Speech on 'Consumer connect for Revitalizing Businesses' on 25th February, 2010 at New Delhi

President and Office bearers of FICCI, Speakers and delegates from better business bureau, delegates, media persons, ladies and gentlemen,

I thank the organizers for inviting me to inaugurate this important conference. Our interest in the theme stems from our ongoing partnership with FICCI in partnering with businesses as the most critical stakeholders for consumer satisfaction. The Slogan of the US Better business bureau “Start with Trust” is very true and may be even more desired in our circumstances today. Disruption of that trust especially in the financial industry lies at the root of our troubles in the global slowdown affecting millions of Indians and other nationalities. Our robust recovery which is already a fact must also build on the lost trust with the consumers.

Customer focus or customer-centrism is a much overstated and under acted idea in the Indian scene. In modern times also, business fraternity gets-fairly or otherwise- the blame for corrupting even our political system! Our distrust of businesses therefore is a rooted one. Overall, when the dust settles, we find ourselves in need of restoring both consumer centrism and governments responsibility to see that the consumer rights are protected and guaranteed without stifling innovation and the proverbial bottom line: profits.

FICCI-Alliance for consumer care for promoting good and responsible business practice must create a new brand of consumer friendly businesses. I found that the activities of the better business bureau of the US and Canada is a very good template to replicate. The data basing of better businesses in the country, region wise by following an accreditation programme will be a natural successor to the present awareness phase in the Indian consumer movement. After a generally successful multi media campaign, titled “Jago Grahak jago”, which has incited good consumer interest , we must now move to work with industry partnerships.

Ethical business practices must have consumer attention. Environmental justice is a corner stone of such “just-business” activity. Tradeoffs between today’s profits and tomorrow’s sustainability need to be reconciled. There will be a customer premium for ethical practices and prompt redressal of customer grievance. Industry itself certifying business as consumer- just could be the best option here. Peer review is the best way of assessing quality. There cannot be anything better than self regulation.

I urge the FICCI to also explore our other initiatives in our bilateral programme as well as the working of the national project on up gradation of weights and measures departments. The changes in the legislation with new Legal Metrology Act 2009 may also be commented upon. Government expects industry to also play a huge role in ensuring that the testing and calibration of equipment is taken up in right earnest. The GATCs proposed under the act removes the monopoly of government labs and invites private participation in the testing and calibration business.

The time is therefore ripe for our learning about the best practices abroad. Together we must rewrite the old story of the dishonest businessman to that of an honest, ethical and caring new age businessman. It is not that Indian businesses have been wanting in human values. In a democracy, however, many times image rules while the object rests. Indian business man must be a brand ambassador of exemplary good business practices across the globe.

Restoring trust in the idea of business and fair profit is central to our efforts to restore the faith in the fair and smooth working of our economy. Government would seek your guidance in the matter and will be willing to listen to all your suggestions in helping businesses care the customer better.
I would leave the specifics to the experts here; I declare the conference open and thank you once again for inviting me.

Jai Hind.

Speech on the occasion of All India Legal Metrology Conference on 24.2.2010 at New Delhi

Secretary Consumer Affairs Shri Rajiv Agarwal, Additional Secretary Shri Rakesh Kakker, Senior officers of the department, Secretaries and Directors from the states, Media persons and other invitees,

We are meeting at a point in time when the implementation of legal metrology legislation assumes special significance in the country. With increasing reliance on the market for providing merit goods and even essential commodities, the regulation of fair domestic trade from a legal angle now extends way beyond the traditional concept of weights and measures. A technological revolution has generally by passed us with digital and information technology tools being available and applied all around the world. The time calls for concerted action from all of us, to protect the consumer by using the new developments in legislation and also just enforcement without which we would be failing to balance the consumer interest. If consumer distrust develops beyond a point and good redress measures are not in place, the faith of the consumer in the open markets itself would be affected to our disadvantage. Therefore the ambit of weights and measures must now expand to address a wide variety of services with the latest technology, training and enabling legislation.

I am sure you are aware about the recent developments in legislation, namely the Legal Metrology Bill 2009 which I had good fortune to pilot ij the last Parliament session and has become an Act. The operative part of the Act will get a fillip from the Rs 144 Crore central sector scheme we have launched, namely the “Strengthening weights and measures infrastructure of states and UTs “ in 2009 for 2009-12.

Let me touch upon some salient features of the changes in the anvil. Firstly, the legal metrology officers qualifications have been now prescribed, which will lead to better professionalization of the cadre. Technical and scientific qualifications shall be necessary to be legal metrology officers from now on. This will check many states which have appointed unqualified personnel without technical and scientific knowledge to enforcement officer’s posts involving regulation.

The testing for standards shall now not be restricted to government labs. A new concept of government approved test centers (GATCs) has been introduced. The GATCs will break the monopoly of the vested interests in the sector and offer competitive testing facility for industry and entrepreneurs. It will also offer multiple testing facilities for repeat testing a result. GATCs should not be viewed as an institutional alternative to the legal metrology cadre but a supplement under government approval. At no stretch of imagination can the present government machinery cater to the large need to calibrate, test and enforce the standards prescribed. States will be free to use public and private sector testing labs or institutions for the purpose.

Slowly the GATCs must be used to expand the scope of testing and calibrating testing equipment and new entries like electricity meters, vehicular pollution, clinical medicine equipments, medical electronic equipments etc brought under is ambit. Fears, expressed by some quarters that the government is diluting its responsibility are out of place. The participation of the private sector will only improve the overall capability. It should be viewed as such and used as a golden opportunity to rectify the inadequacies of the present system.

