established, and renovated with an amount of Rs. 52.91 crores. It is proposed to bring in an additional 2000 ha under intensive aquaculture during this year.
2. Under reservoir development, 1985 reservoirs covering an area of 11.00 lakh hectares were stocked with 57.10 crores of fish fingerlings with an amount of Rs. 73.94 crores. The reservoir fish production which was hardly 20-25kg/ha has increased to about 50- 75kg/ha during the last 3 years of implementation of this programme.
3. Rs.1.77 crores was provided as subsidy to entrepreneurs to establish 396 ornamental fish units, 10 aquarium fabrication units and 3 integrated ornamental units. For promoting this activity a budget of Rs. 1.86 crores is ear marked for this year.
4. For establishing an aquatic animal health quarantine facility at Nelankari, Chennai, to demonstrate the techno economic viability of sea bass culture in field and to train 4640 farmers in coastal aquaculture Rs. 7.00 crores were provided as assistance.
5. To demonstrate the techno economic viability of sea cage farming, NFDB extended a financial assistance of Rs. 1.20 crores to CMFRI, Kochi.
6. NFDB provided an assistance of Rs. 2.05 crores to NIFPHATT, Cochin for setting up of common facility centre for export processing of Sashimi grade tuna at Vizag and to conduct training for fishermen in deep sea fishing.
7. Rs. 27.39 crores has been provided as grant towards modernization of 6 fishing harbours in the country, to establish IQF machinery at Sasoondock, Mumbai.
8. Rs. 22.30 crores has been provided towards modernization of 23 whole sale fish markets, 21 retail markets, 58 fish drying platforms, 5 fish dressing centres and to train 935 fish handlers and traders on hygienic handling of fish and value addition.
During this year, I have requested NFDB to focus on enhancing fish production in the reservoirs as well as farmers ponds. The NFDB is currently focusing on this strategy so that the targeted production of 10 million tons can be achieved shortly. A major focus that the department desires is promotion of ornamental fishes. The Government of Kerala has established a PPP model company to promote ornamental fisheries and to develop an export hub. I appeal to the government of Andhra Pradesh also to focus attention on this model.
While I am happy that, conducting the fish festival at Hyderabad for the second time is indeed commendable, the NFDB may consider taking up such festivals in Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi and other major cities during the course of the year. I request the processing industry and the entrepreneurs to focus the attention on promotion of value added products so as to promote more consumption of fish in the country.
I wish the farmers, the ornamental fish producers, scientists and public in general all the best and wish this programme all the success.
I request the press and the electronic media to communicate the message and encourage participation of large number of people to see and enjoy the opportunities developed in the venue.
I wish the exhibition all the best and congratulate the leaders of NFDB in launching this laudable initiative.
Thanking You
JAI HIND
Speech on 10th July, 2010 at Kolkata
ADDRESS OF HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE (AGRICULTURE), PROF. K.V. THOMAS IN THE WORKSHOP ON “BRINGING GREEN REVOLUTION TO EASTERN REGION”
******
Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Shri Sharad Pawar, Hon’ble Chief Ministers and State Agriculture Ministers, Vice Chancellors of the State Agriculture Universities, Senior Officers of the Central and State Governments and Ladies and Gentlemen.
It’s my privilege to be here today on the momentous occasion of launching the implementation plans of the States under the new initiative announced in the Union budget, 2010 for “BRINGING GREEN REVOLUTION TO EASTERN REGION”.
Indian agriculture has succeeded in the past in its transformation from a food deficit, import dependent country to a self sufficient and surplus one by ushering green revolution during the period between late sixties and seventies. The initiatives under Green Revolution involved the development of high-yielding varieties of cereal grains, expansion of irrigation infrastructure, and distribution of hybridized seeds, synthetic fertilizers, and pesticides to farmers. Its advent translated into a huge success for India. Starting from about 50 million tonnes of foodgrains during 1950-51, the country has achieved a significant level of more than 230 million tonnes of foodgrains production during 2008-09. Though natural calamities like drought, flood, cyclones are a recurring theme, their adverse impact is considerably mitigated with the scientific advancements in developing appropriate technologies to cope with the calamities. Development of new varieties of seeds, intensive cultivation by hard working farmers as per the package of practices prescribed by agricultural scientists and exploitation of the available resources have been the main reasons for achieving such successes.
Green Revolution achieved its success in the North Western Region among others because of the inherent advantages of the Region primarily in terms of developed irrigation system. North Western Region became the food basket of the country producing enough surplus to significantly contribute to meet the consumption requirement of the country. However, with increasing population, growing economy and stagnating productivity levels due to decline in factor use efficiency of the applied inputs, the need for developing more areas was acutely being felt. Besides, climate change especially by way of global warming is also impacting the agriculture production. In this context it has become imperative for developing all potential areas in all the Regions to meet our increasing food requirement.
Eastern Region has the potential for meeting all our requirement of food now and in future. Our scientists have developed technologies and approaches for development for different agro ecological situations to address the underlying biophysical, technological and other constraints. For example, Hybrid Rice presents one of the best and readily available technologies that can be adopted in the Eastern Indian rice growing area. It has higher yield advantage of 15-20% and can help the farmers leapfrog their productivity levels in very quick time. There are many other technologies that have been developed by our Research Centres and the Agriculture Universities that need to be taken to the farmers.
A great part of our success lies in achieving convergence between MNREGA and RKVY scheme. With these massive deployment efforts States are unlikely to suffer from funding shortages. RKVY for instance has opened an unprecedented funding and performance commitment suiting the locally specific need of the farming population.
I must also urge the ICAR to put up a concerted effort using its network of KVK’s and by reorienting their extension theme around this specific productivity enhancement option. This will lead to KOK staff supporting and capacity building district Agriculture agencies. With ATMA and other state sector extension programmes, this should spur a productivity revolution in the Eastern belt. Gradually the productivity burden must be borne by more and more states for equitable growth and offsetting the negative environmental fall outs of intensive agriculture.
The workshop is slated to formalize and initiate activities under the strategic plans prepared by the States for fetching higher productivity and production in the Eastern India. I look forward to hearing from the State Governments about these plans. I am glad that the workshop has participation from all the stakeholders – Researchers, Extension officials, Program Managers and policy makers from the States and the Central Government. I am confident that the deliberations here would help everybody in reaching out to the farmers more confidently and effectively. With the collective efforts from everybody in the service delivery chain, I am sure the farmers would be able to derive the maximum advantage from the new initiative and achieve higher and still higher levels of crop productivity.
I extend all my good wishes for the successful outcome of the new initiative.
JAI HIND
ADDRESS OF HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE (AGRICULTURE), PROF. K.V. THOMAS IN THE WORKSHOP ON “BRINGING GREEN REVOLUTION TO EASTERN REGION”
******
Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Shri Sharad Pawar, Hon’ble Chief Ministers and State Agriculture Ministers, Vice Chancellors of the State Agriculture Universities, Senior Officers of the Central and State Governments and Ladies and Gentlemen.
It’s my privilege to be here today on the momentous occasion of launching the implementation plans of the States under the new initiative announced in the Union budget, 2010 for “BRINGING GREEN REVOLUTION TO EASTERN REGION”.
Indian agriculture has succeeded in the past in its transformation from a food deficit, import dependent country to a self sufficient and surplus one by ushering green revolution during the period between late sixties and seventies. The initiatives under Green Revolution involved the development of high-yielding varieties of cereal grains, expansion of irrigation infrastructure, and distribution of hybridized seeds, synthetic fertilizers, and pesticides to farmers. Its advent translated into a huge success for India. Starting from about 50 million tonnes of foodgrains during 1950-51, the country has achieved a significant level of more than 230 million tonnes of foodgrains production during 2008-09. Though natural calamities like drought, flood, cyclones are a recurring theme, their adverse impact is considerably mitigated with the scientific advancements in developing appropriate technologies to cope with the calamities. Development of new varieties of seeds, intensive cultivation by hard working farmers as per the package of practices prescribed by agricultural scientists and exploitation of the available resources have been the main reasons for achieving such successes.
Green Revolution achieved its success in the North Western Region among others because of the inherent advantages of the Region primarily in terms of developed irrigation system. North Western Region became the food basket of the country producing enough surplus to significantly contribute to meet the consumption requirement of the country. However, with increasing population, growing economy and stagnating productivity levels due to decline in factor use efficiency of the applied inputs, the need for developing more areas was acutely being felt. Besides, climate change especially by way of global warming is also impacting the agriculture production. In this context it has become imperative for developing all potential areas in all the Regions to meet our increasing food requirement.
Eastern Region has the potential for meeting all our requirement of food now and in future. Our scientists have developed technologies and approaches for development for different agro ecological situations to address the underlying biophysical, technological and other constraints. For example, Hybrid Rice presents one of the best and readily available technologies that can be adopted in the Eastern Indian rice growing area. It has higher yield advantage of 15-20% and can help the farmers leapfrog their productivity levels in very quick time. There are many other technologies that have been developed by our Research Centres and the Agriculture Universities that need to be taken to the farmers.
A great part of our success lies in achieving convergence between MNREGA and RKVY scheme. With these massive deployment efforts States are unlikely to suffer from funding shortages. RKVY for instance has opened an unprecedented funding and performance commitment suiting the locally specific need of the farming population.
