Government formulates strategy to promote NER as agri export hub

Why is it in news?

Government initiatives helped NE region witness more than 85% export growth in last six years

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Middle East, UK, Europe are major destination for export of NER products

APEDA organises 136 capacity building programmes on export awareness & 22 International Buyer Seller Meetings in last three years in NER

APEDA signs a MoU with Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat to conduct various training programmes on pre-harvest and post-harvest management and other research activities

Highlights

·       To give boost to the export of horticulture products grown in North-Eastern (NE) states, the overnment is now up with a robust strategy to promote locally produced agricultural products to the international markets. The NE region is geopolitically important as it shares international boundaries with China and Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh making it the potential hub for the export of agricultural produce to neighbouring countries as well as other foreign destinations.

·       As a result, there has been a significant increase in the export of agricultural produce from NE states like Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Meghalaya in the last few years. The NE region witnessed an 85.34 percent growth in the export of agricultural products in the last six years as it increased from USD 2.52 million in 2016-17 to USD 17.2 million in 2021-22. The major destination of export has been Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Middle East, the UK and Europe.

·       To provide potential market linkages, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Development and Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, organised field visits of importers to have first-hand information about the qualitative cultivation practices being followed by farmers. Importers were mostly the Middle East, far Eastern countries, and European nations and Australia, etc. 

·       In the last three years, APEDA organised 136 capacity building programmes on export awareness across the different parts of NER. Highest, 62 capacity building programmes were held in NER in 2019-20, while 21 in 2020-21 and 53 such programmes were organised by APEDA in the year 2021-22. Apart from capacity building initiatives, APEDA facilitated 22 International Buyer-Seller Meets as well as trade fairs in NER in the last three years. 

·       APEDA also organised organized conference on the Export Potential of Natural, Organic and Geographical Indications (GI) Agro Products in Guwahati on June 24, 2022 to tap the abundant export potential of organic agricultural products from Assam and neighbouring states of NER.

·       APEDA aims at creating a platform in Assam for the exporters to get the products directly from the producer group and the processers. The platform will link the producers and processors of Assam and exporters from other parts of the country that would expand the base of the export pockets in the North-Eastern states, including Assam and increase the employment opportunities among the people of the state.

·       APEDA signs MoU with Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat to conduct various training programmes on pre-harvest and post-harvest management and other research activities for the promotion of export from the region.

·       The APEDA promoted GI products from NER like Bhut Jolokia, Assam Lemon, etc drew the attention of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who had mentioned it during his Maan Ki Baat programme. Assam Lemon is now exported regularly to London and the Middle East and as of now, more than 50 MT of Assam Lemon has been exported. Several consignments of litchi and pumpkin have also been exported by APEDA from Assam to different countries.

·       “Assam and the other states of North East Region have a favourable climate condition and the soil type for growing almost all agricultural and horticultural crops. As most of NER’s boundaries are shared with nations like Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China, there are possibilities of enhancing exports from the region,” APEDA Chairman Dr M Angamuthu said.

·       During Covid-19 period, APEDA continued to push its export plans through Virtual Buyer Seller Meet in association with the Embassy of India located in different countries with exporters and FPOs/FPCs from NER regarding the sourcing of pineapple, ginger, lemon, orange, etc. APEDA also organised Virtual Trade Fairs during the pandemic and facilitated the export to foreign countries. 

·       APEDA has also planned to undertake several other projects like capacity building of 80 budding entrepreneurs and exporters from the region, the Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and the state govt. officials, organize skill development and training in food processing, value addition on horticultural produce, etc.

·       APEDA has also planned to facilitate capacity building to officials of the Assam Agriculture Department and selected officials would be sent in batches to Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

·       APEDA also extend its support for branding and promotion of North East products such as KIWI Wine, processed foods, carrying out a wet sampling of Joha Rice Pulao, Black Rice kheer, etc. 

·       As a part of capacity building, APEDA organised skill development programmes for manufacturers, exporters and entrepreneurs to utilise the local produce for value addition and export. Training programmes are being held in different states of the Northeast in association with the Central Food Technology Research Institute, Mysore (CFTRI) and Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT).

·       APEDA also facilitated a workshop on Food Quality and Safety Management for Export of Processed Food Products from NER at Ri Bhoi in Meghalaya and Dibrugarh in Assam for boosting exports of agricultural and processed food products from NER through sustainable food value chain development.

·       With the APEDA’s intervention, Tripura’s Jack fruit was exported to London, and Nagaland’s King Chilli to London through a local exporter for the first time. Also, Assam’s local fruit called Leteku (Burmese Grape) was exported to Dubai and Assam’s Betel leaves have been regularly exported to London.

·       Tapping the export potential of pork and pork products, APEDA assisted the Assam Govt in setting up a modern pork processing facility at Nazira which has a slaughtering capacity of 400 animals per day. The unit is ready and set to be commissioned soon. 

·       APEDA organised a training programme on the promotion of organic pork export from Sikkim, which is an organic state of India, in association with the State Animal Husbandry Department. APEDA has also developed guidelines for the export of fresh and processed pork with the help of NRC on pigs located at Rani, which is near Guwahati. In the NER, Sikkim is the first state to have an organic certification agency, which was established in 2016 with the support of APEDA.

