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AgroPolicy, Environment

UNEP will support the state of Bihar in preparing a greenhouse gas inventory and carbon footprint analysis.

 

Bihar government will pursue a climate-resilient and low-carbon development pathway with the support of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the two entities announced. UNEP will provide an array of support for the state’s climate goals, including through advocacy, developing climate analyses and supporting its government’s capacity to handle climate-related issues.

 With an average of over 10 percent annual growth, Bihar has registered higher growth than the Indian economy in the three years preceding 2019/20. However, Bihar is also a state that is vulnerable to climate change, which threatens to undermine its developmental efforts, according to the 2019-20 Bihar Economic Survey- a shift towards more sustainable development is imperative for the state’s continued economic growth.

 Under the partnership, UNEP will support the state of Bihar in preparing a greenhouse gas inventory and carbon footprint analyses. UNEP will also help develop climate impact vulnerability assessments and increasing the capacity of Bihar’s government departments to deal with climate-related issues. The partnership will also involve revising Bihar’s State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC), under which Bihar’s climate priorities converge with India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change.

This UNEP-supported initiative by the Government of Bihar will also pave the way for other states to embark on this journey of climate resilience and low carbon development.

 Babul Supriyo, Minister of State, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said, “The phenomenon of climate change rings a global alarm and warrants immediate attention and action. We are extremely pleased about this collaborative effort of the Bihar Government with UNEP to make Bihar a climate resilient and low-carbon development state.”

 Tarkishore Prasad, Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, said, “ It will add to the green initiatives already taken by the State Government such as Jal-Jeevan Hariyali Abhiyan, Agricultural Road Map, Renewable Energy Policy and Clean Fuel Policy.”

 Satya S Tripathi, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Head of UNEP New York Office said, “UNEP looks forward to Bihar leading the way in India in the transition to a low-emission economy. This path-breaking partnership between UNEP and the Government of Bihar is a vital step towards achieving sustainable development for all.”

 

UNEP will support the state of Bihar

R&D

It aims to identify new disease resistance genes to combat the growing challenge of c

The 2Blades Foundation recently entered into a new research collaboration with Bayer, building on earlier work and complementing ongoing efforts to identify new disease resistance genes to combat the growing challenge of Asian soybean rust, a devastating airborne disease of soybean.

2Blades will apply its expertise in discovering cell-surface pathogen receptors to soy, bolstering a program on Asian soybean rust with additional types of immune receptors. The objective is to develop soy plants that are more durably resistant to Asian soybean rust.

Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) is a critical challenge for growers. If not managed properly with frequent fungicide applications, the disease can cause yield losses up to 80%. The pathogen causes extensive economic and yield losses in Latin America where 191 million metric tons were produced in the 2020-2021 growing season. In Brazil alone, Asian Soybean Rust has caused crop losses of more than US$ 10 billion since its first endemic outbreak in 2001.

By working with world-leading plant scientists, the 2Blades Foundation identifies new sources of disease resistance in nature against the major unmanaged disease threats of major crops. Genetic resistance allows crops to detect the presence of new pathogens, activate the plant immune system, and protect yields.

In 2017, 2Blades and Monsanto— since acquired by Bayer — initiated a project on cell-surface receptors to tackle diseases that significantly reduce yield. The platform developed in that program will now be used to combat Asian soybean rust in parallel with a soybean rust collaboration between the two organizations initiated in 2018. The joint approach will provide for various modes of action against a complex pathogen, enhancing the robustness and durability of these independent solutions.

Jeremy Williams, Senior Vice President and Head of Plant Biotechnology at Bayer Crop Science said, “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made with 2Blades on our existing research projects, and we believe that additional modes of action can help advance Bayer’s vision of ‘Health for all, hunger for none.”

 Dr. Peter van Esse, leader of the 2Blades Group, a translational research site of the 2Blades Foundation at The Sainsbury Laboratory said, “Working on combinatorial traits with leaders in both academia and industry will lead to a superior and more durable solution to tackle this key challenge for growers.”