I must also urge the ICAR to put up a concerted effort using its network of KVK’s and by reorienting their extension theme around this specific productivity enhancement option. This will lead to KOK staff supporting and capacity building district Agriculture agencies. With ATMA and other state sector extension programmes, this should spur a productivity revolution in the Eastern belt. Gradually the productivity burden must be borne by more and more states for equitable growth and offsetting the negative environmental fall outs of intensive agriculture.
The workshop is slated to formalize and initiate activities under the strategic plans prepared by the States for fetching higher productivity and production in the Eastern India. I look forward to hearing from the State Governments about these plans. I am glad that the workshop has participation from all the stakeholders – Researchers, Extension officials, Program Managers and policy makers from the States and the Central Government. I am confident that the deliberations here would help everybody in reaching out to the farmers more confidently and effectively. With the collective efforts from everybody in the service delivery chain, I am sure the farmers would be able to derive the maximum advantage from the new initiative and achieve higher and still higher levels of crop productivity.
I extend all my good wishes for the successful outcome of the new initiative.
JAI HIND
Food conference chennai 9/7/2010
FOOD CON 2010 ON 9TH JULY AT CHENNAI
SPEECH OF THE HON.MINISTER OF STATE, PROF. K.V.THOMAS,
AT THE CONFERENCE ON LATEST TRENDS IN FOO PROCESSING
AND PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGY
I am glad to be associated with the Conference on latest trends in Food Processing and Preservation Technology being organized by Tamil Nadu Technology Development and Promotion Centre of the CII.
1. Food Processing Industry is of enormous significance for India’s development because of the vital linkages and synergies, it promotes between the two pillars of our economy, industry and agriculture. Fast growth in the food processing sector and simultaneous improvement of the development of value chain are of great importance to achieve favourable terms of trade for Indian Agriculture both in the domestic and the international market. Poor infrastructure in terms of cold storage coupled with inadequate quality control and testing infrastructure, high transportation and inventory carrying cost and inefficient supply chain are the major constraints in the Food Processing Industry. The efficient Food Processing Industry could meet food security need of our country by minimizing post harvest losses.
2 It is necessary to improve the quality of our existing storage infrastructure on the lines of modern technology being adopted by various countries like China, Australia, USA. The present bag storage system for food crops is labour intensive, time consuming and quality compromising transport methods. Our bagged storage do not have temperature control or scientifically monitored fumigation system.
3. The bulk handling concept, as proposed under the National Policy on Storage, Handling and Transportation has led to an inadequate response and the existing system is leading to high storage and transit losses between harvest and consumption. Our country can ill offer such level of huge losses, which could be minimized only by adoption of Modern Scientific Storage System. There is a strong need to keep pace with the latest technology on scientific management of grain storage. Creation of bulk handling capacity in the form of Silos is required to be developed ,to have better operational efficiency innovative climate control, rodent control and logistic efficiency.
5. The China’s experience shows that a dedicated single window approach is inevitable in grain storage as in highways or airport development. A dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is required to be floated with public sector participation, project financing capability and marketing skill. The SPV can show case international and national investment opportunity to facilitate such projects. There is a necessity to develop a globally competitive grain quality and standards organization in the public sphere.
6. India needs to develop quality grain storage professionals encompassing experts in I.T., agriculture, engineering and management to manage and maintain a Modern Storage System.
*****
SPEECH OF THE HON.MINISTER OF STATE, PROF. K.V.THOMAS,
AT THE CONFERENCE ON LATEST TRENDS IN FOO PROCESSING
AND PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGY
I am glad to be associated with the Conference on latest trends in Food Processing and Preservation Technology being organized by Tamil Nadu Technology Development and Promotion Centre of the CII.
1. Food Processing Industry is of enormous significance for India’s development because of the vital linkages and synergies, it promotes between the two pillars of our economy, industry and agriculture. Fast growth in the food processing sector and simultaneous improvement of the development of value chain are of great importance to achieve favourable terms of trade for Indian Agriculture both in the domestic and the international market. Poor infrastructure in terms of cold storage coupled with inadequate quality control and testing infrastructure, high transportation and inventory carrying cost and inefficient supply chain are the major constraints in the Food Processing Industry. The efficient Food Processing Industry could meet food security need of our country by minimizing post harvest losses.
2 It is necessary to improve the quality of our existing storage infrastructure on the lines of modern technology being adopted by various countries like China, Australia, USA. The present bag storage system for food crops is labour intensive, time consuming and quality compromising transport methods. Our bagged storage do not have temperature control or scientifically monitored fumigation system.
3. The bulk handling concept, as proposed under the National Policy on Storage, Handling and Transportation has led to an inadequate response and the existing system is leading to high storage and transit losses between harvest and consumption. Our country can ill offer such level of huge losses, which could be minimized only by adoption of Modern Scientific Storage System. There is a strong need to keep pace with the latest technology on scientific management of grain storage. Creation of bulk handling capacity in the form of Silos is required to be developed ,to have better operational efficiency innovative climate control, rodent control and logistic efficiency.
5. The China’s experience shows that a dedicated single window approach is inevitable in grain storage as in highways or airport development. A dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is required to be floated with public sector participation, project financing capability and marketing skill. The SPV can show case international and national investment opportunity to facilitate such projects. There is a necessity to develop a globally competitive grain quality and standards organization in the public sphere.
6. India needs to develop quality grain storage professionals encompassing experts in I.T., agriculture, engineering and management to manage and maintain a Modern Storage System.
*****
Monday, July 5, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Chinese Lessons in Grain Storage
Prof. K.V. Thomas
Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, F&P.D
An infrastructure deficit affecting stable farm incomes, dominate of price-stability and grain security at times of grave metrological crises such as two failed consecutive monsoons is the lack of quality and quality of our grain storage infrastructure. The storage system developed under the public sector (FCI, CWC, SWC’s) and some private sector investment (eg. Adanis under public sector guarantees) caters to storing grain procured under minimum support price operations and issue through the public distribution system using a huge network of rail and road logistics.
In addition the storage holds the 14 million tonnes of grain buffer stocks activated on a crisis. In 2000, a high powered committee appointed by government estimated that an additional 12.7 million tones of ware housing was required in view of higher quantum of procurement owing to high overall productivity and increasing demand in the PDS. This would call for an additional investment about Rs.6000 crores Warehousing being a commercially feasible operation, the consensus was in favour of facilitating private sector investment as in airports and highways on a cost plus basis. The operational costs of FCI’s own warehousing were considered prohibitive for higher levels of investment. After ten years though a series of incentives such as relaxed FDI norms, income tax waivers technology import relaxations and potential under viability gap have been offered, considerable investment has been elusive and only a fraction of the target has fructified. The National Policy on storage handling and transport promised 20 years guarantees for Private Sector investment, but the schemes formulated by the food department on five and now seven years guarantees how low off take, since the return on investment is restricted and dealing with sector agencies in impossible for medium investors.
Meanwhile avoidable storage losses of procured grains continue. Though the FCI estimates a modest 0.4% as storage and 0.2% as transport losses, export studies show upto 10% losses from post harvest to consumption point. The National Institute of Grain Management, Hapur, computed 4.75% losses of Wheat in the procurement Mandis. In a Country where the lowest income quintiles of population suffer severe malnutrition, this is a shortfall we cannot afford. The quality of our existing storage infrastructure has also stagnated in terms of technology. Bag storage system involves labour intensive and time consuming, and quality compromising transport methods. None of our Bag stocked silos have temperature control or scientifically monitored fumigation. Rodent control looks fine in paper, but it is common for media to bring out stories where rodents emerge as significant beneficiaries of our well intentioned grains procured for human consumption. While our Asian neighbors have marched forward with relatively high science based management of grain storage, our technology could not keep pace. Managerial efficiency, science based innovative climate control technology, rodent control and logistics intelligence has not been adopted for efficiency gains.
It was in this back drop that I led a delegation of professionals from the public sector to study the Chinese experience in grain storage and management early this month. The visit took us to the national ministry, the Chinese State administration of grain, (SGA), the State Grain laboratories , the grain standards organization (all in Beijing) The State of the art commodity exchange in Dalian, Beilang Corporation handling logistics, Guamao grain storage engineering company and the provincial storage godowns of Shanghai and Guangzhou.
The experience has been instructive. Firstly China has moved in favour of public sector mediated operations in all the phases of farm gate to home gate grain movement. It procures and stores in the range of 100-140 million tones (official figures are not stated) but selectively bought from high productivity provinces. State prices are only available to provinces which excel in productivity and not as a rule. Due to high demand by double digit growth Chinese output of 0.52 Billion tones of Wheat rice and continue to be supplemented by import arrangements. China does not operate a comparable public distribution system except when huge calamities occur. Procured grain is cleaned, packed and marketed by about 3000 ‘private’ sector companies most of which have state support or party guidance at market dictated rates Grain prices are high at Rs.150-300 per kg in the retail markets we visited. Price control exists at procurement and wholesale points, but wage increments have been the supply side control than fiat methods. The Chinese storage capacity has witnessed a quantum jump under the State grain administration with State of the art multi modal (ship to track, Rail, Barge and ship to ship) automated grain transmission (Multi Modal Grain Terminals)as in Shanghai capable of handling 2000 tonnes per hour, to the highly mechanized provincial granary in Guangzhou with temperature controlled and fumigated 100,000 tonne small storage, China shows proof of its intensive infrastructure up gradations funded by high taxes World Bank assistance and trade surplus the investment ranges from farm based scientific storage instruction to state of the art standardization labs in Beijing. China has positioned a 1, 76,000 strong extension work force in its grain producing areas to educate farmers on storage practices. Granaries are effectively managed at near full capacity and storage costs are built into cost of grain at the consumers’ end.