Without adequate instrumentation and capacity building the provisions of the Act cannot be put to action. The central sector scheme I have mentioned must be put to use here. Laboratory buildings, standard equipments etc can be funded under the scheme. Capacity building of the enforcement officials in BIS and other national referral labs can be funded from the project. The Fluid control research Institute Kerala is going top be the nodal agency for the laboratory management, verification lab for the dispensers used for fuels, CNG, and LPG. The Indian Institute of Legal metrology, Ranchi will also provide support. Both centers are going to get huge budgetary support.

I am sure that this conference shall discuss these and other aspects in the agenda, in depth and take suitable decisions to take the plans ahead. I look forward to receiving, even after this, valuable suggestions from attendees from various states. We need to have more coordination with the institutions like the National Physical Laboratory, in the coming days. States and centre need to be in constant conversation also. I wish we can display excellent models in synergy and operational impact of the programme which must become a model one.

I feel that the department of the consumer affairs, though it may be the small in terms of personnel in my Ministries, has the greatest challenge and task of all: To make the customer feel that justice has been given to him. I wish the Secretary and his team all the best in their endeavors. I shall continue to offer my support thorough out.

I wish the conference success and declare it open.

Jai Hind.

Speech on the occasion of India International Seafood Show 2010 on 19.2.2010 at Chennai

Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Anand Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Co-operation and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Govt. of Orissa, Hon. Minister for Fisheries Shri Nurjamal Sarkar, Govt. of Assam, Hon.ble Minister of Fisheries, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Shri K.P.P.Sami, Shri Anwar Hashim, President, SEAI, distinguished Guests, Personnel from Media, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am very pleased to be amongst you on this occasion of International Seafood Exhibition being organised by MPEDA in Chennai. MPEDA has completed 38 years of infrastructure building, entrepreneurship development, export promotion and resource management in the marine products sector to the satisfaction of the Government and other stake holders. As a result in 2008-09 the export value touched to almost 2000 million US dollars from our major export markets such as EU, U.S, Japan, China , South East Asia and Middle East. MPEDA further plans to increase exports from the current value of 4 billion US dollars by 2012 and 6 billion U.S dollars by 2017 and maintains our leadership amongst the top 5 sea food exporting countries in the world. This export benefits our rural population by additional income from value added projects and stock the surplus for future exports. With the ASEAN agreement in position shortfall of raw material in the processing industries expected to be reduced by imports. MPEDA and EIC have to ensure that imported materials are duly value added and re-exported.

Increased global demand and health value of fish as food give ample scope for us due to comparatively low labour costs. Using innovative technology and continuously experimenting and adhering to quality standards will be the key strategies. Adopting suitable logo and packaging is also helpful. Development of global supply chains and networked retailing gives us additional scope.

I understand that MPEDA has recently notified schemes to promote value addition with the most modern kitchens to experiment products with a maximum assistance of Rs. 1.5 crore and expects exporters would come forward to avail the assistance and start exporting value added seafood items during the coming years. I also understand for the export of good quality dried fish items MPEDA has recently introduced a Scheme to set up drying facilities with solar energy. It is also possible to produce and export added dried fish items. Further, MPEDA had initiated identifying SEZs one each in East and West Coast specifically for the export of value added sea food items.

The subject of the show is value addition for export which is very relevant especially when there are limitations for getting more raw materials from capture and culture fishery. In spite of all the achievements made in the export front, India still remains as a supplier of semi-processed raw material to over 80 importing countries. Since Indian products are being processed and packed by these countries in their brand name, we are losing our brand image and profits. In this context, MPEDA’s constant efforts in developing and promoting a Logo for marketing Indian seafood in the major markets is a noteworthy initiative.

Value addition is another area of importance, though there are inhibiting factors like high duty on inputs, higher tariff levels etc. In order to increase the export share of value added marine products from India the road map set aims an increase in the share from 50% to 75% in our total marine products export valued at 6 billion US $ by 2017 through setting up new units, expansion/conversion of the existing units to process and pack value added seafood items.

A recent development in Marine Fisheries sector is the proposed regulation and Management bill for EEZ. The bill will streamline the scientific exploitation of EEZ’s waters without over use of fisheries resources. Some misgivings raised by stakeholders including some State governments have been discussed thread bare with them. Some doubts as to whether the proposal would restrict powers of State Governments have been clarified at an inter-ministerial consultation on 12.2.2010 in Delhi. I urge the MPEDA also to give wide publicity in the implementation and successful regulations of our EEZ which is vital for sustainable development and security of our seas. The changing understood and effectively implemented.

May I place my hearty congratulations to the Veteran Processers and Exporters like Shri Y.M. Elias from Kerala, Late Shri. Dilip Kapoor from Maharashtra, Shri D. Chandran and Shri T.B. Rao from Tamil Nadu who are being honoured today.

I am fortunate to have been associated with MPEDA as a Member, Member of Parliament and State Fisheries Minister previously. I look forward to making this relationship by closely interacting with all stake holders and do hope that this sea food show becomes a milestone in our efforts to develop this sector to reach further heights.

Speech on Annual Conference of Vice Chancellors of Agricultural Universities and Interface with ICAR Directors at 10 am on 17.2.2010 at New Delhi

Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Sharad Pawar Ji, Dr.S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR, Dr. R.B.Lal, President, Indian Agricultural Universities Association, Dr. Arvind Kumar, DDG (Education), ICAR , ICAR, Shri Rajiv Mehrishi, Secretary, ICAR, Vice-Chancellors of Agricultural Universities, Senior Officers of the ICAR, Distinguished Guests, Personnel from Media, Ladies & Gentlemen.