 

 

It aims to identify new disease resistance

AgroPolicy

During 2020-21, India became the first country in the world to control locusts by using drones after finalizing protocols and Standard Operating Procedures.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare performs regulatory, monitoring, surveillance, and Human Resource Development function through a scheme “Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine (SMPPQ)” with the aim of minimizing loss to quality and yield of agricultural crops from the ravages of insect pests, diseases, weeds, nematodes, rodents etc. and to shield our bio-security from the incursion and spread of alien species. Revalidation of more than 1200 packhouses, rice mills, processing units, treatment facilities, fumigation agencies, post-entry quarantine facilities, etc to facilitate Agri export has been done.

To promote Integrated Pest Management and judicious use of Pesticides, 14 crop-specific and pest-specific Package of Practices have been issued to the States during the lockdown period. To promote Make in India, 6788 Certificates of Registration (CR) have been issued to indigenous manufacturers of pesticides and 1011 CRs issued for export of pesticides. The Destructive Insect and Pests Act, 1914 and the Insecticides Act, 1968 provide the legal framework for the regulatory function.

During 2020-21, India became the first country in the world to control locusts by using drones after finalizing protocols and Standard Operating Procedures. The largest locust control operation in Indian history has been conducted by the Central Government in collaboration with the States. Locust attack was controlled in more than 5.70 lakh hectare area of 10 States. Control capabilities of Locust Circle Offices (LCOs) have been strengthened by deploying helicopters for aerial spraying of pesticides for locust control. Till now control operations against locusts were carried out in an area of 2,87,986 hectares by LCOs and 2,83,268 hectares by State Governments.

During 2020-21, India became the first country

AgroPolicy, Oilseeds, Pulses

The Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 3,09,198.87 MT of Moong, Urad, Tur, Groundnut Pods, & Soyabean

In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at MSP from farmers as per existing MSP Schemes, as was done in previous seasons.

Based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 51.92 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme (PSS). The sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala was also given.

Further, based on the concerned State Govt. proposals, the sanction for procurement of 22.55 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Rabi Marketing Season 2020-2021 for the States of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for the procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS, so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State, nominated procuring agencies.

Up to 16.02.2021, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 3,09,198.87 MT of Moong, Urad, Tur, Groundnut Pods, and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs.1,665.18 Crores benefitting 1,67,678 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan.

The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for the commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals of Pulses and Oilseeds.

 

The Government through its Nodal Agencies has

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, AgroPolicy, Finance

Ministry  receives highest ever dividend of 28.4% for the FY 2019-20 amounting to Rs. 117.51 crore from Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited. 

 Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers receives dividend receipt of Rs. 167.16 crore from Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited for FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21. Union Minister of Chemicals& Fertilizers D.V.Sadananda Gowda, received highest ever dividend of 28.4% for the FY 2019-20 amounting to Rs. 117.51 crore from Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (RCF). In addition, RCF has also handed over an interim dividend of Rs 49.65 crore for FY 2020-21.

 The dividend cheque was presented by Shriniwas C. Mudgerikar, Chairman & Managing Director of RCF in presence of R K Chaturvedi, Secretary (Fertilisers) and other senior officers of Department of Fertilisers.

Speaking on the occasion, Gowda said that performance of RCF has been remarkable during current fiscal considering the disruptions caused by corona pandemic. It is worth appreciating that despite all odds, the company has been able to register an increase of 235.65% in net profit to Rs. 221.09 crore in the current FY (up to December 2020) as compared to Rs. 65.87 Crore achieved during the corresponding period of previous year.