The Chinese experience shows us that dedicated single window approach is inevitable in grain storage as in highways or airport development. It is high time that we learnt from these impressive Asian achievements and emulated the same. The food department has been asked to develop a blue print for augmenting scientific storage with the following pillars. Firstly, a dedicated special purpose vehicle (SPV) be floated with private sector participation, project financial capability and marketing skill. All the private sector guarantee schemes have to be repackaged upon consultation with industry and storage policy amended to recognize the fact that built storage has to have some redundancy and this does not be come later a point of attack from our audit system.
Storage capacity has a lag phase before full utilization and this has to be factored as a additional cost. The SPV can launch an international and national showcasing of investment opportunity and facilitate such projects. Prepare an up gradation plan for existing warehousing with state of the art gadgetry. It should develop globally competitive grain quality and standards organization in public sphere, if possible by building on existing infrastructure. Lastly but not least it has to developing quality grain storage professionals encompassing a range of skills in IT, agriculture, engineering and management. It is hoped that this new initiative, which I have proposed to be christened ‘Dhaanya Raksha Mission’ will be a success in the coming years. We cannot simply afford wait to act in this front.
*****
Prof. K.V. Thomas
Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, F&P.D
An infrastructure deficit affecting stable farm incomes, dominate of price-stability and grain security at times of grave metrological crises such as two failed consecutive monsoons is the lack of quality and quality of our grain storage infrastructure. The storage system developed under the public sector (FCI, CWC, SWC’s) and some private sector investment (eg. Adanis under public sector guarantees) caters to storing grain procured under minimum support price operations and issue through the public distribution system using a huge network of rail and road logistics.
In addition the storage holds the 14 million tonnes of grain buffer stocks activated on a crisis. In 2000, a high powered committee appointed by government estimated that an additional 12.7 million tones of ware housing was required in view of higher quantum of procurement owing to high overall productivity and increasing demand in the PDS. This would call for an additional investment about Rs.6000 crores Warehousing being a commercially feasible operation, the consensus was in favour of facilitating private sector investment as in airports and highways on a cost plus basis. The operational costs of FCI’s own warehousing were considered prohibitive for higher levels of investment. After ten years though a series of incentives such as relaxed FDI norms, income tax waivers technology import relaxations and potential under viability gap have been offered, considerable investment has been elusive and only a fraction of the target has fructified. The National Policy on storage handling and transport promised 20 years guarantees for Private Sector investment, but the schemes formulated by the food department on five and now seven years guarantees how low off take, since the return on investment is restricted and dealing with sector agencies in impossible for medium investors.
Meanwhile avoidable storage losses of procured grains continue. Though the FCI estimates a modest 0.4% as storage and 0.2% as transport losses, export studies show upto 10% losses from post harvest to consumption point. The National Institute of Grain Management, Hapur, computed 4.75% losses of Wheat in the procurement Mandis. In a Country where the lowest income quintiles of population suffer severe malnutrition, this is a shortfall we cannot afford. The quality of our existing storage infrastructure has also stagnated in terms of technology. Bag storage system involves labour intensive and time consuming, and quality compromising transport methods. None of our Bag stocked silos have temperature control or scientifically monitored fumigation. Rodent control looks fine in paper, but it is common for media to bring out stories where rodents emerge as significant beneficiaries of our well intentioned grains procured for human consumption. While our Asian neighbors have marched forward with relatively high science based management of grain storage, our technology could not keep pace. Managerial efficiency, science based innovative climate control technology, rodent control and logistics intelligence has not been adopted for efficiency gains.
It was in this back drop that I led a delegation of professionals from the public sector to study the Chinese experience in grain storage and management early this month. The visit took us to the national ministry, the Chinese State administration of grain, (SGA), the State Grain laboratories , the grain standards organization (all in Beijing) The State of the art commodity exchange in Dalian, Beilang Corporation handling logistics, Guamao grain storage engineering company and the provincial storage godowns of Shanghai and Guangzhou.
The experience has been instructive. Firstly China has moved in favour of public sector mediated operations in all the phases of farm gate to home gate grain movement. It procures and stores in the range of 100-140 million tones (official figures are not stated) but selectively bought from high productivity provinces. State prices are only available to provinces which excel in productivity and not as a rule. Due to high demand by double digit growth Chinese output of 0.52 Billion tones of Wheat rice and continue to be supplemented by import arrangements. China does not operate a comparable public distribution system except when huge calamities occur. Procured grain is cleaned, packed and marketed by about 3000 ‘private’ sector companies most of which have state support or party guidance at market dictated rates Grain prices are high at Rs.150-300 per kg in the retail markets we visited. Price control exists at procurement and wholesale points, but wage increments have been the supply side control than fiat methods. The Chinese storage capacity has witnessed a quantum jump under the State grain administration with State of the art multi modal (ship to track, Rail, Barge and ship to ship) automated grain transmission (Multi Modal Grain Terminals)as in Shanghai capable of handling 2000 tonnes per hour, to the highly mechanized provincial granary in Guangzhou with temperature controlled and fumigated 100,000 tonne small storage, China shows proof of its intensive infrastructure up gradations funded by high taxes World Bank assistance and trade surplus the investment ranges from farm based scientific storage instruction to state of the art standardization labs in Beijing. China has positioned a 1, 76,000 strong extension work force in its grain producing areas to educate farmers on storage practices. Granaries are effectively managed at near full capacity and storage costs are built into cost of grain at the consumers’ end.
The Chinese experience shows us that dedicated single window approach is inevitable in grain storage as in highways or airport development. It is high time that we learnt from these impressive Asian achievements and emulated the same. The food department has been asked to develop a blue print for augmenting scientific storage with the following pillars. Firstly, a dedicated special purpose vehicle (SPV) be floated with private sector participation, project financial capability and marketing skill. All the private sector guarantee schemes have to be repackaged upon consultation with industry and storage policy amended to recognize the fact that built storage has to have some redundancy and this does not be come later a point of attack from our audit system.
Storage capacity has a lag phase before full utilization and this has to be factored as a additional cost. The SPV can launch an international and national showcasing of investment opportunity and facilitate such projects. Prepare an up gradation plan for existing warehousing with state of the art gadgetry. It should develop globally competitive grain quality and standards organization in public sphere, if possible by building on existing infrastructure. Lastly but not least it has to developing quality grain storage professionals encompassing a range of skills in IT, agriculture, engineering and management. It is hoped that this new initiative, which I have proposed to be christened ‘Dhaanya Raksha Mission’ will be a success in the coming years. We cannot simply afford wait to act in this front.
*****
SPEECH IN ANDHRA PRADESH
Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Rosaiah ji, Hon. Minster for Agriculture Shri Raghuveera Reddy, MPs, MLAs, Senior Officers of State Government, Farmer brothers and sisters of Andhra Pradesh & West Godawari.
May I congratulate the progressive government of Andhra Pradesh in leading the country in the field of Agriculture during a difficult time. Andhra Pradesh government under Hon. Rosaiah ji & Hon. Agriculture Minister Shri Raghuveera Reddy has achieved unparalleled success in both high growth in agriculture and higher farmer returns. I pay tribute to Andhra’s most Valliant Warrior for the poor, Late Shri Rajasekhar Reddy with whom I enjoyed a deep personal friendship when we were in Lok Sbha together. I am sure that Dr. Reddy’s contribution in making Andhra strong and particularly good for the farming community will go down as a golden period in Indian history. The memory of the departed leader must guide us in future also. I offer tributes to him on this occasion once again.
Andhra overcame unfavourable weather conditions to produce about 209 lakhs metric tonnes of food grains in 2009-10 contributing highly into the national food stocks. It produces the 3rd largest quantum of food grains and topped the productivity of Maize and Bengal Gram. Andhra disburses highest crop & term loans and a sum of Rs.37,574 crores was disbursed in 2009-10. The ‘Polambadi’ scheme of village specific farmer training has resulted in significant reduction in the consumption of pesticides. The State’s interest in improving seed replacement rate, encouraging seed production by farmers and integrated nutrient management and mechanisation is noteworthy. The huge participation of our farmer brothers in Raithu Sadassus like this is an indication of the trust the farmers have with the State Government’s leadership. I must say that the agriculture department and the State’s administration as a whole is as a model for other States to emulate.
The Central Government continues to support the State through numerous other schemes like RKVY, Macro Management of Agriculture, National Food Security Mission, National Horticulture Mission, Micro Irrigation, Extension Reforms, National Bamboo Mission etc. The total allocations of AP under these Schemes are to the extent of Rs.941.19 crores for this year and once the State qualifies again for RKVY, the assistance is likely to increase further substantially. I am sure this will happen in the near future.
Coming to the specific issues related to oil palm cultivation firstly let me congratulate the farmers for helping to address the net shortage India is facing in edible Oil.
As you are aware, we import 8-9 million tonnes of palm Oil at a cost of about 2700 crores annually. Andhra Pradesh came forward to help the country in this difficulty and planted oil palm in West Godawari district initially to an extent of 132 hectares in mid eighties, taking support from Department of Biotechnology and Technology Mission on Oil seeds (TMOP). Now Andhra has oil palm cultivation to the extent of 4,00,000 hectares spread in 11 districts, covering an area of 1,02,132 hectares against an identified potential of 4,20,000 hectares.