I am happy to be among the Vice-Chancellors, ICAR Directors and other Research managers of National Agricultural Research System. I have in the few months in office as MOS (Agriculture) realised that the ICAR stands at the threshold of a historic opportunity to transform and sustain Indian Agriculture. I have reviewed the higher education and research and extension framework of ICAR more than once with a view to strengthen the ongoing efforts. The problems are rather known to all here. I must share my sense of what we need to do now.

From a macro perspective the entire higher education sector in Agriculture and Allied subjects needs a big push- both economically and technologically. We need possibly a three fold increase in the number of PhDs , Post Doctoral, Masters and Bachelor degree holders. PhD studentships must be fully integrated with the research priorities of ICAR and each 3 year research project must have as many PhD candidates as possible accommodated. Without working out the numbers and prioritizing research engagement especially in cutting edge areas like nano technology, biotechnology and instrumentation in agriculture, we cannot fully sustain our historic momentum in agriculture.

I understand that we are falling short of our estimation of various categories of agriculture Graduates in 2010 as projected in 2000 by the Applied Manpower Research Institute. Some crucial supporting cadres are totally underdeveloped in the country--for example Para veterinarians, Veterinary nurses, Fisheries Diploma holders and Agricultural Technicians. A surplus of these cadres in a country where Graduate professionals instinctively gravitate towards urban centres for various reasons has meant that most of our outreach is hit by the classic ‘last mile’ problem. If we could use Krishi Vigyan Kendras to position a sub-block cadre of agricultural professionals irrespective of whether they are with ICAR, State Government or local government or even NGO’s or Private Companies, an organic link could be established with the farmer, generating real time “farm intelligence” and imparting knowledge inputs. The country has, through recent experiences realized the need to have a constant ear on the ground to grasp what the farmer is thinking. Our thoughts should now crystallise over creating those listening, responding and reacting cadres. Without these, our institutional structure resembles a massive brain without the limbs to move. A farm intelligence system may be a bit futuristic, but no doubt it will read distress signals much before they manifest as suicides and catastrophe.

Our International co-operation and Private/voluntary sector engagement need to be strengthened. ICAR’s International fellowships programme must be made to function fully. The Department of Personnel already gives flexible funding to in-service candidates to gain doctoral training in the World’s premier Universities. ICAR must be able to refrain a cohort of excellent candidates, over the years by competitively choosing graduates from our SAU’s and national Institutes. A mandatory service period with ICAR can be demanded from them.


As time has elapsed the managerial excellence required from our Scientist Managers have also increased. We should introspect whether we have moved ahead adequately with the times. Clerical cadres are inadequate to provide adequate leadership and timely disposal of administrative documents without losing institutional memory. Middle managerial talent has to be positioned. An ICAR wide Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP) solution could be thought of. This, with KVK to ICAR HQ connectivity could make ICAR work real time. I find even routine matters like establishment of KVK’s suffering from lack of timely processing .

We also need to see whether the senior positions of Scientists and Centre Directors and above have adequate participation from women. I understand that the Department of Science and Technology have separate budget lines for training and upgrading skills of women Scientists. I would like to see more strong managerial training and positioning of our women Scientists in senior positions without prejudice to overall competitiveness.

Communication has not exactly been our strong point. The trouble with our innovations is that it ends with the baton being handed over to the State departments or Agencies. The gestation period is too high. Since the system does not monetize either the cost or results of innovation in Agriculture the demand factor is weakened. With its wide network and reach of institutions, ICAR must capture the entire imagination of the farm community through daily interaction. ICAR’s innovations and innovators must be household names in farm house holds. A television and net based platform where ICAR programmes on farm innovations, application and feedback are aired daily is very possible. ‘ICAR’ could easily become the most recognised knowledge brand in Indian Agriculture.

I must recommend more funding and engagement of private and non profit sectors in R&D and education. It is not good enough if we think about engaging Private Sector in a “business as usual “manner. A clear identification of priorities must emerge and rigorous analysis of various key industrial players undertaken. The engagements must result in win win situations than one sided gains. One can readily see a huge role for Private Sector in communication and commercialisation of innovations. This could be a huge force multiplier for our efforts.

Since I have on various occasions highlighted the need for protect our IPR and focus on data basing for conserving new findings and our traditional wisdom, I am not repeating them today.

Today, one thing is clear. ICAR will have to do most of this without the comfort of a quantum jump in resources. We shall definitely plead forcefully for more, but more has its limits. I am sure the leadership of ICAR under the Captainship of Dr. Ayyappan, will rise to the occasion. The key lies in pruning what can be pruned and pushing resources into where the thrust should be.

The SAU’s except for a handful, need very fundamental de-bureaucratization, strengthening and managerial upgrading. The financial and performance parameters of many SAU’s are below ideal. Unlike Medical and Engineering education Agricultural education except for Veterinary Sciences does not have independent regulators. In ICAR has, therefore, the added responsibility of expanding without diluting quality standards as well.

The distinguished academics here may like to consider some of these points in their deliberations. Capturing this historic opportunity to redeem our pledge to the millions of farmers in the country is an imperative. We cannot afford to fail in it.

I wish the conference all success and hope that we can together meet up to the challenges.