It may be recalled that RCF is a leading fertilizers and chemicals manufacturing and trading company with about 75% of its equity held by the Government of India. It has two operating units, one at Trombay in Mumbai and the other at Thal in Raigad district of Maharashtra. RCF manufactures Urea, Complex Fertilizers, Bio-fertilizers, Micro-nutrients, 100 per cent water soluble fertilizers, soil conditioners and a wide range of Industrial Chemicals. The company is a household name in rural India with brands like “Ujjwala” (Urea) and “Suphala” (Complex Fertilizers) which carry a high brand equity. RCF has countrywide marketing network in all major states.

 

Ministry  receives highest ever dividend of 28.4%

Agro Universities, R&D

The automated AELT is an economic and eco-friendly insect trapping device which is easy-to-use and requires low maintenance helps in handling insects in large numbers very efficiently there by reducing the operational cost.

The advanced solar based Alternate Energy Light Trap (AELT) Device invented by the scientists of the ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha was awarded the patent. The AELT Device helps in trapping the several flying insects in the crop fields by utilizing solar powered system (to light the lamp at night) that is the first of its kind in India. The Institute filed the application on 18th March, 2014. The device has been invented by Dr Shyamaranjan Das Mohapatra, Principal Scientist (Entomology) and Dr Mayabini Jena, Former Principal Scientist & Head, Crop Protection Division of ICAR-NRRI.

The AELT includes a light trap unit for attracting the flying insects; a collector unit coupled to the light trap unit for receiving the trapped insects from light traps. A funnel is fitted to direct the lured insects into the Insect Collecting Unit. The funnel supports three baffles joined at the top. A hook has been provided at the top portion for installing the light trap in the crop fields. Above the light trap unit, a solar panel has been fitted to charge a battery which supplies required power to the Light Trap Unit.

Once, the mesh will start vibrating, the tiny beneficial insects will fall down and collect in the second chamber. The tiny non-target insects, mostly natural enemies trapped so can easily be escaped to the crop environment. The facility of escaping of non-target / natural enemies from the main Insect Collection Unit is a desirable attribute for bio-intensive approach of pest management. The Light Trap Unit is also provided with a sensor which will automatically get lighted during twilight and switched-off after three to four hours as per time set by the user in the timer. A higher capacity battery has been fitted with the device to store and operate the device even in the cloudy and foggy weather. The battery can store sufficient power in fully charged condition to supply required power to the unit to run for four to five days. It is cost effective as it will run on solar power, besides being portable. The device is easily dismantled and stored when not in use. The automated AELT is an economic and eco-friendly insect trapping device which is easy-to-use and requires low maintenance helps in handling insects in large numbers very efficiently there by reducing the operational cost.

The automated AELT is an economic and

E-commerce, Machinery – Post-harvesting, R&D

With this investment in Tevel, Kubota aims at creating new business opportunities, products and services for the farming industry. 

 Following a year dominated by the turmoil and uncertainty concerning the Covid-19 pandemic, Kubota has turned its eye to the future and invested in a ‘Series B’ venture funding investment round totalling $20 million for Tevel, who make flying autonomous fruit-picking robots for the harvesting segment.

 With this investment in Tevel, Kubota has taken steps to accelerate its innovation philosophy with the objective of creating new business opportunities, products and services for the farming industry. With the pandemic leaving globalisation at a fork in the road, the Kubota Group is intending to expand its community-focused business operations in order to deliver integrated and collaborative solutions, technological advancements and unique customer value across all segments of its business.

Every year, over 800 million tons of fruits are produced in an area of 70 million hectares worldwide, representing an annual market value of $1 trillion. Farmers spend annually $100 billion on fruit picking and recruit over 10 million temporary workers for a short period of time to pick their fruit. These seasonal workers are harder and harder to find, recruit, train, employ and provide temporary housing for.

Sourcing and operating field workers during the picking season is a major constraint that risks their investment and profitability for the season, as well as their ability to pick all of their fruit within a short and competitive time window. In addition, due to the complexity in crossing borders and international travel during the pandemic, the Covid-19 crisis has further aggravated the labour shortage and increased the risk in fruit production by limiting the availability of migrant workers. 