Further AP also processes the largest quantity of oil palm in India. With an annual production of 3.5 lakh tonnes, A.P contributes Rs.220 crores to the country. State has also formulated an Oil Palm Act for helping farmers by regulating trade by administered prices. Now I understand that A.P wants to expand area under Oil palm to another 30,000 hectares of which government of India will support, initially 16,000 hectares which will be taken up immediately. To overcome the difficulties in harvesting the tall Palm, the state is organising supply of harvesters on pilot basis through adequate subsidization. State Government is also investing in micro irrigation for the crop. State Government wants Government of India to include Oil Palm under its Micro irrigation programmes.
The Micro Irrigation component of ISOPOM, NFSM and TMC will be retained and 50% central share of system cost for small farmers and marginal farmers and 40% of cost for general farmers is allowable as subsidy. This is allowed under current plan and Minor Irrigation Schemes for Oil Palm can be supported under Minor Irrigation for ISOPOM. The proposals may be sent under ISOPOM implemented by DAC. I understand that the government could not pay costs to the farmers to the extent they would have liked during the last two years.
Therefore, the State had to avail Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) compensatory rates to protect the farmers under the MIS cost of supporting the farmers is borne 50:50 between Central and State Governments. The Central procuring agency shall be NAFED. For March and April 2009, Government of India has approved Market intervention Prices of Rs.5000/- per Metric Tonne. This has helped the State to extend a support of Rs.4.6 crores for the FFB procured in March -April, 2009. The State’s proposal to continue the same is under active consideration.
The State has also proposed Minimum Support Price to Oil Palm. The State can avail the Market Intervention Scheme until the issue of MSP is decided. As you are aware MSP crops require appropriate recommendations from CACP and may take a little time for Government to decide. The import terms of edible Oils can be looked into, in the meantime Government has an open mind in the matter.
Government of India is open to support Govt. of AP in area increase of Oil Palm and mechanization under RKVY or mechanization schemes. A mission for Oil Palm already exists in the Ministry and we must take up as many activities under RKVY and other projects a mission would add, without waiting for new organization. We need to focus on productivity post procurement and processing value addition at this stage.
Apart from policy interventions the ICAR has also invested into Oil Palm research with its dedicated centre in Andhra Pradesh itself. Recently it has been elevated as a directorate. It focuses on hybrid development, production management system, post harvest management etc. Govt. of India spends about Rs.15 crores in the research and development effect in Oil palm.
In the other welfare projects Andhra has shown the ways too. The “Indiramma Scheme” in housing helps 80 lakh poor families while pension schemes for the needy help 75 lakh persons. Self-help groups are being supported by Rs.365 crores and State provides two rupees a kilo rice and pulses at Rs.30/- and vegetable oil at Rs.35/- to poor consumers through the Public Distribution system. The ‘Rajiv Aroggyashri’ Scheme extends unique health benefits to the poor. The emergency health transport under ‘108’ and fixed day health service under ‘104’ helps the most needy of the Society. Scholarship support, water conservation ‘Udyogashri’ are yet another set of exemplary schemes in welfare. Andhra has emerged as a unique example of rapid economic development with a human touch, in the last few years by investing in the people and farmers. A.P government shows the way forward for the country in achieving 10% overall growth and 4% in Agriculture sector. Government of India will be an active partner in Andhra’s efforts and will leave no stone unturned in helping the state’s requirements in the coming months.
Personally the State can consider me as an Ambassador for Andhra in Delhi and any of you can please feel free to meet me any time for my humble assistance. I wish the people and Government of Andhra all the best in its task.
JAI HIND
Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Rosaiah ji, Hon. Minster for Agriculture Shri Raghuveera Reddy, MPs, MLAs, Senior Officers of State Government, Farmer brothers and sisters of Andhra Pradesh & West Godawari.
May I congratulate the progressive government of Andhra Pradesh in leading the country in the field of Agriculture during a difficult time. Andhra Pradesh government under Hon. Rosaiah ji & Hon. Agriculture Minister Shri Raghuveera Reddy has achieved unparalleled success in both high growth in agriculture and higher farmer returns. I pay tribute to Andhra’s most Valliant Warrior for the poor, Late Shri Rajasekhar Reddy with whom I enjoyed a deep personal friendship when we were in Lok Sbha together. I am sure that Dr. Reddy’s contribution in making Andhra strong and particularly good for the farming community will go down as a golden period in Indian history. The memory of the departed leader must guide us in future also. I offer tributes to him on this occasion once again.
Andhra overcame unfavourable weather conditions to produce about 209 lakhs metric tonnes of food grains in 2009-10 contributing highly into the national food stocks. It produces the 3rd largest quantum of food grains and topped the productivity of Maize and Bengal Gram. Andhra disburses highest crop & term loans and a sum of Rs.37,574 crores was disbursed in 2009-10. The ‘Polambadi’ scheme of village specific farmer training has resulted in significant reduction in the consumption of pesticides. The State’s interest in improving seed replacement rate, encouraging seed production by farmers and integrated nutrient management and mechanisation is noteworthy. The huge participation of our farmer brothers in Raithu Sadassus like this is an indication of the trust the farmers have with the State Government’s leadership. I must say that the agriculture department and the State’s administration as a whole is as a model for other States to emulate.
The Central Government continues to support the State through numerous other schemes like RKVY, Macro Management of Agriculture, National Food Security Mission, National Horticulture Mission, Micro Irrigation, Extension Reforms, National Bamboo Mission etc. The total allocations of AP under these Schemes are to the extent of Rs.941.19 crores for this year and once the State qualifies again for RKVY, the assistance is likely to increase further substantially. I am sure this will happen in the near future.
Coming to the specific issues related to oil palm cultivation firstly let me congratulate the farmers for helping to address the net shortage India is facing in edible Oil.
As you are aware, we import 8-9 million tonnes of palm Oil at a cost of about 2700 crores annually. Andhra Pradesh came forward to help the country in this difficulty and planted oil palm in West Godawari district initially to an extent of 132 hectares in mid eighties, taking support from Department of Biotechnology and Technology Mission on Oil seeds (TMOP). Now Andhra has oil palm cultivation to the extent of 4,00,000 hectares spread in 11 districts, covering an area of 1,02,132 hectares against an identified potential of 4,20,000 hectares.
Further AP also processes the largest quantity of oil palm in India. With an annual production of 3.5 lakh tonnes, A.P contributes Rs.220 crores to the country. State has also formulated an Oil Palm Act for helping farmers by regulating trade by administered prices. Now I understand that A.P wants to expand area under Oil palm to another 30,000 hectares of which government of India will support, initially 16,000 hectares which will be taken up immediately. To overcome the difficulties in harvesting the tall Palm, the state is organising supply of harvesters on pilot basis through adequate subsidization. State Government is also investing in micro irrigation for the crop. State Government wants Government of India to include Oil Palm under its Micro irrigation programmes.
The Micro Irrigation component of ISOPOM, NFSM and TMC will be retained and 50% central share of system cost for small farmers and marginal farmers and 40% of cost for general farmers is allowable as subsidy. This is allowed under current plan and Minor Irrigation Schemes for Oil Palm can be supported under Minor Irrigation for ISOPOM. The proposals may be sent under ISOPOM implemented by DAC. I understand that the government could not pay costs to the farmers to the extent they would have liked during the last two years.
Therefore, the State had to avail Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) compensatory rates to protect the farmers under the MIS cost of supporting the farmers is borne 50:50 between Central and State Governments. The Central procuring agency shall be NAFED. For March and April 2009, Government of India has approved Market intervention Prices of Rs.5000/- per Metric Tonne. This has helped the State to extend a support of Rs.4.6 crores for the FFB procured in March -April, 2009. The State’s proposal to continue the same is under active consideration.
The State has also proposed Minimum Support Price to Oil Palm. The State can avail the Market Intervention Scheme until the issue of MSP is decided. As you are aware MSP crops require appropriate recommendations from CACP and may take a little time for Government to decide. The import terms of edible Oils can be looked into, in the meantime Government has an open mind in the matter.
Government of India is open to support Govt. of AP in area increase of Oil Palm and mechanization under RKVY or mechanization schemes. A mission for Oil Palm already exists in the Ministry and we must take up as many activities under RKVY and other projects a mission would add, without waiting for new organization. We need to focus on productivity post procurement and processing value addition at this stage.
Apart from policy interventions the ICAR has also invested into Oil Palm research with its dedicated centre in Andhra Pradesh itself. Recently it has been elevated as a directorate. It focuses on hybrid development, production management system, post harvest management etc. Govt. of India spends about Rs.15 crores in the research and development effect in Oil palm.
In the other welfare projects Andhra has shown the ways too. The “Indiramma Scheme” in housing helps 80 lakh poor families while pension schemes for the needy help 75 lakh persons. Self-help groups are being supported by Rs.365 crores and State provides two rupees a kilo rice and pulses at Rs.30/- and vegetable oil at Rs.35/- to poor consumers through the Public Distribution system. The ‘Rajiv Aroggyashri’ Scheme extends unique health benefits to the poor. The emergency health transport under ‘108’ and fixed day health service under ‘104’ helps the most needy of the Society. Scholarship support, water conservation ‘Udyogashri’ are yet another set of exemplary schemes in welfare. Andhra has emerged as a unique example of rapid economic development with a human touch, in the last few years by investing in the people and farmers. A.P government shows the way forward for the country in achieving 10% overall growth and 4% in Agriculture sector. Government of India will be an active partner in Andhra’s efforts and will leave no stone unturned in helping the state’s requirements in the coming months.