****

Speech in the Conference of Fisheries Ministers of coastal States on Marine Fisheries (Regulation & Management) Act held New Delhi on 12.02.2010

Hon’ble AM, Ministers of Fisheries of the Coastal States, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, DG (ICAR) & Secretary, DARE, and officers of the Central and State Governments.

To begin with, it is important for us to recognize the fact that there is a complete lack of statutory provision and a legal vacuum for Regulation of Fisheries and Fishing in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beyond territorial waters. The Maritime Zones of India (MZI) Act, which was legislated in 1981 caters to foreign vessels only. This is understandable since India’s indigenous capability to exploit fisheries resources in the deep sea was rather limited at that time. Over the years, however, the fishing industries capability has undergone a sea change. More and more of our fishermen are venturing into the deep sea for fishing. This has been propelled not only by improvement in technology but also due to over exploitation and pollution of our coastal waters resulting in dwindling catches.

Most fishing grounds of the world at present are devoid of productive fisheries resources. It is imperative that unless conservation measures are undertaken for sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources, the fishermen community in the coastal states could be adversely affected in the long run in terms of volume of catch and hence income and employment.

This brings us to the important question of sustainability. The legislation appropriately talks about fisheries management plans, which need to be developed in consultation with the coastal State Governments and all other stakeholders. As we know, fish is highly mobile and some important species such as tuna are migratory as well. Fish does not recognize jurisdiction of maritime zones. Hence, the fisheries management plan has to be developed in a comprehensive manner encompassing all maritime zones of the country. This implies that the State Governments and the Union Government along with other stakeholders will have to develop this plan after detailed consultations among themselves.

We have to also protect our traditional fishermen whose primary occupation is fishing to meet their day to day livelihood. As I have mentioned earlier, some of these fishermen are forced to go into the EEZ due to intense competition and dwindling catches in coastal waters. However, they don’t venture too deep into the EEZ. We, therefore, have to devise a system where their hardships do not get compounded due to the new piece of proposed legislation in terms of obtaining licenses and other requirements that this Act may entail. This could easily be done once a consensus with respect to the kind of crafts and the areas of operation emerge, which probably needs to be kept outside the purview of the Act. This can easily be done through the saving clauses which have been provided in the draft legislation.

The process of building up of consensus needs to be intensified due to the sensitive nature of the issues involved in the proposed legislation. The States will also have to play a collaborative and supportive role in our effort to bring about this consensus. On our part, we are ready to help the states in their endeavour to bring on board the fishermen of their states even if such consultations are required to be undertaken at the State level.

I am confident that today’s deliberations will enable us to move one step closer in bringing about this consensus where the proposed legislation will be a beneficial one rather than detrimental to the interest of the fishermen community of India.

Thank you.

Speech on the occasion of 'Annam - National Food and Agro Biodiversity Festival at Kozhikode on 11th February 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen,


It is a matter of great pleasure for me to be present on the occasion of the launch of second National Food and Agro-biodiversity Festival organised by Annam, a people’s movement that preaches good food, good health and food sovereignty. I appreciate the Good Food Movement launched in India in 2008. Such movements create the much needed awareness about the linkages between good food, local agro-biodiversity and health.

Mother Nature has provided us with about 300,000 - 400,000 plant species, of which about ten percent (i.e. 30,000) are edible and an estimated 7,000 species have been cultivated or collected by humans for food or other agricultural purposes. However, today there are only 30 species of all these crops, that “feed the world” by providing 95% of dietary energy or protein; and only three crops, namely, rice (26%), wheat (23%) and maize (7%) together account for over 50% of the global food energy. The dependence on a limited number of crops entails a reduction of options for ensuring more diverse nutrition, enhancing food production, raising incomes, coping with environmental constraints and managing ecosystems.

As against this, the fundamental feature of traditional farming systems around the world has been diversity in varieties, breeds and species. Even today, communities and farmers continue to play a very critical role in development and evolution of crop varieties. Community knowledge is the essence of social capital of the poor, which is constantly evolving, as individual and communities usually have multiple interests or concerns, and are confronted with numerous challenges of sustenance.

The farmers depend largely on the availability of genetic diversity for food security and self-sufficiency, particularly in the marginal areas. They often cultivate several crop varieties in one season, which enables them to adopt crops suited to their farm environment and cultural crop production practices. The wider environmental adaptability of diverse crops and varieties also provides the farmer with a capacity to avert risk.

The cultural value of agro-biodiversity also gives us another reason for developing appropriate strategies for their conservation. Therefore, it is important to build on indigenous knowledge on which resource-poor farmers including tribes have conserved many crops and species of ethno-botanical importance. Their knowledge is important, it being based on years of informal experimentation and understanding of a particular production system.

In a study, it has been found that the women and men of the Paniya Tribe of Kerala, mainly seen in the Wayanad District, have the knowledge of about 265 distinct kinds of wild plants and animals with food and nutritional value, which they collect on diverse landscapes as vayal (paddy fields) and associated areas like kolli (marshy areas), vazhiyariku (waysides), thottam (plantations) and kadu (forest). They use many wild food species, especially leafy vegetables - for food, medicinal uses and for ritual purposes among others. Both Paniya men and women are generally knowledgeable of 30 documented multiple uses of wild food species. However, when an exercise was carried out to study the continuance of the knowledge over generations, it was observed that a decline in traditional knowledge has occurred, more so in the present generations.