 

Tevel, founded in 2017 in Israel, is developing autonomous flying robots for fruit picking, combining AI with computer vision, advanced robotics, aeronautical engineering, state-of-the-art flight control and data fusion and perception.

“Through further innovation, we will continue contributing to the world in the fields of food, water, and the environment, looking ahead to the post-Covid-19 society,” states Yuichi Kitao, Chaiman and Representative Director, Kubota Corporation.

 

“With our investment in Tevel, we partnered with one of the most advanced technology companies in fruit picking. Kubota is committed to help solve fruit growers’ problems in providing security for harvesting timing and quality and to deal with the increasing labour issues that growers are facing nowadays,” explains Peter van der Vlugt, General Manager of the Innovation Centre Europe.

 

 

With this investment in Tevel, Kubota aims

Dairy, New Zealand

The company plans for a limited global expansion of the award-winning Regen effluent irrigation management solution

CropX, a global leader in soil analytics for agriculture has recently announced the successful integration of Regen in New Zealand as well as plans for a limited global expansion of the award-winning Regen effluent irrigation management solution.

After successfully integrating the Regen team and operations at the end of 2020, the company immediately set about formulating plans to significantly expand the adoption of the CropX soil analytics solution in New Zealand as well as launching the Regen effluent management solution to select global markets with significant Dairy and/or Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) and unique soil & water quality challenges. 

In parallel with the effort to introduce the CropX solution to New Zealand’s growers, the company began an initiative to identify global targets with pressing environmental concerns associated with effluent management from dairy or CAFO’s. Western Europe, the United States, and nearby Australia all met the criteria. Given the travel challenges associated with the global pandemic, the decision was made to focus 2021 Regen commercial trials in Australia and the United States and defer commercial trials in Europe to 2022.

With greater global concern around water availability, quality and nitrate leaching and run-off, CropX is in a unique position to deliver agronomic benefits to growers and contribute to regenerative and sustainable agriculture practices in a meaningful way.

The company plans for a limited global

Animal Health, Live Stock

Hygiena has been committed to providing accurate and easy-to-use-diagnostic tests

EW GROUP, a German strategic holding company in the field of animal breeding, health, nutrition and diagnostics, announced that the acquisition of Hygiena, a leader in food safety and environmental testing solutions. The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in March 2021.

Hygiena, headquartered in Camarillo, California, USA, with 9 locations around the world, develops, manufactures and distributes food safety and environmental diagnostic solutions. For two decades, Hygiena has been committed to providing accurate and easy-to-use-diagnostic tests, supported by the most knowledgeable technical service teams in the industry.

The newly formed group of companies, under the Hygiena umbrella, will include BioChek, a global veterinary diagnostic company, as well as Biotecon, an innovator in PCR, GMO, ID and environmental diagnostics. Both companies are subsidiaries of the EW GROUP, expanding Hygiena’s food safety portfolio with attractive molecular diagnostic capabilities, sample preparation as well as the veterinary diagnostic field.

As part of the partnership, EW GROUP and Hygiena are committed, based on the EW GROUP principles, to invest in new technologies, R&D and international structures. Technical expertise will be leveraged amongst the companies to develop new products in diagnostics, accelerate development and further improve data interpretation and management software capabilities.

 

Hygiena has been committed to providing accurate

Animal Health

Giriraj Singh, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India distributed the awards on Vasant Panchami

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), the apex body in the country for the welfare and protection of animals, established under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 conferred 14 Prani Mitra awards and Jeev Daya awards 2021 to the individuals, organizations and corporates for their outstanding performance in the field of animal welfare.

Giriraj Singh, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India distributed the awards and conveyed his greetings to all the animal lovers on the auspicious day of Vasant Panchami.