Personally the State can consider me as an Ambassador for Andhra in Delhi and any of you can please feel free to meet me any time for my humble assistance. I wish the people and Government of Andhra all the best in its task.
JAI HIND
SPEECH IN ANDHRA PRADESH
Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Rosaiah ji, Hon. Minster for Agriculture Shri Raghuveera Reddy, MPs, MLAs, Senior Officers of State Government, Farmer brothers and sisters of Andhra Pradesh & West Godawari.
May I congratulate the progressive government of Andhra Pradesh in leading the country in the field of Agriculture during a difficult time. Andhra Pradesh government under Hon. Rosaiah ji & Hon. Agriculture Minister Shri Raghuveera Reddy has achieved unparalleled success in both high growth in agriculture and higher farmer returns. I pay tribute to Andhra’s most Valliant Warrior for the poor, Late Shri Rajasekhar Reddy with whom I enjoyed a deep personal friendship when we were in Lok Sbha together. I am sure that Dr. Reddy’s contribution in making Andhra strong and particularly good for the farming community will go down as a golden period in Indian history. The memory of the departed leader must guide us in future also. I offer tributes to him on this occasion once again.
Andhra overcame unfavourable weather conditions to produce about 209 lakhs metric tonnes of food grains in 2009-10 contributing highly into the national food stocks. It produces the 3rd largest quantum of food grains and topped the productivity of Maize and Bengal Gram. Andhra disburses highest crop & term loans and a sum of Rs.37,574 crores was disbursed in 2009-10. The ‘Polambadi’ scheme of village specific farmer training has resulted in significant reduction in the consumption of pesticides. The State’s interest in improving seed replacement rate, encouraging seed production by farmers and integrated nutrient management and mechanisation is noteworthy. The huge participation of our farmer brothers in Raithu Sadassus like this is an indication of the trust the farmers have with the State Government’s leadership. I must say that the agriculture department and the State’s administration as a whole is as a model for other States to emulate.
The Central Government continues to support the State through numerous other schemes like RKVY, Macro Management of Agriculture, National Food Security Mission, National Horticulture Mission, Micro Irrigation, Extension Reforms, National Bamboo Mission etc. The total allocations of AP under these Schemes are to the extent of Rs.941.19 crores for this year and once the State qualifies again for RKVY, the assistance is likely to increase further substantially. I am sure this will happen in the near future.
Coming to the specific issues related to oil palm cultivation firstly let me congratulate the farmers for helping to address the net shortage India is facing in edible Oil.
As you are aware, we import 8-9 million tonnes of palm Oil at a cost of about 2700 crores annually. Andhra Pradesh came forward to help the country in this difficulty and planted oil palm in West Godawari district initially to an extent of 132 hectares in mid eighties, taking support from Department of Biotechnology and Technology Mission on Oil seeds (TMOP). Now Andhra has oil palm cultivation to the extent of 4,00,000 hectares spread in 11 districts, covering an area of 1,02,132 hectares against an identified potential of 4,20,000 hectares.
Further AP also processes the largest quantity of oil palm in India. With an annual production of 3.5 lakh tonnes, A.P contributes Rs.220 crores to the country. State has also formulated an Oil Palm Act for helping farmers by regulating trade by administered prices. Now I understand that A.P wants to expand area under Oil palm to another 30,000 hectares of which government of India will support, initially 16,000 hectares which will be taken up immediately. To overcome the difficulties in harvesting the tall Palm, the state is organising supply of harvesters on pilot basis through adequate subsidization. State Government is also investing in micro irrigation for the crop. State Government wants Government of India to include Oil Palm under its Micro irrigation programmes.
The Micro Irrigation component of ISOPOM, NFSM and TMC will be retained and 50% central share of system cost for small farmers and marginal farmers and 40% of cost for general farmers is allowable as subsidy. This is allowed under current plan and Minor Irrigation Schemes for Oil Palm can be supported under Minor Irrigation for ISOPOM. The proposals may be sent under ISOPOM implemented by DAC. I understand that the government could not pay costs to the farmers to the extent they would have liked during the last two years.
Therefore, the State had to avail Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) compensatory rates to protect the farmers under the MIS cost of supporting the farmers is borne 50:50 between Central and State Governments. The Central procuring agency shall be NAFED. For March and April 2009, Government of India has approved Market intervention Prices of Rs.5000/- per Metric Tonne. This has helped the State to extend a support of Rs.4.6 crores for the FFB procured in March -April, 2009. The State’s proposal to continue the same is under active consideration.
The State has also proposed Minimum Support Price to Oil Palm. The State can avail the Market Intervention Scheme until the issue of MSP is decided. As you are aware MSP crops require appropriate recommendations from CACP and may take a little time for Government to decide. The import terms of edible Oils can be looked into, in the meantime Government has an open mind in the matter.
Government of India is open to support Govt. of AP in area increase of Oil Palm and mechanization under RKVY or mechanization schemes. A mission for Oil Palm already exists in the Ministry and we must take up as many activities under RKVY and other projects a mission would add, without waiting for new organization. We need to focus on productivity post procurement and processing value addition at this stage.
Apart from policy interventions the ICAR has also invested into Oil Palm research with its dedicated centre in Andhra Pradesh itself. Recently it has been elevated as a directorate. It focuses on hybrid development, production management system, post harvest management etc. Govt. of India spends about Rs.15 crores in the research and development effect in Oil palm.
In the other welfare projects Andhra has shown the ways too. The “Indiramma Scheme” in housing helps 80 lakh poor families while pension schemes for the needy help 75 lakh persons. Self-help groups are being supported by Rs.365 crores and State provides two rupees a kilo rice and pulses at Rs.30/- and vegetable oil at Rs.35/- to poor consumers through the Public Distribution system. The ‘Rajiv Aroggyashri’ Scheme extends unique health benefits to the poor. The emergency health transport under ‘108’ and fixed day health service under ‘104’ helps the most needy of the Society. Scholarship support, water conservation ‘Udyogashri’ are yet another set of exemplary schemes in welfare. Andhra has emerged as a unique example of rapid economic development with a human touch, in the last few years by investing in the people and farmers. A.P government shows the way forward for the country in achieving 10% overall growth and 4% in Agriculture sector. Government of India will be an active partner in Andhra’s efforts and will leave no stone unturned in helping the state’s requirements in the coming months.
Personally the State can consider me as an Ambassador for Andhra in Delhi and any of you can please feel free to meet me any time for my humble assistance. I wish the people and Government of Andhra all the best in its task.
JAI HIND
SPEECH IN ANDHRA PRADESH
Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Rosaiah ji, Hon. Minster for Agriculture Shri Raghuveera Reddy, MPs, MLAs, Senior Officers of State Government, Farmer brothers and sisters of Andhra Pradesh & West Godawari.
May I congratulate the progressive government of Andhra Pradesh in leading the country in the field of Agriculture during a difficult time. Andhra Pradesh government under Hon. Rosaiah ji & Hon. Agriculture Minister Shri Raghuveera Reddy has achieved unparalleled success in both high growth in agriculture and higher farmer returns. I pay tribute to Andhra’s most Valliant Warrior for the poor, Late Shri Rajasekhar Reddy with whom I enjoyed a deep personal friendship when we were in Lok Sbha together. I am sure that Dr. Reddy’s contribution in making Andhra strong and particularly good for the farming community will go down as a golden period in Indian history. The memory of the departed leader must guide us in future also. I offer tributes to him on this occasion once again.
Andhra overcame unfavourable weather conditions to produce about 209 lakhs metric tonnes of food grains in 2009-10 contributing highly into the national food stocks. It produces the 3rd largest quantum of food grains and topped the productivity of Maize and Bengal Gram. Andhra disburses highest crop & term loans and a sum of Rs.37,574 crores was disbursed in 2009-10. The ‘Polambadi’ scheme of village specific farmer training has resulted in significant reduction in the consumption of pesticides. The State’s interest in improving seed replacement rate, encouraging seed production by farmers and integrated nutrient management and mechanisation is noteworthy. The huge participation of our farmer brothers in Raithu Sadassus like this is an indication of the trust the farmers have with the State Government’s leadership. I must say that the agriculture department and the State’s administration as a whole is as a model for other States to emulate.
The Central Government continues to support the State through numerous other schemes like RKVY, Macro Management of Agriculture, National Food Security Mission, National Horticulture Mission, Micro Irrigation, Extension Reforms, National Bamboo Mission etc. The total allocations of AP under these Schemes are to the extent of Rs.941.19 crores for this year and once the State qualifies again for RKVY, the assistance is likely to increase further substantially. I am sure this will happen in the near future.
Coming to the specific issues related to oil palm cultivation firstly let me congratulate the farmers for helping to address the net shortage India is facing in edible Oil.
As you are aware, we import 8-9 million tonnes of palm Oil at a cost of about 2700 crores annually. Andhra Pradesh came forward to help the country in this difficulty and planted oil palm in West Godawari district initially to an extent of 132 hectares in mid eighties, taking support from Department of Biotechnology and Technology Mission on Oil seeds (TMOP). Now Andhra has oil palm cultivation to the extent of 4,00,000 hectares spread in 11 districts, covering an area of 1,02,132 hectares against an identified potential of 4,20,000 hectares.