Since rapid changes in the way of life of local communities has led to consequent loss of community knowledge that can play an important role in enhancing development, it is pertinent that developmental workers in both governmental and non-governmental organizations incorporate these aspects in the process of sustainable development.

We also need to simultaneously realise that the quest for increasing food production to meet burgeoning demand has led to the development of modern cultivars and other technologies, and their spread has been dramatic, more rapid than anything that ever happened in agriculture before. The ensuing success, obviously also resulted in replacement of traditional varieties, landraces and practices. The challenge, therefore, is to simultaneously cater to the requirements of traditional methods of living alongside better agricultural quality and yields for better and improved human living.

I am sure the Food and Agro-biodiversity Festival has considered to evenly balance the two dimensions. With these words, I wish the organizers a great success in the events planned over the next four days.

Jai Hind !

SPEECH ON THE OCCASION OF INAUGURATION OF MILK PROCESSING PLANT IN KUTTILAKARA, KERALA ON 30TH JANUARY 2010

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here to inaugurate a new modern milk processing plant with one lakh litre capacity set up by the Peoples Dairy Development Project, Kalady.

The Peoples Dairy Development Project, a charitable society registered in 1983 with an objective to render maximum help to marginal farmers and agricultural labourers has been doing a tremendous job by way of collecting, processing and distributing over 45000 litres of milk and milk products per day. This has helped more than 200 societies having by around 25000 farmer members.

As you all know, India ranks first among the world’s milk producing nations with the milk production of 108.50 million tonnes during 2008-09. Dairying has become an important secondary source of income for millions of rural families and has assumed the most important role in providing employment and income generating opportunities.

Government of India is making efforts to increase the productivity of milk animals and thus increase the per capita availability of milk. Milk production and marketing system in India is unique. Most of the milk is produced by small, marginal farmers and landless labourers who are grouped into cooperatives at the village level. To provide them a steady market and a remunerative price for milk produced, about 13.90 million farmers have been brought under the ambit of about 1,33,349 village level dairy cooperative societies in the country.

Government is actively supporting the dairy sector by implementing various schemes. It all started with the White Revolution under the title Operation Flood in 1970. It has been instrumental in helping the farmers mould their own development through cooperative dairying and to help milk reach to consumers in 700 towns and cities through a National Milk Grid. It also helped eradicate the need for middlemen thereby reducing the seasonal price variations. As a result of the cooperative structure the whole exercise of production and distribution of milk and milk products has become economically viable for farmers to undertake on their own. There is a need for more farmers to organize themselves under the cooperative network to get the benefits of organised dairy farming.

Government has been implementing various dairy development schemes like Intensive Dairy Development Programme, Strengthening Infrastructure of Quality & Clean Milk Production, Assistance to Cooperatives & Dairy/Poultry Venture Capital Fund to popularize dairying as a source of livelihood. Government is also examining launching National Dairy Plan which is strategic plan with an outlay of Rs.17,371 crore to achieve a target of 180 million tonnes of milk production annually by 2021-22. Milk production is expected to grow at 4% with an annual incremental output of 5million tonnes in the next 15 years. Under this plan, the Government is contemplating to enhance milk production in major milk producing areas, strengthen and expand infrastructure to produce, process and market milk through the existing and new institutional structures. The plan envisages breed improvement through AI and through natural service, setting up plants to augment cattle feed, by-pass protein and mineral mixture. The plan also proposes to bring 65% of the surplus milk produced under organized sector for procurement as against the present 30%. Separately, the Government has launched a new scheme called Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) with a massive investment of Rs.25,000 crore for the next 4 to 5 years to promote agriculture and allied sectors. All these activities are expected to help India emerge as a major player in the world dairy sector.

As far as Kerala is concerned, Government of India has sanctioned 3 IDDP projects in 8 districts of Idukki, Pathnamthitta, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur & Kasaragod and also 12 Clean Milk Production (CMP) projects in all 14 districts of Kerala state. A total amount of Rs.1815.32 lakhs for IDDP and Rs.1696.69 lakh for CMP has been released so far. Entrepreneur like People Dairy Development Project should take advantage of the Dairy Venture Capital Fund, which is an interest free loan scheme. Government is considering to extend this to all districts in the country.

I am sure that new milk processing plant will contribute in promoting sustainable growth of milk processing in the Ernakulam District of the State. I wish Peoples Dairy Development Project, a great success in their efforts in future.

Thank you.

Talking points for the VIV India 2010 held at Bangalore on 1st February 2010

Theme is Steering Livestock to Food Security

Important talking points on Fishery, Dairy, Poultry, Fodder and Livestock Health are given below :

Talking Points - Fisheries

• India has a long coast line of 8118 km; a continental shelf of 0.5 million sq km; an Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.02 million sq km; about 1.24 million ha of brackish water area;1,91,024 km length of rivers and vanals 2.15 million ha of reservoirs; 2.25 million ha of ponds and tanks etc.

• India is the third largest producer of fish and the second largest producer of fresh water fish in the world.

• The present fish production is about 7.6 million tones(mt) comprising of 2.99 mt from marine and 4.61 mt from inland sector.

• The value of output from fisheries sector was estimated at Rs.42178 crore during 2007-08 which is about 4.72 % of the value of output from the Agriculture and allied sectors.

• Besides providing livelihood security to over 14 million people, the sector has been one of the major foreign exchange earners, with revenue reaching Rs. 8,636 crore in 2008-09 accounting for about 17% of the agricultural export. The contribution of fisheries sector is estimated at 1.07% to the GDP and 5.7% to the agricultural GDP.