The AWBI, animal welfare organizations and animal lovers in our country are also concerned about the welfare of all creatures from Ant to Elephant and working for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

The following individuals/organizations have been awarded the Prani Mitra and JeevDaya Awards in their respective fields: –

(1) Prani Mitra Award Individual – Yogender Kumar, New Delhi, Manish Saxena, Jaipur, Rajasthan and Shyam Lal Chaubisa, Udaipur, Rajasthan.

(2) Prani Mitra Award Shaurya – Anil Gandas, Gurugram, Haryana, Late Kalpana Vasudevan, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu.

(3) Prani Mitra Award – Life Time Animal Service – Maj. Gen. (Retd) Dr R M Kharb, AVSM, Gurugram, Haryana, Dr S Chinny Krishna, Chennai, Tamilnadu and Dr SR Sundaram, Chennai, Tamilnadu.

(4) Prani Mitra Award – Animal Welfare Organization – World Sankirtan Tour Trust, Hodal, Haryana, Shri Karuna Foundation Trust, Rajkot, Gujarat and People for Animals, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

 (5) Prani Mitra Award – Corporate – Tata Trust Foundation, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

 (6) JeevDaya Award – Animal Welfare Organization – Dhyan Foundation, New Delhi and Animal Aid Charitable Trust, Udaipur, Rajasthan.

 

 

Giriraj Singh, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Trade

Demand from many African and Asian countries during COVID19 pandemic attributes the spike in export 

India’s exports of cereals – rice, wheat and coarse cereals witnessed an impressive rise during the first three quarters of 2020-21 financial year. As per the data during April-December, 2020, the exports of cereals rose to Rs 49,832 crore from Rs 32,591 crore (4581 US$ million) reported during the same period in the previous year. The exports of cereals witnessed a rise of 52.90% in Rupee term and 45.81 per cent in US dollar term. The total share of value of cereal exports was 48.61 per cent in Rupee terms in the total export of (APEDA) scheduled products.

As per the data during April-December, 2020, the export of Basmati Rice was Rs 22,038 crore (2947 US$ Million) against Rs. 20,926 crore (2936 US$ Million) reported during the same period in the previous year. The exports of aromatic and long-grain rice witnessed a growth of 5.31% in Rupee terms and 0.36 % Dollar terms.

During the first three quarters of 2020-21, the shipment of non-Basmati rice witnessed an impressive spike. The non-basmati rice exports was Rs 22,856 crore (3068 US$ Million) during April-December, 2020 against Rs 10,268 crore (1448 US$ Million) reported during April- December, 2019 period. The exports of non-Basmati witnessed a growth of 122.61 % in Rupee terms and 111.81 % Dollar terms.

A key factor attributed to such a spike in non-Basmati rice exports was demand from many African and Asian countries during COVID19 pandemic. Many countries wanted to create rice stocks so that they could be used during emergencies. Another factor which helped India’s non-basmati rice exports was Thailand, the second-largest rice exporter in the world after India, suffered a drought last year that has impacted the output.

The sharp spike in rice exports especially during a phase where globally the COVID19 pandemic has disrupted supply changes many commodities, has been attributed to the government taking prompt measures to ensure exports of rice while taking all the COVID19 related safety precautions.

Demand from many African and Asian countries

Acquaculture

The need of the hour for shrimp farming would create a win-win situation for both insurance companies and farmers

The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, Tamil Nadu recently organized a “Consultation Meeting on developing a Pragmatic Crop Insurance Product for Shrimp Aquaculture” at Chennai on February 12, 2021.

In his address, Dr KK Vijayan, Director, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai apprised the participants about the genesis and growth of the shrimp sector in the country and the bloom-bust-sustainable phases the sector has witnessed. He stressed on Institutional Insurance as the need of the hour for shrimp farming that would create a win-win situation for both insurance companies and farmers.