Further AP also processes the largest quantity of oil palm in India. With an annual production of 3.5 lakh tonnes, A.P contributes Rs.220 crores to the country. State has also formulated an Oil Palm Act for helping farmers by regulating trade by administered prices. Now I understand that A.P wants to expand area under Oil palm to another 30,000 hectares of which government of India will support, initially 16,000 hectares which will be taken up immediately. To overcome the difficulties in harvesting the tall Palm, the state is organising supply of harvesters on pilot basis through adequate subsidization. State Government is also investing in micro irrigation for the crop. State Government wants Government of India to include Oil Palm under its Micro irrigation programmes.
The Micro Irrigation component of ISOPOM, NFSM and TMC will be retained and 50% central share of system cost for small farmers and marginal farmers and 40% of cost for general farmers is allowable as subsidy. This is allowed under current plan and Minor Irrigation Schemes for Oil Palm can be supported under Minor Irrigation for ISOPOM. The proposals may be sent under ISOPOM implemented by DAC. I understand that the government could not pay costs to the farmers to the extent they would have liked during the last two years.
Therefore, the State had to avail Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) compensatory rates to protect the farmers under the MIS cost of supporting the farmers is borne 50:50 between Central and State Governments. The Central procuring agency shall be NAFED. For March and April 2009, Government of India has approved Market intervention Prices of Rs.5000/- per Metric Tonne. This has helped the State to extend a support of Rs.4.6 crores for the FFB procured in March -April, 2009. The State’s proposal to continue the same is under active consideration.
The State has also proposed Minimum Support Price to Oil Palm. The State can avail the Market Intervention Scheme until the issue of MSP is decided. As you are aware MSP crops require appropriate recommendations from CACP and may take a little time for Government to decide. The import terms of edible Oils can be looked into, in the meantime Government has an open mind in the matter.
Government of India is open to support Govt. of AP in area increase of Oil Palm and mechanization under RKVY or mechanization schemes. A mission for Oil Palm already exists in the Ministry and we must take up as many activities under RKVY and other projects a mission would add, without waiting for new organization. We need to focus on productivity post procurement and processing value addition at this stage.
Apart from policy interventions the ICAR has also invested into Oil Palm research with its dedicated centre in Andhra Pradesh itself. Recently it has been elevated as a directorate. It focuses on hybrid development, production management system, post harvest management etc. Govt. of India spends about Rs.15 crores in the research and development effect in Oil palm.
In the other welfare projects Andhra has shown the ways too. The “Indiramma Scheme” in housing helps 80 lakh poor families while pension schemes for the needy help 75 lakh persons. Self-help groups are being supported by Rs.365 crores and State provides two rupees a kilo rice and pulses at Rs.30/- and vegetable oil at Rs.35/- to poor consumers through the Public Distribution system. The ‘Rajiv Aroggyashri’ Scheme extends unique health benefits to the poor. The emergency health transport under ‘108’ and fixed day health service under ‘104’ helps the most needy of the Society. Scholarship support, water conservation ‘Udyogashri’ are yet another set of exemplary schemes in welfare. Andhra has emerged as a unique example of rapid economic development with a human touch, in the last few years by investing in the people and farmers. A.P government shows the way forward for the country in achieving 10% overall growth and 4% in Agriculture sector. Government of India will be an active partner in Andhra’s efforts and will leave no stone unturned in helping the state’s requirements in the coming months.
Personally the State can consider me as an Ambassador for Andhra in Delhi and any of you can please feel free to meet me any time for my humble assistance. I wish the people and Government of Andhra all the best in its task.
JAI HIND
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Speech on occasion of Karshaka Sangamam at Moncombu, Alappuzha on 29th May 2010
I am glad and feel honoured to be here on this occasion. I wish all success to Deepika News Bureau.
Alappuzha district alongwith Kuttanad region was chosen by the Ministry of Agriculture for special consideration in view of the prevailing agrarian distress and MS Swaminathan Research Foundation was asked to go into the economic and ecological problems of the Alappuzha district as well as Kuttanad Wetland Ecosystem as a whole.
Swaminathan Research Foundation submitted the report to the Government of India on 8th May, 2008 which was accepted by the Government in-toto on 27th July, 2008. Prof. Swaminathan has done a commendable job. This report in fact contains a malady-remedy analysis of the problems one hand and on the other hand suggests potential solutions.
Kuttanad Wetland Ecosystem, particularly the Vembanad Kayal is receiving world-wide attention because nature is at the peak of its beauty in this Ramsar site. Kuttanad wetlands are unique because in large area, rice cultivation is being done in 2 m below the sea level. There is greater challenge before the people to conserve and enhance the beauty and bounty of this ecosystem by creating an economic stake in its conservation.
The Government has granted ‘in-principle’ approval for providing financial support of Rs.1840.75 crores for implementing various programmes/ interventions for development of Kuttanad Wetland Eco-system. Major components are for the development of infrastructure for paddy cultivation for which the projected amount is Rs. 1398 crores, followed by agriculture and allied sectors (Rs. 352 crores) and environment sector (Rs. 90 crores). Under infrastructure development, strengthening of padasekharam – based infrastructure like outer bund and associated structure are given maximum importance followed by restoration of canals, drains and water bodies.
The five tasks under the Environment sector are the Protection and ecological restoration of the water spread area, measures for pollution control, total elimination of aquatic weeds, measures for augmenting biodiversity in the backwaters and improving health and sanitation.
The eight tasks grouped under agriculture and allied sectors are declaring Kuttanad as a Special Agricultural Zone, enforcing a crop calendar, strengthening research and extension, strengthening economic viability, coconut based enterprises and integrated farming, action to promote fishery wealth of Vembanad Kayal, promoting fishery infrastructure, capacity and fishermen welfare, farm tourism and part of infrastructure support for paddy.
Infrastructure projects included are development of infrastructure for paddy cultivation, restoration of rivers, canals, drains and water bodies, construction of permanent salt water barriers, modernization of Thannermukkom barrage, improving the efficiency of Thottappally spill way, regulation of flood water in Kayal area near C&D and Rani-chithira block, construction of AC canal and supporting a research study on Thanneermukkom Barrage and its ecological aspects.
With the implementation of the package, livelihood security of the farm, fisher and other families living in this area will be strengthened through better infrastructure and multiple avenues of market driven income earning opportunities. I am very much impressed and influenced by the indomitable never-say-die spirit and commitment of the people towards the development of their homeland. This package cannot be accomplished without continuous support and effective participation by farmers, farm-women, fishermen, farm labourers, mass media and civilian. I request your cooperation and support.
Implementation of this package with greater pace is one of the priority areas of my Department and the State Government. To ensure it, progress of the implementation is monitored by Kuttunad and Alappuzha Prosperity Council (KAPCO) which is chaired by the Chief Minister. In addition Task Implementation and Management Committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary and Project Management Unit functions at district level to fast track the implementation process of Kuttanad package.
I personally take interest to see that the problems faced by the State Government in effective implementation of Kuttanad package are addressed expeditiously. At the Central Government level, a Coordination Committee under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture has been set up to regularly review the progress of implementation of Kuttanad package. This Committee interacts with State Government other implementing Ministries/Departments in Government of India. I am glad to know that the State Government is also showing keen interest and enthusiasm towards the implementation of this package. So far, projects amounting to Rs.252.69 crore under Kuttanad package have been approved by the concerned Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India. I would urge the State Government to submit more projects under Kuttanad package. I once again request for your full cooperation in ensuring effective implementation of the package so that the development of area as envisaged in the report of Swaminathan Foundation is realized.
Thank you.
Alappuzha district alongwith Kuttanad region was chosen by the Ministry of Agriculture for special consideration in view of the prevailing agrarian distress and MS Swaminathan Research Foundation was asked to go into the economic and ecological problems of the Alappuzha district as well as Kuttanad Wetland Ecosystem as a whole.
Swaminathan Research Foundation submitted the report to the Government of India on 8th May, 2008 which was accepted by the Government in-toto on 27th July, 2008. Prof. Swaminathan has done a commendable job. This report in fact contains a malady-remedy analysis of the problems one hand and on the other hand suggests potential solutions.
Kuttanad Wetland Ecosystem, particularly the Vembanad Kayal is receiving world-wide attention because nature is at the peak of its beauty in this Ramsar site. Kuttanad wetlands are unique because in large area, rice cultivation is being done in 2 m below the sea level. There is greater challenge before the people to conserve and enhance the beauty and bounty of this ecosystem by creating an economic stake in its conservation.
The Government has granted ‘in-principle’ approval for providing financial support of Rs.1840.75 crores for implementing various programmes/ interventions for development of Kuttanad Wetland Eco-system. Major components are for the development of infrastructure for paddy cultivation for which the projected amount is Rs. 1398 crores, followed by agriculture and allied sectors (Rs. 352 crores) and environment sector (Rs. 90 crores). Under infrastructure development, strengthening of padasekharam – based infrastructure like outer bund and associated structure are given maximum importance followed by restoration of canals, drains and water bodies.
The five tasks under the Environment sector are the Protection and ecological restoration of the water spread area, measures for pollution control, total elimination of aquatic weeds, measures for augmenting biodiversity in the backwaters and improving health and sanitation.
The eight tasks grouped under agriculture and allied sectors are declaring Kuttanad as a Special Agricultural Zone, enforcing a crop calendar, strengthening research and extension, strengthening economic viability, coconut based enterprises and integrated farming, action to promote fishery wealth of Vembanad Kayal, promoting fishery infrastructure, capacity and fishermen welfare, farm tourism and part of infrastructure support for paddy.