• Aquaculture has emerged as an important farming activity transforming aquaculture from a traditional livelihood- support rural activity to profit oriented production system. The future development of aquaculture would depend upon improvements in new and adaptive research and management, especially in relation to emerging environmental issues and their mitigation. Thus the important challenges for aquaculture in India in the future are to ensure livelihoods, sustainability and profitability. Therefore, in order to support the development of fisheries and aquaculture, there is a need for realistic fisheries policy and need based fisheries research.

• There are a number of areas where private sector investments or projects in the PPP mode could be promoted. These areas include composite fish culture, ornamental fisheries, commercial venture of cage & pen culture, establishment of cold chain and infrafacilities, Post harvest technology and value addition, domestic marketing and management of fishing harbours, where participation by private sector could be invited.

Talking points –Dairy Development

• India ranks first among the world’s milk producing nations with the milk production of 108.50 million tonnes during 2008-09. The per capita availability of milk was 258 gm per day during 2008-09.

• Government of India is making efforts to increase the productivity of milch animals and thus increase the per capita availability of milk. Milk production and marketing system in India is unique. Most of the milk is produced by small, marginal farmers and landless labourers who are grouped into cooperatives at the village level. To provide them a steady market and a remunerative price for milk produced, about 13.90 million farmers have been brought under the ambit of about 1,33,349 village level dairy cooperative societies in the country as a part of Operation Flood Programme.

• Despite these strengths, Indian Dairy sector could not make any significant inroads in the global market due to several impediments. The quality of milk is a matter of concern which is now being addressed by all concerned. Most of the Dairy units are seriously looking into the improvement of sanitary and hygienic conditions by adopting ISO certification as well as HACCP programmes. The sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures are becoming mandatory for export and serious efforts have to be made to achieve the international standards to ensure quality export.

• In the post liberalization environment, investments in dairy sector especially in putting up manufacturing facilities have been made by private entrepreneurs as well as by multinational milk product companies. Hence private Sector, at present, utilizes most of their milk procured in the manufacture of milk powders, dairy whiteners, Infant foods, and ghee and to some extent the traditional Indian Dairy products. Only few of them market liquid milk, whereas, Co-operative & Public sector plants are discharging their social responsibility to meet the liquid milk requirements in the major cities and towns.

• Government has been implementing various dairy development schemes like Intensive Dairy Development Programme, Strengthening Infrastructure of Quality & Clean Milk Production, Assistance to Cooperatives & Dairy/Poultry Venture Capital Fund to cover left out areas and to popularize dairying as a source of livelihood. Government is also examining launching National Dairy Plan which is strategic plan with an outlay of Rs.17,371 crore to achieve a target of 180 million tonnes of milk production annually by 2021-22. Milk production is expected to grow at 4% with an annual incremental output of 5 million tonnes in the next 15 years. The plan envisages breed improvement through AI and through natural service, setting up plants to augment cattle feed, by -pass protein and mineral mixture. The plan also proposes to bring 65% of the surplus milk produced under organized sector for procurement as against the present 30%.

Talking Points – Poultry

• Poultry is an important sub-sector of the national livestock economy with a value of output from egg and poultry meat at Rs. 23,443 crore (at 2007-08 current prices). The Indian poultry industry has come a long way - from a totally unorganized to an industry operating on scientific lines to a large extent.

• Poultry utilizes substantial quantities of non-edible agricultural and industrial by-products and converts them into high quality, nutritious, protein-rich food. Eggs and poultry are among the cheapest source of animal protein.

• Presently India produces nearly 55.6 billion eggs per annum. Chicken meat production is about 2.49 million tons as per FAO data (2008). The annual per capita availability of eggs is anticipated to be around 47 eggs presently. This is much less than the recommended 180 eggs per capita per annum.

• India’s share of the world trade in poultry and poultry products is very small. However, the value of exports increased from nearly Rs.11.00 crores in 1993-94 to around Rs. 422 crores during 2008-09 as per Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

• Presently there are a lot of production pressures in the sector with heightened risks of emerging & re-emerging diseases, unavailability of crucial feed ingredients like maize and soya at reasonable prices, adverse effects of climate change etc. We have to further strengthen our veterinary services and infrastructure to cope up with early disease diagnosis and treatment, increase our genetic capabilities, improve nutrition and management etc in order to emerge as a competitive producer and exporter.

Talking Points –Feed & Fodder

• Livestock industry is the backbone of agriculture in our country and contributes significantly in the rural & agriculture economy.

• To meet the rising demand of milk, meat wool and other animal by-products, Govt. is laying emphasis on cross breeding of livestock to improve their genetic potential. But to have a proper output from the genetically improved livestock quality feeding is equally important.

• The 11th Plan Working Group on Feed & Fodder, NABARD and National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology has estimated shortages of feed & fodder in the country.


Talking points - Livestock Health

• A network of 27,562 Polyclinics / Hospitals / Dispensaries and 25,195 Veterinary aid Centers (including Stockmen Centers / Mobile Dispensaries), supported by about 250 Disease Diagnostic Laboratories, is functioning in the States and Union Territories for quick and reliable diagnosis of diseases. To provide referral services over and above the existing disease diagnostic laboratories in the States, one Central and five Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratories are also functioning.

• For control of major livestock and poultry diseases by way of prophylactic vaccination, the required quantity of vaccines are produced in the country at 27 veterinary vaccine production units. Of these, 21 are in the public sector and 6 in private sector.