Brazilian Navy Delegation Visits Western Naval Command

A Brazilian Navy delegation led by Vice Adm Liberal Enio Zanelatto, Director of Industrial Production & Engineering, called on Vice Adm Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command on 11 Jul 22.

Why is it in news?

The two senior officers discussed various issues of common interest, including defence & submarines technology, Make in India, initiatives towards professional cooperation between the navies, and the outlook of the Indian Navy towards shared maritime interests with all like-minded navies/ nations.

Highlights

·       During the two day visit, the Brazilian delegation held extensive discussions with the Indian Navy counterparts with focus on maintenance of submarines. As part of the visit, the delegation also visited Mazagon Docks Shipbuilders Ltd. & a Kalvari (Scorpene) class submarine of the Indian Navy.

·       The Brazilian Navy also operates 4 Scorpene class submarines and is exploring options for collaboration towards maintenance of the diesel-electric attack submarines.

Ministry of Jal Shakti to strengthen capacities of States for SBM-Grameen II

Why is it in news?

To finalise the capacity building strategy and training calendar of each State and Union Territory as a part of their efforts to make their villages ODF Plus, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti with the support of UNICEF organised a national workshop on capacity building in New Delhi today. Capacity building of stakeholders is key to achieving ODF Plus status and in the third year of implementation of Phase II of Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G), States and Union Territories have targets to ensure that all their villages become ODF Plus.  More than 150 officials who are working in the sanitation section across the country participated in the programme.

 Highlights

·       Speaking at the inaugural session, Secretary-DDWS, Smt. Vini Mahajan said, “I believe we have a unique and historic opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.  The work done over the years has given us the momentum and today with strong political will at the highest level, both in the Government of India and the States, and equipped with the technical knowledge of what needs to be done for rural sanitation, we know what is to be done, how to do it. Therefore, we can actually transform our countryside.” However, we cannot do this with a government order, the Secretary added, saying that if we want to deliver rural sanitation which is a human right, and a must for human health and the dignity of people, it has to be done with the engagement, continued involvement and strong participation of local communities. 

·       Emphasising that there are adequate funds, she said panchayat leaders at the local level should recognise the need, importance, the possibilities, and understand what option works best in their areas.  Until we are willing to take on the responsibility of ensuring that the requisite actions are taken, infrastructure is developed and maintained and systems are in place, we might lose this historic opportunity, said Smt. Mahajan.

·       The Secretary called for the building of capacities at all levels, “The task is highly complex because we are talking about 6 lakh villages under various geographic conditions.  We need strong teams that have committed people who are willing to give this issue their attention, energy, and their intellectual abilities and this must go down to the district and block level. Also, every panchayat must be brought into the loop and master trainers need to be developed at all levels and give training to the next level”. 

·       In his opening remarks, Mr. Nicolas Osbert, WASH Chief, UNICEF outlined what is at stake for India as it fulfils its commitment to the SDG 6.2 on safely managed sanitation which is toilet usage while ensuring safe containment of human faeces through faecal sludge management and through operation and maintenance of twin pit toilets. He said that UNICEF was associated with the Mission because it contributes to the health and dignity of women and children, while preventing water borne diseases.  It also provides a great opportunity to strengthen building on the gains of Phase I, he added.

·       On UNICEF’s support for capacity building, he said they have developed well defined training modules to empower GPs – a 5-day training module for master trainers and to date about 1232 master trainers have been developed in 12 states and engaged in ODF Plus training.   UNICEF remains fully committed and accountable to help achieve the target to build capacities of sanitation workers, empower them, and raise awareness among communities.

·       Speaking on the occasion, Special Secretary, DDWS, Mr. Arun Baroka emphasised that solid and liquid waste management was technical in nature and given the large number of villages and lack of capacities at local level, there was a requirement for decentralised planning, implementation and operation and maintenance; in addition to sustaining behaviour change and ODF status. To address this, DDWS intends to strengthen capacity at every level in a time bound manner, equip village level functionaries with adequate information and knowledge; and sustain ODF while moving towards ODF plus.  The Special Secretary also talked about the current human resources availability, the capacity building dashboard, theme wise training conducted thus far, as also the way forward.

·       The inaugural session was followed by presentations. States presented their action plan for capacity building during the year. This was followed by discussions on challenges and way forward and an analysis of the capacity building plans received and best practices.

·       During the workshop, States/UTs shared information on: Strategy for orientation of state/district level officers and number of master trainers (MTs) to be trained at state and district level along with a timeline; Strategy for engagement of MTs and their sustainability; roll out plan with cascading approach to cover all GPs/villages including a monitoring mechanism; timeline to complete all the trainings at district/block/GP/village and preparation of village sanitation plan; and appointment of resource persons to undertake capacity building initiatives at state, district and block level.

·       DDWS intends to provide support for the training programmes through partner training agencies.  The first round of training needs to be complemented in the current financial year so that one trained resource person can be made available in all the villages; who will help prepare the Village Sanitation Plan (VSP) of the villages/GPs in the current year and monitor implementation of the same.

·       In July 2021, DDWS launched manuals that pertain to the key components of ODF Plus (Grey Water Management, Plastic Waste Management, Faecal Sludge Management, Biodegradable Waste Management and IEC).  They provide detailed information on technologies, technical specifications of assets, estimated costs and possible O&M arrangements to support states, districts, and rural local bodies to implement solid and liquid waste management initiatives.