Infrastructure projects included are development of infrastructure for paddy cultivation, restoration of rivers, canals, drains and water bodies, construction of permanent salt water barriers, modernization of Thannermukkom barrage, improving the efficiency of Thottappally spill way, regulation of flood water in Kayal area near C&D and Rani-chithira block, construction of AC canal and supporting a research study on Thanneermukkom Barrage and its ecological aspects.
With the implementation of the package, livelihood security of the farm, fisher and other families living in this area will be strengthened through better infrastructure and multiple avenues of market driven income earning opportunities. I am very much impressed and influenced by the indomitable never-say-die spirit and commitment of the people towards the development of their homeland. This package cannot be accomplished without continuous support and effective participation by farmers, farm-women, fishermen, farm labourers, mass media and civilian. I request your cooperation and support.
Implementation of this package with greater pace is one of the priority areas of my Department and the State Government. To ensure it, progress of the implementation is monitored by Kuttunad and Alappuzha Prosperity Council (KAPCO) which is chaired by the Chief Minister. In addition Task Implementation and Management Committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary and Project Management Unit functions at district level to fast track the implementation process of Kuttanad package.
I personally take interest to see that the problems faced by the State Government in effective implementation of Kuttanad package are addressed expeditiously. At the Central Government level, a Coordination Committee under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture has been set up to regularly review the progress of implementation of Kuttanad package. This Committee interacts with State Government other implementing Ministries/Departments in Government of India. I am glad to know that the State Government is also showing keen interest and enthusiasm towards the implementation of this package. So far, projects amounting to Rs.252.69 crore under Kuttanad package have been approved by the concerned Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India. I would urge the State Government to submit more projects under Kuttanad package. I once again request for your full cooperation in ensuring effective implementation of the package so that the development of area as envisaged in the report of Swaminathan Foundation is realized.
Thank you.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Speech on Krishi Vigyan Kendras Interface-2010 on 26.4.2010 at New Delhi
Secretary DARE & DG ICAR, Dr S. Ayappan; Secretary (Agriculture & Cooperation) Shri P.K.Basu; Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Shri Rudhra Gangadharan; Additional Secretary (DARE) and Secretary, ICAR, Shri Rajiv Mehrishi; FA, DARE & ICAR, Shri Chaman Kumar; Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), Dr.K.D.Kokate; ADGs, Zonal Project Directors, Directors of Extension of SAUs, Programme Coordinators of KVKs, Members from Press Media, Ladies & Gentlemen.
I am really pleased to meet you all today who belong to a system which has grown tremendously in size , stature and importance i.e. from one KVK in 1974 to 571 KVKs in 2010.
Today, the capability of natural resource base is not as responsive as it was in yester years. Conventional technologies of agriculture are inadequate to meet the formidable challenges. The most compelling case for bio-technology and more specifically transgenic crops is their capability to increase crop productivity, lower production costs, conserving bio-diversity, efficient use of external inputs, and improvement of economic and social benefits and alleviation of abject poverty in poor and developing countries. The threat from trans-boundary animal diseases has also increased.
The research and development initiatives on promoting crop-live stock farming system based models and bio-diversity are essentially required. Krishi Vigyan Kendras provide a platform for alliance of ICAR-University - State Governments- NGOs for creating an atmosphere of technology application and excellence. KVKs are therefore, to be modelled as Centres of science and technology for rural sector at district level. Avoiding multiplicity in approach may serve the purpose of building KVKs as technology oriented centres. Models of public-private partnerships must be evolved for development of processes, application and flow of technologies, creation of marketing opportunities and empowering farmers.
Challenge to Indian agriculture due to delayed and deficient monsoon coupled with flash floods was very severe during Kharif 2009 across the country. ICAR, development departments and KVKs responded to the exigency, and designed in time technology-driven contingency plans which greatly contributed to protect the standing crops, as well as mitigating the drought effects to minimize the adverse impact on kharif production. Sound and scientific location-specific advisories were disseminated across the country to grow short-duration rice varieties, low-water consuming crops and feed and fodder crops. Simultaneously, movement of quality seeds was mobilized and coordinated across the country.
Reports about Rabi production are very encouraging to safeguard our interests of food security. Among rabi crops, wheat contributes nearly 72% to the total rabi foodgrains production of the country. However, the crop faces newer challenges in the wake of water scarcity, erratic rainfall and changing temperature regimes, in addition to prevalent diseases. Sudden rise in temperature during April 2010 cautions for upcoming challenges. Thus, serious efforts are needed for continuously building initiatives for preparing contingencies to mitigate adversaries in the form of developing technologies ,processes and models of delivery to end users with inherent feed back system.
I am extremely happy to note that some of the issues confronted by Indian Agriculture have been taken up by Indian Council of Agricultural Research through Krishi Vigyan Kendras. The initiatives like climate resilience (100 KVKs), resource conservation (50 KVKs), fodder development (50 KVKs), technology demonstrations for harnessing pulses productivity (137 KVKs), electronic connectivity (291 KVKs), minimal processing facility (24 KVKs), plant diagnostic facility(172 KVKs), integrated farming system (184 KVKs), Carp hatchery (58 KVKs), soil & water testing (409 KVKs) and rain water harvesting (151 KVKs) will definitely impact agricultural environment entailing far more responsive system to address location specific issues in context to national and global demands.
This is the era of information technology and management in which accessibility, linkages and convergence are of paramount importance. The role of Directors of Extension in this context , has already been enlarged by ICAR for overseeing all the KVKs in the University area jurisdiction irrespective of host institution. The fruits of this idea can only be realized if Directors of Extension take it as challenge.
I appeal all of you to join hands in taking this unique system to a new height. Programme Coordinators of KVKs in particular have to be quite open to the environment and at the same time very selective in terms of choosing options for the farmers. I hope two days interaction will bring in lot of focus to our approach and commitment to farm sector.
Thank you.
I am really pleased to meet you all today who belong to a system which has grown tremendously in size , stature and importance i.e. from one KVK in 1974 to 571 KVKs in 2010.
Today, the capability of natural resource base is not as responsive as it was in yester years. Conventional technologies of agriculture are inadequate to meet the formidable challenges. The most compelling case for bio-technology and more specifically transgenic crops is their capability to increase crop productivity, lower production costs, conserving bio-diversity, efficient use of external inputs, and improvement of economic and social benefits and alleviation of abject poverty in poor and developing countries. The threat from trans-boundary animal diseases has also increased.
The research and development initiatives on promoting crop-live stock farming system based models and bio-diversity are essentially required. Krishi Vigyan Kendras provide a platform for alliance of ICAR-University - State Governments- NGOs for creating an atmosphere of technology application and excellence. KVKs are therefore, to be modelled as Centres of science and technology for rural sector at district level. Avoiding multiplicity in approach may serve the purpose of building KVKs as technology oriented centres. Models of public-private partnerships must be evolved for development of processes, application and flow of technologies, creation of marketing opportunities and empowering farmers.
Challenge to Indian agriculture due to delayed and deficient monsoon coupled with flash floods was very severe during Kharif 2009 across the country. ICAR, development departments and KVKs responded to the exigency, and designed in time technology-driven contingency plans which greatly contributed to protect the standing crops, as well as mitigating the drought effects to minimize the adverse impact on kharif production. Sound and scientific location-specific advisories were disseminated across the country to grow short-duration rice varieties, low-water consuming crops and feed and fodder crops. Simultaneously, movement of quality seeds was mobilized and coordinated across the country.
Reports about Rabi production are very encouraging to safeguard our interests of food security. Among rabi crops, wheat contributes nearly 72% to the total rabi foodgrains production of the country. However, the crop faces newer challenges in the wake of water scarcity, erratic rainfall and changing temperature regimes, in addition to prevalent diseases. Sudden rise in temperature during April 2010 cautions for upcoming challenges. Thus, serious efforts are needed for continuously building initiatives for preparing contingencies to mitigate adversaries in the form of developing technologies ,processes and models of delivery to end users with inherent feed back system.
I am extremely happy to note that some of the issues confronted by Indian Agriculture have been taken up by Indian Council of Agricultural Research through Krishi Vigyan Kendras. The initiatives like climate resilience (100 KVKs), resource conservation (50 KVKs), fodder development (50 KVKs), technology demonstrations for harnessing pulses productivity (137 KVKs), electronic connectivity (291 KVKs), minimal processing facility (24 KVKs), plant diagnostic facility(172 KVKs), integrated farming system (184 KVKs), Carp hatchery (58 KVKs), soil & water testing (409 KVKs) and rain water harvesting (151 KVKs) will definitely impact agricultural environment entailing far more responsive system to address location specific issues in context to national and global demands.
This is the era of information technology and management in which accessibility, linkages and convergence are of paramount importance. The role of Directors of Extension in this context , has already been enlarged by ICAR for overseeing all the KVKs in the University area jurisdiction irrespective of host institution. The fruits of this idea can only be realized if Directors of Extension take it as challenge.
I appeal all of you to join hands in taking this unique system to a new height. Programme Coordinators of KVKs in particular have to be quite open to the environment and at the same time very selective in terms of choosing options for the farmers. I hope two days interaction will bring in lot of focus to our approach and commitment to farm sector.
Thank you.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Speech on Export Award Function of Spices Board at Cochin on 9th April 2010
Dear Mr. Kurian, Chairman Spices Board
Dear Dr. Viju Jacob, Vice Chairman, Spices Board
Distinguished award winners, invitees
Ladies & gentlemen,
I am pleased to be present in this prestigious Award Function.