• Efforts are also made to prevent ingress of diseases from outside the country, and maintaining of standards of veterinary drugs and formulations. At present, the Drugs Controller of India regulates the quality of veterinary drugs and biological in consultation with this Department.

• To supplement the activities of the State Governments, the Government of India is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, “Livestock Health and Disease Control”, where assistance is provided to states for prevention and control of various Livestock diseases of economic importance.

• India has been able to eradicate major diseases like Rinderpest, Contagious Bovine Pleuro-pneumonia and African Horse Sickness.

• Another important area in Livestock Health is the enactment of ‘The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009’, which has some significant provisions to control animal diseases. The Act has been extended to all the States and Union Territories except U.P.

• The following measures have been taken up by the Government of India for control and containment of current Avian Influenza outbreak as well as to prevent its ingress into the country.
(i) Culling of entire poultry population in the affected zone of 0-3 Kms.
(ii) Continuous strengthening of preparedness to tackle any future eventuality in terms of upgradation of laboratories, training of manpower, stockpiling of materials for control and containment etc.
(iii) The training of veterinary personnel in preparedness, control and containment is continuing. More than 85% veterinary workforce in the country has been trained to handle control and containment operations.
(iv) Reserve of essential material for control operations have been developed and are being expanded further.
(v) Sensitization of general public on Avian Influenza through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns.
(vi) Transparent approach towards reporting not only outbreaks but also information of unusual sickness/ mortality in poultry and results of laboratory diagnosis.
(vii) All the state governments have been alerted to be vigilant about the outbreak of the disease, if any.
(viii) Import of poultry and poultry products have been banned completely from HPAI positive countries.
(ix) Border check posts with neighboring countries have been strengthened.
(x) Guidelines issued to the states for further guidance to the poultry farmers.

Vote of Thanks on the Conference of Prices of Essential Commodities on 6th February 2010 at New Delhi

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh ji, Respected Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherji, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs Shri Sharad Pawar ji, Chief Ministers of the States, Lt. Governors and Administrators and other dignitaries, it is my privilege to propose a vote of thanks today.

I, extend a very hearty gratitude to all speakers for attending this meeting and for sharing your opinions today.

I thank all the honourable speakers of the day.

I wish to thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for being with us today and also calling for this conference. His commitment to ensure affordable kitchen essentials to the needy population especially the poor and middle class has been at the foundation of our efforts in the Ministry. We are fully aware that the efforts taken need to be strengthened with cooperation from one and all. I hope that the decisions taken here will go a long way in our follow up actions on the price front.

I sincerely thank the Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee for his views on the subject and the further measures be outlined here to be taken at the Central Government level and at State level on a war footing. The Finance Minister has always been a source of confidence with his vast experience and deep knowledge. We will continue to look to him for support and guidance. Thank you, Sir.
Shri Sharad Pawar ji, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture has made a very comprehensive presentation on this crucial subject and suggested measures to be acted upon together. Sir, as you have mentioned, the State Governments have an important role to play in ensuring that food articles distributed through the Public Distribution System quickly reach the intended beneficiaries without losses. I hope that the coordination is fully achieved in the coming weeks and states put the central policies to work more effectively.

I am also deeply grateful for the participation of Hon’ble Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors of the States and UTs in this conference. We look to the States to provide us with the basic data and information promptly. They also have to implement various Schemes to ensure that the benefits go to the right persons. Their task is indeed arduous and calls for constant vigil.

I also thank the Members of Cabinet Committee of Prices and Secretaries of the Central Government Departments present in this conference.

I thank the media for their endeavour to cover this important conference.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to place on record my sincere thanks to the staff of my Department for organizing the Conference successfully.

Thank you,

Jai Hind.

Inaugural Speech at the 44th Annual Convention of ISAE in New Delhi on 28th January 2010

Dr M M Pandey, DDG (Engg.), ICAR; Dr H S Gupta, Director, IARI; Er Amar Singh, President, ISAE; Dr T B S Rajput and Dr. D V K Samuel, Convener and Co-Convener, respectively, of the 44th annual convention of ISAE, other dignitaries on dais, members of ISAE and participants to this important convention, special invitees, friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen !

I am delighted to be with you this morning and happy to see the participants, who have come from different parts of the country. I am particularly pleased to learn that today’s deliberations would focus on Engineering Interventions to Meet Food Security.

Friends, India is the second most populous country in the world with a population of 1150 million. The population is expected to exceed 1400 million by 2020. Over 70% of the people of India live in rural areas, with about 52% still depending on agriculture for their livelihood. In other words, the biggest challenge before the agriculture sector of India is to meet the growing demand for food to feed her ever burgeoning population. Since Independence, there has been more than fourfold increase in grain production in the country due to introduction of improved technology packages and practices.

Irrigated agriculture will face numerous challenges in the coming decades including: dwindling water supplies due to competing water users, contamination of water supplies, low water use efficiencies; lack of adequate water storage capacity and climate change impacts. Climate change may lead to a warmer climate, more frequent, severe and prolonged droughts and floods. Institutions will face growing societal pressure to ensure that food production is undertaken within a framework that includes protection of adjoining sensitive eco systems. Irrigation being a major consumer of water, low efficiencies obtained in the irrigation sector is a cause of concern. Some of the reasons for low efficiencies are deficiencies in water delivery system, inequitable delivery of water to the fields and inefficient water management. Research and development and capacity building will be at the heart of the irrigation and water management innovations agenda. There will have to be significant investment in the training of engineers, scientists, extension agents and irrigators.