CA Srinivasan, Vice-President, Allianz Insurance Company emphasized that on the basis of the outcome of the discussions on the insurance policy proposals, a Pragmatic Insurance Policy could be worked out and subsequently, the premium and other aspects would be discussed.

The officials from the leading Insurance companies, farmers, farmer representatives, scientists and other stakeholders participated in the deliberations.

The need of the hour for shrimp

E-commerce, Japan, Machinery – Post-harvesting

The new versions of Robot tractors will go on sale in Japan from April 1st, 2021.

Yanmar Agribusiness Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Yanmar Holdings has announced the upgrades of its autonomous tractor series, which are capable of full or partially autonomous work. The new versions will go on sale in Japan from April 1, 2021.

Recent years have seen an increase in large-scale farming in Japan, brought on by the consolidation of smaller farms into larger enterprises. At the same time, a declining and aging farming population has led to workforce shortages in Japanese agriculture. The market for autonomous agricultural machinery is rising to meet these challenges. Yanmar’s upgraded robot/auto tractors will utilize a multi-frequency antenna for stable connection and higher positioning accuracy towards a safer, even more efficient autonomous tractor. 

“Yanmar’s auto tractor and robot tractor have found favour in the farming community for their efficiency, reliability and accuracy,” said Nagamori Masuda, Yanmar Agribusiness president. “With these new models, Yanmar offers farmers even more value with more robust positioning technology that allows even greater flexibility in the field.” 

Yanmar will continue to work to meet customer’s needs, contributing to sustainable agriculture.

The new versions of Robot tractors

Agrotech, Foodgrains, Pulses

With over 45 national and international experts participated at the seminar on critical topics and attended by around 2000 delegates from 25 countries 

India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), the nodal body for India’s pulses trade and industry, successfully hosted the 3rd National Pulses Seminar on February 10 & 11, 2021. With over 45 national and international experts speaking at the seminar on critical topics and attended by around 2000 delegates from 25 countries. The seminar coincided with the 5th World Pulses Day celebrated on February 10, 2021.

Jitu Bheda, Chairman – IPGA in his welcome address said, “At IPGA, pulses are not just a product; they are also a promise of nutritional security for a significantly vegetarian nation such as ours. Hence, as India’s leading knowledge hub and think tank on the pulses and grains industry, our focus extends way beyond the market dynamics, and encompasses the value pulses bring to our health, society, and country.”

 Narendra Singh Tomar, Hon’ble Union Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Ministry of Rural Development; Panchayati Raj; and Ministry of Food Processing Industries in his keynote address said, “Our domestic production of pulses has risen by 23 per cent between 2017 and 2019 due to the hard work and efforts of farmers and scientists. The efforts are now in progress to reach a production level of 320 million tons by the year 2030.”

Raosaheb Patil Danve, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in his keynote address said, Pulses are also an important crop for farmers. Such a seminar has facilitated important discussion on various aspects of pulses and will benefit the entire value chain of pulses production.”

Leena Nandan, Secretary – Consumer Affairs in her address said, “India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world. However, the domestic production is not sufficient to meet the needs of our growing population, to meet the diverse food preferences across the country and we need to rely on imports to bridge the demand-supply gap. In the first phase of the PMGKAY, whatever were the preferences of the states and they were incredibly diverse, all those pulses were provided to those state governments, and in the next phase of the programme, which was from July to November 2020, it was the whole chana that was distributed to all the states. So, this was possible only because of the large buffer stock of pulses we had with us, and we propose to continue to maintain this buffer stock.”

Adv. Vijay Sardana – Techno-Legal and Policy Expert, Advocate & Arbitrator, Agri-Food Value Chain and Trade Policy Expert said,“Today, the MSP formula of cost-plus fifty percent, based on M S Swaminathan committee’s widely disseminated recommendation, lacks clarity. The formula does not factor productivity and quality. It means that if there is any farmer achieving high productivity and his cost of production is low, he should technically get less MSP”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With over 45 national and international experts