Export of Spices is expected to grow from 1 Billion US Dollars to 10 Billion US Dollars by 2020. 40% of this is in whole form while 60% is expected from value added forms. With increased upgradation in technology, the scope for produced and value added products will increase in developed markets. To meet product standards of advanced markets, higher product consistency is desired. Further integration of spice and medical plant production will be required since most spices also share some ayurvedic interests. For instance the Blue variety of Turmeric from Nagaland is known to cure abdominal pain and swollen body parts. Spice production has undergone substantial standardization and can contribute to ayurvedic medical systems.
While prospects for growth does exit, it should not be forgotten that our strength in a major crop like pepper needs substantial boost. The replanting and rejuvenation programme started by the Spices Board in Idukki district needs to succeed. An assistance of Rs.120 crores is made available to the Spices Board from the National Horticultural Mission for 64 villages of Idukki. The activities under the project are supported by the Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode.
With increased trade engagement with South East Asia more opportunities are in the offing. The concerns of spice producers have been duly addressed by using the provision to park them in the sensitive list. There is time to catch up with the competition till 2019. Similarly any conflict of interest arising between production of spices and forward trading will be avoided. I am sure that the higher effort of our farmers combined with timely policy support from Government of India will increase our competitiveness to ward off any fear of a deluge by cheap imports. Use of Geographical indicators to protect indigenous varieties like Malabar Pepper must be resorted to. We need to beef up the import quality control also. I understand that the Spices Board is leading an initiative to establish country wide network of laboratories also.
The 'Spices Parks' initiative of the Board is another noteworthy endeavour. They have infrastructural facilities of cleaning, grading, colour sorting, packing, and warehousing, which will definitely benefit the spice farmers with better price realization. The parks will also find remedies to several basic problems the farmers in rural India face since the Spices Parks are coming up right in the rural, growing regions. The Spices Parks with modern processing facilities being set up by the private entrepreneurs will definitely create awareness among the farmers about the need for increasing production of spices, growing quality spices and so on. The exporters and processors will also get benefited since they can source the garden-fresh produce continuously for processing with no considerable transportation cost. I am very happy to note that when the Spices Board has not alienated any farming land, as agreed upon three years back, for establishing the Spices Park in Idukki district, the board itself took the initiative to set up the Park at Puttady on the land purchased with the Cardamom Development Fund with the active involvement of cardamom growers. This park, benefiting the Cardamom and Pepper farmers of Kerala State, is to be commissioned shortly.
On one side, we want to give higher price to the farmers for the agricultural produce; on the other, we want to make available the essential commodities provided by the agricultural produce at cheaper rates. Our exporters also want to remain in the international markets competitive price-wise. We can do all this only if we increase production and productivity of crops. If the average productivity of pepper is around 300 Kg. per hectare in India, it is 2000 kg. per hectare in Vietnam and 600 kg. per hectare in Indonesia. Here, it is worth-mentioning that during the year 2009-10, according to an estimate from the Spices Board, one of the Cardamom (Small) farmers in Kerala has achieved an yield of 3650 kgs. per hectare as against the average production of around 200 to 225 kgs. per hectare. While recognizing such farmers, it is also essential that such success stories are promoted and followed by other cardamom farmers and similar exercises may be made by the Spices Board for the benefit of Pepper farmers also. High cost of production in our country has also caused the spice cultivation here less profitable. For example, while the per day cost of labour in Indonesia is around US$ 3 and in Vietnam it is US$ 2 per day, the labour cost in Kerala is US$ 6 per day. We cannot demand the denial of monetary benefits to the labourers. But, at the same time, there arises the need to reduce the cost of production. Organic cultivation is not only an important alternative to reduce the cost of production but to increase the quality of produce without any contamination from pesticides. I am happy to know that the organic cultivation of spices is gaining momentum in the country, especially in the North Eastern part of our country.
I am so thankful to the Spices Board, particularly, Mr. V. J. Kurian, Chairman for inviting me to this esteemed function. I also heartily congratulate all the winners of the awards and trophies for their relentless efforts in increasing exports and wish they could scale newer and greater heights in future so that the name and fame of the Indian spices and the country reach every nook and corner of the world. Their efforts will definitely inspire others also in the field and I look forward to seeing them receiving the awards in the years to come. It is also heartening to note that the Spices Board is separately recognizing the Women farmers and entrepreneurs under the spices productivity and export award categories which will definitely lead to the empowerment of women in the nation building activities. I hope that the Spices Board's efforts in the field of export promotion of spices bears ample fruits.
I am very happy to distribute the awards, trophies and certificates of merits to you today in this pleasant evening.
Thank you all once again,
Dear Dr. Viju Jacob, Vice Chairman, Spices Board
Distinguished award winners, invitees
Ladies & gentlemen,
I am pleased to be present in this prestigious Award Function.
Export of Spices is expected to grow from 1 Billion US Dollars to 10 Billion US Dollars by 2020. 40% of this is in whole form while 60% is expected from value added forms. With increased upgradation in technology, the scope for produced and value added products will increase in developed markets. To meet product standards of advanced markets, higher product consistency is desired. Further integration of spice and medical plant production will be required since most spices also share some ayurvedic interests. For instance the Blue variety of Turmeric from Nagaland is known to cure abdominal pain and swollen body parts. Spice production has undergone substantial standardization and can contribute to ayurvedic medical systems.
While prospects for growth does exit, it should not be forgotten that our strength in a major crop like pepper needs substantial boost. The replanting and rejuvenation programme started by the Spices Board in Idukki district needs to succeed. An assistance of Rs.120 crores is made available to the Spices Board from the National Horticultural Mission for 64 villages of Idukki. The activities under the project are supported by the Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode.
With increased trade engagement with South East Asia more opportunities are in the offing. The concerns of spice producers have been duly addressed by using the provision to park them in the sensitive list. There is time to catch up with the competition till 2019. Similarly any conflict of interest arising between production of spices and forward trading will be avoided. I am sure that the higher effort of our farmers combined with timely policy support from Government of India will increase our competitiveness to ward off any fear of a deluge by cheap imports. Use of Geographical indicators to protect indigenous varieties like Malabar Pepper must be resorted to. We need to beef up the import quality control also. I understand that the Spices Board is leading an initiative to establish country wide network of laboratories also.
The 'Spices Parks' initiative of the Board is another noteworthy endeavour. They have infrastructural facilities of cleaning, grading, colour sorting, packing, and warehousing, which will definitely benefit the spice farmers with better price realization. The parks will also find remedies to several basic problems the farmers in rural India face since the Spices Parks are coming up right in the rural, growing regions. The Spices Parks with modern processing facilities being set up by the private entrepreneurs will definitely create awareness among the farmers about the need for increasing production of spices, growing quality spices and so on. The exporters and processors will also get benefited since they can source the garden-fresh produce continuously for processing with no considerable transportation cost. I am very happy to note that when the Spices Board has not alienated any farming land, as agreed upon three years back, for establishing the Spices Park in Idukki district, the board itself took the initiative to set up the Park at Puttady on the land purchased with the Cardamom Development Fund with the active involvement of cardamom growers. This park, benefiting the Cardamom and Pepper farmers of Kerala State, is to be commissioned shortly.
On one side, we want to give higher price to the farmers for the agricultural produce; on the other, we want to make available the essential commodities provided by the agricultural produce at cheaper rates. Our exporters also want to remain in the international markets competitive price-wise. We can do all this only if we increase production and productivity of crops. If the average productivity of pepper is around 300 Kg. per hectare in India, it is 2000 kg. per hectare in Vietnam and 600 kg. per hectare in Indonesia. Here, it is worth-mentioning that during the year 2009-10, according to an estimate from the Spices Board, one of the Cardamom (Small) farmers in Kerala has achieved an yield of 3650 kgs. per hectare as against the average production of around 200 to 225 kgs. per hectare. While recognizing such farmers, it is also essential that such success stories are promoted and followed by other cardamom farmers and similar exercises may be made by the Spices Board for the benefit of Pepper farmers also. High cost of production in our country has also caused the spice cultivation here less profitable. For example, while the per day cost of labour in Indonesia is around US$ 3 and in Vietnam it is US$ 2 per day, the labour cost in Kerala is US$ 6 per day. We cannot demand the denial of monetary benefits to the labourers. But, at the same time, there arises the need to reduce the cost of production. Organic cultivation is not only an important alternative to reduce the cost of production but to increase the quality of produce without any contamination from pesticides. I am happy to know that the organic cultivation of spices is gaining momentum in the country, especially in the North Eastern part of our country.
I am so thankful to the Spices Board, particularly, Mr. V. J. Kurian, Chairman for inviting me to this esteemed function. I also heartily congratulate all the winners of the awards and trophies for their relentless efforts in increasing exports and wish they could scale newer and greater heights in future so that the name and fame of the Indian spices and the country reach every nook and corner of the world. Their efforts will definitely inspire others also in the field and I look forward to seeing them receiving the awards in the years to come. It is also heartening to note that the Spices Board is separately recognizing the Women farmers and entrepreneurs under the spices productivity and export award categories which will definitely lead to the empowerment of women in the nation building activities. I hope that the Spices Board's efforts in the field of export promotion of spices bears ample fruits.
I am very happy to distribute the awards, trophies and certificates of merits to you today in this pleasant evening.
Thank you all once again,
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