Another major constraint to the pace of agricultural mechanization in India is the large variability in power availability, from 0.60 kW/ha in Orissa to 3.5 kW/ha in Punjab. There is a strong linear relationship between power available and agricultural productivity. The Agricultural Engineers have designed and developed a number of precision-and-energy saving farm machines, which have been successfully demonstrated. Some machines like zero-till seed drill, rotavator, pumping sets, threshers, and combine harvesters are widely adopted by the farmers. Improved agricultural tools and equipment are estimated to contribute to food and agricultural production in India.

India has a big network of agricultural machinery manufacturers. The total annual investment in farm machines and in agro-processing/post-harvest equipment was estimated to be Rs. 50,000 crores. Healthy growth in tractors has resulted in corresponding growth in implement manufacturing, and with the support of research and liberalization policies, the manufacturing sector got a big boost. Tractor powered combine harvester, costing only 25-30 per cent of the self-propelled combine, is a significant innovation by manufacturers of Punjab. We have to go a long way as, at present, the estimated mechanization levels of various farm operations are: 40 per cent for tillage, 30 per cent for seeding/planting, 37 per cent for irrigation, and 48 per cent for threshing of wheat, 5 per cent for threshing of rest of crops, and 35 per cent for plant protection.
Having said that, I wish to outline some core areas, which we need to work with. Mechanization of rice, sugarcane, cotton, potato and horticultural crops, greenhouses, covered cultivation, animal and fish production are new emerging areas, which need greater attention. Some promising technologies have been successfully tested and their benefits have been demonstrated. Self-propelled rice planter, widely adopted in Kerala, saved 90 per cent in labour and 40 per cent in operation cost. Zero till drill saved 70-80 per cent of diesel and rupees 2,500 – 3,000 per hectare in cultivation cost. These technologies need to be demonstrated extensively for their adoption. As energy and water are becoming scarce, technologies using less energy, less water and conserving soil moisture will become popular in years to come. Some of the prominent technologies are zero till drill, strip till drill, raised-bed planter, laser leveler, drip and sprinkler irrigation and fertigation. In addition to moisture conservation technologies particularly for rainfed areas, there is a need to popularize technology for simultaneous application of aqueous fertilizer along with the seed (aqua ferti seed drill).

Mechanization in horticulture, particularly in cultivation of vegetables, is yet to pick up. Innovations in designs of green and poly-houses, handling of products and environmental control, including mechanized cultivation, assume greater significance. Mechanization in sugarcane cultivation with the use of specific machinery, particularly sugarcane harvesters, needs to be given emphasis. Mechanization of hill agriculture and small farms by introducing light and low-cost power-tools and machinery to improve timeliness of field operations is necessary.

The organized sector is entering in agri-business, especially in post-harvest operations such as processing, value addition and marketing. Among others, the rise of supermarkets and retail food chain is a unique example which is linking producers and consumers. These are revolutionizing the retail food trade. The advantages are: (i) reduction in post harvest losses and wastes, (ii) assurance of food quality and food safety, (iii) improvement in marketing efficiency and minimization of overheads, and (iv) provision of more employment opportunities to women through post harvest operations such as cleaning, grading, packaging, etc. In developing countries, consumer pays 3 – 4 times the farm-gate price for agro-produce whereas in an organized retail market consumers pay only 1.5 – 3.0 times the farm-gate price for basic food by eliminating the middleman, who takes away most of the profit and leaves very little with the farmer.

Fisheries have emerged as an important sector with great potential to ensure food, livelihood and nutritional security. In order to make agriculture more lucrative, the ICAR is devising ways and means to supplement family income and employment in rural areas. A pond-based farming technology has been developed for waterlogged areas that can enhance net water productivity and net returns in rice.
Development of bio-fuels, especially from agricultural residues, needs urgent attention. A large amount of biomass is produced every year but the consumable portion forms only a fraction of the whole – be it plant or animal produce. It is estimated that about 150 million tonnes of surplus biomass would be available for conversion into fuel. Briquetting, solid-state fermentation, gasification, pyrolysis, etc., are a host of technologies that are available today to efficiently convert the available surplus biomass into solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Therefore, proper management of these wastes and their subsequent disposal are essential. Fish farming is another important sector that generates considerable quantities of waste. The second major waste material in the fisheries sector is from seafood processing. The agricultural byproducts could be converted into very useful products, and at times main products, adding to the income and reducing the negative impact on environment. It is going to be a multi-disciplinary team effort to effectively utilize the bio-resource. However, the contribution from agricultural & biological engineers in this endeavor is going to be critical.

Quality human resource is a key input in all aspects of agriculture for making it technology-led and entrepreneurship-driven. The ICAR is implementing a comprehensive accreditation system to ensure quality of education, strengthening of infrastructure and faculty improvement in State Agricultural Universities. I am sure, this would provide for the much needed opportunity for our students to go overseas for Master’s and Doctoral degree programmes and also for foreign students to pursue higher studies in our agricultural universities. While the need for more agricultural engineers in near future would be felt, it is important that the agricultural engineering education imparts them the desired capabilities and confidence for overall success.

I wish you all the very best in your endeavours and hope that you will take all efforts to deliver, in magnitude and speed, what the country expects from you. I wish the 44th annual convention of ISAE all success, and hope that discussions and deliberations will help to devise strategies to tackle the problems that Indian agriculture is facing today.

It is with great pleasure that I inaugurate this convention.

Thank you!