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
Thursday, July 29, 2010
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
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